The Commission wants to hear from the public about their “Communities of Interest.” What does that mean?
The Code of Virginia defines a "community of interest" as a neighborhood or any geographically defined group of people living in an area who share similar social, cultural, and economic interests. Communities of interest are defined by local community members and local circumstances. Criteria related to common interests or characteristics include:
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Shared racial or ethnic background
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Common history or culture
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Common religion or language
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Shared socio-economic status
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Economic ties
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Transportation patterns
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Communication networks (media markets)
A variety of geographic features, populations, and histories can make it difficult to define a community of interest, so it is important that the Commission hear about and understand local sentiment and circumstances in order to identify these communities. It is recommended that you consider incorporating answers to the following questions when providing public comment.
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What bonds your community?
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What do you see as the common links in your community?
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Where is your community located?
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How do you define the boundaries of your community?
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Why should your community be kept together?
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Why should your community be kept separate from another community or area?