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For the good of our
planet please recycle!
With the environment being a hot topic in the political arena and debated in the media, it raised questions about our citizens’ participation in the recycling program.
The recycling department airing a few TV commercials and courtesy phone reminders to put out your recyclables the night before collection is not enough to give everyone a kick in the pants to participate.
I live on a block with 60 residents and noticed only six out of 60 have a recycling can out on collection day. That’s 10 percent. What a waste.
How about our city agencies — City Hall, the police department, fire department, prison system, city and state offices and political offices?
I’m sure there must be an astronomical amount of paper, plastics and glass that could be a major contribution and serve as an incentive to the citizens and business owners to elevate the level of our recycling program.
With ambitious advertising and promotion, this city could set an example to all the cities in the United States. With the right people involved, this could become a reality. Our planet, our environment, is our home to share. It requires major TLC.
Your letters and voices are called upon, and here’s a start — go to csstreets@phila.gov
Richie T. Mauro
Torresdale
There’s nothing funny
about losing pets
Tom Stiglich’s cartoon in the March 22 edition (Boo-Boo’s last will and testament) was not funny, nor do I think those who have lost pets will think it is funny.
Doris Riso
Castor Gardens
It’s a different kind
of fight at Brown
Recently, J.H. Brown Elementary School experienced a grave loss. One of our young students has been in the fight for his life in a battle against cancer. The student (Frankie Gebeline) was very young and fought for quite a while. Unfortunately, he lost the fight. Everyone at Brown has been greatly affected by this loss.
We would like to have a small memorial put in place at the base of our flagpole. Sounds simple, right? It’s not! That area has been roped off since late September due to safety reasons.
The bricks in the top corner of the building are weak, crumbling and falling down. This problem has been reported to the proper authorities. It is now April and it still has not been repaired. Our flagpole is located in this roped-off area. The memorial plans can’t proceed until the building repairs are completed. We are tired of waiting for one wall to be fixed when so many local schools are having major renovations done to their school.
Maybe this letter will make the repairs happen so the memorial plans can move forward.
One last thing: If any business is interested in donating their time, services and/or supplies to help us build this memorial in memory of this sweet young child, contact me at 215-380-9244.
Joe Gallagher
J.H. Brown Home & School Association president
Thanks, doc, now let’s
preserve the park
Regarding the departure of Dr. Young and saving Burholme Park:
First I congratulate Dr. Young for his years of service at Fox Chase Cancer Center. I would hope that his successor will immediately drop the intentional plan of building into Burholme Park. This has been discussed time and time again. I am a citizen of Philadelphia and I have felt betrayed by the Fairmount Park Commission, Mayor Street and Councilman O’Neill. Nothing is sacred anymore, not even treasured parkland.
It is obvious to me that the city is about 99 percent developed by concrete and asphalt. Why build on a park that has been protected since 1900? People in the area cherish Burholme Park for its beauty, and the picnic grove and golf driving range add to its continued enjoyment. In this age of virtual private networking, why must FCCC continue to push to build on land that has been given to the citizens of the city and ridiculously managed by the Fairmount Park Commission, rather than re-develop an existing site for FCCC use? It is beyond all logic to me. The citizens and those in the counties are having the carpet literally dragged from their feet on this matter.
If the picnic grove and driving range must go, I’d much rather see them return to their former open-spaced glory along with the removal of the fencing that has now been installed bordering the baseball fields on Cottman Avenue, but I would never want this land to be turned over for private development when there is so little open space left in our community.
I have called all the City Council people and have not received one reply to my questions or concerns. I have called Brian O’Neill, who is apparently still doing a traffic study in the area. I don’t believe anything has been done, and they are continuing to buy time on this issue by letting it linger on.
The initiative to build into Burholme Park must be stopped. Our quality of life depends on our parks as much as cancer research.
David Carlin
Burholme
Thanks for thinking
of the kids
I would like to thank Fairmount Park Commission and Councilman Brian O’Neill for thinking of our kids’ safety.
Many times on a Saturday, watching the children play baseball at Burholme Park, I see the kids running into the driveway after the ball while cars are coming into the park or leaving. They are not driving slowly, even with signs up telling them to slow down.
