City Hall Bloat

City Council prevailed on Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski to hire four more police officers than the four submitted in his proposed 2009 budget. According to freelance reporter Sarah Fulton, Jeanette Eichenwald convinced the Mayor this increase was warranted. We in the local blogosphere know Michael Donovan also supported the additional manpower. Considering how many officers may retire this year to benefit themselves by the infamous "PensionGate", a true wild card, will we really reach a force of 214? Considering Pawlowski gave a press conference last spring saying he would concentrate on public safety, why didn't the proposed budget include at least eight more officers? Although City Council questioned the necessity of the Mayor's professional service fund, they have yet to question all the additional administrative positions added by this mayor.

A Blogger and Historian

The third time I came across the same site,
searching three different subjects; Bethlehem Steel, my mother's maiden name and the Fairview Cemetery, I realized Mr. Berghold was a remarkable person. A couple years ago he quickly returned my inquiry concerning Hungarian Jews during the war. Jerry Berghold was born here in Allentown in 1930, and passed away this past August in Virginia. You can enter his many enduring websites from this address;
http://www.burgenland-bunch.org/homepage.htm

UPDATE: The Burgenland refers to Eastern Austria and Western Hungary. Although Mr. Berghold started as a genealogist researching the multi-ethnic heritage of the immigrants to our area from that region, he became a humanist who grew a few emails into a worldwide, 1500 member interaction.

Merry Pawlowski

Last night, as I went to sleep concerned about the impropriety of The Morning Call featuring Pawlowski's picture on the city map, little did I know I would awake to another full page picture of the mayor on the cover of the Entertainment Section. It's time for me to get with the program. I wish you a Happy Pawlowski Day, and next month, when it beginning to look a lot like Pawlowski, may you have a Merry Pawlowski and Happy Pawlowski Year!

2009 Municipal Election

Today I received what I thought to be the first political brochure of the 2009 Mayoral campaign. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was actually the municipal directory and map, sent to every property owner of record. Taxpayers received such a directory in 2005, but in that version, then Mayor Afflerbach limited himself to his name only, in small print. I have included a photo of the 2005 directory for

comparison. A disclaimer appears in small print near Pawlowski's huge photograph, "No tax payer funds were expended in the printing of this document". The combination campaign promotion/ city map was published by the Morning Call.

Easton Mayor a Retread

Easton is obsessed with the used hubcap business near Rt. 22, they should worry about the retread they elected for mayor. Sal Panto insists on supporting an unnecessary parking garage, in a flood plain, that will hurt the merchants of Easton by relocating the bus riders away from Center Square and Northampton Street. According to an article in the Morning Call by Michael Duck, he blew off critics for a second time by canceling a scheduled meeting. I drove to Easton and checked out the location of the proposed transportation hub. Without a doubt, the Easton location will be even more disastrous to their center-city merchants than the hub in Allentown. While Lanta serves the suburban malls with transfer bus stops, these remote parking garage/Lanta Terminals delete the center cities of foot traffic. Lanta doesn't care, Panto doesn't learn.

New Police Contract

Most premium pensions, such as public school teacher, are based upon 35 years of service and yield the retiree about 70 percent of their ending salary. The expiring police contract allowed officers to buy their military time, go out with 16 years and base their retirement upon their last 30 days, including overtime. As a citizen and candidate, I attended the contract hearings in 2005 and spoke with FOP officers. They estimated probably about 12 officers would retire under Afflerbachs' plan, no more than 20. I believe about 80 officers have left the force in the last 47 months, with many receiving way over their base pay in retirement. I've been told the most harmful element of that contract, for the taxpayers, was the 30 day clause. Most such contracts are based on the last 3 years, or at the very least, the last 90 days. The new contract STILL HAS THE 30 DAY CLAUSE, but with a cap of 10% above base. Regardless of any projections, the taxpayers must assume a large part of the existing force will retire with a pension of 110% of their base salary. New officers hired after Jan. 1, will conform to state standards in pension, and the 20 year rule without buyout has been reinstated. The administration will allow existing officers between now and the end of the current contract, Dec.31, to qualify for the no cap pension and still remain working until they decide to actually stop working. Would you continue working if you could retire and receive more? These observations are based upon a report in today's Morning Call by Jarrett Renshaw.

UPDATE: Scott Kraus, on the Morning Call's Queen City Blog, suggests that the last time City Council interfered with the police contract the result was a disaster. I agree about that result, but never the less, Council must always be willing to intercede if necessary, to protect the interest of the taxpayers.

They Don't Understand?

Every year the Realtors get a few phone calls from New York and New Jersey, their buyers don't understand why the investments aren't yielding the results they expected, or worse. Their frame of reference is New York, where a one bedroom apartment rents for $3200. Where they come from, it costs about 900 thousand to buy a one apartment unit. They don't understand, although it is only 90 miles and an hour and a half from Manhattan, it's a different world. The think if they give their tenants pre-addressed envelopes, the checks will come in the mail. They think if they convert a commercial building into lofts, yuppies will park their beamers outside, downtown. The Dime Bank Building, on 7th, off of Hamilton is going to be converted into upscale apartments; Expect to see Mayor Ed and his portable podium soon. The real estate market in NYC is recession proof. Here, the local builders know all about down markets. Shown in the photo, is what was to be the second phrase of the townhouses at 8th and Walnut. Despite tax free status from the Keystone Opportunity Zone, the builder has filled in the foundations and discontinued the project.

