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Letters to the Editor | Nov. 28, 2023

Inquirer readers on supporting the Roosevelt Boulevard subway and Supreme Court ethics.

Traffic on the Roosevelt Expressway at Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia in 2022. There is renewed interest in building a Roosevelt Boulevard subway, envisioned as an extension of the Broad Street Line, starting at Erie Station running up the Boulevard to Southampton Road.
Traffic on the Roosevelt Expressway at Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia in 2022. There is renewed interest in building a Roosevelt Boulevard subway, envisioned as an extension of the Broad Street Line, starting at Erie Station running up the Boulevard to Southampton Road.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
    by Letters to the Editor, For The Inquirer
    Published 

SCOTUS ethics

Recent criticism of appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices, and calls for their possible removal, miss an understanding of how our government and its three branches function. The president is an elected official. Congress members, including the Senate and House, are likewise elected by the citizens from the various states. Judges are appointed for life. Aside from impeachment power, the Constitution does not allow the courts, elected officials, or the president the right for any disciplinary action against Supreme Court justices. Over the years, the Supreme Court has displayed the practice of the most ethical standards. No justice has engaged in any ethical misconduct prohibited by law. That’s a lot more than we can say about our elected officials in Congress and the White House.

Phillip Remstein, King of Prussia, philliprem@aol.com

Subway support

During an October City Council hearing on the Roosevelt Boulevard subway, all public commentators passionately supported the project. This was a significant shift from a year ago when the subway was excluded from discussions. Persistent efforts have not only revived the project but positioned it in three out of six alternatives for the 2040 Route for Change program.

Support for the subway resonated across various sectors. State Sen. Shariff Street committed to allocating part of a multibillion surplus to cover half of the local share, while six state representatives, constituting 6% of the House Democratic delegation, pledged their support and commitment to securing funding. Transportation experts highlighted the project’s competitiveness for federal funding, emphasizing its economic viability. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s interest suggested growing recognition of the subway’s potential impact. The turnaround reflects the resilience of community advocacy and the responsiveness of elected officials, illustrating the power of collective voices in shaping infrastructure projects. As discussions progress, the project’s potential to transform public transit and foster economic development becomes evident. Looking ahead, community participation remains crucial.

You can express your support for the Roosevelt Boulevard subway at Tuesday’s town hall meeting (5:30 to 7 p.m., 6814 Torresdale Ave.). Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is hosting open house events about Roosevelt Boulevard at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Mayfair Community Center, and 6 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Lenfest Center. The call to build the Roosevelt Boulevard subway resonates as a rallying cry for a city envisioning enhanced connectivity and economic development through public transit.

Jacob Golden, legislative director, Office of Councilmember Mike Driscoll

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 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.