Former supervisor supports rural needs in redistricting

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

When the county established its redistricting process after the 2010 Census, Supervisor Bill Horn said he handled the boundary recommendations himself, based solely on population.

This year it’s more complicated with a county commission assigned the task with more stipulations. One rule that Horn says is important pertains to unincorporated areas like Fallbrook and Bonsall.

“The county charter says the unincorporated areas of the county must be represented by at least two supervisors,” Horn said last week. “Some of the maps I looked at online don’t seem to have that in mind.”

The commission will present their final recommendation to the board in late December. Horn said it was important to have strong representation for rural areas, preferably from at least two supervisors, because that’s where most of the agricultural farms are located.

Horn, who lives on a ranch farm in Valley Center, said there are 5,500 farms in the county, most of them in unincorporated North County.

“That’s what got me elected, representing the rural area,” Horn said. “We need fair representation in the area.”

Horn served as Fifth District supervisor for 24 years, being termed-out in 2018. Prior to the county position, he was a trustee with the Escondido Union High School District.

With the redistricting, Horn said no city – other than San Diego – should be split into two districts.

“With Democrats now holding the majority on the board, you know they will end up trying to gain more power,” he warned.