There was a time when I was a regular at city council meetings. In more recent years I have been only an occasional visitor. Last night I tuned in electronically, expecting an animated public, and some sparring on the dais.
The only sign of life came from bar owner Don Ringer, who asked why Tuerk wasn't there to face the music, and suggested it was time for both the mayor and police chief to move on.
The DNC would be proud to know that in addition to making Juneteenth a paid holiday, Allentown will be adding both both Latino and African American Advisory Panels. We will also be forming a Welcoming City Ordinance, to shelter immigrants from ICE and other Trump gestapo.
On January 29th, Council will decide whether to hire a Philadelphia law firm to investigate discrimination and possible racism at city hall. It took some woman from the public to ask whether that firm was chosen using an RFP, and what happened to the taxpayer investment in Scott Curtis? Neither the woman (nor myself) received answers to her good questions.
A few points:
ReplyDeleteZWith the news coming out of the police department, it’s hardly a surprise that Mayor Pee Wee didn’t show up to answer questions. That’s a tough one to spin, and I’m sure he needs more time to come up with something plausible or some positive news to distract from that story.
Another paid holiday? I’m sure Council addressed how it will be paid for, especially since those who have to work (police/fire) will now have to be paid at the holiday rate.
Two new advisory panels? There are several already that likely could cover whatever accusations are being made against City Hall. Will those existing panels be disbanded?
A Welcoming City ordinance? If you wonder why “affordable housing” is a problem in our cities, look no further than policies like this. It’s simple supply and demand. If you “welcome” those coming here illegally - with little or no money by the way - it should be little surprise that there is a shortage of housing and an explosion in both the poverty rate and city spending.
At a time when all should look to see what the end result of these insane policies are (no ability to put out LA wild fires; an essential city service), Allentown politicians have learned nothing from seeing how democrat policies turn out in our big cities.
Just a clarification. This is city council's meeting, not the Mayor's, so it isn't his place to "answer questions."
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DeleteCorrect, no statute requires the mayors attendance at a City Council meetings. Only good government requires that.
anon@7:16:This post takes some license. It omits that the FBI will investigate the noose incident, taking some wind out of the effort to reinstate the Scott Curtis investigation. On the other hand, by switching horses (law firms), we gain nothing from that money already spent and that we already owe.
ReplyDeleteWe are so entrenched as a one party town, that opposition only takes place in the primary. Those advisory panels I mention are just beginning their march to approval, but their passage is in no doubt. A citizen stated that $150k for a new homeless coordinator isn't enough salary. The park director stated that she will form policy from the public input meetings. Watching the meeting was outright painful.
“Watching the meeting was outright painful”
DeleteIt could have been worse. You could have chosen to watch the final unhinged, divisive rant from the outgoing president.
It's quite obvious, Matt Tuerk hates himself.
ReplyDeleteTwo things became shockingly obvious while sitting in that room last night. 1. The mayor is a coward. With the exception of a canned statement that he probably didn’t write, he has been absent and silent. 2. We (Allentownians) are being conned by these elected and appointed “leaders”. They all have council decided beforehand and they just go through the motions to pacify us, the underlings. Mayor Tuerk won last night - he controls 4 of 7 on that dias. His corrupt and racist agenda will move forward with no objections until someone outside this elected group pays attention or they are voted out. My hope is that voters send the message this May. I know I will along with many others.
ReplyDelete#VoteTuerkOut2025
Sheltering illegals from law enforcement does not only put Allentown in jeopardy, it jeopardizes the entire surrounding region by exposing them to criminals who have nothing to loose and no rules or laws to follow. Beware Lehigh County government and residents, you're going to feel the repercussions from this bad decision.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. And it's not just Lehigh County. Look at this latest shooting up in Monroe. If I heard correctly, the victim and the perpetrators all Venezuelan. I have no doubt also all illegal- I would have to see concrete proof to believe otherwise.
Deleteanon@9:07:You certainly do miss a lot from broadcast vs being there.
ReplyDeleteanon@8:25:It's worse than you think. the Sheltering ordinance was championed by a Lehigh County Commissioner, who will follow suit with the county.
Is it possible to learn what the Investigator has or has not learned to date during his investigation? Sure seems a certain group of people are desperate to try and stop him. Talk about creating suspicion on yourself.
ReplyDeleteI am assuming that the proposed action of closing out the illegal hire of Scott Curtis championed by Zucal and proceeding with a contract with a specialty law firm has come about as a recommendation from the council and the city solicitors, working with council's additional hire of council. Time for council to smarten up and actually take advice.
ReplyDeleteYou’re expecting an intelligent response from this crew?
DeleteIf it isn’t already absolutely clear, the Solicitor’s Office will always rule in a fashion favored by the sitting mayor.
DeleteT’was ever thus.
I like you MM watched from home. Mr. Ringer although sometimes a little crazy was spot on last night. The city is becoming a disgrace. He was absolutely right to ask the Mayor and Chief to resign in the wake of everything that has transpired lately. How much more must happen before other people step up?
ReplyDeleteThese ARE the good old days.
Deleteanon@9:51: Council's hire of Curtis, although not approved by the Tuerk administration, was not illegal. Council voted and approved that hire, just like they will vote on the Philadelphia Duane Morris hire. As a resident, I would prefer that council stay with Curtis, who already started the investigation.
ReplyDeleteApparently Anon 9:51 you don't see the whole picture here. The additional Council that was hired to sue the Mayor was just that. Not to maneuver the system to get more money for themselves and another law firm in the range of maybe $600,000.00 plus. Now that would make a great fiscal decision for taxpayers. You obviously don't pay taxes in Allentown!
ReplyDeleteAs bad as this "white supremacy" problem is now, can you imagine how much worse it must've been just forty years ago when there were three times as many white people marauding the city?
ReplyDeleteanon11:46: I received several comments on this theme, so we'll use yours and address the issue of demographic change. Although we're now a minority majority, I don't doubt people who still experience prejudice. Likewise, I don't doubt that racism has become both weaponized and political.
ReplyDeleteSomething as enormous, consequential, and central to present, ongoing matters seems to be an odd thing to maintain reticence about.
DeleteI personally have experienced the injustice of Allentown's racial discrimination back in the days when Pawlowski was mayor. And It's still tough being a minority white person in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have also experienced discrimination... I was told by an Allentown policeman that I don't belong here!!! What are you doing here??? Ironically, I thought we were free to choose where we live... guess not!!! Apparently he felt the wards are for non whites only. What a crock!!!
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