Anybody who has driven up Linden Street at around 5:00PM knows that the decks are emptying out with the poached NIZ workers. So much so that the APD directs traffic free for Reilly. Tonight at 7:00PM Trump is having a rally at the PPL Center. Those coming for that event won't be from Democratic center city. They will be driving in from the boonies beyond, and the Allentown Parking Authority will be waiting for them.
If all the above isn't commotion enough, our mayor has suggested that people come downtown to protest against Trump. Now I understand that Tuerk has convinced himself that he is Hispanic, and that he found some statements made in Madison Square Garden offensive, but he is the mayor of Allentown. As such, he should know that the Allentown Police will already have their hands full, without their own commander and chief inciting more crowding to control.
I do not have a candidate for the top of the ticket next Tuesday. However, unless this mayor drastically refocuses his priorities this coming year, I know who I won't be voting for in the next local election.
Better for the Mayor to have publicly said “For those who plan to protest, GO PEACEFULLY AND PATRIOTICALLY.”
ReplyDeleteEveryone should go to a Trump rally and this may be your last opportunity. Rather than take the word of biased democrat operatives that cut a sentence here and there to hang their NAZI hat one. listen to the whole thing. There are many other speakers and they are not as controlled or censored as the democrat speakers. who In fact try to say nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteThe mayor should be ashamed and take some advice form the mayor of N.Y. who at least spoke about supporting free speech. Trump rallies are in fact free entertainment and everyone has a good time. You will see young and old, male and female, black and white, a true cross section of America.
Being there is far different than the analysis that will follow by the woke pundits.
That "free speech" at the rally was costly. Only a minute percentage of voters attend rallies, especially a week out from the election. Pennsylvania is an important swing state with a large Puerto Rican population.
DeleteYes, a comedian at the MSG rally made an offensive “joke” about Puerto Rico, which was then quickly denounced by democrats and republicans alike, including the Trump camp.
DeleteI realize that politically-focused democrats and their surrogates in the media will try to exploit that lone comment and make it into more than it was, but they will fail.
Trump has a very good record and relationship with Hispanic voters, and they know better than to be mislead. They’re not stupid, and can spot the true phony (Harris) in the presidential race.
anon@8:06: Most people's news is limited to sound bites and headlines. The "offensive joke" will certainly cost Trump some votes, and there is not time enough before the election for repair. It was a gift to Harris.
DeleteHey, if that comedian really wanted to offend Puerto Rico, he would have compared it to New Jersey!
DeleteBoth Tuerk and Ce Ce Gerlach don't know their jobs as elected officials. They still think they are community organizers for whatever cause they believe in. Even though he is of the opposing party and may have different views, as Mayor he should should welcome Trump and his supporters to Allentown and show them that it is not the city of crime.
ReplyDeleteAllentown has had many presidential candidates visit in the past, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Humphrey, McGovern, Obama, Romney just to name some of them. Both parties campaign here. Even Wallace visited the area in 1968.
ReplyDeleteJust who is this idiot mayor Allentown has not to welcome these people to our community? No, he has to act like a child and protest a visit of "Hitler" or whatever the current Democratic name is for President Trump.
What an absolute disgrace of a Mayor Allentown has. If Harris would come to Allentown, would he act in the same childish way ?
No wonder the city has gone down the toilet with mayors like Turek.
The Puerto Rican comments by the Trump rally comedian were the best thing that happened to Tuerk in weeks (well at least since he slobbered over his mancrush Tampon Tim). He instantly got featured on MSNBC to brag about his claim to fame (he's 25% Hispanic!!) as well as gloat about Allentown being a minority majority City. I'm sure he's eagerly awaiting his next media opportunity. We should all hope he hasnt created a public safety dilemma tonight.
