Icon of Allentown's 10th Ward

While the pulpit section of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Orthodox Church is adorned with murals and icons of Mary, parishioners may notice that there is no such imagery on the beautiful stained glass windows. More careful inspection reveals that while there are no graven images in the glass, Stars of David and scrolls can be seen. As the ancestors of the current members came from eastern Europe and the Czarist Russian Empire, so did the building's original congregation. The gothic edifice was built as a synagogue in 1909 by Allentown's Russian Jews. The Orthodox Jewish congregation, Sons Of Israel, utilized the structure for 50 years before it was repurposed by the current American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox congregation.

This was the synagogue I attended as a boy with my father, as he did with my grandfather, growing up on the corner of Chew and Jordan Streets. In the front, under those golden domes with the crosses, are Stars of David. I rekindled my memory of those times when I visited the church last year. The stained glass windows are surely among the most beautiful in Allentown.  The synagogue turned church is located on the northeast corner of 6th and Tilghman Streets in Allentown.  The area, Allentown's 10th Ward,  has a strong neighborhood group. The exterior photograph of the church is from their facebook page.  The large round window shown above is behind the balcony,  in the back of the church. Inside, the congregation faces east,  toward Jerusalem.

Geriatric Rants Hurt Allentown

The other day on facebook, I stumbled upon these kind words about me, You can never trust Molovinsky's geriatric incessant rants about the city. He hates the city.... The young man who wrote this is one of the city's new gung ho boosters. I find his animosity curious. I understand those who are enthralled with Allentown's transformation. These new buildings, if on Hamilton Street or the waterfront, are the city's new reality. Hopefully, they will prosper, and give Allentown a long overdue awakening. However, these changes were not without victims and consequences. These changes deserve some scrutiny, which was for the most part not provided by the local press. I'm proud that this blog could shine a light on some of the shenanigans, even if it makes some people uncomfortable. With the local paper acting practically as a promoter, I would think that a little balance is in order. The young man must think that my negativity will stop the city's renaissance. I assure him that J.B. Reilly will continue building, as long as the NIZ keeps transferring the tax money to him. But, what happens with no scrutiny is that too many people are tempted to get a taste for themselves, sometimes even a mayor.  Allentown is actually in for some real hurt, much more severe than my ranting. The mayor refuses to resign, and the city charter provides no remedy until which time he is actually convicted.  When that pending calamity finally occurs, Allentown will be rudderless for an extended period.  Hopefully, I will not be blamed for that coming commotion.

molovinsky ranting to city council

A Contested Convention In Cleveland

Yesterday's post generated much more back-channel input than usual. The consensus of the advisory staff is that a Trump victory at the convention in Cleveland would be gift that Hillary hardly imagined. On the other hand, denying Trump the nomination would disenfranchise millions of voters, and needless to say, alienate them. After watching a large portion of the debate last night, I'm struck by the differences between perception and reality. Although Trump is the least prepared candidate to participate in a debate beyond a few sound bites, he certainly has the extensive executive experience to which he alludes. On the other hand, a more articulate debater, such as Rubio, has none. Many Republicans are convinced that there is no path to victory in November with Trump. I think that there certainly oould be, however, they would have to be more creative with their packaging.

The Drew Carey Show, based in Cleveland, was based on the concept of   "everyman"

Republicans Can't Stand To Win

Pardon me, but I snicker a lot.  Lately, I'm snickering at all those Republicans who claim that they couldn't vote for Trump. Meanwhile, back in reality, he has energized a base more than their two previous candidates for president. Today, Mitt Romney is scheduled to speak about the turmoil in his party.  He apparently wants a more dignified loser, than a cruder winner.  Needless to say, nobody could afford to buy the television time or headlines that Trump has generated.

Although your readership is appreciated, but please note that  molovinsky on allentown has moderated comments.  While submitted comments can express any point of view, only those which contribute to the dialogue will appear. Comments submitted in the evening will not appear until early the next morning.

ADDENDUM: Some have speculated that because Romney didn't endorse an alternative to Trump, that he was actually trying to position himself to be nominated at a brokered convention.  By tomorrow, we should see who was actually helped or hurt by Romney's speech.

A previous Republican from Manhattan

Pawlowski For 2018

MOLOVINSKY EXCLUSIVE

Mayor Ed has been telling confidants that he plans on pre-launching for his forth term later this year. He has been studying cases where the FBI, while indicting underlings, have never actually indicted the top dog. Now, while I find this delusional, it does explain Ed's facebook posts and other behaviors of denial. It also explains Ed's new appreciation of the little people, and his photo ops at their gatherings. Such a pre-launch would also keep the vultures, such as Sam Bennett and Charlie Thiel, at bay.  Last night,  The Morning Call began running an interview with Jack McMahon,  Pawlowski's high powered Philadelphia criminal attorney. He states that Pawlowski,  "clearly has done no wrong," and that Pawlowski is tried of being a punching bag.  molovinsky on allentown may have to rent an office downtown to keep up with this development. Wonder if J.B. Reilly would give me a good deal?

ADDENDUM: In the tape and interview with The Morning Call, McMahon explains that Pawlowski is a religious, honest family man. It's a large city and if people under him participated in play to pay, it was without his knowledge. Any criminality must have been orchestrated by Mike Fleck, because like Schultz in Hogan's Heros, Pawlowski saw nothing;  He was busy campaigning, for governor and then senator.  I understand that McMahon is a paid mouthpiece, but I find his tape and explanation unsettling. Is it meant to intimidate people?  Is he implying that those who have pleaded guilty, such as Mary Ellen Koval, acted on their own, or mistook Fleck as speaking for Pawlowski?   What does this interview do for the morale of city workers? The mayor is actively looking for scapegoats. Have we gone from amusingly delusional to scary?

Partisan Politics In The Lehigh Valley

I know something about partisan politics in the Lehigh Valley. In 2014, I ran as an independent for state representative in the 183rd District.  There has not been an independent in the state house since the mid 1930's.  Not only is the state house partisan, there's even competition between the counties, by members of the same party.  This area just isn't much for open elections.  In 2014,  seven of the eleven incumbents had no opponent, neither in the primary or general election.  This cycle there's slightly more competition, especially in the 183rd, where eleven term Julie Harhart has chosen not run for a 12th term.

