No sooner than I announced last week that this blog was becoming a semiweekly, I had to bring out a special edition to break the story that Tuerk was pulling the plug on the Jordan Creek encampment. The city was facing a strong lawsuit from developer Nat Hyman, who ironically donated some of the land for the Jordan Meadows park walk. I also broke the story that Hyman won't stand down, unless additional conditions are met. Tuerk's turnaround on the encampment created some flak from his most progressive supporters, and the camper's claim that he broke a promise. While the non-profits are gnashing their teeth about the displacement, not a tear was shed or word said when the previous homeless encampment was unceremoniously removed from the Basin Street area, opposite the Parkettes. That eviction was to accommodate a commercial developer, and the city built him a bridge to boot. While we're dressing up all the remaining private buildings near Reilly's NIZ holdings, we dumped the homeless at Hyman's doorstep.
Also on Tuerk's list of problems is another black eye for the police department. Another officer is accused of misconduct, for pistol whipping a denizen after a police chase. Chief Roca being Hispanic fills Tuerk's diversity agenda, but his leadership abilities are coming more and more into question.
Shown above is not Musikfest, nor even an event hip enough for Mayor Matt, but rather the Allentown Band playing in West Park. The Allentown Band started in 1828, and is the oldest band in the United States. Molovinsky On Allentown started in 2007, and is the oldest continuous blog in Allentown. Although I just announced last week that I was reverting to a semiweekly schedule, my only sponsor, Hess's Department Store, demands that I remain in publication every weekday.
photocredit:Jeff Wetherhold
First off, welcome back! As you noted, it’s like you never left.
ReplyDeleteQuestion about the photo at the top of the article: when was it taken? That’s an old photo, right? What happened to the benches that are always out for people to sit while they enjoy a concert?
Don’t tell me the city had to remove them so that the homeless wouldn’t sleep on them. If so, that’s another big failure on Tuerk’s watch.
There may just be too many things to write about.
ReplyDeleteWe're is the motor vehicle's that seem to wheelie in the park? There is always that kind of skunk smell when I pass through the park in the morning.
ReplyDeleteWhy not ask Leh's, Zollingers, Appel, Freeman, Vogt's, both Weatherhold, Farr's, Kuhns and Shankweiler, Parks, Tucker's, Bohlen Gross and Moyer, The Nut Hut, Green's, McRory's, Witwer Jones, Merchants and First National if they'll jump on and become sponsors too. You probably wouldn't get too far asking Shula's Steakhouse or Moravian Book Store so don't waste your time but the real Allentown businesses should all jump at the chance. We knew you couldn't stop! PS: Irving Kuba's Army Navy Store and Lenny's News Stand may be interested too and I may have missed a few dozen other great Allentown businesses.
ReplyDeleteTuerk'e capitulation to the capitalist swine Hyman is a revolting betrayal of his socialist base, expropriation of burgouesis lands and subsequent redistribution to marginalized and unhoused is non negotiable this removal is the opening salvo in a great epoch of struggle to level the playing field. Solidarity now, Solidarity forever fight for a mayor more like Comrade Mamdani Tuerk is more fake than his Hispanic heritage.
ReplyDeleteCenter City is the kiss of death location for any small business, even when they are heavily subsidized.
ReplyDeleteConsider the Moravian Bookstore.
Can anyone recommend a small friendly decent restaurant in the NIZ?
The once iconic PPL Building once was the X that marked the spot from all over the Lehigh Valley. It is still iconic and it’s still the X that marks the spot, but the meaning has flipped 180o.
Meanwhile the old swampy RT 222 corridor is one linear boom town for every manner of dining, shopping, medical care and other services.
Who remembers those halcyon days when JB touted how the early collaboration with LV Hospital Center would bring people happily to the NIZ?
Of course that entire partnership was hatched as an inside job with JB’s family, friends and associates on the LVHC Board.
Give patients a choice and see how many choose to park in a garage for PT in the NIZ.
It’s all been long revealed to be a scam and a failure.
I have been a city employee for decades. This is the biggest dumpster fire of a circus for as far back as I can remember. Yes, we didn't like everything about how Pawlowski ran the city. But at least there were directors and managers in place to ensure things ran smoothly. Today is just a circus. And calling it that tarnishes circuses.
ReplyDeletePawlowski had Francis Doc, who may have been a carpet bagger creep but he was an effective and professional manager. The Parks began their precipitous decline with Pawlowski’s Director picks.
DeleteConsider Weitzel and the cluster fuck at Cedar Beach Pool.
Zoning and Code were thugs in the service of a criminal administration.
Engineering was professional.
Patel was, and remains, a competent if absolutely unethical technician for whatever administration she is pimping for.
MacLean was a decent chief and he was surrounded with some professional Assistants and Captains, although the violent crime rate was high.
Yes, Mayor Matt is utterly terrible, but the Pawlowski years were no bed of roses.
Anon@11:50 AM. "We didn't like everything about how Pawlowski ran the city." Can you provide a brief list of the things you liked about his management of the city?
Deleteanon@1:45: It is a current photo. If there are still benches in the middle section I do not know. However, people were bringing folding chairs already back in the early 70's, when I moved into the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteanon@11:30: Although we hosted your creative writing this morning, please do not be encouraged. Straightforward comments, without hyperbole or satire, go to the top of the comment evaluations for inclusion.
Mr. M. Don't box yourself in with a 'schedule' of posts. Just weigh in when you have something to say. Your readers rely on you to brings us up to date on the goings on in Allentown. After subscribing to the Morning Call for 53 years I will be canceling my Sunday-only subscription this week. I'll contintue with the online version only because I love this adopted city of mine, and need what little news they provide.
ReplyDeleteThe mayor needs to ask Chief Roca to resign . His record of not increasing the force. I think they are about 20 under budget. Corruption, cops sitting in parking lots. Its evident morale is down
ReplyDeleteLooks to me like the benches have been removed.
ReplyDeleteHow sad.