Letters: What the talk of 'land banking' is all about
IATTENDED the debate described in your April 22 article ("Tensions rise at District 7 debate") and was happy to hear Daniel Savage and Maria Quinones-Sanchez discuss solutions to our vacant-land crisis. This crisis - 40,000 abandoned lots that reduce property values by $3.6 billion citywide - is most pronounced in the 7th District.
IATTENDED the debate described in your April 22 article (
"Tensions rise at District 7 debate"
) and was happy to hear Daniel Savage and Maria Quinones-Sanchez discuss solutions to our vacant-land crisis. This crisis - 40,000 abandoned lots that reduce property values by $3.6 billion citywide - is most pronounced in the 7th District.
I want to clarify what I heard the candidates say publicly about "land banking."
While both candidates supported creating a municipal land bank that would clean and distribute land, they also stressed fair development. They spoke favorably of neighborhood . . . land trusts that would partner with this new land bank. This proposal is the heart of a growing Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land, composed of faith-based, labor and community economic-development groups.
This coalition has drafted specific legislation, and we are asking City Council candidates to pledge to make it law. Ten candidates, including Quinones-Sanchez and Savage, have committed to do so.
Our bill would put land back on the tax rolls while balancing commercial and community-based projects. Together with City Council, we can reform our city's broken vacant land system and help build stronger families and communities.
Jake Hockel
Working Group for a Grassroots Movement
for the Campaign to Take Back
Vacant Land
Philadelphia
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Shame of Newkirk St.
I'm appalled at the reaction of those people on Newkirk Street over the shooting of a gun-toting thug with a pocket full of drugs. Instead of thanking the officers, what do you do? Cry police abuse.
Shirley Talley, Philadelphia
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Political quickies
*
Re
"Beware the hair!"
on Donald Trump: I agree. Who'd vote for someone who'd cheat on their wife and children? And rub the affair in her face?
William Lee Jr., Hainesport, N.J.
* Re T. Milton and John Street, and Donald Trump. They are like the minister's cat: full of wind and pee.
Lucille Donnelly, Philadelphia
* Local 22 should hang their heads in shame. Endorsing a criminal. Keep on voting for Democrats. After all these decades, the city is in shambles with their "leadership." Unions have gotten too big. Now they are telling their members where not to vacation! And the sheep will follow. Pity.
Pat Dougherty, Philadelphia