Allentown Budget Cover Finally Gets An Inside

Last night Allentown finally got a budget for 2024. The saga between the mayor and council involved a veto, and threats of no Christmas in 2024, if there was no tax increase. Although the new budget has no increase,  a holiday sustainability position was created to insure that holidays continue.

If this report seems a little flippant, it's because Allentown once again failed the Molovinsky Civility Test. Once a month I drive Tilghman Street, from Cedar Crest Blvd. to Front Street...That drive tells me everything I need to know about the state of the city. When you have drivers still double parking on Tilghman Street at 5:00pm, the Administration continues to fail the test.  A few $500 tickets would cure that condition.  It's appropriate that there is no tax increase... City Hall is preoccupied with making everyone feel welcome, except for the taxpaying homeowners.

The cover shown above was created by Osorio Canas, a senior at William Allen.

City Hall Insults The Neighborhood

This is a post which I spent a week trying not to write. It is a story of favoritism and abuse of power. About four years ago a homeowner, in a quiet south side neighborhood, moved out and rented the house to his brother. Under Allentown regulations this property hence became a rental property, and subject to license and inspection procedures. As it turns out, these brothers are childhood friends with an Allentown inspector. The second brother, the tenant, has been disruptive in the neighborhood by every criterion relevant to code enforcement. The property became unkempt and subject of numerous police calls, including the SWAT team. All calls for relief from surrounding properties seemed to end up with the family's inspector friend, and brought no relief from the problems. Allentown has been very pro-active with problem properties. In the first eight months of 2010, 342 properties received orange tags, forcing the property to be vacated. Most tags were issued for problems significantly more minor than those occurring in the subject of this post. This past October, the bank foreclosed on the property. The tenant legally became a squatter. A neighbor's complaint resulted in another inspector discovering that the bank owned property was an unregistered rental, and he issued a 30 day to vacate tag for illegal occupancy. It appeared that finally the neighbors would get relief from the trash, noise and police calls. The childhood friend inspector intervened, and the 30 day notice was never enforced. My efforts with the inspector on behalf of the other property owners (including myself) were to no avail. I have spent the week documenting the problem up the chain of command, right to the Mayor's office. Although the property is in gross violation of code, the illegal tenant is allowed to remain. Although in the last eight months police have surrounded the property several times in complete violation of the disruptive tenant ordinance, the occupant remains. In typical City Hall fashion, they have circled the wagons around the inspector, around their own. They are now actually trying to work with the bank and make him the homeowner. The top photo is the back yard on May 9, 2011, with years worth of garbage. You will be happy to know that a city contractor has now been hired to clean the property and cut the grass, at your expense. The City's course of action is a total insult to the neighbors. I did see some inspectors today, they were walking around my property. 

above reprinted from June of 2011

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 13, 2021: During the Pawlowski regime, city code enforcement was weaponized.  As both a landlord and blogger, I took on substantial personal risk to expose the Pawlowski regime for its corruption.  While the Morning Call borrowed some my other blog posts without attribution, they never once used ones about city hall shenanigans...That's why Pawlowski got away with things for so long. 

I'd like to tell you that city hall is completely cleaned up, but it isn't. Just two years ago I had to defend an east side woman from code abuse. While things are certainly better at city hall, it's still filled with people who were appointed and promoted during Pawlowski's three plus terms. While there's still a residual arrogance of power there, I'm hopeful for a more accountable city hall as time passes.  

Although the years have slowed this blog down somewhat, I'm still on patrol.

ADDENDUM JUNE 10, 2022: While there's a new mayor, any change remains to be seen. Matt Tuerk chose to keep everybody in place at city hall, including code enforcement. While I understand his reluctance against a clean sweep, some changes were in order. 

Tuerk has been preoccupied with inclusion and making all citizens feel welcome. While that's all nice and good, the time has come to start improving the rights of the property owners...The right to equal and fair treatment by all the departments within the city.

ADDENDUM DECEMBER 12, 2023: What is bringing on these Code Department inequity posts is the statement by Vicky Kistler that she was offended by the rumor that the code department was in a reprisal mode when they inspected the Hamilton Business Center last week. I have no knowledge of that situation or the appropriateness of the city action.  I do have extensive knowledge of historical abuse by the code department. She (Kistler) should take no offense at any lingering rumors.

Closing The Monument Building

One morning in early July of 2008, code enforcement descended upon the Monument Building like a swat team. Every officer, in every department in the city entered the building at the same time, and spread out looking for every possible violation. Under the previous owner, the same conditions, with the same tenants, were lauded as a rebirth. Whatever motivated Pawlowski to pull the plug on the new owner, the tenants were lightweights, of no consequence. At that time myself and few other malcontents, like Lou Hershman, would gather very early in the morning for coffee at Jerry's Cafe, located on the first floor. The building had begun its life as the 1st National Bank. After being closed for many years, it reopened as Corporate Center. The new buyer renamed it Monument Building. 

645 Hamilton Street was torn down, to be replaced by J.B. Reilly's Two City Center. Let me tell you the story of the little people, who were disposed of along the way.

The previous April,  Pawlowski wrote "I want to thank Valley Latino TV Show and Magazine for keeping the Latino community informed. Your dedicated effort shows commitment..congratulations... I wish you great success!" Along with the magazine and television studio, a graphic art designer, a festival promoter, and a security company were displaced.  The Morning Call, reporting on the violation report from the City of Allentown, described the building as unsafe. It was the same building, with the same tenants, in the same condition, as before. Unlike the city inspectors, or the paper's reporter, I was there every day for coffee at Jerry's Cafe. Jerry's was not one of the upstart businesses blessed with a grant. He had to pay for everything, and everything had to be inspected, inside out. His plans had to be approved, his electric and plumbing had to be approved, his grill and hood system had to be approved. City inspectors in and out of the building during this process included no less than plumbing, electrical and health. Although violation report issued to the building after the raid listed extension cords, it failed to note that those cords were attached to a movable lighting grid for the Latino Television production studio, and were cords by design. Although the city citation report cited unlicensed businesses, it omitted the fact that the lower level was occupied by Sassi, which performs drug testing for the Lehigh County, and the city's action caused Melendez Reality and Madison Mortgage, among others,  to vacate. 

