above reprinted from September 7, 2013
UPDATE January 30,2018: Last evening I attended an early kickoff for Ce-Ce's campaign for Allentown City Council in 2019. I've known Ce-Ce for years, and am glad to see her again offering her time and energy to Allentown. In this sorry time we need people with her sincerity and integrity.
In regards to this sorry time, it's my understanding that the prosecution against Pawlowski had a strong showing in court yesterday. Numerous witnesses, including former city employees, described bid rigging and a pay to play culture. Supposedly, the defense attorney seemed exasperated, and Pawlowski himself somewhat forlorn.
ADDENDUM MAY 30, 2023: This post harks back to 2013. Over the last ten years I have posted often about Ce-Ce. While she was trying to raise money for student uniforms back then, they have just become optional. While her progressive politics didn't earn my endorsement for the recent primary, come November Ce-Ce will certainly retain her City Council seat.
Show above is the street party she organized in 2013. She is speaking with a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, a Black motorcycle club which visited the event.
Remember this is the city council person who co sponsored a bill that would have permitted the homeless to camp and live on publicly owned space, spaces such as your beloved public parks. What do you think the effect if this single policy, if put into effect would have on Allentown's parks and the city itself? So why do you wax poetic about this person who has been a huge part of the problem in city and school district governance, and seeks to lead a progressive movement that would quickly turn an already distressed city into a Seattle, Portland, San Fran, Philly, Baltimore, D.C. NYC.. teaming with homeless, the drug addicted, mentally ill, beset by soaring crime, repeat violent offenders, random assaults, fear, blight, and disorder?
ReplyDeleteA little off-topic, but I had to post this. See the huge Morning Call feature story in Sunday's paper promoting The Bottle Shop @ PA Rye Co, a new family business on Hamilton Street with global wines and local craft beer. Once the business is inevitably closed/shut down...they will not mention a word about it.
ReplyDeleteScott@7:45: Actually I'm "waxing poetic" about my citizen journalism. My current update mentions that I didn't recently endorse her. As for the original post from 2013, she deserves credit for raising money for the uniforms. (The update mentions that now, 10 years later, they have become optional) The 2018 update is also relevant. Her candidacy to council was welcome at the time. I remember no less than Daryl Hendricks at that event. I did change out the photo I used in 2013, promoting my citizen photo-journalism. Forgive all the self promotion.
ReplyDeleteanon@8:46: you're certainly correct that there has been a long list of promoted businesses that have come and gone, especially on the "Arts Walk".
Mike, You are painting her in a positive light, you never once mention the harm she did to the school district or the city through her tenure on the school board and city council. The fact that Hendrick's was at that event only proves my point that she was and remains a political con artist who tells people what they want to hear instead of what truly believe and intend to do. Such politicians need to be called out for what they are rather than have highlight reels recycled.
DeleteThis post is a reprint from 2013, when school uniforms were first instituted. I have tried to clarify that the main post was a reprint. Now, ten years later, the uniform mandate has just been eliminated.
ReplyDeleteNone of the problems that led to the need for school uniforms 10 years ago have gotten better. Expect battles over gang colors and who is wearing what.
ReplyDeleteAlso, at least with the uniforms I could tell the police what school the kids were from when I called about fighting, vandalism or drug use.
It’s just another inept decision by an inept school board and superintendent. If they spent half the time on trying to raise test scores in the district that they spend on things like this, the kids might actually have a chance at a decent education. But I’m not unsure that’s what the politicians running the board or the administrators trying to hold onto their paychecks really care about.
Please name me one decision they’ve made to raise standards - for anything - and how they’d hold anyone (themselves, teachers, students) if the standards are not met. I can’t remember a single one.
The uniforms were a cost saver for the district's many low income parents. As well, there were many charities that provided free uniforms. Now that uniforms are optional parents will be pressured to outfit their children with a variety of clothes, and in our status conscience world children lacking the latest will be marginalized. Of course none of this is a concern to the bright lights of the ASD board.
DeleteWhen we passed the school uniform policy we did it because the parents wanted the uniforms. Their are several very valid reasons why they did and according to the parent survey the ASD just conducted over 60% still do want the uniform policy in place. Keep in mind, the vast majority of ASD students are Latino, in their culture school uniforms are the norm, as well bullying and gang issues related to clothing were a real concern and still are.
ReplyDeleteFor Good or for Bad...You "lit a Fire" here Mike HA!...Your commenters make some good points though......PJF
ReplyDeletePJF@2:48: Like Scott/Anon, I would be happier if the city and its players were at least center, if not to the right. HOWEVER, as a blogger in my 16th year of publication every weekday, I write about what is. Most people, Scott aside, find my view bitter enough :)
ReplyDeleteIf the truth is bitter does that make it not the truth? I had this sort of conversation with friends the other night, I said the truth is in fact bitter when it comes to the school district and the city. Intelligent residents in general prefer the three monkey approach, hear no evil, speak, no evil, see no evil. I can forgive this thinking to a degree but not when it comes to children. I said as much the other night, our school district is a failure factory and we should all be alarmed at the harm we are imposing on Allentown's children. Speaking the truth is apparently very impolite. One can imagine in the past, when neighbors, speaking frankly questioned whether owning slaves wasn't a sin against humanity. The reception that greeted this truth was very likely frosty. No one wants such people at dinner parties, or barbeques do they? If fact, very few, in any circumstance truly want to hear, what they know to be the truth. It's just so unpleasant. Best to avoid it altogether. A few of us refuse to, the results are what they are. So be it.
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