WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?
Letters to the editor must be accompanied by your daytime and evening phone numbers for verification purposes. Letters without phone numbers cannot be considered for publication.
Dear John:
Bye bye
This one’s a no-brainer… Our impish mayor, John Street, has finally ascended to the epitome of stupidity by proposing to disband the police department’s mounted unit.
Obviously it’s time to think seriously about disbanding the administration of this political gremlin before he collapses the entire city.
William Kitsch
Fox Chase
Where is that
Philly passion?
I am a young adult living in Philly. I love this place. It’s just horrible to see how it’s treated. I moved from Kensington because of the troubles there, then to Lawndale, but once again, I had to pick up and move because of the troubles there.
If only everybody — white, black, Latino, Asian — could just get together and try to work as a community, it’s possible. We need to let go of old stereotypes. Not everyone is bad. It’s as if everyone moves instead of facing the problems, or they are too scared.
I grew up in Philly. I knew how passionate Philadelphians are when it comes to sports and most everything else. How come we can’t be that passionate about actually saving our city? We do have a say — are you willing to speak up?
Nick Masias
Bustleton
Rotten eggs
in Mayfair
This is to the losers that were driving through the neighborhood throwing eggs out of your car window on Wednesday morning, April 7.
I am sure your mothers and grandmothers would be proud to know that you were aiming at a 4-year-old. I guess it’s true what they say about public school behavior. Why do I say public school? They were closed all week for the holiday. P.S. You missed!
MaryBeth Gaczhias
Mayfair
Salvatore:
I had the solution
I read with interest your recent letters to the editor page regarding Woodhaven Expressway, and they couldn’t have been more on target.
Mrs. Hazell has made the people of Somerton and, generally speaking, that whole area suffer because of her behavior. She has always put politics ahead of what is right for the people, and unfortunately, some of our local politicians have backed her and continue to back her in her endeavors.
Many years ago, I had proposed — and it could have been done — building Woodhaven to Bustleton Avenue. At that time, the cost would have been somewhere around $12 million, and I had the money in the capital budget.
Working with George Kenney, we would have eliminated all of the traffic on Byberry Road, where, as you know, there are three schools and at least two senior citizens complexes. The people could have lived a normal life. Had development not been contested, people driving from Bucks County would only have had to proceed approximately 200 yards south past Byberry Road to get on the Woodhaven Expressway. At the same time, people coming east from Montgomery County would turn right onto Bustleton Avenue and again, within a few hundred yards, they would also be turning onto the expressway. This would also have relieved much of the congestion that we experience at Byberry and Bustleton. This design would have affected very few people and would have addressed the problem of Philmont Avenue. This two-lane road, with wetlands on one side, cannot take additional heavy traffic. This road cannot be widened.
Again, I feel very sorry for the people in Somerton who have lived under this pressure for so many years. It is past time for Mrs. Hazell to stop being hell-bent on getting her own way. Enough time and taxpayer monies have been wasted because of the dictates and behind-the-scenes maneuvers of one individual.
The Northeast Times does a great job in keeping the public informed, and I congratulate your efforts.
Frank A. Salvatore
Former state senator, 5th district
A cyber solution
for Somerton
I have a perfect solution to the “bulk mailing” problem the Somerton Civic Association has in regards to their newsletter.
This is 2004, and nowadays, people communicate using the Internet more than ever. Why not pay a company or independent Web developer to make a small Web site that would send out mailings every month for the newsletter via e-mail for those who have e-mail addresses?
Instant payment over the Internet to become a member and signup for the newsletter could be a snap, and forums for discussing matters that affect Somerton could be done with ease. General information such as news, issues and contact information would be at our fingertips.
The best part about it would be that you can reach people faster and easier. You pay someone else to manage all of this information for you so you can focus on other issues.
People spend more time on a computer these days. What better way to communicate the issues of Somerton than through the information superhighway? We already have a Somerton.net Web site that we could be affiliated with.
If the Friends of Poquessing Watershed can create a small Web site, I’m sure the SCA can create one. Has anyone ever thought of this option?
Gina Novak
Somerton
Let’s build the
road already
We would like to see Woodhaven completed. We’ve lived in Somerton for 39 years. We do not live on Byberry Road, but we must use it to get out of our development. We were promised when we moved here the extension was coming. We are certainly not happy about the length of time that we have been waiting.
