Today, less than a week after Rendell, Cunningham and Pawlowski lauded the the new Lanta Terminal, passengers and merchants joined forces at the facility to protest the inconvenience for riders and damage to the business community. Having interviewed many of these merchants in the past, I can assure you only dire circumstances would propel them to demonstrate. Although the new terminal provided many bureaucracies the opportunity to expand their domain, is not Lanta's purpose to first serve the public? Let the little people eat cake!(or Dunkin Donuts)
Suddenly MM is an advocate for the poor?
ReplyDeleteYou are way to predictable buddy.
i have always been an advocate for reality. although not glamorous, there is an existing business base on hamilton st. perhaps it could be gradually upgraded, but it should not be sabotaged. there are some very successful stores on Hamilton, i.e, rainbow jeans, family dollar.(both chain stores). this terminal is a classic case of bureaucrats and politicians growing themselves, chasing grants, and shooting everyone else in the foot.
ReplyDeleteMM,
ReplyDeleteDon't fall for the attempt to turn the tables on you, which is completely irrelevant.
I do not often agree with you, but Allentown is interfering with contractual relations of merchants in that city. Instead of sneering at them like an elitist, you are defending them. Good for you, and goofd for the rest of us.
my position on downtown shopping has always been the same, its not upscale, but its viable, and my opinions are a matter of public record. as someone posted on another site, the suburban soccer moms are not coming back.
ReplyDeleteAs a regular Lanta rider, downtown patron, and proud Allentown citizen, I fully support the changes that have been implemented in and around the new Allentown Transportation Center.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a true disappointment to see any of the recent progress made compromised due to a few growing pains.
damien, one of the lanta stops taken off of hamilton was the one in front of the community college, so now students must walk three blocks? don't confuse poor decisions with progress and growing pains. in addition to directly hurting the merchants, we are undermining the previous expenditure of taxdollars.
ReplyDeleteContrary to what Damien is telling us with his pom poms, news accounts report several decent merchants are adversely impacted. Bus riders are not all thrilled either. Amazingly, Allentown officials would not talk to the press.
ReplyDeleteTo describe the decline in business by these merchants as "growing pains" is elitism at its worst.
MM, you are absolutely right on this one. I commend you
After reading about some merchants and passengers demonstrating against the new bus route changes, I am starting to side more with MM on this issue. I am wondering why the mayor has not made a statement in response to the demonstrations.
ReplyDelete