In a 1997 Allentown of long ago, a controversial councilwoman lost a primary election for mayor by one vote. The councilwoman, Emma Tropiano, actually became more controversial after she passed away. She was branded as a racist by a newspaper at the time quick to judge. Years later, I heard the accusation/slur repeated by people who actually never knew her. But this post isn't about her, but about the person who beat her by one vote, Marty Velazquez.
Velazquez was also a councilperson, and the first person with a Spanish name to serve in that position. On Wednesday night, we learned that Marty is once again going to serve the city of Allentown, this time as the city's new HR director.
Marty's hire is welcome by everybody, even this blogger! After last serving on council over twenty years ago, he re-enters a city hall mired in allegations of discrimination. He has both the background and institutional knowledge to make a positive difference.
I’m inclined to see this as good news but it’s also got the sense of a Hail Mary about it, a wee bit of desperation.
ReplyDeleteI hope Mr. Velazquez succeeds in Tuerk’s Allentown. There are so many issues in City Hall and it is known in the community that employee morale is lower than it has ever been. It is a tall order for an HR Director when there appears to be no real desire or commitment for change from leadership.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the prior comment that something seems suspect. It is concerning that a good friend of council is brought in after what Tuerk claims was an exhaustive search. Each one of the council members welcomed him with open arms and talked about how they all knew him for years. The appearance from the outside looking in is that this man isn’t Mayor Tuerk’s choice at all. The only one that had the common sense to recuse themselves from voting was Mr Zucal.
I feel the tenured Council members really need to familiarize themselves with Ethics rules. Isn’t this the second time they voted on something they have an interest in and the ethical action would have been to excuse themselves from comment or vote?
Anon 725, if you take a minute to read the MC article, Mr Velazquez came forth. I don't see the feather in council's hat for the hire but take it as a positive for the administration, including Tuerk, that his coming forth resulted in a score.
DeleteVelazquez has extensive experience in HR at Wells Fargo. Zucal excused himself because of their personal friendship, not because he questions Velazquez's qualifications. Allentown is lucky to have him take the position. How long he stays is the only question.
ReplyDeleteYou sound just like council. Another friend? Since you appear to be a champion of his, does he have any formal education in HR? Education seemed to be missing from the resume posted on the city site. Extensive HR experience is not indicative of knowledge required to run an HR department that has failed and doesn’t serve the employees well.
DeleteMr. Velazquez and I are not friends. I've rejected some more baseless anonymous trolling/slurs against him.
DeleteTuerk needs to hold onto him until at least after the election. After that, good by Mr. Velasquez. Remember why the last guy isn't here. He wouldn't sell his soul either.
ReplyDeleteMarty comes from the way back machine. He lost to Republican Bill Heydt in the general. That was the last mayoral election a Republican won.
ReplyDeleteI can’t recall anyone, ever, having a personal issue with Marty, including his political opponents. Marty is a terrific person. I wonder how he will fare in the current toxic environment at City Hall.
ReplyDeleteI’m a little less excited about Marty Velazquez going back into Allentown City Hall.
ReplyDeleteIf my recollection is correct, he was Deputy Mayor under Roy Afflerbach and resigned towards the end of Afflerbach’s term after the damage to city finances had been done.
We’re still paying for those mistakes.
I also don’t remember his time on council particularly fondly. While not one to launch personal attacks, he was typically on the wrong side of most issues that council faced.
It may be that when compared to today’s council members he seems like a superstar, but judged in his actual time of service I don’t think that there’s much there to celebrate.
Exactly. It appears that he was chosen because of friendships, maybe not solely but it was a big part for sure. Just look at the love fest on display at the confirmation hearing. The problem with Allentown is that it runs on alliances, not necessarily capabilities or competence. That is how corruption can easily take seed.
Deleteanon@10:07: What effort you are going to?!? Deputy mayor was a ceremonial position only, to fill in for the mayor, if and when he was deposed. While we're paying for Afflerbach's police contract, and Pawlowski supposedly sold the water assets for that debt, none of that involved Velazquez. My take is that Velazquez recently retired, but would like to continue keeping busy and have a continuing source of income. He's well qualified, and it appears to be a win/win/win. (him/ city/ Tuerk)
DeleteMarty will not make any waves. It’s not in Marty’s nature to rock the boat, any boat.
ReplyDeletemj adams