On the Lehigh County Republican side,  with Scott Ott having moved to Texas, and the Woodman/Scheller family unit no longer being kingmakers,  Dean Browning was hoping to reassert himself. He and Glenn Eckhart are working to get Marc Grammes from Slatedale  elected as state representative in the 183rd.  Just across the Lehigh River, in the Walnutport area, the Northampton County Republicans are backing Cindy Miller. She is state senator Mario Scavello's aide, and supposedly Harhart's anointed successor.  I also was interested in running as a Republican, but as an outsider, received no offers of help from the Lehigh party hierarchy.  Cindy Miller has filed challenges to both Grammes, and another person also running from Northampton County.  Grammes supposedly failed to file his financial disclosure with the ethics office, which may well be a fatal error.  Eckhart has already mentioned running a write-in campaign on Grammes' behalf. On the Democrat side in the 183rd,  there is supposedly also a challenge to a second candidate seeking the seat.

The whole scene reminds me why I'm so much more comfortable as a independent.

billboard from 2014 election

Allentown's NIZ Revealed

Although the office workers and their income taxes used for Reilly's mortgage debt service are real, this blog has always maintained that the so called demand for restaurants and high end stores is fakery. Worse, that fakery is hyped as reality by The Morning Call. Between the lines of the Shula's Bankruptcy, my contention is proved correct.  Shula's owed virtually every vendor they dealt with money. They were just another prop in Reilly's illusion show. Reilly operates the Dime and the Starbucks himself, and reportedly provided the liquor licenses to several of the other eating spots.  I also still contend that there are many ghost tenants in the Strata Flats, as indicated by dark windows and few people seen, coming or going. Although, none of this is a crime,  the paper printing the promotions as news, is disturbing.

photocredit:Harry Fisher/The Morning Call

Breakfast At Tiffany's With Pawlowski

On the morning of March 10th, the Chamber of Commerce is proudly,* no less, hosting breakfast with Mayor Ed Pawlowski, at the Renaissance. For a mere $99 dollars, $49 for members, you can learn about all the development news in Allentown's NIZ. The event is being sponsored by Alvin Butz and the other benefactors/beneficiaries of the Allentown regime. I'm sure that the defenders of this event will say that it was scheduled last year, like the Rotary's State of the City.  Instead of the sponsor's table, perhaps there will be the subpoena table.

* although the word proudly was used in previous years, for some reason it does not appear on the Chamber event news announcement this year.

Arena Steals From Taxpayers, Reichley or Wrongly

The Allentown School District has filed a lawsuit against the Arena for not paying property taxes,  yet containing retail businesses, which compete with taxpaying businesses.  Defense counsel for the arena claims that this is permitted by the NIZ state law, as enacted in Harrisburg.  Unfortunately, for the taxpayers, this case is being heard by Judge Douglas Reichley.  Reichley said "The curious thing is that none of those entities are here. None of those [businesses] appear to be complaining."  I find that statement very telling.  While you wouldn't expect to see the few small pre-NIZ surviving business owners at such a  court case, you might expect Reichley to make a relevant disclosure;  Reichley didn't mention that previously he was a state representative,  who passed the NIZ.

photo from the Chickie's & Pete's at the arena

Allentown's Arena District, A License To Steal

The owners of PPL Plaza, who are losing Talen Energy to Jaindl's waterfront NIZ, have sued the NIZ for the unfair playing field that the NIZ has created.  Attorneys for the NIZ say that the Plaza owners made a bad business decision in 2006, and overpaid for the building.  Of course the Plaza owners are correct,  an unlevel playing field is an understatement.  To add insult to actual injury, the NIZ board has decreed that Jaindl can apply a percentage of the taxes paid by the Talen workers for his debt service.   The Plaza owners were not the only owners hurt by the NIZ.  Among losses by other owners, Doug Frederick is losing Morgan Stanley, Boyertown lost Penn National, and the Masonic Temple lost Buckno Lisicky.

Although Pawlowski and The Morning Call like to say that Allentown has been revitalized,  in truth the revitalization has mostly centered on the wallets of J.B. Reilly, and a few other chosen individuals.  While the pre-opening arena hype spoke of 140 events a year, the white elephant stands idle, all but for a few dozen nights.

I have heard speculation that Pawlowski's overdue indictment might be related to pending charges against some principles involved in the NIZ,  but I don't believe that they are the fish to be fried.  Unfortunately, the NIZ was given a license to steal, from your elected midgets in Harrisburg.

Pawlowski Coming Home To Roost

The consequences of our ambitious mayor from Chicago are coming home to roost, shootings and bodies piling up. The national searches, like for the former police chief, came to naught. His campaign funds, first for governor, and then for United States Senator, are now being used for his defense fund. His refusal to resign, and a newspaper which confuses the press with promotion, has created a slow motion, suspended animation of reality. But, let me say that the reality is not so good anyway.

We have a poverty rate of about 60%, most of whom have no interest in local government. While we have a set of self serving phonies willing to replace our current elected officials, there are some sincere citizens devoting their energy for a better Allentown. You can see them at the City Council meetings asking questions, which are seldom, if ever answered.

ADDENDUM: In 2005, when i ran as an independent for mayor, although shut-out by the Morning Call, i warned about the poverty magnet;  A number of competing programs were actually inducing the poor to move to allentown, in droves.  Pawlowski  contributed to this situation in a number of ways,  funding such organizations with community block funds.  Ten years later,  he thinks that we can build our way out of this situation with a hockey arena,  apparently not.

photocredit:The Morning Call

The Farr Tract; Political Correctness vs. Property Rights

Harvey Farr and his widow left LVHN a 50plus acre tract of land, which they want permission to subdivide, to maximize its value. They are faced off against the Wildlands Conservancy, which claims that it wants to buy the land to preserve it, and Ron Beitler, who is confusing his personal land preservation preferences with his commissioner duties. Although Chris Kocher and his Wildlands Company states that they want to apply for a grant to purchase the land, here's a molovinsky on allentown exclusive; The Wildlands have told other parties over the years that they want their land for preservation, but needs grants. They eventually end up with some of these parcels through donation, but seldom actually ever purchase any of them. They tried to tie up one such parcel on South Mountain for over a decade, hoping that the Wildlands would eventually inherit the property. But here's the real crux of the situation; I knew Harvey Farr, and if it was his desire that the land be preserved by the Wildlands, he would have given it to them.  He didn't give it to them,  and now they're trying to steal it.

