Mifflin/Juniata Redistricting
The counties of Juniata and Mifflin should not be divided into separate legislative districts as proposed in the initial map for redistricting. The most important reason is local representation. Almost since its inception 50 years ago, the 82nd legislative district, which includes a majority of Mifflin County and all of Juniata County, has been represented by a person living in one of these counties. Today, that representative is John Hershey. Representative Hershey knows the issues facing our communities as he lives locally and speaks with his constituents often. He attends community events in both counties to meet people and listen to their complaints and concerns. Rep. Hershey maintains an office in both of our communities, too. The redistricting map under consideration would move a large portion of Mifflin County into the 171st legislative district with parts of Centre County. It is unlikely that Mifflin County will ever be represented by a local person again, and even more unlikely that the representative will understand the needs of our community, as Centre and Mifflin Counties are very different. Another portion of Mifflin County will be represented by the 85th legislative district. Juniata County will be represented by the 86th legislative district, which includes Perry County. Although Perry County is rural, it also serves as a bedroom community for the Harrisburg area. The needs of these constituents are different. Again. the people in these communities who rely on local representation will suffer from this proposed redistricting. The sharing of many community resources is another reason the counties of Juniata and Mifflin should not be divided into separate legislative districts in the proposed map for redistricting. Currently, the two counties support the Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the United Way of Mifflin-Juniata, and the Mifflin-Juniata Dental Clinic. Moreover, the Area Agency on Aging, Human Services, and Special Needs Center serve citizens of both counties. The Mifflin County School District and Juniata County School District support the Academy of Arts, Science and Technology, and both counties' citizens support the Juniata Valley YMCA. In addition to these formal partnerships, many people live in one county and commute to the other county for work. The two counties are closely intertwined in the support of organizations and the offering of services to their citizens. For this reason, Mifflin and Juniata counties should not be divided into separate legislative districts. In brief, the counties of Juniata and Mifflin should remain in one legislative district to ensure local representation and to advance the partnerships already in place in the two counties. Please reject the initial redistricting map that separates many small rural counties like Mifflin and Juniata. This map will negatively affect those counties who routinely work together and who deserve one voice to represent them.