Going To The Well

As the citizens trudge to the well for the fourth time, still looking for relief from this ill-advised park plan, they carry the extra burden of today's article in The Morning Call. The article is a time line which gives the mistaken impression that the opponents are late, very late, to the fray. The Administration, like the article, claims the park plans were submitted to intensive public input. Obviously this isn't the case, if it were, there would be no meeting this evening. Last night a Council Committee discussed grants for a new restaurant, how many citizens know about that? Legal notices and sparsely attended meetings may create a time-line for research, but do not make an informed public. In reality, most citizens learned about these plans in mid June, from an article written by the same reporter. Let me digress a minute. This reporter, Jarrett Renshaw, is one of the best ever to cover the city beat at The Morning Call. Despite new graphics and a new website, the paper is incredibly understaffed and overworked. Renshaw, manages to not only report, but he investigates. What the article does question is where did this playground come from? The Master Plan of 2006, commissioned by The Trexler Trust for the entire park system calls Cedar Park overused and has no mention of such a playground. Apparently the Park Director, from Lewisburg, brought the plan with him from his previous job.

I started my campaign of awareness on this issue in mid May. At the end of May I conducted a meeting, Allentown Speak Out, which discussed the playground, Rose Garden and other aspects of the plan. Years ago Allentown was known for three things; our booming downtown, our industry and our parks. A City Councilman questions what they can do about these plans at this point in time, but believes the controversy will have political consequences. He has that part right.

painting; Eliezer and Rebecca at the Well, 1648, Nicolas Poussin

Tip For Snooks

The sign in the photo comes from the crybaby immigrant who operated the diner at 9th and Linden. He had heard stories that if he came to America, worked hard and saved his money, this was the land of opportunity. The snook thought when he bought the diner he need only work from early in the morning till late at night to get his share of the pie. Sure, seven day weeks are hard, but the bus stop always provided a new customer or two. Snook didn't know about Pawlowski's plan to move Allentown forward. All those bus stops would be centralized to the Lanta terminal at 6th and Linden, even the Hamilton Street merchants wouldn't be spared.

When Butzy was enticed to build his office building at 9th and Hamilton, it's good to be Butz, the stage was set for the revitalization of Hamilton Street. The riffraff bus people who populated the boatpeople stores would be rafted down to the new Lanta terminal at The Morning Call Square. Last Christmas Lanta even provided a shuttle bus to bring the marginal back to Hamilton Street as a concession to the merchants, but the shopping habits had already changed. Rite Aid is returning, in spite of our poor planning, because of a fluke with their 7th Street building. Back to Butzy, tenants never materialized for his building, and there is less business on Hamilton Street than ever. The Chamber of Commerce, after saying there was no need to be in Allentown and selling their Walnut Street building, "changed" their mind, and opened an office at Butz's. The County moved it's Visitor Bureau there, but there's only so many connections available. The prime first floor space has remained empty since construction in 2006, but that's about to change. Although our state income tax will likely rise, there's a grant coming Butz's way for his tax free KOZ building. With a start up grant of over $350.000, an Easton restauranteur will open an upscale blah blah blah this spring. If you eat there, you have already left a tip.

ADDENDUM: Apparently Pawlowski is willing to pay for everything, even the kitchen sink. In addition to the 350k from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program, listed as 9th and Hamilton, there is another grant application from DCED for the prevention and elimination of blight under section 4 of the Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Law on behalf of Alvin H. Butz, this time using the actual street number, 840 Hamilton St. Who would think a new building would qualify for funds under blight elimination? In a few years, not unlike the Brew Works, it will be impossible to trace the subsidies provided.

ADDENDUM 2: A little more sugar; R60 Economic Development Liquor License for 840 West Hamilton Street.

Line In The Sand

It's hard to come out against a playground. A mother who speaks regularly at City Council keeps referring to when children with disabilities were kept locked up in institutions. The Mayor's wife recommended that mothers bring their children and signs to influence the media and City Council. There is absolutely no way Allentown has the expertise, supervision or capacity for maintenance to promote a playground as a destination for children with special needs. I had a short meeting with the Park Director last month, and that is exactly the plan. This destination playground would include a special restroom and a separate changing room. We can buy the equipment, and we can built it, but we could never fulfill the expectations of those whom we would be attracting. I do not believe The City of Allentown should build such a playground anywhere. Such a playground should be built by organizations which specialize with these issues; such as LifePath, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit and the Good Shepherd. That said, I can support a playground at Cedar Beach, and of course it should be handicapped accessible. It should be no larger than 5,000 sq. ft., which can accommodate over 50 children at a time. Any larger playground would force Mayfair to expand across Ott Street just maintain its current size.

There should be an official declaration that Mayfair and the other special events will not be permitted to expand over Ott Street into the currently passive side of the park.

The jogging path at on the west side of Ott Street should not be paved or lighted.

Although the walkways should be completed in the flower gardens to allow for wheelchairs, no additional pavilion should be built in the Rose Garden.

Needless to say, the above guidelines represent only my opinion. Others feel because of the overuse of the park and the flood-plain reality, there should be no additional constructions what so ever. There is consensus, from an expanding group of citizens, that the current plans do not respect the history or tradition of our iconic park system.

Cedar Park and The Shadow Mayor

Yesterday I introduced you to my new alter-ego; Who knows what shenanigans lurk in the corridors of City Hall- The Shadow Mayor knows! My information comes from the blogosphere, back channel sources and until very recently, posing as a janitor at City Hall; the recent layoff of 39 employees has made that disguise problematic. The Shadow comes forward now because of the interplay between my two previous posts. Two days ago I failed our two professor councilmen for giving the citizens the run around. As an anonymous commenter on Bernie O'Hare's Rambling Blog observed; council is so concerned about process and procedure regarding citizen input yet so uncaring about "process' when they approve plans. City Council let the 80 or so citizens go home wednesday evening believing that they have summoned the Mayor and Park Director to the hot seat this coming thursday. Yesterday, Pawlowski's letter began surfacing; in it he indicates the public is invited to come thursday for reeducation and misconception re-mediation. An address to Pawlowski's actual letter is now included with the Shadow's version in yesterday's posting. Is Council summoning the Mayor, or is Council channeling the citizens for the Mayor's benefit? Recently Professor/Councilman Donovan wrote that his research indicates that at 19,750 sq. ft. playground should only accommodate 200 children, not 567, because he found a website recommending 10 sq. ft. per child. More recently he indicated that he could support no playground larger than for 200 children. (which by his formula is still 19,750 sq. ft.) in other-words, it's the same boloney sandwich repackaged with a new wrapper. Apparently our professors have us confused with impressionable 18 year college freshman. Our Mayor thinks if we don't agree with him we must have misunderstood. Let us go to that meeting and give them a lesson.

