Dredging deal leaves Pa. to pull N.J.'s weight

The Inquirer's article on the dredging of the Delaware River was most upsetting. It's not that I am against it. Definitely, it will be a keystone to what's left of the once-vibrant Philadelphia marine industry. It's just that New Jersey Gov. Corzine will get a free ride ("$300 million bond issue to aid Phila. ports," May 18).

A good portion of the river's productivity and traffic goes to New Jersey - and Delaware. Why should they benefit from Pennsylvania's efforts and expense? Whatever happened to regionalization?

The Port of Philadelphia has always been the weak sister of the Mid-Atlantic due to the additional transit time, expense and manpower needed to bring a ship upriver. New York, Baltimore and Norfolk were always one step ahead.

When Philadelphia lost a big portion of foreign meat, crude oil, steel, cocoa and other imports, and then got stuck with a "shallow" channel, South American fruit kept our head above water. Now our channel is too shallow.

This dredging will happen, the silt will be dispersed as before, and New Jersey will just sit back, take more Pennsylvania dollars, and wait and benefits from the new depth.

Tom Doyle

Philadelphia

A toast to good advice

Three cheers to Molly Hartmann Ahrens! Her May 10 commentary, "Bryn Mawr grad's big career? Call it public service," makes a terrific point. Finally, a voice that echoes what I've been trying to explain to friends and family for years.

I'm a Villanova University grad (Class of '95) who spent eight years futilely trying to find my way through the cheeseless maze of corporate America, laboring in myriad jobs, each one less fulfilling than the last. Through some soul-searching and good family advice, I found myself enrolled in my own mixology course. Fast-forward four years, and you'll find me in management at a high-end steak house and loving every moment of my job (and making more money than I ever have).

It's not always about the title on a business card or the cool-sounding "Where are they now?" blurb in the alumni bulletin. It's about finding something that fits your natural skills and personality. That's where you'll find satisfaction and fulfillment.

Thank you, Molly Ahrens, for eloquently putting to paper the feelings that I've been trying to express for years.

John D. Pacewicz

Philadelphia