Ms.
January 10, 2021 Dear Commission, I want to thank you for making the option for a regular, non-expert (neither formal training nor self-taught) in redistricting mapping, person like me to communicate with the decision-makers about my personally affected community of interest (COI). I have watched via live stream all four hearings held on January 6 and 7, 2022. I will watch the two this Friday (1/14) and one on Saturday (1/15) via live stream as well. I want to share some thoughts related to my observations after watching the testifiers over 7.5 hours. 1) Lived Experience: I think non-expert testifiers should only have considered their comments related to the COI that personally affects them or the entity they are speaking for like school district superintendents, combined sewage/water operators, fire/rescue/EMS services providers, elected officials for a municipality, etc. I was taken back by some of the testifiers providing the “solution” by saying what other municipalities (even in other counties from their stated COI and not contiguous to their stated COI) needed to be adjusted so that their request to be moved to another district or associated with another community could be accomplished. What qualifies them to do that? People from those other “to be adjusted” municipalities should speak for themselves. I feel what makes an everyday person an “expert” on their “real” COI is their lived experience of being part of that COI. 2) Hope Not Undue Influence Allowed: It was quite evident to me some of the stated “nonpartisan” group representatives were not “non-partisan” at all and their requests should be viewed as such. These supposedly “nonpartisan” groups all seemed related and with a similar agenda attacking it from different strategic angles. I hope their comments will not have undue weight. Two representatives of two different groups read statements as “experts” but when asked simple questions by one of the commission members neither could answer. I wondered to myself, “who really wrote their statements?” 3) Once again – you all are doing an awesome job – and have been inclusive of everyday people like me. I have loved and am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you four elected officials and the esteemed Chairman who is doing a phenomenal job. Sincerely, Theresa Myers Upper Mifflin Township Cumberland County