By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – Fair Districts PA attended the East Marlborough Township meeting on Monday, May 1, and urged the supervisors to support their efforts to stop gerrymandering within the district.
Gerrymandering is a term used to describe manipulating voting district boundaries to benefit political parties. District changes for the township have occurred throughout the years depending on the political party in charge and can dilute the votes of the other party.
Recent support for reform was given by State Rep Steve Samuelson, D-135, and Rep. Eric Roe, R-158. They introduced a joint resolution – House Bill 722 – to establish an Independent Commission in Pennsylvania.
Supporters of Fair District PA are seeking approval of this Independent Commission and requesting approval of a resolution to join forces with Kennett Square Borough and Kennett Township who already have done so. Pocopson Township will be voting on the resolution on May 15.
A public meeting presented by Fair Districts PA will be held on May 11, at 7 p.m., in the auditorium at Unionville High School. More information can be obtained at www.fairdistrictspa.com. The supervisors will review the proposal and anticipate a vote at the June meeting.
The supervisors spent a few hours reviewing two conditional use orders and gave final approval. One was for a proposed development of 54 homes on over 22 acres at the intersection of Gale Lane and Walnut Road. The supervisors reviewed 32 conditional use orders and much discussion involved the aspects of the proposed development including a trail system, an easement, sidewalks, and three-acres for recreation. All are subject to review and modification as needed.
The other was for an auto repair facility with a car wash and retail space. The 32 conditional use orders were reviewed in detail and included protecting specimen trees, landscaping details, lighting restrictions, truck and delivery restrictions.
Two ordinances were also approved that included the rules and regulations for Unionville Park and the flood plain changes in accordance with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
For more information, please visit www.eastmarlborough.org.
