Yesterday there was quite a difference between the hardcopy and mcall version of the budget shortfall by Jarrett Renshaw. Renshaw did a terrific job of projecting the shortfall, based on an increased budget with a stagnate revenue flow. The newspaper version had the full story, while Mcall abridged the information. With the exception of Donovan, Council was clueless. It appears this lack of comprehension continued even into and throughout last night's council meeting. I conclude the Panel of 17 Experts will also be kept in the dark, both by the Administration and their lack of motivation. If council conspired with the Mayor to create a dog and pony show (expert panel) is now a fair question. Yesterday on topix "Monkey Momma" (pen name for anonymous commentator) wondered if the City should be expanding the Park System overhead while facing an $8million deficit? That is a good question for Saturday's meeting. Here's another; should the Trexler Trust help finance the Administrations' recommendations while other park assets are left to decay?
Allentown Speak Out
Sat. May 30th 1:00pm
Faith Baptist Church
219 N. 12th St. Allentown
I don't see how it could possibly be the public's place to tell a private trust how they should or shouldn't be spending their money.
ReplyDeleteanon 3:36, the trexler will was rather specific about the mission of the trust. they were taken to court about ten years ago in regard to deviating from their mandated asset/liquidity ratio. historically, their funds go to maintain the park system (most of which was donated by trexler). certain park features are in major disrepair, i.e, wpa structures, while new ones are being created, i.e. destination playground. this is a departure from the agenda of previous board of directors. what is the definition of maintaining? i'm not at liberty to elaborate at this time, but there appears to be an information "gap" between the city and the trust.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDelete"I don't see how it could possibly be the public's place to tell a private trust how they should or shouldn't be spending their money."
The obvious answer is because the Trust was set up to benefit the people of the county (the public) in accordance with General Trexler's will.
In recent years its board has become populated by outsiders and the politically connected. Worse still, the Trust has allowed itself to become a political instrument for the benefit of a politician.
The public certainly has the right to question the decisions, motivations, actions, and direction of the Trust and its Board of Directors.
I just went to the Trexler Trust website: www.trexlertrust.org
ReplyDeletethe trustees are listed as:
Kathryn Stephanoff (lifelong Allentonian who has been director of the Allentown Public Library for over 4 decades)
Fr. Daniel Gambet (44 year LV resident)
Mal Gross (what is he, a 10th generation Allentonian?)
Bob Wood (another 40-year resident)
Barnet Fraenkel (lifelong Allentonian)
who are these "outsiders" you speak of?
I mean, yes I certainly see how the public can question whatever they want, I can question the decision of my neighbor to go golfing on a windy rainy day like today, but that doesn't mean that if I complain to him he has any obligation to listen to me. The Trexler Trust is not a "public" body, and the trustees are entitled to make unpopular decisions - they aren't spending public money.
Mr. Molovinsky, will you be attending this meeting:
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.mcall.com/allentown/2009/05/city-seeking-input-on-jackson-street-park-plans.html
?
anon 5:11, you are correct, the directors are locals. this morning i spoke with one, and that person was not aware of the condition of the stone structures. this evening i inspected the steps from union to spring garden, they have been cleared up. my photo's from "stairway to shame" were taken last september, they clearly show several years worth of saplings and neglect. my guess is that they were worked on since the morning call printed my blog several weeks ago. it appears they were pulled and cut, consequently, there is some additional stone and mortar damage. (they should have been poisoned and allow to wither.) hopefully now with some more publicity, they will receive the necessary maintenance and re-pointing.
ReplyDeleteanon 5:15, i looked at the playground, it looked pretty nice,although an odd location. no, i do not intend on getting involved with it.
