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He served
his country
I am a veteran of World War II. On Memorial Day weekend, I was doing some work outside. A man walking his dog stopped and said to me, "How come you’re not displaying an American flag?" As he walked away, I heard him say that some people are not very patriotic. That made me mad.
I was in the Navy for two years and saw action in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, on a destroyer escort (USS Strickland 333). There aren’t too many WWII vets left, so before I die maybe you can find a little spot to print my name in your paper. It would really make me feel good.
Dominic Alcaro
Modena Park
Did anyone see
the accident?
On Monday, June 23, at 1:20 p.m., I was crossing the temporary bridge on Byberry Road when halfway across, a truck came by and sideswiped my car, causing the side-view (driver’s side) mirror to break off and strike me in the face.
I stopped in the middle of the bridge to compose myself and felt blood running down my cheek and neck. I moved the car off the bridge to the side of the road, expecting someone to come to my aid.
To my surprise, while standing there with a handkerchief over the wound, no one asked if I needed help. I turned the car around to chase this truck, had to force my way into the west traffic lane, but the truck was nowhere in sight. I had no numbers, no names, only the color of the truck. Oversized trucks are prohibited on the bridge (3-ton limit). This guy was over that.
In anyone saw this accident or can help me identify this truck, please call me at 215-677-3320. Thank you.
Jim Toland
Somerton
The silence of enforcement
is deafening
What has happened to the noise ordnance that was supposed to be in effect in Philadelphia?
We live on the 9900 block of Ferndale St. and some mornings even before 7 a.m., we are awakened by the sounds of lawnmowers and blowers of lawn services. Isn’t there an ordinance that there is to be no noise before 8:30 a.m.?
It is getting a little much to be roused from your bed before 7 a.m. These services do not display names on the side of their trucks and just continue to make noise. Guess they were chased from other neighborhoods, so they come here.
I also wish they would be required to vacuum up their clippings and not just blow them around the neighborhood.
Others in this area vacuum up when they cut their own lawns. Why not require them to do the same?
Norvel T. Frock Jr.
Bustleton
Thank you
for the rescue
I want to relate a gratifying experience we had with the fire rescue squad.
I’m not sure if they came from Cottman and Loretto avenues or Pennypack Circle. We are fortunate to be close to both.
I called early on June 3 since my husband wasn’t feeling well. They were here within five minutes and very courteous and professional. He received great care at Nazareth Hospital and was home in three days.
A big thanks to all of you.
Louise Jenkins
Bell’s Corner
Don’t let kids
become devils
Dear Mayor Nutter,
As school lets out for the summer and the heat hits the high 80s with extreme humidity, I can’t help but notice that there is nothing for young kids in the Northeast to do.
I drove past a public swimming pool on Linden Avenue between Torresdale and Frankford avenues and it’s not even filled.
Drive up and down any street in the Northeast and you’ll see kids just sitting on the curbs and hanging on front steps, getting into trouble because they have nothing to do. When they start playing on someone’s property, they get chased, then retaliate later because they’re angry. What happened to the recreation centers? They always had things to do for kids when I was growing up.
There has to be something for kids of all ages to do to keep them occupied and stay out of trouble. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
It’s hard enough for the parents of these kids with high gas prices, no jobs, and utility costs going through the roof without regulations, and then expect kids to skip through the summer without any problems. (It’s not happening where I live). Remember, they’re our future!
Donna Marie Taweel
Holmesburg
Shame on us
The editorial cartoon that ran in your June 19 edition is probably the most distasteful piece of journalism that we have seen yet.
Considering 18 million people voted for Hillary, she deserves a lot more respect than this. Matter of fact, this is an insult to your readers no matter who they supported for the nomination. To imply in this cartoon that Hillary (drawn with a devious look on her face) would poison Barack to further her ambitions is sick. What is the difference between making this assumption in a cartoon and putting it in writing in an editorial?
