Redistricting 82nd
On the outside looking in you could never know how essential it is to have Rep Hersheys district remain as it presently is. What you cannot see is the large number of senior citizens and less fortunate, less income residents who rely on and need the many services offered. Many of the Mifflin County residents do not have transportation and walk to this legislative district office. Do you know that many elderly folks will wrap themselves up in layers of clothing’s on winter days and walk ten or eleven blocks in freezing temps knowing wholeheartedly that their problems will be resolved when they arrive at this destination . These folks see this office as more than a legislative office. Honestly, most have no clue if it is a Republican or Democrat office. These people don’t care. What they care about is the assurance they have found over the years in knowing this office cares. Whether they need help to find housing, find resources to get heat in their homes, obtain help with local, state or even federal matters they know beyond any doubt they will find rescue at this office. In fact many an elderly folk will visit this office calling it a “one stop all” location. This office will and always has gone the distance. The community as a whole knows this. The Coleman Hotel is located directly across the street from this legislative office. It houses a large number of low income and elderly residents, most who do not have transportation of their own. Around the corner the Lewistown Hotel and Mann Edge Housing. Nearby Lawler Place, McCoy Manor, Burgard Apartments as well as Mount Rock Commons. These hundreds of seniors, or disabled residents rely on the convenient services. Again, most travel by foot or have friends bring them to the office for assistance. Many who do drive express their appreciation of having a nearby office to travel to oftentimes admitting they cannot drive further distances because of age or poor eyesight. Mifflin County offers no busing opportunities for its residents. There is no taxi service. Frankly, the majority of residents who I personally have met and talked to have no clue what Uber even means. Centre County may offer these services but it is thirty minutes away. I worked for the House of Reps for thirty five years and retired a year ago. I know this community. I know these people. Again, many have no idea it’s even a legislative office. Hundreds came regularly desperate for help who otherwise would have had no ability to understand how to get food assistance, housing aid, assistance with revenue or tax matters of great importance. Etc This community needs the 82nd legislative district to remain local. These people struggle just to get to the grocery store. So many of these people count on this office. Again from the outside looking in, sitting in Harrisburg a good distance away, very respectfully I say that you have no idea the harm that will be done in the lives of so many people. Yes you will always have those residents who are better off financially who can get in a car and drive any distance but not the majority of the people served by this office in Mifflin County. Please don’t let these people fall through the cracks. I know because I met these people and know them by name. These people consider the legislative district office as part of their family.. They return time and time and time again. I have seen many an older folk break down in tears in the legislative district office so appreciative that they found aid. I care about these people and I know my past employers at the house of representatives care also. I shake my head as I write this because I think it is shameful to even consider doing this to a county that has so many lower income families, and elderly and disabled residents. If you insist on doing this might I ask if you plan to bring a bus station to mifflin County, or a taxi company in Mifflin County or some means that these people will have transportation to get to the new office? I don’t think so. Please do not move this legislative office. These people deserve better.. These people, many of them who are helped count on the continual advocacy in the legislative office because many of them can’t even write their own name on an application. Many of them over the years would come in and not even know their birthdates or Social Security numbers yet by redistricting you would assume they can find their way to a new office an hour away. Please don’t do this to the large number of people of Mifflin County who truly need the services to remain where they are.. It is about providing much-needed services to the people who need them the most. I No longer work for the house of representatives. I have no other intent or reasoning to urge a reconsideration other than to plead with you on behalf of the many many men and women both young and old in mifflin County who will be harmed subsequently if these changes occur. Thank you .