Submitted November 23, 2021
Independent Redistricting Commission
250 Broadway, 22nd Floor
NY, NY 10007
Dear Commissioners:
Our committee is unanimous in its desire that the district lines you draw keep Sullivan County intact. We are about 970 square miles in size, with both rural and less-rural areas. This gives our county a level of diversity which is combined with a strong sense of community identity.
The residents of all of our towns face the same difficulties and, at times, the same achievements. Our health rankings are near the bottom in New York State. Our education and income levels are not high. Opportunities for youth are limited.
If we as a County are kept intact, we will be better able to advocate for our common needs at every level of government. Dividing our county as shown in some of the proposed maps would harm our ability to work for our neighbors and friends across the county. Adding our county to areas unlike ours would dilute our voice in government.
Under current district lines, our county is included in only one Congressional and State Senate District. One of our towns, the Town of Neversink, is located in an Assembly District which is a wildly gerrymandered district. Please keep our County intact in all of the districts.
Thank you for your consideration.
Anne Hart
Chair