Growth Industry in Allentown

Yesterday I went to the Social Security Office, across from the prison, to discuss my retirement options. I was given number 199. In addition to retirement, Social Security also dispenses money for disability. I would say from the gray hair, there were
about three of us contemplating retirement, all the others were for disability. A few middle age men were carrying their fake canes. The canes aren't fake, it's the disabilities. I saw one such gentleman walk in from the parking lot, clearly the cane bore no weight, and was merely a prop. Most of the people waiting were quite young, in their twenties. Disability has been expanded to include mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, additive personality and anger management. I will say many of them did look angry to me. It was hard finding a parking space. Business also looked good at the prison. If Johnny Manana's had gotten these crowds....

School's Out

Many years ago, Lehigh Valley Child Care brought together a group of teachers and educators, to provide the inter-city children of Easton a special program for the summer. We called the program School's Out, it was centered in the YMCA. Activities included, but were not limited to, photography, drama, art, nature study and athletic instruction. The kids could learn basketball at the Wolfe School gym, how to build a set for a play, or how to swim the butterfly stroke in the Delaware. Although the experience may be lost in their memory, I know that fifty kids had a summer of both fun and learning.

Photocredit: molovinsky

Morning Call Pimps Brew Works

The Morning Call blog, Queen City Daily, which only does about one post a week, is promoting real estate for the Brew Works*. I have to pay to advertise real estate, and pay dearly. The available space at the Brew Works is completely overhauled and upgraded. The reporter failed to mention the Brew Works received between five and seven million dollars in taxpayer grants** to pay for those improvements. I have to improve my property through savings and bank loans. The space at the Brew Works is being promoted by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. I have to stand outside in the dark, waiting for prospective tenants to show up at my property. The reporter who wrote this piece for the Morning Call is well intentioned, he is just not cognitive of the inequalities our politicians have inflicted upon the marketplace. Here's some questions I would ask; Who owns the Brew Work Building? Who would receive the income from either the rental or sale of the upper floors? Has the building been legally subdivided? Who decides which owners benefit from the LVEDC promotions?

* http://blogs.mcall.com/allentown/2008/11/for-sale-or-ren.html

** There has been a smorgasbord of subsidies bestowed upon this project. Relief from taxes under the KOZ, some are outright grants, such as facade, others are HUD loans, which can be forgiven. There has also been unique considerations from the Parking Authority and other promotions funded by taxpayers.

No Christmas For Merchants

The Klan would be proud of the disrespect being shown the Asian merchants of Hamilton Street. Last year, right before Christmas, all the foot traffic created from the bus transfer stops was eliminated. This year for Christmas, Allentown is finally enforcing a fourteen year old amendment concerning security gates. The merchants have been given 90 days to change out their gates from solid to mesh. They have been told, that although many of the gates have been installed since 1994 with approved permits, no solid gates will be grandfathered. They have been also told that appeals will prove to be useless, and frowned upon. The new gates are costing anywhere between two to seven thousand dollars each depending upon width. Imagine being told in November of 2008, that your gate installed by permit in 2000, is out of compliance with an amendment passed November 4, 1994. Please click and enlarge the above document to see how it feels to be a Coolie in Allentown. Word on the street is that this idea came from the Fegleys of the Brew Work, via a "Vision Committee". Once again Pawlowski forsakes long-term taxpayers and reality, to cater to grant recipients and an imaginary gentrification.

UPDATE: An officer in the code department was kind enough to answer a few questions from me. He stated that from a safety viewpoint concerning fire, and the buildings are all adjoined, the solid gates prevented fires from being seen. This seems to be a valid point. As often the case, , my issues are with Executive decisions, not those officials responsible for carrying out the mandates.

UPDATE 2: Isn't it interesting that Johnny's Manana's, as a startup business in a brand new building, was given a facade grant for 50k, while these merchants, who have been here for many years, were not offered any help to pay for these gates in front of their buildings.

Hamilton Without Lanta

It has been about a year since Allentown and Lanta ended their historic covenant with the merchants, and the result has been a disaster. The 700 block of Hamilton, although not glamorous, was viable. Years ago there was an expression; there's many more nickels than quarters. Without the bus traffic, no less than 6 businesses have closed. All the new stores have been subsidized by city grants. Currently on Allentown Good News, a blog sponsored city officials, they're bragging about a women who sells coffee and cookies, and even that required a grant. The bad news, is that the gentrification hoped for, never materialized. Johnny Manana's, despite 50 thousand and a county sponsored liquor license, has locked the doors. Last spring, Mayor Pawlowski said 150 grand left from facade grants, may be spent to support existing restaurants. How much we really put into Manana's may never be known. Mayors will blame the economy for the failures. In ten years, we will hire a consultant for hundreds of thousands, who will recommend restoring bus transfer stations to Hamilton.

artwork by Karoline Schaub-Peeler

Change

Nobody has gotten more out of the word "change", than Obama, since the cash register was invented. Here, on the local blogosphere and newspaper, we are somewhere between cult worship and a new religion. Take for example, an Email I received this morning from Bill Villa concerning my previous posting;

"This one's just between you and me. I just wanted to tell you what a horse's ass you are, posting that dumbo entry about some WW II fighter pilot guy the day after Barack Obama's victory. This is your uniquely Molovinsky self-absorbed way of showing just how insignificant you consider Obama's victory to be. As if anyone cares what you think. You're also sucking up to that "Greatest Generation" (which you missed being a part of by only a few short years) that is lamenting the "America they used to know." Nice pandering. And while we're on the subject of total transparency, if "The Banker" isn't Bernie O'Hare, I'm not Bill Villa."

