Posted by: wcdem2 | May 18, 2012

WCU student Daniel Colon to Reapportionment Commission

May 3, 2012

Legislative Reapportionment Commission Hearing
Testimony by Daniel Love Colon

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to today. I am Daniel Love Colon and as a West Chester University undergraduate, I offer you a student prospective.

The University is located in contiguous areas of three municipalities. The North campus residence halls are in West Chester Borough, where also thousands of students live off-campus. The South Campus Apartments and Village lie in East Bradford Township. The academic buildings of East Campus and West Chester Commons are in West Goshen Township.

West Chester University and the Borough have created a unique partnership that has allowed them to grow in tandem. Whichever municipality they live in, students participate in many community service events, festivals, and other activities throughout the Borough. On the other hand, they vote in East Bradford and West Goshen as well. Students want to know to whom, at the state level, they can turn for support to understand the matters that directly affect Higher Education and their lives.

The districts in which we are voting this year put all areas of West Chester University together in the 156th House district.

The plan rejected by the PA Supreme court split the University between the 156th (West Goshen) and the 160th (the southern parts of both the Borough and of East Bradford).

The current proposal splits the University between the 156th (West Chester) and the 158th (East Bradford, southern part of West Goshen).

In terms of of the integrity of the University and students’ legitimate desire to have their legislative representation centered near their campus, the new proposal is neither better nor worse than the rejected plan, and the 2001 plan is distinctly superior.

Splitting the student voice will ultimately affect students’ engagement with their community, municipalities, and university as well as candidates’ ability to represent and reach out to the significant entity that is West Chester University.

Thank you for your attention, and I would urge you to consider a principle that a university, just like any other community, should not be split unless absolutely necessary.

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Posted by: wcdem2 | May 18, 2012

Mayor Comitta to PA Reapportionment Commission

May 3, 2012

State Reapportionment Commission Hearing
Testimony by Mayor Carolyn Comitta
Borough of West Chester

Good afternoon, honorable members of the Reapportionment Commission. I am Mayor Carolyn Comitta. Once again, I bring you greetings from the citizens of the great Borough of West Chester!

On behalf of the people of West Chester, I would like to thank you for listening to our appeals and for redrawing a legislative map that keeps the Borough of West Chester wholly within one state House District.

When I testified before you on November 23rd, I felt like Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, trying to undo the wrong that was destined for my town. I went into politics, not for myself, but to do the right thing for the people of West Chester. Thank you for making a decision that was right for West Chester and not politically expedient.

Keeping the Chester County seat in one district is the right thing to do for the people of West Chester, and for our neighbors. If the Borough could function as an “island” in the region, then my testimony would end with my sincere thank you to the Commission.

However, no man is an island, and no municipality functions or flourishes on its own, either. The Borough serves as the regional urban center for social, legal and financial services, culture, higher education and healthcare. Our future is inextricably intertwined with the health of our municipal neighbors. Therefore, I offer, several functional and Constitutional concerns about the lack of contiguousness and compactness of the 156th. Our attorney, Sam Stretton, is unable to be here today, so I will present these objections to the revised preliminary plan on his behalf.

In addition, I am pleased to have Daniel Colon, a West Chester University student, with me today, who will testify on the revised preliminary map and the detrimental impact of splitting the University among three districts.

As an alumna of WC State College, and Mayor to those students who live in the Borough – that is, close to half of the students who are enrolled there – I am very concerned about the effects of significantly diluting the voices of theses students and scattering them across three legislative districts and fully support the comments of Daniel Colon.

We believe it is “absolutely necessary” to keep the Borough together — and to keep its State University together — under one House District in order for us to have the best chance of not just surviving but flourishing into the 21st century.

Our future remains in your hands. The people of West Chester thank you once again, for your thoughtful consideration. Thank you.

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Posted by: wcdem2 | May 14, 2012

Revised PA district maps still have ‘excessive divisions’

By Eric Boehm | PA Independent, 5/3/12

Commission hears criticism from both sides of the aisle

HARRISBURG — Redistricting crusader Amanda Holt told Pennsylvania’s reapportionment commission Wednesday to stop trying to redefine the English language.

When the state constitution says counties and municipalities should be split “when absolutely necessary,” it means exactly that, she said.

The revised plan for new state House and Senate districts that was opened for public comment Wednesday contains “excessive divisions on a massive scale” even after the state Supreme Court ordered the commission to redraw the maps with fewer splits, Holt said.

The revised proposals contain about 50 percent fewer divisions, but Holt’s analysis showed 32 unnecessary divisions in the state Senate plan and 205 on the new House map….

read more at PA Independent

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Posted by: wcdem2 | May 14, 2012

Pa. redistricting maps still don’t follow Constitution

Harrisburg Patriot-News Editorial Board, 5/3/12

The latest Pennsylvania House and Senate redistricting plans merit a C, which is certainly an improvement over the F they received before. It’s also far from the A grade maps that Pennsylvanians deserve.

