Support Letter for Upper Chichester in Pa 160th

Dear members of the Legislative Reapportionment Committee, On behalf of the majority of the Board of Commissioners of Upper Chichester Township I am contacting you to express their opposition to the proposed House of Representatives District Map. They understand that the proposed map does accomplish some of the fundamental values of building districts like making the area compact and contiguous, as well as removing the bisection of our community between two districts. The 159th District, as well as the 160th, have been part of the community for some time; the 159th being a small portion for many years. With allowing the split how it is today, it gives the Township more of an equal and fair representation. The district becoming one does not give equal or not even come close to equal and would be a disadvantage for equal representation for our Township. Upper Chichester Township has different needs than our neighbors in the 159th and as elected officials we are of the opinion that being fully in the 159th district we will be overlooked. With all due respect to the Legislative Reapportionment Committee, we believe our historical communities, affectionately known as Boothwyn, Ogden & Twin Oaks and the towns that surround our Township share the history, economic and social relationship and this will adversely affect the representation at the state level that we have come to know and trust. We also believe our community of interest including our historic towns that surround Upper Chichester share a common past, present, and future. Upper Chichester is a mostly rural suburban community with shared interest and values verse the needs of a very large city. We respectfully ask the Legislative Reapportionment Committee to allow the precincts of Upper Chichester to remain in the 160th or adjust the entire Township in the 160th. We have been represented for many years in the 160th and do not understand why we needed to be split. The representatives from the 160th past and present have helped us with the 322 project, getting sound barriers, the Jennifer Way Creek Erosion Project, funding for a Roundabout at Bethel and Mill Roads, and many other projects. The minor portion that was put in the 159th should have never happened and kept the adjustment of the Township as a whole for the 160th. Sincerely, Edward Raikowski President, Upper Chichester Board of Commissioners P.S. Commissioners Edward Raikowski, Nicole Whitaker, Joseph Baiocco and Michael Gaudiuso agree with the intent or substance of the above letter. Commissioner Joseph Neary does not agree with the intent or substance of the above letter.