Letters to the Editor | July 14, 2023

Regarding the letter to the editor by Moms for Liberty cofounder Tina Descovich, it is no surprise that this group was treated with courtesy during its recent summit in Philadelphia. That is what being in a democracy is about: allowing others to express their opinions and having the platforms to do so (no matter how odious their opinions are). What this group doesn’t seem to understand is that it has no right or authority to tell me or any other parent what our children can read. They don’t want their kids to learn about the real world, with all its beautiful diversity? Too bad for them. But don’t ban books that describe the world as it is so that other people’s children can’t find them in school libraries.

Barbara Gold, Philadelphia

Moms for Liberty’s Tina Descovich praised Philadelphia for its hospitality during the group’s recent summit. Once “misrepresentation and misinformation” are removed from public discourse, she wrote, “we can agree that all Americans essentially want the same thing.” Yet amid the flattery, Descovich claims that protesters were “paid, bused in,” betraying her true colors. Taking her cue from one summit speaker, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, she uses an unsubstantiated claim to rob the protesters of all credibility. Protesters’ own testimony suggests that, far from being paid and bused in, many traveled long distances at their own expense — some even using vacation days to join in the protest. So much for removing misrepresentation and misinformation.

John Groch, West Chester, grochjohn@hotmail.com

In the wake of every mass shooting, the automatic response from the firearms industry, the NRA, and their allies in public office is that we don’t need new laws — we just need to enforce the laws already on the books. But when they say that, they’re apparently not being honest or serious.

In May, the sheriff of Montgomery County announced that he would begin an inspection of gun dealers to ensure their compliance with existing laws, making sure, for example, that dealers have the capacity to safely store their weapons, that they are providing locks and safety brochures with every gun sold, and that they are conducting background checks. Every one of these requirements is already mandated by existing Pennsylvania law.

Nevertheless, before a single inspection could be conducted, Shot Tec LLC, a dealer operating a gun store under a license issued by the state, its owner Grant Schmidt, and the Second Amendment Foundation filed suit, asking the Commonwealth Court to enjoin the sheriff from conducting any inspections. So much for advocating for the enforcement of existing laws.

The lawsuit glosses over the fact that every one of the 92 licensed gun dealers in Montgomery County, including Schmidt, has, by applying for a license, already consented to the sheriff’s proposed inspection program. Why is Schmidt so fearful of having his business operations inspected? If he is complying with state and federal law, what is the harm? If he is not, he is putting people’s lives at risk, and he should be prosecuted. He should not be seeking the indulgence of the courts.

People who are licensed to operate restaurants are justifiably subject to health department sanitary inspections. But a lot more people have been killed by illegally possessed guns than have died from mice in the kitchen. Schmidt and his partners in the gun lobby should be ashamed of themselves for their efforts to delay and obstruct the sheriff in protecting innocent citizens.

Michael T. Scott, board member, CeaseFirePA

On July 11, 219 years ago, Alexander Hamilton was shot in a duel by Vice President Aaron Burr, who felt Hamilton had cost him the nomination for president. Hamilton had said he would “throw away” his shot, much as he had advised his son, who had challenged another young man to a duel a few years earlier. Young Hamilton listened to his father and died in the duel, and so did his father. Today, we live in a city where young men still settle their differences with guns. Will the unnecessary sadness ever end?

P. Richard Grove, Philadelphia

In 1994, a young boy named Eddie Polec was murdered in Philadelphia. Although his assailants were caught, tried, and convicted, the real investigation focused on the condition of the city’s 911 system. The dispatchers were unprofessional, the technology needed upgrading, and the supervisory oversight was poor. That murder resulted in a massive infusion of upgrades to the system, including the introduction of mobile data computers in every police car, a new 911 computer system, better supervision, and a complete overhaul of dispatcher training. New policies and procedures were initiated to monitor and evaluate dispatchers. The 911 center emerged as a professionally run organization that handled up to 15,000 calls a day during the peak summer months.

Under Mayor Jim Kenney and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, the system has been allowed to deteriorate, and now looks very much like it did at the time of the Polec incident. While then-Mayor Ed Rendell stepped up and backed all the necessary changes to 911, we will have to endure six more months of the present administration, where the concept of public safety seems to have little priority. Hopefully, the new mayor will give the 911 system the attention it needs.

Charles Brennan, retired, deputy Philadelphia police commissioner

A recent letter to the editor presented inaccurate information regarding Philadelphia Gas Works’ leak detection and methane emissions reduction efforts. PGW operates a robust leak detection program, in full compliance with all U.S. Department of Transportation codes and regulations, using the latest, high-tech tools — including optical methane detection (OMD) — to enhance safety and reduce emissions. OMD is a device mounted on PGW vehicles that features laser technology to detect potential methane leaks beneath neighborhood streets.

PGW technicians canvass the entire city every year, surveying up to 250 city blocks per day in each OMD-equipped PGW utility van. If a suspected leak is found, technicians walk the area with precision handheld detectors to investigate further and take appropriate action. OMD is best suited to monitor PGW’s thousands of miles of pipeline, rather than less mobile alternatives. Unlike optical gas imaging, which is primarily used to detect leaks on aboveground pipelines, OMD allows leaks to be detected both above and below ground.

Building upon our strong commitment to the safety of city residents, businesses, and properties, PGW continuously explores and incorporates new and advanced technologies that will help to secure our pipelines, reduce methane emissions, and maintain service reliability. Over the last 20 years, PGW has decreased emissions by over 50% through infrastructure improvements, leak mitigation efforts, and improved technology. More information on OMD technology is available on PGW’s YouTube channel, and additional PGW safety information can be found at pgworks.com/safety-reliability.

Richard Barnes, public information manager, Philadelphia Gas Works

The fiasco resulting from Greyhound’s decision to leave the Filbert Street bus terminal and switch to curbside service on Market Street beggars belief. The current setup is completely unacceptable for Greyhound’s travelers, SEPTA’s operators and commuters, and the businesses along that stretch of East Market Street. The lack of communication between the Streets Department and City Council only serves to highlight the fecklessness of our city’s government. It is imperative that Greyhound, the Streets Department, and City Council work to arrive at a solution. There is no reason that any long-distance traveler should be forced to brave the elements while enduring a long layover without so much as a bench to sit on, let alone a restroom or a vending machine.

Glenn Watson, Philadelphia

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