Apr 28, 2009

Mikey Will Say It!


I received an anonymous letter concerning Lehigh Parkway. The writer's assumed that since I grew up by the park I have a special affinity for it, I do. They write, "Perhaps you consider looking into these issues and reporting on your blog." Their concerns are so unabrasive, by my standards, I will pass them along without making any verification. The Allentown Park System contains a number of houses, there are at least two in the Parkway and two in Trexler Park. The houses have been traditionally rented to people affiliated in one way or another with the City. The "writers" are concerned about the condition of the garage which adjoins the white stucco house near the hunters cabin off of 24th Street.* Their second concern, is the location of a new restroom facility. Apparently one is proposed to be built up the slope, above the parking lot often called Robin Hood.* This is over the first bridge on the right as one enters the park from 15th Street. The "writers" are concerned that users must walk the incline to use the facility. More problematic, it adjoins a wooded area and poses a "physical and safety risks to park goers." Many years ago there was a bathroom in this exact location. It was discarded because it seemed to foster predatory behavior. The "writers" suggest that the new facility be placed on level ground near the parking lot by the new pedestrian bridge and white barn.* Their final concern, and which might well be the reason for the letter, is that the new park "czar" seems closed to suggestions about the best location for the new bathroom . In the letter, they correctly claim that the decision about the bathroom structure will affect the park's future for decades. Perhaps the new director should take advantage of input from these knowledgeable friend's of the park.

* location, as I interpreted from letter

56 comments:

  1. I have to say that I'm more concerned with:
    - the frisbies flying over my head, - the beer and Red Bull cans and water bottles that the frisbie golfers leave behind on the grass,
    - the tangled fishing lines with hooks in them that the "fish from your car" fishermen leave,
    - pit bulls on weak leashes (or no leashes).
    - and I'm not sure that car access is better for public restrooms--studies of the Applachain Trail shows that the more car access the more behavior problems exist.

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  2. Mike -

    I think the bathroom that you are referring to was already replaced and has been there (at pretty much the same location as the old one) for a year or two.

    The houses are another issue. I'm not certain, but the garage which adjoins "white stucco house" they are referring might be what I know as "Young's Barn". I might not be correct about this, but I think it still might be used by a descendent of the Young family who donated the land (and nearby barn) in that area to the city back in the 30's.

    In any event, I think all the Parkway Homes (there's one at the Fish Hatchery as well) are an important part of our heritage and should be preserved. The rental program has seemed to accomplish this with minimal cost to the city, while still allowing the city to retain ownership (and control) of the properties.

    I seem to remember a MC article shortly after Pawlowski was elected stating that he wanted to look at selling the homes for cash. I would hate to think that any are being allowed to deteriorate from neglect in order to garner sentiment for the city to just be rid of them.

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  3. anon 10:24, the letter states "and for decades has been rented to multiple generations of one family. While this family takes exceptional care of the main house, for some unexplained reason, the family is allowing the small adjacent garage to fall into ruin."

    I've seen the plans for Cedar Beach Park. Generally they're are fixing things which are not broken, and creating things which are not in the historic spirit of our unparalleled park system. i have already posted about these mistakes; such as remodeling the rose garden and building a "sesame-place playground". We do not need outside consultants making recommendations for our park system. I would like to see stone pointing maintenance given the WPA structures at all the parks.

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  4. MM -

    I agree with your comments about the WPA structures - they are a treasure and should receive on-going maintenance.

    Regarding the "Sesame Place playground", I cannot believe the stupidity of building such a playground at a location where few sane parents would allow their children to walk to (because of having to cross heavily-traveled roads to get there).

    I'd prefer to see the money spent on putting more playground equipment within safe reach of multiple neighborhoods throughout the city, instead of a single location that will increase car traffic at an already-busy site.

    Also, for a Mayor who constantly complains about non-residents using the city's park system free-of-charge, it seems odd that he is creating a destination that invites that.

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  5. anon 6:09, i feel and have expressed the exact same observations about the playground. allentown is developing a history of abusing that which is arguably the best park system in the country. we torn down the wonderful trexler greenhouse to save money, then turned around and spent it planting a marsh along the creek. even planting thousands of trees in the park's has a downside. years ago the large grass area's were efficiency cut with gang-mowers. dredging the lake resulted in death of the ducks and the establishment of the geese. the outside consultant plan's for cedarpark and the rose gardens are horrendous. i complained to no avail to malcolm gross, for who's grandfather the rose gardens are named. he is a supporter of pawlowski's, as is the majority of the old allentown establishment.

