Exclusive to molovinskyonallentown; this blogger has learned that along with the golf course concession, the Allentown BrewWorks has received the first franchise to conduct urban safaris in Allentown. The evening excursions will begin and end from the safety of the municipal golf course parking lot, in the deep west end. Although still in the planning stages, sites on the tour will include 9th and Chew, gunfire epicenter of the new Allentown, and a drive-by of Trinkles Cafe. Within the safety of the armored Hummer, guests will visit an actual forensic site, and watch police officers search for shell casings. The guides will tastefully point out probable ladies of the night and merchants of recreational pharmaceuticals. The tour will include stopping in front of the home of an urban pioneer, where actual members of OAPA will wave from behind their windows. With special permission from Lanta, the excursion will drive through the bus yard, showing real passengers waiting on cold steel benches, eating stale donuts. For a VIP tour, actually driven by Mayor Pawlowski himself, contact the special events coordinator at Allentown City Hall or the Allentown BrewWorks. Jarrett Renshaw of The Morning Call did not contribute to this story. above reprinted from December 28, 2008
ADDENDUM JANUARY 2, 2023: After ending the year beating up current city officials, it was my intention to start this year nice. Although I'm not creative enough to find something currently nice to write about, I have an extensive archive, stretching back a decade and a half.
However, waking up to the news that four youths were shot by the East Side Youth Center took the nice out of me. Over the weekend, both the mayor and newspaper editor wrote about good news and hope. Those of you who need to dose on those delusions might find comfort with their greeting card type writing. Since neither of those gentlemen have any use for me, I will provide no links to their nonsense.
Maybe next year, I can start off nicer.
Why be nice to the dishonest?
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the "Hope" message they have been peddling wore thin well over decade ago. Like salespeople selling any product the Morning Call's "trust us and our product/city leadership" message has led the city to wear it is today. Anyone satisficed with this result is either deluded, part of the corruption, or simply not paying attention. Again there is no hope for the city until the voters put capable people worthy of trust into office. Based on past results there is no room for any hope. Happy New Year Allentown, this new year will be as bad or worse than the last year.
ReplyDeleteI remember last year (2022) after a shooting in the city, the police chief and mayor told city residents not to worry because the shooting was gang-related, and therefore not a threat to those not involved with gangs.
ReplyDeleteThat seemed oddly nonchalant and very strange coming from public officials who supposedly have the safety of the city as a priority.
I have no idea if the shooting near the ESYC was gang-related, but I hope this incident is taken much more seriously. ANY shooting in our city is unacceptable and there needs to be a zero-tolerance policy for such crimes (and those who commit them) no matter what the circumstances.
Additionally, perhaps this incident could have been prevented if only Mr. Batts and his Promise Neighborhoods group were able to put our $1.5 million to good use and talk with those involved in the incident beforehand.
Or are we going to actually be honest and start keeping score, with this being the first example of our tax dollars being flushed down the toilet?
Sadly the hand outs to NGO's that fail annually to make a difference has been going on for many years. Expect them to continue to be funded as their real purpose isn't public betterment but one of a more partisan nature. On that score the money is considered well spent by those who handed out.
DeleteThe way I understood it these recreational activity areas were suppose to help prevent these kind of things. Perhaps buildings housing firing ranges might be more appropriate to their liking?
ReplyDeleteThere will be less gun violence this year because Promise Neighborhoods of LV is consulting with the Police through ideas such as helping shooting victims get "victim compensation". Dr. Batts says this will "help prevent more violence."
ReplyDeleteOn an unsurprising note, I’ve noticed article after article in our “local” newspaper about 4 murders in Idaho, but not a single follow up on 4 people being shot near a youth center in the Valley’s largest city.
DeletePriorities, I suppose.
Do they even wonder why their circulation is in the toilet, or have they just accepted it?