Jerry and Madelynne Cullen
Parkwood
Let Fox Chase
Cancer Center expand
Regarding your editorial last week, I am in total support of the expansion of Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) on portions of Burholme Park. Park opponents are like those who opposed the moving of the Barnes Art Collection from its esteemed location in Lower Merion to Philadelphia. They meant well, but their facts did not jibe with reality. And they wasted an enormous amount of time fighting in the courts, only to give up the fight once it became clear the judge ruled that Montgomery County had no legal standing to intervene in the case with a $50 million offer to purchase and keep the collection intact in its present home.
The only thing Orphans Court has to do is to determine if the city has exercised proper due diligence in handling its Burholme Park property entrusted to it by the will of Robert Ryerrs.
Since the city is still retaining control of this esteemed park and is not giving it away by selling it to another party, but is replacing one tenant (golf driving range) with another (Fox Chase Cancer Center) and the acreage being leased is 16 acres as opposed to as much as 25 acres with the rental money kept in an account to take care of Burholme Park’s capital needs, I do not see any reason why Orphans Court should refuse this reasonable request from a cancer center that wants to expand so that it can serve the people well.
I do not feel that people opposed to the expansion of FCCC have any party standing to intervene in the case, as they are not the direct heirs of the property mentioned in the will of Robert Ryerrs. The property was willed to the city of Philadelphia, not to specific people now living near Burholme Park.
Opponents of the planned expansion have already had their day in court once they were heard from City Council, which then made the decision to proceed with the plan as stated. Councilman Brian O’Neill held up the plans for three years until Fox Chase agreed to make traffic improvements in the area and to contribute $4 million to be used for acquiring parkland elsewhere in the city and possibly in the area if it can be bought. They have done more to alleviate concerns brought up by people.
If the above mentioned property was to be maintained as pristine parkland, then they should not have allowed the driving range and putting green to be constructed as commercial enterprises that charge people for the privilege of playing. For opponents of the expansion of FCCC to not make a mention of this commercial use of the property exposes the hypocrisy of their position.
The city needs to put out its strongest face in Orphans Court to ensure that the proposed use is approved by the courts. And Fox Chase opponents should know that one day, they or their relatives may want to be treated at FCCC as opposed to going to a cancer center far away.
It is time for the opponents to fold up like the opponents of the Barnes Museum did a couple of weeks ago when they finally recognized the futility of their position.
James K. Goodwin
Oxford Circle
A few more arguments
in the Boy Scout debate
Regarding Raymond Dougherty’s recent letter:
The Boys Scouts are not teaching ignorance or bigotry or to fear anyone. What they are teaching is caution. They aren’t teaching that homosexuality is wrong, they are just saying they don’t want it publicly announced.
Let’s just say Mr. Jones is a homosexual and he decides to become a Scout leader. He tells fellow leaders that he is a homosexual and then the boys themselves learn that he is a homosexual. Well, little Johnny doesn’t like Mr. Jones and they are on a camping trip. Every one is sleeping except for the Scout leaders. Mr. Jones gets up to go to the restroom and so does little Johnny. Now little Johnny comes running back saying Mr. Jones touched him (Mr. Jones really didn’t touch Johnny.) What do you think would come of that?
I am not saying that it couldn’t happen with a heterosexual, but why make yourself a target? No, this isn’t fair by any means. And yes, it could happen with a woman, too. Also, Mr. Dougherty, would you rather have our youth standing on street corners or going around committing random acts of vandalism? At least the Boy Scouts are teaching morals (whether you think they may be right or wrong ) and they are keeping kids off the streets.
As for discrimination, couldn’t a girl put up a fight because she isn’t allowed to join the BOY SCOUTS? There are rules and regulations by which all groups abide and have made. If you don’t like those rules and regulations, don’t join, but don’t say funding shouldn’t be allowed just because you don’t like their rules.
My son is a Scout. I am not telling him to be hateful toward homosexuals. I am being cautious on his behalf, as I would be in any situation. It is my legal right, is it not? I don’t care how others live their lives — I am not homophobic, I am cautious.
Also, I live in a city where my tax dollars pay for the public school system, and I don’t like some of the things they do, but do I have a choice? No!
So, Mr. Dougherty, leave the Scouts alone. I am sure there are more interesting things you could be doing with your time.