ReplyDeleteLook at turuk fawning over walz to get in the post to X. This anime is just that another farce upon the allentown public.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who actually worked an event in the downtown as a Republican I can tell you Latinos like Trump. I wouldn't be surprised if many are attending tonight. Of course the man who claims to be Latino won't be. He will likely be outside virtue signaling his hatred of all things Trump.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, as most that I know don't even like to be called 'Latino.' They are Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Brazilians, etc., same way European-Americans are 'Irish,' or 'Italian,' or 'Polish,' etc. It's informal, as they all are Americans.
DeleteIt's only politicians, such as Tuerk, that refers to "Latinos" as a group, probably due to his use of identity politics. And yes, most prefer Republican values as well as being very religious. Something many of these new Democrats shy away from.
That's also something that I've noticed about Tuerk is that he shies away from religion or even being associated with it. Not like the Dems of old at all.
Actually Latinos identify as Latinos as Europeans identify as European. I have worked with Latinos as a Republican committee person and professionally, so I write with some authority on this.
DeleteAnon 6:31 said: “What an absolute disgrace of a Mayor Allentown has. If Harris would come to Allentown, would he act in the same childish way?
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great question, and we all know the answer.
I’m not sure if Tuerk was at last week’s appearance in the city by democrat VP candidate Tim Walz, but if Tuerk did show up he likely doubled the attendance just by walking in. The fact is that democrats have lost the political argument on their policies, and all they have left is name-calling. While not to the current extent, they did the same to Bush, McCain and Romney before Trump. And they will do the same to future Republican nominees, whoever that may be.
And if you wonder why Allentown can’t seem to turn the corner despite a BILLION dollar municipal welfare program from the state (the NIZ), look no further than Tuerk’s actions in fomenting opposition to the Trump rally. Instead of welcoming new visitors to the city and ASSURING THEIR SAFETY, Tuerk and his ilk are guaranteeing that they go home with a negative memory of the city. A thriving downtown needs people, and it’s a short drive from Allentown to more friendly places.
Those people that Tuerk hassles tonight will dine shop in Whitehall, Salisbury, South Whitehall, Bethlehem and beyond in the future, never giving Allentown a second thought, or a second chance. If I were a struggling downtown restaurant, I’d ask the mayor what the hell he’s thinking by inviting unrest to one of the few nights of the year when the arena will be filled to capacity, if not overflowing. Without protesters egged-on by the Mayor, those restaurants could also be filled before, during and after the event.
It’s just another missed opportunity by Tuerk, and another sign that he has no real leadership ability. I suppose his actions might help his personal political ambitions with those in his own party, but that only highlights how little City Hall has changed for the Pawlowski era, when another politically ambitious mayor put his own future before the city’s.
It seems our publicity-seeking mayor would gladly trade a good night for the city for a few seconds in front of the many TV cameras that will likely be downtown tonight. And make no mistake - any unrest the mayor causes tonight won’t just be covered by the local press, it will tarnish the city’s reputation nationally.
Democrat politicians running the city - the policies they’ve put in place and their actions in office - are what is holding the city back from success, nothing else. The sooner those voting them into office realize that, the sooner things can get better.
An earlier comment failed to publish here. Here’s a shorter version.
ReplyDeleteA well know Latina YouTube Blogger (woman) said those she comes in contact with were NOT offended!
The so-called ‘joke’ was actually meant as to condemn the Commonwealth if Puerto Rico government who has still failed to clean-up after recent hurricanes. She said the beaches and streets still have garbage and filth floating around a Puerto Ricans are embarrassed by the whole mess. She was glad a light was shown on that problem!
Tuerk is another personification of the transition of our governments away from public service and toward self service. In their world political power is all about them. Their thoughts are oriented solely to how anything can advance their selfish motivations. Don't do anything that will make the elected official look bad no matter how it may benefit Allentown. These small thinkers are not leaders. Instead, they are operatives advancing their goals to serve themselves while public interests can be dammed and my, my, my what a catastrophe the last 22 years has been for Allentown.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Bill Heydt was a terrific mayor (born and raised in Allentown) who focused on public safety and the City's finances. He had a small cabinet of highly qualified directors who focused on the services residents depend upon. It all went downhill starting with the worst Mayor ever, carpetbagger Roy Afflerbach fresh out of work in Harrisburg, then Chicago born Fed Ed and now Tuerk from all over the place. I felt that Ray O'Connell was service oriented and honest and didn't do any damage at least.