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  6. Mike,
    There already is a restroom by the Robin Hood area, built by the city a few years back. I think perhaps your writer might mean a new restroom said to be located, according to the paper, somewhere up a hill and near the city owned older wood white barn and its fellow aluminum barn, both used by city park workers and near the road runner’s club house. For many years there was a rest room across the Iron Bridge, but that was demolished by city a year ago.

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  7. Shouldn't city residents have a say in anything that is about to alter its parks for years to come? Have public meetings about all decisions. Have public vote. The writer's comments about Trexler Park are very upsetting. I had no idea such things had taken place. Newcomers would not know these details. Anytime Allentown hires an official whose time here is based upon the whims of a mayor and the next job with great salary a step away,
    shouldn't the public have a right to be involved in decision-making plans?

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  8. Sadly this old timer remembers when city rebuilt a little playground near Tilghman and Sixth? I think. It was damaged within days of its new opening. Unless officials are able to protect center city playgrounds, they are ripe for the taking.

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  9. There is a city-owned home (once a farmhouse) on Dixon Street that is in such deplorable shape, it could be a candidate for mayor's
    Hall of Shame. Front door screen just swings in the breeze. Windows boarded-up. Awful.

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  10. RE: Disc Golf. What folks don't realize unless they are walking near these players is that anytime a frisbee goes into a tree, the branches are broken and the ground is trampled to retrieve it.

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  11. That house I think is the stucco house on Park Drive just below
    Lehigh Parkway North. It is a gorgeous home with a yard that even has an old fashioned swimming pool. I have seen the garage and its slate roof is
    now caving-in.

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  12. Attended one of those park meetings a year ago at the library. Residents were pretty angry about some stuff including non-handicap playground to be built at Cedar Beach. Not sure what's happened since. Haven't heard much about anything. Now here reading about Cedar Beach and its ducks. Folks need to get involved. It's hard after working all day and caring for families, but this city's parks is one of its treasures.

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  13. Re: Stone masoning: MM. I think the city has applied for stimulus funds to help repairs these walls. Agree with you. They need to be preserved.

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  14. MM,
    At that library meeting, got the distinct impression those consultants were dkdk bent on doing what they wanted. Sure could be wrong.

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  15. anon 8:41, i agree, it has been my observation that too often public meetings are to cross the t's and dot the i's, where those with sincere input need not apply

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  16. When I spoke with the mayor last weekend he brought up the renovations to the rose garden/cedar beach area. The playground is going to be handicap accessible with some form of interactive playground equipment for disabled children. He also mentioned that the bridge at Muhlenberg Lake (Connecting the mainland to the island) is going to most likely have to be replaced with an actual wooden structure.

    I see a lot of complaints about this but I don't think its a bad thing. I can understand the dislike of the playground but the other renovations seem helpful. Muhlenberg Lake has needed a lot of help and it seems to be getting attention.

    In regards to the Parkway, I'd love to see the plans. Does anyone know if they are online? If they are, could someone provide a link? I spend a lot of time in the parks around the city. Just yesterday I was at the fish hatchery. In my opinion, Allentown has the greatest park system of any city I've ever been to. I'd love to see what improvements are being made.

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  17. Bryan -

    The city is spending millions of park dollars on frills that could and should be spent elsewhere. We have pools that are in great need of repair, inner-city playgrounds that are in disrepair, sites that should be acquired and added to the park system to name a few.

    Yet the money will be spent on one park, in one section of the city, that already is one of the best the city has to offer.

    It might look great on a campaign brochure, but it certainly isn't in the best interests of a majority of city residents.

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  18. I hate that the city wants to rent out the rose garden for weddings! It's our park and we should be able to use it whenever we'd like. Saturdays in spring (big wedding days) are the best time for most people to go. Basically it seems the city is saying if you aren't paying (besides taxes) then you can't have it.
    I intend to crash some weddings when this project is done.

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  19. anon 3:31

    I completely agree with your stance regarding other area parks. I've only heard of the plans for the rose garden and Muhlenberg lake. I was wondering if anyone has a link to the plans for revamping local parks. Is money allocated for these rundown pools? Will others be renovated? I'm wondering if anyone has a link to the park renovation plans. I just got back from the parkway and would love to see the rundown areas in our parks receive the restoration they deserve.