8 am Friday
ReplyDeleteI'll be there. Thank you for caring about our city, and for allowing "just everyday folks" to have a voice. Residents' voices are silent at city hall; council enacting 5-minute speech limitations. Is that was founding fathers had in mind? So much "ole boy" politics, contracts, alcohol licensing rights traded like gum wrappers, murder upon murder and yet not a word from the mayor. Oh, and by the way, didn't mayor say closing Trinkle's would eliminate neighborhood crime? So, what's with today's headline murder!
anon 7:57, my grandparents lived on the corner of chew and jordan, so today's paper was particularly grim for me. you may have noticed an announcement in today's paper for the jackson street playground meeting; i tried without success for such notice for the Allentown Speak Out Meeting. if those reading this find value in such a townhall type citizen forum, please tell your friends, i need some extra help getting the word out, thanks. unfortunately, crime and quality of life, will also be on the agenda, as always needed in recent allentown life.
ReplyDeleteIn respectful reply:
ReplyDeletePerhaps an above writer thought the Trexler Trust was the only factor to fund city’s parks. This is not so. The Trexler Trust gives an annual allotment. That
allotment (public information for the asking) is but a part of the park systems' overall expenses. The parks major donor is
city residents and their hard-earned tax dollars.
Who better than city residents who daily become eye-witness to park issues to have an opportunity to express their concerns?
Isn’t public expression part of our nation’s landmark foundation?
No one is saying it is the public's place to tell a private trust what to do with its money; in this particular instance, that is up to a judge.
But we respectfully ask when did taxpayers lose the right to express their views?
This city’s park system is its shining star, and these finite amounts of land, water, wildlife and wilderness are a fragile entity that has caused many who care to become concerned.
Old Timer Here:
ReplyDeletesomeone wrote:
"In recent years its board has become populated by outsiders and the politically connected. Worse still, the Trust has allowed itself to become a political instrument for the benefit of a politician."
this is so true! if readers ever had the time, do an archival search of old Call stories to show how poorly some of these trustees have sidestepped their responsibilities.
When was the last time any of these individuals visited any of the city's parks. Their combined years of appointment alone, (and aren't these people paid to serve as trustees) indicates it is a time for a board change.
ReplyDeleteKathryn Stephanoff (lifelong Allentonian who has been director of the Allentown Public Library for over 4 decades)
Fr. Daniel Gambet (44 year LV resident)
Mal Gross (what is he, a 10th generation Allentonian?)
Bob Wood (another 40-year resident)
The current city park and recreation director comes from out of the area, and nothing, we repeat, nothing, keeps him here if a "better" job comes along. Why hasn't he held multiple community oriented meetings across the city? Why isn't he a daily, ID-visible city staffer who walks along with
ReplyDeleteparkgoers taking in their comments and concerns.
This writer has spoken to many parkgoers who say they wouldn't even know what he looks like, he's
so "remote." Just where are his
hand-ons skills?
Do these particular four Trustees even live in Allentown? Not sure
ReplyDeletebut think not. And, when is it time to put up the walking shoes and let a younger voice be heard.
Good Grief!
It is interesting on the very day
ReplyDeleteyou decide to host a city-awarenss meeting, city officials
plan their own.
anon 9:21, we have top officials from out of town, using recommendations from out of town, for our park system? our system wrote the book! it was considered the national treasure. our landmarks are being neglected (wpa structures) while the new bureaucrats order a playground from a catalog?
ReplyDeleteThe Trexler Trust board has increasingly populated by elitists who are out of touch with the reality of the area.
ReplyDeleteUp until a few years ago, Dexter Baker (former Air Products CEO) served on the board despite having moved to Florida many years before (yes, he still maintained a Salisbury residence). Nothing against Mr. Baker, but I don't think his age or his lack of true residency were favorable to his role as Trustee.
Furthermore, members of the board have unfortunately become very involved in the Allentown political scene. Both Wood and Gross have been major supporters of the Mayor, and Gross' law firm has received many city contracts over the past few years. Similarly, I believe both Stephanoff and Gambet have been listed as contributors in Pawlowski campaign reports.
While Board members are certainly entitled to their political opinion, I would prefer if they realized the position they hold as Trustees (of a trust that contributes millions to the city each year) requires a bit of independence.
THE 12th STREET STEPS:
ReplyDeleteA SAD BUT PERFECT PEOPLE-CALL-TO ACTION EXAMPLE:
Just the fact that these 12th Street steps for years have been ignored and allowed to fall into ruin indicates a need for public input in the management of all city parks and public structures.
