The Intersection Of DeSantis And Trump In The Republic Of Florida

Except for a few pockets in the southern part of the state on both coasts, Florida is a deep red state. With Marco Rubio heading the new State Department, Ron DeSantis is charged with appointing a fill in senator. 

Raising her hand for the position is Lara Trump, Donald's daughter-in-law. Some may remember that Ron DeSantis himself had visions of sitting behind the desk in the oval office. For most presidents, recommending their daughter-in-law would be too embarrassing. However, we all know that Trump is not encumbered by modesty. He is not overburdened with humility. 

As governor and former candidate himself, DeSantis has his own list from which to choose an appointee. With Trump now limited to one term, and J.D. Vance having a foot up for 2028,  DeSantis might assert himself early by denying Lara the spot. On the other hand and in Florida, there's always another hurricane on the doorstep... President Trump will be directing FEMA. What's a governor to do?

DeSantis Unleashes Death Train On Trump Supporters

The Brightline private train line has killed 104 Trump supporters since its recent startup. Roaring through sleepy towns at 80 miles an hour, many elderly don't even hear the whistle before they become a roadkill pancake. 

In small towns like Palm Bay Florida, the laidback pedestrians were used to slow moving freight trains. All that changed with Brightline's plan to join Miami and Orlando with a speedy connection. While the line invested $millions in new tracks and bridges capable of handling the speed up to 130mph, the human factor got no attention. On the contrary, complaints about the loud whistles will only increase the carnage. 

Perhaps the next president could control the border problem with a Brightline Train instead of a wall.

The above post supplied by Rainy Morning Chronicle, a sister publication.

above reprinted from December 27, 2023 

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 28, 2024: As the Brightline speeds south from Orlando, and north from Miami, West Palm Beach is becoming the busy stop, gateway to the Winter Whitehouse on Palm Beach. Job seeking pilgrims, hat in hand, cross the waterway hoping for a spot in the new administration. Ironically, the blue blood enclave, once home to the Kennedy Clan, is now overrun with crass ambition, and even hosts the Kennedy outcast. Red hats have replaced Gucci, and other travesties which would have been considered nightmares a decade ago. Among the new carnies of our era, an elderly blogger with his fake press credentials.

Brightline Of Florida

While Biden and the new administration are promoting their $Trillion dollar infrastructure program,  and an improved Amtrak would supposedly be a benefit,  the Republic Of Florida has its own program, with no cost to the taxpayers.

The privately owned high speed train has been operating since 2018 between Miami and West Palm Beach.  Richard Branson, who spent this past weekend near outer space, envisioned a high speed Virgin Train brand between Orlando and Miami. While Virgin is no longer involved with the project,  the extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando is being built.  The Brightline extension requires seventeen new bridges and 170 miles of track. The new track is next to the old existing single track, now in use for freight.

The project is not without controversy. While very few towns would have a station or benefit from the high speed line, the train will be speeding through them.  A concern is the danger imposed by such high speed at all the crossings.

The new bridges are a massive undertaking. Shown above is the bridge construction over the Crane Creek in the Space Coast area.  A temporary bridge was constructed to hold the massive equipment necessary to build the new bridges.

Florida was developed a century ago by Henry Flagler and his train company. Private enterprise does still exist.

photocredit/molovinsky 

above reprinted from July 3, 2021 

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 27, 2024:My concern about safety at crossings turned out to be frightfully true. After a century of slow moving freight trains, the ultra speed Brightline (130mph) is taking its toll at the crossings. The train  slows down to 80 miles an hour as it barrels through one town after another on the Space Coast.

Who Knew What and When in Allentown?

The reinstatement of the whistleblower suit by two Allentown police officers raises numerous questions. 

Was the judge too quick to dismiss it previously over a technicality?

Considering the arrest of a former officer over theft, what did Roca know about all these shenanigans referenced in the lawsuit?

Certainly a Hispanic chief is a premium to DEI obsessed mayor Tuerk, but if Tuerk didn't know about the alleged shenanigans before the suit, he certainly knew after it was filed the first time. With an upcoming election will Tuerk still stand behind Roca? Will Roca take an offer and leave Dodge before things hit the fan?

All the above appears to be an early Christmas present for Ed Zucal and Mota, but Tuerk will have five more months for damage control.

shown above old city  hall and police station by Church & Linden Sts.

