Municipal News
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 21:26
By J.R. Brower
At its January 7 meeting, Peters Township Council took up a recommendation by member David Ball to change state senatorial districts from the 37th to the 46th.
At its January 7 meeting, Peters Township Council took up a recommendation by member David Ball to change state senatorial districts from the 37th to the 46th.
Currently, the township is in the 37th Senatorial District represented by Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, and if in the 46th Senatorial District, the township would be represented by Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg.
In presenting the idea, Ball said he felt that Peters Township had more in common with communities to the south in Washington County and would have more influence in Solobay’s district rather than Smith’s district, which is primarily in Allegheny County. Smith is newly elected to the position and was recently sworn in. Ball also argued that Solobay would better serve the township in dealing with state agencies like PennDOT and the DEP.
Although Peters Township is the only municipality in Washington County that is linked with Allegheny County in both the state house and senate districts, Ball said that he did not have a problem remaining with the house district represented by state Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair.
Only council member Monica Merrell agreed with Ball to request switching senatorial districts. The resolution failed by a 5-2 vote. Council member Robert Atkison said he saw no benefit in requesting the move. Council member James Berquist also disagreed with Ball, saying he felt Peters Township had more in common with neighboring 37th District communities in Allegheny County than 46th District communities in Washington and Greene counties.
Even if council had passed the resolution to change districts, there was no guarantee that the state would have approved the redistricting. Often legislative districts are reconfigured following census tabulations every ten years. Changes in population within districts would most likely be the determining factors when district lines are redrawn, which Berquist pointed out.
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