"Keeping Communities of Interest Intact"
I understand that two goals of the redistricting are 1) Keeping communities of interest intact and 2) Conforming districts to natural boundaries like rivers, mountains, etc. The redistricting suggested for Northwest Philadelphia does neither. I live in East Falls. While both East Falls and West Philadelphia have significant numbers of people of color and tend to vote Democratic, I do not understand the logic of having us represented by someone who is in West Philadelphia. I work, shop, dine, and attend synagogue in Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, and Roxborough. I have nothing whatsoever to do with West Philadelphia which is across the Schuylkill River and shares very little with us in terms of lifestyle. I am asking that the Commission reconsider this decision and have us represented by someone who can properly represent us.