Molovinsky Rejected By NASA For Seniors In Space Program

My quest to be a senior astronaut is officially over. Although I squeaked through the physical, I didn't do as well on the psychological profile.

Upon then arriving in Tallahassee,  I discovered that Governor Ron pulled the plug on my plan B.

I'm on the bus and should arrive back in Allentown around noon today.  I gave it my best, but I'm resigned to continue being a blogger.

above reprinted from January 25, 2024

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 25, 2024:As alluded to above, I did see some physicians on the Space Coast. This weekend I learned that one of those physicians is on his way back to Washington, this time to be head of CDC under Trump. Dr. Dave Weldon previously served in Congress for fourteen years as the Space Coast's representative. I suppose that with the HIPAA regulations he secured the Cabinet position without even mentioning that I was a patient. With the new Musk/Trump axis, I expect the Space Coast to be humming. There is an older, artsy, lower rent section on the Indian River Lagoon, where I plan to secure a small satellite office to report on the new administration. Whether or not I can obtain access to Mar-a-Lago remains to be seen.

As Allentown Turns

There will be three candidates on the Democratic ballot for mayor this May.                                                              Current mayor Matt Tuerk will be the establishment candidate. All his campaigning will be in front of graffiti posing as murals. His speeches will be in both English and Spanish. Cynthia Mota will be the minority majority candidate. She will campaign from the Dominican Republic, exclusively in Spanish.  Ed Zucal will be the retro Better/Happy Days candidate, speaking in English from the Ritz and fairgrounds.

Allentown Police will not be enforcing double parking from a new headquarters, wedged between their current headquarters and city hall on the former landing. The plans alone will cost $1.5mil. Their new motto, "The shooting was an isolated incident, and no danger to the public", will be inscribed over the entrance.

molovinsky on allentown is looking for a new office in center city.  None of my former haunts, or even the buildings they were in, still exist. I asked J.B. Reilly for space, and he said I should call back after hell freezes over.

postcard from 1962 showing new city hall and police headquarters

A WPA Monday

A month ago Mondays, I climbed the steps at Fountain Park to speak to the stone masons repairing that iconic structure. The steps were built in 1936, and would soon serve thousands of men walking down from center city to the Mack factory, to produce trucks for the war effort. It took me ten years to get the masons there, but by now I had another pressing objective. In the last couple of years, the top of the wall at the double stairwell at Union Terrace had become open, threatening that structure with potential catastrophic damage. After learning that the masons had no assignment beyond the Fountain Park steps, I drove over to the Park and Recreation Office.

Lindsay Taylor, the new park director, has been fairly cordial to me, considering my reputation as a mauler of city bureaucrats. I explained that the top of the Union Terrace wall was open, and that I had serious doubts about it surviving another winter of freeze and thaw cycles.  I requested that the masons make an emergency repair on top of the wall, while other repairs needed there could be delayed. Taylor agreed to consult her park supervisor, Rick Holtzman, about my request. Later that morning, I spoke with Holtzman, who agreed that it would indeed be appropriate to reassign the masons.  The masons were replacing missing steps and repointing the Fountain Park stairwell,  through a grant from the Trexler Trust. The grant had been written and requested by Karen El-Chaar, from Allentown Friends of the Parks. El-Chaar had attended my meetings years earlier on the WPA structures, and I had since  conducted tours of Lehigh Parkway in conjunction with her organization. Holtzman requested that El-Chaar clear the repair at Union Terrace with the Trexler Trust, since their funds were designated to be spent at Fountain Park. The Trust gave their permission for the masons to be temporally reassigned.

By the weeks end the masons spend a day at the Terrace, and repaired the top of the wall. I'm grateful that Lindsay Taylor and the Trexler Trust responded to stabilize that structure, and optimistic that their commitment to  our WPA history will continue.  I will  in turn  continue on,  when necessary, mauling the bureaucrats.

The photograph above shows the WPA steps being built in Seattle. I'm sure an identical sight could be seen on Lawrence Street in 1936.

reprinted from November 16, 2015

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 21,2024: It took nine years, but this summer/fall masons came back to Union Terrace to repoint the stage area, thanks to the Trexler Trust once again. Karen El-Chaar ended up appointed park director under Ray O'Connell, but has since been replaced under Matt Tuerk. Despite continuing to be outspoken about park issues, I'm lobbying to be included on the new Parknership board.

