Night of Broken Glass

In 1938, on the nights of November 9 and 10, the Nazis whipped up anti-Jewish riots in a pogrom now known as Kristallnacht.


During these two nights, synagogues were set on fire and thousands of Jewish shop windows were broken.



Ninety one Jews were killed. 30,000 were arrested and taken to camps, a harbinger of the Holocaust.

FlashBack

                   Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon, Madison Square Garden, May 1942

In the 1930's and 40's, slow film emulsion and fast action, required bright light to capture the scene. A Speed Graphic camera, equipped with a large flashbulb gun, was the standard workhorse for the ringside photographer. By the 1960's, smaller format cameras, electronic strobes and faster film were standard equipment.

The Nickel and Diming of Allentown

Everybody keeps telling the Allentown taxpayer that their increase is only twenty five cents a day, two thin dimes and a nickel. Two thin dimes and a nickel for Cunningham, because when times are tough, the demand on county service is higher. Mayor Pawlowski will have your employer deduct his dimes at work, with an increase in the Earned Income Tax. New school superintendent Zahorchak supports the new city taxing plan, guess why? Yesterday he announced a new position, Chief Turnaround Officer; “The creation of the chief turnaround officer position is another step in our goal of ensuring that every student is prepared to go to college or successfully complete post-secondary schooling,” explains Superintendent Gerald L. Zahorchak, D.Ed.
Silly me, I thought that was his job! He's creating about a dozen new administrative jobs, how many nickels and dimes will that cost? The real estate boom in Pennsylvania was largely caused by excessive taxation in New Jersey; where are you going to move to now?
related articles:
The Morning CallPPL Opposes Mayor's Tax Hike
Ramblings by O'HarePaCan Condemns Pawlowksi's 40% Tax Hike
Inclusion by DonovanChief Turnaround Officer?????

The Monster Parking Authority

Back in September, I wrote about a center city homeowner exasperated beyond fairness by the Allentown Parking Authority. Here are a few excepts from his letter in that post.

I am writing to express my surprise and dismay upon receiving yet another citation from the City of Allentown.
This time a street cleaning ticket. THIS ONE IS FOR 50.00!! It states repeat offender.
Is this really how to construct a GOOD neighborhood?
Now I am in the pool for the city to collect fifty dollars at a time?
This policy is unbelievable and unconscionable.
I realize that the city is hurting for money, but this is not the way to raise revenue.
Sweep tickets, APA tickets, all kinds of inspections, fees to visit fish, and what else?
I really wanted to have a good experience living in this city.
You must not allow the city to tax/fine/extort this kind of money from cash strapped intercity residents.
I will not pay 50.00 for a street sweeping ticket.
The insult is further compounded because there is no redress to these matters prior to the escalation of the fine fee.
No good will come from the City of Allentown continually stepping on the very citizens that stabilize our neighborhoods.
Respectfully,

Mark's new letter, to the full City Council

Where did this insult of a program (the "repeat offender designation")originate and who supported it?
I am a stabilizing element in my neighborhood and a twenty year plus resident in center city Allentown.
I pay my taxes and my street cleaning fees.
The Allentown Parking Authority makes a profit from street sweeping. I have now been designated as a "repeat offender".
Am I to be subject to this new tax forever? This is certainly another tax.
How about parking tickets? Will they too have a repeat offender category?
I Have to work different hours, and can't always get back to move a vehicle at noon.
I can't park on the north side of my block because drug dealers punch and otherwise dent my and other citizens cars parked in front of their shops.
The Allentown police are working hard to control this problem - tax money well spent.
The police department does not produce income. Why does the Allentown Parking create wealth?
Hammering low income city folks with this predatory penalty driven program to fill city coffers is just wrong.
Living in the center city should be tolerable and maybe even safe and enjoyable for residents.
One more straw on your camels back.
This is how you cause citizens to say "I'm done".
I would appreciate a response. Please tell me how wrong I am and why.
Thank you,
Mark XXXXX

Mark's reward for his protest? While waiting for his day in district court to appeal his "Repeat Offender" status, the Parking Authority mounted the orange boot on his car. While OAPA holds house tours on 8th Street, and $millions of dollars are spent dressing up 7th Street, the salt of our city is punished for living on 6th Street.

Ezekiel's Tomb

Ezekiel's Tomb is south of Baghdad, in Al Kifl. The tomb dates back to the 6th Century B.C., during the Babylonian exile. Prior to creation of Israel in 1948, 100,000 Jews still remained in Iraq; Today, there are eight.

Last year Hebrew lettering was covered over in fresh plaster, in a process to turn the ancient Jewish shrine into a mosque. Fortunately, word leaked back to Israel and to the Jews of Iraqi descent. That community's history in Iraq spanned 2,700 years, 1,000 years before the birth of Islam. The renovation is now under international scrutiny, and hopefully the Jewish elements will remain. The photo shows Iraqi Jews in front of the tomb in 1932.

