Letters | La Salle U. is not in North Philadelphia

Re: "Shops, growth bring hope," on La Salle University's plans for its neighborhood, Nov. 13:

La Salle University is not in North Philadelphia, as the story said. The old campus is in Logan and the new campus, called the West Campus, is in Germantown. We are not near North Philadelphia. These two neighborhoods are considered part of northwestern Philadelphia. The fact that the university has taken over Germantown Hospital should have been a clue. Also, there is a supermarket at Chelten and Wayne Avenues and a supermarket at Chelten Avenue and Pulaski Street, closer than 3.5 or 4 miles from La Salle.

I was surprised to learn that we are in an "inner city" neighborhood. We are fairly close to Montgomery County, and I would say that we are an "outer city" neighborhood.

Of course, I know that the term

inner city

is a politically correct euphemism for a predominantly black neighborhood. Well, Germantown is an integrated neighborhood with a rich history and rising property values.

I live within walking distance of La Salle, on Locust Avenue, and yet no one has asked me my opinion on whether La Salle is a "positive force in the community." I suggest that La Salle is sometimes something less than that.

Eugene G. Stackhouse

President Emeritus,

Germantown Historical Society

Philadelphia

» READ MORE: genestackhouse@msn.com

Philadelphia has always been my favorite city. Recently, my dream of becoming a Philadelphian came true; suburban life is now just a blip on the memory-radar. I'm now a constituent of Mayor-elect Michael Nutter.

The Nov. 11 editorial, "Can-Do Philadelphia," struck my new Philly nerve. I don't need to "get over" myself. In fact, I believe that we need to get into ourselves before we get serious in Harrisburg. Nutter believes that we need to get involved. He wants Philadelphians to stop comparing Philly to

real

cities.

Before we begin to face the issues of violence, finance, and all that other important political stuff, let's start small. Nutter has called for everyone's help. How are we to help when we're not even friendly to one another as we stroll down our streets?

As a new Philadelphian, I propose that we stop turning our heads away from each other. Instead, let's smile. Maybe even wave a little "hello." We can only "get out of our way" by first getting involved with each other. If we succeed, we might not have to talk about guns.

Justin Melnick

Philadelphia

With all due respect to State Rep. John Perzel, after nearly 30 years in Harrisburg are we, the taxpayers, expected to believe that property tax relief has always been his top priority? He is right when he states that seniors in our state need tax relief and the citizens in Pennsylvania are aware of this and have been for along time.

I am 54 years old, and in some circles I am considered a senior citizen. I also have to choose between feeding my family and paying my bills or paying my school property tax. You see, we own our property outright as do many seniors in this state. But what the citizens in Pennsylvania have to understand is, property tax relief starts with your own school districts.

Rep. Perzel's Older Pennsylvania Property Tax Elimination Act will cost an estimated $1 billion, and it would be funded with gambling revenue. Who funds this bill when the gambling revenue does not reach $1.1 billion? The answer to that question is - the taxpayers.

Property tax relief across the board is not unrealistic. The current financial state in Pennsylvania is not the fault of the taxpayers, it is the fault of our elected officials in Harrisburg, past and present. But when you keep electing the same people over and over, this is what you have.

Candy E. Allebach

Eagleville

Alice Thurnau died Oct. 22, a little over a week before Officer Chuck Cassidy was killed ("Beaten woman, 90, dies of injuries," Oct. 26) Do we remember her?

She was grabbed near her Port Richmond home, knocked down, badly beaten, kicked while on the ground, and robbed. The severe injuries included a crushed eye socket, cracked ribs, a broken hip, and bleeding on the brain.

This 90-year-old woman, who had been living an active and independent life, suffered for a month in the hospital before dying as a result of the atrocious crime. How much media frenzy, police effort, reward money, suspect roundup, public sadness did she invoke?

Police called the attack a "particularly vicious, brutal and cowardly crime" on a defenseless, elderly victim. However, the vicious, brutal, cowardly assailant is still free, at large, on the streets. My question remains: Does anyone remember Alice Thurnau and others like her?

Ketan Ben Caesar

Philadelphia

» READ MORE: ketanbencaesar@yahoo.com