The Allentown Apartment Myth, A Molovinsky Thesis

Over and over, people contribute Allentown's problems to center city houses being converted to apartments, as if this occurred recently. Many will be surprised to know that almost all the converted apartments existed for over 60 years. When the GI's returned from WW2, the trend was for small single family houses with small lawns, i.e. Levittowns. The mass conversion of the row houses took place in the late 40's and early 50's, and more less stopped by the early 60's. These "new" apartments were mostly occupied by either singles or childless couples. The tenants were buyers at Hess's and engineers at PPL. Because of them, Hamilton Street remained viable for twenty years beyond the main street in Bethlehem, Easton and Reading. Allentown was voted during this era the All American City. During those 50 years, 1940 to 1990, nobody complained about the apartments or the tenants. 

As the urban poor from New York and New Jersey discovered the clean streets of Allentown, and its moderately priced apartments, a steady influx of new residents arrived daily. These changes were not encouraged by the landlords. Nobody ever purchased a building hoping to replace their conscientious middle class occupants, with a poorer, more problematic tenant base. Various social agencies staked many of these newcomers to the first month rent and security deposits.

 Ironically, more apartment inventory has been added recently, by creating "loft" apartments in former commercial buildings. The Urbanists think they can revitalize Hamilton Street with upper story housing. While the proponents mistakenly think that they will attract a middle class demographic, they are in fact just adding to the total inventory and thus the problem. Beside the urbanists, advocates for low income housing still demand more units. In reality, it's apparent we have an abundance of low income housing. Recently, there has been a trend to built new, center city single housing; attempting to attract a middle class with disposable income to bolster Hamilton Street. Neighborhood parking lots have been sacrificed for this concept.* In fact, we are just building tomorrow's rental houses. Allentown, unlike larger cities, is a horizontal community. There is no reason, geographic or otherwise, which compels the middle class to move to center city.

Allentown would currently be better served with a moratorium on new housing of all sorts in center city. Considering that over 7000 units exist, owned by 5000 different owners, deconversion hopes are unrealistic. Strict enforcement of current zoning standards, concerning square footage, parking, etc. would suffice in reasonably curtailing additional living units. By limiting supply, demand can improve the quality of life for everybody.

 *This post was written in 2009, and the new housing refers to the then new townhouses at 8th and Walnut, and others planned for more Parking Authority lots. Those "new" townhouses have since been sold at auction for 50 cents on the dollar, and are in fact now rentals.

ADDENDUM MARCH 14,2025; Reilly's scattered NIZ financed Strata apartments now approach over 1500 units. While intended for young urban office workers, that demographic apparently still prefers the safety of suburban living. While many Strata units remain dark at night, suburban units approach full occupany. Thanks to taxpayer generosity through the NIZ, Reilly can afford to have them empty, instead of occupied problematically. However, eventually the subsidiary will end, and the problems will begin.

photograph of 10th and Chew Streets, 1948

Growing Up Allentown

Life in Allentown during the 1950's was pretty easy, compared to nowadays. Whether you were an office worker or factory worker,  there were plenty of jobs. Whether you lived in the west end or center city, all the neighborhoods were clean, well maintained and relatively crime free. The school system was the envy of the county, and people finagled to get their children enrolled in it. Allentown High School had championship teams in multiple sports, and the football stadium was one of the most lavish high school stadiums in the country. The park system was the subject of numerous picture postcards. Likewise, downtown was widely known, with Hess's being a destination. All the above attributes would stay in place throughout the 1960's, into the early 70's.

I bill this blog as the intersection of politics and history in Allentown, and the greater Lehigh Valley. Although I will continue to speak out on current events of concern, I suspect that this page will turn more and more to history. Perhaps nostalgia is so appealing because the current reality is so disillusioning. 

Although my archive of older Allentown pictures is extensive, I invited Ozzie and Harriet Nelson to illustrate this post.

reprinted from July of 2016

A Pending Liability

Recently, I revealed that molovinsky on allentown opened a small, unimpressive, low rent office on the Space Coast. Only when there, do you realize the power that Elon Musk and Space X wield. With the Trump/Musk bromance, Musk has been essentially co-running the country for the last couple months. However, this week lays bare the consequences.

Trump's endless talking style sank the stock market on Monday. The market, expecting some reassurance from Trump, took his silence as a confirmation of pending recession. We need this man to spend more time at his country club, and restrict himself to golf talk. Meanwhile, back in Washington, co-President Musk called Mark Kelly a traitor. The last time I checked, Kelly was a hero and astronaut. As Kelly replied, you may own spaceships, but you have never been up in one. The country and world is getting tired of the insults coming from the Trump administration, whether by Trump, Vance or Musk.

It would be nice if someone sat Donald and Elon down, and told them how to behave. However, when you combine an ego maniac with the world's richest man, it's a power couple hard to contend with. The tariff war with Canada already has us the losers. I wrote previously that Trump won't be an asset in the mid-terms. Let me correct myself...by the primaries he'll be a liability.

ADDENDUM: This isn't an easy post to illustrate, with Trump the sideshow never ends. I just watched Trump and Musk hawking Teslas in front of the White House. Who could have imagined that? 

The Corner Market

Although I doubt that there will ever be a show at the Historical Society, or brochures at the Visitors Bureau, perhaps nothing encapsulates the history of Allentown more than the corner grocery stores. Allentown proper, is mostly comprised of rowhouses built between 1870 and 1920, long before the era of automobiles and suburban supermarkets. Most of the corner markets were built as stores, and over the years many were converted into apartments. Up until the late 1940's, there may have been well over a hundred operating in Allentown. Some specialized in ethnic food. The bodega at 9th and Liberty was formally an Italian market. Live and fresh killed chickens were sold at 8th and Linden, currently H & R Block Tax Service. A kosher meat market is now a hair salon on 19th Street. The original era for these markets died with the advent of the supermarket. In the early 50's some corner stores attempted to "brand" themselves as a "chain", as shown in the Economy Store sign above. That market is at 4th and Turner, and has been continually operating since the turn of the last century. Ironically, as the social-economic level of center city has decreased, the corner stores have seen a revival. Most of these new merchants, many Hispanic and some Asian, know little of the former history of their stores, but like their predecessors, work long, hard hours.

