Kopel said that although he would like his legislative district to remain intact, if the Republican redistricting plan is approved, he does not see how the Five Towns would be divided any more than it is now. “It’s already split in so many different ways without a disconcerting effect,” he said. “As much as I’d like to continue to represent the Five Towns, they may benefit from having one more legislative representative to act as an additional advocate for the area.”

If the GOP’s plan were to be approved, Hewlett would be in the same district as Long Beach and parts of the Five Towns would be conjoined with Rockville Centre — the home of the Roman Catholic diocese. “We’re heavily Orthodox. What are the common interests between those areas?” Anchin said. “They’re trying to destroy our sense of community.”