Allentown's Revitalization and Our Frame of Reference

I suspect that the millennials are most enthused about the changes in Allentown, while the baby boomers are the least. How you feel about what is new there now, is probably based on your frame of reference.  We who experienced Hamilton Street in it's heyday are not so impressed with current developments.  Although the Whitehall Mall opened in the mid 1960's, Hamilton Street continued on for another 30 years. When the Lehigh Valley Mall opened in the late 1970's, Hamilton Street's decline as a destination was swift. Although the former Hess Brothers store would stay open through Christmas of 1995, most of it's shoppers entered and left via it's own parking deck, never stepping foot on Hamilton Street.

During the next 15 years, the downtown survived by serving the neighboring demographic, which was becoming poorer every year. Five years ago, when I debated about the coming NIZ on Business Matters, one of the NIZ board members actually referred to the stores being displaced and their clientele as a cancer. The same merchants and customers are now considered part of 7th Streets' success, what a difference a few blocks make.

Despite one promotional article after another by The Morning Call, the verdict is still out on the success of the new revitalized center city. Because it is being financed exclusively by public funds, and will be for at least the next 30 years, normal barometers of success cannot be used. I spend a lot of time there, but have yet to feel the buzz.

above reprinted from November 30, 2015

ADDENDUM APRIL 4, 2022: The six plus years since the above was written hasn't changed my assessment of center city...construction proceeds on the new offices and apartments. The new Strata 13 apartment building at 8th and Walnut mystifies me...what would compel anybody to move there? However, these type questions seem limited to this blog, and my frame of reference.

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 20, 2024: I continue to have issues with the concept of the NIZ legislation, and I'm glad that state senator Jarrett Coleman is on the case concerning audits.  That said, several new developments on Hamilton Street I think will help boost feet on the ground. NIZ King Reilly's new Archer  music venue should liven up the night scene. Apartments and condos at the PPL Tower and former PPL Plaza will bring some residential private owners into the mix.

The Mann Machine

Although Jennifer Mann hasn't served in the State House for eleven years, her vehicle still sports Legislative Plates...That's not inappropriate considering the local power she wields. Ponies in her stable include Matthew Tuerk, Mike Schlossberg and Pete Schweyer.

Her father was a union boss at Mack, and helped put her in the state house in 1999. When she retired in 2013, she put her protege Mike Schlossberg in the seat and started a lobbying firm, having Sacred Heart Hospital among her clients. Schweyer is also an alumnus of Mann's state office.

While some of her clients have merged with other bigger entities with their own lobbyists, she remains a kingmaker in Allentown. Save for Molovinsky and O'Hare, that local political influence has remained mostly under the radar.

The Trump Cult

By comment, I told some readers on Friday that if they wore a red hat or shirt, or both, and stood in line for twelve hours to see Trump, that they were in a cult. Some found that label offensive, and referred to that behavior as enthusiasm against Democratic endorsed nonsense for the last four years. I agree with them that the political correctness had morphed into the realm of absurdity, and that it in turn ignited a majority of the populace against it. Kamala Harris also did herself no favor by promising grants to buy houses, open businesses and have babies.

Another contentious issue on Friday was Trump's nominations. If the President elect wanted to annoy his detractors, he could have done no better. This blog maintains a focus group, and the Democratic side was fuming. Although their original reaction to the election contained phrases such as democracy, wait and see, benefit of the doubt, the appointees regressed them back into foaming at the mouth.

Some in areas that are still blue on the map think maybe they weren't far enough to the left!?! It's hard for me to even comprehend such a conclusion. Mike Tyson learned Friday night that it's not easy to go back in time. If Trump's cabinet announcements last week are an indicator, I think Democrats already have a platform for the midterms.

Trump's Loyalty Requirement

On November 5th I did not vote for the top of the ticket. Partisans on both sides said that I should at least vote for the one who I thought would do the least damage...I voted for no damage, for neither.

As Trump began naming his cabinet picks this week, it was apparent that loyalty, rather than expertise, was the criterion. His defenders referred to a President's need for both comfort and confidence in his picks. His pick of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General seems a stretch way too far.

Putting aside any previous accusations against the congressman, his legal background is probably too thin to even get a job with a top law firm. While Trump certainly won a mandate last week, the Senate must still consider their own integrity. It is apparent that Trump doesn't want their advice, but normally he would still need their consent, although he would like them to recess and bypass that check and balance feature of our government. For political cover and electability back home, a recess will probably also be the Senate's preference.

