The 2000 census is complete and at least as far as politics is concerned, the next step is the proposed redrawing of voting districts for local, state, and federal offices. The same process is currently taking place in Long Island. However, New York State politicians in the Roslyn area do not expect any major changes concerning the districts they represented in the 1990s.

All that is happening right now are only proposals for the new lines. Lawmakers hope lines for the new state Assembly, state Senate and the U.S. Congress are finalized by late April. The state legislature and the governor must approve the redistricting plan. In addition, all proposals must cut mustard with Justice Department bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. before the fall elections can go forward. The big news is that Long Island, which sent a total of 22 state assemblymen to Albany, will be losing a seat to New York City; hence, there will be 21 assemblymen from the Island for at least the next 10 years.

The offices of David Sidikman said the assemblyman, in the proposed redrawing, should retain his same areas of Roslyn, East Hills, and Roslyn Harbor. The assemblyman's new district will need 10,000 additional voters, most of which will come from the Plainview area. He will still be running in the 13th A.D.

Similarly, Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli expects to hold onto virtually the same areas of Roslyn he has represented for the past decade as part of the 16th A.D. As with Mr. Sidikman, the assemblyman will need more voters in his district.

On the state Senate side, incumbent Michael Balboni's district, too, is expected to experience little, if any changes. Roslyn area voters will remain part of Senator Balboni's 7th state Denate district.

Throughout Long Island, the proposed redistricting is effecting some incumbents. For example, Tom Alfano, the assemblyman who has served the 22nd A.D. for the past seven years, may be leaving Floral Park for a district including parts of his old one, plus such new villages as Freeport and Elmont South.

Not just the Long Island assemblyman delegation, but the make-up of New York State congressional members will change with the redistricting process. As has been the case every decade for the past 40 years, New York will lose congressional seats. Prior to the census, state politicians were hoping only one congressional seat would be lost. Instead, the state will have two less members of congress for the current decade. One loss is expected to come from upstate New York, the other---at least local politicians hope---will be taken out of New York City. After the 1990 census, New York lost three congressional seats, including one in Suffolk County. In 1960, New York sent 45 congressmen to Washington. After this redistricting, the state will send 27 such lawmakers to the federal capital. In 40 years, New York has seen its congressional delegation cut nearly in half.

In Washington, Gary Ackerman represents most of the Roslyn area. His district is unique in that it covers not one, but three counties, including jurisdictions in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. Peter King represents much of East Hills and the other slices of the surrounding area.

Rep. King said more details on congressional redistricting might not be available until May. He is certain, however, that he will have to pick up anywhere between 70,000 and 75,000 voters for his new district. That means he is likely to see his district branch out into Suffolk County.

A spokesman for Rep. Ackerman said that the congressman will certainly retain a district stretching from Queens County to Long Island, but he did not yet know whether Suffolk County would still be part of the Fifth C.D.

Rep. King also said that the soon-to-be eliminated congressional districts might both come from upstate New York (with that being defined as anything "north of The Bronx"). Because two districts are being lost, all remaining congressional seats must add some voters.