The Wildland's Conservancy, feel good hypocrites who receive big business contributions to ignore fracking, sewage overflows, and the bottling industry's overuse of our water, received a grant to remove dams in Lehigh Valley. While Easton told them to pound their plans, Allentown is giving them free range in our park system, with no oversight what-so-ever. Citizens today learn that the dam in Jordan Park was removed yesterday. A few months ago I approached City Council to save the iconic dam at Robin Hood, in Lehigh Parkway. Public Works indicated that the Conservancy provided no engineering or plans for the dam removals. City Council's Park and Recreation Committee, chaired by Cynthia Mota, was supposed to conduct a meeting on the issue, inviting a coalition of concerned citizens. Personally, I have no issue with removing the dam(s) at Jordan Park. It is my understanding that they contributed to stagnation and presented a danger to children. However, they were built during the WPA era, and belonged to the citizens of Allentown. In no way should the Wildland's Conservancy be removing features of the Allentown Park System, without direct knowledge of the citizens, and consent of City Council.
Citizens of Allentown always have the opportunity to comment on projects like this but never show up to make their voiced heard. So tough luck. Put up or shut up.
ReplyDelete@5:39, actually what happened is that myself and others did comment to city council about the proposed dam removals. we were told by peter schweyer, rich young and michael hanlon that we would be invited to a meeting, and never were. apologists and distractors like yourself excuse these shams to continue.
ReplyDeleteWell did Ms. Mota have her meeting or not?
ReplyDeleteWhat does she have to say other than enjoying a beautiful antique building as her private office?
There are many Allentown residents who gladly would volunteer to assist in the management of the city's parks to protect their integrity.
Don't nonprofits annually have to prove their value to gain tax exempt status? Perhaps this group is searching for anything to do just that. Imagine the self-importance to think "you" know better.
ReplyDelete@7:41, no meeting was conducted
ReplyDelete@8:11, nonprofits do not have to prove their value. the dam removal philosophy is not site specific to allentown. the overflowing sewage pipes make water quality a moot point. the fish hatchery makes fish migration a moot point. at one time the park system was the pride of allentown. now, we allow the Wildland's Conservancy to dictate park policy.