Letters: For teachers to succeed, they need parents to help

AFTER reading about the teacher who quit after too many discipline problems, I have to laugh.

I defy anyone to find a teacher who doesn't have discipline problems all day long. As a city teacher, I've had them every day for 13 years.

"Becky" can blame anyone she wants, but the main blame has to be on the parents. It's their responsibility to ensure that their children act appropriately, and teach them how to control their behavior. I hate when parents say, "Well, what do you want me to do?" Take everything away from your child, including sunlight, until they learn how to behave at school.

All teachers have problems, but only the weak quit. My class is rowdy, but I hope this will subside over time. But what choice do I have? If parents took more accountability for their children, the results might differ.

You can speak poorly about teachers, but this all falls into the laps of the parents. Get more involved in the lives of your children, and learn to work with the teachers.

Terry Saskin, Bensalem

Out-of-control meeting

I read with great interest the article on City Council's decision to hold a Saturday hearing on the zoning legislation introduced by Councilman Frank DiCicco that would permit a casino at the Gallery in Center City.

I wondered at the curious remark made by Cecilia Yep, founder and director emeritus of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp.

Ms. Yep, who wanted Councilman DiCicco to delay introducing the legislation, said, "we haven't gone through a process yet. We haven't had a decent conversation with Foxwoods yet. We don't know what they're planning."

I find Ms. Yep's memory lacking, due to the raucous, rude and out-of-control community meeting that the Chinatown Development Corp. recently had in Chinatown.

At the meeting were community members, Foxwoods and PREIT representatives, city representatives, Councilman DiCicco and state Rep. Mike O'Brien. Also there were the head of the PCDC board, the executive director and several board members.

Those connected with PCDC sat in total silence while the meeting they promoted was hijacked by an organization that had publicly stated its intent to disrupt that meeting.

Four hundred community members who came to the meeting with the hope of beginning a dialogue with Foxwoods and the city were subjected to the rantings of many rude, vulgar, misinformed teenagers. Those who made heartfelt remarks were lost in the boorish behavior of unsupervised children. Never have I seen adults treated in such a disgraceful manner.

At one point, one loudmouthed youngster told Councilman DiCicco to "shut up" as the councilman tried to answer his question.

If Ms. Yep is so concerned about a lack of conversation regarding the casino process, I suggest she inform PCDC that their failed leadership at that meeting caused the delay of the beginning of that conversation.

Joe Eastman, Vice President

Chinatown Town Watch

Just askin'

Some questions about our fair city:

Why are police cars and some taxis both white and blue? They look almost identical, and you're never sure which one you are getting.

Why is the statue of Frank Rizzo in front of the Municipal Services Building waving in greeting instead of handing money to the unions? He talked tough, yet gave away salaries, benefits and holidays in every way possible and left the city bankrupt.

When George Smith of the well-known towing company gets towed, where do they take his car?

Jim Murphy, Philadelphia