As I have written previously, besides wanting to see Pawlowski replaced, I will be making no recommendation in the mayoral race. Although, it was my intention to reprint my neutrality before the election, circumstances accelerate my schedule. Over the weekend candidate Sam Bennett linked to my previous post about Bill White and Pawlowski on a facebook page. Fellow blogger Chris Casey then chimed in that Pawlowski was instrumental in the NIZ, and went on to write about Bennett; The only reason you are running for mayor is your ego. You have no skills or experience whatsoever that would qualify you to handle the debacle that is Allentown at this level.......
Casey has been active in the Democratic politics, and ran himself for office in the past. He openly admits to having done oppositional research, including some assignments for previous local elections. Because I find Bennett's qualifications on par with her opponents, I cannot help but think that Casey's comment was politically motivated. If his motivation indeed was to help another candidate, it's no crime; It's called politics.
It is my hope that Casey takes this post as the political observation that it is, as opposed to a personal insult. I also commented on Bennett's Facebook post, but only reaffirming Pawlowski's incidental involvement in the NIZ. I feel compelled to set the record straight on links concerning my blog posts.
The only reason I would vote for Pawlowski is to keep Bennett running her bed & breakfast rather than the city.
ReplyDeleteI personally like Luis Garcia the best, but he stands a snowball's chance in Democratic Allentown. When all is said and done, it will be O'Connell and Pawlowski neck and neck, the outcome to be decided after midnight.
Mike, I made my comment because I disagree with the assessment of the mayor's involvement and Sam Bennett's continued harping that she was the first to declare a candidacy for mayor, before the FBI probe was revealed.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I changed my registration, I am no longer a Democrat, and am assisting candidates of any party who ask in any way I can. I also do not live in Allentown, so folks can take my opinion for what they want to value it as.
I have no use for the hierarchy in either party at this point, with a few exceptions, they are mostly clueless and ineffective leaders who strive to protect their own turf and perceived self importance.
Does anyone with an IQ over 50 really think Sam Bennett has the necessary professional and interpersonal skills to oversee the base operations of Allentown?
It is absolutely paramount that the heart of the Lehigh Valley regain an overall health that radiates out into the surrounding communities. The next leadership must make safety and business opportunity available to all neighborhoods, not just one area in Center City controlled by one wealthy interest. The mind behind "Properties of Merit" is not going to cut it.
Sam has decades of executive and civic expertise . She is the only candidate that holds national CEO experience. I dare say her interpersonal skills far outweigh any charm you have to offer Casey. Your personal attacks against Sam negate any unbiased political commentary you might offer the Lehigh Valley.
ReplyDeletechris@9:44, I interviewed and posted about both thiel and bennett in early 2014. both candidates back then already indicated that they would oppose pawlowski.
ReplyDelete11:12 I'm curious what Ms Bennett's "national CEO experience" is? Other than being a perennial office seeker, her qualifications are perfect for running her B&B. She's been rejected several times (with good reason) from political office in the past. In fact, she's even been defeated by Pawlowski.
ReplyDeleteOther than being a Hillary Clinton Democrat, her qualifications are best ones found on an inflated resume'
Let's pretend Jeffrey OOPS I mean Dave you don't know what her experience is.
ReplyDelete12:07 I don't believe anyone does Jackie.
ReplyDeleteWow... We're in 2017? I can't vote for anyone in the democratic party, but I'm certain that Ms. Bennette's experience as a National CEO does put her as a top candidate on this platform. Why are man so afraid of a women taking on a city which is in much need of "Doing away with the same old politics"??? To know this women's qualification all I had to do is read universal public information on her track record.
ReplyDeleteOK, Siegle was impressive due to his research and articulation of his passion, but our young friend needs some experience at the magnitude of what's in front of him. On paper...Theil, O'Connell and Jones, Sorry... You all came from Ed's camp and it would only take Allentown back to what it should move away from. I'm proud of the Republican ticket, but Hyamnn...would be like having Ed there all over again...NOT!
Stop bashing the only women cause you're looking like crying girls and it only makes Bennett look like she has more backbone then her critics.
jackie, the purpose of this post wasn't to promote, defend or criticize any one candidate, but to suggest such comments can be politically motivated, as opposed to being fact based. accordingly, i'd be very reluctant to delete comments; however, I have decided to delete your comment of 1:47, because you attribute a well known readers comment to someone else.
