PA 194th comments re Mt Airy and Chestnut Hill

I write to oppose the proposed boundaries for House District #194 that will separate Chestnut Hill from its communities of interest, Mt Airy and Germantown. Our newspaper, the Chestnut Hill Local, unites us in a unique way. We share the 9th Ward in Philadelphia regarding our local council district. We share transit and transportation, common public policy issues, the City Planning process, police district and crime concerns, shopping, street festivals, and friends. Chestnut Hill and Mt Airy are unique and diverse communities of interest We are separated from Roxborough and the other communities by the Wissahickon gorge, crossed only by 2 streets that are far apart. There is no public transportation between the proposed new communities. We want to preserve our historic neighborhoods, and do not share concerns about river flooding or related natural disasters facing East Falls. I have been proud to see Chestnut Hill become more diverse in the 30 years I have lived here. The 194th PA House District boundaries should recognize that Chestnut Hill and Mt Airy belong together as racially integrated communities of interest. The Northwest Village Neighbors, a local non-profit, is an example of how seniors in Chestnut Hill and Mt Airy, such as myself, meet to socialize, discuss books, movies and issues of the day, and support each other to remain in our homes with links to local services. Please adopt the PA People's House map to preserve the communities of interest of Chestnut Hill and Mt Airy for the 194th House District.