The state Constitution gives clear instructions on how redistricting should be done: “Unless absolutely necessary no county, city, incorporated town, borough, township or ward shall be divided in forming either a senatorial or representative district.”

The key words are “unless absolutely necessary.” The state Supreme Court struck down the earlier maps because they cut up the state like Edward Scissorhands or Picasso might. Even the court felt the need to point out that districts that look like a “crooked finger,” “wishbone” and “iron cross” are clearly not necessary.

[click here for maps]: 2012 proposed maps

The revised maps tame the extremes, but they still include far more slices and crooked lines than necessary.

“I can only conclude the revised plan … needlessly sacrifices the Constitution on the altar of incumbent protection,” said Amanda Holt on Wednesday. Holt is the piano teacher from Allentown who was the driving force behind the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the prior proposals. …

read more at Harrisburg Patriot-News

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Posted by: wcdem2 | May 8, 2012

Redistricting West Chester

As a result of the population growth in ward 5 (due to WCU dorms being demolished and replaced) and precinct 2W (the western part of ward 2), those two areas need to give up residents to wards 3 and 1, respectively, according to a plan approved by PZBID today.

Download the relevant memo and map of proposed changes here: Redistricting 5-2-12.

The proposal goes to Borough Council next week for discussion but would not be adopted until at least the June or July Council meeting (after, of course, public comment and any changes).

The proposed redistricting notably makes ward 5 about 4/5 students, at least until the next census in 2020 and redistricting to take effect in 2012.

Note that the census (and therefore redistricting) is based on residents (or, in the case of dorms, beds), not on regisered voters.

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | April 26, 2012

Binder tops Jones in 156th Democratic primary

by Jeremy Gerrard, Daily Local News, 4/25/12

In a close primary, Bret Binder emerged as the nominated Democratic candidate for the 156th state representative district.

The 156th district is comprised of East Goshen, East Bradford, West Goshen and the West Chester Borough.

Binder defeated Cassandra Jones in the primary Tuesday by a tally of 1,251 votes to 1,114 for Jones.

The results are unofficial until certified by the Board of Elections.

“I’m thrilled,” Binder said. “It was a close race and I’m honored to represent the people of Chester County.”

Binder, 33, grew up in Lower Merion and is a resident of East Bradford. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in economics and went to Villanova Law School. He clerked for a few years with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and now has his own law practice in East Bradford. He also partly owns a desert shop in Havertown and a bowling alley in Philadelphia.

“People are ready for change and I think I can be that change,” Binder said.

Binder’s campaign focused primarily on three big issues: education, the environment and the economy. He opposes the proposed budget cuts to education and said other areas must be looked into first….

read more at Daily Local News

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | April 26, 2012

Mayor Comitta on redistricting round 2

West Chester’s Mayor Carolyn Comitta attended the April 12th meeting of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission on the latest proposal for redistricting PA House and Senate districts, and kindly shared the following comments with us:

A victory for the people!

On behalf of the citizens of the Borough of West Chester, I want to thank the PA Supreme Court and the State Reapportionment Commission for their actions leading to a revised preliminary legislative redistricting map that is in the best interest of citizens, rather than in the best interest of political parties.  

Under the revised preliminary map, the Borough of West Chester is shown to be wholly within the boundaries of the 156th House Legislative District.  The revised preliminary map reflects the charge of the Supreme Court and the wording of our State Constitution that “…unless absolutely necessary, no (municipality) shall be divided…”.

The testimonies and appeal by the multi-partisan citizens of West Chester and the pro-bono efforts of West Chester attorney, Sam Stretton, were compelling and effective and played a significant role in the Supreme Court’s decision to rule the original redistricting plan unconstitutional, splitting West Chester.  As Supreme Court Chief Justice Castille said at the appeal hearing in February, …”enough is enough.”  

Elected officials are members of political parties, sworn to represent and serve the people… not a party.  The revised preliminary plan, keeping West Chester wholly within the 156th, is appropriate, constitutional, and serves the citizens of West Chester appropriately.

I plan to testify on behalf of the citizens of West Chester at the Reapportionment Commission hearing in Harrisburg on May 2nd, which is to hear citizen comments and petitions regarding the revised preliminary map. I will underscore the wisdom of the Supreme Court and the Commission in keeping West Chester wholly within the 156th, and will testify to concerns regarding the state constitution’s requirement for “compact and contiguous” districts.

If any citizen has a concern or comment they wish to express, please let me know.

– Mayor Carolyn Comitta

See more information on redistricting and the Mayor at her site (scroll down there).

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Posted in Borough

Posted by: wcdem2 | April 22, 2012

Let your voices be heard … write a letter

Daily Local News, posted 04/19/12

As I’m sure Opinion page readers have noticed, the letters here have become politically unbalanced. A number of energetic conservatives are published regularly, but very few on the other side write to challenge them about health care reform, income disparities, the supposed 92 percent women’s share of job losses, and similar themes. (Education seems to get more diverse reactions, maybe because so many parents are concerned now.)