ADDENDUM: The above post is reprinted from 2009.  The sign shown above has been removed or sold. When my parents were first married, they lived next door and would patronize the same store.  My grandparents lived nearby on the corner of Chew and Jordan Streets.

ADDENDUM 2: the Economy Stores sign shown, apparently came from an early A&P format in 1912 when they leased small stores. If this particular store was such an A&P, or just dressed later with a reused sign, I have yet to determine.

ADDENDUM APRIL 12, 2024: When I took the photo back in 2009, I was friendly with the long time owner, from having managed apartments in that neighborhood. Both she and the enamel sign are now long gone. When I told the current owner that members of my family have been coming into that same store for over a hundred years, he looked at me as if I was from another planet. There are very few long time store owners that I still know.

Small Town Pizza Blogger

Last week started with me expressing my frustration as an independent in Trump's World, and ended reporting on a confrontation about our non-profit sector in Allentown.

While I applaud the border enforcement, the Musk DOGE is a disaster. Chainsaws and sledgehammers are not precision tools. The Measles outbreak is an unfortunate coincidental statement on the theatrical nature of the cabinet appointments. So far, two cabinet heads have supposedly balked at Musk's involvement. If this was Trump's first term, I'd hope that he would be growing into the office, but we know from experience that there will be no learning curve. It was from that first term and January 6, that I could no longer vote for him. 

I don't think that the midterms will bode well for the Republicans. I believe that MAGA had an underestimated cult aspect, and with Trump not on the ballot in 2026, many of the red hats will stay home. 

Here in A-Town, I expect that the tension between Promise Neighborhood and some who feel that the promise has not been kept, will continue. On a side note, I asked a member of the minority community how they feel about Ed Zucal's campaign. The response surprised me! There apparently is some concern that if both Zucal(for Allentown mayor) and Roger MacLean(for county executive) both win, we'll have a police like state?(They're both former APD) I don't see that as a realistic concern, but then again, I'm coming from a different perspective.

Promise Neighborhoods and Its Critics

An outspoken critic of Promise Neighborhoods, Johnny Gomez, aka Whatss Tea,  has used his Facebook page to question the non-profit's operation. 

This is not the first post critical of Promise Neighborhoods on this blog. Batts appeared on the local scene at the height of wokeness, and seems to have prospered from the virtue signalers. He was gifted with over a $mil of state funding from Gov. Josh Shapiro. 

The complaint from other activists and non-profits is that Batts is getting the lion's share of funding, but not providing an appropriate amount of service for it.

ADDENDUM MARCH 11th: There appears to be a reconciliation between Whatss Tea and members of Promise Neighborhood. This post has been modified accordingly.

Ego Man and The Sycophants

Ego Man and The Sycophants played in front of Congress Tuesday Night. The set included the Gulf Of America. Associated Press was barred for not humming along with the tune. We learned that only George Washington is held in higher esteem than Donald Trump.

The new tariff against Canada and Mexico was in full effect overnight, until the Emperor realized that it would hurt our own car industry. The White House sponsored DOGE fires and rehires has reduced productivity. Massive layoffs coming in the VA won't help our veterans. 

While Vance and Johnson looked like cats who swallowed canaries standing behind Trump during the show, the politicians who want a political future beyond 2028, will have to keep their parachutes packed.

Trump's Economy

When I was a boy, Mack Trucks were made in Allentown by Mack. Mack made everything, save the tires.  But even then, the parts and trucks weren't made in the same factory. The parts were made on S. 10th Street, and the trucks were assembled at Lehigh and S. 12th Streets.

General Motors now makes their vehicles in Michigan and Canada. The parts move back and forth across the border during the assembly process. Having a strong economy and partner to our north was always considered a plus, before our new emperor's reign began January 20th.

Our previous leaders, called presidents, had advisors on such matters as foreign policy and economy. Our current emperor has sycophants, whose vocabulary apparently only consists of compliments. So, while the red hats applaud their leader's strength, their stocks and assets go down, and their food gets more expensive. 

ADDENDUM: By late Tuesday afternoon, the administration was already announcing that the tariffs would be modified on Wednesday. Another announcement concerned reinstating some jobs cut last week by DOGE. Considering that this is Trump's second rodeo, only the most diehard partisans could applaud these false starts and uncertainly. Freshman Republicans should rent, rather than buy in the DC area.

Pinsley's FOMO Bigger Office Show

Mark Pinsley has been running for a bigger office than he holds since starting out as a South Whitehall Commissioner. I can't even recall how many offices he has run for, but currently he is Lehigh County Controller.

On March 12, he is conducting a meeting to explain the proposed Federal Budget. This Pinsley Promotion will take place in the Commissioner Chamber at the County Building at 7th & Hamilton. If such a transparent political opportunist should be using public space is questionable, but apparently not by Executive Armstrong or the commissioners....never mind, this local blogger will point out the misuse of a public facility.

The federal budget is a work in progress. What it will end up being is anybody's guess, but how it will filter down into Lehigh County is even beyond a guess. But, there is no guess why Pinsley is having the meeting. The only valid question to ask on March 12th, is how many of our tax dollars is this latest Pinsley self promotion costing the taxpayers?

Principles First

In a post last week I mentioned Principles First, an alternative convention to the CPAC sycophants dancing with Trump last week. The participants at the counter meeting yet have no tent. They're hoping not to become Democrats. They know a third party fares poorly, but the Trump side-show isn't the same Republican Party that they can relate to. But even the most disenchanted among them couldn't have imagined the Trump/Zelensky meeting on Friday.

By late Friday afternoon, all the click-baiters on media and the social media undercard were analyzing the brawl. Those on the right side of the ring said that Zelensky wasn't respectful and appreciative. Those on the left side said that Trump and Vance tag-teamed their guest. Assuming that the European and world media would be more objective about what happen, most, with Hungary being the exception, agreed that Zelensky was the abused party.

