State Reps Oppose Redistricting Changes in Surrounding Areas

The three state legislators who represent parts of Lower Merion and Narberth are objecting to the township being further divided into four districts instead, as the state redistricting commission's current plan would do.

Democrats Tim Briggs (149th District), Pam DeLissio (194th) and Mike Gerber (148th) represent all the residents of Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch, Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch and Narberth-Bala Cynwyd Patch.

by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission would put parts of Ardmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr in Democrat Greg Vitali's 166th District. That district is currently all in Delaware County, including Haverford Township and parts of Marple and Radnor townships.

when the preliminarily plan was approved that he did not agree with it and would be fighting it.

Briggs, DeLissio and Gerber released a joint statement Friday denouncing the proposed new split as "nothing more than the result of political influence in order to gain stronger, safer Republican seats in neighboring Delaware County." They are using their websites to promote a petition opposing a four-way split in Lower Merion.

Currently, Briggs' district includes Lower Merion wards 4, 5, 8, 10 and 14 and parts of wards 6, 7 and 11.

DeLissio's district includes wards 3 and 9 and parts of wards 2 and 13, as well as parts of Philadelphia.

Gerber's district has Narberth, Lower Merion wards 1 and 12 and parts of wards 2, 6, 7, 11 and 13.

Lower Merion Township's website has a ward map, as well as links for residents to find out their local and state representatives.

A public hearing on the proposed plan will be held Wednesday in Harrisburg, and written complaints and alternate proposals are being accepted through May 14.