To have these steps cleared of weeds only days after a guest editorial cited the issue
and embarrassed city hall is but one example of the necessity and importance of public input in city governing matters.
Allentown’s city hall seems to react. One might wonder
if it respects the “combined” city resident voice.
One also might ask, "Why weren't these city workers taught how to properly remove the weeds from the WPA mortar?"
Some of these workers are very young and may not have learned such techniques in school. It is not their fault. Where were their supervisors? Why didn't those supervisors call a garden or landscape expert to ask how to handle this job before it was initiated? Why didn't the supervisors care?
In a recent Morning Call story,
ReplyDeletea reporter stated that Cedar Beach park plans are being implemented through reports initiated by out-of-town planners.
One might ask if these recreational experts remained in town a month, three, a year, to really learn what concerns residents had or did these experts sweep-in, conduct a few quick, feel-good, meetings and sweep out, only to write their reports from afar.
There is no one dearer than Father Gambet, having met him on numerous public event occasions.
ReplyDeleteBut suspect he would be the first to say he doesn't get to visit all the city's parks on a regular basis. And isn't that what the city's parks need, Trexler trustees who do.
although it's true that the current trexler directors are very linked to pawlowski, they do unquestionably meet the traditional criterion for selection to this prestigious board. i conclude the problem is that they have too much faith in the mayor and his park study. the park system has been historically passive, this new direction is much more inter-active. i believe it is a mistake. at any rate, the traditional landmarks must be maintained and respected. i know that many people wish to remain anonymous. i ask those bashful types to still attend the meeting tomorrow, so their presence, if not their words, help convince the administration and trexler trust that the new park vision is not embraced by all.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said:
ReplyDelete"Furthermore, members of the board have unfortunately become very involved in the Allentown political scene. Both Wood and Gross have been major supporters of the Mayor, and Gross' law firm has received many city contracts over the past few years. Similarly, I believe both Stephanoff and Gambet have been listed as contributors in Pawlowski campaign reports."
Shouldn't Trexler trustees be
above-reproach? Shouldn't they
refuse to contribute to any politician’s campaign and shouldn't they recluse themselves from allocation votes when they are bosom-buddies with a mayor?
Aren't these current trustees paid? I know individuals that would be honored to serve without any salary, thus adding to the city's donor dollars.
As for Gross, doesn't he want to
put a wedding reception hall in the former park office next to the Rose Garden? Isn't his Trexler position a direct conflict of interest! Perhaps
the judge who oversees this trust might wish to examine
Gross' impartiality or lack thereof.
Someone just wrote about those stone steps. Shouldn't the Trexler Trustees conduct an annual audit, an annual visit to
ReplyDeleteall city parks and structures?
Such an audit would serve multiple purposes. First, to see
how and if the Trust's funds are being well-allocated, and secondly, would showcase
how the city is maintaining park structures and lands?
"my photo's from "stairway to shame" were taken last september, they clearly show several years worth of saplings and neglect. my guess is that they were worked on since the morning call printed my blog several weeks ago. it appears they were pulled and cut, consequently, there is some additional stone and mortar damage. (they should have been poisoned and allow to wither.) hopefully now with some more publicity, they will receive the necessary maintenance and re-pointing."
ReplyDeleteSo, basically the professional groundskeepers went out and di what you told me and my volunteers not to do, in the past blog discussion regarding this topic. Interesting.....
Keep on doing what you do, MM!
- J. BLACK
www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
j, this was my quick impression. i'm nursing a bad shoulder, i was with someone with a bad knee. the steps are long and steep, we both have gray hair, we were fortunate to get back up without oxygen. i did notice missing stones from the wall at the top, and also at least one missing stone on the steps. all the horizontal surfaces on all the stone structures need re-pointing. we have already lost two features in lehigh parkway, the spring pond and the boat landing. they have been degraded and buried for years. looking forward to seeing you at meeting.
