"Gerrymander" is defined in the dictionary as "to divide (a geographic area) into voting districts to give unfair advantage to one party in elections." It takes its name from Elbert Gerry (1744-1814) and (sala)mander, from the shape of an election district created while Gerry was governor of Massachusetts.

The last time Congressional Districts were drawn in Nassau County, Manhasset was gerrymandered in a major way. At present we are represented by Congressman Peter King while our surrounding areas are represented by Congressman Gary Ackerman and Congresswoman Caroline McCarthy. We would have no objection to being represented by Congressman King except that we never see him around Manhasset. By contrast, Congressman Ackerman, who represents Great Neck, Port Washington, Roslyn and the rest of the North Shore, is a regular presence in our area as our Great Neck and Port Washington sister papers can attest. Similarly, rarely a week goes by that Congresswoman McCarthy is not featured in our Mineola and Garden City papers. We do not fault Congressman King for spending most of his time elsewhere because most of his district is elsewhere. He represents Baldwin, Merrick, Wantagh, Massapequa, Farmingdale, Muttontown and Old Westbury. To look at a map of his Congressional District is to understand the term gerrymander. The Congressional Districts will soon be redrawn and we hope that the politicians, in their wisdom, will look at a map as well as at a voting record and put Manhasset in the Congressional District where it belongs.

E.F.B.