Conflicting reports: There are conflicting reports, both about the condition and intentions for the shrine. Here is an article from The Jerusalem Post, dated May 2010, which claims that there has been no damage (recent) to Jewish inscriptions.
NY Times recent article, Oct. 19, 2010

Lowering the Zoning Bar

While attention tonight will be focused on the Mayor's budget proposal, City Council will quietly pass a new zoning law. One of the major changes is the new process for conversion of commercial space into residential. While formally, practically every aspect was by variance, the conversions will now be encouraged by special exception leeway. The streamline procedure reflects the Administration's hope that young professionals will opt to live the loft life, and avail themselves of Allentown's urban charm; Of course, the only problem is reality. While the new upscale apartments near Wegmans filled quickly, the lofts in Allentown proved to be a hard sell, despite being beautiful. My concern for the City is not about the well done projects, but that this new ordinance will just create the last thing we need, more apartments. Not all loft apartments will be done equally. Not all loft apartments will attract the higher income demographic these changes are meant to encourage. The previous zoning procedure succeeded in producing more lofts than demand, the new one may well produce more apartments than is desirable.

The Clown and the Landlord

Yesterday's Morning Call had an article by Dan Hartzell on Sunday's Halloween Parade. Dan wrote "Last minute financial donations from community activists saved the 2005 parade..." Hartzell goes on to write about the candidates present and the weather conditions, but who were the community activists? He then writes "City Parks and Recreation Director Greg Weitzel said the parade is no longer under threat of extinction- a good thing, since the event dates to 1905 and could be the oldest Halloween parade in the country." But who were the community activists? As a boy growing up in the 50's, the Halloween Parade was one of the biggest events of the year. My family would watch from around 15th and Hamilton, avoiding the packed crowds further down in the teeming shopping area. I remember Hopalong Cassidy riding his horse in the parade. In 2006, another TV icon from that era, cowgirl Sally Starr, participated in the parade at age 83. I don't know how many people in 2006 had any idea who Sally Starr was? Now in 2010, not only is Sally Starr forgotten, so are the community activists who saved the Oldest Halloween Parade in America(Inc.)*. Saving the parade was organized by Everett Bickford, aka Apples the Clown, and Heidi Unterberg. The parade was able to occur because of a donation from John Chapkovich, at the time a 23 year old landlord. Thanks Everett, thanks Heidi, thanks John, for keeping a 105 year old tradition going.

*Oldest Halloween Parade in America Inc. is copyrighted by Everett Bickford

Rally for SANctimony

My post today about the rally is being hosted at Poliblog. Please click   here,     

 and join me there.

The Real Heroes

Who the heroes were at Wednesday's Lehigh County Budget meeting is a matter of opinion. Bernie O'Hare has always thought that Don Cunningham can walk on water. When it comes to Dean Browning, The Morning Call's Bill White now joins O'Hare in lavishing praise. I was never impressed with Don Cunningham. When he unionized Cederbrook, as his first act as County Executive in 2006, I knew he was not in the taxpayer's best interest. Although senior citizens will suffer from this current tax increase, that assault pales in comparison to eventually condemning Cedarbrook to Gracedale's current fate. Words and smiles come easy to Cunningham, and he has mesmerized both O'Hare and White.

I was a few booths away in a diner when Browning showed O'Hare the County Budget. Bernie was impressed with Browning's apparent due diligence; I'm not. When you can't find anything to cut out of a $390 million dollar budget, maybe you're not looking very hard. Easy Smile Cunningham keeps repeating that there are less County workers now, than in the 1990's. I'd like to know why then did he purchase the seven story Hamilton Center? Why do we need more space for less people? I know the pretense was the 911 Call Center, but seven stories? The Commissioners suggested an alternative budget with a 13% increase, instead of 16%. This would have eliminated one position and support for $350,000, and transferred $1.6million gambling revenues from the capital fund to the general fund for tax reduction. Cunningham made disparaging remarks about this alternative, and now we have the full 16% increase.

Bill White calls Browning brainy with guts. Only three Commissioners voted for the alternative 13% budget; Glenn Eckhart, Andy Roman and Tom Creighton- that took guts! These guys know that come election time, their opponents can say that they voted for a tax increase. They voted for the alternative anyway; They understand that 13 is less than 16. Dean Browning, with all his financial training, despite all the praise from O'Hare and White, voted against the lower tax rate.

Easy Smile Prevails

Easy Smile apparently had a good night on Wednesday. Here in the Blogosphere, Bernie O'Hare remains a devoted fan. In the main stream, Bill White is preparing a fan column. Easy Smile, aka Don Cunningham, started out Wednesday with a misconception. He said all cuts would have to be proportional across the board. That said, he could go on to describe criminals running free and judges suing. Why would all cuts have to be across the board? Who says the County has to be into open space and recreation? There isn't much quality of life anyway if our citizens cannot afford to leave their homes. Who says our County must be into community development? How about some concern for the taxpayer's development. The apologists say that the tax increase will only be $2 dollars a week. How about the school tax increase, and the municipal increase? How about no increase in Social Security for the retired. Why is it that 370,000 people must pay more to keep 900+ county jobs? Why is it that only the citizens must somehow always survive on less?

