Tuerk states that he is Allentown's first Hispanic/Latino mayor. He makes this claim because his grandmother was Cuban, and he hopes that the Allentown Spanish speaking community buys it. Although he is fluent in Spanish, some Puerto Ricans I know don't buy his contention. But this post is about something else...
Tuerk missed the opportunity to promote Allentown to arguably one the most influential Cuban-Americans in our country, Marco Rubio. When Rubio came to the Allentown Trump rally, he was a Senator. He now is Secretary Of State. When Rubio was taking Spanish in the Allentown Arena, Tuerk was protesting at 7th and Linden.
It would have been nice if Tuerk, as mayor, decided on October 29th to represent Allentown, instead of the protesters. He could send Marco a congratulatory note from Allentown, but now Tuerk's name won't ring a bell with Rubio.
shown above Marco Rubio in Allentown's PPL Arena with young supporter
“It would have been nice if Tuerk as mayor decided on October 29th to represent Allentown, instead of the protesters.”
ReplyDeleteI’m not even sure that Tuerk was representing the “protesters”, who were incredibly small in number.
I think Tuerk saw it as another opportunity to see himself on TV and promote himself with his left wing base.
Like Pawlowski, I don’t think Tuerk is really interested in improving the city beyond how he can use it to advance his own political career.
I’m reminded of the several visits President
ReplyDeleteGeorge W. Bush’s top legal counsel, Alberto Gonzalez, made to Allentown with Senator Santorum and other Bush administration officials. One incredibly dedicated and hardworking Puerto Rican pastor, a man devoted to his religion, community service and scrupulous non-partisanship, went all out to cultivate relationships for the benefit of Allentown’s most vulnerable deep in the wards. The current mayor could learn volumes from this pastor.
AS someone involved in that visit and I believe I knew the pastor, I can tell you that Latino's who worked with us were told in no uncertain terms the should no longer.
DeleteTuerk doesn't care about anyone but himself. His goal was to mess up Trump rally and he failed. Now he has like zero chance in a future in politics. Esp. with the democratic party. Police chief Roca has no chance as well. Both aren't real Hispanics. Both of them need to quit playing race card. Hispanics hate being known as first to do this or that vs. actual accomplishments.
ReplyDelete@6:45
DeleteI must respectfully disagree. I think Mayor Tuerk has a reasonable chance at someday winning the congressional seat Susan Wild managed to loss against all odds.
It a crazy topsy-turvy time in American politics and young Tuerk is energetic, ambitious and colorful.
Mayor Tuerk is going for the John Fetterman style of fresk show image. Given that the young mayor doesn’t have anything of substance to offer it may be a product choice. I’m surprised that he hasn’t found his way onto a cable television panel yet, a la’ piers Morgan.
ReplyDeleteThe Welcoming City ordinance may be a ticket to ride for Tuerk, but then again Fetterman has moved right to the center.
DeleteBTW, this blog no longer accepts short little comments...I agree, etc, or repetitive comments.
…and for that brief bright and shining moment Allentown was the center of the political universe. Alas, the young mayor was unable to position the city, its possibilities or its children in that individual or collective consciousness.
ReplyDeleteA colossal opportunity, squandered.
Rubio is a no talent suck up whose only priority is keeping a job. To his creditor has worked in his favor but the guy stands for nothing. I have no idea how he has earned the support of Florida residents.
ReplyDeleteRubio is Secretary of State and quite popular here in Florida. Nothing succeeds like success, and Rubio’s success speaks volumes, regardless of whether one likes his politics or not.
Deletem.j.adams
LeeCounty Florida
To get to the United States Congress, now enjoying an approval rating of 21%, Matt does not need national exposure, only local appeal and the support of those nameless, faceless Democratic Party apparatchiks that plucked Susan Wild out of obscurity into a loyal backbencher. Compared to ex-congressman Wild Mayor Matt has a colorful image and a distinctive brand going on. Policy chops are not a requirement for a seat in Congress, neither is intelligence or leadership capacity. Matt isn’t governor material, that requires some degree of competence, but it’s a mistake to
ReplyDeletecount him out as congressional material.
I mean the guy managed to get elected mayor and just a few years ago that seemed absolutely inconceivable.
Reality check, He eked out a win in a three way primary. As usual in here in the city, the choice was the usual rogues of candidates. The 7th congressional district covers a wide area but not so wide that people are ignorant of the train wreck Allentown is. I suspect only the wokest Dems in this district would support an elected Allentown official like Matt.
DeleteBefore Matt is "Latino" he is partisan. By the way, Matt speaks several languages French included. That doesn't make him French either. Matt is as Latino as I am Hungarian 1/4. That 1/4 of me is nothing but an interesting note on my personal ancestry. The fact that Matt uses the same genetic equation for potential political gain reveals him as nothing more than a typical ingratiating politician. If he could couple that with competence he would be no worse than any other politician. But he can't can he?