I don't know if Pawlowski will teach government in prison, but Molovinsky University will teach how Pawlowski abused Allentown.

reprinted from previous years

photocredit:molovinsky

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 9, 2023: Pawlowski had weaponized code enforcement, and that arrogance  remained within the code staff, even into the O'Connell administration.  Since then there has been personnel changes and retirements... I'm not informed about the current integrity status within that department.

ADDENDUM DECEMBER 11,2023:We learned over the weekend that the Hamilton Business Center at 11th and Hamilton was found in violation of codes. I have no insider information, or even an opinion on the necessity of closing down the building. Vicky Kistler, recently new head of Community and Economic Development, is quoted as saying that she is highly offended by the rumors that it was in retaliation for Tuerk's treatment by council. I think that as a long time city employee, Ms. Kistler, knowing full well the Pawlowski era shenanigans, should not be so offended.  Other news events permitting, this week I will remind Ms. Kistler and readers of some history involving the code department.

Softball With The Mayor

After a no confidence, but no consequence grilling at City Council Wednesday night, Hasshan Batts provided the mayor with the Promise of a friendly Neighborhood on Thursday. Promise employees packed the mid-size room with shoulder to shoulder chairs around the perimeter, with a small circle of chairs in the middle for good measure.

Tuerk's communications manager, Genesis Ortega, gently asked scripted softball questions, allowing Matt to showcase what a wonderful budget he had prepared for 2024.  He explained how just a few more dollars in this and that department would make a great city even better. He mentioned how the fire department was benefiting from a substantial grant, and that grants were something that people in the room were familiar with. A woman in attendance later wrote on her facebook page: We are lucky to have this committed, accessible, optimistic, and realistic public servant at the helm. There was also one elderly homeowner there for a few minutes, who receives no grants, but worried how any tax increase would add to the already announced school and water increases. 

If Tuerk's pared down 2% increase budget gets passed, or council instead overrides his veto of their no tax hike version, remains to be seen.

Images Of Allentown Past

photocredit:molovinsky
Over the years my camera has caught many images which can no longer be seen. Some have been recent victims of the changing city, others not seen for decades.

Evil Eva's/South end of 8th Street Bridge/2005 

reprinted from May of 2013

Distraction And Reality In A Spinning Allentown

While Allentown's attention will be distracted tonight by a possible no confidence vote at City Council, the real political news will take place tomorrow afternoon, at the Promise Neighborhood headquarters. Then and there, Tuerk and Hasshan Batts will reaffirm their mutual beneficial alliance. 

Batts' blackness will certify that Matthew Tuerk and/or his administration does not discriminate against people of color.

Mayor Tuerk's presence signifies that Promise Neighborhoods is indeed a legitimate vessel for our city directed grant money and corporate contributions.

Never mind that the Promise agenda is in conflict with city policy. Hasshan's grab for the former Allentown Toy Factory undone the long standing Allentown Redevelopment Agency.  His mentor program is part and parcel of the defund movement.

While the local MSM will cover the dog and pony show at City Hall,  this blog will concentrate on the real back-scratching fest taking place on Union Street.

The Gordon Street Paint Shop

As a boy growing up in Little Lehigh Manor, I vaguely remember the trolleys. The final switch over to buses occurred in 1953. Although the major trolley and bus barn was the Fairview facility near my house, the Lehigh Valley Transit Company also had other storage and work sites. The west end trolley barn, at 14th and Gordon Streets, also served as their paint shop. Although the location has been a wholesale plumbing supply business for many decades, until recent years the tracks leading into the current warehouse were visible. The photo above dates from 1938, and shows a freshly painted trolley.

reprinted from May of 2013

Junkyard Train

Today, once again we ride a freight train of Allentown's great industrial past. In the early 1970's, the Redevelopment Authority tore down the neighborhood on either side of the Lehigh Street hill. At that time they had persuaded Conrail to move the the Barber's Quarry Branch line exclusively to the southern side of the Little Lehigh. The branch had crossed over and back to service the great Wire Mill. After crossing Lehigh Street, the train would proceed along the creek passing under the 8th Street Bridge. At the 10th Street crossing it would service another great industrial giant, Traylor Engineering. In 2009 President Obama visited a successor, Allentown Manufacturing, which has since closed. The line would continue along the creek until it turned north along Cedar Creek to Union Terrace. After crossing Hamilton Street by the current Hamilton Family Diner, it would end at the current park department building. Nothing remains of the line, the tracks were removed. The Allentown Economic Development Corporation recently received a grant to rebuild the line to 10th Street, even though the plant Obama visited has closed. The neighboring former Mack Plant now houses a go cart track. How the money will be squandered remains to be seen. The top photograph was taken by local train historian Mark Rabenold in 1989. It shows the later relocated section of the track that was just east of the Lehigh Street crossing.

reprinted from March of 2011

The Barbershops Of Allentown's Past

I was never a frequent patron, but one of my reoccurring photographic interests was barbershops. Although Allentown now has more barbershops than ever, mine are from a different era. Some of the shops still exist, although the name and clientele has changed. Shown above is the former K&K, on S. 6th Street.*

All photos on this blog will enlarge when clicked.