Holding My Tongue

As I start to write this about 5:30am, my fellow blogger, Bernie O'Hare, has yet to publish his piece on the County Budget Meeting. I learned from The Morning Call that Dean Browning broke ranks with his fellow Republicans, and voted against sending the budget back to Cunningham for a no tax increase version. Cunningham's proposed budget, with a 16% increase, now takes effect by default. Bernie has a dilemma; he likes both Cunningham and Brown. I predict his spin will be that they both these heroes made the responsible choice, and damn the consequences. Fellow Republican Dougherty, joined Brown in also rejecting an alternative budget, with a 13% increase. I must question Dougherty's sincerity about the no increase version; Did he vote yes because he knew that Brown was going to vote no, and kill it anyway? Does Brown and Dougherty feel out of $390 million dollars nothing could be cut; that Cunningham is that good? The speech about convicts running loose on the streets, if the budget is cut, is in my mind a crime in itself. In the course of my business, I must chase after a county worker every month. The message on his County answer machine says if you must talk to a live person, call 610 782-XXXX. I suspect he's not the only dead wood. Like most taxpayers, I did not attend the meeting or study the budget, but hoped that our Commissioners would at least shave the 3% from the submitted budget.

At your Peril

I generally have steered away from the election on this site. I have let my fellow bloggers crunch numbers and promote candidates. I did watch an interesting panel on C-Span, which warned that the politically sophisticated underestimate the influence and appeal of those they consider less informed. Democrat Harold Ford  mentioned that he sensed many people feel that those with so called expertise, haven't done that well for us anyway. Perhaps Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow will be less condescending Nov. 3. It all depends on who actually shows up to vote.

Extraordinary Level

Last night the Bethlehem School Board rejected a tax-increment financing (TIF) district for Martin Tower, despite all the king's horses and men. Board members were told that without the tax bond, lesser priced dwellings would be constructed, eventually resulting in less taxes and more rug rats. One board member explained that her no vote was because the project didn't rise to an extraordinary level. The TIF would have given the developer money, while here in Allentown we use KOZ, which forgives taxes for at least a decade. Here in Allentown, apparently everything rises to an extraordinary level; The Allentown School Board has yet to hear a KOZ proposal it didn't accept. While I'm out of town, let me move further east, toward Easton. I'm an advocate for the historical county nursing homes, Gracedale and Cedarbrook. Preserving these institutions does rise to an extraordinary level.

Noah's Ark

Although Mayor Pawlowski will officially cut the ribbon today on Allentown's new Destination Playground, Sunday's warm weather and only a mesh plastic fence, proved too tempting to about 75 kids and their parents. The equipment is beautiful and obviously from one manufacturer. It appears to be the Noah's Ark of playgrounds. Park Director Weitzel must have ordered two of everything. Only time will reveal how long everything will last, and how much maintenance and expense this playground will require. I can tell you that the kids yesterday were having a ball.

Today's Morning Call has an article about Paulette Hunter and her role in advocating for the playground. I congratulate Paulette on her accomplishment, but must take exception with some points in the article. We, who objected to the comprehensive Cedar Park Plan, did not single out the playground as the only problem; but those who defended the comprehensive plan, did single out the playground, for the obvious reasons of political correctness. In the article Ms. Hunter defends claiming prejudice, saying the objectors referred to "those people." The accusation is as unfounded and unfortunate now, as it was then. The playground is built. I hope it brings many children and their parents much joy for many years.

Tough Guys

Not too many guys could say that they knocked Joe Louis down, but both of these guys did. Buddy Baer, 6'7", met Tony Galento, 5'9'', on April 8, 1941 in Washington D.C. Galento did not come out for the 8th round, giving Baer the victory, which set up his title fight with Louis. Galento, who trained with beer and hot dogs, had a pulverizing round house left hook, with which he knocked out 51 men. Louis described him as "Absolutely fearless."

Breakfast with Dent

No, I didn't really have breakfast with Charlie Dent. Matter of fact, I haven't even attended a meeting lately. I've decided that I'm tired of facts interfering with my opinions. Back to the Diner. Tuesday morning, a guy at the counter tells his buddies that Dent opposes ending tax cuts for the wealthy, because it's his job to protect Republicans. His buddy asks if he really said that? Yep, it's right here, and reads the quote. When I stood up to put on my third sweater, I noticed that the reader had a iphone, not a newspaper, and was scrolling up from the bottom of the articles.

Tuesday morning, Bill White had a column in which he fantasized that candidates responded to questions like Jim Carrey, in the movie Liar, Liar. The guy at the lunch counter, reading snips and pieces off his phone, mistook the Dent quote as a real answer to a real question. I'll straighten the guy at the counter out, before the election. Then again, he may not want any facts interfering with his opinion.

Open Mike

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

A Taste of Sangria

Bill 64 BUTZ RACP.doc
Amends the 2010 General Fund Budget to provide for a supplemental appropriation of Five Hundred Thousand ($500,000) Dollars to provide for a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the City of Allentown in the form of a RACP pass through grant to Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

It's good to be Butz

Rachel's Tomb

"And Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." — Genesis 35:19-20

Up to 60,000 Israeli's are expected to visit Rachel's Tomb today, on the anniversary of her death. Many of those making the trip will be pregnant and childless women, praying for safe childbirth. The site is the third holiest in Judaism.

