Letters: Central Pa. legislators stall on redistricting reform; Thanking local EMS ‘superheroes’
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Central Pa. legislators stall on redistricting reform
COVID-19 is still here! Meanwhile, our PA legislators know we’re distracted. The census is underway and voting districts will be redrawn. Let’s end underhanded gerrymandered PA voting districts once and for all.
In 2011 all three maps for Congress and the PA Assembly were created by party leaders protecting seats. There was a vote for Congress without information, and no vote at all for state Assembly districts. Can legislators explain to voters why, after four years in committee, reform bills supported by 66% of Pennsylvanians, 381 municipalities and 23 counties still languish?
Solutions are ripe, but our central PA legislators stall. Representatives Conklin and Irvin co-sponsored bills, but perhaps just to placate us. Rep. Borowicz won’t meet or return calls or emails. Rep. Benninghoff meets but says an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission might be biased. Compared to party leaders? Really? Senator Corman, despite saying he supports reform, takes no action. At a recent online town hall, he twice disconnected a constituent who asked about redistricting.
Redistricting should be a transparent public process that meets strict criteria for fairness to all constituents. Choose candidates who will support these reforms. Check out their survey responses at Fair Districts PA Know Before You Vote.
Voting districts will last for 10 years, long after COVID-19. President Trump requested extending the deadline to deliver population counts used in redistricting. The state government committees should use this time to move reform bills to passage.
Gerrymandering leaves voters impotent. Pass reform for healthy government and legitimate representation.
Thanking EMS ‘superheroes’ for their dedication
Sunday will launch the 46th annual National EMS Week, authorized by President Ford to celebrate Emergency Medical Service practitioners and the important work they do in our communities. Please join me in saying thank you to the local EMS practitioners for their dedication to service.
This year’s theme — EMS Strong: Ready today. Preparing for Tomorrow — recognizes an evolving system and workforce that is ready to adapt to an ever changing environment. Whether a medical emergency, active threat situation or COVID-19 response, EMS is the public health “safety net,” prepared and equipped to provide the best care available under some of the most strenuous conditions imaginable. When not responding to calls or training themselves, EMS practitioners conduct quality safely and preparedness training, including community CPR and “Stop the Bleed” training.
Irrespective of their level of certification, where they provide service or their payroll status, all EMS practitioners are dedicated professionals who spend countless hours preparing for and assisting others in their time of need.
No, they aren’t superheroes. EMS practitioners are everyday people — our family, friends and neighbors who go the extra mile every day to make sure they are prepared to help you get through that one day. Thinking about it, I guess that does fit the definition of a superhero!
Please join me in thanking the EMS practitioners who serve your community. Tell them how much you appreciate their service and ask how you can help out.
Levine’s response to COVID-19 in elder care facilities is inexcusable
Why does Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine still have a job? Her response to the exponential death toll in elder care facilities was to mandate patients be returned once hospitalized with COVID-19. The consequence of her gross incompetence was the death of 2,705 people, which accounts for nearly 70% of all COVID 19 deaths in Pennsylvania. It is incomprehensible why Dr. Levine is still in a capacity to make decisions on “our” behalf as Pennsylvania Health Secretary. What is even more egregious is that she sequestered her own mother to a hotel from such a facility, while our most vulnerable died. Every Pennsylvanian should demand her immediate dismissal.