Years ago, in a building that no longer exists, an assorted group of early risers would meet for coffee. By 6:30, most of us had arrived at Jerry's for the early morning sessions. Included in this group of civil critics was Lou Hershman. Lou's rants were almost exclusively centered on the city budget, year after year, rant after rant.
What takes me back to that coffee shop is a current post on facebook. A local Black Lives Matter advocate is supporting a local gays rights advocate, who is offended by the adoration being given Lou Hershman, who passed away last week. She claims that Lou was a bigot against gays. In all the years and all the conversations that I had with Lou, he never once mentioned gays. As for the young BLM activist, I'm sure that he never met Lou, and probably never even heard of him before last week.
Back then, fifteen years ago, when I would drive to the coffee shop at 7th and Hamilton at six in the morning, I would always think about how calm town seemed at that time of day. I knew that as the day progressed, so would the commotion. Unfortunately, the streets are considerably more violent now than they were then. Allentown would be better off if the young BLM leader concerned himself with making the streets safer. In fifty years, if he contributes as much as Lou Hershman did to Allentown, let's hope nobody slanders his good deeds.
photocredit: Bernie O'Hare
Mike,
ReplyDeleteWhite equals bigot/racist/supremist to young people today, they are taught to think and believe it and are rewarded when they do. It isn't necessary to to prove any white person is a racist, one simply needs to make they charge and they are congratulated for their bravely, conscience, and virtue. Lou Hershman was a good man. I too knew him for many years. If it wasn't budget related he never mentioned it.
apparently sullivan holds a grudge because lou didn't vote to change the hiring charter in 2002, to specifically include lgbt. perhaps he felt it was already implied under general fairness doctrines. anyway, she objects to a little mention of him, but not a publicly funded center named after her.
ReplyDeleteWell said MIke......I never heard Lou speak of ANYTHING but budget whenever I filmed him....what they did was wrong, and should have been called out when he was alive with us.... Hope nobody tarnishes the axe they grind.... heres to non profit tax exempt status wars...smh... must be nice....
ReplyDeleteLou Hershman was a great defender of the people of Allentown. Though he was wasn't re-elected to council or controller he was a faithful public servant.
ReplyDeleteHe was also a friend. I maintained a fax line just so he could fax me notes on the budget and other ordinances. I will definitely miss him.
Usually the ones pointing the finger of bigotry are the biggest bigots. Lou was one hell of a public agent before his passing and the ignorance of this name caller is obvious to those who knew Lou.
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