tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post4647853580082786699..comments2024-03-28T16:21:45.548-04:00Comments on MOLOVINSKY ON ALLENTOWN: Hardball for Hockeymichael molovinskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-25293013584083310072011-05-17T20:02:09.548-04:002011-05-17T20:02:09.548-04:00please place all new comments pertaining to the a...please place all new comments pertaining to the arena on the new post <i> Quick Learner</i>michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-47887802678747522832011-05-17T19:01:03.788-04:002011-05-17T19:01:03.788-04:00I read this article and you are correct it should ...I read this article and you are correct it should be required reading for those on City Council. <br /><br />But would they? Then they might have to take a stand then.<br /><br />It is a dark day in Allentown when this thug just takes businesses away from hard working citizens on another one of his whims.<br /><br />For less than this in other countries revolutions have been started.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-84211345556421036632011-05-17T17:57:41.324-04:002011-05-17T17:57:41.324-04:00I know better than to read comments at the Morning...I know better than to read comments at the Morning Call's website, but I just couldn't help myself today. I did find this VERY interesting link, though, from a poster:<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/sports/a-companys-small-town-arenas-leave-cities-with-big-problems.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=us<br /><br />I think this should be required reading for all of Council and everyone in the mayor's office. <br /><br />What are we doing to Allentown?Monkey Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00804161916550923342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-52224715213427720342011-05-17T13:32:26.003-04:002011-05-17T13:32:26.003-04:00May 17, 2011 12:45 PM
Sorry,
I misunderstood you....May 17, 2011 12:45 PM<br /><br />Sorry,<br />I misunderstood you.<br />Eminent should be used for schools and roads.<br />Taking property from one individual and giving it to another is wrong.<br />Shoving a project down residents throats without so much as a public<br />forum is also wrong.<br />Government employees and elected officials making threats about what will happen "if you don't comply" is also wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-20545775252130183402011-05-17T12:45:17.081-04:002011-05-17T12:45:17.081-04:00I am not talking out of both sides of my mouth. I...I am not talking out of both sides of my mouth. I would like to see a hockey arena, I support a hockey arena and I think a hockey arena is good for Allentown. I do not support eminent domain as a means to achieve that ends. As much as I would like to see a hockey arena I do not believe that the arena should trump property rights. I wish the owners would sell and I believe they are fools not to but it is there property and they should not have it taken from them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-85565169266106632252011-05-17T11:36:23.753-04:002011-05-17T11:36:23.753-04:00May 17, 2011 10:48 AM
You are talking out of both...May 17, 2011 10:48 AM<br /><br />You are talking out of both sides of your mouth.<br />You can't have it both ways.<br />You can not support the arena in the selected location if you are not for eminent domain.<br />Show up on Wednesday ant tell the folks slated to lose their properties that it's no big deal!<br />And the same goes for the rest of the center city residents.<br />This is a scam and a travesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-56719415094865778182011-05-17T10:48:11.585-04:002011-05-17T10:48:11.585-04:00I live and work downtown and I support the arena. ...I live and work downtown and I support the arena. Many of my coworkers that live outside of town also think it is a good idea. I wish the city could come to an amicable agreement with the property owners so that the plan could go forward. I do not support eminent domain for arenas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-67674190215628715612011-05-17T05:09:48.220-04:002011-05-17T05:09:48.220-04:00retired teacher, let me clarify; i will not be a...retired teacher, let me clarify; i will not be attending the tuesday morning meeting between the merchants and sara hailstone. i hope to attend the wednesday evening city council meeting.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-18816926386287011262011-05-16T22:24:18.966-04:002011-05-16T22:24:18.966-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.
Mike, I will also not b...Retired ASD teacher here.<br /><br />Mike, I will also not be attending Wednesday's meeting. Although I once owned two properties in Allentown, I made the move out. It would not be fair for me to take up some of the limited space that will be available to actual residents of that city.<br /><br />Allentown's leadership over the past 25 years has been abysmal. Created has been a mostly welfare population with no healthy civic investment.<br /><br />This project will continue, despite what anyone expresses that night. The city leadership is determined to capture what they believe to be "free" money. Supposed free money to be directed at, frankly, ANYTHING.<br /><br />In the end, the facility currently planned will prove to be a loser. But, the majority of the city's populace couldn't care less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-43646671449774912032011-05-16T18:26:02.443-04:002011-05-16T18:26:02.443-04:00That would be "Fuehrer".