ADDENDUM: In fairness to Michael Donovan, it must be pointed out that he is being somewhat punished for his accessibility.
He alone, as a Council-person, has a blog,(donovanforallentown.blogspot.com) where he discusses his opinions
and interacts with the citizens.

Letter From The Shadow Mayor

Dear neighbors of Cedar Creek Park,
Since of the quality of your life and the value of your property is about to take a serious hit, I would like to blame all of your anxiety on misinformation. I can assure you that these plans had intensive input, just because you never checked what was taped on the wall inside City Hall is no fault of the Administration. We have justified these plans with the Master Plan of 2006, even though that document recommends less use of the park.

Among the improvements will be new restrooms, and although we never keep the old ones very clean, perhaps you can help. We will be building new attractions,but no new parking lots. In case the plan to create more spaces by creative striping on the existing lots doesn't completely fulfill the need, please consider letting visitors use your driveways and perhaps your bathrooms.

On the pool side of the park we will build a destination playground on the only area with no tree's. Although Mayfair and the other special events will have to expand over into the Rose Garden side to even maintain their current size, we have made suitable plans to accommodate that inevitability. The current jogging path will be paved and lighted, not unlike a fair midway.

A wedding pavilion will be built in the Rose Garden to encourage overuse of that jewel. All the above construction costs will be paid for by the Trexler Trust. You will pay for the intensive maintenance costs thereafter. Although 39 city workers have been laid off, the new attractions will be so appreciated that the visitors will leave less trash and litter.

You will soon be receiving a similar, but different letter from Mayor Pawlowski. He encourages you to attend a special meeting Aug. 13, to learn the error of your recent ways. I also urge you to attend, to convince City Council that they must assert themselves with a cease and desist order against the Park Department.

The Shadow Mayor,
Michael Molovinsky


ADDENDUM: Web address for Pawlowski's letter; http://www.allentownpa.gov/Portals/0/files/Parks_Recreation/cedar-creek-renovations/CC%20MASTER%20PLANV4w.pdf

The Two Professors Fail

There are two college professors on City Council, and last night they both failed the public. I intended on addressing a posting about Michael D'Amore, Council President, in a few days. Both our professors are Michael's, so I will be using last names. D'Amore, through procedural shenanigans, was attempting to stop the public from speaking, but wouldn't admit it, even when his intentions were repeatedly questioned. The other professor, Michael Donovan, supported D'Amore's position; that all 80 plus citizens should wait till Aug. 13th for discussion. Even though guilty of the same crime, I was prepared to give Donovan some slack, after all, those of us opposed to these constructions on our park system need his support. Donovan however, has written a defense of his position on his blog, called Inclusion*. One of his rationalizations was to give adequate time for excellent notification. I have been attending Council Meetings for Decades. Last nights meeting had more publicity than any in recent memory. Wednesday morning The Morning Call had a rather large story, by recent standards, about the meeting. Donovan himself is quoted in enlarged type in a special box; "I want to force an appropriate discussion to get this thing right. I think it's clear to me that there has not been enough widespread discussion...." In addition to the newspaper story we have learned that the Mayor's wife sent out an email encouraging proponents to attend. The meeting was also mentioned on local radio several times.

For this posting I'm not even dwelling on the fact that the City Charter demands Citizen Discussion through the Petition Submitted. D'Amore teaches Political Science

Donovan, on his blog, goes on to note the important parties were not present, Mayor Pawlowski and Park Director Weitzel.

Mr. Donovan, the petition requested that implementation of the Park Plan be suspended because of lack of information and public input. You and Mr. D'Amore repeatedly conceded that the Administration was less than forthright with the plans. Both Pawlowski and Weitzel have repeatedly avoided the Council Chamber when the public sought information for the last three meetings. Last night several citizens testified that Weitzel wouldn't provide information when asked. The public has come to the well three time in the last month, and you and D'Amore can only say try again next week.

*Mr. Donovan's explanation can be found at www.donovanforallentown.blogspot.com/

Mr. Donovan, I will be happy to cut and paste a similar size (to this post) reply from you here.

Park Plan Proceeds

City Council this evening demonstrated that they do not have the will to stop the Cedar Park Plan. Had they been so disposed, they could have turned the Citizen Petition into a motion, suspended the rules, and passed it under the Emergency Ordinance Clause of the Charter. Although Council President Michael D'Amore gave some mumbo jumbo about the Park Department not proceeding with the playground until Aug. 20, he was maneuvering to not even let the citizens speak tonight. I credit Councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald for intervening in that regard, and the public did get it's say. Council has scheduled a "Meeting of the Whole" for Aug. 13th to discuss Mrs. Eichenwald's non binding resolution to stop the plan; here non binding is the key word. Councilman Michael Donovan will be introducing an ordinance to provide more oversight in the future. There was some discussion about the legality of them stopping the plan. Had they the will, they should have passed the cease and desist order this evening and let the Administration challenge it's legality.

Stop The Bulldozer

City Council will meet this evening to consider several proposals and resolutions. It is good that they want to go through legislative procedures to prevent this "misunderstanding" about the parks from occurring in the future, but in the meantime the patient is bleeding to death on the operating table. City Council wants to force an appropriate discussion, the Mayor will not comment until any measure is submitted to a council committee, but in the meantime the bulldozer has it's engine idling.

A citizens petition has asked Council to immediately suspend all implementation of the Cedar Creek Plan. Council has the authority to issue an emergency ordinance ordering the Park Department to cease and desist if there is a clear and present danger to property. There is no property more meaningful to Allentownians than their parks.

Meeting at 7:30 in City Hall

photocredit: Thomas Grim

Three Ring Circus

In the last few weeks much has been said about the Destination Playground. The opposition centers around the scope of the project. There is no debate about our children needing playgrounds, especially those with special needs. The question is where should they be, and how large. The most dire consequence of the Destination Playground is the effect it will have on the Rose Garden side of the park. The Rose Garden side, the west side, has for the most part remained passive, until now. The Cedar Creek Park Plan means to change that. The other components of the plan are a wedding pavilion in the Rose Garden, and the paving and lighting of the rose garden side jogging path . Although brides being photographed is a time honored tradition in the garden, actual weddings is a different story. The amount of cleanup, distraction from the real role of appreciating the flowers, and parking will stress that icon beyond it's limit. Why light and pave the walkway? Because when the playground and it's required parking are built on the east side of Ott Street, Mayfair and other venues will be expanded over into the Rose Garden side. Ironically, a master plan done in 2005 recommended less usage of cedar Creek park, not more. How presumptuous of a new mayor, and a newer park director, to think they have a mandate to re-design our time honored park system.

