Letters to the Editor | Sept. 10, 2023

Mayors pick police commissioners for one of two reasons. The first is political. There is little doubt that (likely mayor) Cherelle Parker is being bombarded by politicians who want their person to have the job. Mayor Ed Rendell’s pick was a good example. He whittled his choices down to two people. One was a Fulbright scholar with a master’s degree in criminal justice who also taught part time at a local university. This person employed innovative thinking about crime solutions his entire career. The second candidate had a high school degree and had, at best, a mediocre career. His elevation to the top spot eventually embarrassed Rendell, who was forced to hire an outsider.

The second reason is a pick for competence. This way almost never happens and only occurs when the mayor is in a panic after the political pick proves to be a disaster. It’s why Rendell went outside and hired John Timoney. I strongly urge the next mayor to put any potential candidate to a comprehensive interview process with a panel of people who intimately understand the department. Although the public may not know if the eventual pick will be one for politics or competence, I assure you, those in the department will know almost immediately.

Charles Brennan, retired, deputy police commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department

According to an article in The Edvocate, the number one reason for failing schools in America is “parents are not involved enough.” As tragic as failing education is today, more troubling is the evolving curriculum that changes as the culture demands it. Agenda-driven ideology is inserted into the established course curriculum. School boards have caved to the cries of diversity, equity, and inclusion while discriminating against Christians and those who hold a different view. How do we begin to address these issues? If parents teach their children the tenets of the Bible, setting the foundation of learning from God’s moral standards, it will help them as they are instructed in their formal education. Education begins at home. God has given that responsibility to every parent and not to the state — especially in matters concerning how he commands us to live.

Loring Schultz, Reading, LS126@verizon.net

While it is all well and good to modernize and improve, how about the Philadelphia International Airport taking care of the basics first. I regularly fly to small and large destinations, and know of no airport where the bathrooms are so badly managed: urinals covered in torn plastic, trash bins overflowing, sinks untended and stalls “out of order.” The jet bridges seem like they go months without being vacuumed and the floor and general condition of the international baggage arrivals are deplorable — not to mention slower than molasses. Security checkpoints are dirty, disorganized, and often confusing. The passenger pickup areas are filthy, smoky, untended, and even unsafe at night. By all means, the airport should modernize, but ordering food by snazzy computers (Terminal B) and other modern glitz should take a backseat to functioning toilets and basic cleanliness.

Geoffrey Selling, Philadelphia

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