DeleteInstead of the Pawlowski, oops PPL Arena, the Trump people should have chosen either the Fairgrounds, Coke Cola park or even the ASD Stadium. All have a lot more capacity, and a lot easier to get in and out of.
ReplyDeleteI’m actually glad if they’re making an effort to organize a protest. It means they’ve given up trying to attract new voters.
ReplyDeleteThey will show themselves for the unhinged, anti-free speech fascists that they are.
At the expense of articulating the obvious, politics in Allentown has descended into farce.
ReplyDeleteIt was a stupid joke said in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, it was not a joke about people, but a joke based on a real-live problem the elected officials of the island have created and won't solve. (https://welikepr.com/what-does-puerto-rico-do-with-its-trash/) Every time I hear some phony outrage like this, I would like to see the 'play lists' the 'offended' have on their phones. How many pay-per-view movies have they bought featured race-based comedy? Just wonderin'.
ReplyDeleteThe point of the joke was that the democrat one party run territory of Puerto Rico is so incompetent that they cannot even provide a most basic level of civil service: the ability to collect and dispose of garbage. It has been that way since hurricane Maria and everybody in Puerto Rico knows it.
DeleteWhy are the Puerto Ricans such a voting block in the US states? Because they LEFT Puerto Rico! And It's one party democrat rule.
A comment which I declined to print wanted to know where Tuerk encouraged protest for tonight? On his facebook page... Allentown residents—Puerto Rican, Dominican, Syrian, Black, White—are so offended by those words and his candidacy. I know that we are going to let him hear our voices when he is in town on Tuesday
ReplyDeleteYou’re right. Tonight’s audience will probably be many people’s only trip into downtown Allentown. They’re coming to hear their great-white-god spew the hate that makes them feel good. “He understands me.” Which makes no sense. Trump has never given the rural Pennsylvanian anything except recognition for being white. Trump is about race. With Miller’s help he will always make Latinos “other.” Don’t kid yourself, he’s not courting Latinos. Just ask the Latinos who work in his hotels.
ReplyDeleteTypical. Nothing positive to say. Race and divisiveness is not what Americans want. Americans are looking to the future. We want to see the renewal of our economy and social order. We want our industries back and people want to buy goods manufactured by U.S.
Deletecompanies. We want immigration to be be governed by law, not by ideology or political manipulation. We have had enough of class envy and identity politics. We want unity, not division, and to celebrate our unity. None of these things are promised by politicians like Harris.
Just look at what Turek wrote on his facebook page, posted by Mike @10:25
"Allentown residents—Puerto Rican, Dominican, Syrian, Black, White—are so offended by those words and his candidacy."
Why does the Mayor separate out groups to identify? Why not just ALLENTONIANS ? Because he and his party live on dividing us .. not UNITING us...
Those are truly the words that offend us Mr Mayor !!!
Aren't we all just so tired of the slander only comments that 10:49 typifies. We really don't have to hate and smear each other just because we disagree on politics. There has always been a rough edge to politics, but we may have reached the point where the public is plain sick of it and will vote for the party that offends the least.
DeleteI’m blocked from Matts FB page.
ReplyDeletemj adams
the Woke mob is coming for Tony Hinchcliff to perform a digital lynching to the most persecuted class in America now the straight white republican male
ReplyDeleteJan 6 was indeed a day of love, if there are similar shenanigans this go round expect the same True Blue patriots to rise up and reclaim the peoples house for DJT
What I want to know is- who’s paying for the extra police hours, the arena, the extra parking authority hours- the lost school day? Trump’s Campaign is notorious for not paying municipalities. I hope it was paid for upfront. I’m sure the campaign won’t be paying if he doesn’t win.
