Dec 19, 2022

Christmas Time In Allentown

The other day Kenneth Heffentrager announced that he was interested in being appointed to the Redevelopment Authority. Ken has a dilemma; Such appointments are made by the mayor, and Ken is a grass roots street level organizer. Pawlowski historically has appointed certified yes men to his boards. It is for that reason that often one person will serve on several boards in Allentown. Although Ken is a founding member of the Allentown Tenant Association, he has also been somewhat of a thorn in Pawlowski's side, advocating for more housing inspectors. Although he is completely qualified for the position he seeks, this blog post isn't really about him.

Ken made his pitch for appointment on facebook. One of the readers wished him well, but then commented that she did not want to concern herself with such matters during the Christmas season. Politicians count on such reactions. Add in those that concentrate on Thanksgiving, Easter and their summer vocation, and you can end up electing an indicted mayor.  Another reader, who herself was appointed by Pawlowski to another commission, wondered if Ken would be able to function objectively,  considering his past tensions with the mayor.  I think that citizens should wonder if someone who is an avid supporter of Pawlowski could function fairly in such a position?

While my interest in local politics isn't reduced by holidays, the recent election results were very discouraging. Perhaps that is why this blog has been concentrating on its other component, local history. On that note,  I have used this old A-Treat Seasons Greetings as today's illustration. The A-Treat Company, after closing several years ago,  has been purchased and restarted by the Jaindl family.

above reprinted from December of 2017

ADDENDUM DECEMBER 19, 2022: Readers of this blog lately have seen more reprints of my history based posts. When it comes to the political component, I'm becoming more and more subdued. With a corrupt mayor like Pawlowski, I had one abuse after another to expose. Tuerk, although not corrupt, is more of a pied piper.  Playing his flute, his followers are so flattered by the cultural tune, they're willing to overlook litter, crime and a declining quality of life. Council now would rather fund and empower hope and promises, rather than hire more policemen for more enforcement. 

In this blog's earlier years, I would attend city council meetings and speak out against such shortcomings. Now, it seems that both council, and enough residents to re-elect them, are satisfied with the status quo. 

There are those of us who still remember when Allentown had different values.

4 comments:

  1. HeffenFarter was derailed by the slick PR work of a. Silver Fox whose list of political victims is longer than a Torah scroll.

    Alfundo Toad and little Scooter Headstrong come to mind, wonder why perpetual curmudgeon Cousin Jeffrey never runs for anything…

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  2. Those familiar with and/or victimized by the predator Bill Villa, have no doubt that the above anti-semitic comment is from him. Unfortunately, despite a decade of his aggression and threats against dozens of people, D.A. Jim Martin and local law enforcement, have taken no action against the Villas.

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  3. What Villa wrote never bothered me or the vast majority of Allentown voters. We either simply ignored him or knew nothing about him. What he is up to now I couldn't care less less. He was a non factor in local politics, the voters here are just plain stupid. That is fact we have learned to live with.

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  4. Villa by email has denied that comment 5:59 is from him.

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