ReplyDeleteA parent lives in his house but does not know everything his child is doing. The child gets decent grades, but is holed up in his room, smoking dope and viewing pornography on the Internet. What's that got to do with this? - Everything.
ReplyDeleteThe Trexler trust members can very well be "lifetime" residents, but what would this matter if none of them makes regular inspections of the park. And even if they do, what qualifies them to make decisions? Would anyone know what spalled concrete is? Would any of them know how to set preventive maintenance priorities, designed to head of serious long range problems? Do any understand the consequences of not paying close attention to maintenance and overall planning? What about invasive plant species?
This is a people problem. What good is a trust fund if the money is misused?
Allentown is a mess.
VOR
I hope you have a good turnout tomorrow, Mr. M. As I mentioned earlier, I've got commitments with the kids all day tomorrow (double booked, actually), but I wholeheartedly support your effforts to educate both the old and the new residents about their parks system and city in general.
ReplyDeleteI love playgrounds as much as the next mom, but the city shouldn't be on a spending spree in the middle of a the Great Recession. I highly doubt the playground will generate any cash flow into the city...in fact, I suspect it will become a large burden on the city to maintain and keep family friendly.
I know the mayor has young kids, so I suspect he is partial to the playground plan for that reason. He's probably also looking for a large project to put on his resume, right next to the bullet point about his large salary increase set to go into effect soon.
Any non-essential expenditures (LIKE PLAYGROUNDS) should be shelved until we no longer have a defecit. I mean, this is not rocket science here. How dare City Council call themselves leaders when they haven't even read the budget numbers sent to them over a week ago, accoring to the Call?! It's an absolute embarassment, and I pray for the taxpayers of this city. Pretty soon, there won't be many of us left.
IT'S IN THE DETAILS:
ReplyDelete" Anonymous said...
When was the last time any of these individuals visited any of the city's parks. Their combined years of appointment alone, (and aren't these people paid to serve as trustees) indicates it is a time for a board change.
Kathryn Stephanoff (lifelong Allentonian who has been director of the Allentown Public Library for over 4 decades)
Fr. Daniel Gambet (44 year LV resident)
Mal Gross (what is he, a 10th generation Allentonian?)
Bob Wood (another 40-year resident)
May 29, 2009 9:13 AM"
Just realized> Poster does not make claim any of these trustees actually live in Allentown. Poster cites Lehigh Valley!
Also, wasn't Allentown's current city mayor a former economic development director under whose management, a former mayor's
administration was taken to task by Trexler trustees when they finally learned that park allocation funding had been inappropriately directed to
other city departments leaving the parks maintenance budget to suffer?
Anonymous said:
ReplyDelete"I suspect it will become a large burden on the city to maintain and keep family friendly."
More true than you might know as city recently revealed it will not have funds to hire several more park employees. Just who is going to look after (maintain)this multi-million dollar park playground expansion? Volunteers manning those anti-crime video cameras?
Who appoints the Trexler Trust trustees? Anyone?
ReplyDeletethe arrogance of a group of people to assume they know more than the board of the trust. If you don't like their decisions, you have every right, under the law, to challenge their decisions on the basis of neglect for their duties of care, loyalty and obedience. I encourage you to do so if you think such duties have been neglected. My guess: you are complaining b/c you have a political agenda... all of you. anything connected to allentown city gov't, whether funding, volunteer, supporting or even casual relationship is deemed to be unfit for your trust so you attack it without having any basis in law to do so.
ReplyDeleteallentown has plenty to criticize. Launching attacks against the region's largest charitable trust is a sure fire way to lose the credibility necessary to actually change anything. you will accomplish absolutely nothing at this rate... except to hem and haw at your speak out.
anon 6:01, although i agree that some comments in regard to the trexler trust assign too much blame to them, it is not arrogant to raise questions; they're not a sacred cow, at least they should not be. as far motivation being political, I for one get tired of that defense against criticism. This park system is much more important than one mayor, or one board of directors, and we as citizens are most entitled to express our opinions.