ReplyDelete11:43 - Did the Harris campaign pick up the tab for last week’s school closure, traffic issues, etc.?
DeleteI don’t have a problem paying for either of them, as I’m fine with candidates actually bringing their message directly to the people. Not as it’s filtered and interpreted by partisan hacks in the media, but to the people themselves.
Having the opportunity to hear such free speech directly is part of living in a city, or at least it should be. And, as written by numerous people have already written, if the mayor would embrace the people visiting instead of trying to bully them, the city might actually get a very positive, ongoing benefit to having more people visit.
If that doesn’t sway you, don’t worry. The election will be over in a week and you can go back to counting the tumbleweeds on Hamilton at night.
This is ridiculous that the mayor of my hometown is supporting this regime of hate and divisiveness.
ReplyDeleteWhat hopeful plan or projected goals do we hear from the Democrat leadership? Of course this is a rhetorical question because we hear nothing. Instead they are content with tearing President Trump as a person, and going into gutter politics with their ignorant Nazi accusations.
There is nothing fresh and innocent let alone constructive in the Democrat presentations. Harris was selected in backroom meetings and no one voted for her in any primary election or caucus. Their platform this time and in 2020 first sought the approval of the far-left acolytes of the Marxist beliefs of Bernie Sanders.
The contrast we see is between Trump with a real and creative platform and an opposition by Harris, which has devolved into name-calling and manipulation and divisiveness. That the Mayor of Allentown can't put politics aside for a single night to welcome the candidate of one of our major political parties ?
Good GOD what an embarrassment. Act like a MAYOR, Mister Mayor.
Brent W. Moll
Check out the Mayor’s X page. Full of hate and divisiveness. Probably ran by him and his “Executive Assistant/Campaign Manager” who has zero qualifications and is being paid by the city to run his reelection stint. A clear violation of city code.
ReplyDeleteI certainly have been critical of the mayor, but I'm receiving comments that are outright insulting to him. Such comments will not be printed, especially sent as anonymous.
ReplyDeleteSo the mayor showed up after 5pm and started problems regarding the street being closed. He even said he was never contacted by the campaign to arrange it. But an hour prior, also covered by WFMZ, the mayor’s communications director released the road closures which included the 5pm closing. Anyone else smell BS?
ReplyDeleteThe young mayor had the national attention and the opportunity to look open and convivial. He had the moment to step up and display leadership in spite of political affiliation.
ReplyDeleteA moment that he just couldn’t take advantage of.
Among the biggest losers is the mayor himself.
Sad.
Your Allentown Mayor, Matt Tuerk stepped in it BIG TIME as predicted. Citizen Free Press is running a 1:45 minute confrontation that broke out between Tuerk and an unidentified Rally organizer. The Mayor was trying to pull permits to stop the Rally.
ReplyDeleteThe heated argument happened on the street at the monument. Plenty of loud F-words by the organizer. That video will now be seen online by thousands of people around the world.
8:12 - If I had to guess, a big part of Tuerk’s antics is Tuerk trying to build up some “street cred” within his own party and thereby trying to put some stress (from both democrat voters and higher ups in the democrat party) on city council to drop their discrimination investigation against the mayor.
ReplyDeleteWhether that will work remains to be seen, but to many he simply seems to be behaving like a buffoon.
I also believe that the reason the worker was so upset (and rightfully so) was that a Tuerk had taken it on himself to remove the traffic barriers on 7th Street (at Linden), allowing traffic into a work area that has been cleared.
That’s a very irresponsible and unsafe thing to do. Given Tuerk’s supposed outrage whenever a pedestrian is killed in a collision with an auto in the city, it makes what he did all the worse. Unless it’s ok for pedestrians or workers to die if they’re doing something the mayor doesn’t approve of.