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Tuerk only succeeds at embarrassing himself and the City. It is blatantly obvious that he is not a leader or manager and way in over his head. Maybe a Fed Government job is right for him? He can just disappear and do nothing like he has done in Allentown. Although President Trump is actively draining the swamp two days in to his presidency and my prediction is that non producing employees will swiftly be weeded out of govt. We need this action in Allentown. Poor performing Allentown government employees are a drain on the city taxpayers and a real mayor would be looking to eliminate redundancy and waste. Then again, the purpose of this article is to point out Tuerk’s missed opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, it was the press that promoted Tuerk's heritage. He came in as an educated and experienced economic development Spanish speaker with a love of his community and a sociological and environmental interest realizing that there was a need to give voice to the disconnected and an opportunity to advance his city. That's what won the election for him. Your blog tends to arttract his detractors but even they should admit he is a pretyy atypical candidate. My guess is getting support from the democratic party does not include a public show of attention to the opposing party.
ReplyDeleteAllow me to speak as a former member of the Allentown Environmental Advisory Committee as well as the Shade Tree Commission. No human, save Earl Nagel, King of the Park, spent more time in the parks for a decade or so than me.
DeleteYes, Matt biked through the park regularly, often to visit the Pawlowski’s Parks Director, the inimitable Greg Weitzel, now moved on to greener pastures out west.
Yes, Matt was and remains an avid cyclist. Matt was never particularly involved in environmental affairs as was his absolutely lovely and
intelligent wife. Matt did champion connecting various segments of the parks and a promoting the interests of the spandex wearing bicycle crowd, two initiatives that many, including myself, viewed with considerable trepidation.
For the record, I view the current environmental situation in Allentown’s magnificent park system as appalling. The foundations and nonprofits with an interest in maintaining the parks share the responsibility with the current and recently past mayors for what amounts to an environmental crisis.
I was involved in the Republican campaign that challenged Matt. He did flout his "Latino" heritage, going so far as to declare himself the city's first Latino candidate for mayor. Of course the local media stenographers repeated this absurd claim, that was and remains their modus operandi.
DeleteWhoever thinks Tuerk could be a congressman is delusional. He is having problems running a city. Let alone represent a huge constituency. He isn't hip or cool like someone said. He tries to hard to fit in and let's not forget Pee Wee Herman. Gimme a break. Allentown has never seen this much negative news exposure in my 40 years living here. People want a no nonsense ethical mayor who doesn't hide investigations, a council that doesn't try to cover up investigations/lawsuits because they are named in them. The guy couldn't even attend a council meeting after a noose was found in city hall. Disgraceful. To quote Mr. RINGER "I am calling for the resignation of Chief Roca and Mayor Tuerk."
ReplyDeleteJust an observation over my lifetime due to exposure to many latin communities and Cuban Americans. Generally speaking, Cuban Americans identify as Cuban, not latino, not caribbean, etc. They consider themselves unique, some might suggest "better". (I am not implying that. Every ethnicity has a right to be proud of their background.)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've always thought Tuerk's reliance on his Cuban ancestry as a link to the Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican and Central American ethnicities living in the Lehigh Valley was a sign of his lack of knowledge of the backgrounds of his and those communities.
Anon 8:05. The only reason Tuerk is Mayor is because Ray and Julio split the vote. A decision they both regret. Separately, he wouldn't beat either of them on any given day. Folks are concerned Mota and Zucal will do the same. I would agree Tuerk has a brighter image then Wild but then that's not a high standard to meet. You fail to mention one thing. He has made Allentown a laughing stock to the rest of the Lehigh Valley. He is very immature. The police department and city hall are a disaster. By the way who’s in charge of that? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGiven the absolutely remarkable comeback
ReplyDeleteDonald Trump has made, up to and including assassination attempts, I was holding out for an Ed Pawlowski pardon, engineered by Alan Jennings and T.J. Rooney’s leadership and their legion of dedicated supporters, as a prelude to a triumphant return to political power in the Queen City. I, too, had a dream - MAKE ALLENTOWN GREAT AGAIN!
There is nothing wrong with thinking big.
10:26 - It was actually a four-way primary in 2021. I believe you are forgetting about CeCe.
ReplyDeleteThey all had between 23-27% of the vote, and Tuerk squeaked by.
I believe a critically important question is as yet unanswered…what (and who) is the connection between Matt Tuerk and Mr. Riely.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Reilly needs a connection. IMO, City Center RE is a bigger entity in every way. Tuerk may find out the new plans from the NIZ press agent, aka Morning Call.
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