Domb, Gym deserve endorsements for City Council

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2015

Domb, Gym deserve endorsements

Mayor Nutter's exclusion of Democratic primary winners Allan Domb and Helen Gym in his endorsement of City Council candidates ("Nutter's backing hits a nerve," Oct. 21) illustrates the paradox of his using reform rhetoric while practicing preservationist politics.

Domb and Gym, through their respective business, education, and community endeavors, have established records of leading by example and creating new kinds of politics and public policies in the areas of local taxes, public schools, and jobs. Such freely given public-service efforts helped to establish credibility in the minds of many, resulting in their candidacies for at-large seats.

All of Nutter's endorsements went to those he worked with in Council or in his administration.

Philadelphia has many challenges, and City Council needs reform-oriented and courageous members. Domb and Gym fit that bill and could even fulfill Nutter's many unrealized campaign promises. They are qualified for and deserving of endorsement.

|Brian M. Villa, Philadelphia

ISSUE | PGW SALE

Beware privatization

Bravo to Andy Maykuth for digging through Securities and Exchange Commission documents to reveal the dangerous path Philadelphia might have gone down had City Council not pushed back against Mayor Nutter's PGW privatization plan ("Power Failure," Oct. 19).

Just months after their privatization bid was defeated, UIL Holdings Corp. agreed to be gobbled up by the U.S. arm of Spanish multinational Iberdrola. While this deal may be particularly startling to Philadelphia, other Pennsylvania municipalities should view it as a cautionary tale about privatization.

The basic fact underlying all privatizations is that they result in a loss of local public control of the asset. The implications can be grave: The private owners could increase rates for consumers, cut local jobs, or cut quality of services.

They can be taken over by a Spanish conglomerate.

|Sam Bernhardt, senior Pennsylvania organizer, Food and Water Watch, Philadelphia, sbernardt@fwwatch.org

ISSUE | 'NOVA SECURITY

Guns could be OK

Concerning Friday's peaceful protest at Villanova over the arming of the campus police ("Protest over plan to arm 'Nova force," Saturday), I would think students and staff members would feel more secure if the officers are well-trained in handling and firing handguns and pass rigorous safety and psychological tests.

|Paul Benedict, Broomall

ISSUE | PA. SUPREME COURT ELECTION

Dougherty is a worthy candidate

Reading your editorial endorsing candidates for the three open state Supreme Court justice positions ("Supreme opportunity," Sunday), I wondered: When did this turn into an election for grade-school president?

Although Kevin M. Dougherty "is another impressive trial judge who has held a series of leadership positions in Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court" and "has an even demeanor and admirable passion for improving the justice system's treatment of the disadvantaged," he doesn't get endorsed because you do not like his brother, John J. Dougherty, head of the electricians' local union?

His brother has never sat on the bench with him during a trial. As for his "familial ties," check with all of the families that got justice from Judge Dougherty, who went above and beyond the call to make sure they were able to stay together. In my world and theirs, "family" is not a curse but a blessing.

I'm proud to say I'll be voting for Kevin Dougherty, a good man with a passion for improving a justice system that, given its recent history, needs major improvement.

|Bob Gessler, Philadelphia, gesslervs@gmail.com

ISSUE | DISABLED INFANTS

Loving memories of a meaningful life

Sister Janice McGrane's commentary ("Give the disabled a fair chance," Sunday) hit home. I am the sixth child of eight. When my mother was 44, she gave birth to our beloved Marion. Marion was born with Down syndrome. There was never a question that Marion would be treated differently from her seven siblings. Actually, she was treated better than any of us and totally spoiled by all of us. She also was loved by aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.

Marion was May Queen at

St. Barbara's day school in

West Philadelphia and worked at Programs for Exceptional People. She loved soap operas and was the person to go to when you missed an episode.

Marion was witty, sensitive, and conscientious. She wouldn't eat one piece of popcorn she was hired to bag. All employers should have employees like Marion.

Marion passed away in her 60s, and we all miss her.

To Princeton professor Peter Singer, who advocated "intentionally ending the lives of severely disabled infants": You are all wet.

|Jane Lemerise, Roxborough, georgelem@comcast.net

Disabled and caregivers need support

Sister Janice McGrane contends that all disabled babies should be born because they have the potential to be contributing members of society. But, as anyone with a disabled family member knows, that is not the issue. The real issue is the lack of services for the disabled.

I have a mentally disabled brother, and every time I turn around, much-needed services are severely cut, including housing, health care, and counseling. And unless you are a millionaire, you need the government's help when you have a disabled family member - especially when, as a caregiver, you get old, sick, or become disabled yourself.

Yes, we all love babies, disabled or not. But Sister, if you are going to tell us how precious disabled babies are, you should also tell us how you plan to fight against budget cuts for the disabled.

|Claire Gawinowicz, Oreland