My Dysfunctional Family

Last Week, O'Hare had a picture of Harriet Nelson on Ramblings. This weekend the Beaver's TV mom, Barbara Billingsky, passed away. As an early baby boomer, who grew up watching these women, I murmured that they don't make mothers like that anymore; Actually, they never did. As we grew up in the cold, living in row houses and twins, Ricky and the Beaver only ever wore a light jacket as they left their picture book colonial house. Rick's father, Ozzie, never worked, dedicating his entire time to solving family dilemma's. Our father's, fathers of the audience, worked in America's busiest time. Many of the factories in Allentown went 24 hours a day, in three shifts. The boys always got a snack after school, although sometimes Beaver wouldn't come straight home. If Ricky and the Beaver spent a night at the Molovinsky house, they would have thought they were transported back in time to real life Munsters, and would need counseling to get over the experience.

An Israeli Pilot

Death to Israel

Seventeen thousand people packed a soccer stadium in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, to listen to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad say that the Zionist enemy will be driven from Palestine. Death to Israel shouts could be heard two miles away in Israel. Continuation of the building moratorium in Jerusalem would not dim those shouts.

Gangsta High

Gangsta High, the alternative school for bad-asses, starts Nov.1, in the old Jackson Elementary School Building.

The final initiative the committee approved was setting up an alternative school for unruly students who are on the cusp of getting expelled. The school will open Nov. 1 at the former Jackson Elementary School near 14th and Allen streets. Students will be sent to the school for up to 45 days of academic help, as well as psychological and emotional help. They will be bused to the school from pre-arranged pick up sites in the city. They will start and leave at different times so they don't interact with Ramos Elementary students who attend school at the same site.
The school will cost about $1.1 million a year, most of which will come from recurring federal funds. The school will have both an academic and mental health component and be staffed by district teachers. It will be led by Principal Jose Rosado.
The district is also partnering with a national youth services company, VisionQuest, to handle some of the counseling and to set up in-school suspension programs at Allen and Dieruff. That contract costs $247,000 and is part of the total cost of the alternative school. The Morning Call

I wrote in the previous post, Fire Him Now, that if they're going to have an alternative school for gangsters, it better be a big building; It is. I'm concerned that attendance at Gangsta High might become a status symbol in the circle of underachievers. If it comes to past that eventually we have a separate academy for the overachievers, how will this effect Allen and Dieruff? We put the bad apples in one barrel, the good apples in another, and leave the remainder where they are? This post, as was the previous one, are only meant as vehicles for discussion.

Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

About twenty people stood in the rain yesterday afternoon to demonstrate against hydrofracking. I learned about the protest from the Neighbors of Easton Blog. I was glad to attend and show my solidarity, but I couldn't bring myself to hold a sign. Although I oppose the hydrofracking, I know the zombies who walk and drive by 7th and Hamilton couldn't care less. The only question in Harrisburg is if, and how much, to tax the extracted gas. I believe that our children will face unimaginable environmental consequences from this process. The media did not attend.

Fire Him Now

Margie Peterson did an excellent profile this summer on the Allentown School Superintendent applicants. Who finally got the job, John Zahorchak, would have been my third choice, out of the four candidates. Zahorchak impressed the School Board because he was the Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education. Two other candidates had experience in running large intercity school districts; Zahorchak's previous hands on experience was in little Johnstown. Although we're not a large city, we have the large "intercity" problems. Zahorchak's Harrisburg position was a political appointment by Rendell. I suspect the Board thought he would know the ropes in terms of grants; Apparently he does. Allentown is getting a grant of $2.5 million for a few years. To qualify for the grant, the school district must "fire" principals, either in underperforming schools or those who had a position more than two years. One of those to be "fired" is Allen's principal, Keith Falco. Falco is the glue which keeps the lid on Allen. Falco would be charged with organizing a special school for over-achievers. Zahorchak also wants a special school for disruptive students; that better be a big building.

I'm on a mailing list for school district communications. Zahorchak seems to have a new idea each day. He's very enthusiastic about the Zalamazoo School District. Seems like they have grown 12% in five years. We here in Allentown really don't want any more growth; We had enough lately, thanks anyway. I do know that Falco does an excellent job in discipline at Allen High, which needs it. To relocate him to a gifted honors environment seems to be wasting his talent. To do this, to chase a $2.5 million grant for a few years, or model ourselves after Kalamazoo, Michigan, suggests a bureaucrat who spends too much time reading the Professional Educator Journal.

AllenGrad at 10:58 PM October 12, 2010
I graduated from Allen, under the leadership of Mr. Falko. I went on to attend an Ivy League university and am now in medical school. I would not have made it here without the direct involvement of Mr. Falko in my educational path. Not every “smart kid” will make it through on his or her own, even with supportive parents. There also must be invested teachers AND administrators. In all of my experience in public schools (including extensive tutoring outside the ASD), Mr. Falko is the best principal I have met. He truly cares about his students, understands the challenges they face, and is doing the best job anyone can do to make as many students succeed as possible. He has a tough job, with limited resources and parental support, but he is one of those special people who found his niche. This man was made to run Allen. Taking him out is a tremendous loss for current and future students. Mr. Zahorchak, I hope you understand what you are doing. If you are removing Mr. Falko because you think the poor scores will improve, then you are sorely mistaken. If you are wise, then you won't squander his leadership. Follow Mr. Falko around for a day. See what I’m talking about. See how he makes a difference. Mr. Falko, you have my support. Best of luck and thanks! comment on Morning Call

