Keep Mt Airy - 200th District - Intact!
I have lived in the Mt Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia (200th District) for over 40 years, and my mother lived in Roxborough/Manayunk (194th District) for 8 years, so I am well acquainted with both communities. Although the two neighborhoods appear to be adjacent on the map, they are, in fact, quite geographically separate due to the Wissahickon Gorge and limited bridges between them. They have over time developed their own unique social and political cultures that are quite distinct from one another. Merging most of Mt Airy into the 194th district, while cutting off the lower portion to create a new 200th would do a grave disservice - not just to the residents, but to their representatives. For legislators to be effective, they must deeply understand of the needs and concerns of their constituents. The current 200th and 194th districts each have well-respected representatives who know their districts' unique concerns related to commercial corridors, residential development, schools, houses of worship, etc. Asking one person to represent both districts is asking them to split their representation in two, diluting their obligations to both communities. I emphatically urge you to adopt the boundaries outlined in the Fair Districts PA "Peoples Map,” which would keep both communities of interest intact – a major aim of the LRC in putting a stop to partisan gerrymandering! Thank you.