Letters to the Editor | Sept. 25, 2024

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has now endorsed the Center City site for the new Sixers arena. Apparently, she based her decision on “revitalization” and economics. The bigger picture is what is in the best interest of the entire metropolitan area, and what is in the city’s best interest from a quality-of-life standpoint. As a retired regional and city planner, I can say that adding this major development to an already congested Center City is going to not only impede such quality of life for nearby neighborhoods. It will also impede the quality of life for all conventioneers and tourists, as well as all residents using Market East as consumers. The smart decision is to build the arena on the New Jersey side of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. This would bring a boom to Camden and help to make our sister city one that is viable — a result that is sorely needed. This is true regional thinking.

Bill Pelle, Haverford, bill.to.write@gmail.com

The mayor’s decision to endorse the Market East location for the new Sixers arena is very unfortunate. Experts in urban planning consistently say that these venues do not increase the tax base or add vitality to the center of a city. Been to Baltimore and seen how a sports stadium has not invigorated its business district? Seen the sad ghost that is Chinatown in Washington, D.C.? A new arena should be built, but a position over the rail yard in West Philadelphia or at the current sports complex in South Philly would be ideal locations and provide those jobs Mayor Parker talks about. The Market Street location will lead to gridlock when there are games, and desolate streets when there are not. Putting an arena there will only serve to extend the dysfunction of that commercial strip. Big mistake.

Steven B. Erisoty, Philadelphia

All bullies like to pick on vulnerable people, but Donald Trump and JD Vance have taken it to a new low with their demonization of legal immigrants from Haiti. It is not the fault of ordinary people from Haiti that their country is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, and it is understandable that hardworking, honest people would want to leave a place whose government cannot keep order.

What is unconscionable and completely un-American is that Trump and Vance would seize upon that misfortune to further divide the American people with their outright lies about people who are legally allowed to be in this country and are contributing to our economy every day. Divide and conquer is a strategy used throughout history, but in the United States, a nation of immigrants, we have a long tradition of being above that. Until now, when Trump, in his desperate attempt to gain power by any means necessary, has shown how low he is willing to go. Let us hope, and show, that we are not willing to go that low with him.

Fred Kelemen, Philadelphia

American Catholics: Don’t be confused by Pope Francis, who doesn’t know if the abortion issue is more important than the demonization of immigrants. The pope is advising Catholics to decide which of the two is the greater moral evil. Maybe Francis has adopted the “seamless garment” thinking of a few bishops who equate abortion with being anti-immigrant. But never in the Catholic Church has abortion had an equal. For the third presidential election in a row, the U.S. Catholic bishops have informed American Catholics that abortion is the greatest concern. Recently, our bishops voted 225-11, “The threat of abortion remains the preeminent priority,” in a guide for Catholic voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Dan Arthur Pryor, Belvidere

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