As a conservative independent, perhaps with the exception of Rubio, I do not understand how any Republican can take pride in any of the cabinet nominations.

Trump and Rubio in Allentown, Pa.

Parks Should Not Be Political Popularity Ploy

The City of Allentown is conducting a series of meetings to find out what the public would like to see and do in the parks. I think I have the bonafides as an advocate for the parks, and what I would like to see is the parks better run and maintained! Here are my suggestions.

                   Cut the grass to the creeks' edges in the most iconic sections of the system, including Robin Hood of Lehigh Parkway and the Rose Garden area of Cedar Park. Replace dying out Willow Trees with Willow Trees.

                   Maintain traditional structures such as the wooden picnic shelters at Cedar Park, rather than let them decay until replaced by metal ones. Bogerts Bridge should have been maintained instead of years of neglect.

                   Fully staff remaining pools and traditional recreation programs. 

                   Repair the landings on the WPA double stairwell in Lehigh Parkway and other WPA structures.

                   Remove the debris piled around the Robin Hood Bridge stone piers.

I was informed on good source that some gates and other infrastructure were removed in critical places to make the parks more welcoming and inclusive. The iconic Allentown park system is not a workshop for political correctness. Although advocating for the traditional park system and the WPA structures is a passion of mine, I will not be attending these park meetings. The park department is so far behind on so many basic things, they should not be conducting dog and pony shows.

DISCLAIMER: I was born and grew up above Lehigh Parkway, which was my backyard and playground. My father's uncle worked for the park department cutting the grass.  I wouldn't have an issue with the meetings if the purpose was just to introduce new residents to the park system and what it offers.

PREVIOUS POST ON THIS TOPIC OCTOBER 21                                             

NIZ Board Issues Defense

The Morning Call published a release from the NIZ board telling us how wonderful the scheme has been for Allentown. They inform us that there are audits, even if nobody sees them. While  some information is confidential, we can be assured that everything is in our best interest.

Since the press release was in response to Jarrett Coleman's effort toward NIZ tax information, I questioned the reporter why Coleman's response didn't appear?  He told me that comment from Coleman was requested, and a later edition did contain Coleman's response.

In the early years of the NIZ the Morning Call printed one press release after another for Reilly's City Center RE, and presented it as news. Although this current article also has too much pasted up promotional fluff for my liking, it may be unfair of me to prejudge the current reporter.

Lehigh Parkway Depreciated

 I have been involved with photography since the late 1960's. I started blogging in 2007, for me  a much newer activity. I've been publicly advocating for the parks and WPA since 2009, although privately much longer. It's not often that I get to combine most of my interests in one image, but that's the case shown above.

The Robin Hood section of Lehigh Parkway is arguably the most iconic of our park system. The bridge over the Little Lehigh was the last WPA project, built in 1941, and ties the park together. The weed wall shown, mostly invasive poison hemlock, put simply is a crime against the city's iconic park system.

I'm hoping that the new Parknership has the fairness to include me on their board.

Zucal's Bid For Mayor

Ed Zucal is rolling out his long expected bid for mayor on November 19th at the Allentown Fair Grounds. For the last year there has been no shortage of thorns in Matt Tuerk's side,  with councilman Zucal being perhaps the most pointed behind the dais. 

In the audience in front of the dais, Tuerk's list of critics is much longer, but with less political potential. Zucal is a retired policeman and veteran of what many believe was Allentown's better days. That is what the All American City logo shown above alludes to. 

It is my assumption that Zucal's challenge will come in the Democratic primary. The conventional wisdom is that Allentown is a one party town, with the primary essentially being the election.

You Got To Play To Win

Allentown's three state representatives, Schlossberg, Siegel and Schweyer, all Democrats, ran unopposed on Tuesday. We keep reading that Trump made big headway with the Hispanic vote this past Tuesday, did Allentown Republicans miss the boat this election cycle? The terms Hispanic and Latino refer to many different groups.

Anybody living in Southern Florida can attest to the ambition of the Cuban population, exiles from Castro's socialism. They have been Republican from the get-go. The older Mexican population, imported to Hellertown in the 1930's by Bethlehem Steel, is an established local community. Allentown's Puerto Rican community is much newer. 

While Allentown currently remains a Democratic stronghold, we learn from Pennyslvania's lottery that You Got To Play To Win. I often heard that Republicans running in Allentown face libel and slander before their ultimate defeat. I can understand that neither Republicans or Puerto Ricans are eager for advice from an old white independent, but you got to run to get elected.

