PA 82nd House District
The proposed map for the PA State House Districts splits up Juniata County. As it stands right now, the 82nd Districts covers all of Juniata County and part of Mifflin and Franklin Counties. The proposed map splits parts of Juniata County up and rather than including part of Mifflin County it now includes all of Perry County. This is not a good idea. First off, there was a proposal made at the state level a few years ago and last year that would have been detrimental to my business. I was able to pick up the phone, call to the main office for the 82nd district in Mifflintown (10 minutes from my house) and talk to someone who I knew and was local. It was then that I became aware how important it was to have a local representative who truly cares about the area that they represent. Under the proposed map the main office would be in New Bloomfield, which is over a half hour away. For some residents of Juniata County under this new map, they would be over 40 minutes from the new office. Secondly, Juniata County and Mifflin County tend to have more in common than Juniata and Perry. Just as one example: If you live in Juniata County and have to visit Walmart you go to Mifflin County not Perry County. Again, that's just one example, there are many more. In the past year, I have traveled to Lewistown probably once every two weeks, I haven't been to New Bloomfield more than 3 times in my life. And finally, current configuration of the 82nd is perfect. First off, with the main office in Mifflintown it is in the center of the district and can be easily accessed by everyone. Constituents from the western end of the district can travel Rt 75 or 35 and end up in Mifflintown, constituents from the eastern end can travel Rt 35 and they end up in Mifflintown. Mifflintown is right off of Route 322, which is the main corridor between Mifflin County and Harrisburg, so Mifflin County constituents pass it on a regular basis. This location and district configuration makes perfect sense. It is a pretty equal driving distance for everyone and is in an area where most of the residents conduct business and visit daily. Splitting Juniata County up is not a good idea. It needs to be held together. Thank you.