Deer kill mention is not in ‘Review’

I am again outraged that in the “Year In Review” posted in the Local (Dec. 31), there is no mention of the annual deer kill in our local Wissahickon Park. Curfew signs are up in the Wisssahickon, and the killing began in December, 2015, and ends in March, 2016. As a community we have distanced ourselves from this inhumane practice that occurs in the same park that we visit with our children and families.

From December, 2014, through March 31, 2015, 33 deer were reported killed in the Wissahickon, as well as 68 in Pennypack Park, 20 in West Park, 28 in Cobbs Creek and 16 in Tacony Creek Park for a total of 165 deer. To date from 1999 to the present, 1,001 deer have been killed in the Wissahickon Park, and 2,901 deer have been killed park-wide. The original deer count in 1996 revealed 159 deer present, and since then 1,001 deer have been killed. Killing the deer annually is not working, and compensatory reproduction causes more births of fawns.

Can we begin to work as a community that cares about all animals by contacting Councilwoman Cindy Bass either with a phone call to 215-686-3424 or by Tweeting her at @cmcbass to demand a cease-fire in the Wissahickon. Let her know that we reject the yearly killing of the deer and advocate for a bill to be presented to City Council to cease the 2015-1016 deer kill. I have spoken directly with Cindy Bass, and she stated that if she gets more calls, she will take more action to stop this senseless killing.

Can we work together as a community on this cruel, annual rite of passage and not destroy any more of our wild animals?

Mary Ann Baron

Co-Founder Philadelphia Advocates for the Deer

Chestnut Hill

Restores her faith in human nature

I was very moved by the two articles by John Coutts about his church members going to Malawi to build two orphanages for children whose parents died from AIDS. They were heartwarming stories. There is so much bad news in the media every single day about terrorism, killings on the streets of Philadelphia, racial and religious hatred, etc. It almost makes you want to stop reading the news.

But I love the fact that you highlight people in our community who are doing just the opposite, making a difference in the lives of people not only in Philadelphia but also around the world. Stories like the two by John Coutts restore my faith in human nature. Maybe there is hope, after all. There are so many good people doing good things for others, but they rarely get into the press. Thank you for printing these stories.

Harriet Doyle

Chestnut Hill

Don’t blame it on isms

I am grateful for Mr. Norton Donaldson's comments about the saturation in the liberal media of a variety of isms, in this case, racism.

We are truly blessed to live in a country where “working hard and applying yourself” provides an opportunity that is not available in any other country in the world.

I am sick and tired of the mainstream media attributing racism, sexism, ageism, etc. to rationalize individual lack of success in life by attributing it to a variety of would-be protected groups.

Stop the self pity and do something with your life.

Start taking charge of your life and stop blaming others for your lack of success or failure to succeed.

Living in America is the best chance you have.

Sharon Reiss

Mt. Airy