Siobhan (Sam) Bennett and Charles F. Thiel have a lot in common, although they will probably oppose each other for mayor of Allentown in 2017. Both believe that public safety and public education are the keys to Allentown's future. Although Allentown may be making significant gains in the bricks and mortar of development, the neighborhoods and school district languish. Both future candidates believe that unless these quality of life issues are addressed, the commercial development alone isn't enough to revitalize Allentown. Bennett is returning to town after being President/CEO of the
Woman's Campaign Fund and
She Should Run for five years. Both are national organizations housed in Washington, D.C. She was cofounder of the William Allen Construction Company and served on the School District Foundation. Charles F. Thiel was recently appointed to the school board and also serves on the District Foundation.
He is general manager of a local communication and technology company. Both Sam and Charlie will be disappointed with this write-up. I conducted the interviews over the phone, and unbeknown to them, I wasn't writing down their articulate views. They will have over three years to present those polished points to more conventional reporters. Although both are currently Democrats, I believe that they will oppose each other in the general election. While Bennett is married to the Democratic Party, Thiel is flexible enough to run as an independent. Either Sam or Charlie could well serve Allentown.
UPDATE: Bennett is literally married to the Democratic Party, her husband heads the Allentown Committee. Both Bennett and Thiel feel that Pawlowski will not be running for a 4th term, nor would they hesitate to challenge him, if he does. Likewise, neither expressed any concern about Julio Guridy, who also might be a candidate.
UPDATING THE UPDATE: Bennett feels that Allen High's alumni, 60,000 strong, is a tremendous untapped resource to revitalize the school district, which would help the city with one of it's major negative perceptions.
And both have stood silently on the sidelines while Pawlowski has ruined this city.
ReplyDeleteThat includes the politically-connected trash to energy farce, the generation-robbing sale of the water/sewer systems, and EIT/OPT tax hikes on Allentown workers. And that's just the easy ones.
They both have also used government to enrich themselves - Theil through his company's camera deal with Pawlowski, and Bennett through the Properties of Merit farce.
Far from serving the city well, they will likely be more of the same. It might as well be Julio over either of these two.
Sam Bennett left this town in tatters after it was revealed that she took one third of the budget of Properties of Merit for HERSELF. She paid herself far more than any other regional leader of a non profit.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter what she says - the truth is, she is in this for herself.
I will vote for the person who promises to plow my street. Its 11:50 sunday morning and still no plow has passed.
ReplyDeleteJust another proud Democrat stuffing their pockets with the People's cash as a result of the smoke screen known as the "Properties of Merit" program.
ReplyDeleteBut I have no business complaining because Sam Bennett's track record proves she cares, right?
Yawn, whatver. Bennett will get elected easily because she will be positioned by the media as very own local Hillary Clinton! She will be positioned as the "historic" candidate and NO ONE in their right mind will be wanting to be seen opposing a historic woman, will they?
This Mayoral competition in the City With No (Spending?) Limits should be lots of fun to watch, Comrade Molovinsky.
Sincerely,
COL. VIKTOR TIKHONOV
Soviet Red Army (ret)
After twice running for council Charlie Thiel perhaps saw the futility of protest in a city that allows those who raise their voice against the machine to be trashed and destroyed.
ReplyDeleteThere is more than one way to skin a cat.
Scott Armstrong
I still believe the republicans should field candidates for mayor and council. All the same year if need be.Theil,Burke and Weiss are all top notch choices. And as far as Bennett Maybe monkey momma should get her information from someone who knows the truth. Try Eric Weiss who is on the board of directors of POM or of any of the other members past and present 1... left this town in tatters. She was hired by a national organization. 2... she took one third of budget for herself. BOD set the salary. 3...Paid more than any regional organization... POM was a state organization based in Allentown. I respect your dislike for Sam but your lack of truth will not go unchallenged.