The park was never meant to be a three ring circus. The Park Director, Greg Weitzel, told City Council he envisions a park with activities for every age and interest, and if you can't find something, just walk a few more feet. The east side of Cedar Park already contains a variety of athletic and recreational venues. Historic picture postcards of Allentown largely show our magnificent park system. Let not this beauty become just a memory on a postcard.

Citizen Initiative Under HomeRule Charter

SECTION 1010
CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
A. The qualified voters of the City of Allentown, upon receipt of a petition by the City Clerk, may
enter one agenda item on the regular agenda of City Council.

B. The petition filed with the City Clerk must contain the signatures and addresses of thirty-five
(35) registered qualified voters of the City, and the item to be placed on the agenda of City Council for
discussion/consideration before Council. Upon receipt of such petition and a two (2) day
review/certification period of the petition by the City Clerk, the President of City Council must include the
item on the agenda at the next regularly scheduled meeting of City Council.


Such an Agenda Petition, prepared by the City Clerk with the following item;

That the Department of Parks and Recreation shall immediately suspend all implementation of the so named
Cedar Creek Plan until which time City Council re-examines certain aspects of that plan and the public is
allotted more input.

has been circulated and returned to the City Clerk, duly conforming with all requirements to be placed on the
agenda for Wednesday, August 5th.

ADDENDUM: THE ABOVE CITIZEN AGENDA ITEM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AND VERIFIED FOR DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
TOMORROW EVENING BY THE CITY CLERK AND PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL

Neglect Has It's Reward 2

A lead story, in today's Morning Call, is titled "Pawlowski aggressive in fight against blight"; that's a fair statement, but besides being aggressive, is he being effective or constructive? That's another fair question. I have learned that the landlord issue in Allentown is an easy press conference for our politicians. In this short note I wish only to refer readers to my posting of April 26th, where I document that the landlord of shame, mentioned in today's article, was later paid $93,500 for the condemned property shown. Since that posting, the Director of the Redevelopment Authority, also mentioned in today's article, has purchased the condemned attached building, from the same owner, for over $99,000. These two purchases are not mentioned in the article.

Mayor's Wife Plays Hardball

Lisa Pawlowski, wife of Mayor Ed Pawlowski, is circulating the following email;

Saturday, July 18, 2009 6:59:11 PM

Playground at Cedar Beach

Greetings,

I am writing to drum up some support for a playground at Cedar Beach Park . There are already plans for a big, destination playground on the West end of Cedar Beach , just south of the Pool. These plans have been in progress for the last couple of years. Now that they want to move forward, a group of about 20 men have approached Allentown City Council to protest this park. I have no real idea why. Perhaps they are saying it will bring too much noise to people enjoying the park. Well, we already have a pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and they don't seem to protest that.

Anyway, I'm trying to organize different groups of interested people to perhaps attend the next City Council meeting, Aug 5th, to say that they would like a playground to be at Cedar Beach . Would you bring this to your membership, and either get a petition signed and bring it to the city council meeting, or try to get everyone to come. I won't be able to be there (because of vacation plans), but I'd suggest bringing kids, and signs that say "We need a playground at Cedar Beach ". Also, it will be fully handicap accessible, which we don't have too many of in

Allentown . The handicap apparatus was chosen by a group of mothers of handicap children in Allentown , as well as a Pediatrician.

At minimum, you could direct your members that are on facebook to join my group "Yes, we need a big playground at Cedar Beach Park ". I will have someone bring the list of members of this group to city council, though having people there is MUCH more effective. And kids and signs play well for any media that would be there. If City Council members know that there is a LOT of support for this playground, they won't get in the way.

Please talk to your members, join my fb group, post the group on your networks and invite other people to join, and let me know what you decide to do. I am a mother of 2 kids (10 and 7), and always wished that there were more playgrounds in our wonderful park system. I also happen to be the Mayor's wife.

Thanks,

Lisa

Lisa Pawlowski

XX XXth Street

Allentown , PA 18101

h (610) 434-XXXX

c (610) 349-XXXX



Lisa, Lisa, Lisa, first of all the protesters were not 20 men, most were women, and there were about 70 of them. I can assure you most of these women are also mothers and appreciate playgrounds. Their objection is the scale of the playground. The masterplan of 2005 recommended less usage of Cedar Creek Park, not more. This mega-playground, and it's necessary parking, will most likely force the special events, such as Mayfair and Sportsfest to expand over Ott Street into the Rose Garden side of the park. Now let me be less polite.

It's disingenuous of you to have distorted the composition of the protesters, your husband was in the building and is fully informed who was there.

It's disingenuous of you to bring up the special needs aspect. Mack Playground has such equipment virtually never used. Again, the issue is the size of this playground, large enough to accommodate 567 children.

I believe it is somewhat improper to insert yourself into this issue; sending this email to mother's and women's groups, misrepresenting the facts.

Furthermore, to be blunt, you and your husband know jack about our traditional, nationally recognized park system. Last week your husband said Allentown will develop a world class park system. We have a world class park system, you need only be good stewards of that pride. When Ed ran for mayor, he said nothing about making major changes in the parks, I wish he had, but then you wouldn't be "First Lady" now.

Lastly, people came to the past meeting to defend their beloved park. These are dignified long term residents of Allentown, I doubt they will come to this upcoming meeting to compete with your dog and pony show.

ADDENDUM: I have just noticed that LIsa Pawlowski's letter is dated July 18th. It was apparently written in reaction to the 15
or so citizens who came to the City Council Meeting on July 15th to speak against the park plan. She is correct
about the amount of people, but, then also, the majority of speakers were women. Most of those women
returned for the Park Committee meeting July 28th, and were joined by about 50 more people. Again, most of
the "protesters" were women. Although I regret saying she minimized the amount of protesters, she did inject a
gender "card" into the debate. Of course the recommendation to use children and signs to sway the media and so
that council "won't get in the way" speaks for itself.

Jeanette At Bat

This past Tuesday evening over 70 Allentownians gathered in Council Chambers to express their dissatisfaction with the Cedar Creek Park Plans. There is a special bond between long term residents of this community and our nationally recognized park system. We see the park as perfection of design, requiring only dedicated maintenance. Unfortunately, the new Park Director sees it as a palette to make his mark. By now readers know my reverence for the parks, so lets get to the meat of the meeting. The meeting was called by Tony Phillips, both Chairman of the Park and Recreation Committee, but also Republican candidate for mayor. Although he was stonewalled by the other committee members, and the administration, councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald joined Tony on the dais. She told the citizens that she fully believed a compromise was needed, and a plan could be reached which served the sensibilities of all involved. Enter Michael Donovan; although Donovan was not at the meeting, on his blog, called Inclusion*, he reveals that he will sponsor legislation to interrupt the project for proper public input. Proponents of the plan must realize that the Rose Garden hasn't had a wedding pavilion for 80 years, a month or two more of deliberation is reasonable. Although Tony may well introduce a similar bill, can democrat Eichenwald really support Pawlowski's opponent? There is probably nobody on council more conciliatory than Donovan, also a democrat. He's looking for someone to second his proposal. I'm confident Jeanette will seize the opportunity to put meaningful action behind her eloquent words.

www.donovanforallentown.blogspot.com

Can Phillips Unwrap the Present ?