Why don’t Democrats and progressives write more letters to the editor? I’ve heard many reasons, along the lines of:

“They wouldn’t publish a letter from me”
“What difference would it make? No one reads letters anyhow”
“Once you write, then you have to keep answering other people”
“We have more important things to do with our time”
“Everyone already knows what they think and how they are going to vote”
“It’s more important to knock on doors and make phone calls for our candidates”

Personally, I disagree with all of the above.

All of us who care enough to try to get our views across to our fellow citizens should respect any possible forum, and the Opinion page is a good one.

Come to think of it, the excuses for not writing letters are pretty similar to the excuses many citizens have for not voting.

Precisely because, unfortunately, so few vote in a primary election, every vote then has outsized influence. You can write a letter any time, but you have only one day to vote in this year’s primary election: Tuesday, April 24!

Nathaniel Smith
West Chester

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Posted in County

Posted by: wcdem2 | April 18, 2012

Democrats Jones, Binder vie for 156th District nod


by Jeremy Gerrard, Daily Local News, 4/17/12

 

Two candidates are vying to win the Democratic primary for the 156th District state House seat.

Cassandra Jones or Bret Binder will emerge April 25 to challenge incumbent state Rep. Dan Truitt, R-156th of East Goshen, in November.

Binder said his campaign is focused primarily on education, the environment and the economy. He opposes the proposed budget cuts to education and said other areas need to be addressed first.

As to the environment, Binder said the state must do a better job of controlling areas such as Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction.

“Texas and West Virginia tax around 5 to 6 percent, and they’re not considered to be unfriendly to big gas and oil,” Binder said. “We can certainly charge at least that amount or more.”

From the revenue raised through this tax, Binder said, he would give some to education and save the rest in a reserve fund.

Jones said her primary goal is restoring funding to education.

“I just think we are so off balanced and when you start to connect the dots from education to jobs or education to prison or education to poverty, it just doesn’t make sense to cut funding in those areas,” Jones said. “And if we’re going to cut funding, we better have a good plan on how we’re going to streamline our education process.”

Jones said her proven track record, experiences and involvement set her apart as a candidate.

As a borough councilwoman, Jones said, she has helped close a $1 million budget gap and build a $12 million parking garage. She said she has helped raise voter turnout and registration in the east part of the borough 40 percent.

Jones said she has voted in favor of the people most of the time and never for anything that would be a detriment to the community. Jones said she also prides herself in being a person who cares about the welfare of all people.

“When people know that you care, then they’ll listen to you because they care about what you know,” Jones said.

Binder said he first became interested in running from his time spent clerking Pennsylvania Supreme Court. There he would become frustrated at how unconstitutional and poorly drafted some of the laws were. He then decided he would like to actually be a part of writing the law better.

This legal background is what he says sets him apart from the other candidates and even the state house.

“I really do care about this, I have a true passion for it and I believe I can do better for Pennsylvanians,” Binder said. “I’ve been willing to put in the time, I love going out and knocking on doors.”

Binder, 33, grew up in Lower Merion and is a resident of East Bradford. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in economics and went to Villanova Law School. He clerked for a few years with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and now has his own law practice in East Bradford. He also partly owns a desert shop in Havertown and a bowling alley in Philadelphia.

Jones, 55, has lived in the West Chester Borough since 1999 and has two daughters. She is serving her fifth year on Borough Council and her first as council vice president. She has worked for Cheyney University for the past seven years as a project manager and program director. Jones has also held positions in government that include involvement in the National League of Cities, the Human Development Committee and the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

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Posted in Borough, County, State

Posted by: wcdem2 | April 17, 2012

Democrats appeal for 156th District nomination

by Jeremy Gerrard, Daily Local News, 4/16/12

Two hopefuls vying for the Democratic nomination for the state House 156th District seat squared off in a forum Sunday afternoon at borough hall.

Organized by the Chester County League of Women Voters, candidates Cassandra Jones and Bret Binder, both lifelong Democrats, took turns answering questions written by audience members.

Jones opened by highlighting the issues of education, jobs, health care and the environment, noting she believes the commonwealth can benefit from stronger policies in these matters.

“With my background in government, I believe I can deal with these issues immediately,” Jones said.

A borough resident, Jones just began her fifth year on Borough Council and serves as the council’s vice president.

Binder, who has a law firm in East Bradford in addition to having stakes in a bowling alley and dessert shops, said he understands the needs of small businesses and will focus on education and the environment. After law school, Binder clerked for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where he said he first became interested in running for office after having seen the effects of poorly drafted legislation.

“I’m ready to take my skills, my passion and my dedication to Harrisburg to do a better job,” he said.

A majority of the questions asked during the forum centered on education in the commonwealth. The candidates took turns responding to their opinions on vouchers, charter schools and budget cuts….

read more: Daily Local News

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Posted in County

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