I print the above Email with some hesitation, because Mr. Villa said the message was between him and me. I suppose because he calls me a horse's ass, and because he deleted, rather than read my reply to him, I need not consider his feelings more than he considers mine. The fighter pilot is my son's step-grandfather, and has always shown much consideration toward him. Had McCain won, would any post on any other subject be considered disrespectful? In Obama's speech Tuesday night, he expressed respect for McCain and his supporters. I wonder if that toleration will be practiced by his supporters; that would be a change.

An American Hero

This painting, by aviation artist Mark Postlethwaite, based on World War 2 illustrates an actual air battle; Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 of 14/JG26 flown by Ofw. Werner Zech is intercepted by a P-51 Mustang of the 339th FG flown by Captain Francis R. Gerard, 18th March 1945. Frank Gerard was one of our flying aces, shooting down four enemy aircraft from his Mustang in one battle over Leipzig, Germany. The retired Major General passed away this week and will be buried tomorrow with full military honors.

Pawlowski's Halloween

For the second time in one month, there was a fatal shooting in front of young children. Last night's crime happen during the trick and treat hours, creating a real life horror for kids being robbed of an Allentown tradition. The shooting on 9TH St., under a flashing blue surveillance camera and a near a identified landlord of shame, appeared on the local news page of the Morning Call. Above the slaying article, columnist Bill White praises the Pawlowski initiative against landlords. Allentown should not be so conditioned to murder and violence, that it has become B section news. We should not tolerate an administration which blames its inability to deal with crime on tavern owners and landlords. You don't have to be a brain surgeon....

The Press and Allentown

Today's editorial in The Morning Call, supporting Pawlowski's Hall of Shame, is inexplicable. Simply put, the program ignores a system of ordinances and legal remedies, and resorts to ridicule, not unlike the stockade in Puritan New England. The first inductees were certainly soft targets, young brothers from New Jersey. Are their records and violations any worse than several well known local landlords, not at all. Not that many years ago, the newspaper survived a hugh slander lawsuit involving another targeted "slumlord". To this day, whenever using his name, reporters must first get clearance from their editors, who in turn consult with their legal department. I find it curious that the paper would again go down this road, but what's really amazing is that every proposal ever made by this mayor, has been endorsed on the Editorial Page.

Allentown Post Office 1934

In the 1930's, the "New Deal" was good to Allentown. As I noted on earlier posts, our park system was enriched by monumental stone construction under the WPA. We also received one of the architectural gems of our area, the magnificent art deco post office. Constructed during 1933-34, no detail was spared in making the lobby an ageless classic. The floor is adorned with handmade Mercer tiles from Doylestown. Muralist Gifford Reynolds Beal worked thru 1939 portraying the Valley's cultural and industrial history. This incredible 74 year old photograph is the contractor's documentation of the project's progress. The back of the photo states; Taken Sept 1 - 34 showing lobby, floor, screens, desks, completed & fixtures hung

Historic Opportunity

During the Republican National Convention, I was struck by the comments of several young black delegates; btw, black republicans, as with gay republicans, do not require a large convention center when they meet. Back to the point, these three young republicans all stated they would be voting for Obama come November. They clearly pointed out as blacks, Obama's chance of becoming President, was too hugh of an historic opportunity for them not to support. I was also struck by the terms Colin Powell used to justify his endorsement of Obama; transformational and generational. They seem odd words for an experienced soldier and diplomat. Although I would not hesitate to vote for Colin Powell or even Condoleezza Rice, I will not vote for a inexperienced freshman senator, who has not demonstrated any comprehension of world issues or even the economic principles of capitalism, upon which this country has thrived. Perhaps in time, Obama can mature into a viable candidate, not just an historic opportunity.

Hall of Shame

Today's Morning Call features a hugh photograph of city code enforcers hanging a large sign identifying the owner of a building with code violations. The offender, Adam Thor, is Allentown's first inductee in the Allentown Landlord Hall of Shame, which is also being featured on the city website. Mr. Thor owns two buildings in the 300 block of 9th Street. Interestingly, about one year ago, an article identified this block as targeted by the Redevelopment Authority for multiple acquisitions and de-conversions. I bet Mr. Thor is ready to negotiate now! Unless Mr. Thor is the person who shot the driver on 7th Street earlier this week in front of the victim's children, he is just a scapegoat and distraction for Pawlowski's inability to deal with Allentown's real problems.

Morning Call Missed Story

Clearly, one of the national lead stories yesterday was the fraudulent voter registrations by the Acorn Organization, publicly pro Obama. The media has been hyping Barack for a year, repeatedly citing the new registrations as proof positive of America's enthusiasm for the agent of change. Acorn itself, was harder to find yesterday than a flimflam contractor. Obama himself, had worked for Acorn years ago, and as a candidate paid them 800 thousand dollars to register new voters. Not only did the Morning Call not write one word about this corruption of the basis of our democracy, but it headlined a story meant to downplay the success of the local McCain/Palin rally on Wednesday. At the best, today's paper was old news with a twist, at the worst, it was an attempt at reader manipulation.

