Letters to the Editor | Aug. 23, 2024

It is revitalizing to hear about the joy that Philadelphians, like op-ed writer Leo Walsh, are experiencing on two wheels. Less than half of all American adults meet aerobic physical activity goals, which is as little as 20 minutes per day. A bike commute of less than two miles fits this bill — from Logan to Fitler Square, or from Rittenhouse to Washington Square.

As the crow flies, however, is not how the cyclist rides. Only one separated bike lane exists to get South Philly residents to Center City (22nd Street), and no southbound equivalent exists. East and westbound commuters stick to streets north of Pine, with no other options until Washington Avenue. Creating protected bike lanes in New York and Minneapolis has been shown to increase cycling and decrease injury crashes for all road users. When buffered lanes were established on Spruce and Pine Streets, cycling nearly doubled. Philly cyclists already ride nearly 100 million miles every year, preventing nearly 50 kilotons of CO2 emissions annually. More bike lanes in Philadelphia will make cyclists even safer, our citizens even healthier, and the air even cleaner.

Gautam Ramesh, Philadelphia

How quickly we forget that Donald Trump never permitted his tax returns to be publicly reviewed, so we have no idea what this former president is really worth. We also never knew if his assets were or would be in a blind trust if elected. We also did not realize that his corporation in New York would be disqualified from ever having a qualified business in New York when his business was found guilty of fraud and that he would also be found guilty of felonies. He is right now, at present, a felon. Will Trump once again bluff his way into the presidency when he has no right to represent the American public? Are Americans aware we are being hoodwinked in electing someone to the highest office in the land, someone who has no standing or knowledge of what the office stands for?

Martin Mikelberg, Warminster

Philadelphia officials recently announced that renewable energy powers 30% of municipal buildings after the completion of the Adams Solar Project, and electric vehicles have replaced many gas-burning city vehicles. This may seem like good news, but much like the fossil fuel industry, the renewable energy supply chain is directly connected to child labor, slave-like working conditions, and exacerbation of violent conflicts in countries where raw materials are extracted.

Cobalt is essential to produce rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are vital to the renewable energy revolution for their ability to store power from solar and wind, and in electric vehicles. The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces around 70% of the world’s cobalt, which has attracted attention from governments and corporations seeking to dominate markets and make huge profits at the expense of the Congolese people. Power struggles over resources have killed, displaced, and starved tens of millions of Congolese.

The entire point of transitioning to renewable energy is to protect human beings from further harm of climate change, not increase profits. What does it mean when renewable energy commits the same crimes as fossil fuels? Let’s demand accountability from our governments and corporations, and fight for a system that values human rights over profits. We need a just transition, not just a transition.

John Leo Luecke, Philadelphia

In response to Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey media reports on community members losing sleep and minds over noise from so-called boom car parties, hear this. Such noises and other forced sounds are more than a quality-of-life issue, they are health, social, and economic problems. The proof is in a growing body of research showing the connection between unwelcome loud sounds and stress, diabetes, heart attacks, depression, mental illness, fertility problems, learning problems, and more.

Researchers are also finding an interesting correlation between noise and crime. Looking at it as if it were a type of invisible broken window syndrome, investigators have found that noise — including loud music — contributes to an environment that helps make people more aggressive, encourages disregard for legal and social boundaries, and masks criminal behavior in homes. There is also a body of evidence that shows neighborhood noise-related conflicts leading to community conflicts and violence.

Obviously, there is a price to pay for putting up with noise. That includes health-care costs, lowering the values of neighborhoods, and additional law enforcement. And for those bean counters who cherish the bottom line over social concerns, take a tip from noise expert Arline Bronzaft: “Quiet is cheap. Noise is expensive.” To keep noise and costs down, elected officials, law enforcement professionals, and voters need to summon the will to enforce existing laws, pass new ones, build awareness, and get real about turning down the volume.

Dan Aubrey, Bordentown

Following up on rumors and conspiracy theories about undocumented immigrants swimming in Rolling Green Park, I am writing to expose another Delaware County waterway that is inflicted with invaders from the south. I have witnessed them swimming in Crum Creek, from the liberal arts institution in Swarthmore, and upstream in Smedley Park. There have even been sightings near the Alexander homestead along Crum Creek Road.

Their behavior is similar to what was reported in Rolling Green Park — damming the creek to enhance their swimming holes, swimming nude, and showing no regard for the environment, especially the trees. When I approached them, I was met with a dirty stare... and a loud slap of their tail. Scary, but my one solace is hearing the sounds of children nearby, splashing in the water near their attentive families. This makes me smile. Sometimes I join them to cool off with my dog. Meanwhile, the beavers return to gnawing on the bark of a fallen beech tree branch.

David P. Damon, Springfield

Regarding the op-ed calling for compassion for the homeless considering the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on people sleeping outside, it should be noted that most of the homeless are mentally disabled and/or struggling with addiction. As a resident of Washington Square West, cofounder of SafeStreetsPhilly.org, and the mother of a mentally disabled adult son, I’ve witnessed in my neighborhood widespread neglect of the mentally disabled homeless by city officials and nonprofits alike.

So, how compassionate or legal is it to leave the mentally disabled on our streets? How compassionate or legal is it to residents and businesses to have the mentally disabled sleeping outside their homes and businesses, defecating and urinating on the sidewalks? How compassionate or legal is it to allow the mentally disabled to literally trash our neighborhoods daily? The police refuse to take them into custody or even to identify them. Instead, police just move the mentally disabled along in an endless game of Whac-A-Mole while nonprofits enable them to stay on our streets.

By not identifying the mentally disabled homeless, these people are not getting their Social Security disability checks and other services that they qualify for, which includes involuntary commitment to a psychiatric facility. If we don’t identify the mentally disabled homeless, neither we nor the police will ever know if these people have arrest warrants out on them, or if family members or friends are looking for them. This whole situation is irrational, if not illegal, as we spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer money on public services and nonprofits that don’t get the mentally ill off the streets and into secure mental health facilities. This is not compassion. This is torture for everyone involved.

Lynn Landes, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.