Getting back to the Principles First tent looking for a label. I think that after hearing the Lindsey Graham types rattle on Friday night that Zelensky should resign, some more thoughtful Republicans will be coming out of their zombie trance and start looking toward the future. The super-partisans are praising Trump for putting America first, and his peace before endless wars. That raises the question, was the ambush coming Zelensky's way, regardless of what he said or didn't say? Either way, Trump's tantrum(s) lowered our esteem on the world stage. Trump later trying to defend himself after the meeting in a red hat, may have been a sight too far, even for the partisans.

The Crucifixion of Gavin Holihan

Gavin Holihan was the last assistant district attorney to forever DA Jim Martin. When Martin retired in 2023, he recommended Galvin as his replacement. Martin was a Republican, and Holihan ran on the Republican ticket for the position.

This year state representative Josh Siegel announced his candidacy for County Executive, and Holihan endorsed him. Siegel is a rather progressive Democrat, and that endorsement caused the local Republican Party to censure Holihan. Holihan claimed that as a state rep., Siegel was aggressive in bringing extra funding to local police departments. Holihan making the endorsement before he knew who the Republican candidate will be, only further annoyed his party.

Now, I do remember Siegel as an activist years ago, marching in Allentown with the Defund The Police group. His DNA is too progressive for my vote come November, but I believe that Holihan, regardless of his party affiliation, is entitled to make an endorsement based on his knowledge of a candidate. Meanwhile, back at the local Republican Party, individual party members are demeaning Holihan as a betrayer, weak, and rat.  Ironically, the Republican overreaction has given Siegel another talking point for his campaign. But worse for the Republicans, their censure of Holihan has generated more publicity for Siegel than he could have ever generated on his own. 

photo above taken by Lee Ann Smith, concerning apartment building at the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery

Republicans In Opposition

As a conservative independent, over the years this blog's audience trends Republican. The recent blog posts' comments, correspondently,  paint us in a golden era. While Democrats seem to have a wider range of  philosophy, from center left through liberal to progressive, the Republicans run a tighter ship. Differences in philosophy elicit labels, such as RINO,  even traitor.

As an independent, I'm disappointed at the lockstep occurring. However, there was a Principles First convention last week for the disenchanted Republicans, if only attracting about 1,200 attendees. Although no real game plan of action was formulated, I found the convention encouraging. 

Trump publicly made the cabinet subservient to Musk on Wednesday, by asking any cabinet member with an issue to speak up then and there, in front of the media. Musk is now established as the ramrod or foreman of Trump's Team. Loyalty remains the absolute requirement for the new Grand Old Party.

Space X and The Resolute Desk

As I revealed here last year on the blog, I have rented a small satellite office on the Space Coast. It's a small room on the upper story of an older building. While sparse with just a desk and cot, I do have a large window facing east..While I can't see the ocean, I can see the rockets fired from Cape Canaveral arching upwards.

In 2024, Elon Musk's Space X shot up 138 rockets carrying thousands of satellites for numerous companies and countries. For such a titan to be standing over the Resolute Desk, is unprecedented in American history. Usually presidents protected themselves with firewalls against such appearances. Once upon a time, Musk would have been a suspect for the Anti-Trust watchdogs. Musk's conflict of interest as a hyper-adviser, with Space X and NASA contracts, could only be ignored by Donald Trump, no other elected official would be so oblivious. 

The Republicans are calling the Trump/Musk association visionary. They're calling all Trump's appointments creative and what's needed to fix the ship of state. In reality, they're demoralizing the departments, and marginalizing the concept of qualifications. I would like to be able to differentiate between partisan and credible Republicans, but so far, the latter has not appeared. That delay to properly describe the emperor, will come back in 2026 and 2028 as a penalty at the polls.

Allentown's Ukrainians Are Not Happy

When Ukrainians meet this Saturday at their historic church on Fullerton Ave, Charlie Dent will be there. Although he hasn't represented them now for over four terms, he knows how tightly that community is woven into the fabric of Lehigh Valley. Recent congresswoman Susan Wild will also be there. Who won't be attending is current congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Although Trump's coattails helped get him elected with the MAGA wave, there is no intelligent way to explain why Trump would have called Zelensky a dictator, or that Ukraine started the war?

While many Americans are upset with Trump's reversal of foreign policy, with the local Ukrainian community it concerns the survival of their relatives. It concerns the blood their extended families have shed for the last three years.Trump can reverse and backtrack on many issues, but the local Ukrainians will not forget his ignorance, no matter what policy he finally adopts. They will also not forget Mackenzie's absence at their meeting. 

The Republican problem, which is coming home to roost faster than anyone imaged, is that Trump is not a Republican. After November 5th, 2024, he could care less about that party's future. But partisans are so desperate for victory, any ticket to ride was good enough. Mackenzie can issue statements about ICE and Northampton County, but the MAGA's will not be voting in 2026... That was a cult vote for Trump, not Mackenzie... But, the Ukrainians will be voting, and it won't be for Mackenzie.

ADDENDUM: I've been informed by Mackenzie's office that because congress is in session, it's not possible for him to attend the meeting at St. Mary's, but he did speak with the pastor, and sent a message to be read at the meeting.

shown above St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The White House Bully Pulpit

No one can accuse Trump of not working much during his first month in his second term as president. After firing all our top military leaders on Friday, I wish that he would take a week or longer off, and go play golf. 

By pulling the rug out from under Zelensky, he has managed to change long term American foreign policy in this first month. Musk seems to be the hyper active de-facto vice president, literally welding a chainsaw in Washington. He has already cut up and minced most of our safety nets. 

Most of Trump's MAGA supporters don't know what's even happening. Some hardcore ultra conservative are pleased with the shakeup, but CPAC only meets once a year, and they are also hardcore Republicans. Independent conservatives like myself are upset, so is the stock market.

While consequences are usually felt by the midterms, Republicans are already being called on the carpet by their constituents. Elected officials are pretty quick at reading the tea leaves. I think the pushback from congress will be coming sooner than Trump expects.  I'm hoping that Trump devotes more time to his golf game.

molovinsky on allentown, centering on local politics and history, is published every weekday.