ADDENDUM: This post first appeared on this blog in 2013. With the proliferation of many local history facebook groups, including my own Allentown Chronicles, I see much subject matter I covered years ago now being repeated by others.  So, even at the risk of seeming less than original, I still repost older images for the benefit of new readers.

* my photograph is from 1996.  The building no longer exists.

The Hamilton Street Bridge

The current Hamilton Street Bridge was completed in 1959, replacing the former steel trestle bridge. With the new Hamilton Street entrance ramp aligned further to the south, a small portion of front street and a few houses were vacated. Additionally, an entrance ramp was added from Union Street, which previously ended at Front Street. The photo above shows a portion of the earlier bridge and the former A&B meat packing plant, beyond their office building.  The office building has been incorporated into the America On Wheels Transportation Museum. lower photo shows entrance to former steel trestle bridge, with entrance ramp skirting A&B Packing House.

reprinted from May of 2013

Sparring At Allentown City Council

In the latest round of the City Council bout, former Human Relations Director Nadeem Shahzad urges council to proceed with the no confidence vote against the mayor, proposed by councilman Ed Zucal. Shahzad claims that he was forced to resign because he would not fire Karen Ocasio, who has since been dismissed directly by Matt Tuerk. 

Both Shahzad and Ocasio may well be filing discrimination suits. On the back burner is a discrimination investigation championed by Zucal. 

The rumor mill has Zucal considering a run for mayor come election time. I've come to believe that any current candidate has to have some Hispanic flavor, only if it's just a hint of Cuban coffee, as in Tuerk's case.

Shown above courtesy of the floor, at a recent city council meeting.

The Dinosaurs Of Sumner Avenue

Up to the early 1950's, Allentown was heated by coal, and much of it came from Sumner Avenue. Sumner was a unique street, because it was served by the West End Branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The spur route ran along Sumner, until it crossed Tilghman at 17th Street, and then looped back East along Liberty Street, ending at 12th. Coal trucks would elevate up, and the coal would be pushed down chutes into the basement coal bins, usually under the front porches of the row houses. Several times a day coal would need to be shoveled into the boiler or furnace. By the early 1970's, although most of the coal yards were closed for over a decade, the machines of that industry still stood on Sumner Avenue. Eventually, they took a short trip to one of the scrap yards, which are still on the same avenue, but not before I photographed them.

reprinted from 2011

photocredit:molovinsky

Allentown Meat Packing Co.

My grandfather lived on the corner of Jordan and Chew, and butchered in a small barn behind the house. He would deliver by horse and wagon to his customers, corner markets. The house is still there, the barn, long gone. My father, and one of his brothers, acquired the H.H. Steinmetz packing house in 1943. Operating as Allentown Meat Packing, by 1950 they closed the slaughter house, and converted the front of the plant into a meat market open to the public. That continued to 1970, when it was leased to an operator who sold meat by freezer full packages. In 1975 the building was torn down, as part of a long term lease agreement with A&B, who wanted the space for parking. The photo was taken just prior to demolition.

reprinted from January 2011

Lehigh Valley Transit, Clearing The Tracks

One of the challenges faced by The Lehigh Valley Transit Company was keeping the tracks cleared of snow during long winters. Special cars were constructed with huge plows for that purpose, plus some regular passenger cars had small plows mounted on the front for continuous cleanup. Shown above is a special plow car stored at the Fairview Yard.







The trolley system required much more infrastructure than later buses. Shown here is track intersection being constructed in center city Bethlehem. Corresponding electric lines would have to be constructed overhead to power the cars. For your viewing pleasure, here is an introduction to an available video by Gerhard Salomon on the service in Easton.



More information on The Rockhill Trolley Museum

reprinted from May 2010

The Union Street Train Tower

The Union Street crossing was a busy place. It was located between the Jordan Creek and south 3th Street. Virtually all the train lines serving Allentown converged here. The Lehigh Valley Railroad's old main line also crossed Union Street further east, toward the Lehigh River. Allentown was at this time served by two train stations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station which was built over the Jordan Creek, and the New Jersey Central, which still stands as a closed restaurant and bar. This photograph, from 1930, is first in a series which will chronicle both the demise of our railroad era, and manufacturing base. Today, the tower is long gone and only one track survives. It is used by a private short line operator.

photograph from the Collection of Mark Rabenold 

reprinted from July 2011

The Turning Point At City Council

As a blogger/journalist I'm at a table for one. No one accuses me of having favorite politicans or favorite anything...I can't be counted on to take a predictable viewpoint, so most officials have no use for me. However, I do get contacted by activists now and then, willing to roll the dice that I will see things their way. I think that this post may equally offend all. 

The Discrimination Resolution was never in doubt, because of the math. Hendricks proclaimed before the discussion that he would vote against it, and Affa often shares his sentiments on such things. Even if Napoli joined them, co-sponsors Zucal and Gerlach could count on Santos and Mota. Before the Discrimination Issue reached discussion, Tuerk called on Karen Ocasio from HR to explain procedure on sick days. His introduction of her demonstrated that people of color were in positions of regard within city hall. 

The meeting progressed through the various resolutions on the agenda, leaving the investigation of discrimination until last. When Karen Ocasio stood up again to speak, this time as an employee of color who felt victimized, I think that Hendricks and Tuerk knew that they had no chips left to play. 

Photo shows Ocasio walking past Tuerk after testifying about what she felt as harassment in city hall.

above reprinted from September 8, 2023

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 22, 2023: I've never used such a recent reprint before, but who would imagine Tuerk terminating Karen Ocasio so soon after her accusation of discrimination. The optics look so bad I must believe that Tuerk feels that he can document the justification. However, such a justification is lost on Councilman Ed Zucal, who has called for a vote of no confidence over the situation. Tuerk issued a response Tuesday afternoon that he doesn't participate in retaliatory practices. 