Pawlowski Contract Position Understandable

I do not have a problem with Pawlowski hiring professional negotiators for the contract talks with the police union, and not revealing details and costs, here's why; As all can agree, the last negotiation with the police union was a disaster for the taxpayers. The city has hired outside consultants for many mundane reasons, so why not for the most important issue in our city and the biggest item in our budget? If any agent can lower the bottom line in any transaction, it's worth the cost. If you believe pawlowski should have hired outside negotiators or not, since he has, why not wait to see what these pro's can produce? I understand the concept of right to know, and usually support it, but perhaps in this exceptional case, it's better to hold the cards close to the vest.

UPDATE: I have changed the title of this posting, from Pawlowski Police Position Proper to Pawlowski Contract Position Understandable

No Firewater For Indians

If you're a suburbanite being induced to come downtown to drink and eat, chances are your destination was heavily subsidized by Mayor Pawlowski. Take your pick, Allentown Brew Works, or Johnny Manana's, millions were given, including special city approved low cost liquor licenses. If you're a low income white, black or Hispanic, chances are you're a nuisance person drinking in a nuisance bar. On Friday the City of Allentown closed Trinkle's Cafe, 533 Turner St., because a shooting victim walked into the bar for help. There has been a taproom in that location ever since I can remember. My uncle lived in the 400 block many years ago. The current bar owner, Lauren Markowitcz, correctly states she is a victim of the neighborhood*; She is also a victim of the Administration. Rather than confront and deal with policies which continue to make Allentown a poverty and crime magnet, Pawlowski instead installs surveillance camera's, passes gun laws, and denies a livelihood to struggling business owner in a decaying neighborhood. Like the soup nazi in Seinfield, Pawlowski says no grant for Markowitcz.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3_5trinkles.6617869oct06,0,4527803.story

Now I Gotta Fight With Bill White

Bill White, columnist for the Morning Call, has a fan club. I know this because three of the "Whities" just bashed me for taking Bill to task about his film and food blogs. But the reason I'm writing, is because he wrote three blogs marginalizing Sarah Palin. Seems because she did better than a "deer in the headlights" he gives her some credit. Although I haven't heard much about it from the pundits, Palin handled Biden well on several subjects . In one interesting exchange, Palin started out with an ultra-conservative, against same sex marriage statement. Biden started out with a very liberal, respecting same sex rights in couple situations. Before the exchange ended, Biden had to admit their position on gays was actually the same. My guess is that Joe Biden is glad today there's only one VP debate. I did see White at the fair stuffing himself on chocolate cake, hope I never have to take a film history course from him at Muhlenberg College.

Feel-Good Law and Hypocrisy

As Allentown is racked with shootings and police standoffs, City Council passed a silly, feel-good lost-gun law that won't help fight rising crime. Mayor Pawlowski said, "This bill can help close a loophole which is allowing illegal guns to flow onto our streets." Law abiding citizens have always reported lost and stolen guns. The notion that "straw purchasers" will comply with the law is absurd. District Attorney James Martin opposed the ordinance because gun laws are under the jurisdiction of State law. The mayor said we must go over the head of state law, to find solutions to our problems, even if the legislation gets overturned. Last year, the same mayor opposed illegal-alien laws, because he claimed they were under federal jurisdiction.

Morning Call/Muhlenberg College Manipulation

The Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, under the direction of Chris Borick, in cooperation with The Morning Call, today reported results of its current poll; Obama 50%, McCain 41%, with a margin error of +/- 4%. Manipulation is a strong word, but I'm just a local blogger with an ax to grind. I don't think it's a stretch to suppose a liberal college professor and a liberal newspaper would give the benefit of the doubt to Obama, but back to my ax. The Morning Call justified excluding me from the mayoral debate in 2005 because of a survey by Borick. For that election the "Institute" had William Heydt beating Edward Pawlowski by 7 points. Ed won the election by 20 points, the poll was off by 27%, slightly more than 4% margin of error! I'd like to see a survey of the accuracy of results by Morning Call/Muhlenberg polls over the years. But who would conduct it, the newspaper or college?

Style vs. Substance

Last night's Presidential Debate was clearly a case of style vs. substance. While Obama articulated theory about the world, McCain spoke from experience. While Obama danced around his comments about negotiating with Ahmadinejad, McCain clearly stated principles do count. While Obama strutted he would follow Bin Laden into Pakistan, POW survivor McCain reminded Barack to measure his words. Last week, commentators were scrambling to find undecided voters to evaluate the debate. There are no undecided voters whose opinion could possibly count, perhaps undeclared, but not undecided; the experience and philosophies of the two candidates are night and day. In 2004, the voters re-elected, arguably, the worst public speaker in history. Americans seem to look beyond style when filling the desk in the Oval Office.