Rainy Morning Chronicles, a conservative's journal, is published as warranted.

The Real Lessons At Allentown's New School

Allentown's finally getting a middle school on the East Side, but the real lessons there will never be taught or learned. 

There was never a public good component to the sale of the former State Hospital on Hanover Avenue. High bids were ignored, and Allentown's chosen developer was rewarded the prize by his associate Pat Browne, who still reigns in Harrisburg. Reilly is now selling a small portion of the parcel for three times more than he paid for the entirety, to the Allentown School System.

Likewise, the school district is snubbing local construction manager Alvin Butz for an out of town firm. Butz's contributions to the school system over the years have been notable. 

The system's superintendent, Carol Birks, states that although the district will comply with new directives concerning DEI, the changes will only affect language used, not actions. Considering how poorly the students are faring by all measurements, it would be better to change all actions, and leave the language the same. The district has been consumed with racial identity for years. They think that the teachers should look like the students, the principals should look like the students, even the superintendent should look like the students. A white superintendent had zero chance of getting hired in the last decade.

Former school board member Bob Smith is offering his experience to the voters once again. Hopefully he'll regain a seat on the new board.

shown above the former State Hospital

The Movies Of N. 8th Street

Two movie theaters were on the unit block of N. 8th Street, separated by one building. The Earle was demolished in 1961 to create another Park & Shop lot. The other theater, the Cinema, ceased operation in 1953, becoming a warehouse for the Farr shoe chain. The theater was built in 1917 as The Strand, but changed ownership and name in 1930. The lobby portion of the former Strand/Cinema still stands today, now being used as a tax service business. In the late 1970's, I operated a photographic darkroom business in part of the space.

reprinted from January of 2014

The Mad Men Of Allentown

Back in the day, the titans of Allentown would fill the five barberchairs of the Colonial Barbershop, 538 Hamilton Street. That was when the town had three department stores. That was when Wetherhold and Metzger had two shoe stores on Hamilton Street. That was when Harvey Farr would meet Donald Miller and John Leh at the Livingston Club for lunch, and discuss acquiring more lots for Park & Shop. By 1995 all that was gone, but Frank Gallucci, 82, would still give some old timers a trim. The Colonial Barbershop property, closed for many years, has been purchased by J.B. Reilly. It is my pleasure to present this previously unseen portrait of Gallucci, toward the end of his career.

photocredit:molovinsky

reprinted from May of 2013

Shade Tree Grant Wilted

Allentown City Hall was excited about a $milliion dollar shade tree grant.  It was supposedly going to save the residents in reduced electric costs. The grant is now tied up because of the Trump administration fund freezes. Mayor Tuerk even complained that the freeze hurts our kids...“Every kid knows how important trees are to clean air and clean water."  

Of course this miserable blogger has a different take on city trees. Unless they're planted southwest of the house, and at a certain distance, they won't help cool the house in the summer. But wait until the homeowners have to repair and replace their raised sidewalks, at their expense, from the tree roots. Wait until they have to clean the endless tree leaves and other tree droppings from their gutters.

I do share Tuerk's desire for our kids to experience water. What Allentown should do is take care of their parks as they were intended. They should replace the aging, damaged and now gone Weeping Willow trees along the creek banks. Besides for the Willows, which is all they need, they should mow the grass, so those kids can see and enjoy the water from our creek banks.

Allentown's New Building and Old Graves

Thanks to Allentown resident Lee Ann Thomas Smith, we learned this past November that the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery on Railroad Street was being desecrated by the construction of a new apartment house. Smith contacted WFMZ, who reported on the outrage. Allentown Mayor Tuerk said that he would arrange a meeting between the developer and church, I suppose to dress up bad planning and make some amends. Hopefully, they will plant a row of hedges between the tombstones and the new building. I assume a cemetery doesn't require a setback, as with another building.

Already years ago, I reported on what I called the Plywood Plaza. In essence, it seems that Allentown has not been providing much oversight on these new construction projects. It may well be that the city does not have the expertise to do so, but then such inspections should be farmed out to an engineering firm.

As for as the approval process, that has been compromised for years. Planning and zoning are compliant puppies, waiting to be petted. The neighborhood, otherwise essentially poor at the richest, will have its scarce parking further reduced.

BUT, there will be a grand ribbon cutting, and we'll learn that the neighborhood is being revitalized under inspired leadership.

photocredit:Lee Ann Thomas Smith

Ce-Ce and Me Part 2

Recently, I had a post about my long history with Ce-Ce. I first met Ce-Ce campaigning outside of the gate at the Allentown fair. Her goal at that time, in 2011, was the Allentown School Board.  A couple years later we met for coffee at the Hamilton Family Diner. Her sincerity reminded me of my old friend Emma Tropiano. 

When Ce-Ce first ran for City Council, I attended her fund raiser at the Brew Works. I think by then the distance in our politics was already apparent. Ce-Ce is so left of me now, that my old eyes can barely see that far. However, she's in synch with much of current Allentown. I hope she realizes that I also care about humanity, even if I don't subscribe to DEI as an operational priority.

For the upcoming Democratic primary, I'm supporting Ed Zucal for mayor. Although he's also somewhat to my left, he has institutional knowledge of what was once a safer Allentown.

Easton Says No Thanks To Welcome Mat

Easton's police chief and mayor for life are not eager to put Allentown's Welcoming City status on their door stoop. They also don't have or want Allentown's shooting and homicide schedule. 

While Venezuelan gang members were killing someone in the Poconos,  Allentown was proposing to become a Welcoming City. Easton's top cop senses that the Welcome City designation can only be a beacon for unnecessary commotion. 

Allentown city council, confronted and intimidated by a chamber full of Welcome supporters, adapted the ordinance. It's easy in our polarized society to be construed as anti-immigrant, or worse, even as a racist. Mayor Panto felt compelled to emphasize his appreciation of law abiding immigrants on social media the next day. I was disappointed to see the ordinance in Allentown pass unanimously.

