The Historical Record

During the City Council Eminent Domain Hearing, Louie Belletieri came in about halfway during the meeting. I encouraged him to stay and say a few words. Louie stood up at the meeting's end and told City Council that they should pay the shopowners straight up. Although Louie wasn't involved with the issue before, during or after that meeting, his Godfather presentation resonated with the local newspaper reporter. In addition to quoting Louie for the coverage about eminent domain, the paper used it as the Quote Of The Week, in the weekend edition. Fortunately, for the historical record, a local documentary videophotographer was covering the meeting. Sydney "Imantrek" McKenzie captured the soul of the shareowners, the storeowners, whose lives were being bashed by the hockey puck. In addition to making documentaries, Imantrek also produces music and Grounzero, an internet magazine. He is now lending his talent to the fight to preserve Allentown's WPA icons. Like many true artists before him, he remains an outsider to the newspaper and local art establishment. 

above reprinted from October of 2011
 

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 23, 2023:We lost Louie Belletieri last week. The Morning Call and other venues have given Louie proper due for his contributions to Allentown over the decades. After Pawlowski was elected in 2005, he handed out numerous patronage jobs, including one to Louie. Louie was titled a Business Liason, and worked freelance. Although Louie probably could have had taken the check for many years, he resigned in less than two.