Tony Phillips, who thus far has offered little as a candidate, didn't even seem to realize the present he was handed last night. Over seventy people filled Council Chambers to vent their outrage over plans to remake our beloved Cedar Creek Park. Mayor Pawlowski, who was in the building, ignored these taxpaying voters. More insulting, he directed his park director not to attend. In the Mayor's mind, and that of councilman Peter Schweyer, the issue is closed. Truth be known, even the Morning Call reporter doesn't fully understand the ramifications. He quoted the mayor that there was sufficient public input and noted a drawing of the plan was taped on the wall near council chambers for months. Council Chambers hold 125 people, Allentown has 108,000 citizens. When a Mayor from Chicago, and a Recreation Director from Philadelphia, wish to remake Allentown's historic, iconic Park System, public notification must be more than a rendering taped on a wall; that packed Council Chamber last night demonstrates the notification was insufficient. Tony concluded by telling the crowd that they must organize and make their feeling's known to Council. WRONG!. Don't tell the citizens what they must do, they attended last evening expecting you to do something. Last night was the second time some of these people came to the council chamber to express their displeasure. Tony, it's time to show some leadership, especially if you want to be mayor. Council is on record as stating they didn't fully understand the scope and scale of the plans which they approved. Council didn't even see plans for the "Destination Playground" until minutes before they approved it. The City Charter demands fourteen days of due diligence, unless the rules were suspended. There was no such suspension that evening.
Submit an ordinance to your colleagues, Ms. Eichenwald will second it, withholding use of those park funds until which time there is proper public input.

Park Assault Unreported

On July 15th, thirteen of fourteen citizens, including a direct descendent of General Trexler, told City Council that the new recreational based plans for Cedar Park would be an assault on their quality of life. All lamented the overuse of the park, and the total disregard for the park's traditions. The fourteenth speaker complained about his neighbor's pigeons. The Morning Call this week wrote a two page feature about the pigeons, and today's "quote for the week" was about the pigeons. The pigeons of course concern one person, and are a temporary problem, while the park plans upset thousands of citizens and are changes forever. Also, in today's paper, the president of the Wildlands Conservancy, Christopher Kocher, joined his associates in dancing on the head of pin. He is "Confident" the City will protect South Mountain, even though it spend $7,500 hiring a professional lumber consultant after signing a "Appropriate Stewardship" agreement with the Conservancy in April.

In spite of enabling by the Conservancy, and confused priorities by The Morning Call, I urge all Allentownians to once again attempt to defend our parks this Tuesday evening, July 28th, at 6:30, City Council Chamber.

photocredit: Thomas Grim

Weigh In On 1948

1948 was a good year for Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. Mack Trucks, Lehigh Structural Steel, General Electric and almost all factories were going full steam. President Truman stopped by to give a speech. The Allentown Cardinals played the first game in their new ballpark, Breadon Field. The baby boom was going full tilt:



The school district unveiled Lehigh Parkway and Midway Manor Elementary Schools and the new professional style football stadium. Donald Hock was Mayor, and although the last beer was being brewed on Lawrence Street at Daeufer Brewery, the Paddock joined many new restaurants opening that year. Photo's from Dorney Park in 1948.

Phillips Serves Up Weitzel

This coming Tuesday evening, July 28th at 6:30 pm., Tony Phillips will be serving up Greg Weitzel in the Council Chambers, but it won't be a fresh meal. Tony, as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, wants Weitzel to explain the park plans, and for the public to have an opportunity for input; trouble is the horse already left the barn long ago. Council, including Phillips, approved all the appropriations for the Cedar Park Renovations last year, and didn't question at that time the lack of public participation. Never the less, I will attend the barbecue, with a few questions, both for Weitzel and Phillips.

Plaza Growers Market

Every Wednesday at lunch time, 11:30 to 1:30, find a small, but interesting mix of local growers and food vendors at the PPL Plaza, 9th and Hamilton Streets. The market also provides live entertainment by some of the better known local musicians.

photocredit: molovinsky

Friends of the Allentown Parks

Friends of the Allentown Parks was started in 2008 to preserve, promote and improve the parks for everyone. They foster stewardship of the environment and city parks. So far they have condoned the reflective pools being dug below their original depth, compromising the structural integrity of the walls. They have also remained silent regarding the lumbering plan on South Mountain, and not a peep or squeak about digging up the Old Fashion Garden during it's blooming season, despite having hosted a flower tour last month. Their motto is, We Can Make The Difference. Click on the above image to see the difference they have made.

Weitzel Mocks City Council

Wednesday evening, as citizens lined up at City Council to speak against the plans for Cedar Park, I saw both the Chief Planner and Community Development Director leave the meeting and make frantic calls from the hallway. By the time Council members told the citizens that they would summon Weitzel, Weitzel was summoning the bulldozers. By Thursday morning the old fashion garden was dug up. Never mind that the garden is in full bloom, Weitzel doesn't care about that. This is an insult to the City Council, and the Citizens of Allentown. This is an insult to Friends of the Parks and anybody who supported these plans as well intended.

Addendum: Allentown has two flower gardens, side by side, rose and old fashion. So far, only the old fashion, which is in full
bloom, has been closed off and dug up, in both directions. Thus far, the bulldozers haven't reached the rose garden

photocredit: image borrowed from blogger Andrew Kleiner

The Perfect Storm

In August of 1955, the Lehigh Valley got hit with Hurricane Diane, one of the most powerful to ever hit the area. The flood stage reached by the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers has never been seen before or since. The Allentown Parks weathered the storm fairly well. Unfortunately now, fifty four years later, our beloved parks are about to be destroyed by the perfect storm. In 2005, for the first time ever, we elected an outsider for Mayor. In 2007 he hired an outsider for Park and Recreation Director. This gentleman, well qualified in recreation, has no background in parks. In 2002, because the Afflerbach Administration was misusing Trexler Trust funds for operational expenses, those funds were frozen by Court Order and accumulated. In 2005 The Trexler Trust paid for a study of appropriate park projects, done by an outside firm from Philadelphia, for future guidance on how its funds might be used; also during this year certain members of the Trexler Trust became involved in the effort to elect Pawlowski. By 2008 the Perfect Storm had formed to assault the historic view of our Park System; an outside park director, an outside mayor, a huge amount of money and a politically supportive Trexler Trust.