ReplyDelete"My guess: you are complaining b/c you have a political agenda... all of you. anything connected to allentown city gov't, whether funding, volunteer, supporting or even casual relationship is deemed to be unfit for your trust so you attack it without having any basis in law to do so."
ReplyDeleteI would have to say on MY behalf as well as many others, politics has NOTHING to do with this situation. We are A-town citizens tired of the "craziness" and "negativity" occurring and our appointed leaders either not having a clue or deliberately not doing ANYTHING about the situations at hand. I, personally, am offended because I have, literally, put so much time and energy into Allentown by creating large city events, networking with other regions, and even doing countless community outreach, but it seems Allentown leadership is its' own worst enemy. How can we expect to get others to invest in A-town if we can't even get our "house" in order ? So, I applaud ANYONE who is willing to to have these meetings outside of the realm of City Hall in an attempt to DO SOMETHING!
- Alfonso Todd
www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com
6:01 PM Friday: Anonymous said...
ReplyDeletethe arrogance of a group of people to assume they know more than the board of the trust. If you don't like their decisions, you have every right, under the law, to challenge their decisions on the basis of neglect for their duties of care, loyalty and obedience."
Guess an area judge also must be cited as arrogant for it was
he who chastised Trexler trustees for handling of several issues,
including funding.
No one sits on boards that
does not expect public review.
despite my efforts over the past several days, the morning call printed no notice for Allentown Speak Out. the meeting will provide a forum for those citizens opposed to the new park plans, especially in this deficit situation. my personal emphasis is on the neglect of the wpa stone structures, icons of our park system. other topics will be the city/lanta shenanigans to demolish bicentennial field, members of the founding hunsicker family will be present. several council members will attend, including tony phillips. the meeting will be at 1:00 today at Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12 th St. your presence will be appreciated. please let the city and paper know that not all the campers are happy. i do believe the meeting will receive some media attention, after the fact.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Morning Call, park plans call for the construction of a loop to join all parks as one.
ReplyDeleteIt's not June 1st, and Allentown sadly has had how many murders this year?
Park safety is a serious issue that has not as yet been addressed by park directors and Trexler trustees. Park safety
hardly seems political.
How can trustees call themselves?
ReplyDeleteimpartial when political donation records indicate some trustees are contributing to a sitting-mayor's political campaigns. Trexler trustees should never place themselves in such a predicament. Their job is to be an independent voice and to protect Allentown's parks and challenge city hall, not "cozy up" to its mayor.
Park Safety and Park Funding:
ReplyDeleteDirect Quote From Morning Call: Posted by Reporter Jarrett Renshaw
at 12:43:03 PM on May 29, 2009
Is the blue-ribbon committee formed to come up solutions to the city's budget problems working hard or hardly working?
The question is a fair one after the QCD (Queen City Daily blog) interviewed members of the committee and found that few are seriously engaged in finding solutions.
The committee of 17 outside experts was formed March 17 in response to the dismal 2008 budget and expectations that this year was not much better. The committee was charged to explore all solutions, including layoffs and selling real estate. Their final report was expected by June 30, a self-imposed deadline.
The committee, which meets behind closed doors to ensure candidness, was split up into three subcommittees: revenue, expenses and retirement.
Each subcommittee has a chairperson.
During the interviews this week, the most familiar refrain from members was "I wish I could tell you more, but I don't know much about what's going on."
Little did they know that their comments actually said a whole lot.
"the arrogance of a group of people to assume they know more than the board of the trust."
ReplyDeleteIt's almost impossible to believe
Father Gambet would say he knows more than anyone else in the world.
Allentown police investigate fifth homicide this month
ReplyDeletePatrick Lester | Of The Morning Call
11:14 AM EDT, May 30, 2009
A 29-year-old man died as a result of an early-morning shooting at Jordan and Washington streets in Allentown today, authorities said.
there is the expression about the river called denial in egypt, here in allentown the river is called apathy. about 22 people attended the meeting, and if you're one of those, i do appreciate your coming. there was an accomplishment, donovan and phillips pledged to introduce and support a resolution that the city not sell bicentennial park, until which time, at least 6 months, that the public has time to express its opinion on this historic ball field. no media was present.