Shown above Easton center square, 1948

Depot At Overlook Park

Old timers have noticed that the contractor's building on Hanover Avenue transformed into a community center for Overlook Park. But only the oldest, or train buffs, realized that the building was the freight depot and office for the Lehigh & New England Railroad. Lehigh & New England was formed in 1895, primarily as a coal carrier. The line ran from Allentown to Maybrook, New York.

In 1904 it was acquired by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. The line ceased operation in 1961. Among it's infrastructure were impressive bridges across both the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, both of which were dismantled. Ironic that a remnant of our industrial era is being utilized by the successor of a public housing project.

reprinted from February 17, 2011

photographs of Lehigh New England Railroad

Judge and Jury Alan Jennings

Alan Jennings was recently ranting on his facebook page about Trump/Musk shutting down the Consumer Finance Protection bureau. He wrote:

"Some of you may remember that my agency, now called Community Action Lehigh Valley, busted a mortgage fraud conspiracy that preyed on low-income Hispanics in downtown Allentown. We put a few guys in jail."

The targets of Jennings' campaign at the time supposedly participated in what was called predatory lending. Certain mortgage companies were giving mortgages to people with poor credit at a higher rate. I believe that it remains standard procedure for car loans and credit cards. Our enlightened, like Jennings, now focus on affordable housing, making low-income permanent tenants.

Jennings take great pride in jailing those mortgage brokers.  One of the people he sent to jail was married to a Hispanic woman, and was well appreciated for his work at a local mission.  Meanwhile, Jennings continues to campaign for Ed Pawlowski's release, whose criminal behavior cost every Allentown taxpayer more money on every contract he rigged during his reign.

Hunting For Non-Partisan In The Lehigh Valley

I owe Robert Orenstein for a snicker* when I read that his blog, Armchair Lehigh Valley, is non-partisan. He was the gatekeeper for the Morning Call opinion page. Almost all my submissions were rejected by him, because they were either too long for a letter, or too short for Another View. Lengthening or shortening them didn't help me get pass the gate :). Once, he actually told me that my piece only represented my opinion.  Imagine, sending an opinion to the Opinion Page?

His newsletter articles are now being printed by the Morning Call, and they in turn are promoting the newsletter. The newsletter is free, but he does have his hand out for donations.  It was under Orenstein's tenure that the three amigos were installed on the Another View page as regulars...Jennings, Cunningham and Iannelli. They're still there.

Those pieces of mine which did appear resulted from my annoying persistence. Several times I had to go over his head to be published. I do agree with him that there is a need for a local non-partisan outlet for local political news. I like to think that you're reading it here.

* a silent laugh

Mike Welsh Announces For County Executive

Mike Welsh, an extremely qualified local business man, has stepped forward to become our next county executive. 

“It’s an honor to step up to represent the County that I have had the privilege of calling home,” said Welsh. “Lehigh County has given me incredible opportunities — it’s where I’ve raised my family, run a small business, and served my community both in and out of office. Now, as our county grapples with new challenges and faces an uncertain future, it’s time for a steady hand and strong leadership. 

 “I know how to fight on behalf of residents and taxpayers. When I served as one of the few conservatives on the Allentown School Board, I fought against tax increases and wasteful spending while also working with both sides to get things done for students. And as a small business owner, I know the challenges that taxpayers and working families are facing in our county. I’m looking forward to fighting tax increases, supporting our local law enforcement, ending our status as a sanctuary county, and restoring common sense to the Lehigh County government.” 

As a political independent and blogger, I appreciate that county residents have a strong alternative to Democrat Josh Siegel, who never met a far left wing agenda that he didn't support.

Contact: Mike Welsh 

484-347-1833 

welshforexec@gmail.com

A Flash From Allentown's Past

In a 1997 Allentown of long ago, a controversial councilwoman lost a primary election for mayor by one vote. The councilwoman, Emma Tropiano, actually became more controversial after she passed away. She was branded as a racist by a newspaper at the time quick to judge. Years later, I heard the accusation/slur repeated by people who actually never knew her. But this post isn't about her, but about the person who beat her by one vote, Marty Velazquez. 

Velazquez was also a councilperson, and the first person with a Spanish name to serve in that position.  On Wednesday night, we learned that Marty is once again going to serve the city of Allentown, this time as the city's new HR director. 

Marty's hire is welcome by everybody, even this blogger! After last serving on council over twenty years ago, he re-enters a city hall mired in allegations of discrimination.  He has both the background and institutional knowledge to make a positive difference.

Trump Endangers Hostages

As Trump addressed Gaza at this press conference Tuesday night, I feared for the remaining hostages in Gaza. Trump was leaving nothing on the table for the Palestinians, much less Hamas, in whose hands the fate of the hostages lay.

As an independent, I could not bring myself to vote for the top of the ticket this past November. Both Republicans and Democrats complained that my decision was a vote for the other side. I mention this again, because after Tuesday night my non-vote decision was reaffirmed.

I was disappointed on Wednesday to read that Marco Rubio said...  As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again.. Although never thought of as a diplomat, his appointment as Secretary of State seemed less far out than some other cabinet picks.  Although all secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President, Rubio didn't have to parrot Trump's real estate banter.

Needless to say, Trump's plan won't play well in the Arab world. It won't even play well anywhere else in the world. Hopefully he'll start walking it back sooner than later.

Ce-Ce And Me

Ce-Ce Gerlach rocked South 16th Street this afternoon with a block party to raise funds for school uniforms. The block was packed with people enjoying several carnival attractions, music and food. From all reports, the new Allentown school uniform policy seems to have gotten off to a good start, but one issue is the cost of the  clothes.  With a large, low income student body, this can become a family hardship.  I'm sure Ce-Ce's organizing abilities  will help with this problem.  I've had a couple of conversations with Ce-Ce this past month, and I believe she will be a factor in Allentown's future.

above reprinted from September 7, 2013

UPDATE January 30,2018: Last evening I attended an early kickoff for Ce-Ce's campaign for Allentown City Council in 2019.  I've known Ce-Ce for years, and am glad to see her again offering her time and energy to Allentown.  In this sorry time we need people with her sincerity and integrity.

