82nd District "Redistricting Comment"
82nd District “Redistricting Comment” First, I believe the establishment of the 5-member bi-partisan Legislative Reapportionment Commission is an improvement over the past process to work toward equity and fair and impartial representation; and which works toward minimalization of gerrymandering. While it is difficult task to establish and adjust voting and district representation in 67 counties to meet Pennsylvania’s constitutional metrics of compactness, contiguity, minimal splits, and equal population; I find that the proposed changes to the 82 District map falls short on the “compactness” and “split minimalization”. In support of this I submit that while the newly redrawn and proposed map allows a small segment of Franklin County residents (on the current map) to be moved to a more geographically compact and less split, it surgically severs the county of Juniata right down the middle, separating many residents at the north/eastern part of the county, including the most populated township (Fayette), and casting them to another legislative district that instead includes multiple counties with very few logical or functional connections. As a lifelong resident of Juniata County and a former county department head, I understand the many essential ways Juniata and Mifflin County cooperate, share and intersect with regard to programs, services, etc. to meet the needs of it’s citizens. Note that several large Mifflin County townships are geographically contiguous to Juniata and would be excluded under the newly drawn 82nd proposed map. Surely there is a better way to better meet all the constitutional apportionment metrics while allowing Juniata County to continue to be maintained intact as part of redrawing process. I appreciate the opportunity to petition and recommend rejection of the newly proposed map with respect to the 82nd District and to maintain its current inclusion of the whole of Juniata County and Mifflin County townships, with allowance for other possible adjustments as constitutionally prudent. Respectfully, KG