ADDENDUM: I believe that Lower Macgunie has already abused the property rights of LVHN on at least on two occasions, by not responding to plans for age restricted housing. Furthermore, I would think that attorneys for the hospital should insist that Ron Beitler recuse himself from any deliberations concerning that parcel, which is already zoned for residential development.

giant flag hung from the Farr Building in 1917

The Morning Call Cheesesteak Sunday

For those of you who thought that The Morning Call couldn't get any more cheesy, wait until tomorrow. The Sunday feature will be on guess what, Vince's Cheesesteaks.  A reporter was offended last fall when I stated that the paper is in the bag for Reilly's NIZ. He thought that I was insulting the journalistic integrity of his associates. My apology, certainly the paper should be concentrating on cheesesteaks.  The promotion shown above was on page 2 of Friday's paper.  Under The Morning Call, in the right hand corner, it reads, The Lehigh Valley's First Source for News.  It's becoming the first source for cheesiness.

Allentown, Cheesesteaks and Murder

Allentown's news yesterday was dominated by cheesesteaks and murder. The cheesesteak story was a contrived Morning Call promotion for their beloved NIZ. While one of J.B. Reilly's props, Tony Lukes, was folding, the paper was promoting the failure as success. They even immediately sponsored a cheesesteak contest, to promote Vinces, the replacement for Tony Lukes. If all that promotion wasn't enough, cheerleader and columnist Bill White did a blog on the cheesesteaks.

Meanwhile, back in the real Allentown, a woman's body was found discarded in a trash bin. If that wasn't urban crime enough, a detective got shot pursuing a suspect in the case. What's our suburban NIZ patron to think about all this? Is that cheesesteak worth getting shot over? I write this with some hesitation. I know that the Morning Call won't stop promoting the NIZ, but they might stop reporting the news.

Morning Call Spins Hard For Reilly's NIZ

When Tony Lukes opened up last year, I was amazed at the hoopla bestowed upon them by The Morning Call. While Zandys' spends their money advertising in the paper every week, the Call wrote promotion after promoting for the cheesesteak competitor. Shown above was but one picture of Pawlowski and Peter Schweyer at the opening.  I was going to write today about the paper's recent promotion of Reilly's Strata 2 loft building, however, I never seem to catch up with their sellout journalism.  Now, that Tony Lukes have decided to turn off the grill, the paper spins that the failure is actually success, because another sandwich vendor is going to take over the space.

 I understand growing pains, and yes, Vinces will do better with a $6 steak sandwich than Tony Lukes did with a $10 sandwich, but to spin closings as growth, strains credibility.  Of course, when it comes to NIZ and The Morning Call, there never was any.

ADDENDUM:  The Morning Call has now started a name your favorite cheesesteak place contest. I  sent the following message to the the owners of Vince's;   i wish vince's success at the new location, but must say that if you guys were opening up on union blvd, there wouldn't be a word written by the morning call, nor a "favorite steak shop" contest. it's reilly's face their trying to save, not yours.   m molovinsky aka political blogger

Democracy of Sorts Sprouting in Allentown

City Council is apparently the hot ticket; I'm pleasantly surprised to learn that sixteen people applied for the open seat. Four of them have been deemed ineligible, because they were not Democrats for a least 30 days prior to their application. Although, I'm not going to list them or comment on them individually, you can find their names in an excellent  Morning Call article by Emily Opilo.  It's a positive sign for democracy in Allentown, that so many people still have more faith in council than I do.  I would think that the volume of candidates will also have a rejuvenating effect of existing council members.  Although, we will remain a one party town for the foreseeable future, candidates are adjusting to that reality.  At least one member of council was a former Republican, who adapted to the current climate.  At some point within the next year,  I expect Pawlowski to resign,  and council will eventually shed those that wore the scarlet P.

Photo of City Council in 2010

King Of The Gypsies

According to my mother, a Gypsy prince was buried in Allentown in around 1970, she knew about such things. She was born in Galgo, Hungary, an area of Transylvania, now part of Romania, near present day Gilgau. In Galgo, the Jews and Gypsies lived on the edge of town. In the early 20's, my grandparents, along with their Gypsy neighbors, came to Bethlehem to work at the Steel. On weekends, to make extra money, my grandparents would open their house and show Hungarian movies. None of their relatives, Jew or Gypsy, save one cousin, survived the nazi's; even the cemeteries were desecrated. As you can see from the document above, my grandfather earned his citizenship the hard way.

REPRINTED FROM DEC. 23, 2007

UPDATE: The Morning Call has the story about the Gypsies coming to Allentown.

Not Feeling Allentown's Renaissance.

Every couple of years, as a fund raiser, the Allentown Art Museum features a renovated house tour. A headline on Sunday's society page read, SOTA 2016 Show House reflects Allentown renaissance. I understand that the word renaissance should be in play with a $billion dollars of new development, but you know what, I don't feel it. Understand, that I'm downtown every week. I've been in all the new buildings, I even ate at most of the new restaurants, but I still don't feel it. Actually, nobody does, except the headline editor at The Morning Call, and I'm not sure that he feels it either, but perhaps if it's repeated enough? The Morning Call building is for sale, and although it's across the street from the rest of the NIZ, it's included in the beneficial zone. The Morning Call, despite all the articles promoting the NIZ, has never justified why their building was included. Besides the second zone area by the waterfront, the only other outside parcel included was the Sacred Heart Hospital. Considering all the community benefit that institution has provided the poor of center city, its inclusion was well justified. How about some self-reflection by the paper on their inclusion, now that would be a worthwhile column for Bill White.

No Humility in Allentown

When Pawlowski gave the State Of The City address last month, he was very gentle on both himself and John Felch, Director of The Lehigh  Conference of Churches.  That's the organization that cast the homeless out into the storm.  Felch placed an editorial in the paper on Friday, and painted  the incident as a learning experience.  Mr. Felch, allow me to expand your lesson plan.  Mrs. Pawlowski started a Commission On The  Homeless in 2006.  In 2014, they were still sleeping on the basement floor of St. Paul's Church. Last year,  they moved to the floor at Alliance Hall. This winter, nine years later, they started the warming station at the Fountain Park Pool House.