Patty Duffy
Bustleton
• • •
OK, let’s call it what it really is. The gay community wants to be heard, so what better way but to go after a popular institution, the Boys Scouts of America. The argument here is no exclusionary group should get funds of any kind from the government. So, when the KKK or Al Sharpton and his merry men decide to have a rally in Philadelphia, who pays for the police and the city workers that set up barricades, temporary stands, etc.? Maybe it’s time for this city and country to practice what it preaches and let the people decide on such issues.
Postpone eviction of the Boys Scouts of America and put it on the ballot so all the population’s voices can be heard. Maybe with the results of that vote, this and other issues like it can be determined by the folks who should matter most — everybody.
I’m tired of such a small minority of people getting so much attention. When exactly did gay people take over this city? Oh, that’s right, it was when they started pouring money into the political coffers and threatening lawsuits for everything not pro-gay. I don’t see signs for "straightborhoods" around the city. Is it exclusionary to have a "gayborhood"? Sure sounds like it!
To each his or her own. I have nothing against gay people. I know many of them and interact with them on a daily basis. Perhaps everyone should mind their own business and just let everyone do their own thing without judgment as long as it has value to society. The surge in violence and deterioration of our city coincides with about the time we removed God and country from our public schools.
We have other issues on the ballot all the time regarding borrowing, spending or developing city monies. Why not resolve this the old-fashioned way — VOTE on it? End of the story, please.
Tim Coleman
Wissinoming
• • •
Regarding Patty Duffy’s June 19 response to Ray Dougherty: Rarely have I seen such a delightful combination of ignorance, bigotry, and hypocrisy. Ms. Duffy states, "…I have to say that I do not want a gay man leading my son’s troop, nor would I want a gay woman leading my daughter’s troop…I happen to know and have a good relationship with gay people."
Sure you do, Patty! I don’t know about the rest of the readers, but if I clearly suspected someone of being a pedophile and a child predator, I would certainly hesitate to proclaim that I had a "good relationship" with them. Ms. Duffy sounds eerily like those "progressive" Southerners in the 1960s who proclaimed loudly that some of their best friends were "coloreds" but they just didn’t want them in the same swimming pool.
Do yourself and the rest of us a favor, Ms. Duffy: Admit you are a narrow-minded bigot that chooses to believe that every homosexual has sick, evil designs on her children. Heck, shout it from the rooftops if you like; I for one will have a lot more respect for you. Airing your prejudices in such a coy, backhanded, self-serving manner just makes you look like a fool. And nobody respects that.
Thomas Brett
Fox Chase
• • •
Since more letters are coming in to support the Boy Scouts, I would like to make a suggestion.
There are many like myself that the Boy Scouts played a large role in helping us raise our boys. It is a debt I wish I cold truly repay as it deserves.
I would like to suggest that all of the talk be backed up with whatever contribution that person is able to give. I am sure it would be really appreciated.
In light also of the recent tragedy in Iowa in which four Boy Scouts were killed in a tornado and the heroism of their fellow young Scouts, it would seem a proper thing to do.
Elaine Thompson
Frankford
Memo to bike-seat thief:
You’re a coward
To the teenager(s) who stole my child’s bike seat on the 700 block of Benson St. in Fox Chase:
So you want to show off to your friends how "brave" you are by stealing the seat off a 7-year-old girl’s bike? Wow, very brave. More like cowardly.
You should have been there on Sunday morning, when my daughter, who had just learned to ride a bike, went outside enthusiastically to go for a bike ride, only to find that you took her bike seat. She cried and could not believe that there are people in this world that are so mean. You would have been really proud.
Do something to me next time. Steal a plant, or a bird feeder, or whatever makes you feel good. But why take something from a small child? That was just plain malicious. You are a coward. And you’re very lucky I didn’t catch you.
I’m tired of you teenagers that roam the streets at night in this neighborhood, drinking illegally, doing drugs, being loud and leaving their trash. OK, yes, you’re young. I was your age once, too, and had my fun, but I always had respect for other people’s properties.
If you have to drink beer, don’t leave your beer bottles on the side of the street. Pick up your trash.