Zahorchak said if he doesn't raise the test scores in three years, fire him. John (Zahorchak), we don't really want to fire you now, but we don't care that much about the standardized test scores. What we care about is kids walking home from school and not beating each other up. We care about kids being respectful to the neighborhood as they walk. We care about long term taxes, not short term grants. Slow down on all the ideas, and speak to the neighbors. We pay the taxes and your salary.

related article: Morning Call Story

UPDATE: Follow up article by The Morning Call

For Rent, Security Deposit Required

The Morning Call has offered a significant portion of their first floor for lease. I suppose with the substantial staff reductions and everything else affecting the newspaper industry, it is no surprise that the sprawling building is under utilized. Although the advertisement is geared toward professional office use, they may have to lower their expectations, like everyone else in Allentown. Perhaps a dollar store?

Silly Me

Silly Me, aka Put to the Curb, is being hosted at Poliblog

Parkway Sewage 5K

Since the sewage overflow in Lehigh Parkway, there has been four organized race/walk events, with more scheduled this weekend and coming week. Although lime was placed over the raw sewage, not one sign was posted warning the public about the condition. In addition to the organized events, children have played in the park and people have walked their dogs; Unfortunately, many have done so right in the proximity of the sewage fields. These area's should have been clearly posted as a potential health hazard, perhaps even encircled in crime scene tape.

Day Late, Dollar Short

Actually the story in today's Morning Call about the Lehigh Parkway sewage leak is six days late, and completely short in acknowledging the source of the story, this blog. Although the reporter was glad to ask me questions, and then quote a water and sewer activist I mentioned in our conversation, the mcall version doesn't even list this blog as a related story. Am I being petty? Probably, but it's not the first time The Morning Call didn't credit this blog for breaking the story.

Quality of Life

If there was some sort of Emmy or Oscar for blogging, Bernie O'Hare should get it for his post last evening on the Lehigh County budget hearing. He had two video segments on the Quality of Life and More for Children resolutions. The details confuse me, suffice to say the program directors want to keep everything they can get, and plead to restore what was cut away. I got to see the new Art Museum Director, he was pitching for a $14,000 grant for captive children field trips. In one of the video's,  someone suggested the children would be better off staying in the classroom and learning how to read. Another grouch wondered what kind of quality of life the elderly have, after losing their homes to pay for these field trips. One well dressed woman with designer eyewear said these trips were the only culture some kids get, while another less dressed one,  suggested what the kids really need is more parenting. Let me just say this to those working stiffs, with two jobs, being taxed out their house; Designer eyewear is not cheap, wine in bottles and french cheese is not cheap. There's a lot of money invested in that Art District, and your children are going, if you like it or not!

Nothing from County Commissioners

Last night the Lehigh County Commissioners failed to provide the taxpayers any relief from the upcoming tax increase. Out of a $390 million dollar budget, they couldn't find one (real) dollar to cut.* Dean Browning's non-binding resolution for union concessions are just costumes on the dog and pony.** In reality some union workers will be getting a 9% increase, a good year for them indeed. The handwriting on the wall is the future consequences of Don Cunningham's first act as Executive in 2006; unionizing CedarBrook. The $1.7 reduction from the tax increase is a transfer of gambling revenue from casino taxes, not from any cuts made by the Commissioners; they made none.* I didn't attend the meeting last night, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn, but I did read Bernie O'Hares excellent post on the meeting, and The Morning Call article by Jenna Portnoy.

* Several Amendments were passed which eliminated three positions and reduced the IT budget, for a total of $1.5 million. However, most likely the Republican controlled Commission will allow the Administration's budget version to pass by default, allowing them to disassociate themselves from the tax increase.

** WFMZ this evening described Browning's union resolutions as recommendations for next year's contract, as yet not negotiated.

Boat Ramp Launching

Mayor Pawlowski and other City Dignitaries will officially launch the Ott Street Boat Ramp this coming Friday afternoon. The Ramp will provide safe entry for canoes, kayaks and other motor-less watercraft into the Cedar Park flood basin. Permits are required and may be obtained at the Park Office, 3000 Parkway Blvd. The City wishes to again thank the Trexler Trust for it's generosity for this monstrosity.

Those familiar with both this blog and Cedar Park, realize that the boat ramp shown above is actually the new paved path from Ott Street into the former passive west side of Cedar Park. This monstrosity will link the recreational and special event festivals, traditionally limited to the Cedar Beach Pool side of the park, with the rose gardens. The new wide paved paths will accommodate vehicles necessary to facilitate the events. Welcome to the Park Without Limits.

UPDATE: Pictures of Boat Ramp without flooding

Playgrounds and Feces

As Allentown prepares to unveil it's new destination playground, Lehigh Parkway near the Robin Hood Bridge is covered in feces, tampons and toilet paper. The LCA manhole cover allowed an enormous amount of raw sewage to escape into the park and Little Lehigh Creek, just upstream of our water plant intake. Although Pawlowski is preparing for a major news conference for the playground, he should be in the park right now raising hell about this ecological disaster.