As far as the opposition against the fences, I understand it is a public park, but we are talking about the safety of all our children.
If you play for Northeast Optimists or you just go there on your own, you have to think about the safety of the children. You go to any playground in the city, you see fences up and nobody is complaining.
When an organization such as NEO thinks about the safety of our children and they get help in getting this done, we should embrace the concern they have for our children.
Chuck Benner
Safety coordinator, NEO Baseball
Council hopeful
is looking to the future
Dear Readers, I want to thank you, the residents of the Northeast, for signing and circulating my nominating petitions.
There was some mudslinging directed at me in an effort to keep me off the ballot. I responded to each of the accusations in an appropriate manner but did not stray from campaigning on the issues that I think matter most to you and your family.
John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan shared a common idea: "A rising tide lifts all boats." We need to make our economy boom! Our residents need more opportunities and our city needs more revenues so that it can provide us with the quantity and quality of city services we so badly need. The good news is that we can still do it! But we have to start right now.
One of the biggest economic engines we have is our ports. As I said when I campaigned back in 2003, there are tens of thousands of good paying, blue collar jobs waiting for us there. That could mean billions of dollars in salaries and health care for people living in our neighborhoods and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues to pay teachers, firefighters, police officers, social workers and fund programs throughout the city.
Isn’t it time government helped you? Don’t you think government should use your tax dollars to make your life better in the biggest way possible? I do! That’s why I’m running for City Council at-large. I’m going to fight for you and your family!
Thanks to many of you, I turned in 2,377 signatures. As a result, I was able to continue on and draw the No. 1 ballot position! I will win in May and go on to the November election.
With your continued support, I will win a seat and start introducing legislation that will help make our city a truly world-class economic and cultural powerhouse!
David Oh
Republican candidate, City Council at-large
Sign, sign, everywhere
a sign . . .
I have been a resident of the Northeast for most of my life. I think it is a disgrace how many of these mayoral candidate signs are starting to pop up ALL OVER the place. The one right now is for Bob Brady.
There must be more than 200 of those blue Bob Brady signs all along Academy Road, Grant Avenue and Holme Avenue, to name a few. And it is only a matter of time before the other candidates start with all their miles of signs in front of and in the rear of Brady’s signs.
Isn’t it bad enough that we have to hear about this voting crap on our T.V.s, billboards and newspapers, etc.? But now I can’t even drive to work without seeing miles of these signs. Talk about polluting the landscape!
Why is it that John Q. Public like myself would be issued fines by L&I for "handbilling" if I attempted to advertise anything in this matter? But again, the untouchable politicians can do what they please — a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of situation.
I feel that if a mayoral candidate has to "push" himself on you that strongly, he has no confidence in his abilities to become the next mayor. I know personally, by having to change my route to and from work to avoid seeing these senseless signs, I will NOT vote for Bob Brady, nor anyone else who feels that they have to place miles of useless signs along our roadways. This crap is out of control.
Seeing miles of this litter along the highways here in the Northeast has had a negative affect on me. My family members and friends feel the same way as I do.
Congratulations, Bob Brady, here are some votes you will not receive! Just make sure your staff removes these eyesores in a timely fashion after this mayoral election.
Bob Wagner
Academy Gardens
. . . Am I the only one
sick about the signs?
About a month ago, I saw someone from V-Tech removing small signs along the Boulevard advertising a wide range of businesses, and I was SO HAPPY! My letter writing and follow-up finally paid off. I would like to know how much money has been collected by the city of Philadelphia? Does Licenses & Inspections follow through on the ordinance and fine these people $75 per sign plus the cost of removal? I would like to know how many thousands of dollars they have collected.
I am working on a list of concerns and could use some help. Does anything get your blood pressure elevated? You would have to be blind not to notice the litter in our neighborhood and along the main roads including I-95, Roosevelt Boulevard, Woodhaven Road. What are YOU going to do about it?
Thankfully, there are civic associations working for the betterment of the community, but I am sure there are many residents and senior citizens with concerns and/or ideas on how to solve some of these problems but may not be able to attend meetings. I would like to hear from them.
Now the political signs have returned like a plague. It just keeps getting worse and we let it continue because we don’t make that call, we don’t write that letter, we don’t stop at the politicians’ office and tell them how we feel about all the Bob Brady signs littering up Academy Road and Knights Road. I counted 208 signs one day last week.