I suspect that Matt and Ed are not sharing a holiday meal this week.

Lunch At Dieruff

When I saw the new principal's picture, bow tie and all, I thought the kids at Dieruff  will eat him for lunch. Then, when I read about his background teaching culture,  I wasn't sure that he would even make into the building.  However, with some more research by the blog staff, we think that Mr. Schmidt may do just fine.

We know that being a principal at a high school in Allentown is no cake walk. His predecessor left under murky circumstances. In addition to the student challenge,  the board and administration don't have a supportive reputation.

An article in the Morning Call mentions that the interim principal at Dieruff is well liked by students and staff alike.  They also mention that there will now be a search for a new principal at William Allen. One wonders why not place Mr Schmidt at Allen, and make the popular interim official principal at Dieruff?

Another alternative for Allen might be myself. I remember in mid-1960's, during my last expulsion, it was said that nobody ever spent more time in the principal's office than me.

Anywho, we wish Mr. Schmidt well in his new pursuit.

Union Street Slowdown

By the early 1960's, things had slowed for Allentown's manufacturing base and the rail freight cars that served them. Train lines had consolidated, and tracks and spurs had been removed. Remaining plants were supplied by trucks, and people traveled by bus and car. The remaining train station would soon close, but the term rustbelt had not yet entered the vocabulary. Western Electric (AT&T) on Union Blvd. was now making transistors, and there was still confidence in the new economy. Allentown was the All American City.

reprinted from July 2011

Allentown's Frankenstein, The Parking Authority

The monster, aka Allentown Parking Authority would be hard pressed to pass a polygraph test. In 2005, the former and current director of the Authority, testified in front of City Council that the majority of the merchants wanted the meter rate increased. They lied*. The Authority has always functioned for the betterment of the BIG BOYS on the backs of the smallest among us. In 1991 the Authority purchased the 13 parking lots owned by the declining Park N Shop for well over market price. Profiting from the buyout was Morning Call owner Donald Miller, Department store heir John Leh, Harvey Farr, and a few other good old boys. Keep in mind Hess's and Leh's department stores had their own parking decks, and the meters penalized the small merchants. Today the monster feeds on Allentown's poorest residents. Meters still extend out to 10th and Chew, 5 blocks well beyond the closest store. Over 100,000 tickets a year are issued to Allentown's poorest, mostly the intercity tenants. Now, 15 years after serving the needs of the BIG BOYS, the Authority again schemes for the connected. Now they give away the lots so that developers can have free to cheap KOZ opportunities. The new housing at 8th and Walnut was at the expense of the existing homeowners who used those lots as off street parking. The protest which came from a neighborhood group out of St. Pauls Church was labeled as naysayers to moving Allentown forward. Years ago the Authority paid millions for the lots, paid for them by aggressively ticketing the poor, and now are giving them back to the rich. The current plan is to "sell" a lot at 7th and Linden, used by the Verizon employees, so a developer can make a few bucks on unneeded townhouses.
Easton is beginning to realize their Parking Authority needs scrutiny. If they thought about it more, they may wonder why a town that size even needs an Authority at all. Please join me this wednesday Feb. 27, 4:00 pm at the Monsters house, 10th and Hamilton Sts., to support the Verizon workers attempt to retain their safe and convenient parking.

* I conducted a survey at that time, 40 out of the 47 merchants were opposed to the meter increase.

reprinted from February of 2008

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 17, 2023:Abuse by the Parking Authority continues to this day. In recent times, the few remaining surface lots went to the few NIZ czars, as if their deals weren't sweet enough already!

Turning Out The Light

The train tower on Union Street was demolished in 1971. It survived years beyond need because the gates were never automated, and the remaining track was used for switching freight cars. The junction yard behind the State Hospital property, near the border with Bethlehem, is still active. The freight trains travel south Allentown toward Emmaus several times a day. In the quiet of early morning, you can still hear that whistle almost everywhere in the city.

photograph by Dave Latshaw is part of the Mark Rabenold Collection

reprinted from July 2011

Allentown's Mutiny

When I observed Pawlowski's corruption trial, sitting in the gallery was Phoebe Harris. She and Jessica Lee Ortiz were staunch Pawlowski supporters. 

Mayor Tuerk has not inherited that support, on the contrary. There was an incident at Ortiz's Ark Foundation with a supposed racial slur. I say supposed because the word is used differently by different people, and I'm not qualified to judge what someone meant by it. 

One thing is for certain, the Ortiz's didn't appreciate how Tuerk and his administration reacted. The poster shown above was created by Jessica Ortiz. If City Council will override Tuerk's veto of their no tax hike budget version, or reach a compromise, remains to be seen tonight.

A sure bet is that Ortiz and Harris will be there, along with others dissatisfied with this administration.

Lehigh Valley Railroad

The Lehigh Valley Railroad began as an carrier of anthracite coal in 1846. At it's peak, it stretched from the docks of New York harbor to Lake Erie. Although mostly a freight carrier serving the hearths of Bethlehem Steel, it operated a well known passenger line from New York City to Buffalo, The Black Diamond. As a child in the 1950's, I would sit in the car with my father waiting for the long freight trains to cross Union Street. A train watch tower stood over the busy crossing. By 1976, remnants of the railroad were absorbed by Conrail. Shown above, from the late 1930's, is the streamlined engine of the Black Diamond.

reprinted from January 2011

School Board Considers Cutting Off A Funding Hand

Over the years I attended alot of schools, but certainly not because I was a good student. I always marvel at the persistance of alumni organizations. Never contributing doesn't slow down the mailings. I suppose maybe they figure the alumni, or in my case the brief attendee or more accurately the brief non-attendee, might become senile and make a large contribution...And it almost happened! 

