Letters: Bank should negotiate on fate of Prince TheaterTDBank has been attempting to sell the Prince Music Theater to commercial developers. Now, the bank is planning a sheriff's sale on Oct. 5. After that, the theater could be razed for condos or parking, gutted for a new drugstore, or left dark to become an eyesore.
We must prevent this. For two years now, TDBank has put us on a roller coaster of settlements reached and then undone, followed by aggressive and harmful litigation, all over the bank's failure to abide by an agreement it made in 2008 to refinance the Prince's long-term debt. Ours is a relatively small loan for a global bank. With more than $545 billion in assets, Toronto Dominion Bank can surely find a way to work with the Prince and refinance the $4.83 million debt without killing the organization paying the mortgage.
In its current home at 1412 Chestnut St., the Prince has served as the catalyst for the revival of the Chestnut Street corridor. We have worked on behalf of arts and education in Philadelphia for 26 years. Our knowledge and experience enabled us to build one of the area's finest theaters.
Commercial ownership could turn the Prince into another Boyd Theatre, unable to operate despite its historic importance.
Litigation is a tragic waste of resources. We ask TDBank as a corporate citizen of Philadelphia to come to the settlement table instead of destroying something of great value that many have worked so hard to build.
Marjorie Samoff
President, Prince Music Theater
Philadelphia
Hospital uniforms don't belong outsideLiving in University City, I brush shoulders with numerous fellow commuters wearing hospital clothing. The garb comes in multiple colors - light blue, dark blue, green, pink, white - but also baggy, short-sleeved, collarless, button-scant, plain with variable imprinted letters. I am puzzled by a logical disconnect.
Why does the hospital issue this wear? If it is to protect patients from the dust, dirt, and contagion of the street, should the clothing be seen on the street? If it is to protect the people on the street from possible contagion in the hospital wards, again, should the clothing be seen on the street? For hospital personnel to wear hospital clothing interchangeably on the street and in the hospital wards sends a contradictory message. How should we citizens and patients react?
Kurt S. Stenn
Philadelphia
Note: Both letters published Saturday, Oct. 2nd - The Philadelphia InquirerLocal News Cont:
Solicitor - Council Can Nix DROP