I stopped in state Sen. Mike Stack’s office (215-281-2539) and state House Speaker Dennis O’Brien’s office (215-632-5150) one day last week, and they know how Marge Philippi feels about the signs.
It doesn’t matter if it is a Republican or Democratic candidate — it is sickening. I was told I was the only one who has complained, and I responded to that by saying, "Everyone driving down Academy Road and Knights Road is probably feeling the same way as I and doing NOTHING about it."
Margaret Philippi
Parkwood
Quality of life
is a big issue
With the upcoming mayoral election, I believe the time is right for the candidates to address the so-called "quality of life" issues in the City of Brotherly Love. In my opinion, the quality of life for those who live and work in the city has sharply declined in recent years. If the city is to attract more employers and residents in the future, a concerted effort must be made to improve the situation.
I have commuted from the Northeast to my place of employment in the city for the past 18 years. During that time, I have been cursed at, spat on, and physically assaulted on the streets of Center City. Lately, it seems that motor vehicle operators, particularly taxi drivers, blatantly ignore red lights. Further, in the eyes of many drivers, pedestrians never have the right of way.
The other day, while crossing a Center City street (the light was with me) a delivery truck came within inches of me before it grudgingly stopped. The driver actually yelled out that it would have been easier for me to stop than him. I guess his brakes were faulty?
Finally, in good weather, one must dodge the bicyclists who weave through the sidewalks of Market Street, narrowly missing pedestrians who merely happen to be in their path.
These may seem like nuisance issues to some, but for those of us who deal with them on a daily basis, the cumulative effect can be significant.
Jon Liss
Fox Chase
Please speak out
on behalf of the cats
The people who want to save the cats at the park are not just cat lovers, but animal lovers. These cats were dumped by irresponsible people — similar to the people who are dumping old tires at the park. It is not the cats’ fault they are living in the park. These are domestic animals suffering in the wild. They do not deserve to be put to death because of the cruelty of people.
Right now, we are desperately looking for temporary homes to save the lives of these cats. There are many beautiful young cats that would make great companions. If you can help, please contact info@phillycats.org
We are also looking for volunteers to help with fliers and petitions to help save the cats that are too wild to live in a home. We also need public support to allow trap/neuter/return at the park. We don’t want this to become a cat sanctuary, we just want to let these cats finish out their lives without reproducing or fear of extermination. Please, write to your councilperson, state reps, state senators and Gov. Rendell to tell them you support TNR. And keep writing to the Northeast Times.
Let the city know that these are not "non-native predators." They are abandoned, mistreated house pets who deserve our compassion.
Justine Graham
East Torresdale
Grandma gives
charter school an A+
We have been hearing some horror stories lately about our schools, and even about our charter schools, so it was a pleasure for me today to attend the festivities for the honor roll students of Northwood Academy Charter School.
Out of approximately 500 students, 144 made the honor roll. After spending a good part of the day with these youngsters, their teachers, volunteers and principal, it was very apparent why this student body is doing so well.
When you enter this school you are greeted first by a friendly office staff who always seem to have a smile for the students.
As you walk down the corridors it’s so quiet that you wonder if class is in session. Yes, it is, but the students are paying attention to their teachers, not talking to each other or throwing things across the room. They actually look interested. Even passing two long lines of students in the hallway was a lesson in children who knew there were rules to follow and followed them with only soft reminders.
The event for the honor roll students consisted of a special breakfast in the cafeteria, a trip to the local roller rink and then a special celebration lunch in the cafeteria. The food was served by parents and volunteers, who also accompanied the students to the roller rink for two hours of fun. And again, these kids behaved.
Of course, there was some running and a bit of yelling. A whole lot of laughing. It was a noisy two hours. But I didn’t see one fight, one person trip another or anyone pushing. When it got close to time to leave I took it upon myself to walk through this very large space identifying our kids (who all wore their uniforms) and telling them to cash in their game tickets because it was almost time to go. They actually listened to me.
The interactions I saw between the teachers and the students all showed respect going two ways. The staff shows respect to the students and gets that respect back. I asked two of the students why everyone behaved so well and was told, "we have to follow the rules."