The Hutch

Up to the mid 60's, students at Allen High could leave the building for lunch. Scattered in alley's around the the school, garages had been converted into lunch shops and hangouts. The Hutch was in the alley between 17th and West Streets, in the unit block between Hamilton and Linden. Suzy's was behind the Nurse's Dormitory, between Chew and Turner. Another was across Linden from the Annex. They all had the same basic decor, a few pinball machines, a few tables and a small lunch counter. Most of the business was during lunch period, and before and after school. It's my understanding that occasionally a kid or two would skip school and hangout all day. Today these garages, turned into luncheonettes, have long ago reverted back to garages. Most of the current residents of West Park probably don't even know about this commercial history right behind their houses. I missed photo day at Allen for my yearbook, but if anybody has a picture of the gang from the Hutch, I'd appreciate a copy.

Rendell, A Reluctant Jew

When Ed Rendell ran for Mayor of Philadelphia, he couldn't make himself an African American, but he sure wasn't a Jew. When Rendell ran for Governor, he was a city saving mayor and sportscaster, who downplayed the significance of his heritage on his outlooks. As a supporter of presumptive candidate Hillary Clinton, he did not have to be Jewish. Only now, with Barack as candidate with a background associated with known anti-Semites, has Ed Rendell become a Jew, who supports Obama.

Shame On Trexler Trust

The City of Allentown is embarking upon a $3.8 million dollar capital plan to change the nature of our parks, funded in large part by the Trexler Trust. Although a number of fads will be accommodated, not one dollar is earmarked to preserve the existing WPA treasures, shame on the Trexler Trust. General Trexler envisioned the parks as a reserve for the passive enjoyment of nature. Among the new Disney-World type plans are a wedding pavilion in the Rose Garden, and the largest playground in eastern Pennsylvania to be built in Cedar Park, shame on Trexler Trust. The trail through Cedar Creek Park will have lights installed, and the picnic area's will be expanded, shame on Trexler Trust. Anybody driving past Cedar Beach on a Monday morning sees the trash generated currently by only a few picnic tables. How many more park workers will be required to deal with the consequences of these new plans? The playground is being billed as a "Destination Playground", who will pay to keep that clean? Shame on the Trexler Trust. Allentown should build and monitor numerous playgrounds throughout center city, within walking distance for children and parents. Here's an idea; lets keep the parks as is, lets maintain what we have, and stop using the Trexler Trust as a political arm of the Administration.


photo info: the dedication stone is on the Union Street wall. The steps shown go through a tunnel in the wall and climb up to Spring Garden Street. They are in total disrepair.

Stairway To Shame

In the mid 1930's, Allentown, and especially it's park system, was endowed with magnificent stone edifices, courtesy of the WPA; Works Progress Administration. This was a new deal program designed to provide employment during the aftermath of the depression. Stone masons from all over the country converged on this city and built structures which are unreplaceable. The walls and step structures in Lehigh Parkway, as the Union Terrace amphitheater, are legacies which must be protected. Pictured above is the grand stairway from Lawrence Street (Martin Luther King Drive) up to Union Street, built in 1936. The steps are in a state of disrepair. They lead to the great Union Street Retaining Wall, fifty feet high and two blocks long, which was completed in 1937. I call upon the Trexler Trust and Allentownians of memory, to insist these steps are re-pointed and preserved. The current Administration knows nothing of our past, and really has no commitment to our future. Save the things in Allentown that matter.

Bloated Bureaucracy

This week Allentown City Council will decide if the new Managing Director must live in Allentown; a better question would be if Allentown needs a managing director. This new position was created by Mayor Pawlowski in 2006 to help him manage the city. Depending upon who you ask, anywhere from 30 to 44 new white collar positions have been created by this Administration, while at the same time police officers are retiring in mass, and the streets are strewn with litter. One of the positions the Manager would overseer is the Special Events Manager. Yesterday Hamilton Street was closed for CELEBRATE ALLENTOWN, nobody came.* Nobody coming was the good news, the bad news was what the street closure cost the merchants. This was the third saturday that Hamilton Street was recently closed to traffic. Matthew Tuerk told the reporter covering the event he was having a great time. Matt once again forgot to mention he's acting director of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation. In July a private promoter, Alfonso Todd, produced UPWARD BOUND, a Multi-Cultural Celebration on the 600 block of Hamilton Street. That event was reasonably well attended at no cost to the taxpayers. It required no full time director with benefits and pension to manage a full time coordinator with benefits and pension. I suspect the taxpayers could have sent the few people who attended on Saturday to DisneyWorld, for a week, and still saved money.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-5celebrate.6588187sep14,0,3351563.story

Liberal Dilemma

Those of you who honor this blog with an occasional glance or two, will recognize this posting as my first foray outside of Lehigh Valley Politics. However, my motivation was local, today's Op Ed piece, entitled "Time will erode impact of Palin's rhetoric." * The piece was written by Nichola Gutgold, a local professor who is author of "Paving the Way for Madam President". Apparently when Ms. Gutgold wrote "Paving the Way..." she never had in mind a conservative, pro life, gun toting moose hunter. When Hillary Clinton spoke several weeks ago about cracking the glass ceiling, she didn't imagine a Sarah Palin. It seems democratic liberal women are more suited to govern than their conservative counterparts, who should apparently concentrate on motherhood. Nearby, democratic women had no problem electing Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky to Congress with eleven children. I must give credit to Geraldine Ferraro. She acknowledges the accomplishments of Ms. Palin and warns Joe Biden not to underestimate her.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anotherview/all-a.6584620sep12,0,3379296.story

CastleRock

CastleRock took place in the cavernous Dorney Park dance-hall, Castle Garden. The "Garden" was built in the early 20's and hosted all the famous big bands of that era. By the late fifties it was call CastleRock. The Philadelphia recording stars, such as Frankie Avalon and Freddy Cannon would routinely perform. By my teenage era, in the early mid 60's, it was mostly disc jockeys. The Park was free, no admission. Pay to park, and maybe a buck or so for the dance-hall. By then the nightclub tables shown in the photograph were gone, and sitting was around the sides. There were no shootings, and rowdiness was restricted to sneaking on a ride without buying a ticket. The dance-hall overlooked the lake, it was destroyed by a fire on Thanksgiving in 1985.