This week I received for the first time an issue of the Allentown School District Foundation's annual appeal and report. I was impressed about the good work of the foundation. Since its inception the foundation has raised $8.8 million dollars for the school district. This year $68,000 went to help seventy graduates with their college tuition. Numerous teachers were also given grants to enable special programming.

Lehigh Valley News reports that the foundation has learned through the grapevine that the administration/board is considering cutting ties with the foundation; without, as of yet, providing an explanation... Talk about shutting the stable door on a gift horse. 

There apparently will be some changes in the Foundation's leadership. Perhaps the changes would be more beneficial for the school system if they occurred within the board and administration.

City Council Cancels Christmas

In Allentown's Budget Bout, being fought between Mayor Matt Tuerk and City Council, we learn that both Christmas and July 4th are on the line.

Ortega said if City Council opts to override Tuerk’s veto, the city would be forced to cancel popular city events like Lights in the Parkway and 4th of July fireworks. The city would prioritize “essential city services” if council opts to not increase taxes, she said.

While Tuerk started out asking for a 6.9% tax increase, he is now down to asking for a 2% hike.

As both a local commentator and advocate of the traditional park system,  I know that the park department is always the victim of these skirmishes. 

A local Republican,  a tribe which has almost completely died out in Allentown, complains that Allentown is the victim of a one party system. While all our elected officials might be from the same party, they are not all on the same page.

Although I chose this old coal ad for the post's illustration, there is also a meme circulating with Tuerk as the Grinch stealing Christmas.  Regardless of the budget, I suspect that Lights In The Parkway will be lit once again this year.  What Tuerk and Council have in common is that nobody wants to be the Grinch who downgrades Christmas.

Protest Against Promise Neighborhoods

Hasshan Batts and his Promise Neighborhoods has become the recipient of the establishment's gesture toward mitigating violence in the community.  Hasshan promotes his group as Black led.  The premise is that his trained mentors, themselves previous members of gang life, know how and when to interrupt the violence cycle.

Hasshan's picture has appeared on billboards throughout Allentown, and currently is featured at ABE Airport.  The establishment always looks for a convenient place to throw some money and feel good about the effort... they think it shows that they care💝.  Both Governor Shapiro and Congresswoman Susan Wild brought Batts over a $million each.

However, not everyone is as fond of Batts' show as our elected officials. Local people, also involved in trying to better street life, find Promise a phony.  In their opinion not only doesn't Promise deliver on their mission, but they actually act as a bully themselves against their detractors.

IS ALLENTOWN HUMPTY DUMPTY?

When I read about Billy's Diner replacing Sangria at the Butz Building, my thoughts turned to Humpty. I also thought about the Diner at 9th and Linden. Years ago I posted about all the grants going to the new restaurants, and nada for the existing meat and potato crowd, that has been staying the course, and paying the taxes. I do believe that Billy's has a shot. Is he or Butz getting a little grant incentive, only a forensic accountant could tell. For Butz, going from Sangria to Billy's is a lesson in humility, that normally you have to attend church to learn. Now if some of the clientele from 9th and Linden ends up at 9th and Hamilton, that will be another bible lesson.

reprinted from July 31, 2013 

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 8, 2023:The above post is over ten years old. When Reilly's NIZed Arts Walk came on line he showed Butz what musical chairs really is. Reilly started out with Shula's Steak House, and now a dozen uses later, I don't even know who the current tenant is. I remember back when they arrested a street person for singing on the Arts Walk, thinking that he was degrading the ambience. One would think with the thousand plus Strata apartments there now, that finally there would be some atmosphere... $One Billion Tax $Dollars later spent on Allentown, if you want that called atmosphere, you still have to drive to Bethlehem or Easton.

GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE

Colored Voters Association was the predecessor to the Bethlehem NAACP. The matchbook dates to the mid 1940's. 

reprinted from August of 2013

The Fountain Of My Youth

Just west of the Robin Hood Bridge is a fountain which quenched the thirst of my summer days. Built during the WPA era, it overlooked the creek. Although the water was turned off years ago, so now is the view. The weeds and assorted invasives growing are not a riparian buffer. Science says that a buffer has to be 25feet wide to be of any value. A reader described this thin strip of wild growth as neglect, masquerading as conservation. All it does is block both the view and access to the waterway. It denies our current citizens the beauty and experience for which the parks were designed. Although the Wildland's Conservancy would like you to believe that the Allentown Parks are there to be wildlands, in reality they were designed by landscape architects, to provide the citizens of Allentown with what Harry Trexler called serenity. He did also appreciate conservation, but for that he created the Trexler Game Preserve, north of Allentown. There are places in the parks which can accommodate the riparian buffer zones, without compromising the intended public experience of waterway view and access. Riparians could be created and maintained in the western side of Lehigh Parkway, between the pedestrian bridge and Bogerts Bridge. In Cedar Park, the riparian section could be in western side, between the last walking bridge and Cedar Crest Blvd. It's time that the parks were given back to the citizens of Allentown. They are not funded, or intended by our tax dollars and the Trexler Trust,  just to be a venue for the Wildland's Conservancy to harvest grants.  Let a child again giggle by the creek's edge. Let us get back our intended park experience.

reprinted from August of 2013

Memories Before The New Dollar General

When people drive by the new Dollar General on Walbert Avenue, few will remember fondly the rather non-descript property that was there before. The previous clapboard house faced sideways, with the front yard extending toward what was later a vehicle storage yard for Supreme Auto Body.  Behind the new store there are houses, which now have been there for many years.

In 1949, Morning Call readers found out about an armed robbery at a private poker game on Walbert Avenue. At the end of the long yard mentioned above, was a separate rumpus room, where my uncle and his associates played cards. The holdup men burst in with shotguns and made off with over $5,000, some serious money back then.

