84th House District

The preliminary map is unconstitutional as districts are not compact as required by the Pennsylvania Constitution. The most egregious district which is not compact but sprawling and divides Communities of Common Interest is the 84th District. · Lycoming County is home to approximately 114,000 residents o Population of 114,000 justifies and warrants 2 Representatives serving Lycoming County in the House of Representatives o Population of 114,000 does not justify 3 Representatives which the Preliminary Map is proposing · Due to the unnecessary division of State College Borough, the current 84th District has been divided among 3 Representatives ripping apart Communities of Common Interest o State College Borough’s population is 45,508 and should be fully in 1 district o Dividing State College Borough is an unnecessary division and makes the map unconstitutional · The Preliminary Map Divides the greater Montoursville Community (Montoursville Borough, Fairfield and Upper Fairfield Townships into the new proposed 83rd District; Eldred, Gamble, Cascade and Plunketts Creek Townships into the new proposed 84th District.) · The Preliminary Map Divides the greater Muncy Community (Muncy Borough and Muncy Creek Township into the new proposed 84th District; Muncy Township into the new proposed 83rd District.) · The Preliminary Map Divides the greater Hughesville Community (Hughesville Borough, Wolf and Mill Creek Townships into the new proposed 83rd District; Picture Rocks Borough, Penn, Jordan, Franklin, Moreland, and Shrewsbury Townships into the new proposed 84th District.) · The Preliminary Map Divides the greater Jersey Shore Community into the 76th District away from the rest of the Rural Communities of Common Interest in Lycoming County such as Montoursville, Muncy and Hughesville. · The Greater Jersey Shore, Montoursville, Muncy and Hughesville Communities are divided among 3 new legislative districts in the Preliminary Map which disenfranchises these 4 Communities of Common Interests. These 4 Communities have historically always been included in the same legislative district as Communities of Common Interests. · The 84th District should be redrawn similarly to its current boundaries which will achieve compactness, bring back together Communities of Common Interest and better reflect the geographic, demographic, economic and cultural characteristics of Lycoming County. Historical Considerations: · Lycoming County has always had 2 State Representatives o 83rd District Representative represents the Urban area of Lycoming County § City of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, Old Lycoming Township, South Williamsport Borough and Duboistown Borough forms the core urban area in the 83rd District § Communities of Common Interest in the 83rd District share common infrastructure such as the Levee System, share mutual fire and police coverage agreements and is home to the larger commercial business zones in Lycoming County o 84th District Representative represents the Rural area of Lycoming County § Montoursville Borough, Jersey Shore Borough, Muncy Borough, Hughesville Borough, Hepburn Township, Lewis Township forms the core rural area in the 84th District REMEDIES to the Preliminary Map: REMEDY OPTION 1 – Eliminate the unnecessary division of State College Borough and return the 82nd, 171st, 76th, 83rd, 84th, and 85th Districts back to similar boundaries as they were historically; this will achieve compactness, nearly equal populations and eliminate the unnecessary division in this region REMEDY OPTION 2 – Make the 76th District consist of All of Clinton County and most of Union County. They are contiguous and share a common border and State Route 80 Highway is a vital highway artery running through and connecting both Clinton and Union Counties. Further the City of Lock Haven in Clinton County and the Borough of Lewisburg in Union County are both home to Universities, uniquely making them Communities of Common Interest. Remedy Option 2 would allow for the 84th and 83rd District to return to their historical boundaries and make the districts much more compact Thank you for your consideration! Sincerely, Julian Thompson 570-995-9276