Sad Sack City

Those wanting a cup of brew this weekend in Allentown's 19th Street Theater District were out of luck. Seems that Hava Java thought they could just close for a few hours and do some maintenance without a permit, not in Pawlowski's cash strapped, power hungry code regulated Allentown. Those familiar with the Theater District know the only constant over the years have been the theater and the coffee shop. Those familiar with the coffee shop, know they prepare no food there whatsoever, beside making coffee, there are no public safety issues. A lost weekend for a small business owner wanting to improve his space. $1.5 million of public money scheduled to be spent promoting the street. An administration short on common sense.

UPDATE: The Stop Work Order was NOT responsible for keeping the coffee shop closed. see elaboration in comment section.

MattressGate

In today's Morning Call WatchDog feature, we learn the delayed mattresses from a local department store have finally arrived, subject of last weeks feature. Time to put that story to rest. I would like to know where the pea is under Pawlowski's budget shell game. I'd like to know where our grant money is really going. I'd like to know if those flashing blue lights are really reducing crime, which appears to be Lehigh Valley's growth industry.

Queen City Daily

QUEEN CITY DAILY IS A BLOG DEDICATED TO NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN. WE'LL UPDATE EVERY WEEKDAY WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM YOUR FRONT STOOP ALL THE WAY TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. FROM THE STAFF OF THE MORNING CALL*
There's one thing nobody can accuse the Queen City Daily of being, and that's a daily. Today's the eighth day without a new posting. Can't really blame the recent shake up at the paper, it's been more of a weekly since the get-go. Perhaps a new name is in order.

* http://blogs.mcall.com/allentown/

Pawlowski-Schweyer Crack Down

Last Fall, at a community meeting I organized about Lanta, an elderly citizen told how Mayor Pawlowski raged against her for having frequent sidewalk sales. As a mugging victim, she couldn't understand how he was more concerned with her sales than the attack against her. I later learned a gentleman was mugged on the way to the meeting. Last night Allentown provided a solution, not against the muggers, but against the sidewalk sales.* Councilman Peter Schweyer, also a member of the Lanta Board, introduced this landmark legislation. Unfortunately, the Hamilton Street merchants didn't fare well against Lanta. Several have left Hamilton Street, including the only drug store. It's tough being old in downtown Allentown.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b6_5council.6574508sep04,0,5114129.story

Blog HighJacking

Any reader to my last posting, Return of the Golem, knows that my comment section was highjacked. This particular pirate is very persistent, he saturates comment boards with his obsessions, but not his own blog. When his comments are deleted, he keeps reposting them, over and over. Although he and his wife have their own blog, there, they refrain from such behavior. Actually, pirate is too romantic of an image. He also sends endless emails, chock full of threats. At the heading of their blog, it says people should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. It is my hope they will assume the manners they purport, and I will once again be able to resume the open comment feature.

Return Of The Golem

The golem is the original "super hero" of Judaism. Kabalists believe that life was created through G-d speaking words, and thus, if your beliefs are pure and you are a master of kabala, then you too can create life from nothing. Rabbis over the century were said to have created Golems to protect Jewish settlements in times of anti-Semitic strife. The symbols on which the golem lies are one of the main pillars of Kabala, known in English as the Tree of Life.*

Upset over a recent comment about my motives in regard to Fairview Cemetery, I had the Golem imported from its hiding place in Poland. The following apology did appear on the blogosphere for several minutes today;**/ 1
".... Michael and I had a lengthy phone conversation yesterday and I trust that things are OK again between us. I admitted and apologized to Michael for having posted several anonymous "snarks" at him recently that called into question his motives regarding Fairview Cemetery,......" Bill Villa

Although the Golem remains secure in its box, I will postpone returning it to Poland for the time being.

* this incredible drawing of the golem, and it's explanation is by Juliet Howland http://www.elfwood.com/art/j/u/julieth/golem3jpg.jpg.html

**the apology was first posted onto Bernie O'Hares Blog, deleted and sent to Villa's Blog(Mrs. Dottie) where it was again deleted

1. confession of a blogger. I used the apology as a vehicle to utilize this fascinating drawing. I don't need a golem to handle my critics, besides, it would be a full time job defending me and others in the local blogosphere. This posting is not intended as a springboard for tension between any specific bloggers, nor will such comments be accepted.