For a boy growing up in a development in South Allentown, my aunt and uncle's property out on Walbert Avenue was almost country. Along the top of the yard, where those houses are now, was a riding ring. Connected to my uncle's rumpus room, were the paddocks. My aunt was my father's oldest sibling, and her children were over 20 years my senior. By the time of my memories as a small boy, both my cousins and the horses were no longer there.

My uncle owned and operated Arlen Vending, which placed pinball machines and jukeboxes throughout the valley. He belonged to the Clover Club, a men's card playing club next to Hotel Traylor.  I know that in this era,  he would be a regular at the casino in Bethlehem.

Shown above in lower left of photo is Arlen Vending, a basement storeroom at 443 Hamilton Street. At any one time he would have 5,000 records for sale from the jukeboxes.

reprinted from June of 2020

Pinsley Sees Another Opportunity For Publicity

Mark Pinsley is suing the local Republican Committee for defamation because they sent out a brochure supposedly describing him as pro-Hamas. As an independent, I did not see the flyer, but I certainly noticed the Morning Call picture of Pinsley at the Gaza rally. 

I remember when Pinsley stood with protestors against the South Whitehall Police Department, after the shooting at Dorney Park, when a man was terrifying drivers on Hamilton Blvd. He was jumping on car roofs and pounding on the windshields of women drivers. The reason I remember the incident so well was that Pinsley was then only recently elected as a South Whitehall Commissioner, and accordingly I thought he was on the wrong side of that line. 

Pinsley claims that the flyer makes him look like a "self hating" Jewish man.  Maybe he could sue himself for being there?

You can always count on Pinsley running for higher office and conducting publicity stunts.

photo/The Morning Call

An Inadvertent Art Dealer

With the untimely passing of Jessica Lenard in 2016, I inadvertently became an art dealer.  Jessica created art for over forty years, both paintings and print making.  While shown locally at Muhlenberg College, most of the shows were in NYC.  Her work is known for its raw and naked emotion. 

Those interested in acquiring a piece can send me a comment with their contact information. Such comments will not be seen by anyone other than myself.  Proceeds are donated to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.

NIZ Money Shuffling

Save for this blog, nobody until recently concerned themselves with the shuffling of our diverted state taxes to the NIZ oligarchy. New State Senator Jarrett Coleman campaigned on scrutinizing the NIZ, but has been stymied by the NIZ shield of privacy rules. While this post is based on a recent Morning Call article,  the paper has unfortunately performed more like a partner in the NIZ, instead of a watchdog.  They actually were dealt into the hand, with their former building being included in the NIZ district map, despite being on the wrong side of the road, or in this case Linden Street.

The latest $75mil bond deal involves, as usual, Reilly's City Center.  While his two Hamilton Street projects will be fronted $33.5mil in construction loans, the remaining major portion, $41.5mil, will go to associated expenses. Those expenses include refinancing existing debt, reserve funds and cost of issuance. I'm no finance man, but it's hard to understand the refinancing of (recent) existing debt. We left a 2% environment and are now three times higher.  Are we providing seed money for projects outside of the NIZ, such as the former State Hospital parcel?

Besides Reilly, what all these transactions have in common are ANIZDA board leaders signing off with their permission. Chairman Seymour Traub is quoted as saying that the two projects will provide "thousands" of construction jobs.  I know that there will be dozens of workers, maybe even a hundred... but can you imagine thousands of workers on a couple three story projects?

I have serious doubts that Jarrett Coleman will be able to shine any light on the NIZ. However, if he even sincerely continues to try, he'll keep my support.

Allentown Flood Of 1936

In 1936, northeast United States was decimated by extensive flooding. While Johnstown, Pa. and Nashua, N.H. made national news, Allentown certainly wasn't spared. While locally flooding of the Lehigh and Delaware received the most attention, the Jordan and Little Lehigh Creeks also caused widespread damage. Shown above is Lehigh Street, in the vicinity of the Acorn Hotel, south of the Little Lehigh. The building on the far left would become the Sherman Hotel, which operated for about twenty years, from 1942 to 1961. None of the buildings pictured still stand.

The low lying areas between the Jordan Creek and Lehigh River were flooded.  Numerous people were rescued by rowboat from porch roofs. At that time there was still many houses on the lower section of Hamilton and nearby Streets.

photo courtesy of the Schoenk family.

reprinted from April of 2020

Defending The Parks

This evening at 6:00 p.m., City Council's Park and Recreation Committee will hold a discussion on the dams in Lehigh Parkway. I will be there to defend the dam at the Robin Hood Bridge. Wildlands Conservancy and assorted environmental types will be there to promote their agendas. The magnificent park has been vandalized by special interests for several decades. Three WPA structures have been buried rather than maintained. Christmas lights have been strung to monetize the park during the holiday season. The steel bridge was allowed to rust away, ending 70 years of a beautiful ride through the park. Because of the park's abundantly designed beauty, it still manages to bestow tranquility onto its visitors, but it deserves more respect than now being a workshop for assorted special interests.

photocredit:molovinsky 

above reprinted from August of  2013

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 27, 2023: I lost the battle to save the dam, and the Wildlands demolished it within two days of Council's approval. The salt in the wound was them piling the broken dam debris around the stone bridge piers, despoiling a formerly beautiful vista. Mayor Tuerk has ignored my offer to give a public park tour if the debris is removed. I'm a veteran of being disliked by city administrations, but regardless continue my advocacy for the parks.

