Politics & Government
Voice Your Opinion on Statewide Redistricting Plan
Wednesday is the deadline to voice your opinion on the statewide redistricting plan that could join several Nazareth-area municipalities with Monroe County.
A new legislative district will combine disparate communities ranging from Forks Township to Nazareth (the borough, as well as Upper and Lower Nazareth townships), the Slate Belt and Monroe County.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 is the last day residents can review the new map and voice their opinions. A state commission still has to vote to approve the changes so that they will be in place for the 2012 election.
A Monroe County Republican, State Rep. Mario Scavello, who lives in the Mount Pocono area, is considered a front runner for the seat if the new map is approved.
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The statewide redistricting plan takes 19 Northampton County municipalities -- including Nazareth, Upper Nazareth Township and Lower Nazareth Township -- from the 18th Senate district represented by Democrat Lisa Boscola and combines them with Monroe County to form a new senate seat -- the 45th legislative district.
Any resident who wants to register a complaint can do so through the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s website at www.redistricting.state.pa.us.
Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The website also allows users to access detailed maps of the redistricting proposal and watch videos of the various meetings and hearings the Legislative Reapportionment Commission has held.
Also under the plan:
- Bushkill Township -- currently part of the 16th district represented by Republican Pat Browne -- would move to the 45th district
- Plainfield Township -- currently part of the 18th district represented by Boscola -- would move to the 45th district
- Tatamy -- currently part of the 24th district represented by Pennsburg-based Republican Bob Mensch -- would move to the 45th district
- Stockertown would stay in Boscola’s 18th district
Moving to the House of Representatives, there would be no changes:
- Nazareth, Upper Nazareth, Stockertown and Tatamy would stay in the 137th district, which is represented by Republican Joe Emrick.
- Bushkill, Plainfield and Lower Nazareth would stay in the 138th district, which is represented by Republican Marcia Hahn.
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