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  20. for the sake of both those of you who are new to allentown, and younger readers, i would like to elaborate somewhat on my objections to the new park plans. if allentown only restored, where practical, what it used to have, we would have more than enough features for our parks.
    1. the land bridge to the island in muhlenberg lake was a mistake 25 years ago; it created the stagnation which must now be corrected. there never was a bridge to it, and there need not be one.
    2. there was a wooden bridge to the small island in the parkway, that should be restored.
    3. the WPA monumental stone steps in fountain park, both sets from martin luther and union st., should be restored while still possible, although time is running out on that save.
    4. the parkway step structure needs work.
    5. comments suggest the swimming pools need work, and i know we must pay more to attract more life guards, HERE'S AN IDEA FOR YOUTH GROUPS; TRAIN LIFEGUARDS
    6. hire supervisors for all small city pocketparks and playgrounds, so kids can attend in a constructive and safe environment.
    7. ALLENTOWN HAS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PARK SYSTEM, WHY MAKE UNNECESSARY BOGUS IMPROVEMENTS WHICH WILL CAUSE FUTURE MAINTENANCE COSTS? ONE MAYOR STAGNATED THE LAKE FOR PADDLE BOATS, ANOTHER TORE DOWN THE GREENHOUSE (TROPICAL WITH BANANA TREE'S) TO SAVE MONEY. JUST MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE, NO BROCHURES NECESSARY. HANDS OFF THE PARKS-!!

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  21. "Anonymous said...
    I hate that the city wants to rent out the rose garden for weddings! It's our park and we should be able to use it whenever we'd like. Saturdays in spring (big wedding days) are the best time for most people to go. Basically it seems the city is saying if you aren't paying (besides taxes) then you can't have it.
    I intend to crash some weddings when this project is done.

    April 29, 2009 3:46 PM"

    Did not know about this. Whose bright idea was it to rent out the Rose Garden! Imagine renting out a park that has been a place for joyful family gatherings and wedding photography for free for decades! Now, folks will have to rent it out. I can see fights over this and very poor publicity. No way for our great city to handle public imagine. No way at all!

    As for Bryan's comments: He's got great idea to have city place all
    park plans on its home page with comment option following each plan. And all plans to forbid any single govt. official from making decisions without public input and public forums and public vote.

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  22. MM wrote:

    5. comments suggest the swimming pools need work, and i know we must pay more to attract more life guards, HERE'S AN IDEA FOR YOUTH GROUPS; TRAIN LIFEGUARDS
    6. hire supervisors for all small city pocketparks and playgrounds, so kids can attend in a constructive and safe environment.
    *******************************
    These are excellent suggestions and opinion coming from long-time city resident. Most especially since our newly elected young President has asked all of us to step up and help out. What an ideal time for Allentown's teens to train for summer duty as park helpers.
    With Washington strong on public community service, suspect a grant could be immediately allocated to help with training fees, professionals, T-shirts and shorts and proper shoes for all.
    The pools are a disaster. Our inner city youth has no where to swim but the dangerous Lehigh River and the small Lehigh Parkway creek without those pools.
    We do need to get those pools brought up-to-date and that too could be handled right now via Washington grants and hired workers who are out-of-jobs through corporate and industrial closings. It could happen. We need city hall insight and imagination and creative willingness to say we haven't done it all well by ourselves, so now let's get some help and help our inner-city youth this summer, not five summers from now!

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  23. Thank you Mr. Molovinsky for bringing this issue to light.

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  24. Regarding Rose Garden & Weddings.
    The city at no cost to brides and grooms could operate its park link with a chart similar to a racquetball court scheduling chart
    that brides and grooms could request from park dept a 15-min photo slot. If granted, their names would appear online at that particular date and time on a Rose Garden wedding photo schedule sheet for the entire world to see. This way there would be no dispute as to who
    had permission to be there.

    FYI to Brian:
    Pamela Varkony has a link to some park plans on her web site.

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  25. Yes the restrooms at our parks. First by the Cedar Beach Pond, that one became a heaven for Homosexual Acts and Activity.

    It was taken down just as a number of clients were nightly.

    I was riding home one afternoon with some friends on our bikes. We spotted two men having sex in the area for pulling over by the Rose Garden, in the back of a car parked there in broad day light.

    It was NO secret that men were coming out of the Regency Towers and engaging in sex by the lower Lehigh Parkway including in the parking lot by the White Stone Bridge.