ReplyDeleteGiven that I asked simply what CEO position did Ms Bennett hold and none of her supporters here can actually name it specifically, it can be reasonably believed that this is campaign rhetoric not really based in fact.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, made up bullshit by Bennett. Although she is in charge of her B&B.
dave@5:57, i'm not advocating for bennett, or any of the other candidates, however, she was CEO of the Women's Campaign Fund which operated out of washington d.c.
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ReplyDeletedave@8:27, your comments are generally appreciated, however the intent of this post was not to repeatedly question the qualifications of a particular candidate, so i'll take the liberty of deleting the comment
ReplyDeletejackie@8:41, your preoccupation with someone who has not commented here pretty much outs you as a troll. your comments are no longer welcome.
Dave, given that you make accusations without doing your research on a candidate states that you're only here for personal attacks and not about educational dialog on political candidates that can affect the future of Allentown. You speak about facts but you don't research. I know who I'm leading towards, but I need to be an educated voter and not place my personal issues on the viewers of this blog.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who knows me knows i have been around the political scene in Allentown for many years. Even as a young guy helped my father with trying to get Leroy Bogert elected Mayor. Not only have I found politics a blood sport but amusing to experience certain levels of hypocracy among so called political hacks and yet at the same time trying to respect the basics of our democracy. Misinformation,Miscommunication or even downright lies about those that choose to step forward to run for office seems to be the way politics is played. How sad. How sad how we conduct the important function of electing our leaders. That said I have known Sam Bennett since she first ran in 2001 and was there to volunteer in her campaign. She ran a great campaign then with her platform being much like today" Clean and safe". All the hacks were saying then Roy would win 60/40. She loses by 47 votes. From that point on the nastiness started from some Dems for the perceived slight of a 16 year political veteran. Well we have experienced what that experience of 16 years in office has done for our city. Sam then focused on taking over the helm of Mayfair for two years. She retired most of the debt the first year with the 2nd year being the best programmed Mayfair ever. Was also there to experience her leadership skills during the rainout. I can tell you she has the skills to be an effective leader in good and challenging times.Her 5 years as CEO of the Womens Campaign Fund is just another example of her success as a leader. There are some good candidates running this time and am convinced she will be good for our city. My problem with Ed is the way he treated two outstanding city employees Eric Weiss and Betsy Levin and would advise Sam to bring back those two extremely talented and dedicated leaders back into city government. Am currently semi retired along the gulf coast but will return to witness her victory election night.
ReplyDeleteI never professed to be full of charm, but I do have the INTEGRITY of making my opinions known and signing my name to them. I don't believe I attacked Sam in any way. All I did was point out a few of her many failings in a long list of them. If Bill White were to run a column on the most entertaining campaign concession speeches in Lehigh Valley History, the one from May 2001 would definitely be a top three.
ReplyDeleteNow Mr Molcahy makes some valid points above, especially concerning Mayfair, Eric Weiss and Betsy Levin, but the solution to the disease plaguing Allentown is a hell of a lot more complex than a "Clean and Safe" Slogan. "I'm not Ed", and "I was running before the FBI inquiry" are not great slogans either.
I laugh at those accusing me of political hucksterism while they spout cheer blurbs for their candidate. It is sad that Sam Bennett is only more qualified than Bus Driver Nathan Woodring of the seven candidates.
They can't attack the validity of the evidence I present so they TRY to attack me, but I wear the attack proof armor of not giving a damn. Have at it. you are less than 5 weeks from election day and you spend your time arguing on local blogs and social media for hours on end. The top two contenders as of now are Thiel and O'Connell, two candidates who have a Social Media presence but don't spend every waking minute here. That should tell you something.
So now opinions are evidence. Evidence clearly shows that those that promoted either Roy or our current Mayor in the past had some flawed logic to say the least. You were wrong then Mr. Casey and your not doing much better now.
ReplyDeleteI support Joshua Siegel because he's the best candidate to raise Allentown out of its morass of corruption. But #anybodybutpawlowski is fine by me.
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