Redistricting and the 194th
I welcome the chance to submit this testimony, and to let you know that I have been paying attention to the new Preliminary maps. So glad that these are preliminary which to me means that changes can be made. I have been a resident of the East Falls Community of Philadelphia for many years. As far as I can remember, the majority of the East Falls community has always been associated with the current 194th District. It absolutely makes no sense to me why your committee moved us from the Northwest section of Philadelphia to a West Philadelphia district which is on the other side of the Schuylkill River. All of my interests and activities are geared toward the Manyunk, Roxborough and Andorra sections of the City (considered the lower Northwest district) not with West Philadelphia. I rarely go to West Philadelphia for any activities except to drive my car down Route One ( City Line Ave.) East Falls is connected to the roads and streets, shopping, hospitals, doctors, restaurants, neighbors and community activities which occur in the communities mentioned earlier. My neighbors and I feel very connected to the Northwest section of the City A Philadelphia planning commission recently placed us with these neighborhoods when thinking of the future of the City. The current map submitted by Fair Districts also placed East Falls with the current 194th district ( not the proposed one). I believe their map renumbered this district as the 191st. It makes little sense to cut our present ties with this district and move Chestnut Hill to the 194th which has had no connection to the 194th at all. In fact, Chestnut Hills fits in better with the Upper Northwest part of Philadelphia and it should stay in its current district. As a citizen i feel very strongly that making this shift would be a big mistake and would deter my involvement in citizen affairs. We have little in common with West Philadelphia and our issues would possibly be an afterthought to their Districts' other interests. Currently, our State Representative is very attuned to the East Falls community. She shows up at many of our functions and invites to all of hers. Recently the Rep's district office moved and it is literally a four minute drive from my home. I really do not understand your rationale for removing the East Falls community to another district. Could it have something to do with gerrymandering? I wish I knew. Lastly, let me say something about gerrymandering. Pennsylvania has been one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. Shame on us! Citizens need to feel that their interests take precedence, not the interests of the State politicians. Therefore, I support legislation that would create an independent redistricting commission run for and by citizens, not by current politicians. This is the only way to create fair maps and fair (re)districting in Pennsylvania. I hope you will be smart and brave enough to support such legislation.!