Jun 16, 2009

Out To Fib


To those of us somewhat familiar with free-standing stone construction, the above photograph was alarming. The lower right hand corner clearly shows that the unseen pond on the right was under-dug, threatening the bridge integrity. Although the bridge structure has some mortar, the pond walls are free-standing. It gets worse. Yesterday's article in the Morning Call on the park plans was disappointing. The reporter chose to ignore the fact that there is growing opposition to those plans, and that many informed people believe the plans are detrimental to the parks. It gets much worse. Today I visited the ponds to inspect the progress; the reporter was told (last week) that the ponds would be refilled within a month. No work, what- so- ever, has been performed on the walls. I learned that the bidding process for such work has not even been completed. The ponds, because of the weather, are again partially filled. It is my hope that the ponds survive this so called " improvement". It is apparent to me that this park/recreation director is obsessed with recreation plans, but in way over his head in regard to safe guarding the gems of Allentown, the parks themselves. The reporter was clearly mislead in regard to the ponds being completed. Likewise, the Trexler Trust has comprised its long term reputation by placing blind faith in these plans. It's bad enough that the pond job is still out to bid, it's worse when officials are out to fib.

23 comments:

  1. whoever your "source of information" is, they are wrong.

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  2. anon 1:44, i have no problem being "corrected" on any issue, but please be more specific

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  3. Believe new "park director" is by education a recreational major.
    Recreational features seem to be his strong suit, i.e., redoing
    cedar beach and leaving park lands
    in need of major repairs and park restrooms in unsanitary condition. when he arrived he said he would be sure restrooms were cleaned daily. Has that happened? Actually, what did happen to his job posting for a park ranger? Was that job ever filled? Don't hear a word.
    If I had young children I would be quite ooncerned about visiting a park with 500 children.

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  4. What is that photo you used in your blog? Is that man-made? What is it suppose to be?

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  5. anon 4:56, i can appreciate that the photo is confusing. it shows a stepping stone across the empty lilly ponds at the rose garden. the ponds are only about 3.5 ft. deep and the crossing stone is about 5 feet long. from the photo it appears that the pond on the right of the crossing stone was dug out below the original depth of the pond, which would jeopardize the piers for the crossing stone which appear to have no footers(concrete foundation). i went to inspect the pond today, and from the storm it has about a foot of water. i would estimate the ponds have been empty for about 6 weeks.

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  6. Anon 4:55 - You said you would be concerned about so many kids, and I couldn't agree more!!!

    What a nightmare to have to chase your kid around playground structures the entire visit. Don't think for a minute that leaving your kid to his/her own devices in such a setting is a good idea. Nothing against Allentown per se, but I am not letting my kid out of my site if 500 folks are around.

    To me, this playground is inviting all kinds of trouble. Obviously, it's a done deal, so I guess we better get over it. But, it's just a matter of time before vandalism or crime hits the area, and I am hoping children are not the victims.

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  7. these plans are so detrimental to the park that i have considered legal recourse, an injunction. i would entertain such action if others came forward to share the cost.

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  8. Another example of the deterioration of Allentown. Sad to see the jewel of this decaying city (our parks) being further scarred(think Lights in the Parkway) by putting up a playground that is certainly going to be vandalized in no time at all.

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  9. Mr. Molovinsky
    what would legal fees be. can send something.
    let us know post on line

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  10. The thought of more than 500 children in any single area
    and who is going to count...
    501 502 552.
    what is there gonig to be --
    a count warden? what if 1,000 children show up. what about infection, sanitation,

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  11. Anonymous said...
    whoever your "source of information" is, they are wrong.

    June 16, 2009 1:44 PM


    Comment: What kind of statement is this? The world is flat and everything you have ever said is wrong. "Source of information?" for what!

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  12. "I learned today" implies that Mr. Molovinsky sought information somewhere on the bidding process for this work. Whatever his source of information, it was incorrect. I am not at liberty to say more, but did post that in hopes that perhaps Mr. Molovinsky would double check his information.

