Letters to the Editor | Jan. 2, 2023

When I first rented a Germantown apartment nine years ago, initial charges included a one-time nonrefundable pet fee. Such initial fees have since more than tripled, and the building’s leases recently added monthly pet rent fees totaling $420 a year per cat and $540 per dog. Claims by property owners that pet fees protect their investments seem exaggerated since leases already hold renters responsible for damages — if any. Along with overall inflation and apartment evictions, these high fees no doubt contribute to pet surrenders and abandonment. They also surely exacerbate pet homelessness by deterring new pet adoptions. Could City Council be persuaded to cap apartment pet fees at a more realistic and less punishing rate? Further investigative reporting by The Inquirer might provide a basis for Council action.

Joe Danowsky, Philadelphia

The five conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court who voted to extend Donald Trump’s Title 42 immigration restrictions are trampling on the separation of federal powers defined by the Constitution. Title 42.265 specifies that: “Whenever the surgeon general determines that by reason of the existence of any communicable disease in a foreign country there is serious danger of the introduction of such disease into the United States ... the surgeon general, in accordance with regulations approved by the president, shall have the power to prohibit, in whole or in part, the introduction of persons and property from such countries or places as he shall designate in order to avert such danger.” The decision to restrict immigration to minimize disease rests with the surgeon general and the president. As usual, the SCOTUS ideologues, in their zeal to shrivel the federal government’s powers, will try to empower the states to make such determinations. The extension is so unjustifiable that even Justice Neil Gorsuch disagreed.

Steve Vernon, Havertown

Josh Shapiro’s inclusion of Republicans and those considered nonprogressives in his transition team should be lauded, not looked upon with suspicion. Study after study has shown that teams with diverse thoughts and experiences are the most effective and produce the best outcomes. Businesses have been pushing this concept heavily in recent years and politicians would do well to follow this trend. In order to successfully lead a purple state like Pennsylvania, Shapiro is wise to stay away from groupthink and take advantage of a wide range of insights as he plans out his governing strategies.

Eric Cohen, Philadelphia

Yes, Josh Shapiro won by a landslide. However, it is my hope that he realizes that his win wasn’t due to anything other than his far-right Christian nationalist opponent. Aligning himself with a “Republican-lite” transition team is a slap in the face to Pennsylvania voters and speaks poorly of what the Democratic Party should stand for.

Joseph Obelcz, Hatfield

In his Dec. 27 op-ed, Jonathan Zimmerman committed a fundamental error: While explanatory signage can educate (assuming anyone stops to read the signage), the dominant role of statues is to celebrate and honor. Whatever good qualities Christopher Columbus may have had, Zimmerman himself confirms that he was “a genocidal warrior who helped spark centuries of slavery, racism, and imperialism.” This clearly disqualifies Columbus from celebration and honor. Italian Americans have been taught a narrative that Columbus is a worthy representative of their community. However, there are dozens of more noble and accomplished Italians and Italian Americans we all could honor, from Michelangelo to Puccini, Fermi to Mother Cabrini, even Joe DiMaggio. Let us give both Chief Tamanend, sachem of the Lenni Lenape, and Columbus their due: Tamanend in a place of honor, and Columbus replaced by a truly honorable Italian.

Terry Shepard, Bryn Mawr

The recent sale of Salem Medical Center to Inspira Health Network in Salem County, N.J., represents the challenge and the opportunities facing rural communities concerned about the health and wellness of its residents. Salem is one of the most rural counties in New Jersey, with consistently bad health-care outcomes for families and individuals. The burden falls especially hard on the poor and communities of color. Keeping this hospital open, now under new ownership, has taken significant investments by local advocates and Inspira, as well as the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, which has invested millions of dollars into its survival. The hospital competes with the heavily endowed health-care mega-centers in Delaware and Philadelphia, but it remains a familiar and important part of the local history and culture. Rural communities have unique problems related to health-care access and quality. However, through a combination of our philanthropic support and the wise investment of Inspira, Salem County has a wonderful opportunity to create a fresh new approach to the persistent health issues that are typical in rural communities.

Paul DiLorenzo, executive director, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, paul.dilorenzo@icloud.com

After reading the story on SEPTA getting $56 million to make stations more accessible, I wondered, who do we need to contact about expanding rail services in Philadelphia? With the city’s gentrification and redevelopment of so many areas that were once “dead zones,” more rail transportation would only enhance development and entice more people to move to town. For example, there are rail tracks all down Columbus Boulevard. With all the building going on and talk around riverfront properties, in addition to the Park at Penn’s Landing, it would make sense to repurpose the rails for light rail/trolley/aboveground service. You could run a new train line from Fishtown/Rivers Casino all the way to the stadiums in South Philly. This could create a new bustling corridor on top of what already exists and in areas where it’s desperately needed.

Brian Bramble, Philadelphia, bbramble11@yahoo.com

How is it possible that George Santos was elected to the U.S. Congress as a New York representative without the proper vetting? A process exists for all candidates to be subject to full disclosure prior to election. Santos single-handedly pulled the wool over the voters of New York. He lied about his previous employers and his heritage, claiming that his grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust (Santos is a Catholic). He also lied about the college that he attended. Did Santos actually believe that the truth would not prevail? Santos refuses to resign, and the Republican Party should be ashamed. He is a laughingstock and violated the trust of voters. Congress needs to expel Santos as soon as possible. He should not be permitted to serve his term in office. What kind of example does he set for future candidates? Santos claims that he “embellished” his resume. Is that acceptable behavior for a congressional candidate?

Carol A. Pasquarello, Philadelphia

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