Letters to the Editor | May 16, 2025

The Mummers Museum on Washington Avenue is dedicated to the strange and extravagant costumes and memorabilia of the Mummers, a tradition older than Philadelphia itself. The first question people tend to have when they hear about the museum is: What is a Mummer? Imagine a roving group of masked revelers, demanding food, drink, and a singing match: these are Mummers.

Today, Mummers and the Mummers Parade are less about roving groups of revelers and more a parade event on par with Mardi Gras (which originates from a totally different historical tradition), with over 10,000 marchers and clubs — each with a different tradition of dress and performance. Unlike Mardi Gras, there are no brass instruments in the Mummers Parade, only strings and percussion. Many Mummers are working-class Philadelphians, but that doesn’t stop them from dressing in drag in extravagant sequined bodysuits or other outfits that would put Cher and Madonna to shame. Brigades spend lavishly on costumes and props. One brigade estimates that expenses for a single show can be up to $100,000.

The Mummers Museum features displays, costumes, and events from different brigades and different eras, showing the rich and vibrant history of the event. It’s the only Mummer museum in the world, a place to celebrate these extravagant costumes and the history and traditions of the Mummers themselves. It’s a rare chance to see what a plumber looks like when he is dressed up as a giant strutting sparkling seahorse.

Samuel Peters, Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s speed cameras have nothing to do with safety and are an unfair tax on motorists. If the goal is to slow traffic, the road can be redesigned to do that, for instance, by synchronizing traffic lights to a certain speed. Predatory camera enforcement is not for safety. Camera enforcement exists for the money generated for the government and camera makers. Most motorists do not speed. They travel at a safe velocity because they don’t want to have a crash. The very small number of truly dangerous drivers can easily be dealt with by law enforcement without needlessly punishing safe drivers. Taking dangerous drivers’ pictures does not get them off the road. Cameras cannot prevent accidents; cameras can only take pictures. How do I know the cameras are only for the money? There are no points against your license for the violation. Speed cameras don’t make the roads safer; they only raise revenue.

Tom McCarey, Berwyn

Most undocumented immigrants came here to escape crushing poverty and violence, hoping for a better life for their children. But soon they will come here for a different reason: Their land is becoming uninhabitable. It’s called climate migration, and it’s happening here in the U.S., too. Properties and whole neighborhoods are being abandoned because they’ve been destroyed by natural disasters so many times in recent years that insurance is unaffordable or unavailable. Insurance companies are already abandoning seashore markets, specifically citing climate change as a factor in their decision.

Other challenges America will soon face include food shortages due to the loss of agricultural land, the next pandemic (a certainty, according to health experts around the world), the immense impact of artificial intelligence on our economy and our society, and the relentless and increasingly effective efforts of our adversaries around the world to weaken us as a nation. These challenges are here now, but our elected officials are not only not equipped to handle them, some of them even deny these challenges exist. It is critical that we stop focusing on culture war issues and prepare for what we know is coming.

Jacques Gordon, Devon

Every time we stop at a traffic light, we are stopped by a dumb traffic light. Abroad, they have smart traffic lights that will turn green if no one is coming. Why do we have to wait because dumb lights can’t figure out when there is no traffic? Wouldn’t we prefer not being such dummies every day, waiting at dumb traffic lights? Tell Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, City Council, and especially our Streets Department to install smart traffic lights so we become smart, too, and can proceed when no one is coming from any direction.

Gardner A. Cadwalader, Philadelphia

The high foot traffic around the South Philly sports complex area, especially on game days, poses a significant risk of accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles. Pedestrian overpasses would provide a safe route, effectively eliminating the dangers of jaywalking and reducing the likelihood of tragic incidents. Moreover, pedestrian overpasses contribute to the efficient flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. By providing a dedicated path for walkers, overpasses can significantly reduce congestion on the roads, saving valuable time for commuters.

This improvement in traffic flow also translates to a reduction in fuel consumption and vehicular emissions, thereby contributing to the broader goals of reducing pollution and conserving energy. Furthermore, the strategic placement of these overpasses can enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of the area. Modern designs can integrate seamlessly into the urban landscape, providing not only practicality but also an element of architectural appeal.

As the area around the stadiums undergoes redevelopment, incorporating pedestrian overpasses should be a priority. This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and efficiency. It is a forward-thinking solution that will benefit the community for years to come. I urge the city planners and relevant authorities to consider this proposal seriously and take prompt action to ensure the safety and convenience of all who visit or live in this vibrant part of our city.

Lee Widman, Ventnor City, N.J.

While there are 25,000 preschool-age children in Pennsylvania on waiting lists, childcare facilities across the state are (paradoxically) closing. Misunderstanding of the problem and misdirected funding underlie this dilemma. Acquiring and retaining childcare staff is very difficult. The governor and the legislature have increased subsidies for low-income families, however, they have not addressed the need for more financing directed to the childcare facilities themselves. Consequently, the average salary for a childcare staffer hovers around $10 an hour.

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), the administrative arm of the state’s childcare subsidy program, has attempted to ease this predicament via the STARS initiative, a system of stepwise increases in separate funding to childcare operators who provide extra services. This financial boost has enabled participating childcare operators to offer better salaries without increasing already high clientele fees. Inexplicably, OCDEL decided last year to discontinue these separate payments to childcare operators, using the STARS funds instead to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for subsidized families at STARS facilities. In essence, the state is coercing childcare operators into increasing all clientele fees — subsidized and private-pay alike — for staffers to receive a dignified salary. The governor, the legislature, and OCDEL need to collectively address the issue of direct funding to childcare operators.

Ivelisse Eufracio-Childs, operator, Little All Stars Care Center

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