All tagged 2020/09

Think small and intergenerational

Carol Menke
To The Editor

Swarthmore’s existing housing stock and zoning, as well as the lack of accessibility and affordability, will continue to present challenges. But I am convinced that, given the enormous talent of my fellow Swarthmoreans, and the great desire of our residents to create needed intergenerational and small-housing options, we will continue to liberalize the zoning regulations and streamline the approval process so that we can more easily downsize in place.

Girls to grownups: Vote!

Girls to grownups: Vote!

Isys Nelms
To The Editor

As a team leader for Girl Up, I am looking for any possible way to inform people about the importance of voting, especially for those between the ages of 18 and 24. I’m also focused on getting people registered. As an organization, we aim to make voting simple, stress free, and available to all!

Headed in the right direction

Headed in the right direction

Jim Riviello
To The Editor

I would like to clarify a few issues raised in last week’s letter by Parisa Zangeneh in response to my letter in the July 31 edition of the Swarthmorean. For me, federalism is defined as a relationship between a central government sharing responsibility with smaller governments, such as our states and local governments. I believe the constitution clearly defines the role for our federal government. Over time, we have allowed our federal government to exceed the role which was intended by the constitution and our founders.

WSSD is getting it right

WSSD is getting it right

Robert C. Morbeck
To The Editor

Speaking as a parent of three Strath Haven High School graduates who spent their entire K-12 academic careers in our district, I would like to say our family is one hundred percent behind Superintendent Lisa Palmer and the Board of School Directors in their efforts to keep our district safe.

Founding, federalism, and socialism: a divergent view

Parisa Zangeneh
To The Editor

I read Mr. Riviello’s letter to the editor (July 31 edition) and would like to make a few points. First, I agree with Mr. Riviello that we need to make equality of opportunity available to all people — regardless of their background, social class, skin color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, etc. However, I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Riviello on some issues.

School board shows leadership

Wendy Voet
To The Editor

As a Swarthmore resident for 15 years, the mother of two children in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, a former school board member, and a public health professional, I am writing to applaud the enormous courage of our school board members who voted to do the right thing and keep education virtual till October 2 (or longer) in an effort to protect the health and well-being of our children, teachers, and larger community.

Publishers’ magical thinking

Julie Clapp
To The Editor

The publishers of the Swarthmorean promote magical thinking in their recent commentary regarding the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District reopening plan. As a high school teacher with over 20 years of experience and a master of public health degree, I am working through my second major pandemic. I previously worked in healthcare with drug-using pregnant women during the AIDS epidemic.

Questions for WSSD

David and Jennifer Bloom
To The Editor

The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District comprises extraordinary and resourceful people – teachers and residents alike. We encourage our community to have open dialogue that allows for genuine communication between parents, teachers, and the administration. Working together, we should be able to find a way to reopen our schools in a way that’s safe for both students and teachers.

Whose woods are these?

Whose woods are these?

Florence Ann Roberts
To The Editor

Although we were in full support of Swarthmore College’s decision to close its campus to visitors, my husband and I were also saddened, especially since a piece of the Crum Woods lies just behind our home. Imagine my surprise to learn recently that this beloved patch of earth is no longer a part of the Crum Woods! A check of the Delaware County website shows that the property was sold by the college in March of this year.