Letters to the Editor | Aug. 15, 2024

To combat fare evasion, it doesn’t have to be a choice between a slap on the hand and a criminal record. The obvious way around this would be to issue fare cards with rates based on income and other expenses such as college. Yes, more paperwork would be involved such as collaborating with the IRS, but finding efficient ways around it would certainly pay off.

Claudia Schulte, Philadelphia, ncs.786@gmail.com

As a lifelong resident of Marple Township in Delaware County, I was appalled to read the recent article describing the uproar at Delaware County Council meetings regarding the proposal to house a mental health facility at the Don Guanella Village site, and the anti-immigrant opinions of some residents. I believe social media and some political campaigns have contributed to the fear-mongering and this hate-filled speech.

I would like The Inquirer to document that not all Marple Township and Delco residents think this way. Some of us are ashamed to live in a community that is so prejudiced against others. No matter how long ago or from where, all of us (with the possible exception of Native Americans) descend from people who were immigrants. Inquirer readers should know that the opinions of those described in this article do not represent those of all of us in Marple Township and Delaware County.

Joyce Holmwood, Broomall

I read with interest Sunday’s article on the benefits of children spending time in nature and wanted to call attention to the Delaware River Trail, a city treasure near the waterfront that fits in perfectly with this theme. I moved near the trail in February and have been walking it multiple times per week since. It’s our very own High Line as, like the original in New York City, it incorporates many native plants, grasses, trees, and shrubs into the design. I highly recommend the trail for families who would like their children to learn more about nature.

Some activities you can do on the trail include making up your own scavenger hunt by colors, looking closely at the structure of flowers and stopping to draw one, taking photos and looking up the plants when you get home, and looking at how seeds are dispersed. Older kids can research how the plants were used by Native Americans, pioneers, or African or Caribbean Americans. Something new blooms three out of four seasons, and if you walk regularly, you will keep track of them. Take your kids on a walk, do some activities, and watch their lives change for the better.

Marilou Simon, Philadelphia, marilou.simon@gmail.com

Years ago, there used to be something called “Take Your Daughter to Work Day.” Well, we were in the middle of a school board campaign trying to figure out how to get our young parents to the polls. We knew they would vote our way, but the problem was how to get out the vote without seeming partisan. I came up with: “Take Your Parent to Vote Day.” The teachers would print out a certificate that read, “I _____ took my parents to vote,” either the parent or a poll worker would sign it, and the student took it back to school the next day and received a homework pass. We weren’t telling them who to vote for, but just to vote.

Fred Dugan, Plymouth Meeting

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