    Although I know many people, not the least of whom are people in the department, are anxious to see the work completed. The weather has certainly been a factor. If you would look at the rainfall over the last 6 weeks since the ponds were drained, it has not been infrequent.

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  13. anon 7:47, if in fact a bid was given out i don't see why it can not be public information. although the weather has been bad, the ponds remained dry until two days ago. i visited them about a month ago, a local blogger photographed them a couple weeks ago, (see cow photo) and the morning call photographed them last week. never the less, i appreciate your comment, and welcome more information.

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  14. I dodn't feel comfortable posting the details, simply because I'm not authorized to do so, but I do believe that the information is public.

    There is a contracting crew working on the ponds today, you can go see for yourself.

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  15. What is the annual maintenance cost for this new park? As noted, the park can't even keep the restrooms clean. I, also, would be willing to contribute to the legal fees for an injunction.
    Bob Romancheck

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  16. Shouldn't any city bid be public information?

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  17. If folks have moment, just visit
    a few of the restrooms in various parks NOT Trexler since that does and can understand why get special treatment. But visit some of the other restrooms today
    check them out.

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  18. The parking lot across from
    Road Runners Club house in Lehigh Parkway easily and inexpensively
    could be updated with simple concrete parking "logs" to designate appropriate lanes
    and more stone. It has look like a mess for the past few years.
    Now, we all realize there was an awful storm Monday night but long before that storm, This particular parking lot has looked pretty awful for a long time. And, that look does not reflect on park employees in any way as they are the hardest working crew anywhere. The park director easily could get teen summer helpers and some city employed heavy equipment operators and in one day that parking lot could look 100 times better than it does this morning. The park director could purchase a small Gazebo and place it in that parking lot by the driveway up to the bridge and within that Gazebo could be the little park directories so attractively printed by his department and also a stand-along park map in large dimensions and doggie do bag dispenser and nice garbage pails and a few chairs or a bench that would be bolted to the floor.

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  19. Re: Proposed Cedar Beach Playground:

    Not a virus cirus here but even Washington CDC states children should not be in large group gatherings citing various flu illnesses, head lice, etc. Such a huge group as 500 children or more in one area at one time, gosh, the unfortunate possibilities, but we are not parents and only parents know what is best for their children.

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  20. I also am willing to send contribution.

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  21. Second Opinions:
    To send a small contribution towards a second legal opinion as to the legality of the Trexler Trust Cedar Beach Park allocation in no ways indicates less loyalty towards this beloved city. I care about Allentown, and, if today, the current mayor called for city volunteers to help inform the public of some impending doom, would be at the front of the line. But park lands are finite, fragile treasures, and such a plan as this stands in place for decades. Forethought is not criticism but protection.

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  22. Recently someone wrote to Mr. Molovinsky to say how anyone dare challenge the Trexler Trust. Just think if someone had challenged their decision to demolish the stunning Trexler Park greenhouses. If those greenhouses stood today, school children across the region could travel to this once-wonderland and see how various plants grow, how each is cultivated and how blooms shine. Gone forever. There are other examples of how their silence has resulted in permanent parkland damage.
    Mr. Molovinsky has courage to even consider pursuing a legal opinion in the proposed Cedar Beach plan.

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  23. "Recently someone wrote to Mr. Molovinsky to say how anyone dare challenge the Trexler Trust. Just think if someone had challenged their decision to demolish the stunning Trexler Park greenhouses. If those greenhouses stood today, school children across the region could travel to this once-wonderland and see how various plants grow, how each is cultivated and how blooms shine. Gone forever. There are other examples of how their silence has resulted in permanent parkland damage."

    MM, you are more than welcome to set up a table at UPWARD BOUND, ALLENTOWN II on July 11th to get your information out to the public. Because, whether you agree or disagree, with MM, he is doing alot more to preserve A-town than those who are ACTUALLY supposed to be preserving Allentown,

    - Alfonso Todd

    www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com

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