House District 194 comments
Dear Commissioners, I appreciate the opportunity to provide input into the new redistricting maps for Pennsylvania. As a longtime and active member of the Mt Airy community within Philadelphia, I have specific comments on the major changes proposed by the LRC for the House districts in Northwest Philadelphia. The LRC map cleaves the current District 200 which is situated east of the Wissahickon Gorge and proposes sectioning a portion of D200 to be added to current D194 (Roxborough). I ask the commission to specifically reconsider the proposed Peoples Map (www.fairdistrictspa.com/peoples-maps/compare) as a more appropriate approach. Compared to the LRC proposal, the Peoples map maintains the integrity of the Chestnut Hill/Mt Airy (East and West)/upper Germantown District 200 community of interest. I speak of this as ONE community based on history, geography, transportation, commercial interest, and community ethos. I would specifically refer the commission to the Upper Northwest Plan detailed in the planning document adopted by the City in 2018 and available at https://www.phila2035.org. Important proposals for improvements through 2035 are based on this community model. This extensive report supports the integrity of the Upper Northwest community (East of the Wissahickon Gorge) encompassing Chestnut Hill/ Mt Airy (East and West)/Germantown. The community stretches east and west along Germantown Avenue, an historic corridor serving in the past the Leni Lenape inhabitants, the Underground railroad, and currently several commercial districts. In fact, the commercial districts along Germantown are essentially one extended walk; as I can attest. Public transportation mirrors the geography with the heavily utilized #23 bus route stretching from Chestnut Hill through Mt Airy and Germantown, providing access to center city. Germantown Avenue is bounded by the East and West Chestnut Hill Regional Rail lines. Public transportation does not reach or cross to D194; only two roads connect current D200 and D194 crossing the Wissahickon Gorge. We feel and act like one community. The community has a nationwide reputation of diversity (by planning not by accident). The House map needs to continue to preserve that. Of note, Mt Airy Day actually takes place in Germantown. The community organization, Mt Airy USA represents both east and west and invests in Germantown as well. Our local newspapers reflect the same geography. The schools, playgrounds, libraries and community gardens support this extended community. While I view us as one community, it is not idyllic. We still face many challenges. To continue to improve our community, tackling the real problems, of crime, housing, food insecurity, and aging infrastructure, we need House representation that encompasses the community as it exists in reality, not just on a proposed map. I live in East Mt Airy, specifically East Mt Airy Ave which intersects Germantown Ave. The proposed LRC map would literally divide me from my neighbor across the street. That can’t be right. Please reconsider and visit the Peoples Map. Sharon Levy 404 E Mt Airy Ave Philadelphia, PA 19119 Sharon.levy27@gmail.com