Minority Opportunities In The NIZ

When Allentown started acquiring properties for the Arena, I suggested that the displaced Asian merchants could end up with the rickshaw concession on Hamilton Street. Recently, I suggested that as a Community Benefit Agreement, our downtrodden be allowed to sell peanuts at the Arena. Lo and behold, our inspirational leaders did make room outside the new hotel for the underclass, they can operate food carts. "There's a lot of exciting opportunities right now," said Shannon Calluori, operations manager for the city's Department of Community and Economic Development. "Food vending is one of many." Julio Guridy, City Council President added, "It could also be a good opportunity for minority-owned businesses." Who knows, perhaps leather shoes will make a comeback, and the community college could provide training in shoe shining. 

above reprinted from September of 2013

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 26, 2023:Ten years have passed since my politically incorrect post above. Hasshan Batts has learned how to turn his prison past into lemonade -- m-e-n-t-o-r-i-n-g! Mentoring has become the growth industry in Allentown. Mayor Tuerk is looking at how to expand a youth boxing program. Perhaps minor minority gladiators could fight in the underused arena?

The Jews Of Iran

In 539 BC, when the Persian King Cyrus defeated Babylon, the Israelites were free to return to Jerusalem. Many instead ended up in that part of Persia which constitutes modern day Iran. Despite the current political climate between Iran and Israel, over 25,000 Jews still live in Iran. It has remained the largest Jewish population in a Muslim country since the creation of Israel in 1948, and among the most ancient of Jewish communities. Although certainly a minority in what could be perceived as an awkward situation, the community takes great pride in their Iranian history. Shown above is the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, revered by both Jews and Muslims, in Susa, Iran.

reprinted from March 2011

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 24, 2023:It is now estimated that about 8,300 Jews remain in Iran. Turkey now has the largest remaining Jewish population in the Muslim world, over 14,000.

Allentown On A Tightrope

Forty three years ago Philippe Petit walked above Hamilton Street on a tightrope. Two weeks earlier he had walked between the Twin  World Trade Towers above Manhattan. Back then, you could count on Allentown's retail titan Max Hess to bring the best to town.

Flash ahead over four decades, and now Allentown itself is on the tightrope. Our mayor, who has been alleged corrupt by the FBI, will likely be re-elected by a coalition of minority voters. Aiding in that election result is a city councilman, who will most likely divide the anti-corruption vote, hoping to enter the office through the back door early next year.

The public is distracted by some new buildings which poach tenants from elsewhere in the valley, and the local newspaper was incentivized to under-report that reality by the same real estate deal.

Those who still seek unbiased commentary may well be limited to this blog.

photocredit: The Morning Call/August 1974 

reprinted from September of 2017

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 24, 2023:Six years have passed since the above post. Pawlowski was elected, and then convicted,and is still serving his sentence. Some of the minority/majority people Pawlowski empowered in his last campaign, such as Phoebe Harris, have been the topic of some recent posts. We now have a self proclaimed Latino as mayor. The new construction, fueled by diverted state taxes, has continued at a pace unrelated to any real estate market reality. That real estate deal now even owns the former newspaper building. Those interested in current political analysis of these changes in Allentown are still mostly limited to this blog.

Markets Of Allentown's Past

When I was growing up my parents lived on two ends of Allentown, first the south side and then the west end.  I was fortunate to have experienced two great independent markets of Allentown's past.

The Lehigh Super Market had a great section of small inexpensive toys for a small boy.  An easy walk from Little Lehigh Manor,  I could keep my Hopalong Casidy six shooter in caps, and replace my lost water pistol each summer.  The ice cream fountain featured hand dipped Breyers.  While the kids took a cone, the parents would have a quart or gallon scooped and weighed to take home.

Before  Food Fair was built farther west on Lehigh Street,  my mother would do all her shopping, except for meat,  at Lehigh Market.  Although I didn't pay too much attention, I do remember the cookie selection.

In the late 1950's my parents moved to the west end, and my times at Deiley's West Gate Market began.  Although too old to notice the toy selection,  the soda fountain became a hangout.

In addition to numerous corner markets, every section of Allentown had a popular larger independent, like Lehigh or Deiley's.   A few like Hersh's Market, have survived to this day.

photo of Deiley's Market in 1938

reprinted from April of 2020

Bullying As A Business

I've watched with cynicism as various non-profits has been profiting from violence and bullying reduction programs.  These programs are funded with grants administered through the city and school district. Needless to say, or better perhaps needed to say, these grants are funded with our tax dollars. 

These non-profits are manned and womaned by former perpetuators, who now are paid to mentor youngsters away from their former bad ways.

Currently a member of the school board, Phoebe Harris, claims that she was a victim of intended intimidation by one of these non-profits, who in turn accuses her of being non-professional. Imagine the unconventional accusing someone of being unconventional!

We live in an era of wokeness. Our White local media treads lightly with Black and Brown orange shirt issues. Everybody fears being labeled with the dreaded scarlet R

Mayor For A Block

Although I've titled this image Mayor For A Block, I could have just as easily called it The Future Mayor. When the Budweiser Wagon left the staging area on 10th Street, and rounded the corner down Hamilton, Julio Guridy had the seat of honor. Although I do not believe that Pawlowski will succeed in his try for the governorship, we now know that his ambitions extend beyond Allentown. When he does leave City Hall, Julio is the likely successor. Regardless, I have enjoyed using the Budweiser Wagon as a vehicle for my photography.

photocredit:michael molovinsky

Click on photograph to enlarge.

reprinted from September of 2013

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 19, 2023: In May of 2021, Julio would lose to Matt Tuerk in a very close primary election for mayor.

The People's Candidate

In the late 1970's, neighbors would gather in the market on 9th Street to complain and receive consolation from the woman behind the cash register. Emma was a neighborhood institution. A native Allentonian, she had gone through school with Mayor For Life Joe Dadonna, and knew everybody at City Hall. More important, she wasn't shy about speaking out. What concerned the long time neighbors back then was a plan to create a Historical District, by a few newcomers.

