While Allentown's attention will be distracted tonight by a possible no confidence vote at City Council, the real political news will take place tomorrow afternoon, at the Promise Neighborhood headquarters. Then and there, Tuerk and Hasshan Batts will reaffirm their mutual beneficial alliance.
Batts' blackness will certify that Matthew Tuerk and/or his administration does not discriminate against people of color.
Mayor Tuerk's presence signifies that Promise Neighborhoods is indeed a legitimate vessel for our city directed grant money and corporate contributions.
Never mind that the Promise agenda is in conflict with city policy. Hasshan's grab for the former Allentown Toy Factory undone the long standing Allentown Redevelopment Agency. His mentor program is part and parcel of the defund movement.
While the local MSM will cover the dog and pony show at City Hall, this blog will concentrate on the real back-scratching fest taking place on Union Street.
How to explain the otherwise unexplainable.
ReplyDeleteYou scratch my back, I scratch yours
Expect Promise Neighborhoods to be well-funded
Thanks for covering this. A few points:
ReplyDelete1). In wake of the bullying incident between Promise Neighborhoods and political opponents of Tuerk, I didn’t want to believe that Tuerk was actually behind it. However, seeing the flyer above, it’s clear that they are tied together and Promise Neighborhoods is the Mayor’s enforcer. I doubt other, legitimate vendors in the city budget are cheerleading for his budget.
2). This certainly removes any of the “nice guy” cover I wanted to believe about Tuerk. In short, I’ve gone from wanting to believe Tuerk has the best intentions of city residents in mind (despite having some of the worst policies) to supporting Council’s no confidence vote. I previously wrote against that measure, but now believe it’s necessary. I can only hope that spineless Councilman Hendricks, who recently voted to hike our property taxes, has a similar change of heart.
3). That the United Way supports groups like Promise Neighborhoods is why I no longer give anything to the United Way. I urge others to remember this when they’re being shaken down by their employers to contribute to the United Way. The United Way is part of the problem in our country, not part of the solution.
Although we have budget cover with nice student artwork, I don't believe that we yet have an approved budget. People and corporations like a convenient way to feel good about themselves, thus United Ways. Corporations gave $Millions to Community Action, and now Alan Jennings spends his time trying to get Pawlowski out.
DeleteGreat point about the budget. Does anyone have any idea of where that stands?
DeleteWe have a Special Meeting on the 12th. It appears we still have 4 votes to keep a no tax increase. However, there are some things that have to be changed. Please attend and voice your concerns.
DeleteI as well want to see Matt as a nice guy failing only because he is perceived as a weak leader. Accusations of racism seem ludicrous on their face. This said, one may judge people by the company they keep and here Matt deserved condemnation. His move to cozy up to a charlatan may be viewed for what it is, two questionable leaders leaning against each other for mutual support. I think this short-sighted pandering hurts Matt but strengthens Batts, that is more bad news for the city's future. Failed leadership seems to be the common factor all around in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteIs it just a coincidence that the mayors who have done the most for Allentown, were the mayors under the Commission City Charter, where the "Mayor" was a city council member and had equal standing with other council members. Allentown's "Strong Mayors", starting with Bartholomew have frankly been, mostly disasters, and none of them have real records of accomplishment. Ed wound up as a felon, and our current mayor seems to want to rule as a little dictator ....
ReplyDeleteAllentown should really consider revising its charter to the earlier 20th-Century model that worked well for decades. Or maybe its just the quality of people elected that could be better...
Bill Heydt was not liked for he lacked any political skills but as someone who was heavily involved at that time I can attest to a lot of good things were happening and optimism about the future was not based on faith but on the results and the resulting genuine confidence of good government.
DeleteThere is a place and a time for everything. This isn't it. First it's in the middle of a working day. Secondly the place where it's being held.
ReplyDeleteSomething that is supposed to be informative about city government should be held at city hall. A place where it could also be live streamed or uploaded so everyone (especially working taxpayers) get to see it. Government business certainly shouldn't be held at any organization's location who receives government funds. You would think the optics of this would be obvious
Yes you would think that about the optics. But also, what about the specifics?
DeleteIs Promise Neighborhoods being paid anything by the city to hold this meeting? That would be question #1 for me.
As noted, this meeting should be held at City Hall. That it’s not being held there makes me think that it’s likely more political in nature.
This raises the question of whether the United Way should be involved in a political rally. And is the United Way now advocating for a tax hike in Allentown?
Is either activity (being involved in a political rally or supporting a tax hike) appropriate for a nonprofit entity like the United Way?
We stopped giving to the United Way many years ago when it became clear the so called charity was more political the charitable. While on the school board I met with several board members of the United Way as it related to ASD business. They were all very woke young women. That much was clear and they didn't care who knew.
ReplyDeleteIve been told that he has donors that donate to his programming to “undue the harm” every time his name is mentioned in a negative way. He shares the donation spreadsheets at his monthly meetings.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Councilman Zucal said they have four votes for a no tax hike budget.
ReplyDeleteBut don’t they need five since the Mayor vetoed the no tax hike budget?
The "Mayor" is in process of having the city take over the Redevelopment Authority since the staff quit over shenanigans. He also appoints the board members so voting can be controlled. Anyone want to bet how long before the Toy building gets slid to Batts now?
ReplyDelete