In regards to this sorry time,  it's my understanding that the prosecution against Pawlowski had a strong showing in court yesterday. Numerous witnesses, including former city employees, described bid rigging and a pay to play culture. Supposedly, the defense attorney seemed exasperated, and Pawlowski himself somewhat forlorn.

ADDENDUM MAY 30, 2023: This post harks back to 2013. Over the last ten years I have posted often about Ce-Ce. While she was trying to raise money for student uniforms back then, they have just become optional. While her progressive politics didn't earn my endorsement for the recent primary, come November Ce-Ce will certainly retain her City Council seat. 

Show above is the street party she organized in 2013. She is speaking with a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, a Black motorcycle club which visited the event.

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 5, 2025: Someone recently assumed that I didn't like Ce-Ce. On the contrary, I like her a lot. However, I couldn't be more opposed to some of her recent politics. One such initiative of hers is coming to vote tonight at city council....The Welcoming City Designation. At a time when gang members from Venezuela are being located and arrested, this would be a designation that Allentown surely doesn't need.

No Liberal Fix For The Carnage In Allentown

A shooting outside of an after hours club on Union Blvd. kept the emergency room busy. While one victim died, the other three survived. The newspaper tells us that this is the first homicide of 2025, after a recent low number in 2024.  What we're not told about last year is the total number of shootings, and bullets fired.  To this observer, those are the numbers that count.

The shooting isn't what brings us today's post, but rather the quote from Josh Siegel. “After-hour clubs like BKK Lounge undermine Allentown’s quality of life and our goal of building a safer city,... I believe in a vibrant and thriving nightlife, but not at the expense of safety and security"

Josh Siegel is the state rep from Allentown center city and aspiring to be county executive. If the current  Morning Call reporters had more institutional memory, they would remember when not that many years ago Josh marched up Hamilton Street with the Defund The Police crowd. I'll spare Josh some of the chants shouted that day, but they surely will not appear in his campaign literature. If the APD had more boots on the ground, perhaps cars could be assigned to the clubs' parking lots. It's not the first shooting outside one of these places.

Prostitutes and Rape in Allentown

A former Allentown police officer is charged with rape. News headlines tell us that someone can be sentenced to life in prison for certain rapes.  A street walker gets into a car voluntarily, discovers the driver is a cop, and then complains that she performed a sex act under duress, is that rape?  If an officer coerces someone he pulled over in a traffic stop for a sex act, that is rape. If a cop pulls a young girl into his car, that is rape. I understand that my feminist readers will take offense with this post. Many of my posts offend someone.

Supposedly these indiscretions were alleged before, and the previous DA declined to prosecute. There appears to be new allegations that the charged officer withheld confiscated drug money from the department. The illegality of that charge would be indisputable. Apologies, but I find rape too strong of a word against a prostitute who got into a car to perform a sex act.

Regardless of my outlook on the situation, Mayor Tuerk has a conundrum to straighten out before the upcoming election. He has stood behind police chief Roca since being elected. Will Tuerk continue that support, or will Roca find himself under a Lanta bus?

Allentown Investigation Goes International

Allentown City Council traded a former FBI agent familiar with the city (He investigated the Pawlowski administration), for an international law firm, with offices in United States, United Kingdom and Asia. While we must still pay the former investigator, Scott Curtis, the time clock will soon start ticking with Duane Morris law firm, at over $1200 an hour.

Taxpayers can thank Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Candida Affa and Santo Napoli for treating our taxes like money is no object.  The $64K dollar question, or I should say the $640K question, is what was Matt Tuerk afraid of Scott Curtis disclosing?

The original purpose of examining city hall had to do with discrimination.  With the obstacles placed in the way of the Curtis investigation by Tuerk, I think a second investigation of Tuerk's motives would not be inappropriate.

The Day Non-Profits Stood Still

The local non-profits were wringing their hands over Trump's grant fund disruption. Needless to say also the local elected Democrats were expressing their disapproval over such an insensitive measure. Bethlehem mayor Reynolds whined that the Trump funding freeze is ‘an existential threat’ to city’s 78,000 residents.

The dilemma even challenged the newly elected Republicans. Arnaud Armstrong, spokesman for Ryan McKenzie, had to show concern for the unfounded fears of local constituents, but at the same time not be critical of the Trump administration. Of course former Congresswoman Susan Wild would not have been under such constraints.

Although the Trump administration had made it clear that it was a temporary freeze which didn't affect normal disability or rent subsidies, etc., by late yesterday afternoon they had to rescind the hold on funding. I expect that next time the administration will issue more targeted holds. I also suspect that some of these more nebulous non-profits will have to disguise themselves to have more legitimate purpose.

A Noose, A City Council And A School Board In Allentown

The plot has thickened in the Allentown City Hall noose case. The alleged victim, LaTarsha Brown, refused to volunteer a DNA sample to the FBI. Public speculation is trending toward the victim having fabricated the incident.

The current situation caught the attention of councilwoman Candida Affa, who is accused of racism by a deputy city clerk. Affa commented publicly about the Brown case on social media: "I’m thinking of those poor employees ..managers ….The Director.. who had to go through interviews and possibly DNA testing….Not one refused I repeat NOT ONE refused to cooperate. These are the workers we should be concerned about not one person is claiming to be victim."

All the above might be the good news.  The bad news might be that LaTarsha is also a school board member. It seems to this observer that the school board has been more concerned with racial identity issues than education.

shown above protest at city hall over noose

French Hill

French Hill went straight up from the old mill along the Nashua River, in Nashua, New Hampshire. It was always a poor neighborhood, housing mill workers and immigrants going back over a hundred years. Almost all the buildings on the narrow streets were wood, except the churches. The name came from the many French Canadians drawn there to work. I lived on the Hill during the early 1970's, on the top floor of a triplex.

