Letters to the Editor

What You Say

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL

Thank you, Isaiah Thompson, for writing about the latest of many injustices done to the people of Chester [Cover Story, "Steamrolled," July 16, 2009]. The stadium will only add to the inequalities they suffer, particularly if thorough environmental testing and cleanup are not done. It is good to know that the DEP is not as blind to the full extent of contamination on the site as the Delaware County Council seems to be. However, there was one inaccuracy in the article: the assertion that "no one gets their water from the Delaware." According to the water quality report sent out each year from the city of Philadelphia, residents use two rivers as sources for drinking water: the Schuylkill and the Delaware. Although Philadelphia does not use groundwater, there is a possibility that the chemicals in the groundwater under the stadium could leach into the Delaware. If this happens, it will degrade the safety and quality of our drinking water.

Goodness, talk about one-sided! I question your agenda when I read a story like this. I actually live in the city, and not too far from where this construction is happening. How is Chester ever expected to improve if all you can do is raise a hundred complaints without a single positive suggestion?

"Will The Team deliver on its promises? Or has the public — the city of Chester, in particular — been duped?"

You imply the hundreds of hours of discussion and planning put into this project by the city can be dismissed because of your bleak assessment that this city is essentially gullible. How dare you?

I am writing to correct an error in Andrew Thompson's insightful article, "Organic No-Op" [Naked City, July 9, 2009]. The article incorrectly states that the Girard Coalition is the parent of the West Girard Supermarket Coalition. While the Girard Coalition has been a key supporter of the supermarket effort and was one of our first members, the Girard Coalition is actually a co-equal member among 11: seven community organizations and four businesses in the Brewerytown/Fairmount area.