The race that interested me most last evening was Allentown City Council. WFMZ, as of 10:00p.m., when over 65% of election returns were in, had not mentioned that contest even once. The result turns out to be exactly as I predicted. My problem is that I didn't make the prediction here on this blog. I actually said that if any of the non-incumbents win, it will be Daryl Hendricks. Although turnout yesterday was only 11%, Pawlowski/Fleck had their machine in operation. I noticed a campaign worker in the West End, Pawlowski sign on the car, clip board in hand, working 26th Street. The losing incumbent, Jeff Glazier, did come in fifth. How much of an agent of change Hendricks will be, remains to be seen. If he does assert himself, it will not be a game changer for Allentown. If a vote is 6 to 1, or 5 to 2, the Administration still gets it's way, regardless. Independents can still run for Council, and appear on the November Ballot. Let me now make my future prediction in writing. When Peter Schweyer resigns to take the new District 22 seat in Harrisburg, Jeff Glazier will be reappointed to City Council.
election chart from WFMZ
The race that interested me most last evening was Allentown City Council. WFMZ, as of 10:00p.m., when over 65% of election returns were in, had not mentioned that contest even once. The result turns out to be exactly as I predicted. My problem is that I didn't make the prediction here on this blog. I actually said that if any of the non-incumbents win, it will be Daryl Hendricks. Although turnout yesterday was only 11%, Pawlowski/Fleck had their machine in operation. I noticed a campaign worker in the West End, Pawlowski sign on the car, clip board in hand, working 26th Street. The losing incumbent, Jeff Glazier, did come in fifth. How much of an agent of change Hendricks will be, remains to be seen. If he does assert himself, it will not be a game changer for Allentown. If a vote is 6 to 1, or 5 to 2, the Administration still gets it's way, regardless. Independents can still run for Council, and appear on the November Ballot. Let me now make my future prediction in writing. When Peter Schweyer resigns to take the new District 22 seat in Harrisburg, Jeff Glazier will be reappointed to City Council.
election chart from WFMZ
Mike,
ReplyDeleteClearly Allentown's voters are a beaten lot.
By the way, a big thanks for nothing to the LCRC for their lack of promised assistance with the school board race. Apparently even a mailer to A-Town's few remaining Republicans to identify to real Republican candidates in this cross filed effort was deemed unworthy.
As A Republican it was disheartening to see no Republican candidates for any city office(other than school board) on the ballot.
Scott Armstrong
It was a wild ride, but glad to have been a part of it...
ReplyDeleteAlfonso Todd
The concepts of 'limited government','low taxes' and 'balanced budgets' are now correctly considered to be "radical" and "extreme" positions in the heroic President Obama's contemporary America.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, Allentown clearly has the government it wants.
This talk of Democracy being dead is all just a worthless bunch of ridiculously ineffective propaganda.
Time to focus on Progress --- and exciting hockey action at the magnificent Palace of Sport!
JON GEETING's SUPERFAN NUMBER ONE
Thanks Rolf.
ReplyDeleteHow could the Republicans do NOTHING?
ReplyDeleteHow could the Water Protecters lose EVERY round.
I just don't get it.
Really. I just don't get it.
Atlas Shrugged was a warning; NOT an instruction manual.
ReplyDeletealfonso @8:43, you, and the other challengers to the incumbents, are to be congratulated for your contribution to the dialogue, concerning issues facing allentown. thank you, michaelm
ReplyDeleteTHanks, MM!
ReplyDeleteAlfonso Todd
Say, Mr. Molovinsky.
ReplyDeleteI thought you had a policy prohibiting chat room discussions.
"Thanks Rolf"
Please advise.
Thanks.
The voting public (in this case few) were not interested in the sewer/water issue as a political deciding factor.
ReplyDeleteIt takes an easy to understand soundbite oriented issue to swing votes.This is a complex financial issue. Telling people that the lease essentialy impacts people more than 20 years from now is a bad campaign strategy.No one cares about saying it impacts your grandchildren (where will thay be in 20 years).
Add to that situation that the reform candidates are a bit out of the main poltical stream ( no track record of accomplishments that arouse people)and you get apathy.
"Do nothing"?
ReplyDeleteDon't make me laugh.
Utter waste of energy, money and time, participating in Republican politics in the City With No (Spending?) Limits.
