Letters to the Editor

What You Say

Keep the Faith

I didn't know this was happening in my own backyard of Kensington [Cover Story, "Believe it or Not," Isaiah Thompson, March 12, 2009]. All for it!

Steve Chervenka
Via citypaper.net

Wow. I lived right on Oxford Street in Fishtown for a year and I know the area there and this is spot-on. It really is incredible what they are doing and I, too, had no idea this was going on there. I wish I would have known. I would have liked to help.

Incredible.

Elizabeth
Via citypaper.net

Is this a joke [News, "You've Got to Pay to Play," Amy Z. Quinn, March 12, 2009]? From what I gather Ms. Quinn loves Philly, but not its residents. Close our libraries, pools and charge us to enjoy our city parks! How dare Ms. Quinn compare our residents' well-being and quality of life to her desire for cheaper parking and cheaper access to our city? You say you count on our city as a vital resource, then Ms. Quinn should be the very person who's making a greater contribution. As far as the residential trash fee, it would never work. Our city parks would become dumping grounds, which is already a huge problem. The residents of Philadelphia have dealt with rising crime, trash, corruption and a lack of city services for years now. We have made great strides to better our lives here. Your suggestion that your desires outweigh our needs is ludicrous! It's amazing how suburbanites like to pick up and put down our city as they see fit and think they can tell us what we deserve from our city. It is the suburbanites who need to step up and contribute more to the city they love to visit. I find it amusing you think it funny that we should have to put up with the alley-peeing drunks so we can continue to receive your New Jersey dollars. As far as parking goes many of us walk or ride bikes; those who don't have to pay the same parking fees. I find it hard to believe that a one-percent tax on anything would deter the bridge-and-bridge crowd from taking over our city on the weekends or any other time for that matter. You suburbanites should be the ones paying more to play as you enjoy our city without having to deal with any of the negative aspects of being a resident. I can't imagine you know what it is like to live here and be a part of our great city. You probably never will. Hopefully this has opened your eyes a bit. I'll see you on the beach. I'll be the one with a $5 hot dog in my hand and a syringe in my toe. Oh and next time you crave a Pat's or Geno's snack, could you please use a trash can? That is if you can find one!

Joe
South Philadelphia

The article [News, "The Mayor's Ear," Doron Taussig, March 12, 2009] refers to "representative" vs. "participatory" democracy, but names only the mayor as our elected representative. City Council members are also elected by us to represent us, but were not consulted in the mayor's first round of proposed cuts. I think the process works best when people let their Council members know where they stand and require the mayor to consult with the Council members before making sweeping city reforms.

Veronica
Via citypaper.net

Please inform "Dick" Beckman I don't have to hang my mug on the Daily News' "dubious Hall of Fame" [Feedback, "39 to Life," Richard P. Beckman, March 12, 2009]. It's been there for decades.

To correct a fact in Mike Newall's original column, I have been here for 37 years, not 39. (I'd prefer the 39 as it would give me two more years of seniority.) And, yes, "Dick," I will be going down with the ship, if the ship goes down. After three decades of fighting the wolf at the door, the People Paper ain't through yet, "Dick."

Stu Bykofsky
Columnist, Daily News