Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Over Keel

(Re: letter from Frank Keel, Nov. 21, 2002)

How amusing to hear John Street's voice box, Frank Keel, whine about his beefs with City Paper. Personally, and I don't think I am alone, I don't really want to hear Frank Keel complain too much. After all, not everybody is as lucky as he is. We don't all make nearly $200,000 per year and choose not to live in the city of Philadelphia even though we may work for it. So until Frank Keel is really a Philadelphian working on the city's problems because he's a part of it lock, stock and barrel, he should button his fortunate lip.

Ryan Caviglia
Philadelphia

If anything needs "re-examination" it's John Street's extending mouthpiece/ass-licker Frank Keel's consulting contract to January 2003.

I found it laughable that Johnny Boy couldn't find the money to pay the health benefits of city firefighters stricken with hepatitis C on the job or pay city teachers a half-decent salary, yet when it came time to build an elaborate sports stadium for a bunch of inconsequential athletes, the city of Philadelphia, miraculously, came into an ocean of money.

Now Street says it's critical to cut 10 percent of the city's work force or else the city will face a deficit by 2007. The first job he can cut is the $100-per-hour job of Frank Keel. That cut in itself would save city taxpayers major-league dough, since that's who's paying Mr. Keel's salary.

P.S.: Thumbs up to the beautiful one-finger salute [in August] from skateboarders to Mayor All White People Look Alike/The Brothers and Sisters Are in Charge.

Donna Di Giacomo
Philadelphia

Wheel-World Solution

(Re: letter from Emily Schiller, Nov. 14, 2002)

I moved from Philadelphia to the Netherlands one year ago, and they seem to have a pretty smart approach to dealing with homelessness. Since cycling is such an enormous means of transportation here, cities have opened up garages for parking bicycles which are managed and run by former homeless people. Many are open till 4 a.m., offer small repairs and it's just about guaranteed that your bike will be safe since it's in a well-maintained area. It's just one example of different methods that are implemented here to assist people who are in need in getting back on their feet. It seems that it would be well worth the effort of cities in America to try the same.

Kerryanne O’Reilly
Utrecht, The Netherlands