Letters to the Editor | Feb. 7, 2023

The January incident where an art gallery owner in San Francisco sprayed a homeless woman with a hose attracted national attention and outrage. Not only over the owner’s perceived callous inhumanity but the wider truth this action revealed. To see the plight of the homeless right here in the City of Brotherly Love, then look no further than the encampment outside the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul I witnessed Sunday walking back with my son from the Mattise exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The homelessness crisis is complex and worsened due to the pandemic’s economic impact. But that’s not all. I’ve seen many times moments of disrespect shown to the elderly — my mother included — to persons with a disability, and to those suffering mental health challenges, who often populate the homeless ranks. As people, we don’t rightly respect or serve the “least” among us, a sad reflection on our collective will as a nation.

Alicia B. Grimaldi, Lawrenceville

Former Mayor Michael Nutter delivered a hard-hitting and revealing interview of mayoral candidate Jeff Brown. At a panel hosted by the Philadelphia Citizen, Nutter asked a number of questions specific to the job of being mayor of Philadelphia, whereupon Brown displayed woeful ignorance on these matters. Nutter also asked from whom he was getting advice on the subject of being mayor, being that he has never served in elected office. Brown replied he had hired former Mayor John F. Street for nine months as an adviser (he also mentioned ex-Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr.). In response to another question, Brown indicated that his primary administrative purpose would be to manage the two people directly beneath him, who would then manage everyone else, enabling him to be the city’s chief cheerleader. I do not agree with those who assert that the job of mayor is equivalent to that of CEO of a large corporation (more than one candidate has stated this). Unlike a CEO, a mayor needs a belief system — a political ideology — to guide him or her through four years of tumult. We are not electing someone to merely hire, fire, and occasionally cheerlead. We are electing someone to lead a city. That person should be someone with the desire and the will to fight for us.

Cris A. Aguilar, Philadelphia, aguilar.1599@verizon.net

It was encouraging to read Inquirer reporter Jesse Bunch’s recent article, which focused on problem gambling related to sports wagering and advertising in today’s betting landscape. It provided a glimpse into what individuals who are struggling, or who are in recovery, face on a daily basis, with the tremendous amount of advertising of sports wagering opportunities. On TV, at stadiums, and even on The Inquirer’s home page, the reach of sports betting is impossible to hide from. While the article shared detailed perspectives about the challenges that individuals face, the print version did not include any resources for help. In Pennsylvania, it is important for print readers to be aware that free, confidential assistance is available in many forms (counselors, meetings, recovery groups, etc.). To find out more, please call 1-800-GAMBLER, where assistance can be provided to individuals and loved ones.

Josh Ercole, executive director, Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA, Spring House

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