One can smell the sewage as soon as you enter the park off of 15th street.
Hopefully this disaster will prompt Allentown into insisting that the LCA curtail it's expansion, until which time this reoccurring problem is properly addressed.

UPDATE: The manhole cover just west of Robin Hood Bridge, was propelled off during the storm from the pressure in the pipe, projecting the sewage  into the park and creek.

The Buck Stops Here

Opinion Page Letter, The Morning Call, Sept. 30
What action should Governor Rendell take in response to a recent revelation about inappropriate investigations? A wise man by the name of Truman said "The buck stops here." Although he only has a few months remaining in office, and it would only be a symbolic act, I think Governor Rendell should resign.

The resignation wouldn't be just for this one incident, but as an act of contrition for numerous failures to deliver the government he promised. It would be for a casino commission, who managed to award one of a few gambling licenses to a dubious character. It would be for making countless turnpike and bridge committee appointments, while allowing the roads to crumble. It would be for allowing PennDOT to concentrate on proposed toll booths, instead of snow removal. It would be for spending millions of dollars at photo opportunities, and now saying that we're broke.* It would be for worrying about how to tax the gas from the marcellus shale fracking, while ignoring the environmental consequences. It would be for pandering to those interests which made us a leading welfare state. It would for prisons becoming our only growth industry. It would be for loving to hear himself speak, while casting a deaf ear and blind eye to the declining reality of our State. It would be for allowing himself to be distracted as an influence peddler on the national scene, obviously more concerned with his future than ours.

Italicized sentences did not appear in newspaper rendition
*referring to WAM (walking around money) and large cardboard checks

Peace Upon Israel

On Thursday Sept. 20, for the first time in nine years, Israel's Chief Rabbi's prayed at the ancient synagogue*, in one of the world's oldest cities, Jericho. Shalom Al Yisrael (Peace Upon Israel) dates to the 6th century and was discovered in 1936, during the British Mandate. There are several magnificent mosaics, including the Ark of the Covenant. Although under Palestinian Authority, under the 1995 Oslo Accords, Jews were to have access to the site.
*The synagogue is located in the ancient city of Jericho (Yericho in Hebrew), north of the Dead Sea in the Jordan Valley. Some 1,500 years old, it was discovered in 1936 by D.C. Baramki of the Antiquities Authority under the British Mandate. Its 10x13 meter mosaic floor features images of a menorah, shofar, lulav, Holy Ark, and the Hebrew words "Shalom Al Yisrael” (Peace Upon Israel).

In Praise of Panto

Easton's Mayor Sal Panto has proposed something I have advocated in Allentown for years; Using the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) strictly for city purposes. Politically, it's tough love. The Minsi Trail Scouting Program was requesting $15,000, and Girl Scouts, especially Brownies, know how to cry. In Easton the total CDBG is $990,000, and there is a $2.6 million city budget gap for 2011. In Allentown, the multi million dollar grant feeds the poverty magnet; it finances the social agencies who rely on fresh low income clients. In addition to lowering the burden on taxpayers, city use of the grant money would gradually reduce the workload created by a transient population.

Shown in the photo is Mayor Panto with the Brownies and Cub Scouts, before he announced the cutback.

The Producer

The Allentown Parking Authority Officer shown here is by far the most productive person they have, he may well be the most productive city worker period. I estimate he easily writes over a $half million dollars a year by himself. He spends the day hoping from one fertile hot zone to another. You can see him everyday, several times working Chew Street, between 16th and West. That block, because of the hospital, has time restricted parking. He's like a fisherman, a very good one, who knows the good spots. For those less familiar with this blog, please use the search engine on the upper right; type in parking authority. Along with taking them to task numerous times, I documented fictitious data they provided to City Council to justify doubling the meter rate and fine structure. I also

"They're acting like a vampire sucking the blood out of downtown," Molovinsky said of the authority.

conducted a news conference, covered by Channel 69, on unnecessary parking meters as far out as 10th and Chew. Those meters were finally removed, only this year. Some comments on the previous post suggest that there is justification for the Authority and their policies. As a student of this bureaucracy for years, I can tell you that it has actually had a negative affect on center city commerce. It's simply a back door tax, mostly on those who can least afford it. The cars shown are being ticketed for not moving for street sweeping, despite the snow.*

*photographs from 2007, Parking Authority supposedly no longer gives "sweep tickets" during snow storms.

From the Belly of the Beast

The following letter was sent to Michael Donovan from a center city resident. Although I am reproducing the letter with permission from the writer, he wishes to remain anonymous. He lives in the roughest part of town, in the belly of the beast.

