STOP CASTOR AVENUE REDISTRICTING
Dear Members of the Commission, We are businesses located on Castor Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia from Oxford Avenue to Cottman Avenue. We are writing this letter to ask you to reconsider the redistricting in our neighborhood because we are very disturbed over this decision. Castor Avenue is one of the main streets in the Northeast Philadelphia business corridor. By dividing us, it will take away the community continuity that we have strived so hard to create. Our state representative, Jared Solomon, has worked diligently over the past six years to unite this community and rebuild the business corridor that was steadily declining before he took office. Representative Solomon has helped unite the businesses on both sides of Castor Avenue to help make it a strong part of this community’s thriving instead of dying. As a result of his efforts, the business community has become stronger and more vibrant. He worked tirelessly since the pandemic assisting businesses in finding grant money to stay open rather than shut down. These are very trying times for businesses and we need as much help as we can find. Jared also developed the business association which has helped businesses on both sides of Castor Avenue to network and increase business together. Castor Avenue is the spine of our community. Our businesses and neighbors see Castor Avenue as the nerve center of our community driving our economic activity. To split Castor Avenue will weaken our voice- our now united community into sectors that does not represent the way that we see ourselves and relate to one another. Thanks to Jared, there is now a much greater sense of public safety in this neighborhood which means people are coming to our businesses without fear rather than avoiding the corridor as they did before he started serving us six years ago. We do not want to lose Jared in our area. We are requesting that you leave him in our district and change your boundaries to make sure he can remain our representative. Sincerely, Castor Avenue Businesses Toben Enterprises Tommy Liu Tropicana Restaurant Matz Jewelry On Charcoal Olympia House Northeast Learning Center