Over the years there has been a few other suggestions of mine adopted, such as the three large stone landing, next to the middle walk bridge mentioned above. Among my current campaigns, I hope to see the broken up pieces of concrete removed from around the stone piers of the Robin Hood Bridge. Another high priority item on my list is to see the small walk bridge from the Walnut St. side of Union Terrace replaced. It was removed about five years ago, rather than repaired.
Although I remain he who cannot ever be mentioned, occasionally officials have privately sought my opinion, on one topic or another.
The bridge at the Walnut Street side of the UT pond should be a priority. It really cuts off the park/pond from the Walnut Street side.
ReplyDeleteI’m almost surprised that an enterprising youth hasn’t sought to take that up as their Eagle Scout project. The concrete supports from the old bridge remain in place, and it wouldn’t take too much to rebuild a structurally sound bridge for foot traffic.
The city also needs to put some trash cans in the area. There are none at the amphitheater. There are none at the parking lot at the Reading Road Bridge. The hanging basket that used to be on Walnut Street next to the pond disappeared months ago and has not been replaced.
If the city isn’t competent enough to put out and empty trash receptacles, it’s little wonder that there is so much litter in the parks.
Also, I noticed a “yard” sign on the Union Street side of the UT pond advertising a city survey on the parks and recreation. I’m assuming it’s also available on the city website as well.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, it might be something that readers of this blog might want to participate in.
I filled out mine and used the comments section to prioritize the maintenance of existing parks and the WPA structures over all else.
anon@8:28/8:32: Unfortunately, the park department has been influenced by national park trends, one of which is carry in-carry out. On that philosophy they greatly reduced the number of trash cans in the parks...that might work in Oregon and California, in Allentown it's a disaster.
ReplyDeleteI have been an opponent of the public park meetings...I view them as political inclusion dog and pony show.
“I have been an opponent of the public park meetings...I view them as political inclusion dog and pony show.“
ReplyDeleteI agree and view the survey as the same.
That said, I’d rather have them hear that people value the repair and maintenance of the WPA structures (and park system) and have to ignore it, rather than allowing them to say they heard nothing about it at all.
Whenever I see a scant amount of trash cans at any outdoor group gathering in Allentown, by late day the trash is spilled out all around the bottom of the can. This proves people WILL discard their trash correctly if the amount of cans to accommodate their trash is made available. For some reason Allentown doesn’t seem to get that concept.
ReplyDeleteAllentown must seem to think the same way it does with those idiotic and not necessary weed walls. Gee, look, we now have less grass to mow! Put out too few trash cans at special events, we now have less cans to empty! So, the city looks more and more like a dump each time one visits. Brilliant!
Off topic, but I just got a campaign text from Matt Tuerk smearing “MAGA Ed Zucal”.
ReplyDeleteTo see a sitting mayor stoop to such ads is likely an indication of where the race is at, and Tuerk is obviously nervous.
Go Zucal!
I'd say Zucal is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It needs to be pointed out for those he is seeking support from, mainly the elderly community he is trying to scare about their safety and wellbeing by distorting facts and laying blame and oversimplifying complex issues. His second recruitment is the mindset of those wanting to deny the diversity of a growing community. In his opening pitch, he greeted his audience by referring to race, religion and political markers but no mention of gender sexuality diversity.Tuerk isn't pretending to be a Democrat. Zucal is faking it. I can understand Republicans supporting him but if you aren't of their mindset, think critically about how you cast your vote.
DeleteThis Tuerk is a real turkey!
DeleteAt 10:29
DeleteEven a shill like you can’t actually defend the Reality Show Mayor.
Republicans are supporting Zucal for no other reason than he is not Matt Tuerk. Tuerk has led the city down a wrong path and anyone that has been around him or knows him is fully aware he and his cabinet are way in over their heads.
ReplyDeleteThe fire chief is weak. The police chief covers up crime in his department and is too busy playing police chief in a Tuerk created altered state reality show. The finance director is completely incompetent and never has a clue about what is going on in the city. The CED director is known to target and demean employees. The Parks director …not even sure she does. HR? Can you say a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant?
Tuerk has delivered an administration with problems. It has pushed surveys and data collection. Great. Except no one is competent enough in City Hall to do anything with that data. The surveys are simply a pacifier for the community to make us think they are going to do something so we don’t see what really has been going on in Allentown.
And the saying goes...cut off your nose to spite your face. ... Zucal lacks a capacity to see the bigger picture, a vision, background and social skills to collaborate with the leaders in the state to get recognition for the city, any networking in the community, or any presence that validates the strengths of the community.And, he hasn't make smart moves as a council person. He is a relic from 2005, at best.
Deleteanon@10:04: If you mean the vision to go to Harrisburg, Washington, Puerto Rico and the Dominican 'Republic, I hope you're correct. Allentown needs a homebody, who will concentrate on making the city a safer place.once again.
DeleteMike I read the posts on your blog today and it sounds as if this is a national sounding board. The left frolicking off to never never land while the right that has to be left in reality not fantasy land.
ReplyDeleteMany today need help in all areas of there life not just a mental health evaluation.
“We must picture hell as a state where everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity… where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives with the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment.“ - CS Lewis
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