What concerned Emma wasn't so much the concept, but the proposed size of the district, sixteen square blocks. The planners unfortunately all wanted their homes included, and they lived in an area spread out from Hall Street to 12th, Linden to Liberty.* Shoving property restrictions down the throats of thousands of people who lived in the neighborhood for generations didn't seem right to Emma. As the battle to establish the district became more pitched, Emma began referring to it as the Hysterical District.
Emma eventually lost the battle, but won the hearts of thousands of Allentonians. Emma Tropiano would be elected to City Council beginning in 1986, and would serve four terms. In 1993 she lost the Democratic Primary for Mayor by ONE (1) vote.

Her common sense votes and positions became easy fodder for ridicule. Bashed for opposing fluoridation, our clean water advocates now question the wisdom of that additive. Although every founding member of the Historical District moved away over the years, Emma continued to live on 9th Street, one block up from the store. In the mid 1990's, disgusted by the deterioration of the streetscape, she proposed banning household furniture from front porches. Her proposal was labeled as racist against those who could not afford proper lawn furniture. Today, SWEEP officers issue tickets for sofas on the porch.

Being blunt in the era of political correctness cost Emma. Although a tireless advocate for thousands of Allentown residents of all color, many people who never knew her, now read that she was a bigot. They don't know who called on her for help. They don't know who knocked on her door everyday for assistance. They don't know who approached her at diners and luncheonettes all over Allentown for decades. We who knew her remember, and we remember the truth about a caring woman.

* Because the designated Historical District was so large, it has struggled to create the atmosphere envisioned by the long gone founders. Perhaps had they listened to, instead of ridiculing, the plain spoken shopkeeper, they would have created a smaller critical mass of like thinking homeowners.

reprinted yearly since 2010

Lehigh Valley Railroad Piers

In this era of class warfare, while we worry that the rich are only paying 35% income tax, instead of 39%, let us be grateful that once upon a time we had the Robber Barons. In this era when we have to give a grant for some woman to open a small cookie shop on Hamilton Street, let us be grateful that men built railroads with private money. Let us be grateful that incredible feats of private enterprise built piers, bridges and trestles. Trains allowed us to move vast amounts of raw and finished materials across America. This network allowed us to protect ourselves during two World Wars, and provided the prosperity upon which we now rest.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad tracks extended from their piers in New Jersey to the shores of Lake Erie. The Mile Long Pier in Jersey City was the scene of German sabotage in 1916. A train full of munitions, awaiting shipment to Europe, was blown up on July 30th of that year. In 1914, the railroad built the longest ore pier in the world, in Bayonne. The ore would come from Chile, through the new Panama Canal, for shipment to Bethlehem.

reprinted from February 2011

New Fight For MsPhoebe

Hasshan Batts has become the darling of the establishment. Money flows his way from the city, state and Washington. They take his Promise Neighborhoods as a legitimate solution to local violence, despite record homicides continuing....never let reality interfere with political correctness.

The local media has been featuring Batts in their essays on solitary confinement.  They omit mention of why he was in prison, or why he was given solitary while there. He is the poster boy for the progressive establishment, but more literally the billboard face.

Phoebe Harris isn't a shy woman. Originally empowered by an appointment to the city Human Relations Board by Pawlowski, she has parlayed that appointment to being on the Allentown School Board and a position with the local NAACP.

Harris is now claiming that she was bullied by a Promise official, and Promise has now set their sights on her...they want her removed from the School Board.  I have no knowledge of what actually occurred between Harris and the Promise person, but I've known Phoebe Harris long enough to know that she doesn't stand down.

image from Harris facebook page

Too Many Community Services

There has been recent speculation that this year's[record] homicide rate in Allentown reflects a lack of community services. That school of thought believes that we need to invest more in the smorgasbord of non-profits, which supposedly intercede with these bad inclinations in our society. 

It appears to this long time observer of Allentown that our real problem may be just the opposite: too many services, creating too much dependence. 

There was a time when people focused on improving their lot, and rested between those efforts. [Now the streets are teeming at 2:00AM, with subsidized people looking for recreation in a less than wholesome late night culture.] We fitted out these intervention organizations with large budgets and staffs to no avail. The hope and promise of these mentor groups have produced no dividends to public safety. 

If I had a say with my taxes, they would go to more police and consequences for bad actions. The notion that one more grant may make a difference has no credibility with me.

Michael Molovinsky

The above appeared as a recent letter to the editor in the Morning Call. The bracketed word and sentence did not make it into their published version.

The Wailing Wall

Israel had hoped that Jordan would not join the Arab forces against them in 1967. It was not to be; their artillery opened fire on Israel. Israeli paratroopers fought with small arms in the Old City. They were ordered to use no artilley, which could damage Holy Shrines.

Although Israeli Jews and Christians were barred from both the Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the twenty years of Jordanian rule, Israel immediately opened access to all. Administrative control of the Temple Mount, upon which sits the Al-Aqsa Mosque, were immediately given to the Jordanian Waqf (Islamic Trust).

The Wailing Wall is the Western Wall of the Mount, which is considered the closest and only remnant of the Second Jewish Temple, and is the holiest site in Judaism. No matter where in the world, all Jews have always prayed facing Jerusalem and the Wall.

reprinted from April 2010 

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 11, 2023:The Mosque on the Temple Mount has become a flashpoint and rallying cry for Palestinians. Although Muslims do have control and access to the shrine, they can't abide Jerusalem in Israeli control. Furthermore, they can't abide Israel. 

There is much speculation on Israel's failure to guard the border and Hamas's success with the infiltration. Speculation extends to Iran, and even American aid to Iran. Partisan agendas are in full uniform. My interest and prayers only concern the hostages.