Let’s get the road built. We should not let the suburbs dictate what we should have on our city street.
Helen and Marty Nelson
Somerton
You can call me
an Al supporter
Why should we support Al Taubenberger for Congress in the 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia?
I have known Al throughout his life. He was born in Burholme, where his parents owned a corner grocery store at Oxford Avenue and St. Vincent Street. His parents were of German heritage and were very strict. That is how Al learned discipline.
Al was educated in Philadelphia’s public school system. As a youth, he played baseball for me with the Northeast Junior Optimists Little League Organization.
He also played soccer for Gibbons PAL youth organizations.
Al graduated from Northeast High School and Penn State University. He really knows the value of education for our children.
Al worked at Friends Hospital for two years, so he learned the needs of the physically and mentally disabled.
Al gained some valuable knowledge about Washington when he worked for Congressman Charlie Dougherty.
Al is married and lives with his wife and four children. This helps him to understand the needs of families and neighborhoods.
Al is also a pro-life candidate.
Al and former state Rep. Chris Wogan stayed on top of Section 8 housing. It is a federal law and we must see that the law is enforced.
Last of all, I must tell you that many of my senior citizen neighbors are behind Al.
He promises to stay on top of Social Security, Medicare and the prescription program.
Al is easily the best and most qualified candidate to represent Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia.
Let’s vote for Al Taubenberger on April 27.
William E. Brubaker
Fox Chase
Is Sen. Specter
really a Republican?
Sen. Specter’s primary election committee is running an ad that is an alleged endorsement by President Bush and Sen. Santorum.
First, Sen. Santorum notes Sen. Specter is there for the “votes that matter.” It seems all senatorial votes should matter.
He must mean when Sen. Specter votes with the Democratic liberals, which is often, those votes do not matter. Sen. Santorum does not define why they do not matter.
President Bush points out Sen. Specter is an “independent voice” for Pennsylvania.
Translated, it means the Republicans who vote Mr. Specter into office never really know when and what Republican issues he will support, if any.
The Senate operates on a seniority basis. Heads of Senate committees, important committee assignments and various perks are issued on length of Senate service.
Obviously, President Bush and Sen. Santorum feel it is better to have a Democrat in Republican clothing with a long length of service and the associated seniority benefits than a first-time truly Republican senator or an announced Democrat.
Should Sen. Specter be replaced with the former, the electorate would immediately note a difference. If it were the latter, no one could tell the difference.
Ray Dolan
Morrell Park
Let’s hear it for
Melissa Brown . . .
As the weather starts to change, I’ve begun to notice the continued decline of my neighborhood due to the many problems that our elected officials refuse to address.
The root of the problem is still Section 8 housing and the problems it brings along with it — drugs, crime, dirty streets, unruly neighbors, absent landlords, nuisance bars and businesses that take no responsibility.
The only congressional candidate willing to take on these problems head-on is Melissa Brown. She has visited my neighborhood and seen firsthand exactly what the people are talking about and are fed up with. The sale signs are everywhere, the transient neighbors come and go and leave behind their destruction, while the taxpaying, hard-working people bear the brunt of their “who cares” attitude and flee a once-great area.
While all the other candidates seem to overlook the basic problems that face the Northeast community, Melissa Brown is the only candidate committed to taking on these atrocities and making the Northeast the safe, clean area we all knew and loved at one time.
Tom McDevitt
Holmesburg
. . . and from the
candidate herself
Over the past three years I have been invited into neighborhoods and homes throughout the Northeast. I’ve been to barbecues and block parties and I’ve walked most of the streets.
Over those years, one thing has become clear: Northeast Philadelphia is suffering a severe quality-of-life crisis.
Ill-conceived City Hall policies, rampant cronyism, and misguided federal funding have promoted a culture of disinvestment and despair in the Northeast’s hard-working, family-oriented neighborhoods.
In neighborhoods like Torresdale, Mayfair, Somerton, Frankford, Lawndale, Crescentville and others, incidents of burglaries, robberies and car thefts are clearly on the rise. Murders and rapes are increasingly common headlines in the local newspapers.