From the City Website: In January of 2006, representatives of the City of Allentown and the Lehigh County Conference of Churches met to discuss the city’s unsheltered homeless. During this meeting the homeless persons living underneath the city’s Eighth Street Bridge where of particular concern due to the unsanitary conditions found in this location. In order to address these concerns, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski appointed a Commission to End Chronic Homelessness charged with developing a ten-year plan to end chronic homelessness in the City.

In the ten years the Pawlowski's certainly didn't end homelessness in Allentown, but it appears that they did manage to add to the corruption in the city.

If the Pope can wash the feet of the homeless, you would think that Felch, after endangering their lives, could be a little more contrite.

Nestlé and The Wildlands Conservancy

In the Nestlé corporate office they must snicker about the Lehigh Valley. While communities across America fight to defend their water, Don Cunningham actually wooed them when he was County Executive. If that wasn't enough, the Wildlands Conservancy legitimizes them with contrived Nestlé children's days and other acts of prostitution. Nestlé returns the favor with substantial contributions to that corrupted organization.

Elsewhere, from Monroe County in the Poconos, to Casade Lords in Oregon, communities are fighting back against Nestlé, the biggest producer of bottled water in the world. Understand,  that the water they extract is free, and they sell it for over a buck a bottle. Their business is worth hundreds of millions in Pennsylvania alone, billions across the country. With the corrupt Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection's blessings, they are sucking Pennsylvania dry from seven different sites across the state, taking over 200,000 gallons from each location each day. They, like their local shill and student, The Wildlands Conservancy, feign concern for the environment.

Steering Allentown's Titanic

I was told that Pawlowski mentioned the demolition of the two Parkway Dams and the repair of the WPA wall as an accomplishment of his administration, at yesterdays meeting on sustainability. The reality of course is that he depreciated the iconic park system, along with Allentown's reputation. The administration has been compared to the Titanic recently by a number of people. But, imagine boarding the Titanic in England, with the foreknowledge that it's going to sink. That's the tough position new hires face at City Hall. There has been some speculation that Pawlowski is a powerless lame duck. Unfortunately, that's not entirely true. He still has the power to hire and fire. City Council has decided to re-evaluate the tax collection contract that it readily previously approved, along with dozens of other yes votes.

Pawlowski will be indicted by the FBI at some point in the future. They could do Allentown a large favor, and expedite the charges.

The Re-use of Allentown's Factories

A few years ago, Allentown changed its zoning to allow the adaptive re-use of its factories for apartments, with less variances required. One gentleman converted a number of former industrial buildings along the Jordan Creek. Of course, all these specific proposals used words like loft and upscale to help persuade city planning and zoning. For the most part, those new units are not high end, nor do they attract a different clientele than the thousands of other intercity apartments. I have mixed feelings about the conversions. One on end, I tend to be a property rights guy, who supports the owner's decision regarding best use of his property. On the other side, I realize that these units are adding to the density issues in Allentown, and problems facing the school district.

Planners are concerned about the lack of available parking for a current proposal to convert the building at 10th and Turner (shown above) into apartments. Ironically, to help facilitate the NIZ, Allentown Parking Authority was willing to sell off many its surface lots to connected developers. Nothing is applied very evenly in Allentown, if it's parking, zoning or any other right.

Sacred Cows

Yesterday's post(in 2008) questioning the expanded mission of a popular local charity drew only one reaction from a indignant reader, I thought there would be more. Alfonso Todd, local activist, actually complimented the concept of applying diligence to our giving. About twenty years ago I formally opposed a Habitat For Humanity Project. Their plan for three new houses would have blocked the side window in a property I managed, denying my dwelling both light and air. Habitat's plan was endorsed by the City, The Redevelopment Authority and defended by the city solicitor. After the hearing, at which I prevailed, Habitats Regional Director came up to apologize to me. Seems they went with their standard straight wall plan to save time and money, even though everyone knew blocking a neighbors window was improper. He told me they were such a sacred cow that nobody had ever opposed them before.
reprinted from May of 2008 

ADDENDUM February 2016: People and corporations love sacred cows and united funds, it makes our charity giving so much easier, and makes us feel better about ourselves. Three recipients of the United Way of Lehigh Valley are CACLV, Lehigh Council of Churches and Wildlands Conservancy. All three are well established sacred cows in their own right, and receive many direct contributions. So, if you're inclined to tear down a picturesque dam, or put a homeless person out into a snowstorm, now you know how to fund it.

The Lehigh Parkway Entrance Wall

When the Lehigh Parkway wall collapsed last summer, it was no surprise to me. The city already had barricades along the leaning wall for three years. During that time the city had two chief engineers and three park directors, none of whom made the wall a priority. During those years I spoke with all five of them, and got five different stories. We are now informed that the missing section will be replaced by May. The new wall section is to be poured concrete, faced in stone along the Parkway entrance. I have received several inquires as to my opinion of this plan. As the main advocate for the WPA, I have no problem with this method of replacement construction. In addition to being a barrier along the road, the wall is primarily a retaining wall, holding up the roadway. Concrete will satisfy the engineering requirements, and the visible portion will be faced in the original stone. This method was utilized at Union Terrace, when the Union Street bridge was replaced last year. So, while I approve of the planned method, some other observations and criticism are also in order.

The wall was a victim of neglect, as is most of the WPA structures throughout the park system. The wall was in dire need of mortar repointing, especially on the top. That particular entrance was built with a concrete drainage swale along the road, to keep rainwater from pushing against the wall itself. At some point the swale was paved over, extending the macadam right to the wall. I suspect that vehicle weight exerted enormous pressure through the macadam now against the wall, especially being on a curve. For a number of years now, since the closing of the park depot by the stadium, heavy trucks  have added to the exerted pressure. Last, but not least, in heavy storms, the manhole covers blow off at the top of the hill, resulting in enormous amounts of water rushing against the wall. I hope that the city addresses these issues, so that more sections of the original wall are not endangered.