When I asked what happened if they didn’t follow the rules, the answer they agreed on was, "If we don’t, we have to go to the principal’s office and she yells at us." Not such a bad thing.
This school clearly has rules and expects the children to follow those rules. And they mix in a lot of caring and reward. I’d say it works.
Margaret Capps Newman
Proud grandmother of a Northwood student
Here’s what the
PFMA is all about
In response to the letter in the March 22 issue of the Northeast Times (No cop-outs for mayor), I felt it necessary to set the record straight.
The Police & Fire Medical Association (PFMA) has provided health care benefits to police officers, firefighters and their dependents since 1927. Politics and economic issues have affected the way these benefits have been provided and to whom.
As a result of decisions by both the police and fire unions, PFMA no longer provides benefits for active police and fire personnel. However, PFMA continues to provide medical benefits to police and fire pension members.
As to the question of where did the money go, the money was always used and continues to be used to help pay for the medical benefits of PFMA members. PFMA is the only police or fire organization assisting pension members with the cost of their medical benefits. The members that stayed with PFMA are aware of this through PFMA’s correspondence to its members and membership meetings.
I invite Joe McAllister to give me a call to discuss his issues. I am always available to present and past members of the Police & Fire Medical Association.
Michael J. Cliggett
Chairman, Police & Fire Medical Association Inc.
A new idea for
Section 8 recipients
Here’s an idea — instead of continuing to give people welfare, putting them on Section 8 and moving them to once- proud working class neighborhoods, maybe we could have them wake before noon and earn their welfare, Section 8, etc., by performing some community service, or God forbid, at the very least clean the front of their property.
Or is this too much to ask for in return for their free money?
Jay Bosak
Bustleton
Bob Casey can’t
think for himself
The people wanted Robert P. Casey Jr. as a U.S. senator, heavens only knows why.
He’s a man who has traded on his father’s name to establish a less-than-glorious political career. That career, such as it is, has up until now never been in a position to be of harm. Now a U.S. senator is a far different matter.
The most recent, as a true Democratic hack following orders, will support the non-binding resolution opposing the additional troops to Iraq. Non-binding means two things.
First, "I have not a clue for a reasonable alternative," and second, "if I did, I haven’t the intestinal fortitude to offer a plan." Non-binding also means "I support the troops but just so they know they cannot win."
Here is a man I want to have my back. Never.
Perhaps what best describes this party puppet occurred at a conference in Philadelphia of U.S. senators and a number of other dignitaries that was held to discuss the out-of control crime/murder rate in this city.
The sound bite from our honorable Mr. Casey Jr. on Channel 6 evening news was how this problem is what happens with tax cuts for the richest 1 and 2 percent of the population.
Mention drugs? No. How about gang control? No. Maybe too-easy access to illegal weapons? No. Tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent, that’s it. At least that is what this political drone was programmed to utter. Those older than most may remember Charlie McCarthy, another dummy able only to mutter another person’s thoughts.
Robert P. Casey Jr., the people’s choice. Sometimes you get what you want, sometimes what you deserve.
With respect to my extended family and Reese Witherspoon, Mr. Casey Jr. if female would be legally blond.
Ray Dolan
Morrell Park
St. Jerome pupils have
something to say
Students at St. Jerome School at Holme Avenue and Stamford Street are speaking out on editorials that recently appeared in the Northeast Times.
Here’s what the kids have to say:
The Nikki memorial
We are sixth grade students at St. Jerome School. We agree with the editorial you wrote for the Jan. 25 edition, Keep it up, regarding the memorial for Nikki Schwartz on the 9500 block of State Road.
We agree that if the memorial helps the family mend their problems of the dramatic tragedy of the loss of their family member, it should stay up. We believe that if the stuffed animals are banned, so should drunken driving and cell phone usage while driving.
We agree that the people removing the memorial are wrong, but they should not be ashamed of themselves. All these people are trying to do is prevent accidents from occurring and tragic deaths from happening in our area.
If there is proof of an accident, a compromise can always be made between the family of the victim and the government.
Another idea is maybe, instead of having a controversy about accidents and people adding and demolishing her memorial, the family could display her memory in a small scholarship fund at the school she attended.