Allentown's Barrio

We were told that the Puerto Rican community was the local key to the election this week, Matthew Tuerk was even featured in New Yorker Magazine.

However, to inject some reality into the Latino influence, the state house district that was created to represent Allentown's Latino population is held by a whitebread kid born and raised in New Jersey, whose Hispanic culture is limited to have eaten at Taco Bell once. Although Tuerk translates everything into Spanish, and the president of City Council facebooks exclusively in Spanish, they failed to educate their Hispanic constituents on the deceptiveness of the transfer tax referendum. These affordable housing advocates just made housing more expensive.

While the Latino political strength is overestimated, there is no disputing Allentown as a Democratic stronghold. All the city Democratic state representatives ran unopposed on Tuesday.

Muhlenberg's Big Week

With Kamala Harris having spoken at Muhlenberg, and its own poll showed her ahead, the college had a big week. Most important, save for this malcontented blogger, the recent shooting there has been forgotten. 

I surmise that the shooting occurred by their football field in a game between charter schools. Surmise is the operative word because neither the college, police, city or newspaper has said or written another word about that incident. The Morning Call/Muhlenberg poll had Harris up by two. I surmise any and all polling calls made were from Muhlenberg, because the paper has no building to call from, and can't even be reached for missing newspapers.

If Kamala wins, I suppose those photos of her in Muhlenberg's Memorial Hall will become wall fixtures elsewhere in the college. If Muhlenberg's neighbors are also to win, more information about that shooting will have to be disclosed.

ADDENDUM 6:00AM:.With the decisiveness of Trump's victory, it appears that Kamala's picture won't end up in the library and administration building after all.

The Redemption Of Matthew Tuerk

The redemption in the Marshall McLuhan sense was Tuerk's photo opt with Candidate Harris, hopefully for him replacing the social media confrontation with the Trump barricade worker. However, the post title is misleading, because the redemption portion of the post is now complete, and fresh criticism follows below.

The screen grab shown above is from the LehighValleyNews.Com coverage of the Rosie Perez stop in Allentown last Friday, campaigning for Kamala. At that event, Tuerk claims that he represents all Allentonians, but he doesn't. He certainly doesn't represent those that are not Democrats. More and more, he is also not representing those who are not Latino. 

When you direct your police chief not to enforce quality of life issues such as double parking, you're catering to a laidback attitude, that less of the city may share than he believes. Tilghman Street is not a backroad on a Caribbean Island, where double parking has little consequence. Between people's political correctness and his sycophants, Tuerk may be overestimating both his popularity and effectiveness as mayor.

Spotlight On Allentown

Who would have thought that Allentown would be visited by both presidential candidates within the week before the election. Such is the case as Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit the Little A today. As a small town pizza blogger, presidential politics are not my usual fare. 

To the outside world, Allentown looks like it's booming. How could you possibly explain the NIZ to anybody? Even here few people understand it. Thanks to state senator Jarrett Coleman there will finally be some light cast on that lucrative scheme. I give myself some credit for scrutinizing it on my pizza blog menu since its get-go. 

The Supreme Court has affirmed that provisional ballots in Pennsylvania must be counted. Meanwhile, the district attorney is investigating a batch of fraudulent voter registrations. I suspect that Pennsylvania's final tally will be quite a controversial calculation.

Mayor Tuerk Acted Inappropriately

The head of the policeman's union has criticized Tuerk for moving protesters closer to Trump supporters than the police wanted.

Tuerk was wearing two hats on Tuesday... One as a leading Democrat in the city, the other as mayor of Allentown. Considering that presidential candidates have been visiting the city since the 1800's, that should not have been that difficult of a situation for him, but apparently it was.

I understand that as a Latino he was riled up about the distasteful comments at Madison Square Garden. However, any solidarity with those protesting against Trump should have been more thoughtfully demonstrated. Instead, Tuerk wore it like a banner, on both news and social media. YouTubes of him wanting to open up center square for voters early Tuesday morning, if a political shenanigan or not, demonstrated poor judgement. Certainly there was no way to accommodate both voters and arena attendees at the same time in the same square. 

Allentown may be majority Hispanic and majority Democratic, but everybody living here pays taxes and is supposed to be represented by city hall. There are some traffic adjustments Tuerk could make. He might instruct his police chief to enforce the law against double parkers, especially on Tilghman and Linden Street.