I’m tired of the elementary school yard being used as a trash bin by you. On a Sunday morning the school yard is littered with empty bottles, bags, and who knows what else.
I’m tired of you hanging out at the local fast food restaurant’s playground, cursing while there are small children around.
I’m tired of the Fox Chase rec center being the local drug market on weekends.
Yes, the bike seat can be replaced, but my faith in you cannot. I used to tolerate you, and let you get away with this stuff.
Rest assured, next time I see you, I’m calling the police, and I encourage my neighbors to do the same.
Sondra Lorino
Fox Chase
Don’t hog those
handicapped spots!
People who shop at the Wawa store on the 7700 block of Frankford Ave. are ignorant.
In the parking lot, there are two spaces for handicapped parking. Many people who park in these two spaces do not have the card on their rear-view window or a handicapped license plate.
It is very inconsiderate of them, because they force handicapped people to park elsewhere and walk across the lot to get what they need from the store. It is useless to call the police because by the time an officer would get to the store, the people would be gone.
I have spoken to one of the employees in this store and was told that the parking lot is none of their concern. The people who use the handicapped spots who are not handicapped have no respect for anyone but themselves. They need to take a couple of classes in consideration and politeness.
Pamela Kahney
Holmesburg
Join Bustleton’s civic
group, and stay there
The article last week on our somewhat contentious June 18 meeting indicated that there were a substantial number of new members who joined before the meeting. While this is certainly true, it should be noted that there were new members on BOTH sides of the issue of an expanded day care at 248 Geiger Road.
In reality, most new members of our league, and I dare say most civic groups, come because they are either for or against an issue in their immediate neighborhood.
We are most gratified that many of those members continue their memberships for years after their first "issue," and a good number of those members become regular attendees at the meetings. Our members know what’s going on in their neighborhood!
While we frequently hear that people don’t know there is a civic association, they can’t be regular readers of the Northeast Times.
Once you know we exist, you really should join before you NEED to!
Please visit our Web site www.gbcleague.com for more information on the league.
Maureen Greene
Corresponding secretary, Greater Bustleton Civic League
Lock ’em up
and throw away the key
Guest Opinion
By John Perzel
The vast majority of violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders who have already been convicted of violent offenses or gun crimes. Many commit these violent crimes while out on parole.
At some point, a line must be drawn in the sand and people must stand up and say, "Enough is enough." The recent murder of Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski by three violent offenders is the last straw. Sgt. Liczbinski’s murderers all had extensive criminal records, and, as Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said, "they should never have been out on the street."
Our number one priority must be public safety. Right now there are 576 violent parole absconders in Philadelphia — parolees whose whereabouts are unknown to law enforcement.
Statewide, there are 1,331 parole absconders. Berks County has 116 violent parole absconders and Dauphin County has 123. Dauphin County has a parole absconder who is also listed as a sexual predator on the commonwealth’s Megan’s Law Web site.
The problem of violent parole absconders is prevalent throughout Pennsylvania, and with that in mind, I have joined with a number of my House colleagues to offer real solutions to fix this problem and protect our citizens.
First and foremost, our judges need to begin imposing tougher and longer sentences for repeat violent offenders. It is totally unacceptable for a repeat violent criminal to be found guilty of committing another violent criminal act and then get off easy with a lenient sentence.
While I agree that prevention and rehabilitation are preferable to punishment, the reality is that for any prevention or rehabilitation effort to be effective, it must carry with it a real and substantial threat of strict and sure punishment. Judges who impose anything less are doing a disservice to the people of Pennsylvania.
In addition to calling upon our judges to start imposing longer, tougher sentences, my colleagues and I have introduced a series of legislative initiatives aimed at addressing this problem including:
• Eliminating parole for any violent offender convicted of rape, robbery, murder, aggravated assault, or any crime with a gun.
• Eliminating early release programs for offenders convicted of a violent crime or a crime involving a gun.
• Requiring that all mandatory five-year sentences for gun offenses be served consecutively and not concurrently for sentences for other crimes.