Aubrey, Tara, Claire Ann and Colleen
• • •
We have to say we both agree and disagree with the editorial Keep it up.
We believe that if the memorial is helping the family heal, why take it down? There is no concrete proof that accidents have occurred since it was put up. They should worry more about the consequences of a person talking on the cell phone, or start preventing driving under the influence.
Many people also say that it tears them up inside to see that depressing memorial while driving. They don’t have to completely get rid of it, maybe just move it to a safer place.
Michelle, Erica, Matt, Trent and Nathan
• • •
I completely agree with the editorial, Keep it up.
These people should be completely ashamed and should not try to take down the memorial, but comfort and console the family on their loss. The memorial has not caused a single accident and should be kept up until it is proven otherwise.
If people think this memorial is a hazard to the people, then they should at least have some better proof of accidents. I also think they should look at the bigger hazards like drunken drivers and cell phone talkers. These are the main reasons Nikki is not with us today.
If the people in City Hall spend the city’s money on trying to fix the streets and make them safer for people instead of trying to take down Nikki’s memorial, then I say we’d all be better. They aren’t! I totally disagree with them. They are disgraceful.
Dan
The drug ban
We are sixth grade students at St. Jerome School. We must agree with the editorial you wrote in the Feb. 1 edition, Let the ban roll, that drug paraphernalia in stores should be banned.
We agree with your editorial because if we keep telling kids that drugs are bad and harmful, then the future has a chance of being drug-free. We also think the ban should go further. Soon we hope this leads to the cutting off of drug usage and production. We should take the ban one step at a time. We think that the city should do more and take more action, but Councilman O’Neill and Mayor Street should be commended for starting.
The city has to step up because it is so easy to get drugs. The police need to stop the drugs because they lead to death and violence. They need to be more alert. We need to get the drugs out of stores and off the streets and everywhere else in the world.
No one thinks about this, but drugs actually lead to pollution. We believe that the quicker we get rid of the drug paraphernalia, the healthier people will be. In conclusion, we should ban other known killers, such as cigarettes. "It’s better late than never" is right.
Thank you very much for taking your time to read our letter. We really would like to see our letter in the paper and to see the ban go further. We hope that you put all the thoughts into play and make them happen, not just have people dream about drug-free surroundings. We hope that if this letter gets put into the paper, people will notice that one step at a time is setting a good example for children.
We hope that as we grow older to see a drug-free society.
Leanna, Maeve, Julianne, Matthew, Anthony and Allison
• • •
You stated that the ban was a great start on getting rid of drug paraphernalia. We agree, but we also think the city could be doing more by giving tougher punishments to drug dealers and drug users.
You also stated that all responsible merchants should follow Philly’s lead. We agree because this might aid in cutting down on drug crimes.
You said that Mr. O’Neill should expand the ban. We agree fully with that statement. This will send a message to young kids that drugs are bad. Then, in the near future, kids won’t be using drugs, and that will result in a safer Philadelphia.
Casey, Chris, Chrissy, Tim, Lindsay and Alex
• • •
We agree with your Let the ban roll editorial because people wouldn’t do drugs as often if they didn’t have the materials to do drugs.
We agree that this is a good beginning. We also agree that you do need to go further so kids won’t get drugs from other people off the street. Our opinion is that Congress should take it further, but at a slow rate, because it will be hard for people to stop smoking.
Cigarette sales should also be reduced to being sold in stores only. Kids need to know the consequences from drugs, because they don’t just hurt you, they hurt other people as well. We are the kids that are hurt by drugs.
If you have kids and you smoke, they will be turned off by the bad odor. Also, if you have kids and you smoke, they will think it is OK to smoke.
Drugs are addicting and they are illegal.
Matt, Shane, Sam, Paul and Sarah
• • •
We are the future of this world and we don’t want to be influenced by drugs.
Drug paraphernalia are enablers in doing drugs and we think that we should try to make this ban go worldwide. All responsible merchants should follow our lead in the ban on drug paraphernalia.
Drugs are also harmful to society. Mayor Street did the right thing by signing the ban for Philadelphia. We think we can make the ban go further. Everyone should follow the ban and stop poisoning the future of this world.
Alicia, Bryan, Chelsea and Daniel
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