Letters to the Editor | Nov. 11, 2022

Earlier this week, more than 7,000 people, including veterans and ROTC members, marched down Market Street as part of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade in honor and celebration of those who have served. Rain, shine, or pandemic, we have found ways to come together to not just honor our veterans, but to show our commitment to them. While the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival has music, food vendors, and patriotic decorations, we also have community and resources available throughout the event. We use this time to continue the conversation, raise awareness, and create access for our veterans. This can range from securing housing or addiction treatment, to helping veterans develop hobbies or build a daily routine. This year has been one of uncertainty about normalcy returning after a pandemic. We find ourselves concerned about a pending recession, job security, and inflation, while also trying to stay mentally and physically healthy. For veterans, this feeling is not a new one, as it has been a recurring theme after returning to civilian life. Just as our communities have come together in times of difficulty and loss, our network has come together to honor those who have fallen and offer a hand to those who need help. To Philadelphia County’s more than 56,000 veterans, we celebrate you, and we are committed to being there for you not just today, but 365 days a year.

Anthony Murphy, president, Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival

On Nov. 8, for the first time, I served as a volunteer poll worker at a location in the 30th Ward. The turnout was high for a midterm election. People cared about this one. Numerous voters surrendered their mail-in ballots to vote in person. I held the poll sign-in book steady for a 93-year-old woman who walked there on her own and, with a shaky hand, laid down her signature (the trick, she said, is to drag the little finger). Democracy seemed alive with possibility, except for the special election to fill Philadelphia City Council vacancies. I did not cast votes for the at-large Democratic candidates nominated by party ward leaders. We must curtail the influence of this ward system that decides for us who will be on the ballot.

Janet M. Lorenz, Philadelphia, janetmlorenz@gmail.com

It was with a sense of joy that I read this morning that Christy Brady had been appointed as acting city controller. I never thought such a thing was possible. This is indeed a great day for the city. Brady is not a politician; she’s an auditor. She’s spent decades coming up through the civil service ranks. She has only one goal: the welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia. When she says something, you can take it to the bank. There will be no ulterior motives. What a tremendous step forward for both the city and the School District. The future is looking a little brighter.

Mike Egan, retired, Philadelphia City Controller’s Office, Plymouth Meeting

Another election cycle and still arguing about flawed ballots — a process that should be easy to complete. One side is challenging mail-in ballots and the other is saying it’s voter suppression over a technicality. The issue is not new; it was raised in 2020. Legislators failed to correct the problem, instead leaving it to the courts. Legislators can’t codify voting requirements into law and then argue that it’s just a technicality. They enacted an easy process but forgot that people are people, and they make mistakes. Even prominent leaders and politicians made errors on their mail-in ballots this cycle. Our leaders need to fix this. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that a simple postmark should suffice for a date on the envelope and that there must be a solution for naked ballots and witness signatures. In the meantime, the safest way to vote is to go to the polls, as is our right and responsibility.

Joe Palma, Swedesboro

Mehmet Oz’s loss in Pennsylvania, with its national implications, is a victory for decency and a clear reaffirmation of America’s position on recognizing the 1915 Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Turks. The celebrity doctor, who was born in the U.S. but holds Turkish citizenship, failed to recognize this genocide and has financial and political ties there. To be clear, there are plenty of reasons why Oz lost his bid, among them his strong connection to the toxic Donald Trump, his tone-deafness to the concerns of ordinary people, and his flimflam on abortion. But underlying it all might be good old-fashioned karma. After all, genocide deniers, like election deniers, should be put on notice: This is not the American way.

Arda Nazerian, adjunct professor, Queens College

One can tell a great deal about an individual based on their actions after they lose an election into which they had placed their heart, soul, and a great deal of money. Mehmet Oz passed the character test with flying colors. When it became obvious that he had lost his Senate bid to John Fetterman the morning after the election, he called his opponent to graciously concede. He not only acknowledged his loss, but he wished the senator-elect and his family well and expressed his hope for unity to tackle the many challenges our country faces. Gone was the ugliness and mudslinging that we had seen on behalf of both candidates in the most expensive Senate race in the country, one in which Oz is said to have spent $27 million of his fortune. I will never forget that Mehmet Oz set himself apart from many in his party. He showed class, dignity, and humility, providing a valuable lesson for politicians and our citizens.

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

My hat is off to the Pennsylvania Department of State for its wonderful, user-friendly election information website, vote.pa.gov. Unlike other state government websites, such as the abysmal sites for the revenue and motor vehicle departments, the DOS website is simple to use and packed with tons of useful, well-organized information about all aspects of voting in our state. I was a nonpartisan election protection volunteer on Tuesday and found the site invaluable in helping voters find their registration status and polling places. One voter was astounded she could confirm her registration status and polling location just by entering her driver’s license number. The DOS website is an outstanding example of government doing it right.

Charles Ault, Haverford

The Republican National Committee sued Pennsylvania to prevent county election officials from counting mail-in ballots from voters who do not have a handwritten date on the outer envelope, even though the ballot was received on time. If the individual met all the other requirements of a mail-in ballot, including delivering it on time, why does the handwritten date matter to the RNC? It also sued in Monroe County to keep election officials from contacting voters so they can “cure” a technically incorrect ballot. Why? It appears to me that the RNC’s actions are intended to create distrust in the system in case it loses elections.

Bill Maginnis, North Wales

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