The number of middle- and upper-middle-income households is declining throughout the Northeast. Home prices are dropping and unemployment is skyrocketing. And the Section 8 program grows unchecked, increasing its hold on the Northeast.
Between 1980 and 2000, the city lost 10 percent of its population and nearly 100,000 jobs. Talk to anyone in Northeast Philadelphia and they’ll tell you their neighbors and friends leave on a daily basis.
Our public schools are failing with little accountability, forcing many to come up with the money for private schools.
Our great universities are educating our children, who often leave the area because there aren’t enough jobs here. In most cities, people in their 20s and early 30s represent the largest age groups.
Philadelphia, by contrast, is second only to Miami in the proportion of residents age 65 and over.
We’ve heard too many political initiatives by City Hall, too many promises to remedy the problems of Section 8 abuse, and decades of congressional pledges to revitalize the waterfront and reduce crime.
What’s happened? Mayor John Street is ignoring you and giving jobs to his cronies. The Philadelphia Housing Authority talks but doesn’t act, and your congressman is too busy running for Senate to follow through on anything. Meanwhile, our friends and neighbors escape into the suburbs. Businesses close. Jobs relocate. And crime rises. And home prices plummet.
I believe this is the most important election Northeast Philadelphia has seen in decades.
We are all so weary of the failed promises of politicians. I am a mother, a nurse, and a physician. I don’t want to be a politician. I want to be your representative.
And I make no promise but one: I will do my best to restore a good quality of life to Northeast Philadelphia by listening and moving forward together with you, but to do this, I need your passion and your belief that Northeast Philadelphia can be great once again.
We must overhaul an outdated and counterproductive Section 8 program, increase funding for more police presence on our streets, put tougher judges on the bench, improve the education of our work force, and offer incentives for intergovernmental cooperation, including enterprise zones to bring businesses back.
I vow that as your next congresswoman, I will always keep my word, and work to restore a good quality of life for all Northeast Philadelphians.
Melissa Brown
Republican candidate, 13th Congressional District
Ellen Bard is loyal
and dedicated
A vote for Ellen Bard will at least be a fair and democratic vote, not one that is demanded from the political leaders. A vote for “her opponent,” especially by Northeast voters, is a vote demanded by the “political machine.” I heard, with my own ears, several committee people in the Northeast say that they were told by certain political leaders not to vote for Ellen Bard or to support her in any way.
A vote for Ellen Bard will be a vote for her proven abilities and accomplishments as a legislator, and her loyalty and dedication to her constituents.
Those in the Northeast will realize that wonderful leadership once Ellen Bard has a chance to represent you in Congress. Her constituents in the 153rd Legislative District have been privileged to have that kind of leadership at the state level, and now we will support Ellen Bard to carry that responsibility on to the federal level. We invite the wonderful folks of Northeast Philadelphia to join together in the effort of electing Ellen Bard to Congress.
It is very easy to be misled by words and plans such as reforming Section 8 and other pressing issues in the Northeast. Plans must be outlined and detailed in order to be effective. Has anyone seen those detailed resolutions to major problems from “her opponent”?
As one who has held an elected office and passed legislation, Ellen Bard has a proven track record by actions, not just words, and she can get the job done. Issues for Philadelphia and Montgomery counties affect almost everyone, and we are all looking for resolutions.
There aren’t any quick fixes to the problems that have taken years to develop. We must not be lambs led to slaughter by campaign rhetoric promising quick answers to major problems. We all know it doesn’t work that way.
On April 27, it will be a vote of confidence and respect for a proven leader when we choose Ellen Bard as our next congressional representative.
Dottie Morse
Abington
. . . and she’s the
best choice for Congress
I was surprised to learn at a recent congressional debate that state Rep. Ellen Bard was visionary enough in 1996 to introduce legislation on how Pennsylvania should deal with a terrorist attack. It was reassuring to me that long before the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, she was quietly working to protect us all.
As a teacher and one of the few African Americans attending the debate, I was particularly glad to also see her take a stand against rival candidate Melissa Brown’s unsuccessful 2002 congressional campaign tactics, which were rightfully criticized in the media for fostering racial fear and prejudice.
Bard said at the debate, “There’s no better predictor of future performance than past performance,” which means I can expect a lot from this compassionate and popular legislator, who’s been recognized three times as Legislator of the Year and who’s never lost an election.