The plans for Cedar Creek Park offend almost everybody who grew up in Allentown; most of us didn't learn of them until recently, long after they had been funded by City Council. They include a Destination Playground above Cedar Beach Pool and a Wedding Pavilion in the Rose Garden. Ironically, the Philadelphia Study, known now as the Master Plan, calls for less use in Cedar Park. The WildLands Conservancy will plant a Riparian Buffer Zone throughout the Park System. As these bushes grow higher, except for a few places, park goers will not be able to see or approach the creeks. As the Riparian Buffers grow wider, more recreational venues are planned in the remaining green spaces; including skateparks, additional parking lots, additional picnic pavilions and restrooms. The Conservancy refers to seeing the creek as the old fashioned English and French Park values. What the Conservancy fails to understand is that our parks are not wildlands, they are parks. What the mayor and park director fail to understand is that thousands of Allentownians treasure our old fashion park values. Although much of these projects will be funded by the Trexler Trust and other grants, the maintenance costs will be borne by the Allentown taxpayers. I and other old fashion types will continue in our attempt to defend our parks.

Addendum: Of the $3.8 million dollars Mr. Weitzel was allocated to remodel our park system, $482,000.00 may be spent on
professional services and consultation

Defend The Parks

Only you can defend our park. Please join me and your neighbors this Wednesday evening to convince City Council that these plans are not compatible with the historic traditions of the Allentown Park System. Contrary to Administration myth, the greater public has been virtually unaware of these plans until very recently. Because of forwarding Trexler Trust Capital Maintenance Funds from one year to the next, City Council has never voted on these specific plans. We do not need a "Destination Playground". We do not want weddings in the Rose Garden, or an expansion of the picnic pavilions. We may speak only at the "Courtesy of the Floor", which starts precisely at 7:30 pm, this Wednesday, July 15th. The bulldozers are literally on the way; this is the first and last chance to preserve our local values.
City Council Chamber
First Floor City Hall
Wednesday, July 15, 7:30pm

Comment #5

Today's most interesting article on timbering South Mountain begged one question; although it says the Pawlowski administration had not mentioned the lumber survey publicly, the reporter knew about the project? I answered that question on the article's topix comment section, only to find it deleted, comment #5, much like the credit which should have appeared in the article.
I was first informed of the project on June 27th, and again, by a second source a few days later. I withheld publication until I could confirm the story through a document on July 2nd. Although I usually post in the morning, I published "Timber" that evening.
The Morning Call article, ten days later, had much more information than I knew, which was only that the inventory was complete on the east side of Rt. 78/309, and the west side fieldwork was expected to be complete by July 10th. I declined to reveal my sources, which the reporter fully understood. I don't know if there is an established protocol for Newspapers acknowledging blogger originated stories. I do know I was told this blog would be credited, but I realize a reporter is subject to an editor. I do know my comment was deleted.

Rose Garden Wedding Pavilion

For over sixty years brides have been photographed in the rose garden. Although this tradition is somewhat of an inconvenience upon those there to view the flowers, who could not wish even a stranger best wishes on their special day. It seems as if we were not hospitable enough; our "new to town" mayor, and our "new to town" park director have a better idea. A pavilion is being built which will accommodate actual weddings. One can only imagine the wear and tear this ill conceived horror plan will have on our historic garden. No need to buy flowers, just pick a few. Whatever is thrown at the bride will litter the ground. Whatever is drunk in celebration, will overflow the trash receptacles. Parking will increase drastically, but worry not, there is a suggestion to allow diagonal parking. In my youth, the homes across from the Rose Garden was millionaires row. I can only hope those current residents appreciate festivity. On Monday I will make a suggestion how others can join me, and defend our park against this most unwanted intrusion.

Wildlands Conservancy Sell's Out

In today's Morning Call*, Abigail Pattishall, praises the park plans at Cedar Park; apparently she didn't drive by Cedar Beach last evening. Pattishall's praise was earned by the Park Department agreeing to plant riparian buffers along the creek west of Ott Street. Riparian buffers are shrubs left to grow along the creek banks. They reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides which can enter a stream; never mind that the park land is not farmed, nor are chemicals applied. The zones also help reduce flooding. The Conservancy, in exchange for this gesture, has ignored the consequences of all the remaining plans. The new plans increase the amount of impervious surface in the flood plain dramatically. How much surface will be covered by the new Destination Playground and it's required parking? How much surface will be covered by the new pavilions, walkways and lighted paths?

Had Ms. Pattishall drove by Cedar Beach last evening she would have seen hundreds and hundreds of cars parked on all the grassland between the creek and Hamilton Street. (Basketball Tournament). The compaction of the soil that occurred last evening will negate any benefit against flooding provided by a riparian buffer. I can accept the riparian buffer zone project. I cannot accept groups, which should know better, condoning intrusions on the park system, just because their pet project is accommodated.

* http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anotherview/all-pullqt.6953702jul09,0,6487124.story

Do You Remember

Do you remember when the circus used to come to the Fairgrounds?

Do you remember when elders could still drive around Trexler Park or past Muhlenberg Lake, and through Lehigh Parkway from one end to the other?

Do you remember when brides were grateful to be photographed in the Rose Garden, even without a special pavilion or concrete walkways?

Do you remember when the Park System accommodated some recreation, as opposed to the Recreation Department tolerating some park.

Do you remember when we were the All American City, even without having a new master plan for the Park System?

photocredit: molovinsky

July 2nd Op-Ed Piece, The Morning Call

In what should be a time for fiscal caution, Allentown and its Parks Department is embarking on an ambitious plan to create new maintenance intensive attractions in Cedar Creek Park.
Before I elaborate on the details, let me make a confession. I believe the Allentown parks system was perfected years ago, and we need only be good stewards of that perfection. I believe our primary benefactor, Gen. Harry Trexler, envisioned the parks to be a passive retreat for the enjoyment of nature.

Although Allentown has administratively combined Parks and Recreation into one department, we must cherish our open spaces. What we really need is more supervised playgrounds and basketball courts in center city.

The new project includes additional pavilions at both the Rose Garden and the picnic grove below Cedar Crest College, complete with lighted walking paths. The primary attraction is what is being billed as a ''Destination Playground.'' This playground would be the biggest in this part of the U.S. and also be completely handicapped accessible.
To facilitate this accessibility on the sloping land above the Cedar Beach pool, the land would have to be excavated flat. The plans call for accommodating more than 500 children, including special restroom and changing facilities.

Although the concept of Allentown having a playground designed for children with disabilities is most commendable, the problem lies with the scale of the project. An existing playground should be retrofitted for the purpose of serving our own children who have special needs. The maintenance expectations and liability issues of a mega destination would seem to be expenses and risks that Allentown should not assume at this time.

