Michael Schlossberg certainly is lucky to have no opponent in his race for the State House. I believe that his upcoming vote on City Council in support of the water and sewer lease plan would have had long term political consequences. I take the liberty on predetermining his vote, because he has never voted against Pawlowski or the party, he's strictly a company man. His
resignation from City Council before, and because, of this vote is an act of cowardice. His replacement will be the third appointment on a seven person council. I keep resolving to be less critical of our elected officials, but unfortunately, their actions preclude such self improvement on my part.
There are no political consequences to any vote by elected Democrats in Allentown. Environmentalists, union members and other core democrat constituencies of the democrats will ignore the pattern and continue to buy into the mantra that the democrats serve them best.
ReplyDeletePerhaps democrat voters might go as far as voting a few of the present crop out, but history shows otherwise. Even if they did vote some of the present crop out, the would only be replaced with other company men (and women).
Afterall this is Allentown, where a majority of voters are able to remain blissfully ignorant of the actions of those they elect. Those who might question some of those actions are quickly won over with a glossy, full-color mailer or two explaining how (despite all evidence to the contrary) things are getting better and those rascally republicans can't be trusted.
Democrat politicians believe there is no limit to the gullibility of their voters, and the voters continue to prove them right.
There is a long line of minions ready to replace Schlossberg. All are rubber stamp approved.
ReplyDeleteOne day soon, if not already, the reality of what they have done and how far they are in the s**t will become clear.
The thrill is gone and the import of hasty emotional
based decisions is going to be felt.
With their leadership, Allentown will resemble the
abandoned set of a Mad Max sequel. But then again
maybe Willy Wonka will build a chocolate factory at the abandoned brewery on Front St.
ReplyDeleteMike,
Another self serving career politician in the making. One can be sure he will blend in perfectly in Harrisburg.
The only way to reform government is to get rid of the perks the legislators have voted themselves over the years. No more taxpayer funded pensions, no more stipends, no more cars…
Scott Armstrong
Exactly, Scott. After a few years in Harrisburg we'll be paying this guy his pension and medical benefits until he's ninety! Shrewd, too. He hooks himself to the Chamber of Commerce to take on the hue of a 'business' guy. He's nothing more than a 'young professional, sustainability nut who will move the Obama agenda 'forward.' God help us!
ReplyDeleteSchlossberg is exactly the sort of dependable team player with all the proper credentials who is so badly needed in Harrisburg and in the VIP Box at the $ 179.5 million dollar Palace of Sport.
ReplyDeleteShaibu!
VIKTOR TIKHONOV
I'm more than ready to support a strong.intelligent republican for city council,but I haven't seen one since Tom Burke? ( Not a Tea Party A..hole.)
ReplyDeleteWhere are they?
Really? Bob Toth or Eric Weiss would have been an upgrade over almost anyone on Council.
DeleteAnd even if someone from the local tea party ran they would be a much needed counter to the current group think on council. Imagine having just a little fiscal responsibility at City Hall.
I am thinking of a team of two who could very slowly, carefully and systematically, dig us out over time. Both, with their deeply "rooted" fiscally responsible talents combined, could help make this happen.
ReplyDeleteI am going to contact both, but a word of caution, don't hold your breath.
"The Old Allentown Curmudgeon"
• Candidates who are ideologically pure "conservative rebublicans" are necessary if they expect to be backed by Republican leadership like Mr. Armstrong.
ReplyDelete•Pragmatic republicans willing to partner with pragmatic good government progressives-environmentalists-disaffected democratics,independents,others ....how do they get "conservative republican" support?
•Is any kind of practical political coalition possible in a town where each party is so narrowly controlled ?
In light of recent history, why should any Republican engage the process of running for council in Allentown? Last year frank Concannon(who as controller never did an audit or raised a single question about the city's finances) got more votes for council than the Republicans who actually campaigned hard. In the last several cycles the Democratic voters of Allentown have preferred party affiliation to talent and integrity. That is their choice, the results are clear and yet I have no doubt it will be repeated next year.
ReplyDeleteScott Armstrong
Anon. 2:53,
ReplyDeleteIt has been years since I was a leader of Allentown's Republican Committee. Presently I have no affiliation with the local committee.
That said, I would support anyone I thought would govern for the greater good rather than act as a rubber stamp for a clueless and vindictive administration.
Now let me turn the tables. Can anyone name a prominent local Democrat who publicly supported a Republican office seeker in Allentown? I can’t think of any. Can anyone think of a prominent local Democrat who publicly questioned any one of a plethora of bone headed proposals, bills, appointments, dismissals, bond deals, budgets….? Again, I can’t think of any. To save Allentown it will take more than a willingness on the part of Republicans to work with Democrats(Plenty of examples come to mind), it will require the Democrats to examine their apparent blind allegiance to their party.Based on past history I'm not optimistic.
Scott Armstrong
Funny thing about no job loss promise if water sale goes through.
ReplyDeleteAsk former employees of companies across the region how long they lasted once new owners took over. Sure, no one loses a job at first but if new job requirements vary from the old, not much old timers can do, is there?
When was a practical / pragmatic / coalition candidate put forward ?
ReplyDeleteThis democratic voted for Bob Lovett,Hershman,Burke.