In addition to replacing the missing section of the wall, they will also repoint just a small portion of the remaining wall. For a city that just spent $1.4 Million dollars to buy unneeded, distressed land from a Pawlowski campaign contributor, it is a crime to have neglected these WPA structures. 

surveying the fallen wall day of collapse

Before Corruption Tainted Allentown

It's becoming apparent that Chicago native Ed Pawlowski introduced a new level of corruption to Allentown. Going back to the Daddona and Heydt years there was certainly cronyism, but these native Allentonians always put the city first. Neither they or their predecessors had ambitions beyond being mayor of Allentown. Pawlowski, on the other hand, thought that he was a political sophisticate in a land of local yokels. He imported out of town subordinates, and tried to cultivate connections with outside king makers. One example of those ambitions was the ill fated Delta Thermo plant proposal. When he allowed council chambers to be overwhelmed with out of town union workers, he was showing his contempt for local opinion.

I have watched Allentown's iconic park system be abused and depreciated by outside priorities. Others have noticed mismanagement in other departments. Now is the time for those who have been silent to speak up. Now is the time for those of us who have spoken out, to do so much louder.

A Vacancy In Allentown's Democracy

When I ran for office in 2014, I asked Michael Donovan to serve on my vacancy committee, an obscure requirement for independents. He kindly accepted. Michael knew of such things, because he had run the year before as an independent for mayor. Michael and I became acquainted about a decade ago, both as advocates for a better city. Although Michael was a liberal democrat, and I am anything but, we found many common denominators.

While Michael became somewhat critical of the NIZ this past year, as a former city councilman he never regretted voting for it. He believed that it still has the potential for community benefit, to help Allentown's underclass. Until just a few weeks ago, we would often discuss local current events over coffee in the morning. Although he was fighting a progressively aggressive illness, this past summer he made a cross country motor trip to visit his sons.

Michael was a dedicated college professor and a proud father. His optimism and energy, even while fighting cancer, spoke volumes about his character. His passing leaves a void in Allentown's democracy.

photographed at The Epicenter

The Photography and Politics of Lehigh Valley

K Mary Hess is an extraordinarily gifted landscape photographer, whose soft, sensitive use of color gives her images a painterly quality. Her page on Facebook, Photos Of Lehigh Valley, receives thousands of views each week.

The criminal investigation of Allentown City Hall has now spread to both the Parking Authority and Lehigh County.  The private tax collecting agencies used are so lucrative that they pay our local government for the contract. They made their money on the fines and fees, levied on the backs of the citizen voters.  The Parking Authority charges more per hour than resort cities.

Fortunately, we have local gifted artists,  to give us some pause and respite from the corruption surrounding us.

Photography Page of K Mary Hess

The Art and Politics of Lehigh Valley

Usually, when you meet a good artist who is prolific, they are also so versatile it's hard to define their work.  Among many other descriptions, it can be said that Alison Bessesdotter makes tranquil paintings and watercolors that resemble fabric.  She also makes fabrics which resemble paintings. Her tools, paint, brush and sewing machine are used interchangeably, sometimes all on one piece. If that merging isn't enough, she also puts her art on wearables, such as jackets and wristbands. Bessesdotter's studio is located at the Banana Factory in South Bethlehem.

A line on her page says slow art made here.  While her high quality art is made painstakingly slow, our local politics are fast and sloppy.

Allentown City Council appointed one of their own to the controller position, Jeff Glazier.  He was originally appointed to city council, and only managed to get elected with assist from the Pawlowski PAC.  Although his latest appointment is a disappointment,  he creates an opportunity for council to finally rise above its tainted reputation.  Once again council will have to appoint another new council member,  and therein lies its chance for redemption.

editor's note: I have wanted to feature some good artists and history, however, our bad government hasn't provided an opening.  Perhaps some good images will sweeten the bad taste from our elected officials.

Artist's Website

Jennings Remains True To His Mission

Over the years, Alan Jennings and I have become friendly. That's pretty amazing, considering that in 2005, if I succeeded with my long shot run for mayor as an independent, I would have locked him up in the basement at city hall. During that period I started proclaiming that Allentown was becoming a poverty magnet, which was a very politically incorrect thing to say. But as a landlord, I knew how many organizations were fixing up hardcore non-workers with move-in money, and what the long term consequence to Allentown would be. Of course, I was profoundly correct, and the consequences are now very obvious.

Yesterday, Alan had an editorial in The Morning Call, which called on Allentown to increase* and improve its affordable housing. Alan stays true to his mission, and I must likewise stay true to my observations. It is self evident that there is no shortage of affordable housing in Allentown, or we simply wouldn't have such a high poverty level. Jennings suggests that people report both deficient landlords and tenants. Systems are already in place for the landlord problem, and what would you do with the problem tenants? Because I remain politically incorrect, I suggest we need only observe the endless litter in the area north of Linden Street, to appreciate our problem is much more than a few bad apples.

Allentown has become a place with the urban problems of usually much larger cities. That toothpaste is not going back into the tube. While these larger cities have spent decades and $billions looking for corrective programs, solutions remain evasive. I commend Alan for his advocacy, but don't look for a fix, much less a quick one.

*ADDENDUM: Alan Jennings has pointed out to me that no where in his editorial did he call for additional affordable housing,  only that existing substandard units be improved.

photocredit: The Morning Call

Pawlowski As The Messiah, Special Weekend Edition

I just watched Pawlowski's State Of The City Address, and all I can say is,  move over Jesus, Pawlowski is here.  Considering the elephant in the room, some of his statements were priceless. He praised his administration for providing predictability in government, I hope he wasn't referring to pay to play. Not only did he thank all the little people who rub elbows with the unwashed, he apparently summoned them all there for a shout out. Included in his sermon on the mound were the veterans, the homeless, the Syrian refugees and last but not least, the poor.

 Pawlowski, as I have been recently writing, is a case study in delusion. In the speech, in regard to Allentown's revitalization, he said No one bailed us out. That might be a surprise to the Pennsylvania taxpayers, who have to make up the shortfall being used for J. B. Reilly's building boom.

Mayor Ed ended his speech by saying that service should be above self. I believe a forthcoming indictment will show that he put self above service.

 although I didn't attend the speech, I watched it live courtesy of WFMZ-69.