Please make a ...That would be "Fuehrer".<br /><br />Please make a note.<br /><br />DEUTSCHE GRAMMATIK POLIZEIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-54155034431837245072011-05-16T17:57:08.088-04:002011-05-16T17:57:08.088-04:00All registered voters of Allentown! Tomorrow is th...All registered voters of Allentown! Tomorrow is the primary election! Two of the current council members who will vote on the resolution to use eminent domain--Peter Schweyer and Jeanette Eichenwald are up for re-election. Come out to the public hearing on WED @ 7:30PM and see how they vote on this matter. <br />Will they protect our rights to own property or will they just be a rubber stamp in the process of "redevelopment" that will line the pockets of the rich while pushing out the existing merchants and lower income families out of downtown with their "master plan". <br />You have the power to remove those who abuse their power! Don't think that you don't. Your vote and participation on issues can matter!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-41877550188448123002011-05-16T11:30:51.850-04:002011-05-16T11:30:51.850-04:00Ask the citizens!Ask the citizens!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-90290851905756303932011-05-16T11:26:41.917-04:002011-05-16T11:26:41.917-04:00There are well known and reputable individuals / f...There are well known and reputable individuals / firms that have a long history of analyzing the potential impact of these types of initiatives. <br /><br />Makes sense to me but perhaps Eminent Domain does not care if he creates another Xanadu (Meadow Lands).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-79156803608834297792011-05-16T08:50:43.239-04:002011-05-16T08:50:43.239-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.
I suppose, Allentown ne...Retired ASD teacher here.<br /><br />I suppose, Allentown needs to do something.. . . ANYTHING!<br /><br />________________________________<br /><br />ASD - <br /><br />I appreciate your frustration, but that attitude has squandered millions of taxpayer dollars over the years.<br /><br />If there's one thing that we all should have learned by now, it's that City Hall has no clue in the field of economic development.<br /><br />No sane individual or group of individuals are willing to do with their own money what is being proposed. And it could be done privately for far less money. <br /><br />That should tell us something, and set off alarm bells. But instead of thinking like prudent investors or business-people, we are fooled by those selling their snake oil. <br /><br />Why people lose sight of the fact that the politicians are squandering our money baffles me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-46125609275967284172011-05-16T01:06:05.549-04:002011-05-16T01:06:05.549-04:00How about a futbol stadium?
somewhere else.
Like a...How about a futbol stadium?<br />somewhere else.<br />Like at the Coke ball field.<br />Lots of locals would attend.<br />A nod towards the swelling latino community.<br />The people living here....<br />And all over the Lehigh Valley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-42109155973388960192011-05-16T00:00:27.301-04:002011-05-16T00:00:27.301-04:00How about the city paint some visible lines on our...How about the city paint some visible lines on our streets?<br />Can the road be seen when driving by the rose garden?<br />How about along front street?<br />And MLK drive?<br />Or American parkway?<br />Maybe some paint that's good for.... say.... more than one year.<br />Something a little reflective.<br />No problem managing a 100,000,000.00 debacle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-18197084058297964512011-05-15T23:31:32.334-04:002011-05-15T23:31:32.334-04:00Can we expect less from a guy raised in Chicago po...Can we expect less from a guy raised in Chicago politics? How different is mayor P's eminent domain plan from Obama's rape of General Motors bond holders? He stole their money and gave it to his union thugs. The bond holders included little old ladies while the union thugs make about $70,000 a year in salary and benefits. Yeah, these are the ones who say they are for the little people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-17805494062505184672011-05-15T21:25:51.335-04:002011-05-15T21:25:51.335-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.
I'd be fine with th...Retired ASD teacher here.<br /><br />I'd be fine with the whole eminent domain aquisition thing, provided the building owners receive MORE than adequate compensation. It's really the only way to bring about immediate change. But, we all know, these owners will NOT receive appropriate compensation for their loss.<br /><br />My problem is with the end result of this effort. Another 8500 seat arena will NOT attract significant economic impact to the region. Other medium size cities within reasonable distance of Allentown have already built such facilities. That niche has already been filled.<br /><br />A 200,000 sq.ft. exhibition hall would be a much better addition to the community. The Lehigh Valley has no facility to handle large exhibits, trade shows, etc. An arena dedicated primarily to hockey with fixed, permanent seating is not nearly as valuable to this region. The hockey season is much too short for this level of investment.<br /><br />If the hockey doesn't work out, what kind of space will Allentown have left to market?<br /><br />The region does need a large arena, but the downtown Allentown site, as proposed, is not a big enough solution, nor the best choice of location.<br /><br />There is no question in my mind, a large arena facility WOULD succeed if built within Bethlehem's SteelStacks development. Same is true for a large exhibit space there, too.<br /><br />Forget Allentown's riverfront. That's not big enough either, and will require even more private property aquisitions than the current plan.<br /><br />I'm afraid Allentown's leadership simply wants to reign in what it sees as "free" money, no matter what the end result. Sorry, at this time, the hockey project is a shortsighted and foolish use of resources.