    Now we have other issues as well. The VP of the City Council was beaten up at the last Weed and Seed Program at Bucky Boyle Park.

    The people who come up with these ideas of having a walking park have NO idea what goes on in our city and on its streets. They believe like the contractor Allentown is perfect between the hours of 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. over lunch. Then get back inside quickly.

    We can no longer walk to the store without being robbed or assualted. Hit and Runs and Road Rage will possibly be our experience before we reach any of the parking spaces at any park.

    Dreamers that is all our city has anymore dreamers.

    Allentown the ALL AMERICAN CITY was something from the past, it is to be no more.

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  26. MM -

    Regarding the Rose Garden, I believe that the original plan to rent it out was scuttled because enough people rightfully objected to the idea.

    I think the current plan is to create an area across the creek from the Rose Garden so that the city can rent that area out for photos and receptions.

    I think it's still a bad idea for the city to be getting into the wedding business. There will certainly still be traffic and parking issues, and I don't know it that means that the actual Rose Garden would then be closed to wedding parties (which I wouldn't want to see).

    Admittedly we need more info, but overall I'd prefer it if City Hall would focus on the core functions of government - such as public safety.

    As to posting the park plans, it is a good idea. However, too many will be awed by any architect's drawing and will not look at the bigger picture.

    An architect's drawing doesn't show what is not being funded somewhere else because of the use of resources required to fund what is in the drawing. Nor will that drawing show the many needs in the city that are being ignored.

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  27. i did attend a hearing at city council on the overall park proposal, and did a posting on this blog. additionally i approached malcolm gross with my objections to the rose garden phrase. i believe that beyond maintaining the existing assets, nothing should be changed in either design or function. not only are they fixing something which is not broken, they're are altering the treasure of allentown; arrogant and ignorant. those who are doing it weren't here five years ago, and will not be here after five more. we only need caretakers, not designers.

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  28. Regarding the area across the little stream from the Rose Garden and below Cedar Crest College.
    For decades this park area has been a very popular spot for summer children's soccer games, family picnics, and youth activities.
    It's one thing to rent the nearby park pavilions for picnics and birthday parties at very small clean-up fees, that makes sense, but no way should the city start to charge and reserve huge park greens for formal gatherings such as weddings. How will city officials handle alcohol commonly served at weddings? Who will enforce the city's non-alcohol park rule or will it be waived for such events? Also, weddings tend to require "stuff," and lots of it. This stuff will need trucks or multiple cars to drive onto the park's greens to unload and pack up items such as tables, tents, serving equipment, food,
    decorations, audio equipment, etc., These vehicles cannot help but damage the park's greens as they loan and unload, not to mention the possible dangerous interaction between vehicles and children. Has any city official really thought this plan through?

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  29. Someone wrote:
    "An architect's drawing doesn't show what is not being funded somewhere else because of the use of resources required to fund what is in the drawing. Nor will that drawing show the many needs in the city that are being ignored. April 30, 2009 6:12 AM"

    Please keep us informed. Keep telling us what city needs are being ignored, so we can be informed and proactive.

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  30. Video Cameras and Public Safety.
    In reading recent Morning Call reports on various city park plans, the paper reported city officials claim park security will be enforced via live video cameras.
    Yesterday the Call said city officials are seeking volunteers to man the currently installed video cameras that are spotlighting center city crime areas. If the city does not have enough trained personnel to man these important areas, how ever will find personnel to protect future park upgrades and provide public safety?

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  31. MM,
    For your 6:28 comment - the planting of vegetated buffer along the creek in Trexler was crucial, and should be done along the whole of the creek system in Allentown parks. Buffers 100
    http://www.pacleanwatercampaign.org/buffer.html
    is one example of a well planned initiative to protect PA's streams. Fairmont park in Philly has an exemplary no-mow policy and restoration plan to protect the natural resources of the park.
    Our park system is spectacular, but we should not have short-mowed grass right to the stream edge. People seem to like the grass, but they don't understand it is terrible for aquatic life, terrible for flooding, terrible for stormwater drainage, terrible for our native song birds. Lake Muhlenburg should be allowed to return to its natural marshy state - the geese LOVE the grass around it. Plant a buffer, the geese will disappear. Parks and Rec knows all of this, but it is clear that the public loooooooves the grass, too.

