Letters to the Editor | Nov. 24, 2022

Will Bunch’s opinion on Josh Shapiro’s “bad campaign promises” included criticism of the governor-elect’s support of the concept of the Lifeline Scholarship, which would enable students who live within the attendance boundaries of low-performing schools to pay for a qualified education expense. This program is a positive step in the right direction for the commonwealth’s education policy. With only 36% of Philadelphia School District students meeting state standards in reading and 22% in math, it is the responsibility of elected leaders to provide educational options for families while the district works to improve outcomes. Demand for adequate support of public school districts serving low-income students can coexist with programs that give kids in low-performing schools a chance at a quality education in the meantime. I applaud Shapiro’s openness to multiple paths to success for students, and I hope other elected leaders follow suit.

Keisha Jordan, president and CEO, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia

The mayor, the district attorney, City Council, and yes, even the police commissioner, got what they wanted when they restricted police officers from investigating vehicles operating with minor motor vehicle code infractions. Prior to this prohibition, a good, active officer might have stopped the vehicle transporting the killers of 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde. But not in this climate. Nowadays, officers sit in their patrol cars and wait for a radio call. No longer do they patrol the city streets and neighborhoods looking for something suspicious to investigate. They don’t do it because they are not allowed to. When I came on the job in 1971, legally stopping a car for a minor motor vehicle infraction was the gold standard of good police work, not to mention that it was your job. Things change, I understand that. But do we have to sit by and allow criminals to have the upper hand? When will the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia get the safety and security they want? Allow police officers to legally do their jobs and enforce the law. It’s not rocket science.

William D. Markert Jr., retired police captain, Philadelphia

Prior to our recent election, the Delaware River Port Authority commissioners provided an opportunity for Wenonah residents to attend a meeting on the proposed Glassboro-Camden light rail line and ask questions before they cast their votes. Armed with information directly from the DRPA, Wenonah residents overwhelmingly voted “No, thanks.” Pitman and Woodbury Heights have already issued resolutions against the GCL. Mantua is crucial to the line, as it will be home to three stations, yet residents have been denied public meetings. Some of the people I talked to felt our elected officials are afraid of the GCL because they would suffer political backlash from the Democratic machine, which is cheerleading the GCL project. Mantua residents deserve the same access to meetings that other municipalities were afforded. Our elected officials have a responsibility to make that happen.

Carol Rhodes, Barnsboro

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