ReplyDeleteRetired ASD teacher here.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
I am grateful you took the time to host such a meeting. Allentown needs many more discussions like this one.
Sadly, from reading your blog, I get the impression the most significant discussion centered upon maintaining Bicentennial Park and other park related issues. Too bad.
Allentown's PRIMARY concern should be CRIME, it's huge gang presence, it's public perception, its understaffed police force, etc. I would be OK with all of Allentown's parks becoming overgrown with weeds provided those who walk through the weeds feel safe.
Was there any meaningful discussion about the crime issue?
Let's face it, if the ballpark is taken over by LANTA, the lives of Allentown citizens will be mostly unaffected.
Michael
ReplyDeleteExcellent meeting.
Appreciated the effort and the information gained in the process.
Keep up the effort. It will lead to positive results for the city.
retired school teacher, as a longtime landlord i can tell you that we do indeed have a poverty magnet, and one third of the transients are moving here because money THE CITY makes available through the community block grants. we invite and sake our problems. at the bottom of this page is molovinskyformayor which outlines the dilemma and solution on four short pages.
ReplyDeletemy grandparents lived on the corner of chew and jordan streets. i did talk about the box cutter murder, although i moved on quickly to the parks. i do agree that everything else is secondary. allentown can avoid many of the problematic people, but as long as it insists on solving the national poverty and crime problem, i.e. weed and seed or whatever nonsense programs they subscribe to, stay in the suburbs.
KvetchBust.
ReplyDeletePoor wittle Mikey. Only 22 kvetchers. And no media (and you know Renshaw!) Boo Hoo. Guess there was a puppy mill raid to cover. Things just aren't the same at the old MC since Gene Kransley got fired.
ReplyDeletei have received no less than twenty five "kvetch" comments this week, which i rejected. I won't bother mentioning who they're from, but i will say that it's sad that city officials support such behavior
ReplyDeleteMr. Molovinsky,
ReplyDeleteI glad that your forum was a success. But with each victory, sometimes there are set backs. Good luck with all of the blog hate mail you receive.
After learning about all the blog hate mail you receive, my problem isn't so bad. I have only been falsely accused and attributed to racist comments over at Mr. Villa's blog. Unfortunately, he seems more involved with promulgating his false opinions and proliferating wild scenarios of me, rather than proving the validity of his claims over at another venue, The Troll Parade blog.
He posts blatant lies about me that could easily be disapproved. He has yet to even move towards opening a dialogue with me. If it was that much a concern of his, wouldn't he try to reach out? For these reasons, especially the blatant lies, I have lost all respect for Mr. Villa and Ms. Dottie.
He always talks like he is up to a challenge or debate. But thus far, he has not put his money where his mouth is.
By the way, did he show at your forum today?
Sorry about the long-winded-ness. Thank you for letting me get this out in the open.
Good luck on your difficult journey.
Peace, ~~Alex
Excellent Meeting, Ditto.
ReplyDeleteWish more time, especially to discuss Lehigh Parkway issues that have been brought to our attention only through your blog, i.e., restroom locations, restroom sanitation or lack thereof, vehicular parking on grass, thus destroying same, dogs off leash, but pit pulls off leash, priceless. Please for future discussions, highlight issue of Trexler trustees supporting current or any mayor via contributions. How can they do that and still be park watchdogs? As for Bicentennial Park, if mayoral candidate Phillips really wants to make a mark, investigate, investigate, investigate.
Open Question:
ReplyDeleteShould Allentown city council put a hold on cedar beach park playground project until park director can prove beyond doubt how new construction that does include local tax dollars will be protected from vandals?
i was at the council meeting that approved the park plan. the administration emphasized how they accommodated recommendations to make the playground handicap accessible, i believe this was a beard or deflection from more pressing questions. i think between the deficit and the crime situation, we can neither afford it or provide proper security. the impact on the park with parking etc. will be enormous. council should definitely reconsider this plan.
ReplyDelete5 for 5:
ReplyDeleteMr. Molovinsky writes at 10:58 today that council should reconsider new cedar beach park plans. Perhaps he might wish to add...
