Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where do people in your community gather or socialize?
  - How and where does your community access services (healthcare, transportation, educational services, etc.)?

Examples of activities and services: Shopping areas, schools and universities, libraries, parks, lakes, rivers, places of worship, healthcare services, public transport, local nonprofit organizations, etc.

Your response: The Pocono Commuter rim marks the farthest reach of public transit between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City. The perception of this region as a vacation area is largely outdated. Although many homeowners are still part-time residents, Monroe and Pike Counties have become increasingly attractive as primary residences as home prices in the NYC metro area have risen and local services have improved.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What are the cultural bonds in your community?
  - If your community has a shared history, what is it?

Examples of cultural or historical interests: Religious groups, ethnic groups, languages, age groups, immigration status, historic or arts districts, etc.

Your response: Milford, the Pike County seat, is home to a vibrant artistic and literary community. In Monroe, cultural diversity has increased rapidly - a trend accelerated by the pandemic as remote or hybrid work arrangements have proliferated. Catholicism and evangelical Protestant faiths predominate, but other religions have a visible footprint.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where are residents employed?
  - If there are environmental concerns in your community, what are they?

Examples of economic or environmental interests: Tourism industry, agricultural workers, mining town, manufacturing center, polluted natural resource, unemployment problem, etc.

Your response: Healthy lakes and rivers remain central to the region's tourism-related industries. Transportation is a key interest. Two bus companies currently largely control their respective commuter routes, and avoid competing directly with each other. Extension of NJ Transit train service into the region has been advocated periodically, but has never proven viable. Healthcare services in some portions of the area are strained by an aging population and shortages of key skills. Although property taxes are generally low, they are nonetheless a controversial topic, especially between retirees and families with school-age children.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What should politicians and/or map drawers know about your community?
  - What are the needs of your community?
  - Is there anything else you want to tell us about your community?

Examples of needs or concerns: Keep community in the same district or separate into multiple districts, shared policy concerns, need for a social service, relationship to other nearby communities, issues with current district lines

Your response: Our immediate goal in redistricting is to reunite Pike and Monroe in a Senate district. As the counties have become more similar and interconnected economically, they have been separated politically. This separation is most visible in the State Senate. The two counties were joined, until 1966, when pieces of Monroe began to move into other districts. The separation became complete in 2012. Currently, Pike is represented by Lisa Baker, who resides in Dallas, west of Wilkes-Barre. Her home and main office are 65 miles from us, but just eight miles from the Plymouth residence of Wilkes-Barre Senator John Yudichak. Two other Senators are much closer to us.