State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Houtzdale, initially was fearful that Clearfield County would be divided among several representatives.
George saw that as a bad thing, but he seemed to be a little happier late Monday afternoon after a preliminary redistricting plan was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission. In the plan, Clearfield County - for the most part - will remain a part of the 74th House District.
"Someday, I won't be here," he said.
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Whoever the new state representative is, whatever party that person comes from, George wants that person to be in a position to fight for Clearfield County. He said it would be difficult for a representative to focus on Clearfield County if he also represented other jurisdictions.
"I am satisfied with it," he said. "I wish they wouldn't have played with it."
George said some people have big problems with the proposed new districts.
A 19-term lawmaker, George said his district lines have been redrawn four times during his time in office.
Bedford and Blair counties will also see changes as part of the proposed House district map.
Rep. Dick Hess will lose part of Bedford County in the 78th District. He will lose New Paris, Pleasantville, Schellsburg, St. Clairsville and Woodbury boroughs and Bloomfield, East St. Clair, Kimmel, King, Lincoln, Mann, Monroe, Napier, Pavia, Southampton, West St. Clair and Woodbury townships, which will become part of the 69th District, currently served by Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Berlin.
Rep. Rick Geist, R-Altoona, will pick up Districts 2 and 4 in Allegheny Township along with Tunnelhill Borough in a new 79th District.
Rep. Jerry Stern, R-Martinsburg, loses Allegheny Township Districts 2 and 4 but gains all of Snyder Township and Tyrone Borough, parts of which were served by Rep. Mike Fleck, R-Huntingdon.
Fleck's 81st District will no longer be in northern Blair County but will move into Halfmoon, Taylor and Worth townships and Port Matilda Borough in Centre County.