I am writing to express my surprise and dismay upon receiving yet another citation from the City of Allentown.
This time a street cleaning ticket. THIS ONE IS FOR 50.00!! It states repeat offender.
I have lived in this city for more than twenty years. I pay plenty of taxes.
I also pay a man to sweep the area in front of my house every single day.
This is unbelievable - I work an all night and come home to no available parking on the non-sweeping side of the street.
By the time I get up I have a ticket on each of my vehicles, one labeled repeat offender.
Michael, I believe you are probably the most reasonable and approachable member of our city council as well as being on the board of the APA.
So I am asking you, just who thought this was a good idea?
People get sick, meetings run long, stuff happens.
Is this really how to construct a GOOD neighborhood?
Now I am in the pool for the city to collect fifty dollars at a time?
This policy is unbelievable and unconscionable.
I realize that the city is hurting for money, but this is not the way to raise revenue.
Sweep tickets, APA tickets, all kinds of inspections, fees to visit fish, and what else?
I really wanted to have a good experience living in this city.
I have done my civic duty.
I fought for years to close down Trinkles bar.
The results of that closing were immediate and positive.
We almost have a real neighborhood here now.
You must not allow the city to tax/fine/extort this kind of money from cash strapped intercity residents.
I will not pay 50.00 for a street sweeping ticket.
The insult is further compounded because there is no redress to these matters prior to the escalation of the fine fee.
No good will come from the City of Allentown continually stepping on the very citizens that stabilize our neighborhoods.
Respectfully,

Michael (molovinsky)
You may absolutely use my post.
I would much appreciate this on your blog.
Mr. Donovan also stated that a 10% tax increase would be preferable to the nickel diming that is occurring across the spectrum here in the city.
So far the city has gotten me this year for much more than a 10% tax hike would have cost.
If instead of hiring more people to issue more citations - producing an endlessly growing circle of pain, maybe we should end the sweep program, disband the parking authority, the redevelopment authority - hell, anything ending with the word authority..... and not stop there.

Saving the Queen

When I grew up on Liberator Ave., I would walk up Catalina Ave. toward school, which was at the end of Coronado. The streets were named for the Vultee-Consolidated WW2 planes, and the neighborhood was next to the airport built as part of the war effort. Vultee Street was built to connect the hangers with the Mack 5C plant, which was given over to Vultee-Consolidated for plane part manufacturing. Today this small airport is known as Queen City, and is threatened by Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

Pawlowski covets this unique part of our history to expand the tax base. What he doesn't understand is that more housing or commercial space is not in Allentown's best long term interest. Unfortunately, long term interest is not a term understood by our current leadership. There is a whole development of started houses off S. 12th St. and Mack Blvd. which were never completed. There are filled in foundations on 8th Street, also never completed. More housing is the last thing both the real estate market and school system need. Likewise, the existing commercial sector has been struggling to maintain an acceptable occupancy rate. Queen City airport is an unique asset to Allentown. If LVIA does successfully expand, a separate airport for small planes is very desirable for safety. Considering Pawlowski's predetermined objective, I question whether he should have been appointed to the LVIA Board.

Dennis Pearson, long time community activist from the East Side Rittersville area, reports last night that a portion of the State Hospital grounds had been given to the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Corporation. Just last week, Dennis requested that the City inform him of any plans concerning that land. Although representatives of the Administration were present, nobody had the consideration to response to Pearson's statement. These open spaces in Allentown, both Queen City and the State Hospital, are too important to let Pawlowski and Cunningham squander them for a short term, politically expedient, tax fix.

Hardest Working Blogger

The hardest working journalist in the Lehigh Valley, hands down, is Bernie O'Hare. This week, The Morning Call's Bill White tried to split hairs about the difference between bloggers and trained reporters; Could have been a argument years ago, but the multiple layoffs at the paper has taken the ink out of that bottle. Purchaser's of the hard copy paper are submitted to large photographs of White, Carpenter, Hartzell and the other columnists. They are made to wear costumes and pose like boxers. Did they teach that in journalism?

O'Hare attends no less than two governmental meetings each week, pesters the participants in between, and writes at least 10 posts a week. He still genuflects to the professional reporters with his canned testimonials; "They can find out more in a day than I can in a week.." White raised the issue of objectivity and editors, but again, I think he was being reminiscent of days past. I'm afraid the newspaper has turned into a 9 to 5 business; Monday's paper always looks like a flyer. Although the actual Bill White is shown above, Bernie O'Hare is portrayed by James Brown, who was another hard working guy.

New Sheriff in Town

This past Wednesday evening, Bob Romancheck asked Allentown City Council who actually reads the legal notices in The Morning Call? Actually Bob, I do! As a matter of fact I'm concerned that there is an effort under way to allow municipalities to forgo the notices in favor of publishing them on their website; But that's a topic for another day, today's flavor of the week is Upper Saucon Zoning Officer Trent Sear. A recent post of mine took Trent to task for forcing Independent Candidate for the 15th Congressional District, Jake Towne, out of his campaign office in Center Valley. Today's newspaper legal public notice are dominated by Upper Saucon Zoning, four and half columns worth. Trent has prepared 92 revisions to the general 2009 Zoning Regulations, and 17 more to the Village Commercial Overlay Zone, one specially for temporary signs. (Revision 2 to Section 322.D for Tables 1 and 2 and a new Table 5). Now, I'm not sure if Jake was hammered under the old regulations or the new revisions, but I am sure that the citizens of Upper Saucon are having their property rights grossly impeded.

molovinsky on eyewear fashion

This week I bought my first pair of prescription glasses. I had been using readers from the drug store, and it worked out well for both of us; I could see, and the store counted on my continuous purchases. The problem was my shirt pocket, it became too small to carry all the pairs I now need; Close-up, intermediate and distance. I went to the small optical store at the eye doctor's office, where I had the choice of about three pairs. Had I been willing to buy the kind with the nose pads, my selection would have been considerably larger. However, since nose pads may require adjustments, and once, forty years ago, a nose pad made a temporary indentation on my nose, that option was out. The woman and I sat down at a small table with the three plastic pairs without nose pads. There was a woman's makeup mirror on the table, and she asked which pair I liked. No way was I going to try on those glasses, and stare in that little mirror, with her staring at me. One pair had black temple ear pieces, but they were white on the inside, that's out. The second pair had a very narrow nose opening. That pair was from this decade, but Bobby Edwards used my nose as a punching bag all through 5th grade. If you see a guy walking around looking like an old, small Clark Kent, say hello, I'd like to meet you.