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-69571505723171826192011-05-15T20:45:48.366-04:002011-05-15T20:45:48.366-04:00Eminent Domain, the Fuhrer would be proud of Allen...Eminent Domain, the Fuhrer would be proud of Allentown's mayorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-27606293819899333702011-05-15T16:23:09.493-04:002011-05-15T16:23:09.493-04:00Might the city plan to move the Soldier's Monu...Might the city plan to move the Soldier's Monument to ease traffic woes associated with the new arena?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-65370934607721226132011-05-15T14:06:11.887-04:002011-05-15T14:06:11.887-04:00The view of "gouging","not in good ...The view of "gouging","not in good faith","extortion" towards the merchants and residents impacted by this project is ignorant. The merchants are fighting to save their LIVELIHOOD - to provide education for their children, support their families, be able to pay taxes to the government, etc. - NOT to take advantage of this situation.<br /><br />The City IS taking advantage of them by forcing them to sell, whether they want to or not. Therefore, their backs are against the wall to make a decision-a decision that they do not have! <br /><br />Bottom line: None of these businesses were in the market to sell. Now, they are forced to. Property ownership rights and freedom of choice is a fundlemental right of all citizens! If citizens stay quiet from Ed(Eminent Domain) Polowski and associates clear violation of these basic rights then WHO's NEXT? Let's NOT PLAY THE POSSIUM, Lets goto the council meeting on Wed. May 18 7:30 pm at City hall in the council chambers and voice our opposition to this INJUSTICE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-57635053177450338542011-05-15T12:53:36.404-04:002011-05-15T12:53:36.404-04:00This has been the normal course for what I have se...This has been the normal course for what I have seen come out of Palowski's administration since the beginning.<br /><br />The only rights that seem to count are the whims of ED (Eminent Domain)Palowski.<br /><br />This is a stupid idea for all of the reasons stated above. It has not been thought out at all obviously.<br /><br />Remember the intersection cameras, the ones with the blue lights? <br /><br />Seems the current consensus, by the security industry, is that manning and monitoring video screens is ineffective. <br /><br />The only value is any supporting evidence they might capture, if not erased.<br /><br />What a waste, but the city will never discuss it. <br /><br />Does the city ever do baseline studies or take any action to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs? <br /><br />If they do they are hidden somewhere in the bowels of city hall?<br /><br />What is worse, the only hope for intervention outside of private legal action, is the city council, a true set of buffoons all with political aspirations.<br /><br />They are pathetically useless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-44127241518273131592011-05-15T12:22:10.261-04:002011-05-15T12:22:10.261-04:00Valley Chief says, "Various strategies have b...Valley Chief says, "Various strategies have been tried to clean-up Atown for the last 20 years....it's time to win the war."<br /><br />Hey, I'm all about winning the war on the "trash" in Allentown. But, this arena wages war on the wrong people! Shop owners are not the enemy!! And the arena plan will do NOTHING to clean up the "trash" in Allentown. Other than that one block, Allentown remains basically the same, with all the same underlying issues and problems.<br /><br />Even if unicorns and fairies suddenly appeared at Cedar Beach due to the magic trickle down prosperity wave coming from the hockey arena, the way this property is being STOLEN from hard working people is despicable. Try to imagine being in the shop owners' shoes. Some folks will be happy to cash in, but others are saying goodbye to a very personal investment and livlihood. Relocating is not as easy as you might think. And on such short order? That is outrageous and shows a serious lack of planning on the admin's part, don't you think?<br /><br />Parking? Give me the plan for parking at this arena, and maybe I'll believe a plan exists. I mean, not too long ago there supposedly wasn't a plan to even BUY these properties - isn't that what Pawlowski said?? So why would I think anyone has a plan for parking 10,000 people in downtown on a winter's evening?? Same with traffic. I mean, I went to the Bryan Adams concert over a year ago, and traffic was a freakin' nightmare for just a Symphony show. (It was full to capacity at 1200.) But, major props to the cops helping direct traffic that night. Are the cops going to work all those extra hours to direct traffic at the arena?? How the heck are we supposed to afford policing the arena during events when we apparently can't even afford to maintain the force's responsibilities right now??? So, no, I don't think there IS a plan, but I would love to hear it if one exists.<br /><br />Finally, LVCI's blog post on this matter brings up attendance at Phantoms games. Apparently, they're currently struggling to meet their attendance goals - they get about 3100 folks at games. ALLENTOWN'S ARENA PROPOSAL CALLS FOR 10,000 SEATS. <br /><br />The plan is troubling. Like I said, I might be able to get behind the project itself, but the way it's being handled is RIDICULOUSLY WRONG. It is unethical. It is badly planned and not well thought out at all. Obstacles posed by me and others need to be addressed adequately, not with "just trust us" assurances. <br /><br />Enough outta me. Sorry about the long rant. I appreciate the vibrant discussion, though. There is still time for the administration to do the right thing here. I hope they do.Monkey Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00804161916550923342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-50645109711085606152011-05-15T11:39:09.716-04:002011-05-15T11:39:09.716-04:00I think the point is this country is clearly heade...I think the point is this country is clearly headed in the wrong direction.<br /><br />So, when is the first ice hockey game at Pawlowski's Palace of Sport?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-9019123431203151782011-05-15T11:22:39.539-04:002011-05-15T11:22:39.539-04:0010:37 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2011
And your point is?10:37 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2011<br /><br />And your point is?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com