Letters to the Editor | July 9, 2023

In a recent Inquirer article on Philly’s hottest neighborhoods, we learned that Parks and Recreation staffers had to close a pool in sweltering Hunting Park “because of poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke.” As an 18-year-old and his friends were turned away, a park employee explained to the disappointed youths, “We can’t go against the city.” In this case, the city needs to do a better job of comparing risk factors. Which should we fear more: bad air or bullets? Extreme heat combined with a lack of recreational opportunities that allow young people to cool down poses far greater risk to the city’s population than poorer-than-average air quality. We are enduring an epidemic of gun violence in Philadelphia. We must give young people options, like pools.

Jean Knight, Philadelphia

In the editorial “Reversing pandemic-related learning loss must be a top priority,” our scores before the pandemic are ignored. Only 36% of students were proficient in English in 2019, and the statistics were even more devastating for our Black and brown students and for those living in poverty. We can’t blame the pandemic for the current crisis. The editorial states that studies show intensive and targeted tutoring is the best way to close the achievement gap. But “that can be expensive, and finding enough qualified tutors is difficult.” Yet Reading Allowed is doing it. Our certified tutors deliver intensive, targeted tutoring. We couldn’t find enough certified tutors, so we are training professionals ourselves. It’s much more expensive to pay for the consequences of low literacy. Let’s invest in our students now and be resourceful. Decades of research have shown us what to do. Now we need to stop making excuses and do it.

Angela Marks, founder and director, Reading Allowed, Philadelphia

Much is being made of a reported 2017 text from Hunter Biden to his Chinese business partner claiming he was next to his father and implying the use of his potential influence. Joe Biden’s second term as vice president ended on Jan. 20, 2017, at which time he became a private citizen. His decision to run for president was two years in the future. Even if Biden had been involved in the alleged deals, which he denies, he would not have been doing so as a government official.

Jean A. Kozel, Eagleville

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