All democrats are not as dull or simple minded as 5:53 believes. But simple minded righteous beliefs and solutions must sure be comforting!
The comment was directed at the majority of democrat voters who will blindly pull the lever for democrat candidates only.
DeleteThey won't even consider voting for a Republican, preferring to believe democrat party scare tactics. They are unwilling to accept the reality that Progressive democrats in City Hall are doing the very things that they accuse Republicans of WANTING to do.
While I applaud you for your willingness to vote for good candidates, I wish there were more like you. The only way elected democrats will get the message is if they suffer defeat at the polls. It remains to be seen what it will take for a majority of democrats to realize this and ACT on it.
30 something Allentown transplant Independent leaning Republican ------- am I to understand that for whatever reason the Allentown/Lehigh County Republican Party has nothing to offer?
ReplyDeleteEven one council seat?
GOOD NEWS FOR ALLENTOWN !!!!
ReplyDeleteCOUNCIL IS READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL.
A VOTE FOR THE WATER WORKS PRIVITAZATION IS GOING TO COST YOU BIG TIME.
SCHLOSSBERG GOT THE MESSAGE- JUMPED SHIP ON ONE OF THE SLOWEST NEWS DAYS OF THE YEAR NO LESS.
Hey Allentown City Council you all paying attention?
When was a practical / pragmatic / coalition candidate put forward ?
ReplyDeleteThis democratic voted for Bob Lovett,Hershman,Burke.
All democrats are not as dull or simple minded as 5:53 believes. But simple minded righteous beliefs and solutions must sure be comforting!
September 3, 2012 7:03 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
30 something Allentown transplant Independent leaning Republican ------- am I to understand that for whatever reason the Allentown/Lehigh County Republican Party has nothing to offer?
Even one council seat?
September 3, 2012 9:02 PM
Allentown is a strong D town and any R candidate must pay a lot of campaigning dollars. Try finding someone who can toss aside $100K.
With all due respect, Mr. Molovinsky, exactly what is a "Tea Party A..Hole"?
ReplyDeleteAnd, WHO of sound mind is actually dumb enough to waste at least $ 100,000 of hard-earned money ...
... and countless hours of precious life that could never, ever be recovered?
(Do I ever have to bring up the standard smear campaign which The Machine could be expected to generate?)
Face facts, this town was lost to the Liberal Progressives a long, long time ago --- and is NOT worth the amount of Pandering and Entitlements it would cost to get the City With No Spending Limits back.
It is far, far wiser to apply the valuable time AND financial resources to other local causes that might actually stand a chance of winning.
I say, Democrats worked hard enough to make this once-proud but now decaying town theirs --- mind as well respect that massive effort and let the noble and righteous permanent victors enjoy being Absolute Rulers in the City With No (Spending?) Limits.
REALITY CHECK, aka ROLF OELER
Environment types are happy with the mayor and city council? No kidding? What with Trash for Cash and Private Water and Sewer? Golly gee I thought they were pretty pissed off.
ReplyDeleteThanks for setting me straight.
Maybe they are angry, but they'll fall in line by election day. They'd much rather believe the lies about what Republicans supposedly WANT to do, than hold Democrats accountable for what they are ACTUALLY doing.
DeleteThis could be a big break for people opposed to the selling of the cities water rights.
ReplyDeleteYou know darn well City Council is feeling the pressure.
Maybe even Jennings will reconsider and do the right thing.
The Environmental types MIGHT gripe a little out loud here and there for publicity purposes ...
ReplyDelete... but the Environmental types WILL CONTINUE to march in-lockstep by voting a straight Democrat Party ticket no matter what.
History has ALREADY shown that to be true ...
... and Democrats in this town know full well what happens to those unfortunates who refuse to function as a genuine and loyal "team player".
Got your Palace of Sport tickets yet?
:-)
RO
City Councils running scared except for Mota. She's just completely clueless.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor? What's he care? As comments here indicate,there is no Republican Party in Allentown and he's got a death grip on the Democrates. He's got the fear of God in his party.
So I guess it's official. The Republican Party has run up the white flag in Allentown and packed up their tents.
ReplyDelete@5:49, i wouldn't worry about it, after all, allentown's doing great !!!
ReplyDeleteThe GOP has elected some school district board members. I think it will be much harder getting an R on city council however.The county board is an R majority, but the county doesn't do much outside the judicial processes.
ReplyDeleteIn 2001 the city had a choice between a highly educated and very accomplished businessman (Bob Lovett) and a party hack(Roy A) who once ran a small cab company. The voters picked the charismatic politician. That choice has/will cost the taxpayers over $125 million in pensions.
Pay attention to what you vote for or pay the penalty.
The water fight, when it is over, will have political repercussions for many decades to come because the people are starting to wake up about the real cost of a water sale or lease.
ReplyDeleteWater companies have bought and sold Harrisburg politicos and some of our local politicos, too. Now is the time for a new wave of elected officials with vertebrae to step into the seats of anyone who votes for the water privatization deal.
If you think that these water companies are more efficient or can run water operations better than the municipal operators, just do a google search on one of their names (American Water, United Water, etc.) and "lawsuit" or "class action suit." You will get quite an education in their actual past practices.