The old wooden three unit was heated by gas space heaters and the whole building would rumble and shake when a vehicle came down the street. In the morning I would walk down the hill, through the mill property and over a pedestrian bridge to the old main street, where I worked in a photography store. A google search tells me that the neighborhood now houses street gangs. Nashua is right over the border from Massachusetts, yet I would have never imagined such urban problems reaching so far north.


The above post is a reprint from 2010.  Years ago I also never imagined Allentown having gangs,  nor the shootings and stabbings which are now occurring.

Allentown's Buffet Of Legal Cases

The Morning Call's Lindsay Weber did a good job of presenting the smorgasbord of legal cases currently involving the city of Allentown. She appropriately peppered her article with alleged and supposedly. Myself, not being a trained journalist, but rather an abrasive blogger, will add some speculations to her piece. Unfortunately, as you can see from the screen grab above, the Morning Call article is for subscribers only. The wisdom of that policy is above my pay-grade. I'm such an amateur that this blog is not monetized in any way. If you need reference to the MC article, you'll either have to buy a subscription, or find/buy  a copy of Sunday's paper.

The Tuerk administration's refusal to honor council's Scott Curtis investigation was flimsy. Bids and proposals are brought into compliance all the time. Council's reversal on the Curtis investigation is political, with Tuerk  holding sway with a council majority against Zucal's primary challenge. The motives for the Duane Morris replacement investigation, in this blogger's opinion, should itself be investigated.

I believe that one thing the paper and blog concur on is that the city government is as conflicted as ever. However, I believe that the only thing worse than such government conflict, is totally smooth sailing. That's when the real shenanigans occur, as during the Pawlowski administration.

Blue Light Special From Lehigh County

I suspect that even from Harrisburg, Josh Shapiro can see the blue beams projected into the sky from Allentown. Those beams come from both City Hall and the Lehigh County building. 

Last week County Commissioner Jon Irons pitched totally blue Allentown City Council on becoming a Welcoming City. The mostly blue county is contributing $650k to the affordable housing project on Walnut Street. When all said and done from various levels of government, that feel-good will cost the taxpayers over $20mil.  

The county does have a moral obligation to make sure that the  historic Cedarbrook remain in good operation. Started over a  hundred years ago as the county poor home, it evolved into a nursing home for low income seniors. A decade ago, Cedarbrook's future was in doubt... County nursing homes became unfashionable. Fortunately, both Lehigh and Northampton continue to meet that commitment.

Outside of the city boundaries, local Republicans were encouraged by a few wins, likely helped with Trump's coattails. The midterms in 2026 will be competitive and expensive.

Pawlowski Supporters Hard Of Hearing

T J Rooney, former long time Harrisburg incumbent, is now a lobbyist who tried to get a Pawlowski commutation onto Biden's desk. Alan Jennings, former patron saint of poverty, has championed for Ed Pawlowski since they led the former mayor out of the courthouse. Jennings bent a lot of arms as head of Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, and even sent at least one person to jail himself.

Now that the Joe Biden pardon window has closed, Rooney will look for some influence with the Trump administration. I have recounted to Jennings, and other Pawlowski disciples, some of the mistreatment Pawlowski inflicted on various people. As a blogger willing to take the Pawlowski administration to task, some of those he injured came to me with their tales of woe. Pawlowski assaulted most of them with the code department. When I conveyed some of the stories to Pawlowski's disciples, they fell on deaf ears.

What most of them have in common is that they benefitted from Pawlowski, especially when he cobbled together his last election while already indicted.

Tuerk's Missed Opportunity

Tuerk states that he is Allentown's first Hispanic/Latino mayor. He makes this claim because his grandmother was Cuban, and he hopes that the Allentown Spanish speaking community buys it. Although he is fluent in Spanish, some Puerto Ricans I know don't buy his contention. But this post is about something else...

Tuerk missed the opportunity to promote Allentown to arguably one the most influential Cuban-Americans in our country, Marco Rubio. When Rubio came to the Allentown Trump rally, he was a Senator. He now is Secretary Of State. When Rubio was taking Spanish in the Allentown Arena, Tuerk was protesting at 7th and Linden. 

It would have been nice if Tuerk, as mayor, decided on October 29th to represent Allentown, instead of the protesters. He could send Marco a congratulatory note from Allentown, but now Tuerk's name won't ring a bell with Rubio.

shown above Marco Rubio in Allentown's PPL Arena with young supporter

The Little Bridge That Could

When I was a boy growing up on the south side, going to the doctor near the current YMCA, meant going over Schreiber's Bridge. Being built in 1828, the bridge even back then was over a hundred years old. When the 15th Street (Ward Street) Bridge opened in 1954, who would imagine that it would come and go, while the stone arch bridge continued providing passage over the creek. The Little Bridge That Could took quite a beating during the last couple of years, while constructing the new 15th Street Bridge. Trucks smashed the northern entrance walls no less than three times, turning on to Martin Luther King Drive. Although it is understandable that the City will wait until this Spring to repair the walls, there exists a more urgent matter. From the extensive use caused by the detour, and this harsh winter, the roadbed is badly cracked over the bridge's arch. These openings allow water to enter and seep down into the stone arch. Perhaps the city administration could give the historic bridge some special attention yet this winter, it certainly has earned some consideration.

reprinted from February of 2014

DEI On Steroids In Allentown

On Friday, in the shadow of the noose incident the previous Friday, Allentown held workshops for its employees... but two workshops, one for whites and another for people of color.

Kumari Ghafoor-Davis, the city's new People and Culture Specialist, previously the Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, explained that the separation was so that the people of color felt more comfortable expressing themselves.  How such dual meetings promote racial harmony isn't clear to me, but then again, I'm not a People Specialist. I received a copy of the workshop notice Friday morning from someone who thought that it ironically fostered separation. By Friday afternoon, WFMZ also picked up the story.

If my low-key, write-in campaign for mayor* is successful, Allentown will be going back to just an HR director. The public is currently invited to various workshops, so that they might  determine what the policy should be in parks and other city departments. In my Allentown, the public would be encouraged to follow long established policies. The Tuerk administration is obsessed with DEI, to the point where they even removed safety gates in the parks, because they might symbolize that the city wasn't welcoming. While such inclusion contortions may have political dividends, they do not make the city any safer, better nor improve quality of life for the residents.