I attended the council meeting when this proposal was approved. It was an emotional meeting, complete with parents of special needs children conveying their hardships with existing conventional playgrounds. The enthusiasm and good intentions of the Parks Department also was contagious.
There were a few opportunities for public input, but for the most part, residents have only recently learned of these plans through a recent article in The Morning Call.

Many people share my perception that we are fixing things that are not broken; worse yet, we are creating things that will require a great deal of maintenance and expense at a time when we can least afford it.

Allentown and its parks system have a special bond. Perhaps these ambitious plans should have been put to public referendum; at the least they deserve much more public deliberation. In his will, Gen. Trexler gave the parks and money to maintain them to ''the citizens of that city (Allentown).'' The mayor and council should delay this plan until those citizens have a chance to be heard.
Michael Molovinsky

I HAVE REPRODUCED THIS OP-ED PIECE TO ADD IT TO THE RECORD OF MY PREVIOUS WRITINGS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND AS A FRAME OF REFERENCE FOR FUTURE POSTS ON THIS TOPIC. I HAVE RECEIVED A LARGE VOLUME OF OFFLINE FEEDBACK CONCURRING WITH MY SENTIMENTS.

19th Street Loses Gem

Although much attention has been focused on the Theater District between Liberty and Tilghman Streets, 19th Street just lost an architectural gem. The mediterranean stucco masterpiece, on the corner of Greenleaf Street, dated back to the late 20's and sported a side yard, which ultimately sealed it's fate. Although there are several mediterraneans on 19th, this one had character galore. Among it's features were a tower above the front door, scalloped parapets, and an ornate chimney. A villa type wall connected the house to the garage. The house had been vacant and in ill repair for a number of years. The combination of much needed work and the side yard made the property more valuable as a small office parcel than a residence. Allentown has been lucky in retaining it's iconic buildings. Although a number of buildings were lost on downtown Hamilton Street, it has retained most of the mansions west of 12th Street.

TIMBER!

In an incredible act of fiscal desperation, the Pawlowski Administration is preparing to justify harvesting timber on the South Mountain Reservoir. It is being filtered through the Park Department as woodland management, blah, blah, blah, but make no mistake, they're selling the tree's because they need money. Currently the timber is being surveyed. I must have missed the public announcement for the meeting on that plan. Our heritage, our parks, are being threatened by the perfect storm. The Parks and Recreation departments have been administratively combined. The director's background and training is in recreation. The administration has created no less than two cover groups; The Environmental Advisory Council and Friends of the Parks. Both groups have unwittingly failed in their own mission, as stewards of the parks. In the first phrase of the Cedar Park Plan, the structural integrity of the Mirror Ponds has been compromised by under digging the stone walls. A contractor now will apply gunite in an attempt to stabilize the walls. The Administration and Parks Department is using surveys and studies to justify the pre-determined master plan; for example a survey taken on the east side of Cedar Parkway of young people at the basketball courts may be used to justify extending recreational venues into the traditionally passive Rose Garden side of the park. Press conferences will be held, awards will be won, resumes will be enhanced, but what kind of park system will our grandchildren inherit?

Swing Low Sweet Chariot

Not that long ago, faith based volunteers from our All American City*, would congregate to bus south and help in impoverished towns. This past week, 250 volunteers came here to Allentown from North Carolina, how low and how quickly have we sunk. In 1953 Hamilton Street teemed with shoppers and the hit song was "Doggie In The Window". Now our Community Development is reduced to displaying art in empty storefront windows and abandoned pit bulls roam the city terrorizing residents. Our City is being governed by bureaucrats who are non-natives of the area, using resume building formula's which discard our history and traditions, even the iconic Park System is being revised. If this community was indeed progressing by any realistic criterion, I would relegate my regrets to the memory file and wish them well.

All American City: A designation given to those cities with a high quality of life.

photo from The Morning Call

Sign Of The Times

The new sign at Cedar Beach is about where the entrance will be for the new "Destination Playground". I think the park plan and the sign have much in common; they're both high tech and flimsy. Although printed on a fiberboard, the frame is reinforced to withstand a storm. Looking at it, I though of the Carly Simon song, You're So Vain; I suppose it was ordered before my bitching, but it does say fast sign on back. It was pricey, complete with photo images. It says the plans were made with extensive public input. (sorry, the sign is so new and shiny my camera flash bounced off those words) Considering they wanted "extensive public input" before the design, they should not mind some scrutiny now.
The sign is about 6 by 10 ft.
click on image to enlarge

A Week Too Long

These disposable table cloths were left on the Cedar Beach picnic tables on June 13. By tuesday the 16th, I began to wonder how long they would stay there? Although the trash can nearby was emptied on regular basis throughout the week, the cloths remained as a flag on relevant questions about the new park plan. How can the City really create maintenance intensive new park features when they apparently cannot handle the existing work load? Yesterday, eight days later, a park volunteer finally removed these eyesores.

Addendum: I have corrected the dates

The Unhappy Camper

One of the reoccurring themes on this blog is the unlevel playing field called Allentown. While one merchant is given a buffet of incentives, the rest struggle to pay their taxes, subsidizing their competition. Have you seen the commercial where one little girl is given a small toy pony, and the other a real one? The narrator says even children know when things aren't fair.

The dinner shown, at 9th and Linden, first was victimized by Allentown and Lanta doing away with the bus transfer stops. Add a few over zealous Parking Authority tickets and the city promotion of the chosen ones, low and behold, an unhappy camper. This dinner used to be a half block closer to Hamilton, right behind the PPL tower, before they built the annex. The dinner was moved in about 1970.

The General Gently Weeps

I, Harry C. Trexler declare this to be my last Will and Testament:
......into the Treasury of the City of Allentown, for the perpetual maintenance of said Park, (Trexler) as well as the Greenhouse thereon located. This bequest shall include all the plants and other contents of said Greenhouse (1929)

The City of Allentown was granted permission to demolish the Greenhouse by the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in about 1995, obviously with the compliance of the Trexler Trust at that time.

Although the will provides to improve and maintain the parks, nothing remotely refers to recreation. We know that if the General had his druthers, he would prefer a Greenhouse over a destination playground.

