Allentown's Democracy Dilemma

Although it's the photograph  currently on the City Web Site, it's again out of date. They have yet to take a new picture,  showing that Jeff Glazier replaced Mike Schlossberg. Glazier is the third appointed member. If the new redistricting map had not been rejected by the court, Peter Schweyer would have also resigned for the state house, making four of seven council members appointed, instead of elected. Our appointed Council now tells us that it is their decision to make in regard to the water; that we have a representative democracy.
Long time east side activist Dennis Pearson observes: I recognize that at present in Allentown the providing of water service and sewer service is a monopoly held by the City. The City being a corporate entity in which the stakeholders, the electorate, have the opportunity from time to time to chose the decision makers who ultimately control the operation of these facilities. And at public meeting, these stakeholders with property owners and citizens included, from time to time can be vocal concerning issues related to these municipal monopolies. But what the Mayor is proposing to do with Council's consent is turn this monopoly over to another entity whose operations would be more private, providing fewer opportunities for the public to vocalize their concerns about future problems related to the new more private entity management decisions related to the operation of these plants.

The citizens of Allentown have a dilemma. I believe that selling the water system (lease is a misnomer for a 50 year term) is above a mayor's pay grade. It certainly is above the pay grade of a temporarily appointed council.