REQUEST FOR CORRECTION-Moon Township
My name is Allan Bross, a long-time resident of Moon Township, zip code 15108. Currently I own and operate a business’ in Moon Township with over 200 employees, many of them residents of Moon Township. I am also on numerous boards and committees including: Board of Supervisors of Moon Township Planning Commission of Moon Township Military Affairs ACE’s Air Show Committee I was on Both Comprehensive Plan Committees for Moon Township and Moon Area School District I would like to add Moon township was one of the Inaugural Townships founded in 1788 that’s over 230 years. We have a Bipartisan exception to the Preliminary apportionment plans noted in our letter filed with the Commission on December 27, 2021. It is important that Moon Township stays whole and maintains our Community of Interest. The proposed map removes 3 highly important districts from District 45 into District 44. Some notes of interest on these districts: 4 of the 5 Supervisors live in these districts They also include our Park system and Golf Course our Community Center which houses the Moon Township Municipal Authority and Moon Township Public Library. Moon Town is experiencing high growth throughout the community, but one area in particular is what we refer to as Market Place Blvd. This area is currently developing residential homes, apartments a Nursing Home facility plus commercial space. With the growth that Moon Township has seen over the past ten years, the need to rebalance the voting districts within the Township has become very apparent during the election process the last two years. The districts within the Township need to be re-aligned so that it encourages residents to get out and vote. Not only will the proposed re-alignment affect the Township, but it will also split the Moon Area School District facilities. The school district is in the process of rebuilding and also deserves to be represented by one voice. It is in our best interest to remain whole “as is” with one State House of Representative and one State Senator representing Moon Township As stated previously the current projects were driven by the Townships Comprehensive plan under the supervisor of the elected board of supervisors. Moon Township is also privileged to have the MTA, Moon Transportation Authority. This authority was developed to work alongside the township for development of the road system to adequately handle the increase in traffic from all development, past and future. Without State Grants and Funding for the infrastructure planned by the MTA, these projects may not have been financially feasible. I mention this because working with our House Representative and State Senator aided the township to acquire the funds needed for the projects. Without the MTA developers would go elsewhere. Dividing the township would require elected officials and the staff to work with multiple representatives and we believe thise would put the township at a disadvantage in what is a highly competitive process for funding. FINALLY, All of this is important for our region. Moon township is a centralized community that is vital to this region’s growth and health. This Region includes three military footprints, the 911th Air Wing, The 171st Air National Guard, and the 316th Army installation. The Pittsburgh International Airport has which includes an Extensive Cargo operation which supplies the Tri-State area and beyond. Major Corporate headquarters: Fedex, Dicks, Michael Baker International to name a few and let’s not forget many of their employees for each of these companies are Moon Township residents. The Township has great relationships with the surrounding communities of which all work cooperatively together to provide top notch services to the residents. As one of the largest municipal governments in this region the township can offer the surrounding communities support through services like, Police, Fire, Parks, or Public Works. We have even worked cooperatively on improvements to roadways and stormwater. As the Testimony shows Moon township is vital to the region and needs to be represented as one, by one. We ask that you seriously take into our concerns of dividing the township into two separate districts within the House of Representatives. We believe it is imperative that the Township remain under one District for both an elected Representative and Senate Seat. Staying with one representative and one Senator helps us in the quest of being a vibrant community to Work, Live, Play and Learn, not only now but into the future. I would like to thank the commission for your time and consideration. Allan Bross, Supervisor for the Township of Moon