Subpoena and Award Same Week, Only In Allentown

This week Boyle Construction, received both an award from the Chamber of Commerce, and is the subject of a subpoena to the Allentown Parking Authority.  I believe that it may actually be the second  time the company has appeared on a FBI inquiry, the first at city hall. Seems as if the Feds are interested in the new Parking Authority Deck at 6th and Walnut, and it's connection to contributions to Pawlowski's campaign fund.  Boyle beat out other Pawlowski contributors also being probed, including J.B. Reilly, Jack Rosen and Pennrose. None of the mentioned have been charged with any crime. One must wonder exactly what attribute the Chamber awarded.  I had just mentioned in a recent post that both the Parking Authority and the Park Department have been tainted by Pawlowski shenanigans.  Iannelli invited Candida Affa to a recent taping of Business Matters.  She has served faithfully as a rubber stamp on the Parking Authority,  and now has been promoted to City Council.

Although it was my hope to  end the week with a historical post,  this town provides no rest for a political blogger,  as the Morning Call called me announcing my condensed flirtation with running for the state house.

On that subject,  since I dropped out, I have discussed the election with several of the movers and shakers in the local Republican Party.  In my short candidacy, I described myself as an outsider, and that's almost too insider for me.  The values and methods of political parties don't do much for me,  I'll be re-registered as an independent before this ink dries.

My staff informs me that I haven't insulted the Morning Call or Bill White in two days.  Yesterday, Bill White reguritated the Homeless Put Out In The Snow Story.  He repeated a mistake in the paper's first story on the incident,  that the shelter is half a mile away from Zion Church.  As I mentioned before,  the distance is at least double that, and mostly uphill to boot. Hopefully,   Bill will make that walk as research for the next rendition.

Bob Smith Jr. Times Two

Its been a long time since anybody used a pack of matches to advertise a political campaign. Who knows, maybe with marijuana becoming fashionable, someone will again use a match pack to make a point. Most local politicos know Bob Smith, long time Allentown School Board member. Bob also had a flirtation with city council and running for mayor. He actually sat on council as a appointed member when Spinoza gave up his seat. Pictured on the matches is an earlier Bob Smith Jr., who also ran for several offices, including mayor. The first Bob also owned and operated the diner at 19th and Tilghman Streets for a number of years.


I present this short political history hopefully as a transition from politics to history.  I'm hoping the political commotion in Allentown slows down enough to allow some long overdue history posts.

National Public Radio Confuses Corruptions In Allentown

National Public Radio made an understandable mistake Friday evening,  when they directly combined an outrageous state incentive program, of over a $billion dollars, with Allentown municipal corruption.   Again, it is a natural misunderstanding,  considering the amount of money involved and the greed in Pennsylvania.

The NIZ, the state program designed by state senator Pat Brown, did foster a $billion dollar development at 7th and Hamilton.  That incentive program is morally wrong, untimely with Pennsylvania's financial woes, and based on cronyism,  but is legal. There has been no suggestion of criminal misconduct with any of that development,  they have a license to steal from the taxpayers.

Two blocks away at City Hall,  the mayor, who incidentally was not instrumental in passing the NIZ as reported by NPR,  couldn't stand all that money flowing, without him getting a small taste.  He and his campaign manager decided to bend the arms of normal vendors to city service, who are not directly linked to the NIZ development up the street.

So, the smell of all that money up the street corrupted the mayor, and the custom designed development scheme there should be illegal,  but they remain two separate issues.

Allentown's Homeless Under The Bridge

When the Pawlowski's were crowned in 2006, the homeless were living under the 8th Street Bridge and kids were swimming in Fountain Park Pool, both shown in the old postcard above. While the king set about depreciating the park system, and closing the pool by hiring people with no institutional knowledge of the park system, the queen had a special spot in her heart for the homeless. Though her compassion, her new commission had meetings, but the plight of the homeless never actually improved, being shuttled from one basement floor to another.

This year, an imperfect improvement seemed as if it might help. The changing house at the now abandoned pool was converted into an overnight warming station, complete with beds. Earlier this fall, I complained that because of its remote location,  it was actually an internment camp. Little did I know that unfortunately it was worse than that, because the homeless were forced out Saturday morning into the blizzard. In any direction, it's a very long steep walk to the next shelter from the storm. The director of the Conference of Churches, which manages the facility, explained to The Morning Call; "We did what we were supposed to do and what we are staffed to do," It's not the station's job to remain open during the day — even if there is a blizzard outside.

 In a city with a $Billion Dollars of new development, there is something very sad about this story. At the coming city council meetings,  knowledgeable people will address the council with practical suggestions, about how to address this and other problems. Those sitting up on that dais must start heeding that advise, clearly the existing systems are broken.

Pawlowski Even In Denial About Snowstorm

The Morning Call reports Pawlowski responded to criticism that the city never called a snow emergency prior to the storm. He said one was never called because weather reports didn't indicate heavy snow until three hours prior. Strangely enough, the rest of the United States Eastern seaboard had gotten the warning.

Pawlowski Scandal Rough On Bill White

Bill White, the Morning Call's long time columnist, sat in council chambers last week with a heavy heart.  He's been a staunch supporter of Mayor Pawlowski for all his three terms, and it was painful for him to see one naysayer after another criticize his man.  In White's mind, Pawlowski is the architect of the new Atlantis, aka Allentown's NIZ. He writes in his Sunday column, undeliverable because of snow, the following;

In most respects, this city is much better off than it was when Pawlowski took office. I'm not sure I'd mount his image on a horse next to Gen. Trexler, but perhaps his accomplishments ought to buy him some extra consideration.

 I have thought this over, and think I have a solution for both Ed and Bill.  Perhaps, the General's horse could be named Mayor Ed,  sorta like Roy Rogers' horse had a name.  A plaque could be added to the statue in Trexler Park.

photo attribution: Mr. Ed The Talking Horse

The Psychological Pathology of Pawlowski

In a stunning accusation worthy of inclusion in psychology journals, Ed Pawlowski blames the anti-corruption laws created because of him, for slowing down the workings of city hall.  After Pawlowski corrupted the city contract process, resulting in three FBI indictments so far, Pawlowski claims that the new rules are responsible for reports of inefficiency by city workers.  As someone with many sources in the city,  I can tell you that morale has been decimated since the investigation began in July, long before any new regulations were formulated.  Actually, the work atmosphere with city workers has been tense for years, even long before any of the recent accusations came to light.  Before recent charges of criminality, Pawlowski was well known for being vindictive.