Midway Matters

I've been going to the fair for a long time. In the late 50's, my father operated a food stand there near the beer gardens. He then built Flaggs on Hamilton Blvd., today it is known as Ice Cream World. There was no water park back then, and Dorney Park was still family owned. In the early 60's, while still in high school, for a couple of years, a friend and myself operated a tee shirt stand at both the Allentown and Kutztown Fairs. Back then, the midway operator was Goodin's Million Dollar Midway. Then, as today, the sides of the fairground were rented out to individuals, while the large middle, in front of grandstand and farmers market, was rented to the carnival company. Over the years the carnival operator changed, from Goodin through a few others, to S & W. This year there is a new operator and a new walking pattern. For the first time, there is no midway along the grandstand. Fair goers are steered to a new first midway, 75 feet north of the grandstand, and then back down again, at the other end. We Dutchmen, being used as an affectionate term for all older locals, don't like it. We don't do well with change.

photocredit: molovinsky

Vision or Delusion

Over sixty eager beavers met Monday at the center-city Holiday Inn, shown in the background, for the final "Visioning" meeting.*
With help from a grant for $10,000, the following profound statement resulted; ''We envision the Hamilton Street District as the commercial and cultural heart of the Lehigh Valley, an attractive, welcoming community, filled with activity and energy, offering employment, dining, arts, entertainment, shopping, and residential opportunities, supported by culturally diverse and architecturally attractive neighborhoods.'' Mayor Pawlowski said "This whole process.... has been good for galvanizing folks..." Although I used the word "delusion" in the title, actually the process was more of an illusion; a trick making the participants think they have input to the decision making process. When one considers the decision was already made to remove the Lanta bus stops which supported the pre-existing merchants, and all future grant funds of any consequence have already been pre-spent on a couple favored projects, what decisions remain for the beavers? Maybe they can design a new street banner or rearrange a parking meter or two. The fellow in the foreground was not the consultant, but he thought the meeting was silly, so do I.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b5_5vision.6561907aug26,0,6655927.story

Can You Say Loft?

Allentown has a schizophrenic attitude towards apartments. While we are spending millions of dollars to de-convert a few row house in center city, we are also spending millions to subsidize the creation of loft apartments in formerly commercial buildings. Now, lets define we. We may be direct grants from the city; city directed HUD grants, grants through the Redevelopment Authority or the Economic Development Corporation, or State Grants secured by the Administration. It's all we, it's all our tax money, and it's all being promoted by Ed Pawlowski. When Mr. Ed was Community Development Director under Afflerbach he promoted the Farr Loft project. As a mayoral candidate he repeatedly claimed it was private money and proof positive yuppies were clamoring for Hamilton Street life. A few months after Mayor Ed's coronation, the Farr Loft partnership received half a million from the state.* Upfront money, backdoor money, it's all our taxes. Back to this apartment problem, the defenders refer to gentrification. A mom with three children, burdening the school system, is being replaced by a single beamer with disposable income. Here's the rub, we are legitimizing these additional apartments with a hope and prayer for a certain demographic. Time will tell who we get, and how long he will stay. Will the second or third tenant be that mom again with her three children?

* Allentown's Farr building brings home $500,000 in aid ** Help from state tagged for downtown apartment project.
Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; Jun 19, 2006; pg. B.3;

Mt. Sinai Cemetery

Jews have been buried in a small section of Fairview Cemetery, called Mt. Sinai for over 138 years. Although the markings on several stones have worn away, Hannah Dreifuss was buried there in 1868. Morris Wolf, who served with the local regiment in the Civil War, lived to be 98. He lies next to his wife Julia, who died thirty years earlier in 1907. While many of the 82 graves date back to the early 1900's, burials continued through 20's, 30's, 40's, and later. In July of 2006, thirty years after the last previous burial in 1976, Joseph Levine was laid to rest at the age of 103.

Friends of Fairview

There will be a meeting for "Friends of Fairview" at Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12 St. (between Chew and Turner) on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6:00p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to explore ways in which the public can assist in improving the cemetery.

CheeseSteak Blowhards

Last Thursday Rendell was in town giving Cunningham and Pawlowski millions of our dollars for projects in Allentown that will probably not produce one job. (new street lights on 19th St., infrastructure for the river-front) Today we learn Mack Trucks will relocate it's headquarters, with hundreds of jobs, to North Carolina. None of Three Amigo's knew anything about it. Mayor Pawlowski said it was an opportunity for us to attract a new business.

Allentown Gets Poorer

FROM SEPT.9, 2005 NEWSCAST
Molovinsky Wants to Reallocate Grants
Story posted on 2005-09-29 18:23:00
THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF ALLENTOWN SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE THE CITY UNATTRACTIVE TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS. MICHAEL MOLOVINSKY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE A HOME ON WEST LIBERTY STREET TODAY.
MOLOVINSKY SAYS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROBLEMS IN ALLENTOWN IS THE POVERTY RATE. CHANNEL 69 NEWS. SEPT. 9. 2005*


Allentown learned today that it's population became poorer between 1999 and 2005.** That's the good news, I know we became even poorer between 2005 and now. When Pawlowski, as a member of the Allentown Housing Authority, endorsed building the newest public housing project in United States, what's the message there? When Pawlowski, first as Community Development Director under Afflerbach, now as Mayor, uses the Community Block Grants to seed organizations which depend of a flow of new poor people, what's the result? Being an advocate for the poor is morally commendable, but it is no criterion on which any city can sustain itself.

