Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

They Want Your Help

I appreciate City Paper's continuing coverage of the spike in crime in our neighborhood in recent months, while at the same time noting that crime in our part of the city is nowhere near as bad as in other areas [News, "Crime Scene Intensification," Dan Keashen, Sept. 30, 2004].

At the end of the article, an anonymous resident is quoted referring to the "community watch." Fairmount Townwatch is a group of volunteers who patrol the streets keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Sadly, it is all too common for Townwatchers to hear from their neighbors in times of high crime "What are you doing about this?" Townwatch is not a public utility, not a city service—it's a volunteer organization that is only as good as the people who are a part of it. The next time you're tempted to ask someone else what they're doing about this problem, consider getting involved and doing something about it yourself.

Niel McDowell
Fairmount

Slamming SEPTA

Poor planning and lack of communication such as [News, "Communication Breakdown," Amy L. Webb, Sept. 30. 2004] are perfect examples of why SEPTA faces a $62 million deficit and now needs to cut service and raise fares.

City Councilman Michael Nutter states that he hopes that communication can continue with the neighbors near the depot. However, without changing the traffic patterns, the project cannot proceed. The only alternative to making the street one-way is digging up the street and moving the tracks to the side of the street instead of down the middle as they are now. That would be a very expensive option. So, if there will be no change in direction, the project is likely stalled for a long time and communications are basically pointless. It seems that SEPTA has spent close to $60 million and their poor handling of the situation has doomed this great project for a long time.

George Wilson Jr.
Burholme

Tom and Grace

Since I attended Reformed Episcopal Seminary when it was at 43rd and Chestnut streets, I cannot but respond to the editorial on the page with the picture of the place where I attended seminary from 1971 to 74 [Slant, "Saving Grace," Trish Boppert; "The Shot," Michael T. Regan; Sept. 30, 2004].

Hurray to Boppert for not using rabid anti-Bush rhetoric! Most of us Evangelical Christians are for Bush and the fact is that he is a nice guy, as well as being a focused individual. Like Rudy Giuliani, I thank God that it's Bush in the White House and not Al Gore, and I am distressed by the manic tendency to blame Bush every time it rains on somebody's picnic.

Sadly, the first statement of the column is wrong. We do not come into this world "in a ... state of absolute grace." On the contrary, we are born with original sin, the natural tendency to hate God and our neighbor. That's why there's war, prison, bigotry, etc., and that's why we need a Redeemer.

Thomas M. Muldoon
Philadelphia