This blog over the years, and this weekend was the 18th year, has worn several hats. First and foremost, it has supplied local political scrutiny. I started scrutinizing the Pawlowski administration from day one. At first even fellow bloggers assumed that I had sour grapes, as an independent candidate who fared poorly in 2005.
I defended the former merchants of Hamilton Street against the real estate scheme called the NIZ, which to this day has avoided accountability.(Jarrett Coleman is working for an audit) I appeared as an opponent against the NIZ on Iannelli's Business Matters, and consequently was described as dour and misguided in a column by Bill White.
I have campaigned against the Wildlands Conservancy using our iconic parks as a science fair project, and for the preservation of our WPA structures.
I have written pieces on our local history based on my experiences, rather than wikipedia pasteups. I've managed to save a few structures, notably among them Wehr's Dam and the Reading Road Bridge.
At this point in the endeavor, urban archeology gives me the greatest pleasure. Over the years I've turned my camera on things which are either now gone, or soon will be. Shown above is a railroad bridge used by the former Barber Quarry line, which ran west along the Little Lehigh.
Thank you for your continued public service, MM.
ReplyDeleteSalute.
anon@5:45: thank you for your kind words, but your sentiments are not widely shared...those institutions and individuals scrutinized are less than appreciative.
DeleteMike to hell with the institutions and individuals you scrutinize. Thin skinned can handle the heat get out of your line of fire from the words you print. The power of the pen is a great tool to shed light into the darkness were the creeps work.
ReplyDeleteYes, agreed... THANK YOU for this hard hitting public discourse arena... you sure won't read it in the Call... however, the Call is useful for lining your birdcage and setting out for your dog to use in an emergency...
ReplyDeleteI recommend this blog to everyone I know, especially the folks that moved away and still think Allentown is the cat's ass... now it's just a whole ass IMHO...
anon@3:17: In addition to this blog, I also administer a Facebook group (Allentown Chronicles) which has almost 10k members. The nostalgia posts are very popular, while current events are shunned.
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