Op/Ed: Gerrymandering cheats voters
By Mike Hays, Special to The Times
Mike Hays
One of the most abhorrent and undemocratic things about gerrymandering is how it stifles competition. As a new teacher in Pennsylvania, I have been thinking about how I might explain gerrymandering to my 8th grade class.
Full disclosure: I am not an innocent bystander, having run for the PA House 26th District in 2012 as an underfunded, yet determined, 32-year-old...
Op/Ed: Gerrymandering, who it affects and what you can do
By Nadya Dato, Special to The Times
Nadya Dato
I’ve always taken an interest in government. The rules and regulations of our society help us coexist, and I’ve always believed following these rules brought fairness and equality to everyone. As I’ve gotten older though, I’ve come to realize that isn’t true – not only are the rules unfair, but some choose not to play...
Anti-Gerrymandering bill takes hit, but supporters continue fight
By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times
State Rep. Eric Roe (R-158) speaks at a forum last month on ending Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.
Gerrymandering—what it is, how it’s done, how it disenfranchises voters, and how to end it—was the subject of two April town halls held jointly by State Representative Eric Roe (R-158) and Fair Districts PA Chair Carol Kuniholm.
Because of population shifts,...
Letter: Barrar voted to silence our voices
To The Editor,
This past week our current Representative, Stephen Barrar (R-160), voted to silence our voices. Stephen Barrar voted to pick his constituents rather than let the constituents pick their representative.
This is not a new strategy to remain in power. This strategy started long ago, and is most glaringly evident by the old 7th district map. In 2011, when Pennsylvania redistricted the Congressional...
It’s on: U.S. Supreme court paves way for Congressional redistricting
The 7th District as we knew it is no more, following Monday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to consider a stay to a state Supreme Court ruling that said the state’s Congressional district violated the state Constitution.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Nah, nah, nah, — nah, nah, nah — heeeeeey, goodbye.
No, we’re not talking about the Patriots’ hopes for a Super Bowl...
Sometimes real life means more than politics
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Hello from the Coastal Bend of Southeast Texas — which hopefully will be the home of the new Times’ Texas bureau — where folks are bit more concerned about real life and less about politics and the political silliness that comes from places such as Washington or Harrisburg or Austin.
Here, folks are about one thing: recovery. When Hurricane...
Getting more difficult to stand for hypocracy
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Okay, apparently the Pennsylvania Republican Party can’t stand for judge candidates who support peaceful protest, but can stand for gerrymandering.
This week the state GOP sent out a mailer attacking Democratic judicial candidates saying “Vote for Judges who share our values and stand for the flag.”
Then days later, the state GOP sought a stay on federal lawsuit...
Kennett Library shares data for allocation of Pocopson’s donation
Supervisors approve support to stop gerrymandering
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
A rendering of the proposed new Kennett Library.
POCOPSON – A presentation by Kennett Library board representatives, Brad Piper and Chris Larsen (via teleconference), was given to the Pocopson supervisors on Monday night. The focus was on considerations for future allocations of library donations and the plans...
E. Marlborough supervisors asked to fight gerrymandering
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...
Fair Districts PA seeks support from Pocopson to stop gerrymandering
Historical Committee announces a new virtual tour mobile app
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
POCOPSON – The bulk of Monday night’s township meeting was spent on presentations. The first of two presentations from Fair Districts PA sought support from Supervisors Elaine DiMonte and Ricki Stumpo. (Alice Balsama was not present). The second included a new mobile application providing historical...