Although, I believed that he wouldn't leave city hall until led out in handcuffs, it's now becoming apparent that he might have to be removed from the building in a straightjacket.

selfie of Pawlowski and United States Secretary of Housing,  taken on Thursday.

Julio Guridy's Confession

                                                                                             photo by molovinsky

Julio Guridy is the longest serving member of the current city council, on at least his fourth term. I didn't attend the council meeting Wednesday night, but according to the Morning Call, Julio's speech was the longest, and today they printed his entire text. Julio essentially said, over and over, that he worked with Pawlowski on city matters for fifteen years, and believes that they both contributed much to the city. However, his statement near the end of rambling speech is startling.

We are the stewards of the city's money. I'll give an example. Just in December, we had a big budget, $100 million budget. And I didn't think it was the right thing to pass that budget. Basically, I thought that budget needed some work. Basically, I disagreed with some of the things, and for the first time since Pawlowski has been mayor, I voted against that budget.

Herein lies the trouble with Guridy and the entire city council. It was the first time Julio voted no against something advocated by Pawlowski. Council is supposed to use their no vote as a strategic negotiating tool to help mold better policy, not just vote, yes, yes, and yes. Guridy may be proud of his service to the city, but one must ask how he justifies only voting no once in twelve years.

EXTRA, EXTRA SPECIAL WEEKEND EDITION POST AT 5:00PM THIS AFTERNOON

Pawlowski's Continuing Damage

In 2006, shortly after Pawlowski started his first term, he hired Francis Dougherty to be Managing Director. In the previous two years, City Council had rejected the idea of changing from a strong mayor system to the manager system, with a ceremonial mayor. So when Pawlowski hired Dougherty, we actually ended up paying for both systems. Additionally, Pawlowski created three other positions which had never before been part of the mayor's office. In 2007, when this blog started, I often wrote about the top heavy 5th floor at City Hall. Last night, Pawlowski had a statement read into the record at Council, which ended with the following statement; I thank you for your consideration and I apologize I am not able to be there personally tonight but am in Washington representing our great city at the US Conference of Mayors. With the dark cloud floating over Pawlowski, we certainly are not being well represented at that conference. If his concern was the city, and not himself, he would have instead sent one of the many underlings he has created to Washington.

Although he will bring no value to us in the conference in Washington this week, he continues to inflict actual damage back here in Allentown. The Parking Authority, and it's director, has been tainted by his involvement in the bid to construct their latest parking deck. In another involvement, the Park Department, and it's director, has been tainted by the recent purchase of the Atiyeh parcels.  It's general knowledge that City Hall and all its departments are more less paralyzed by the current cover your back mentality.

I'm not surprised by his refusal now to put the city first. I opposed him first in 2005 as an independent candidate for mayor, then as a frequent speaker at council, and letter writer to the paper. In 2007, I began this blog, which largely opposed Pawlowski's policies. At that time, Allentown thought he was wonderful, including the local blogosphere. Allentown will survive, until which time he's taken away.

Allentown City Council's Faux Redemption

Tonight, Allentown City Council will vote unanimously for Ed Pawlowski to resign, or as Daryl Hendricks concedes, commit political suicide. Although, it might be a public demonstration for redemption, we who watched the rubber stamps in action for so long are not impressed. Only two weeks ago, Candida Affa was still publicly expressing support for Pawlowski.

A more valid test for redemption will occur at the next meeting, when council chooses the new controller. Two of the candidates, Jeff Glazier and Erlinda Aguiar are confirmed Pawlowskites, and benefited from his association.

For those students of political science interested in Allentown's fall from grace, only this blog has the whole story, starting a decade ago, when The Morning Call and Allentown thought that Pawlowski could walk on water.

Morning Call Still Promoting For Reilly

On Friday, the Morning Call ran a special on Hess's. I could tell that the reporter actually never experienced the store, but I neither fault him or the paper for that. There are few places to find historical perspective on Allentown anymore,  this blog being one of them. But, what I do fault the paper for is the following line; Today, Allentown is undergoing a transformation that has brought an arena and high-end businesses and restaurants to the area dominated by Hess's.

Allentown becoming a dining destination is wishful thinking.  Allentown again becoming a high end shopping district is delusional.   Sage and the Moravian Bookstore were induced by J.B. Reilly to open here with irresistibly cheap rent, they were not attracted by any success of the area.  Furthermore,  after the failure of Shula's, it diminishes the paper's credibility to continue the Reilly NIZ myth.

At some point, after it was apparent to others, the paper starting portraying the disgraced city government for what it is.  At what point will the paper realize that the arena zone is a taxpayer funded, privately owned bonanza,  for just a few people.

Allentown, A Revoltin Development

When I was a kid, at the end of each episode of The Life Of Riley, William Bendix would say, What a revoltin development this is. Imagine how poor J.B. Reilly feels, one $Billion dollars worth of development, and everyday the headline reads that the mayor is a crook, although not yet charged with any crime. Worse yet, is the realization of all the shenanigans, and all the willing players. If city hall and the council chamber would be really purged, there wouldn't be enough people left to run the city. Truth be told, this city deserves the scandal. Whoever heard of electing people endorsed by a mayor everybody knew was going to be indicted. Instead of starting off city council meetings with a prayer for good judgement, they should instead apologize, for all their poor decisions.

News sources state that council will finally vote no confidence in Pawlowski. Each meeting more citizens express no confidence in council. Vicky Kistler will take over Community Development. Although, she has no experience in many aspects of that department, and the head of Building and Code just retired, she should do no damage. In all due respect, beyond everyday city operations, City Hall should be making no major decisions or initiatives; They no longer have the moral authority.

For my skepticism about municipal intentions, several years ago Bill White called me dour and misguided. In my mind that's much better than indicted, which will soon describe those he admired.

