Politics & Government

Commissioners: We Will Not Appeal Redistricting Ruling

It would cost the township too much money to fight the appeal, the commissioners said.

Haverford Township commissioners at their Monday night meeting said that they would not appeal the commonwealth’s Reapportionment Commission plan to move the 1st and 9th wards from State Rep. Greg Vitali’s 166th district to the 163rd district, belonging to Republican State Rep. Nick Micozzie.

Even though some residents addressed their dismay over the redistricting during the meeting’s open forum, Bill Wechsler, 9th Ward commissioner and president of the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners, said there were a few reasons why the township will not appeal the commission’s ruling.

“We know even if we appeal, there is a likelihood it will be zero (if the appeal wins,)” he said. “My personal opinion is I would be remiss if I was spending taxpayer money when I know there is zero chance of a successful appeal.”

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Wechsler said that many others, including Vitali, also feel that the appeal would not be granted by the commission. But he did say that after meeting with Micozzie and some residents in the 9th ward who are looking forward to having two state representatives, the redistricting would be a good thing.

“I don’t believe this will be a negative thing and we will work to make it positive,” he said.

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Vice President of the Board of Commissioners and 1st Ward Commissioner Steve D’Emilio echoed Weschler’s statements. Just like Weschler and the rest of the commissioners, they were originally opposed to the redistricting. In November, the commissioners unanimously . 

Larry Holmes, 6th Ward commissioner, said that the township would lose money trying to appeal the ruling. But he was also very adamant about the redistricting, saying that it was only done for political reasons.

Vitali in the past that the Republicans did this to gain more votes in this year’s presidential elections, but he did admit that Democrats have done the same thing in the past and he also admitted that he would end up with more Democratic voters due to the redistricting.

The , at the will allow 9th Ward residents a chance to meet with Micozzie, Weschler said.


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