* http://wfmz.com/cgi-bin/tt.cgi?action=viewstory&storyid=9223#
** http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5poverty.6544000aug14,0,7590706.story

New Graveside Tears

Today the Morning Call printed an excellent story about conditions at Fairview Cemetery.* On July 31, I met reporter Brian Callaway and photographer Denise Sanchez at Fairview. We were joined by a family, which had commented on this blog about their negative experiences with the cemetery operator. I was hoping after waiting over a week, the story would have appeared yesterday, in the widely read Sunday paper. After lobbying the paper for 15 months to write a story, I would have preferred a day with more than monday's small circulation. This is a problem which needs publicity. The cemetery owner admitted he increased care after several public complaints last summer. In the article the owner says "If Molovinsky's offer of money is genuine, the cemetery will accept it." My offer was always genuine, but in the last year I learned of people who paid for care which was not performed. An organization is being created to "adopt" and maintain the Jewish section, I hope the owner will agree to this arrangement.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5cemetery.6523914aug11,0,7499886.story

Bikes and Trains

Paul Marin, an activist on transportation issues, hopes to see train service restored between Allentown and New York City, absent over fifty years. It's a big dream, and I wish him success with it. You can read more about his mission in The Morning Call.* What caught my eye in the article, was a proposal to restore rail service between Lansdale and Quakertown. Long ago, back in high school, I recall taking the train from Bethlehem to Philadelphia. As memory serves me, and it doesn't, it was a one car trolley like vehicle, that was remotely operated. By that, I mean in my memory, there was no engineer. Also I was the only one in the car, perhaps I should lay down and tell a psychiatrist about this? Anyway, here comes my point; recently there was an article about turning the track between Bethlehem and Quakertown into a bike or jogging path. These conversions are quite popular now. Millions are spent tearing the track up to make a path for spandex yuppies. Can't these fitness buffs jog and bike someplace else?. How many countless millions would it cost to replace that rail bed and tracks? I know the old tracks may not be suited for high speed trains, but perhaps in the future they could be replaced or used for a tourist trolley. Lets not destroy irreplaceable infrastructure for a StarBuck moment.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_4rails.6536472aug09,0,5730325.story

8th Street Bridge

When opened for traffic on November 17, 1913, with seventeen spans, the Albertus L. Meyers Bridge, then known as the Eighth Street Bridge, was the longest and highest reinforced concrete arch bridge in the world.
The Lehigh Valley Transit Company organized the Allentown Bridge Company in 1911 for the sole purpose of building the bridge. The bridge was designed by the engineering firm of B.H. Davis and built by McArthur Brothers of New York City. Costing in excess of $500,000, construction of the bridge required 29,500 cubic yards (22,600 m³) of concrete and 1.1 million pounds of metal reinforcing rods.
The structure operated as a toll bridge from its November 17, 1913 opening until the 1950s, at which time the toll was five cents for an automobile. The concrete standards that once supported the trolley wire are still standing on the bridge to this day.*
This iconic bridge is a monument to our industrial history; epicenter of both the coment and steel industries. Unfortunately, under the current Pawlowski Administration, which has no knowledge of local history, and no experienced technical personnel, the bridge is suffering. Weeds and undergrowth are being allowed to penetrate the roadbed. Spalling concrete is not being replaced, submitting the reinforcing rods to rust.
UPDATE: Harry C. Trexler, founding member of the Transit Company and Lehigh Portland Cement Co., was a principle player in the construction of this bridge. General Trexler's gravesite, in Fairview Cemetery on Lehigh Street, affords unique views of the bridge and center city Allentown.

Painting of Bridge: by John E. Berninger, 1933, a contemporary of Walter Baum.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertus_L._Meyers_Bridge

Pawlowski's Hole

Allentown doesn't have much of a political memory. The Morning Call changes out its reporters about every 6 months, and most political activists eventually have lobotomies out of frustration. Never the less, some of you may remember Heydt's hole. After he torn down Hess's, the hole sat there for 18 months while a group of investors failed to find financing for a amateur hockey arena. (The one built later in Bethlehem folded and now is for sale) Now, eight years later, Pawlowski has a hole. Announced with great fanfare, a local developer would build the Cosmopolitan on the site of Sal's Spaghetti House. It makes me nervous when they name a restaurant before they built it. Anyway, Pawlowski bought Sal's, and the city paid for the demolition.(Through one of its Authorities) Then the city gave the Cosmopolitan a $50,000 restaurant grant. Yes, we gave a brick-less name $50,000. I think some of the city puff bloggers were even making reservations for dinner. Back to the hole; as a sidewalk supervisor I was surprised to see the excavators dig under the adjoining Sovereign Building and pour pylons under its footers. Perhaps they were mining, mining for grants. Those pylons have enabled the developer to remove his equipment. and let that hole sit there now for over two months, with no danger to the adjoining building. I'd say about $50,000 worth of work has been done. Last month the city applied for a low cost Liquor License for the Cosmopolitan. Last week, after the Pawlowski Administration had an embarrassing "no comment" in regard to Johnny Manana's, a backhoe was moved back to outside the Cosmopolitan site. Is that backhoe a Pawlowski Prop? Does the developer sense the time is ripe for renewed grants? Does Pawlowski need a new ribbon to cut? *

* There could be legitimate reasons why construction has halted on the Cosmopolitan. However, last month the developer's attorney declined to comment on an explanation.