New Congressional districts split Valley Stream

A single member of Congress will no longer represent all 40,000-plus Valley Stream residents beginning next year. Effective Jan. 1, 2013, New York state’s Congressional districts will be shifting, splitting Valley Stream into both the new 5th and 4th districts.

A three-judge federal court panel decided on March 19 to reduce the number of Congressional districts in New York from 29 to 27 to reflect the 2010 census results.

U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) would continue to represent the east side of Valley Stream, but Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans, Queens) would now represent the biggest portion of the community if both are re-elected. McCarthy has represented the 4th District for 14 years.