This grant will target the unemployed, who are actually the unmotivated. Although we have new terms added to the lexicon all the time, unmotivated isn't among them. There was a press conference with our elected officials accepting the grant, and telling us what wonderful things will be done with it, and how it will change the dynamics of our community. In Pinocchio's time they would all be leaving that press conference with a long nose.
Hasshan Batts and his unfulfilled Promise was front and center at the trough.The Morning Call sought out his comments..." It’s crucial that we continue to collaborate and ensure that those most impacted have a voice and benefit directly from these funds.” I suppose working for Promise Neighborhoods is considered gainful employment by Mayor Tuerk, who reportedly already promised them a cut.
I wrote a comment along these same lines on yesterday’s post, but the new details you’re providing here not only confirms what I thought but is even worse.
ReplyDeleteA few questions that people might want to ask:
1). How is the Mayor in any position to promise anything to any group?
2) Doesn’t City Council have the final say over how this money is spent?
3) What experience does Promise Neighborhoods have in this area?
4) Doesn’t Promise Neighborhoods already have enough on their plate solving the crime problem in the city?
5). Before the city gives Promise Neighborhoods a single penny, wouldn’t it be wise to evaluate their (lack of) accomplishments on the crime issue?
6). How is the grant allocation process fair if groups are already being promised funding?
These are questions that any sane representatives of the taxpayers (like City Council or the Mayor are supposed to be) would ask before giving this money to anyone. Sadly, that means they probably won’t be asked in Allentown City Hall.
Instead, at budget time our elected officials will lament the $6 million budget hole they created, and how a tax hike is the only way they can solve it.
RGR
Why is this money not put into the general fund so it can be used to fund budget items passed by City Council ?
DeleteOr
Is this 50 million part of the mayor's slush fund to be given out as he deems best with no oversight ?
The old adage throwing good money after bad. Shapiro needs Allentown for future elections, this is nothing more than the same old vote buying. The smoother the talker the oiler the soul.
ReplyDelete“This grant will target the unemployed, who are actually the unmotivated. Although we have new terms added to the lexicon all the time, unmotivated isn't among them.”
ReplyDeleteGood point. It is odd that at a time of so-called record low unemployment nationally, with employers paying top dollar for even unskilled labor, the federal government needs to disburse $20 million to fight unemployment in Allentown. So it’s fair to ask why it’s needed.
Perhaps as MM states Allentown residents are unmotivated. Perhaps the dire unemployment figures on Allentown’s application were fudged. Perhaps the rosy unemployment figures at the federal level are fudged. Perhaps the jobs the federal government claims to be creating aren’t being taken by citizens. Perhaps the continuing impact of federal open border policies and mass immigration are driving up unemployment in our nation’s cities.
It’s funny that the press doesn’t seem to ask many (or any) questions about such inconsistencies.
It should be noted that Allentown was one of 565 applicants nationwide, so perhaps there is just a nationwide industry of applying for any grants available. If the federal government is handing out “free” money, many will get in line to take it.
All that said, I’m pretty CERTAIN that we’re not being told the whole truth by our representatives at the local, state, or federal levels.
RGR
The best motivator in the world is an empty stomach. Not money given to you by the government.
DeleteEveryone believes these grants are free money, they are usually political good faith money hoping for votes whether the local congressman, the governor or the federal government. As long as the budget is not balanced and money is being borrowed, all grants should be suspended. We are all paying through inflation and a loss of our money's purchasing power.
ReplyDeleteGovernment money is not "free". Someone, somewhere had to earn the money, then it was forcibly taken, in this case, by the federal government to give to someone else as a welfare payment for not earning it themselves.
DeleteIt is called "redistribution of income" and it is how the Marxists try to make everyone equal.
Geez, right before a national election. Incredible coincidence. If really needed, it goes to show you how ineffective the NIZ has been to all but one..
ReplyDeleteBidenomics at work in Allentown. 20 million used to start paying down federal debt might have been a token gesture that could have prevented yesterday's bloodbath on Wall Street.
ReplyDelete" we learn that the fed is giving us $20million because we're a distressed area?!? "
ReplyDeleteIf you look outside the NIZ, you'll see Allentown looks a lot older and a lot more run down than it used to. Much of this is caused by lower income residents taking over former middle-class neighborhoods that the residents departed for the townships or just left the area.
A region with low unemployment, growth and a diverse economy should not need a distressed city grant. This award is an indictment of the Allentown Schools, the Non-profit sector which already feeds well at the taxpayer trough and the "unmotivated". This is wasteful, and indicative of a rot that is difficult to cut out because to criticize it is to invite attacks from those seeking to benefit. The recent DEI hire is another example. I've said the mayor is a lightweight, and ascribe him no ill intent, but his lack of abilities is making things worse. He can't see the problems so he cannot ever actually fix them. He simply thinks money cures all. It does not. It is a waste to build a house on top of a crumbling foundation.
ReplyDelete“If you look outside the NIZ, you'll see Allentown looks a lot older and a lot more run down than it used to. Much of this is caused by lower income residents taking over former middle-class neighborhoods that the residents departed for the townships or just left the area.“
ReplyDeleteWhy would middle class residents leave for the suburbs?
Maybe if the Mayor and City Council can get more affordable housing that will make things better…
…said nobody outside of City Hall. Ever.
Amazed by the simplistic thinking on these posts. Grant money will be awarded someplace. Thank the current administration for their smarts in procuring it because if they didn't win it, it would have gone to one of the other 22 of 500 plus applicants. And then think about council tight ass penny pinching that does not want to fairly compensate the talent that the mayor has judiciously cultivated.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the ultimate judgment on the impact of the NIZ on Allentown.
Delete….and sooo good to know that out of 500 cities or municipalities Allentown is one of the 22 most desperate.
DeleteActually that is simplistic thinking- "It's free money so why not take it". It is not free money, it is taken from someone else or "created" , causing inflation. A better path is to actually change the culture and create the incentive for the unmotivated to be motivated and provide a decent education. We know throwing more money at an issue is not a solution, but it is all progressives seem to know. If a culture of discipline, hard work, assimilation of the belief in and need to work for the American Dream together with respect for others is created, the opportunities open up. In that case the money is not needed and wasteful grants can be avoided. And before anyone tries to alter the direction, one can assimilate to the American culture while maintaining their ethnic culture and traditions. They are not mutually exclusive. The successful Cuban, West African, Mexican, Asian, Indian and Jamaican immigrants of the two generations prove that time and time again. It was also the Irish, Italians, and Eastern Europeans a century ago.
ReplyDeleteHaving benefited thru the schooling and training of PIC I would prefer that these funds would go to that or similar program. Having been in a spot in time where I couldn't land a job anywhere, not even applying at a fast food place or dishwasher, I can testify that these types of programs show positive results.
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