Letters to the Editor | April 18, 2023

The Inquirer article “Last minute answers about tax returns” omitted some important information. Under the section “Do I need to file a Philadelphia tax return?” the writer only discussed wage taxes, but readers who own stocks must file a school income tax return. In addition, anyone who filed a Schedule C for federal tax purposes (having received a Form 1099-79NEC) needs to file a net profits tax return. Both are due April 18. Visit tax-services.phila.gov to download the forms.

Steven Ramm, CPA, Philadelphia

I have never met JoAnne A. Epps, Temple University’s acting president, but have closely followed her extraordinary accomplishments, demonstrated loyalty, and evidenced maturity. Notably, when now-former president Jason Wingard “removed” her — a highly regarded and trusted provost — from her position, she did not react by resigning. Instead, she remained on staff as a so-called presidential adviser, who I strongly suspect was never consulted. Presidential search committees are, of course, de rigueur. However, to survive as a university, the challenges Temple faces are a microcosm of what Philadelphia must also confront, and desperate times such as these call for flexibility and unique measures. Temple trustees should immediately disband plans for their presidential search and appoint Epps as president. Temple desperately needs her evidenced strong, knowing, sensitive leadership, both now and in the foreseeable future. As does Philadelphia.

SaraKay Smullens, Philadelphia

Should the Sheriff’s Office be abolished? Several mayoral candidates have weighed in with valid reasons to get rid of this archaic office. Notably absent from the discussion was the mention of any reasons to retain the independently elected position. That’s because there are none. We elect a mayor, members of City Council, and a district attorney because there are important public policy issues on which the candidates differ and on which the voters have varied and valid perspectives. We elect a city controller because it’s important to maintain an independent government watchdog. But the only issues in a sheriff’s election are which interest groups are going to get the officeholder’s patronage and how quickly will the new sheriff be cited for waste and corruption. The only reason to keep the office independent is to facilitate patronage, waste, and corruption. The office should be folded into the rest of city government, with its department head appointed by — and accountable to — the mayor. Just like other important city jobs.

Richie Feder, Philadelphia

The writer is a former chief of legislation in the city of Philadelphia Law Department.

. . .

I thought that after former Sheriff John Green’s conviction, we were finally turning a corner with corrupt elected officials in Philly. Unfortunately, history has a way of repeating itself. In her first term in office, scandal has surrounded Sheriff Rochelle Bilal. From Undersheriff Tariq El-Shabazz moonlighting as a defense attorney (for some of the same individuals the Sheriff’s Office was arresting) to her $6,000 holiday party for staff, to the hundreds of thousands of dollars meant to hire new deputies but instead used to raise salaries for her executive staff — and an attempt to double her own salary (which she is denying any knowledge of). Sadly, Bilal will probably end up not only getting the additional funding from City Council she claims her department needs, but will be reelected to another four-year term.

Timothy Gettings, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.