The Lies Of Allentown

2016 isn't shaping up as a good year for Allentown. As the top floor of City Hall is being arrested, Pawlowski remains in psychological denial, still putting up inane facebook posts in the early morning. J.B. Reilly could also be more truthful about Shula's closing. He told the Morning Call "We're certainly interested in a more lower-cost concept that has a broader appeal to the community and neighborhoods,"   Now, we all know that he doesn't really want a neighborhood friendly eatery below his millennials at Strata Flats. He's trying to sell those tenants an image which doesn't include the underclass.  Besides, Allentown gave them their own shopping and eating district further out 7th Street, and would prefer to keep them on the north side of Linden Street.

Anyway, even as a dour and misguided blogger who never got with the program, I couldn't have written this script if I had tried. Which donkey will the FBI pin the tail on this week?

Inside Lehigh Valley Politics

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Outside Straight Shooter Folds

When I ran for State Representative in 2014 as an independent, I was shocked by the partisan attitude of many of the people I had worked with on various causes throughout the years. None of those involved with the local Democratic or Republican party actively helped me. I did receive help from people active in various causes, but only from those best described as non partisan. I appreciated their help, and we managed to man a few polling places. In this current effort, even as an outsider Republican, once again I face that partisan wall. I've had a number of people volunteer to assist in gathering signatures, but the response has not been sufficient to encourage me. Unlike other people seeking the office, I'm not looking for a career. I have not accepted any contributions. My motive was providing more conscientious representation in Harrisburg, for an interested public. Between the public indifference and the party politics, I have decided to cease pursuing the Republican nomination. Perhaps the public will become more interested in this election as the year progresses, in which case I will still be eligible as an independent. Again, I want to thank those who offered me their time and support.

Little Apple Peaks

I believe that the Little Apple, Allentown's Revitalization, has peaked. Shula's closure signaled that we're over the peak, on the downslope. I'm sure that the owner gave J.B. Reilly ample notice to keep him open, if J.B. was inclined to pony up with another round of gift cards. I don't know if it's true, but I was told that they even tried to get the street singer back to do Barbara Ann. If J.B. himself wasn't the operator, likewise the hotel and Dime would have closed already. Now, don't cry for J.B.. The core money stream, the office workers income tax, will keep the show in production.

I always enjoy it when the Morning Call takes one of my 250 word themes and turn it into a feature story, complete with graphs and charts. Such was the case Sunday, when they conceded that gentrification never got past the Strata Flats. They still sell the company line that those apartments are full, despite no people or lights at night.  If those empty units are indeed leased to corporations, is it an arrangement which allows a large portion of the residential building to also utilize the NIZ funding mechanism?  With the NIZ being self regulated, nobody oversees the public interest.  It's not like Pennsylvania has any revenue shortfalls to worry about.

photo:The Morning Call

Send The Truth To Harrisburg

In the picture above I'm debating the NIZ, on Tony Iannelli's Business Matters, with Mike Fleck. This of course was before the FBI investigation, Fleck's disappearance, and all the subpoenas. This blog, published for the last eight years, has been telling the truth,  and nothing but the truth,  although often times not well received by our "leaders".  With your help, I'll represent the upper Lehigh Valley with same honestly and tenacity in Harrisburg. I need the help of registered Republicans to gather enough signatures to appear on the ballot. If your willing to give me a couple hours help, please contact me at 610 395-1815 or mmolovinsky@aol.com

Fighting The Political Machine

As an advocate, blogger and now candidate, I can tell you that it's not easy fighting against the political machine. Last time out, I ran as an independent, in a state that hasn't elected one since the 1930's. This time I'm running as a Republican, but now against established insider connections. Although change is always an election buzzword, neither the party or voters seem to really put value on it. Quite the contrary, with representatives usually serving for ten and more terms. They talk about property tax reform, pension reform and any kind of reform popular at the time. Truth is nothing changes, neither the representatives, term after term, or the policies in Harrisburg.

The Morning Call's political correspondent in Harrisburg finally acknowledged that I'm running, but referred to me as an independent. With your help  I'll correct him, when I'm sworn in as the first real outsider representative. I need help gathering the signatures during the last week in January and first week in February, in order to be on the ballot. Those who circulate the petition must be registered Republicans. I can be reached at 610 395-1815 or mmolovinsky@aol.com

UPDATE: Steve Esack made corrections to his Capital Ideas.  As a long time advocate and critic, even  occasionally of the newspaper,  I appreciate the fairness.

Obama Inadvertently Promotes Gun Frenzy

Obama's televised speech on gun control from the White House was wrought with emotion. I don't believe that there is anybody not profoundly saddened by children being shot.  However, the relationship between such revulsion and his proposals is very vague. Virtually all guns bought and sold through various venues, ultimately involve a FFL dealer, and a background check of the buyer. I don't know what tiny loophole Obama really closed yesterday by executive order, but I'm sure that it will result in a buying frenzy, that will profoundly outweigh the few sales it curtails. Worse yet, I'm sure that the White House knew that while his action would affect only a few dozen transactions, it would foster the sale of a few hundred thousand more guns. This is a pattern that has repeated itself, over and over again. I'm not advocating a gun policy, but know that grandstanding on the issue serves no good end.

Julio Guridy Cries His Way To The Bank

                                                                       photo by molovinsky        

Julio Guridy, Allentown's current longest standing council member, lost the vice presidency of council last night. Last year he lost the presidency, which is the current backdoor to being mayor. With Pawlowski's pending baggage, this could well be the year that a council president moves up, via resignation. However, don't cry for Julio, once Allentown's rising star. About a decade ago, the Hispanic power brokers in Philadelphia got Julio appointed to the Joint Toll Bridge Commission, with which he has earned close to $100 grand a year ever since, for a no-show, nonsense job.

Julio's job and hundreds like it, really motivate me to get to Harrisburg and address that bed of corruption. There are dozens of commissions, with political plum no-show jobs, sucking $millions from the taxpayer.

I'm currently wrestling with an obstacle on my plan to run under the Republican banner. The window to gather Republican signatures is short, and being an outsider gives me no access to the party's organizational advantage.  Hopefully, some party members who recognize the voters mood will want someone unique on the ticket,  and step forward to help me with this hurdle.  One things for sure, nobody will be offering me a no-show commission job to be a good boy.