Why I like my redistricted map
January 6, 2022, Dear Commission: I have written before but felt it might be helpful to provide some context to the community of interest (COI) for Upper Mifflin Township, Cumberland County. You five have a difficult job because many will be unhappy with the final map. However, I am one that is happy now specifically with the redrawn district H.D. 193 and associating me with Shippensburg. 1. I have lived here since November 2000 and our state rep has always been from Carlisle and we were the furthest area on the western end of their district. Vastly different in culture (very rural, farming, and state game lands) than Carlisle Borough or Silver Spring Township - both in Cumberland County. 2. Upper Mifflin Township has one voting precinct but is divided into two mailing zip codes. (A) Newburg 17240 - the most populated portion of the township and where I live and (B) Newville 17241 which is the least populated portion of the township. It makes sense to put the township into an area that services the most residents of the township. The nearest "town" is Shippensburg. Our ruralness matches the rest of H.D. 193 in western Cumberland County and Adams County. 3. Shippensburg is my town. I was there this morning - shopping at Aldi and getting my car looked at the auto repair shop. I go to church in Shippensburg. My family doctor is in Shippensburg. The only thing I go to Newville for is a non-profit peer support weight loss group (TOPS) that I am part of and only because Shippensburg doesn't have a chapter. 4. I ask that even if other areas of Cumberland County are adjusted, as I believe they should be. please leave Upper Mifflin Township in with whoever represents Shippensburg even if it is someone from Franklin County or a different H.D. than 193. My specialty care medical providers are all in Chambersburg (Franklin County) as that is 22 miles from me. My other closest option would be to go east and for two of the medical specialists I use I would have to go to the Camp Hill area - Penn State Holy Spirit (42 miles) or Harrisburg area - UPMC Pinnacle (48 miles). 5. For me it is more about being connected with our geographical COI than specifically who is my representative or what H.D. I am in. 6. I am not redistricting map expert that is why I focused on my personal reasons for where I live. However, as a Cumberland County resident, I do think the West Shore area of Cumberland County (Camp Hill Borough, Mechanicsburg Boro, East Pennsboro Township) looks like a mess on the map. The only commonality I see with Harrisburg City and Cumberland County is the Camp Hill Borough (they share the Harvey Taylor Bridge) otherwise it doesn't make sense for a state house district to be associated with Dauphin County. Good luck. Theresa Myers