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  32. anon 8:07. by my definitions, we have an mayor from out of town, who has hired directors from out of town, who wish only to create a bureaucrats' resume. it's very disheartening that pawlowski's kitchen cabinet, who have both the influence and history, haven't spoken out on this park issue.
    anon 8:57, i raised the wetland creek issue at trexler because what we saved by tearing down the greenhouse, we spent on those plantings. the park director at the time was also in the nursery business, which i considered a blatant conflict of interest. i do not dispute your creek side recommendations, but do note that the creeks have survived for many years abutted by grass. I would guess the willow trees helped stabilize the banks.

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  33. Maybe someone can tell us why city decided to launch its park upgrades with a total revamping of Cedar Beach? It looks pretty good. The small pocket parks downtown, that serve multitudes of inner city children in need of some safe place to play, seem a more important target to tackle.

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  34. Century-old Allentown postcards highlight the willows and the wildness of the stream banks along the Little Lehigh. These postcards are stunning in their juxtaposition of what was and what is. Mr. Molovinksy, you probably have seen these and know what we're saying. As far as a park director who operated a nursery on the side, wow. Sure
    sounds like a conflict to me. What no Morning Call reporter ever investigated or challenged
    this partnership?

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  35. MM said: "...we have an mayor from out of town, who has hired directors from out of town, who wish only to create a bureaucrats' resume."

    So true.

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  36. Mr. Molovinsky,
    Since you are discussing the city's park system, maybe you might initiate a conversation with regard to city officials selling off park lands to private developers. Haven't seen this brought up yet. Questions might include: should this at all be allowed, and if so, should residents have say in such sales?

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  37. `MM
    There is a huge difference between a creek 'surviving' and a creek thriving. If we say the park is beautiful in one breath, then turn around and say we don't want playgrounds in said park, the idea is we want a natural place. There is nothing natural about the stream running through the park. It has been trained and canalized in places. If you look carefully you will see artificial bank support in the form of concrete. Sparsely planted willow roots will not stabilize creek banks!

    I would love to see the 'us vs. them' mentality disappear as a criticism. We live in a global reality. I am not from the Lehigh Valley but this is my home, and I care very much about my community. The argument of 'oh s/he's not from around here so s/he doesn't know a thing' is banal.

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  38. anon 11:18, i'm not aware of any such land being sold or proposed to be sold. years ago the city did sell a small parcel on martin luther king, just west of 15th st. to a cpa, which is across the street from park land. i do not believe it was park land. over the years many small intersection islands have been sold by the city, especially in the hamilton park section. currently there is a controversy over the quarry parcel near st. elmo st. and union terrace school. the city has the land zoned park, but it never was a park. 100 years ago it was a quarry, then after it filled with water, it became a cement mill. although i have empathy for the neighbors, and the developer can be very annoying, i do have a philosophical issue with the city declaring private property a park. i would think the city should have purchased that parcel if it wanted it to be park.

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  39. anon 2:08, as a child i spent countless hours playing along the banks of the creek, and thousands of fishermen have enjoyed themselves along those banks. while i understand this is not a "natural environment", it does foster interaction with the creek and park. just as i accept letting that section in trexler park go marsh, perhaps you can understand the parks were designed to be enjoyed, they are not natural wilderness. on the other hand, i am opposed to destination playgrounds, wedding pavilions and other completely artificial intrusions. i would also not be opposed to other sections of the creek reverting back to natural. as to the "us" vs. "them" comment, NO MAYOR SHOULD BE REDESIGNING THE PARKS WITHOUT YEARS OF PUBLIC INPUT. NOTHING NEW SHOULD BE EVER CONSIDERED WITHOUT FIRST PROPERLY MAINTAINING ALL EXISTING FEATURES. I'm sure many new comers, such as yourself, enrich our community. I welcome their participation in the dialogue. educate us, convince us, but don't redesign the parks after a couple under-publicized public meetings meetings. I can assure everybody that pawlowski never said one word about making major changes, or any changes, to the parks when he was a candidate in 05.

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  40. Mr. Molovinsky,
    Maybe you will know if this rumor is true or not. Residents say the mayor sold a portion of Trout Creek Park land to a developer that needed x number of feet to be approved for some kind of a driveway. This development is off Mack Blvd and near that Trout Creek Park bridge underpass. Maybe you can shed light on this. You see, the same developer has installed large wood sign advertising his properties for sale and that sign seems to be on park land. We don't know for certain if the sign is on park land or not and if the mayor somehow gave or sold this man park land. We would appreciate your opinion.

