Letters to the Editor | June 27, 2025

In response to the retirement announcement of former Phillie Whit Merrifield, it is absolutely heartbreaking that he felt the need to apologize for having “stunk” for Philadelphia. Indeed, just the opposite. While his on-field opportunities were limited, Merrifield brought something equally valuable to the 2024 Phillies — a spark of chemistry and energy that’s hard to quantify but easy to feel. The team came out of the gate strong, and his presence was part of that momentum. After his release, the team never quite felt the same. The momentum was gone, the chemistry was gone, and as a result, their record suffered. Yes, that’s baseball. But in this case, the loss wasn’t about just stats — it was about losing a clubhouse presence who seemed to naturally connect with the team and elevate its energy. Players like that are rare. Sometimes the person who appears to do the least ends up meaning the most. For the 2024 Phillies, that presence was Whit Merrifield. His contribution was real and appreciated. He didn’t stink. He mattered.

Robin Davis Gawel, Drums, Pa.

I understand the public outcry after Center City bicycle fatalities caused by vehicular negligence. We must safeguard bicycle routes to ensure the safety of riders. However, as a pedestrian living in Center City, bicycle riders must show the same level of courtesy and safety that they demand of drivers. A few days ago, I was nearly hit by a cyclist flying through a red light at 20th and Arch Streets. I experience rudeness and close calls on a frequent basis. It’s as if there are no rules for bicycle riders.

They run red lights, disregard dismount regulations in Rittenhouse Square and pedestrian overpasses, speed down the Schuylkill River Trail despite the 5 mph signage, treat sidewalks as their right of way, and pay no attention to one-way streets. The risk of pedestrian injury is accelerating as electric bikes amp up the speed, compounded by the increasing number of bicycle delivery services. This is totally getting out of hand. There are rules of the road, but they need to be enforced with fines and eventual impounding of bicycles for repeat offenders. I have yet to see any police response to violations, even when they occur right in front of them. We need to ensure the safety of pedestrians from this bicycle chaos by enforcing existing regulations.

William F. Spang Jr., Philadelphia

Despite his protestations of being the senator for everyone, Dave McCormick has to know that Donald Trump’s policies are destructive for Pennsylvanians. The list is long: cut health and science research grants (never mind the many universities and colleges across the state are a main source employment and innovation), cut trade through tariffs, loss of food assistance that hurts both farmers and recipients, cut funds for urban forestry and renewable power in the face of the current heat wave, cut health insurance for millions, on and on it goes. Really, the senator’s loyalty to Trump blinds him to the needs of all Pennsylvanians.

Jon Berger, Philadelphia, [email protected]

The Inquirer’s front-page story on Dave McCormick assuaged some of my anxiety that Pennsylvania’s new senator is simply another compliant and complicit Republican member of Congress. It was reassuring to read of the priority he gives to constituent services and federal policies that impact Pennsylvania, and that he is willing to work in partnership with Democrats where there is common ground. This is all commendable and, in normal times, sufficient to fulfill his senatorial responsibilities in service to the public interest.

However, these are far from normal times. When more than half the country has deep concerns about the intentions, integrity, and competence of the Trump administration, we need members of Congress to be more than nice people who make no waves. Our social cohesion, economy, health, environment, leadership in the world, and democracy itself are all declining while Senate and House Republicans, McCormick included, remain deafeningly silent and therefore complicit. It is time for them to be braver on behalf of the well-being of our country, even at the risk of diminishing their personal fortunes and political futures. That would be the patriotic thing to do.

Donald Kelly, Havertown, [email protected]

In response to a recent letter to the editor, I was not surprised that Donald Trump was not invited to speak at the NAACP convention. It was the result of his past behavior as a candidate and president. During a 2024 interview at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention, ABC’s Rachel Scott prefaced a question by listing some of Trump’s past insults, including telling four congresswomen of color, who are American citizens, to go back to the country they came from and using words like animal to reference Black district attorneys. He characterized questions Black journalists posed as stupid. He dined with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago. Who can forget the comment about border crossers taking away “Black jobs”?

How many cringeworthy insults must we hear before throwing up our hands and yelling “Uncle!” I wanted to scratch an imaginary blackboard in disgust. Trump’s intentions have been, in my mind, to foment chaos, to divide, and to distract. He enjoys insulting others and witnessing the repercussions of his actions. Peace is not in his vocabulary, despite what presidential spokesperson Harrison Fields attests. Someone who orders the bombing of Iran and allows Russia to bomb an allied country like Ukraine is not a man of peace.

Estelle Samberg, Warminster

The need for strong, evidence-based nutrition and health programs is greater than ever — and Pennsylvania is no exception. Yet, key federal programs that help families put food on the table and manage their health are facing severe funding cuts. Proposals currently under consideration would slash support for a variety of programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid, Medicare, and school nutrition programs, as well as essential public health efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

These programs are proven to work — they improve diet quality, reduce food insecurity, and help prevent chronic diseases. As a registered dietitian, I see the impact of these programs every day. In Pennsylvania, 1.8 million people rely on SNAP, over 160,000 access WIC, 3.5 million are enrolled in Medicaid, and more than 900,000 students depend on free or reduced-price school meals. We also have one of the largest older adult populations in the country, who depend on Medicare and nutrition support to remain healthy and independent. Cutting these services would have devastating effects across the commonwealth. I urge our elected officials to protect these programs that keep our communities nourished and healthy.

Rebecca Boova-Turner, public policy coordinator, Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Philadelphia

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