A Hole Too Deep

This photo is a metaphor for the Park Plan. It shows that they dug the hole too deep and too fast, and are undermining the structure. (photo shows eastern end of pond, several bottom stones have already fallen along the southern side of the pond) A comment on the previous post mentions the lost of the Trexler Greenhouse. It shows what can happen when the Trexler Trust, for one reason or another, doesn't exert itself in the best interest of the parks. Today I imposed upon Park and Recreation Director, Greg Weitzel, for a short meeting. He is enthusiastic about improving the park system and the recreation venues within. My vision for the parks is totally different; I see maintaining the existing features as the highest goal. I see additional facilities as an imposition on something which was perfected years ago. Today I noticed that several flower beds in the old fashion garden have been planted in grass; it makes one wonder what will happen in the future, if and when city finances and the Trexler Trust, no longer wish to finance the on going upkeep for the new playground, pavilions and other aspects of this comprehensive makeover? Besides this destination playground, how do you feel about changes in the rose gardens? How do you feel about the new pavilions toward Cedar Crest College and the lighted walkways? Mr. Weitzel and I also disagree about the amount of public input these plans received. Although meetings may have been held, how much of Allentown was actually represented? Construction began today on the ponds; pond #1, shown in photo, is having the stones cleaned in preparation for stone masons.

ADDENDUM: Opening at top of wall in photo is supposed to be there, it is the spillway which takes the water from the last
pond back to the creek

Greg Weitzel, although aware that I am a critic of the park plan, was both courteous and forthright when I
imposed on him this morning.

Out To Fib

To those of us somewhat familiar with free-standing stone construction, the above photograph was alarming. The lower right hand corner clearly shows that the unseen pond on the right was under-dug, threatening the bridge integrity. Although the bridge structure has some mortar, the pond walls are free-standing. It gets worse. Yesterday's article in the Morning Call on the park plans was disappointing. The reporter chose to ignore the fact that there is growing opposition to those plans, and that many informed people believe the plans are detrimental to the parks. It gets much worse. Today I visited the ponds to inspect the progress; the reporter was told (last week) that the ponds would be refilled within a month. No work, what- so- ever, has been performed on the walls. I learned that the bidding process for such work has not even been completed. The ponds, because of the weather, are again partially filled. It is my hope that the ponds survive this so called " improvement". It is apparent to me that this park/recreation director is obsessed with recreation plans, but in way over his head in regard to safe guarding the gems of Allentown, the parks themselves. The reporter was clearly mislead in regard to the ponds being completed. Likewise, the Trexler Trust has comprised its long term reputation by placing blind faith in these plans. It's bad enough that the pond job is still out to bid, it's worse when officials are out to fib.

Supermarket Comes To Boom Town

The concrete monolith still stands five stories above Lehigh Street at the Parkway Shopping Center. Currently it sports a clock and a sign for St. Luke's medical offices. It was built in 1953 as the modernistic sign tower for Food Fair supermarket, which then was a stand alone store. Behind it, on South 12th Street was the Black and Decker Factory. The shopping center would not be built to decades later, connecting the former supermarket to the bowling alley built in the 60's. Food Fair was started in the 1920's by Russian immigrant Samuel Friedland in Harrisburg. By 1957 he had 275 stores. 1953 was a rough year for the butcher, baker and candle stick maker; the huge supermarkets were too much competition, even for the bigger independent markets, such as Lehigh Street Superette; it was further east on Lehigh, now the site of a Turkey Hill Market. The sign tower also remains at the 15th and Allen Shopping center, which was another stand alone Food Fair. That parcel remains an independent supermarket. Food Fair would eventually absorb Penn Fruit, which had a market on N. 7th Street, then turn into Pantry Pride. When the Food Fair was built, there was as yet no 15th Street Bridge. Allentown only connected to the south side by the 8th Street Bridge and the Lehigh/Union Street hill. (stone arch bridge, near Regency Tower, was route to West End) Allentown was booming and Mack Trucks were rolling off the line, a block east off Lehigh Street, as fast as they could build them. The factories on S. 12th st. are now flea markets. Mack Headquarters is being sold to a real estate developer. Perhaps those concrete monoliths are the monuments to better times, by those of us who remember.

OPEN MIKE

This posting is intended to provide an opportunity to comment on any topic, or on an earlier posting.

Crimes Of Lanta

NEW IMPROVED VERSION
Regular readers of this blog know I don't think much of Lanta. A couple years ago when they decided to sacrifice the Hamilton Street merchants for their own agenda, I got involved with that cause. Their board of directors is a case study in bureaucratic aloofness. From a alternative transportation idealist (currently not serving) to a professional politician in training, every wrong interest is represented, but the common shmo* who rides the bus out of economic necessity. The shmo used to be able to do his shopping, or fill his prescription, between buses on Hamilton Street. He now has been restricted to sitting on a cold bench or eating a stale donut while he waits. But there's big news for the shmo. Lanta has $9.3 million dollars in Stimulus money and now is squandering two of it on a GPS system. They refer to it as a "Monumental Step" toward improving conditions for bus passengers. Although the buses already have radio systems and cell phones for emergency communication, now Lanta will know where each bus is at every moment. Because the buses are on a fixed route with well publicized schedules, this is sort of like putting GPS on a children's ride at the fair which goes around in a circle.

This system will be monitored by the same guy who watches Allentown's crime cameras. He will take a taxicab back and forth between Lanta and Police headquarters. Back to the shmo; while waiting on the bench he will able to see a screen telling him where his bus is now, reducing his anxiety and improving his mental health. Lanta's buying these devices from a small company in State College, on a single bid. A review of their web site, between the lines, indicates they do not manufacture these devices. Can you take Chinese at Allen High? One would think with $7.3 million left over, Lanta might find an alternative to tearing down that baseball field.

* hapless victim of circumstance

Preaching To The Choir

Yesterday, Rendell came to Bethlehem to squeeze the udders of our new cash cow, The Sands Casino. Somehow, through interior design, this money vacuum cleaner is portrayed as having something to do with the former occupant of that parcel, Bethlehem Steel, which actually produced something. Already, we are being primed for table games; their fear is that some people may still have some money left when they leave the parking deck to go home. On the way to the ribbon cutting and his free steak dinner, Bam, he stopped to stroke Renew Lehigh Valley, progressive advocates for regionalism. The sermon was that somehow they and Rendell have a plan to save us money, down the line, by consolidating water systems and avoiding repetition of capital expenses in projected upgrades; and of course they would do all of this, cognizant of "smart growth". Last year, a chemical truck overturned on the turnpike entrance and contaminated a nearby well, one source of South Whitehall's water. Fortunately, our current "dumb growth" still had additional sources. By their recommendations, Trexlertown and Fogelsville could look forward to Allentown's fluoridated water. Now only if those old Dutchmen still had their baby teeth, the fluoride might have done them some good.