ReplyDeleteguy@1:13, i think that the lesson from the last election, where donovan ran as an independent, is that a candidate can do as well or better in allentown as an independent, vs. a republican. especially if there are only two candidates on the ballot. after running a good campaign for city council, and spending more than adequate money, thiel reached the same conclusion. perhaps as a bennett supporter, your suggestion that thiel run as a republican, is a clever strategy to eliminate a competitor to bennett?
ReplyDeleteIt is important to understand that one of Ed's crowning achievements was to turn Allentown into a Democratic vote mill. As far as the state Democratic Committee is concerned Ed has done a great job in Allentown. Understanding this explains a lot.
ReplyDeleteHaving achieved this great victory the Democratic machine will never allow the Republicans to re-establish a toehold in the city.
Scott Armstrong
I keep hearing from Republicans that its the Democrats fault. What about the thousands of registered city Republicans who don't vote. Candidates should at least expect support from their own kind. After all they are preaching to their own choir. Yes some Reps have raised decent money and what do they spend it on. Flyers to their own party faithful and many wind up staying home. GOTV is the best answer. Bob Lovett was constantly on the phone with his targeted senior voters. That's how he beat Varkony. Who would have guessed.That my friend is the power of GOTV. Few have the will or stamina to do GOTV alone like Lovett did so a volunteer support force is needed. That's the tough part and it is no secret. Just like in a sport. Do you wanna out maneuver your opponent or complain that they always win. Oh and the name calling. Thats a strategy with both sides are guilty of and diminishes the office itself. To be honest with you, I would face a personal dilemma if Weiss ran against Sam,knowing both. Theil in my belief is better suited for city council at this time.
ReplyDeleteGuy,
ReplyDeleteBeen there done that with GOTV in Allentown. The problem is the Democrats can, if they sense a threat out preform/ swamp our our effort with bought and paid for volunteers, many brought in from outside the city.
Couple that with a county committee totally focused on county races and you see the problem. Is it hopeless, no. But one would have to chose his/her battle carefully.
Scott Armstrong
Sorry to say neither of these two potential canidates will beat Julio. The mayor for the day will be the mayor of tomorrow. Get used to it
ReplyDelete@4:13, unless the hispanic community greatly improves their voting numbers, i believe that either bennett or thiel could easily beat julio.
ReplyDeleteMike normally we agree, but on Sam Bennett we couldn't be further apart. She'd be worse than Pawlowski and on par with Guridy. Here's hoping for Charlie Thiel.
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
Mike,
ReplyDeleteIf this scenario would come to pass it will be interesting to watch it play out. The State Democratic Committee will have something to say about who becomes our next mayor. They will support the candidate who will be the best "team player".
By the way, road crews seem to have hit their stride today. Brought my car back from the Fairgrounds and I'm legally parked on Linden. Life's good!
Scott Armstrong
"Bennett feels that Allen High's alumni, 60,000 strong, is a tremendous untapped resource to revitalize the school district, which would help the city with one of it's major negative perceptions. "
ReplyDeleteExactly what is the cause of the negative perception? Another question;can we change the "perception" of the city without actually alleviating the cause of the perception?
Just wondering...
Scott Armstrong
Hi Mike, a rental property i own won the Morning Call properirs of merit award in 2006. I had a sign placed in my yard but never received anything else. I felt like i was advertising for the morning call with a realator size sign in my front yard
ReplyDeleteYou must have been a nominee 8:53. Standard procedure was to contact property owners for permission for sign placement. The reason for the sign was people voted for their favorites. Had you come to the awards reception you would have found out who the winners were. Otherwise you got a nomination certificate.
ReplyDeleteI think Julio has it locked up. He has Fleck's machine to do the dirty work on election day.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Charlie is a very reasonable choice.
I'd like a GOP, but demographics hurt and the County GOP is nutz.
This talk's been going on for months. Sam's got the state party in an absolute lock. Charlie gets the mayors Christian types. Should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how fast 2017 arrived!
ReplyDelete