LETTERS - Sept. 16

ISSUE | SMOKING

Expand N.J. ban

Congratulations to CVS for its decision to stop selling tobacco products. And shame, shame on Gov. Christie for his recent veto of a smoking ban in public parks and beaches, especially after New Jersey lawmakers approved the bill. His disregard for our representatives in Trenton and the health and future of New Jerseyans should be remembered.

|Mary T Gramkowski, Haddonfield

ISSUE | CONCERTS

Share those vibes

Sarcasm aside, it's a great suggestion from a recent letter writer that Made in America concerts take place in a different neighborhood. OK, I admit that I live in Spring Garden, just recycled the last of the 40-ounce Budweisers found in the bushes, and no longer have headaches from two days of unrelenting vibration. But if it's true that the city and businesses reap great benefits from these events, we should think more creatively about what the city has to offer. How exciting for the performers and concert-goers to experience various stages and spaces around the city. And yes, including Mayor Nutter's Overbrook neighborhood.

|Joan Bedell, Philadelphia

ISSUE | PUBLIC SERVICE

Going the extra mile

The Richardson Dilworth Award for Distinguished Public Service, now in its fourth year, honors public employees whose performance embodies excellence in public service. Philadelphia's public servants work tirelessly to solve the problems faced in our communities; they improve the lives and well-being of our children, ensure the safety of our streets, steward parks and public spaces, and keep the city moving forward toward a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future.

In an effort to increase our ability to recognize the great work of city staff, we have expanded the award program to include two additional categories for innovation and for customer service. Together with the original award, we seek to recognize the full depth and breadth of Philadelphia municipal employees.

Anyone may submit a nomination. Forms are available at www.dilworthaward.org. Paper nomination forms are available at the Mayor's Fund for Philadelphia in Room 708, City Hall. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 14.

Good government requires good people, and the Dilworth Award creates a platform to celebrate the best of what our city has to offer, by highlighting the achievements and talents of our outstanding city employees. We strongly encourage Inquirer readers to nominate the public employees who have impacted their lives and communities.

|Joe Jacovini and Daniel J. Hilferty, co-chairs, Dilworth Award

ISSUE | CHILDHOOD

Believing it's possible to reclaim simple joys

Words cannot express how much I appreciate The Inquirer's coverage of the "I'm so Camden" event held at Farnham Park earlier this month ("I'm so Camden," Sept. 8). Our goal and key focus of the event was to teach the children of Camden how to play the old-school games we played as children. In doing so, we would not only engage them in the interaction of these games and activities, but also would promote exercise, collaboration, and creative exploration. Again, thanks for adding local-interest stories such as ours to the newspaper.

|Sarah E. Drummond, Pennsauken, sebailey318@gmail.com

ISSUE | PROGRESSIVES ANSWERS

Getting beyond generalities

I looked and looked for proposed solutions from former mayor and governor Ed Rendell and the closest was a suggestion that we "better target our health and retirement programs" ("Progressives, help fix the debt," Sept. 15). As I'm sure Rendell knows, progressives have put out a proposed budget year after year that tackles the very problems he speaks of, meets the needs of the people, and balances far better than those of the deficit scolds. What happens to it? It's usually ignored and never becomes part of the national debate.

It sure would be nice if Rendell at least mentioned "The People's Budget" authored by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, but I guess that would involve bringing actual solutions into the conversation, as opposed to a lot of vague generalities.

|Richmond L. Gardner, Horsham

ISSUE | SPORTSMANSHIP

Millionaire athletes need code of conduct

As a child, I had many sports-related heroes and role models that my father encouraged, men and women of valor, honesty, and morality, but, boy, have things changed ("Papelblown: Closer tossed after gesture," Sept. 15). Recent news events regarding National Football League superstars still acting like children instead of role models are prime examples why we must demand that all professional sports teams establish a defensible code of conduct that each and every player, coach, and support staff must sign and comply with. Additionally, these sports figures must be held accountable with strict and understandable incentives and punishments for non-compliance.

Accountability is necessary, self-policing is unacceptable, and total compliance is what the public deserves. All professional-sports athletes and those connected to pro teams must prove to other players, their families, and the fans that sports is to be played fairly and that professional conduct is king 24/7 on and off the field.

|Theodore E. Thorne Jr., Philadelphia

ISSUE | TONY AUTH

Enduring commentary, economy of words

Tony Auth gone. What a loss. I still have a copy of his Feb. 5, 1999 cartoon depicting in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge a rundown school and a shiny new stadium side by side. No words were needed. How sad that this cartoon would still be pertinent today.

|Marie Conn, Hatboro

Heavenly delights

It has always been my opinion that political cartoonists are the brightest people. To have the great ability to draw and to couple that with a wry and intellectual look of the world (and sometimes beyond) is surely a talent that only a few possess. Tony Auth has always been one of my favorites, and I am sorry about his death. He has left a great legacy that I am sure the angels above will embrace and titter at.

|Bernice Sherman, Philadelphia

Reading between the cartoons on policy

Is The Inquirer's republication of Tony Auth's 1980 cartoon mocking Philadelphia's well-known reputation for corruption - and picturing two men in a cemetery with one of them saying "as long as the dead vote" - a belated acknowledgement that voter fraud exists? Editorials have suggested otherwise in opposing voter-ID requirements.

|Howard Lurie, King of Prussia

Not speaking for all, given pro-choice stance

How could Tony Auth have been a voice for the voiceless when he believed in abortion, the killing of voiceless, unborn, human beings ("Auth spoke for the voiceless," Sept. 15)?

|Aloysius J. Polaneczky, Lower Gwynedd