Don't Split South Middleton Township
As a South Middleton resident and member of the South Middleton School Board, I am frustrated to see my township split into 2 different PA House districts and broken off from Northern Adams County. South Middleton residents have 1 public school district which only those who reside in South Middleton attend. Our school relies on our elected state representative to advocate for funding, grant programs, and the educational needs of the thousands of students and family members who live within our district. Separating our township into two separate House Districts will further complicate meeting the educational needs of the students in our close-knit community. Additionally, my community is home to Uriah Methodist Church and Daycare located in Gardners on the border of Adams and Cumberland Counties. It serves as a community of interest and the vast majority of the congregation is currently in the 193rd House District. Under the commission’s preliminary plan, you have split the church community into two separate districts, moving part of the congregation into the 87th District while keeping the rest in the 193rd. Doing this makes seeking information, guidance, and representation from local state representatives much more difficult for the church and congregation. I respectfully request the commission keep all of South Middleton in one PA House District and keep it paired with our neighbors in Northern Adams County that we are currently represented with. Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to express my views.