The above poster was circulated on social media Tuesday afternoon. The photo used, taken by this blogger last year, features many of those activists who feel disenfranchised by the Tuerk administration. At issue on the citizen side is which non-profits are supported by city hall, and which aren't. At issue on the city council dais is the decorum of the protesters.
If all the above wasn't enough for a lively meeting, not all city council members are on the same page. While Candida Affa is traditionally a staunch supporter of current administrations, Ed Zucal shares more and more sentiments with the citizen side. The protesters are particularly interested in a proposal to divert left over grant money to the general fund, as opposed to funding more non-profits. This proposal was forwarded by both Affa and Zucal, illustrating the ongoing dynamic tension between council, city hall and the activists.
One of the protesters is Jessica Lee Ortiz. This past weekend her organization, The Ortiz Ark Foundation, ran a highly successful, well publicized Easter Egg hunt at Stevens Park.
Everyone has their own agenda,..I'm always promoting long overdue WPA restorations in our park system.
ADDENDUM: Jessica Lee Ortiz and the non-profit advocates prevailed. The city will set up applications and a scoring system for allocation of $1.2mil.
We live in an era where everyone seems to have their own non-profit for just about any cause, and it diverts our focus from what is really important.
ReplyDeleteGovernment should not be picking winners and losers (by funding) in business, or in non-profits.
People should be financially supporting non-profits, not government.
If non-profits can’t make their case to the public and get their support there, they probably aren’t performing a charitable function that is actually needed.
Our federal and state politicians have ushered into every community a burgeoning group of newer “residents” who believe to get their way it is necessary to disrupt the lives of others, scream demands, and even use violence. Too often, that works.
ReplyDeleteThese same people have been begging and fighting for these same funds at council meetings for a couple years to no avail. Their approach doesn’t seem to be working. Nonprofits should be maintained by private donors that believe in their mission and grants, not bullying and scare tactics for government handouts
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to the non-profits,"'a call to arms" was my title, a call to "action" would have been more accurate.
DeleteDoug_B
ReplyDeleteA report from a former Allentonian, now in Minneapolis. This used to be a great town. But no more. The city clown councile is comprised of activists. They resctrict major arteries to one lane. All for 100 bikes a day. You people are just experincing the same stupidity that is happening all across the US.
For those commenting that non-profit shouldn't get city money...then the city shouldn't apply for non-profit funds or use non-profit stats or depend on non-profits. We are simply demanding what is ours!
ReplyDeleteMichael, remember when you were a kid and your Mom or Dad gave you some money as an allowance. Then your Parents would say to you as a warning “ Don’t let it BURN a HOLE in your POCKET”!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is Mayor Tuerk and Allentown City Council!!! This Covid windfall money is BURNING A HOLE in their POCKET!!!!!!
Hasn’t it dawned on them that they should put that money in a rainy day fund.
Or here’s an IDEA… pay down some debt.
I used to attend City Council meetings back in the Afflerbach and Pawlowski Era’s!
What a CLOWN SHOW!!!!
The 3 rubber stampers:
SCHLOSSBERG- SCHWEYER- D’AMORE
Typical Politicians.
Nothing Changes!!!!
Just the faces!!!!
so you complained then and are doing the same now, no wonder nothing changes. over $4mm of the ARPA money has been designated for revenue replacement.
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