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4 SOUTH PHILLY REVIEW I January 27, 2011
Letters
Word on the Street
What are your thoughts on City Council President Anna Verna not seeking re-election? “I think it’s about time that she retires. You need new ideas, new blood. Change is a good thing.” Rick Work, Juniper and Porter streets
“She is excellent. You could always go to her with anything and she would always follow up. She always made sure someone sent a letter. Everyone has to go sometime, though. Best of luck to her.” Evelyn White, 21st Street and Point Breeze Avenue
“It’s about time. Give someone else a chance; get someone else in there.” Jacqueline Mazzucca, Eighth and Dickinson streets
“Good idea. I think it’s great.” Jermaine Pinkney, Broad Street and Passyunk Avenue
Interviews by Brittany Geffken Photos by Ilana Bagel
Tell us your thoughts Comment at www.southphillyreview. com/opinion/word-on-the-street. So u t h
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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 12th & Porter streets Philadelphia, Pa. 19148 (215) 336-2500 Fax (215) 336-1112 Web site: www.southphillyreview.com Editorial e-mail: editor@southphillyreview.com EDITOR Bill Gelman-ext. 121 bgelman@southphillyreview.com
MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Snyder-ext. 117 asnyder@southphillyreview.com
PUBLISHER John C. Gallo-ext. 101 ADVERTISING MANAGER Daniel Tangi-ext. 129 SOCIALS AND OBITUARIES-ext. 100 socials.obits@southphillyreview.com
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Cathy Semeraro-ext. 103
DISTRIBUTION-ext. 190. distribution@southphillyreview.com CHAIRMAN & CEO Anthony A. Clifton PRESIDENT & COO George Troyano VICE PRESIDENT James Stokes 3d
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS John C. Gallo CONTROLLER Ginger Monte
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A nation in decay To the Editor: Take a look of the shame and disgrace of the world’s richest country. Our leaders have set the worst kind of example for others to see and scoff at. Six-hundred-thousand of our bridges are structurally unsound, some which have collapsed, killing a number of innocents. Our drinking water has become contaminated and undrinkable in too many areas. Our roads and highways are crumbling. Dams are failing and have and will continue to cause rampant flooding and unbelievable amounts of money down the drain. According to newscasts, it is going to take $3 billion and five years to fix all of this. America and all of its infrastructure is going completely to hell because they claim there is no money. Doesn’t it seem strange there is no funds to fix these things, but we are able to give trillions of dollars to the rich who did not need or deserve it. The stench of it all is overwhelming. Brother — if ever it was time to completely clean out almost all of the political henchmen in Washington, D.C., that are murdering America — the time sure is way past due. Get them out of office before they can do any more harm to our country because it is obvious they don’t care a damn about what they are doing to it. It seems none of them can think and act as individuals, but can only function as a group with no individuality, thought, input or dissent because it’s what their party wants and damn your disagreements or disruptive input. That follow-the-leader mentality is a deprivation of some worthwhile and constructive ideas that remain muted and choked on. We will not see these critical repairs to our country because of the catering to lobbying and the true bosses of America. I remain appalled, disgusted and torn up by this neglect and decay of my beautiful country! Frank Cavallero South Philadelphia
Where have all of my neighbors gone? To the Editor: Here in South Philly, life goes on, but where have all of my neighbors gone? Some to Washington Township I hear and other parts of Jersey far and near.
Some to Marlton, some to Audubon, Pine Hill, Voorhees and Avalon. And we remember so fond those gone to the great beyond. We scrubbed our steps every day and sat watching our kids at play. Those were the days that would not end, now they are all gone with the wind. Margie Domard South Philadelphia
Extraordinary attention To the Editor: Thank you “South Philly Review” for informing your readers of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe (“Ladylike mission,” Jan. 13). Joseph Myers and Bill Gelman were going about their ordinary routine of interviewing and editing stories. On an ordinary day, someone extraordinary was humbly asking permission to be present among us and found ears open to her plea. As the handmaid of the lord, Mary never imposes. Rather she indicates her desires and awaits a response. Thus far, South Philly responded in the affirmative and nothing but good has come from inviting this miraculous image of Mary to grace the City of Brotherly Love, the birthplace of our nation. Our Lady of Guadalupe is capable of doing what we poor humans could never do. She intercedes for us par excellence and brings graces to all those who come to her with their needs. I pray Our Lady of Guadalupe will obtain blessings for each staff member and all who support the project with prayer, advice or monetary contributions. Sister Mary Paula Beierschmitt American Academy of the Sacred Arts South Philadelphia
Fueling debate To the Editor: A letter written three years ago faulted the federal government about fuel costs and warned about a future price of $5 for a gallon. Gasoline prices are up and climbing. All kinds of reasons will be given and broad-
cast from the leftist, lying media. America is replete with oil, under the ground and under her oceans. Democratic party/government and its job-killing Environmental Protection Agency and their taxes, controls and regualtions on oil, air, water, crops, foods, cars, trucks, planes, lands, banks, houses, buildings, toilets, tools, light bulbs, medicines, doctors, teachers, police, mothers, fathers, children, etc. have caused the high prices of gasoline and everything else for Americans. Republicans are at fault for being cowardly, being mute and allowing the Democrats and their news-omitting media to fool and abuse the people. We know that a rise in fuel cost will drive up the cost of all products on the market. The forces in the economy that move prices upward have already been ignited by government manipulation and the convergence of all these forces will be devastating. Americans must learn that they cannot trust the federal government to run their economy. Is the federal government too big? It is why the Constitution limits the federal government in Article 1, section 8, to provide for the defense, the general welfare of the United States and about 15 other powers, but the affairs of the people should be taken up when necessary at their state and local governments. Alfred Essex South Philadelphia For the record In the South Philly Review’s Community Guide 2011, 1st District state Sen. Larry Farnese’s office is at 1801 S. Broad St. and its telephone number is 215-952-3121. Comment on these letters or topics at www.southphillyreview.com/opinion/letters.
We welcome your letters The deadline is noon Monday • Regular mail: 12th and Porter streets Philadelphia, PA 19148 • E-mail: editor@southphilly review.com • Fax: 215-336-1112