The current issue of Lehigh Valley Latino Magazine contains greetings and congratulations from Mayor Ed Pawlowski, complete with his official photograph and the City Seal. The Magazine, along with 5 other minority businesses are being forced out of 645 Hamilton Street, with the city now telling the Morning Call their just unlicensed nobody's. In April, Pawlowski wrote "I want to thank Valley Latino TV Show and Magazine for keeping the Latino community informed. Your dedicated effort shows a deep commitment...congratulations... I wish you great success!" This week the mobile cords from the Latino TV Show stage lighting were misrepresented as extension cords by the city. Along with the magazine and television studio, a graphic art designer, a festival promoter, and a security company were displaced. You won't hear them complain, their being assisted and relocated by city hall.
LOL!!! Now I am a festival promoter? Between community activist and troublemaker, I guess that IS an upgrade. But seriously, this 645 was really a mini-media hub. We had LVL Magazine (a well known publication in the Latin community), NZ TV (seen in over 4 states via RCN), Alani Graphics (a small business that has done hundreds of projects for small businesses that make up Allentown), and Project REAL (a non-profit that has participated and assisted the City with many of their public event. Each one of us were adding to the scope of the city. We, actually, were representing the city, publicly, in a positive manner. Unfortunately, many associates are contemplating moving to Bethlehem or Easton, PA where it seems it is easier to do business and where the City seems to "encourage" growth, creativity, and self-sufficiency.
ReplyDeleteThere HAS to be a better way....
Alfonso
Outward Bound Allentown!
ReplyDeleteNo, I am not thinking about leaving. Many have found other places and I have actually had a couple of offers. I am just disheartened that it seems that when there is a bit of cohesiveness and positivity actually beginning bloom, SOMETHING always goes wrong. I guess that is life. By the way, UPWARD BOUNF ALLENTOWN is going to be HUGE and it is due in part to all of the businesses in 645 Hamilton. We all worked together, at one point or another, and made it work. It's okay though, I heard adversity builds character and the show must and will go on. UPWARD BOUND, ALLENTOWN !!!
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