Jake Towne Fouled

As an old geezer, I'm constantly frustrated by The Morning Call's lack of institutional memory. I suppose that is what happens when a struggling paper has young journalists come and go. I suppose they're also annoyed with my "scoops"; I see no link to this blog on the current Mcall story about the fish hatchery. Well, here's another dip from Molovinsky's 28 favors. Trent Sear, the Saucon Valley Zoning officer who closed Jake Towne's Campaign headquarters,  is/was very active in Republican politics. The space, the historic Center Valley Tavern, has been used commercially for a century. He simply could have requested the landlord pay the $25 fee.  I have never heard of a  campaign office closed by zoning.  They didn't even close Molovinsky for Mayor.
This was nothing more than a temporary use with temporary signs

UPDATE: Towne's Explanation;

After numerous appearances with this official prowling in a car through the parking lot and snapping photographs, the campaign decided to leave the premises in order to save the landlord further grief.

Marcellus Shale 2020

The second video (from Hickory, Pa.) appearing on the LVCI Blog, has chilling similarities to the environmental catastrophe noted in the Erin Brockovich movie.

Admission for Fish Hatchery

This blogger has learned that the Administration is contemplating charging admission to the Fish Hatchery. A rite of passage in Allentown has been for a father to take his children to this treasure, built by General Trexler. I suppose all the new asphalt in Cedar Park cost more than expected.

Pennsylvania as Whore

The Marcellus Shale gas deposits have turned Pennsylvania into a whore, and there is nothing pretty about it. Already two thousand wells have been dug, with thousands more being approved. The gas extraction method, hydraulic fracking, uses millions of gallons of water to fragment the shale, releasing the gas. The water is treated with lubricants and other chemicals to facilitate the process. The short and long term consequences to our water supply are being ignored to produce this mislabeled "clean energy." Governor Rendell, to the shame of his legacy, has justified this environmental rape in order to impose a state tax on the extracted gas. Although I'm not an environmentalist, it's apparent even to me that Pennsylvania's natural resources are being contaminated and compromised. Please use the following links for more information.

Alliance for Sustainable Communities
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability

A Lesson Plan

City Councilman Michael Donovan is disturbed by this photograph on the Allentown School District Website, showing the new superintendent talking to a predominately white group of teachers. Donovan writes on his blog;

Oh one other point, what is wrong with the picture at the ASD website of the superintendent talking to what appears to be over 80 white people? Are they parents? Teachers? Seems strange when 75% of our students are of color. Do you hear me school board?

Years ago the school system sent a delegation to Puerto Rico, hoping to recruit more Hispanic teachers, to no avail. Well qualified teachers of color are in great demand, exactly because of the mentality Donovan's post exhibits. We are fortunate in Allentown to have excellent teachers and administrators. Every aggressive attempt to become more “representational” in hiring has been less than successful. I can assure him no one of color has been excluded, quite the contrary. Although I agree with the desirability of more minority teachers, let us not go down the slippery slope he advocates, but appreciate the dedication of our current staffs; We may not be so lucky in the future. Perhaps his shot across the bow would be better directed at the minority community organizations, rather than the School Board, which is a thankless job by definition. (as is City Council)

occasionally my point of view is so different from a fellow blogger, I feel that my reply should constitute a separate post

The Synagogues of Jerusalem

Except when barred by one conqueror or another, Jews had lived in Jerusalem since King David. Prior to Jordanian rule in 1948, there was a Jewish majority for 150 years. In 1864, eight thousand of the fifteen thousand population was Jewish. By 1914, two thirds of the sixty five thousand residents were Jewish. In 1948 the United Nations Partition Plan divided the British Mandate of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. Jerusalem was to be initially an international city, with access guaranteed for all. This plan was rejected by the surrounding Arab nations, which attacked Israel in concert immediately upon the UN vote. When the truce was declared, Israel had survived, but East Jerusalem(walled Old City) was in procession of TransJordan. The Jordanians subsequently destroyed over 50 synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, which dated back to the 1400's. For hundreds of years both Christians and Jews were prohibited from building higher than Muslim structures. The few synagogues which survived were the ones built mostly below street level. The oldest surviving synagogue, The Jerusalem Synagogue, was built by the Karaite Jews in around 900. Shown above is the Ben Kakai, a Sephardic Synagogue built in the 16th Century.

Perhaps the most famous synagogue destroyed by the Jordanians was the Ashkenazi Hurva Synagogue built in 1720, it's dome visible in the top center of this photograph from the 1920's. It's replacement has just been completed.

reprinted from April 27, 2010