"At least for the time being,
until we stop the "five for five."
That's five murders in the fifth month aka May."
Mike,
ReplyDeleteYou raise some interesting points with regard to this entire Cedar Beach plan. Do residents realize
city plans to electrify large portions of park lands behind Cedar Crest College? Does the college really want this kind of lighting near its campus?
And just how does city plan to
provide safety when our police force is so shorthanded, it is being run ragged? Also, why did park director go out of state for his recreational park designer? You mean, we don't have in this great Commonwealth one suitable company that could have enjoyed the business? Residents needs to demand city council members re-examine this entire venture before moving forward.
only outsiders would consider hiring consultants to improve the allentown parks, surely at least one chapter in the book on perfect park systems must be allentown.
ReplyDeleteearlier today i received a couple comments noting that paul carpenter discussed the wpa stone structures in his column today. unfortunately, the comment thread there has been highjacked by the villa's.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteMaybe we missed it, but has park director to date explained how he plans to get center city children to the proposed million dollar
revamped Cedar Beach playground?
This seems a crucial planning step to be explained before
city fathers approve this project.
"Maybe we missed it, but has park director to date explained how he plans to get center city children to the proposed million dollar
ReplyDeleterevamped Cedar Beach playground?"
Let's keep it real. Center City kids aren't SUPPOSED to get to the Cedar Beach playground. They were NEVER part of the equation....
- J. BLACK
www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
I volunteered for Mayfair this year and our volunteer booth was right accross from the new playground site. Many families were very excited and it was clear that the families who visited were from all around Allentown, including downtown. If center city families found a way to go to Mayfair, I'm sure they can find a way to go to the playground once it gets built.
ReplyDeleteAlso, center city families get to enjoy not one but two awesome spray park playgrounds - I wish there had been a spray park playground when my kids were young, they would have loved it!
anon 2:09, it's hard for me to believe the average downtown family knows anything about the new playground. what is certain is that the new playground and it's needed parking requirements will push mayfair into expanding across ott st. to the rose garden area, adversely impacting a sensitive area. the proponents of these plans, no nothing about the true mission of our park system, and are" friends" in name only, actually enemies would be more accurate
ReplyDeleteEOP: Mr. Molovinsky
ReplyDeleteyou sadly hit it on the head.
Enemies of the Park: EOP.
Mike,
ReplyDeletethat land across Ott Street towards Rose Garden is highly prone to flooding during heavy rains so its natural ecosystem is more fragile than other open land
areas in that region. it was a rather odd comment for Mayfair's director to state his
fair has to compete with Sands openings. Really? Doesn't the Sands open but once?
so if that is the real reason he plans to destroy more Rose Garden lands for his Mayfair tribute, he'll have to come up with another excuse next year.
the villa's continue to comment under pseudo names and also impersonate me, using my name, at carpenter's column. they lie, impersonate and disrupt any dialogue on any topic. although perhaps suited to be goons for city hall, she, after condoning her husband's threats of implied violence, is no longer suited to be a public school teacher.
ReplyDeleteyou can dish it out
ReplyDeletebut you can't take it.
your pusillanimous.
actually villa, you're the one who can dish it out, but can't take it. you and your wife repeatedly send hostile, insulting comments, by the hundreds, then get upset if i or someone else occasionally points it out? you and your wife lie and say i have sent comments to your blog when you know i have not. any mention of me on mcall is bombarded with hostile insults from you. today you stooped to commenting under my name on mcall. frankly, you two are disgusting. your wife writes about women's rights, while you call people pusillanimous? you don't even have the courage to comment under your name.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Molovinsky,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better than your 5:04 PM comment, myself.
I see today, I am the latest target, again, on their blog. And they have begun to impersonate me, again, at the Morning Call's comment sections. It is frustrating, sometimes.
I look forward to meeting you one day. I will be in the Valley in the later half of the summer. I'll check with Bernie, and one day we can all sit down, and compare notes. Until then,
Peace, ~~Alex