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  41. MM: Perhaps there is a lot of grant money to be allocated to the city should it undertake park redevelopment projects that can also be utilized to cover regular underbudgeted expenses. Just a thought.

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  42. MM said:
    NO MAYOR SHOULD BE REDESIGNING THE PARKS WITHOUT YEARS OF PUBLIC INPUT. NOTHING NEW SHOULD BE EVER CONSIDERED WITHOUT FIRST PROPERLY MAINTAINING ALL EXISTING FEATURES.

    we agree.

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  43. http://www.allentownpa.gov/Portals/0/files/Parks_Recreation/capital-projects.pdf

    http://www.allentownpa.gov/Portals/0/files/Parks_Recreation/cedar-Creek-master-plan.pdf

    I urge anyone who has concerns about the parks to take your concerns to City Council, but at least take the time to read the documents available on the city's website - including the two linked above - and to make phone calls to confirm details rather than jumping to assumptions based on rumors.

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  44. lolv, as one who has spoken often before city council, and specifically on these park plans, it seems letters to the editor and blogs are about the only recourse the public has. The previous council was found of telling citizens it would look into things and get back to them, hopefully no one held their breath waiting. in all due respect, the current council provides no more satisfaction than it's predecessors. the bureaucrats are found of asking why protesters didn't speak up at obscure meetings. there are very few assumptions and rumors in this comment thread. you assume the planners and directors know what their doing. go to the union st. wpa wall, find the tunnel entrance and try to walk up the steps to spring garden st.. why was lehigh parkway bisected by not replacing the metal bridge? why was the other side of lower ceder crest college area bisected by not replacing that bridge? Why were pool closed because they failed to hire life guards and provide adequate supervision. THE PARKS HAVE BEEN ABUSED, AND NOW THEY WANT TO TURN THEM INTO SESAME PLACE PLAYGROUND AND RENTAL WEDDING GARDEN

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  45. Taking concerns to city council better be written in shorthand as citizens now get 5 minutes, that's it, to express views.

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  46. Rumors. What rumors. They're not rumors when it comes to wedding bookings, toilet installations, destruction to eco-systems and more.

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  47. Fore! Aren't city residents awaiting park executive explanations as to why a certain business food establishment was not charge "late fees" for a certain golf course "pub" that did not deliver a hole-in-one on time?

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  48. "to make phone calls to confirm details rather than jumping to assumptions based on rumors.

    April 30, 2009 8:04 PM"

    Telephone calls to whom?

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  49. Last year the local paper sadly had to report repeated closings of the city's pools during the hottest months of the year!
    Rumors or fact. City officials, speak up.

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  50. Why did a mayor-two-mayors ago sell park land to a certain college that forever destroyed the aesthetic of adjoining park lands? Rumor or fact? City officials, speak up!

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  51. Yea that was a bonehead move by Heydt. The college really trashed that hill with their stupid detention pond and fence.

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  52. Call the parks office! There certainly are rumors flying around about what projects are being done, where they are being built, when they are happening.... etc. Plans are available in the Parks Office. One of my colleagues walked into the office the other day and asked to see about the plans for the Rose Garden, she was shown exactly what was being worked on. (cleaning out and restoring the reflecting ponds, and putting in new trelisses for the roses, paving paths and making the garden ADA accessible).

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  53. I'm pretty sure that "sale" was actually a trade because the city owned property on the hill and the college owned property adjacent to Lake Muhlenberg.

    Also isn't the "detention pond" a stormwater runoff & erosion reduction tool? I can't tell if people are being sarcastic, but I'll take an aesthetically uninteresting but environmentally positive structure any day over massive muddy floods on Parkway Blvd.

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  54. MM:

    Good post. I have some fond memories of days gone past in the park system in Allentown.

    Things have changed. Most significant to me seems to be the steady stream of non-native elected officials and their minions who use Allentown to build a future, theirs not ours.

    They get what they can and move on. Thanks for the memories. But we do elect them, don't we?

    Rather disheartening when I see these individuals at public meetings playing video games on their iphones instead of focusing on the issues.

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  55. i have taken a comment received today, concerning donald marushak, and relocated it to Stairway to Shame. i did this to give the comment more exposure.

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  56. TO: Anon 8:16 (bottom of chain)

    I won't take that trade off, that you so happily would 'gobble up'. There is no accounting for bad taste amongst the 'hoi polloi'.

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