Let retirees substitute teach

ISSUE | TEACHING

Retirees could help

Both the School District and the teachers' union have always agreed that retired teachers are a valuable resource as substitutes ("Subs' outsourcing is questioned," June 27). But for three years, the district, without reason, has blocked retirees from joining its substitute pool. The district's explanation: It had enough substitutes.

Now we learn just how much the district values substitutes from its decision to farm them out to a private company so that they may be offered bonuses for accepting designated positions. In more than two years of contract talks, the district never proposed any such incentives or mentioned a shortage of substitutes.

Once again, school officials have ignored, disrespected, and insulted the very people who directly serve students.

|Arlene Kempin, general vice president, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

ISSUE | ACCEPTANCE

Place to call home

My spouse and I, celebrating 44 years together and married nearly three, planned to be at Independence Hall Saturday to celebrate the Supreme Court's marriage-equality ruling. During our years together, Philadelphia has truly exhibited brotherly love by being accepting and welcoming.

|Ron Andrews, Haddon Township

ISSUE | GOV. WOLF

Lesson in governing

Since Gov. Wolf is new to Harrisburg, let me offer a few pointers ("Wolf vetoes entire GOP budget," July 1). First, legislating is a team sport. His team is the Democrats, and he needs them on his side. So when the governor's budget didn't get a single Democratic vote, it was time to huddle.

Second, Wolf can't spend money he doesn't have. It's not enough to convince everyone that education is a good thing. He needs to convince them that their taxes should go up.

Finally, he should be prepared to compromise. Last session, the General Assembly passed a transportation package that raised gas taxes. Rural Republican legislators and urban Democrats voted together to pay for highways, bridges, SEPTA, and gravel roads.

|Kate M. Harper, state representative, Blue Bell, kharper@pahousegop.com

ISSUE | SUSTAINABILITY

Up on the (green) roof, life definitely cooler

The assertions by architect Craig Tyler that green roofs are not always more energy-efficient fly in the face of overwhelming research to the contrary, decades of market experience, and my own observations from a 30-year career as a chemist and technology leader with Rohm & Haas and Dow (" 'Green' roofs not always the most energy-efficient," June 29).

Chicago adopted cool-roof requirements 10 years before Philadelphia. Actual field measurements show that areas that had gotten lighter also got cooler in the summer. The white roof on Chicago's City Hall is saving energy. This is typical of the science on this issue. Building owners have figured this out: The cool-roofing market share is growing at a rapid pace across the country.

Just visit the 1200 block of Wolf Street in South Philadelphia, which won the RetroFit Philly Coolest Block Contest and received insulation, air sealing, and cool roofs for the entire block. They've lived to tell about their cool row homes and energy savings.

|Catherine T. "Katie" Hunt, Ambler, catherinehunt@verizon.net

ISSUE | PRESERVATION

What really happened in the Boyd review

The city Historical Commission did not rubber-stamp the Boyd Theatre project, leaving neighbors to hire an architect to clean up the mess ("Historical panel flub," June 25). Instead, at the start of our review, the developer withdrew the tower portion of the proposal, to which the neighbors had objected, to allow for a collaborative redesign.

During the review, the developer sought decisions only on the proposed rehabilitation of the facades of the historic Boyd and Alexander buildings, and on the construction of an infill building on Chestnut Street, between the buildings. The commission approved the rehabilitation of the historic facades but rejected the infill building, insisting on a redesign to make it compatible. We will consider a revised design at an upcoming public meeting.

|Sam Sherman Jr., chair, Philadelphia Historical Commission

ISSUE | TRAFFIC

Fix dangerous Street Road corner

Over the past few years, Bensalem has seen an increase in traffic around Knights and Street Roads, particularly with the operation of Parx Casino. While the traffic has increased, the purported economic benefits to the community have not lived up to expectations. Nor are township roads particularly pedestrian-friendly.

Many residents are concerned. Toward that end, I just sent Gov. Wolf a petition signed by more than 800 people urging state action.

|Umar Farooq, M.D., Bensalem

ISSUE | RETAIL POLITICS

Macy's Trump move could depress sales

Macy's decision to insert itself into the candidacy of presidential hopeful Donald Trump by dropping his line of merchandise with great fanfare shows bias and a growing inability to accept perspectives that are not politically correct ("Macy's ending ties to Trump, citing immigrant remarks," July 2). I shall cut up my Macy's card and urge friends and acquaintances to do the same.

|Barbara K. Clement, Berwyn