http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross RSS Feed for DN Col Harry Gross en-us Wed, 23 May 2012 15:43:02 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120523_.html Q. Some time ago, you had a letter regarding parking in the center lane of South Broad Street. The city lost revenue because there were no tickets. Well, I have a related problem with cars running the red lights at Bustleton Avenue and Hartel Street. This happens many times an hour. I live nearby and I have never seen a police car staking out that light. I often see police cars parked at the nearby Dunkin’ Donuts just a stone’s throw away with the cops just talking. A little more patrolling would net the city plenty of extra revenue from the tickets that would be issued. It would also make the streets safer for cars and pedestrians. I have no idea who to call about this without getting the local police angry at me. Please do something before we have a lot of traffic deaths. A. Contact the officer in charge of the police district in which you live. Also, contact your city councilman and the city’s 3-1-1 line. I think the safety issue is far more important than the lost revenue, but that could also be significant. As to the cops parked at a Dunkin’ Donuts, cops have to eat the same as the rest of us. Is it not possible that what you saw was a lunch break? Incidentally, you can remain anonymous in making these calls. n http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/152204795.html Q. Our home in South Philly had a security system. When we moved to New Jersey, we transferred the old monitoring system to the new house which had its own hardware. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120518_Should_unmarried_couple_buy_house_together_.html Q. We are an unmarried couple who are in the process of buying our first home. My credit is not so hot, so my friend will be assuming the mortgage while I put up the 20 percent down payment and half of the closing costs. We intend to share equally all mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs, etc. What is the best way for us to take title to the house? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120516_Can_retired_parent_gift_me_cash_.html Q. My mother recently moved to a nice, affordable retirement community. She would like to make me a gift of $13,000 per year tax-free for the next three or four years so that she can share my inheritance with me while she is still alive. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120514_New_mortgage_can_help_dig_out_of_debt.html Q. MY HUSBAND and I are retired on a small pension and Social Security. We have a home-equity loan for about $30,000 (no mortgage) and almost $50,000 in credit-card debt. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120511_Getting_life_insurance_for_heart_patient_may_be_doable.html Q. MY HUSBAND has had problems with his heart since he was a young man. He never got any life insurance because he was afraid that he’d be rejected or given such a high premium that it would not be worthwhile. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/150697945.html Q. I am presently incarcerated. My mother recently died and left a very nice house free and clear of a mortgage, but left almost no money. My brother became administrator of her estate since there was no will. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20120507_Harry_Gross_returns_with_more_than_a_few_tips.html Hey, we goofed, OK? When we cut out Harry Gross’ column last July but insisted “remaining true to our populist roots as the People’s Paper,” most of you begged to differ. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20110708_Harry_Gross_.html ECONOMIC conditions are tough. They are especially tough in the area of the print media. As a result, this will be my last column. I have enjoyed my many years at the Daily News more than my vocabulary can describe. I always operated without any editorial restrictions on my opinions, for which I have always been grateful. That goes for more than 10,000 columns! http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/harry_gross/20110707_Harry_Gross_.html Dear Harry: My father is 84 and in very good health. He has a modest estate and a very decent pension. He has three children who are all making it on their own, but no big shakes. For many years, he had life insurance to protect my mother, but he did not