Letters to the Editor | June 5, 2024

A recent article in The Inquirer discussed what companies, globally, contribute most to plastic pollution. It was noted that Coca-Cola was the largest contributor to plastic, being responsible for 11% of the branded plastic pollution all over the world. The soft drink giant has announced that as part of its World Without Waste campaign, it is moving toward more economically friendly packaging. It has begun rolling out bottles that are made from recycled plastic. While this is an improvement from the previous packaging, the best way for Coca-Cola to stop producing plastic is to use glass bottles. While glass was not discussed in the article, Coca-Cola needs to understand that this is the direction it should be moving. Even though I am positive the company is aware that glass is a necessary step forward, Coca-Cola needs to be pushed. I am calling on Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to urge large companies such as Coca-Cola to move toward a more sustainable solution: glass.

Elisheva Pichanick, Elkins Park

Pregnant women and new mothers in the United States face a higher risk of being murdered than dying from obstetric causes. Firearms are involved in 68% of these homicides. More pregnant women die from murder than from hypertension, hemorrhage, or sepsis. Right-to-life Republicans must be furious, right? Recently, two lifesaving gun violence protection bills did not pass in the Pennsylvania House. Every Republican voted against these gun safety bills. Every Democrat, except one, voted in favor. The bills would have created electronic records for every gun sale and banned devices that cause automatic fire.

Currently, only half of gun sales are recorded electronically. Electronic records give law enforcement a quicker way to trace guns used in crime. They also reduce illegal gun trafficking. Bump stocks and Glock switches turn semiautomatic firearms into machine guns for more efficient killing. It is hard to understand their availability to civilians. Two years ago, the Republican-controlled legislature moved to ban all abortions by amending the state constitution. Democrats blocked it. Imagine explaining to your constituents that you oppose every type of abortion, under every circumstance, with just one exception. Abortions by gun are, apparently, just an inconvenient cost of freedom.

Sandra Malamed, Birchrunville

The loss of the University of the Arts is devastating on so many levels beyond Broad Street. Yet, people like developer Carl Dranoff, who sits on the board for Avenue of the Arts Inc., have clearly lost sight of their mission. Dranoff told The Inquirer that UArts could “easily be absorbed and repurposed into making the Avenue of the Arts even more vibrant.” His insensitive remarks reveal his true intent: a real estate grab. What about the professors, musicians, writers, visual artists, actors, dancers, filmmakers, and museum curators who came to Philadelphia to teach, to learn, and to inspire the community by sharing their creativity with us? Enjoy your wider sidewalks, outdoor cafés, and green medians knowing you will be missing the most important piece of the Avenue of the Arts: the artists.

Patricia Scapellati, Philadelphia

Recent articles indicate that $40 million would be required to bring the University of the Arts to a position of solvency through which the school can move forward. Across the Schuylkill in our beloved city is the University of Pennsylvania, an institution highly respected for its academic and scientific qualities — just as the University of the Arts is recognized for its outstanding visual and performing arts education. According to the latest figures from the Penn Office of Investments, the value of the endowment the university holds is $21 billion. Whaddya say, Penn? Wanna help a neighbor in need?

Cigus Vanni, Wynnewood, cigus@cigus.net

From 1876, our country’s very centennial, Philadelphia offered the world a jewel. To this day, the heart of the Avenue of the Arts, the Haviland architecture (and thereafter the Furness additions), and all that blossomed within its sacred space evoke an understated elegance, something to aspire toward. I hold the administrators, the board, and even the mayor responsible for squandering this holy space and opportunity. The death of bright positive possible futures, intellects, and discoveries is in their hands. This is managerial malpractice of the highest degree, and it should not stand.

Reasons quickly become excuses. How many among these folks had no applicable expertise at all, simply wanting a badge they could brandish on the cocktail circuit? And how easily mismanagement seeks absolutism as if it is the only response. After 148 years, were they that bereft of options? From the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, through Philadelphia College of Art, and then along with the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts to become the University of the Arts, this institution has been quite likely the best commercial art school in the world and has given us talents as varied as Andy Warhol and Irving Penn. And this is how those in charge shepherd such treasure? Address this horrific turn of events or shame on you, Philadelphia.

Frank Davis, Burlington, Vt.

Seventy years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Sadly, we still have not lived up to the intentions of this decision. In fact, Pennsylvania is now under court order to remedy this situation. Our governor has requested $1 billion in the next budget as a down payment toward creating a fairer educational system. A review of any reputable set of statistics clearly shows that educational attainment correlates with economic growth and prosperity for its citizens. The top five best states for education are New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Pennsylvania ranks 12th.

What was the solution suggested by the state Senate to counter the governor’s funding proposal? A tax cut. What would be an almost inconsequential reduction for individuals would turn into a collective tax increase on local property taxes without doing anything to improve education funding or outcomes for our schools and communities. We are at a pivot point. How long are we going to fail our children and grandchildren by not doing right by them? Let your state and local representatives know that sound funding for schooling is in everyone’s best interest.

Janet Braker, Holland

While Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s plan to clean every street in Philadelphia is commendable, I am wondering what plans and safeguards have been put into place to ensure the streets are kept clean and in good repair after this massive project. Who will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing these good efforts? It seems that a detailed and sustainable plan to maintain the streets and environs should have been put in place before launching such an ambitious undertaking. If such a plan does exist, who is responsible for carrying it out, and how will this be done? Certain issues are probably the city’s responsibility and can only be addressed by officials. However, it would be unfortunate if things were to revert to the way they were when this process began. A clean and well-maintained city can be achieved not only with the involvement of city services but with the buy-in and cooperation from the residents in the various neighborhoods.

Barbara Kotzin, Cheltenham

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