Letters to the Editor | May 5, 2024

I’m sure The Inquirer’s Sam Ruland did not want to offend Jersey Shore readers, but in comparison to the beaches on Travel + Leisure’s list of best beaches in the United States, the Shore is really pretty sad. The best beaches in America don’t come with outrageous parking meters, sky-high beach badges, and a dearth of toilets (Sea Isle has only four for the entire town). On top of which, most Jersey beaches have a sign on each beach with an abundance of restrictions. You’re lucky if you’re allowed to talk on the beach, don’t try throwing a ball or getting on a raft.

Towns like Longport put up “no parking” signs on all the streets for the summer. Many beach towns like Carmel and Santa Monica (both very wealthy California spots) welcome day visitors and make everyone feel welcome. The working-class Jersey Shore towns seem to go out of their way to make day visitors feel unwelcome. They even have insulting names for the visitors, such as “Shoobies.” I’ve been going to the Shore every summer but lately it seems as though I’m not welcomed. Who needs it?

Gerard Iannelli, Haddon Heights

Just like the abolitionists, Vietnam War protesters, anti-consumer hippies, and antiapartheid activists, our young people are on the right side of history regarding the war in Gaza. I just hope President Joe Biden doesn’t let this destroy his legacy like Vietnam destroyed Lyndon Johnson.

Mara Obelcz, Hatfield, momobelcz@gmail.com

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I echo columnist Will Bunch‘s urgent call to support students’ rights to free speech and assembly across our country’s college campuses. The response to this activism should not be handcuffing, mass arrests, and threatening to expel students. As a Jewish woman, I do not need these students to be harassed and arrested in order for me to feel “safe.” I do not wish to have my Jewishness used as a reason to suppress the civil rights of students across the country. I am in solidarity with the students, including Jewish and Palestinian, who are protesting war crimes perpetrated against Palestinian civilians by the Israeli government.

Judy Rubin, Philadelphia

On a recent Sunday, my wife and I planned to travel from Chestnut Hill to Center City to attend the 2 p.m. Philadelphia Orchestra concert. Driving and parking usually takes about 50 minutes. We opted to drive because train service from three nearby SEPTA rail stations is unreasonably infrequent. Our attempt to get to Center City was thwarted at every turn.

There was a standstill tie-up on Kelly Drive due to an event on the river. We backtracked and entered the Roosevelt extension to take I-76. Due to construction, it was bumper-to-bumper all the way to Vine Street and that was at a standstill. We opted for the South Street exit. It was congested but moving. We did not make it to the performance start. We were able to see the second half of the concert. Road closures, poorly planned and marked detours, and limited transportation availability exacerbated by poorly maintained facilities and rolling stock makes what should be a simple trip to Center City a major travel project. Is it any wonder that Center City is empty?

Kenneth Weiner, Philadelphia

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