A reader wondered back channel about yesterday's post on Allentown's trail plans. He was perplexed about why Emily Opilo would write such a story, especially quoting no less than two people who are no longer with the city for dubious reasons. The article mentioned that the Wildlands Conservancy donated $50K to further the project along. It may well be a strategic investment by the Conservancy. After volunteering to help South Whitehall develop their park masterplan, the Wildlands was awarded the contract to build a trail along the Jordan through the township. This is a $multi-million dollar project, and the Wildands Conservancy takes 15% off the top for their administrative fees. By the time Allentown would have the financing lined up, the Wildlands could claim that they have experience in trail building.
I have complained on this blog before about the newspaper qenching my op-ed on Wehr's Dam to protect the Wildlands. Sacred cows are not new to the valley. With the Morning Call in business limbo, expect it to be more kitten like than ever. Although the recently departed publisher denied it, I believe that Bill White is making the editorial decisions. They couldn't possibly be paying him to just write another column about eating his way through another festival.
photo: the Basin Street parcel, purchased by Pawlowski and being developed by Ray O'Connell as Allentown's newest park.
The current manager of the Allentown Parks Dept. aided and abetted the bid rigging of the Cedar Beach Pool contract.
ReplyDeleteSee the Edwin Pawlowski corruption trial transcripts. It’s all there for the world to see.
readers should understand that because I do not allow anonymous comments, I tend to allow most comments to stand without any reply from me, even those with which I disagree.
ReplyDeleteThe initial “plan” and report was put together by then Parks Director Greg Weitzel.
ReplyDeleteGW was a master at the push-poll and plans with preordained politically expedient outcomes. That plan is worthless and is detached from any reality.
It was a fiction then and now.
Witness the bike lanes on MLK Blvd. for a laugh.
MM, it lookz like a indusTRAIL waste dump site just like the brewery!
ReplyDeleteO'Connell seems to be following in Pawlowski's footsteps. Allentown needs to maintain its existing parks before building any new ones
ReplyDeleteIs the Trexler Trust MIA, or what man?
ReplyDelete