Maintain Juniata and Mifflin County Relationship
As a Juniata County resident, I have two primary comments and concerns on the proposed legislative district reapportionment. First: keep Juniata County whole, as it currently exists in the 82nd district. Our community spirit and core values are best represented and reflected via a singular legislative voice. Please reconsider removal of Northeastern Juniata County from the predominate (proposed 86th) legislative district map. Second: a long 190-year symbiotic relationship survives between Juniata and Mifflin Counties. The Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce embraces and equally advocates the counties as a single entity. One example of this community spirit is evident through the annual Goose Day celebration held across the area. Mifflin and Juniata Counties share infrastructure supporting numerous Health and Welfare functions for the aging, ill and homebound. Shared infrastructure also exists in correctional facilities and state police support. These social and commercial connections do not exist between Juniata and Perry Counties - the proposed 86th House of Representatives district. I am fearful the cohesive relationship between Mifflin and Juniata Counties may eventually erode, and potentially fracture, through distributed legislative representative voices. Please reconsider the division of Mifflin and Juniata Counties; try to maintain the existing 82nd Juniata Valley Legislative House District as much as possible.