[Congressman Jim Saxton - News Release]
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 30, 2001
CONTACT: JEFF SAGNIP HOLLENDONNER
(609) 261-5801
WEBSITE: www.house.gov./saxton
 
Redistricting Map Unites Toms River
Fort Dix-McGuire towns also reunited for the 108th Congress in 2003
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ-3rd) praised the new congressional map today, calling it a good thing for the Third District, which stretches from the Delaware River to Long Beach Island.

The map unifies Toms River in Ocean County (Dover Township) in the Third District Saxton serves. It had previously been divided between the Third District represented by Saxton, and the Fourth District represented by Congressman Chris Smith. It also continues to includes South Toms River.
 
"This unifies key parts of the Third Congressional District," Saxton said. "Dover Township is no longer divided. That will help end any confusion over which congressman represents Toms River citizens. Additionally, the new map still includes South Toms River Borough."

In neighboring Burlington County, the Mount Holly area is unified for the first time in decades, bringing together a natural community of the greater Mount Holly area: Eastampton, Westampton, Mount Holly, and Hainesport and Lumberton. Saxton, a former New Jersey Assemblyman and State Senator, has represented the Third District since 1985, including Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base. The towns around the bases will also be united.

"The towns surrounding the military bases have many similarities," said Saxton. "Without a doubt, towns like Pemberton Township, Pemberton Borough, Wrightstown, North Hanover and New Hanover are directly impacted by the 12,000 workers and $700 million annual impact the bases have on the local economy. I used to represent all these towns when I was first elected. Now they will also be unified under the new map for the first time in 10 years."

The map of the Third District has a total of 647,257 residents, of whom 320,669 live in Burlington County, 256,623 in Ocean County and 69,965 in Cherry Hill.

The existing district boundaries will continue through the end of the current 107th Congress no later than Dec. 31, 2002. The new map will be effective for the November 2002 election and remain in place between January 2003 and December 2012, when the next census figures are used to redraw congressional maps.

The new district is as follows: (changes are bolded):
 
In Ocean County— All of the following towns were included: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Dover (Toms River), Eagleswood, Harvey Cedars, Island Heights, Lacey, Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Ocean, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford, Surf City and Tuckerton.

In Burlington County—  the new map has all of the following towns, except where noted: Bass River, Beverly, Burlington Twp. (part, 469 residents), Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Eastampton, Edgewater Park, Evesham, Hainesport, Lumberton, Medford, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, New Hanover, North Hanover, Pemberton Borough, Pemberton Township, Riverside, Shamong (part, 737 residents), Southampton, Tabernacle, Westampton, Willingboro, Woodland, Wrightstown, (Removed from Burlington County was most of Shamong) 

In Camden County—  one town only: all of Cherry Hill, some 69,965 voters. (Removed were Merchantville, Waterford, Haddonfield and Haddon.)

The new map was approved by the Congressional Redistricting Commission in Trenton over the weekend.

 
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