Bard has been called an “attack dog” in her fight to protect Pennsylvania from the escalating medical malpractice crisis, and her proven problem-solving skills makes her the perfect “attack dog” to also fight Section 8 housing abuse in the neighborhoods of the Northeast.
If you haven’t met Ellen Bard, make sure you do, because she is clearly the best choice for strong and dependable leadership in Congress.
Len Triplett
Wyncote
Sign, sign,
everywhere a sign
Why is it that some candidates for Congress feel it is necessary to put hundreds of signs in your neighborhood?
I live in the West Mayfair area and cannot believe that my neighborhood is trashed with Allyson Schwartz signs everywhere. I drove down Rowland Avenue the other day and was appalled at all the signs. This makes me think twice about voting for her.
The sad thing is that it is the campaign workers who do this. Do they really think that it is appropriate to put signs approximately a foot apart through a residential neighborhood? We are tired of our wonderful community being trashed every election by certain candidates. When will this end?
Carolyn Dombrowski
West Mayfair
Hold that PGW
rate hike, please
Dear state Rep. George Kenney:
The Philadelphia Gas Works has a history of managerial miscues that started with severing the excellent company, UGI, that managed PGW in 1972.
In its most recent history, it had four of its executives indicted and two convicted of misuse of company funds. The CEO who was let go was hired by the Philadelphia Gas Commission after a national search by an executive recruiter who selected him without his having oil or gas experience, but only a telecommunications background.
In 2001, it raised the administrative surcharge from $4 to $12 a month — an annual increase of $96 that raised annual revenues by approximately $50 million. The only purpose of this increase was to cover the management that was so ineffective, that customer callers were left hanging for 10 minutes and with a workforce that has the highest absentee rate in the free world.
You can write endlessly about the mismanagement of this company, and they now have the unmitigated gall to ask for an increase to cover this ineptitude.
No increase should be granted until PGW produces a plan that allows it to increase their receivable collections. Paperboys have a higher collection ratio.
Michael E. Hartey
Burholme
• • •
It’s too late now but think about next winter: We really can make a difference.
All Philadelphians should not pay their gas bill. Put the money aside until April’s bill comes along. You still have your gas, and PGW will learn a difficult lesson. When they can’t pay their bills and their employees and their bonuses are reduced, the voice of the people will be heard. We’re not gonna take it anymore.
Richard Cohen
Bustleton
• • •
PGW’s mismanagement and inability or unwillingness to collect delinquent accounts is no excuse to stick it to the hard-working, honest people who pay their bills on time. We could accept if a person is on a limited income or hard times and has difficulty paying bills, but there are programs to assist people.
A hand up is no problem, but there are those who want a handout, which is what this PGW proposal is — a handout.
For decades, there have been people who did not pay their bills. The current mayor is one of those people who had delinquent accounts with PGW. We can expect no sympathy from him. The situation at PGW did not change over all these years. Now they want to stick it to us.
Get a complaint form, flood the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission with complaints. Let them know that you are sick and tired of this action and are not going to take it anymore.
George J. Weber
Holmesburg
Kenney: PACE is
for the people
I am writing in response to a March 25 letter to the Northeast Times editor that criticized my outreach efforts regarding the expansion of Pennsylvania’s prescription drug assistance programs, known as PACE and PACENET.
While the individual who criticized my outreach efforts may not experience the hardship of high prescription drug costs, this certainly is a problem for many senior citizens.
As chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, working to ensure the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians is my top priority.
I sponsored House Bill 888, the Vance-Kenney initiative, that led to the expansion of PACE and PACENET, and joined Gov. Rendell at the bill’s signing in Lancaster.
It is important to get the message out that programs are available to assist seniors with their prescription drug purchases. As a matter of fact, roughly 31,000 additional older Pennsylvanians have enrolled in PACE and PACENET since the expansion went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year.
It is safe to assume that many of those senior citizens learned about the programs’ expanded eligibility through the public service announcements that my House colleagues and I provided.
As state representative, I have and will continue to communicate with the residents of Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County through newsletters, door-to-door visits, town meetings, attendance at civic meetings and through my district offices located in Burholme and Somerton.
I am proud of my record and will continue to serve my constituents.
George Kenney
State representative, 170th Legislative District