All of my neighbors voted for Guridy and Mota and are thrilled.
They don't care much for ice hockey, but they love the arena, nevertheless.
They have no problem with the results of the Water War.
They have the Government they want. They are NOT into limited government, low taxes and / or balanced budgets. Fine.
So be it. Hopefully someday, I will be able to find another job somewhere else and be able to have enough money to go and take that job. In the meantime, DO NOT give ME any "Do Nothing" bullshit.
Thanks.
ROLF OELER
RECOUNT
ReplyDelete@11:50, by my calculations, only about 2,400 people voted yesterday in allentown. with numbers like that, apathy is an understatement.
ReplyDeleteMost properties in the city of Allentown are rentals or soon to be. This is why the city is going down the toilet
DeleteSo now Allentown has re-elected one of the Conucilmen who voted for the police pensions originally, Mr.Guridy, and a police officer who, along with a generation of his fellow police buddies, is a beneficiary of that very same taxpayer give away. ( Note well - Officer Hendricks as a candidate for City Council,had no issues with the process or outcome of the great water system sell off.)
ReplyDeleteYou could not make this shit up! Who would beleive you?
How the heck could the anti-privitatization crew lose every single round? Every single one!
ReplyDeleteA--for effort.
F-- for effectiveness.
The gang that couldn't shoot straight.
@2:27, this is julio's third election since the contract, so that is well behind him.
ReplyDeletehendricks could have retired 8 years ago under that contract, and probably had a higher pension than he will receive now. i commend those like him who stayed on.
@2:38, winning against the administration may not be possible in this town, i commend those who try.
Councilman elect Hendricks will support the mayor on almost every occasion. He is not a change agent kind of guy. You heard it here first.
ReplyDelete@6:03, i was tempted to not print your comment. since you submit your comment anonymously, here is molovinsky. what kind of councilman hendricks will be is still to be determined.
ReplyDeleteMr.Molovinsky, The A.P.D. officers who received the pension boosts were able to manipulate their overtime.Others could not receive O.T. would not have been able to increase pensions.Councilmen Hendricks was not able to increase his pension.The spin was put out a few months ago why certain high-ranking officers stayed for the payoff.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteThe election results were all about union connections. That explains the results.
Scott Armstrong
@7:45, although the police union estimated that 12 officers would retire under the afflerbach contract, over 48 did. they did so because all members of the force at that time could manipulate their overtime, and create the high pension. pawlowski induced the senior staff to stay on under that generous contract, but forfeiting the opportunity for overtime manipulation. that group included henricks. they now have reached legitimate retirement age. we were lucky that they stayed on.
ReplyDelete@2:29, there is an irrational scapegoating of rentals. your facts are wrong. if they were correct, what would be the alternative? make the unqualified homeowners? that philosophy caused the financial collapse we're now recovering from. don't reply.
ReplyDeleteMike, Stop drinking the Kool-Aid and open your brain.Lt's and above do not get overtime.If they could have gotten over-time,do you think they would have not increased their pensions.Check the A.P.D. contract.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Molovinsky, row homes converted to 2 dwelling units now pay twice the property tax. Anyone believe this?
ReplyDelete@9:04, i never said anything of the sort. i only print your untruth to make a point; false comments needing a correction will most likely not be published.
ReplyDeletehappen to agree with both scotts comments. Just dont understand why LCRC shows no support for the allentown city committe.Guess its just a republican trait not to support the OTHER guy that needs the help.No wonder they lose the big picture.What about Dent a former allentonian.Ya mean he cant host a fundraiser for the allentown committee so candidates have some funding for a more viable campaign.Democracy is not dead in allentown its just obvious from the other nights results that most people just piss and moan then sit at home on their dead ass and dont participate in the vote.
ReplyDeleteDemocracy is not dead in Allentown. It's doing very well. What could be healthier than democracy in Allentown? Doing just peachy thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe LCRC bosses love syncophants. If a candidate wants to whore him / herself for money just pledge servitude to the party. Vote as they say, do their bidding whenever asked and they may throw you some crumbs. Just go out to the Trivet any weekday morning find the corner table and bow repeatedly all the while chanting "I am not worthy, I am not worthy".
ReplyDeleteAllentown has the Government it wants.
ReplyDeleteSo, what s the big deal?
PHANTOMS SEASON TICKET HOLDER