We are also calling for substantial changes to the parole system including a requirement that all inmates must receive an affirmative vote by a majority of the nine members of the parole board in order to be paroled. Currently, an inmate only needs the affirmative vote of two board members for release.
Pennsylvanians have had enough of repeat violent criminals murdering our loved ones and terrorizing our neighborhoods. We are drawing a line in the sand and sending a strong and clear message that we will do everything we can to keep violent offenders behind bars for as long as possible. ••
Mr. Perzel, a Republican, represents the 172nd Legislative District.
A warning for
John Perzel’s foe
Yo, Rich Costello, before you go out, buy all those election type items and prepare your speeches in your campaign to defeat John Perzel in November, you should look at what keeps getting John Perzel re-elected every time.
You will have to be bigger and badder than Perzel to beat him at his own game and get elected. You will have to tell your constituents things like:
"I would have passed a much larger pay raise and been more ‘in your faces’ by passing it during the day instead of 2 a.m."
"I will spend more of the taxpayers’ dollars by having many more and larger buildings named for me."
"I will get my relatives many more and larger amounts of "Strategic Grant Funding" (state tax dollars) for their ‘for-profit’ companies."
"If my relatives are cited by the state ethics board, they will pay fines greater than $2,000 under a consent agreement."
"I will get my friends higher paying part-time jobs than $50,000 a year for 10 years as the head of the PPA."
Rich, the next one may be the hardest one for you to overcome, because you were a police officer and the president of the FOP. What relative do you know could get themselves arrested for simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct with a policewoman? Well, good luck anyway.
Mayer Krain
Modena Park
Student loan interest
rates are lower
As the parent of two sons who graduated from college only a few years ago, I know how important an affordable quality college education is. I also believe that America’s economic future depends on being able to ensure that a college education is not out of reach for any American due solely to the cost, and that is why I have made increasing access to college and providing more resources to our schools and students one of my top priorities in Congress.
When the new Democratic Congress took office, we made a commitment to middle-class American families. We understand the worries you have, and we also understand the hopes and dreams you have for your families, communities and nation. That is why this Congress stood up to the student loan industry and pushed to lower student loan interest rates to lower levels that will save students thousands of dollars.
I fought for the passage of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the single largest investment in higher education since the GI Bill. Because of this landmark bill, on July 1 federal interest rates on subsidized federal Stafford Loans for undergraduates dropped from the previous rate of 6.8 percent to 6 percent.
Over the next few years, rates on subsidized federal Stafford Loans will continue to drop:
• To 5.6 percent for loans disbursed between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010;
• To 4.5 percent for loans disbursed between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011; and,
• To 3.4 percent for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2011.
The new lower rates of student loans will enable more students to afford college and will save borrowers thousands of dollars on average during the lives of their loans. For more information on these new lower loan rates and what they mean to you and your family, please visit my Web site at www.house.gov/Schwartz
Thank you as always for the honor to be your voice in Congress.
Allyson Schwartz
13th Congressional District
She’s tired
of the stereotypes
As a hard-working African American woman living in the Far Northeast, I was very pleased to see Sandy Ward’s letter (Crimes against police officers are colorblind, June 12 edition).
I too am tired of seeing ignorant racist letters in the Northeast Times, including the one written by Mr. Bill Gibbons of Mayfair (Letter writer was off base). Mr. Gibbons complains of white citizens being passed over for civil service positions because of affirmative action policies.
For your information, Mr. Gibbons, some studies have suggested that white women — yes, your daughters, sisters, and wives — are the main beneficiaries of affirmative action programs, not black people. And if we are so busy taking jobs away from well-deserving white folks, then why is the unemployment rate for blacks in this city significantly higher than that of whites?
Secondly, the writer states that black people "ruin" neighborhoods. I live in a nice, stable middle-class neighborhood that includes people of all races, including whites, blacks, Asians and Latinos. Almost all the people there are homeowners, and no matter what our complexion, we take pride in our homes and community. Even in "bad" areas, there are still many individuals who keep their homes neat and attractive and strive to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.
So whether you want to believe it or not, Mr. Gibbons, not all of us fit your negative stereotypes.
Melissa S. Tulin
Millbrook
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