The flooded car shown above belonged to an elderly couple who decided to take a long stroll in the rain. Unfortunately, the creek rose faster than their return walk, but at least they didn't feel unwelcome.

*molovinsky for mayor is not a political campaign, rather a manual for a better Allentown. In the upcoming primary, I support Ed Zucal for mayor.

Catch 22 On Allentown's Route 22

It may be Matt Tuerk's first foray into politics, but apparently there's experience in the backroom dugout. Take for instance the double talk on the discrimination issue. Scott Curtis, former head of Allentown's FBI during the Pawlowski Show, couldn't comply with the city's RFP, because he is an investigator, and the forms were for law firms. 

Move ahead to the noose incident last Friday, and we learn that the Philadelphia law firm Duane Morris will be hired, but they are not required to comply with the RFP requirement that Curtis wasn't qualified to submit. If you find that confusing, the current Allentown FBI will be investigating the noose incident.

Shown above is 8th and Hamilton in 1953.  Allentown is like a box of assorted chocolates from Loft Candy. You never know which ordinance applies.

Watching Paint Dry At City Council

There was a time when I was a regular at city council meetings.  In more recent years I have been only an occasional visitor. Last night I tuned in electronically, expecting an animated public, and some sparring on the dais. 

The only sign of life came from bar owner Don Ringer, who asked why Tuerk wasn't there to face the music, and suggested it was time for both the mayor and police chief to move on.

The DNC would be proud to know that in addition to making Juneteenth a paid holiday, Allentown will be adding both both Latino and African American Advisory Panels. We will also be forming a Welcoming City Ordinance, to shelter immigrants from ICE and other Trump gestapo.

On January 29th, Council will decide whether to hire a Philadelphia law firm to investigate discrimination and possible racism at city hall. It took some woman from the public to ask whether that firm was chosen using an RFP, and what happened to the taxpayer investment in Scott Curtis? Neither the woman (nor myself) received answers to her good questions.

Allentown's West End Train

The Lehigh Valley Railroad operated a train branch line which served Allentown's commercial west end. It ran along Sumner Avenue servicing the scrap metal yards, warehouses and numerous coal dealers located there. The line then crossed Tilghman Street on a diagonal at 17th, before looping back east by Liberty Street at the Fairgrounds. The line ended at a rail yard now housing the small shopping center at 12th and Liberty. Although many of former commercial buildings still exist, all now house more retail type businesses. The B'nai Brith Apartments occupy the site of the former Trexler Lumber Yard. These historical shorts are difficult to write. Most current residents have no frame of reference to our former commercial past. True historians, such as the local railroad buffs, cringe at the lack of detail and specific location of the tracks. Suffice to say, that once upon a time, the mid-section of Allentown had much more commerce.

photo of train crossing Tilghman at 17th Street taken by Kermit E. Geary in 1974, from the Mark Rabenold Collection.

reprinted from December 2012

The Politics Of Racism In Allentown

Residents may remember that last year, after accusations of discrimination in city hall, Ed Zucal proposed hiring former FBI agent Scott Curtis to investigate. Mayor Tuerk claimed that the Curtis contract did not go through normal channels, and that the city would balk at paying the costs. Then last month council changed its mind (majority of votes changed) and suspended the Curtis contract.

Move ahead a month, and last week there was a new accusation of racism. A city worker found a noose like object on her desk. Now council president Cynthia Mota is heading an effort to hire a lawyer to investigate the culture at city hall. She states  "We remain committed to ensuring this process is free from political entanglements and focused on meaningful change."  She also claims that they will save money.

To this blogger, this new hire is actually completely politically entangled. If it wasn't, council would be proceeding with the previous investigation, which was already started. Are we taxpayers to assume that two investigations will cost less than one? Are we to assume that a lawyer will do a better job of investigating than a renowned former FBI agent? Hopefully, Affa and/or Hendricks will realize that the taxpayers are already invested in the Curtis investigation, and that it is the one that should proceed.

Companion post on O'Hare's Ramblings

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 sought 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

ADDENDUM JANUARY 13, 2025:That track was never restored, nor an industry secured that would ever need a rail-siding. It was wishful thinking that could only be entertained by bureaucrats working in a municipal authority, using tax dollars. The park garage on Linden Street succumbed to neglect. The former Mack plant on S. 10th Street is now an indoor garbage sorting dump.

The Train Of Union Terrace

The Conrail engine backs across Walnut Street in 1979, as it delivers a flatcar of large granite slaps and blocks to the Wentz Memorial Company, by 20th and Hamilton Streets. The Union Terrace track was next to the former ice skating pond, behind the WPA Amphitheater Stage Mound. The train locomotive, and it's boxcar of granite, weighing untold tons, passed over a simple trestle with 8" inch beams. The pedestrian bridge which Cunningham and Solt claim is inadequate, has 24 inch steel beams. The industrial era of Union Terrace has passed. Even the Wentz property is now for sale. Please join me tomorrow evening, Wednesday March 14th, and help save the Stone Arch Bridge at Union Terrace. The Commissioner Meeting is at 7:30pm. For those unable to attend at that hour, your presence would be appreciated at the committee meeting on destroying the bridge at 5:45. Ice Skating is no longer permitted on the pond. The Amphitheater is falling apart. Let us assert ourselves, and save something of Allentown's history.
Train photograph was taken by Dave Latshaw in the 1979, and is part of the Mark Rabenold collection. Rabenold is a local train historian, specializing in Allentown's former branch lines.
click train photo to enlarge

above reprinted from March 13, 2012

ADDENDUM JANUARY 10, 2025: I did manage with the help of some commissioners to save the historic Walnut Street stone bridge. The amphitheater is in the final stages of restoration. However, in addition to the former train trestle being removed, so was the nearby little walk bridge into the park from the Walnut Street side. The return of that walkway remains on my list for Union Terrace.