MS
January 10, 2022 To: Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC) From: Mt, Airy, Philadelphia, PA resident, 19119 Re: Keep the Mt. Airy Community of Interest Whole Distinguished leaders, while we understand the arduous process of making maps and acknowledge that there have been great strides in the overall Senate map for Pennsylvania, the current House map breaks up our community - Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA. As a community of interest with a long history of civic engagement stretching back over 80 years, it is critical that our power is not diluted and that the 19119 zip code is kept in one district. We urge the commission to utilize the People’s House Map Here and maintain the integrity of the current 200th legislative district. This map ensures that Mt. Airy, our historical and integrated neighborhood, is kept whole. Neighborhoods with clear natural boundaries, as is the case with Mt. Airy, and citizens who share racial justice values, access to community services, local businesses, community worship, and gathering spaces must remain together. Additionally, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill should remain in the same district. Both communities regularly frequent the businesses, playgrounds and attend cultural events in both neighborhoods. The People's Map keeps these communities intact and decouples neighborhoods from communities on the other side of the Wissahickon Gorge that are neither similar in demography nor easily accessible. Our fragile democracy depends on civic engagement and connected communities. Mt. Airy is a long-standing community of interest woven together by shared interests and civic engagement. We urge the LRC to adjust the map to preserve our community of interest and keep us all in one district. Sincerely, Sara M Allen, resident of Mt Airy 51 years