UPDATE: NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION

Allentown Baseball Ephemera

In early August of 1942, Alvin Butz attempted to prevail on the Detroit Tigers minor league team not to cancel their scheduled game with The Allentown Wings, minor league team of the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was supposed to be played on August 26th on Fairview Field, currently known as Bicentennial Park. Mr. Butz was president of the ballclub at that time and was also a major contributor of the current stadium built in 1975.

click on letter to enlarge

If Cows Could Talk

If this cow could talk, she would tell you she was made by Greg Weaver in about 1980. Although his wife Fran worked at Bethlehem Steel, most likely Greg secured the steel from one of two scrap yards on Sumner Ave, which graciously tolerated his foraging excursions. Most likely the cow was cut and welded at his Allen Street studio, just west of 9th Street. The building was an old wooden barn type structure, owned by Fred P. Kistler, and no longer exists. (it's a few parking spaces now) Fred didn't get much rent, but he does have some nice Weaver artwork. I recall gathering in the rose garden to celebrate the installation. I repeated the phrase "most likely" because the details blur with time, worse, too many of us there are no longer. The photo was taken by Andrew Kleiner and published on his blog, Remember.

RETRACTION; THERE WAS 'SOMETHING' THAT BOTHERED ME. THE COW IS VERY WEAVERISH, I REMEMBER HE PREVAILED ON THE PARK DIRECTOR FOR A LONG TIME FOR PERMISSION, I REMEMBER THE GATHERING, BUT, I DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER THE COW. I CONTACTED AN ASSOCIATE OF THAT ERA, AND HE TELLS ME THAT GREG INSTALLED A FLOWER SCULPTURE THAT DAY, AND LATER A GATE PIECE. I LEAVE THE POST, AND I BELIEVE THOSE OF US WHO KNEW GREG AND HIS WORK WILL THINK OF HIM WHEN THEY SEE THAT COW.

Baseball Memoirs

Bob Lamson saved the newspaper clipping all these years. On Oct. 31, 1975, The Morning Call reported that $200,000 had been raised to built the stadium. Times were different then, there were no KOZ's or cardboard checks from professional politicians. Bob is now 77, he played for the Patriots, and knocked on doors for two years to help build Bicentennial Park. Much of the construction was done by Vo-Tech instructors and students, who donated countless hours of their time. Contributors included the community leaders of their era; Van Schiver, Alvin Butz, and former Mayor Hock. The stadium opened in 1976 to host the National Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. Where will the plaque of contributors to Bicentennial end up thirtyfour years later; at a scrap dealer? Does Lanta really need the space, or does Allentown need the money? Would people again contribute their sweat equity, to build a field of dreams, only to see it torn down by a politician's fast pitch?

ALLENTOWN SPEAK OUT

Yesterday there was quite a difference between the hardcopy and mcall version of the budget shortfall by Jarrett Renshaw. Renshaw did a terrific job of projecting the shortfall, based on an increased budget with a stagnate revenue flow. The newspaper version had the full story, while Mcall abridged the information. With the exception of Donovan, Council was clueless. It appears this lack of comprehension continued even into and throughout last night's council meeting. I conclude the Panel of 17 Experts will also be kept in the dark, both by the Administration and their lack of motivation. If council conspired with the Mayor to create a dog and pony show (expert panel) is now a fair question. Yesterday on topix "Monkey Momma" (pen name for anonymous commentator) wondered if the City should be expanding the Park System overhead while facing an $8million deficit? That is a good question for Saturday's meeting. Here's another; should the Trexler Trust help finance the Administrations' recommendations while other park assets are left to decay?
Allentown Speak Out
Sat. May 30th 1:00pm
Faith Baptist Church
219 N. 12th St. Allentown

A Field Of Dreams

In the movie, Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner builds a ballpark in a corn field. Here in Allentown, Lanta is proposing to tear down a ball park, Bicentennial Field, to build a garage for hybrid buses, which will burn corn oil. I don't think much of Lanta. I saw their arrogance in action when they sacrificed the Hamilton Street merchants to justify their new Transportation Terminal. My fellow blogger, Bernie O'Hare, has more respect for government, authorities and boards. His journalistic, researched posting * on a recent board nominee, Steve Schmitt, credits the bike racks on the front of the buses to this individual. Here is where Bernie and I turn off on separate paths; Now, if those bike racks were for half-wits,** as portrayed by Pee Wee, I would have no problem. Now, if those bike racks were intended for the poor, who owned no car, I would have no problem. But Schmitt's motivation was neither poverty or mental infirmity; He is one of those alternative transportation, spandex wearing, starbuck drinking cyclists, who know it all, and justify taking the buses off Hamilton Street and tearing down a ballpark. To set the record straight, although Schmitt is Mr. Bike Rack, I'm using him to stereotype the board of directors who generally have too much self esteem and not enough common sense. If they insist on hybrid buses and recycled Starbuck cardboard cups, fine; but find someplace else for the garage. Don't tear down a field of dreams for generations of little league, don't tear down an icon which would cost millions to replace. Please join me this coming Saturday and speak out against this pending mistake.

* http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2009/05/schmitt-unfiot-for-lanta.html

** not an official term of the American Psychological Association

Park Plans Examined

Please join us a week from today as we discuss and analyze the new plans, which change the historic nature of our park system. My personal goal is to promote awareness the of the WPA stone structures and the proper maintenance of those landmarks. What aspect of the parks do you want to protect? Allentown has been through many changes in recent years which the average citizen has had little control over, lets stand up for the parks.

The Lemonade Stand

One must give the Bethlehem boy mayors, both former and current, some credit for the lemonade stand called the Sands Casino. I don't mean they had anything to do with it, but easy smiles and short memories, careers do make. Decades ago, a counter-culture writer said he was down so long, it seemed like up to him. We are ecstatic about a business that will hire 2,500 people to milk our disposal income during the worst recession in 80 years. It was built on a former foundation of America which employed 25,000 people, and provided the steel to build the architectural icons of our country.






The photo to the right shows the new casino lobby with red tubes symbolizing the gun barrel shop, ready to rob you. The top photo shows the actual shop which produced the 16 inch battleship guns which helped save the world. Drink up and have fun.

Republican 800 lb. Gorilla

We learn from Renshaw, on the Queen City Blog, that Lou Hershman is asking Republican super-voters to write him in on tuesday. Thanks Lou, for trying to provide voters with some democracy come November. While the Democrats fielded seven candidates for the four slots, the Republicans only have one candidate, Joe Brudnak. I urge anybody to follow Lou's footsteps and offer themselves as a write-in on the Republican ticket.

Although I'm not sure of the rules, apparently they need not even be a Republican. I offer space on this blog to promote anybody who would come forward for Tuesday's election.

ALLENTOWN SPEAK OUT

ALLENTOWN SPEAK OUT
FORUM FOR THE PUBLIC

SAT. MAY30 1:00pm
at the historic
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH
219 N. 12th ST.
moderated by
Michael Molovinsky
topics including, but not limited to:
parks, bicentennial and lanta, crime, parking authority
candidate campaigning will be restricted