STD resurgence

Cases of chlamydia doubled from 1996 to 2005, and it is now considered the most prevalent STD in our region. There has been a drop in reported cases of syphilis in the area, but an increase in gonorrhea in the suburbs.

STDs show every sign of resurgence. Testing and treating is expensive in terms of public resources and the impact on people's lives. Prevention makes much more sense. It requires, however, the political will to invest in comprehensive sex education that includes information on abstinence, the use of condoms, and free screening and treatment for all.

Dorothy Mann
Executive director
Paul G. Whittaker
Associate director of research
Family Planning Council
Philadelphia
dorothy@familyplanning.org

Radio deals

Imagine if the Piper had been paid in full, but returned a year later demanding a royalty every time a Hamelinite told the story of the deratification. One's sympathy then shifts to the Hamelinites. First, the Piper should have known people would tell the story and taken that into account when he made a deal. Second, the storytelling is actually free advertising for the Piper.

Similarly, recording artists have long negotiated recording deals knowing they would not receive direct payments from radio stations, but also aware that the broadcasts promote the artists' recordings and live performances.

As the entertainment media evolve, it is perfectly reasonable to develop new contract structures for new recordings, but it is not reasonable for government to impose an ex-post revision of past arrangements and agreements.

David L. Crawford
Medford
Crawford@econsult.com

Following the rules

From the outset, SugarHouse has followed the rules of the Gaming Act of 2004. Under that bill, which Josephs voted for, the selection of licensees in Philadelphia was a competitive process that included a comprehensive review of the locations, the operators, and the facility designs. The process also included a public comment period.

In the almost two years since we first applied for the license and the 15 months since it was awarded for the site on Delaware Avenue, we have worked with the local community to address concerns about traffic, security and parking. We are extremely proud of the broad support we have received from our neighbors, as evidenced by the many homes in Fishtown that have hung red bows on their doors in a show of support.

In addition, our team has spent more than a year meeting with city officials to ensure that our plan met all Commercial Entertainment District requirements and to obtain approval of our development plan. We have also worked with the city and PennDot to study area traffic and to develop traffic-mitigation plans.

We will continue to work with the city, state and federal governments to ensure that our facility not only conforms to all appropriate laws, rules and regulations, but also is one of which the entire community can be proud.

Bob Sheldon

President
SugarHouse Casino
Philadelphia

GOP hangs tough

John Powers
Woodbury