SPECIAL EDITION, TUERK OBSCURES THE TRUTH

Matt Tuerk sent a mailer claiming that there was no tax increase under his administration. His opponent, Ed Zucal, took him to task for that distortion.

 "Most people received a mailer from Matt Tuerk claiming to have not raised taxes during his first term as Mayor. What he forgot to tell you is he wanted to raise taxes 5.4% in 2023. Remember when he threatened to take away Lights in the Parkway if he didn't get his way. Council shot his 5.4% down. Then he came back with a 2% raise. Council shot that down to. So the real truth is Mayor Tuerk would have raised your taxes. If you also remember Council had a vote of "No Confidence" as a direct result of this caous. Thank Council for no tax increases not Matt Tuerk."

As we approach Tuesday's election, my support goes to Ed Zucal. I believe that an emphasis on public safety and quality of life issues will benefit all our citizens, more than raising flags and having festivals.

ADDENDUM: Zucal press release Friday Evening 

                  Mayor Matt sends in the Machine ALLENTOWN — 

In the final days of Allentown’s mayoral primary, the Ed Zucal campaign is responding to a wave of anonymous attack ads with a warning: voters are witnessing a coordinated, last-ditch effort by entrenched political insiders to prop up Mayor Matt Tuerk and silence opposition. As reported by the Morning Call, the ads in question are funded by shadowy PACs, including the Civic Growth Initiative, a group tied to former mayoral candidate Charlie Thiel—a longtime ally of the political class surrounding Mayor Tuerk. The group has ads attacking Zucal and other candidates while boosting allies of the current administration. “Despite trying to hide his involvement, it’s clear that Tuerk is behind these shady efforts, ” said Zucal. “The individual who has attached his name to this effort —Ray Lahoud— has also donated thousands of dollars to Tuerk. He wants voters distracted from the outsiders and special interests that are bankrolling his campaign. ” “Voters will see through Matt’s dirty tricks and dark money. On May 20th, they will vote for truth and transparency.

A Personal Memoir

I'm not sure memoir is a good title, rather than facts and records, I have hazy recollections. Assuming my memory will not improve at this stage of the game, let me put to print that which I can still recall. In about 1958 my father built Flaggs Drive-In. McDonalds had opened on Lehigh Street, and pretty much proved that people were willing to sit in their cars and eat fast food at bargain prices. For my father, who was in the meat business, this seemed a natural. As a rehearsal he rented space at the Allentown Fair for a food stand, and learned you cannot sell hotdogs near Yocco's. He purchased some land across from a corn field on Hamilton Blvd. and built the fast food stand. In addition to hamburgers, he decided to sell fried chicken. The chicken was cooked in a high pressure fryer called a broaster, which looked somewhat like the Russian satellite Sputnik. The stand did alright, but the business was not to my father's liking, seems he didn't have the personality to smile at the customers. He sold the business several years later to a family which enlarged and enclosed the walk up window. Subsequent owners further enlarged the location several times. The corn field later turned into a Water Park, and you know Flaggs as Ice Cream World.

I'm grateful to a kind reader who sent me this picture of Flaggs

reprinted from March 12, 2009

When Republicans Ruled Allentown

I remember 1955 pretty well. I was nine years old, and Hurricane Diane roared through Allentown.  I remember the sound of the metal trash cans blowing around the neighborhood, hitting houses and cars. Living in Little Lehigh Manor, my neighbor's large willow tree blew over. The creek was way over its banks. My father had spent the night moving meat from the first floor cooler to a second floor cooler, with his market being next to the Lehigh River. What I don't remember is that Republicans ruled the city back then.

But I do remember the prosperity of Allentown. The factories were going full tilt, some with two and three shifts. More mothers were staying home, with the father's union wages being enough to support the family.  The southside was booming, with new factories between Lehigh Street and Emmaus Ave. Mack 5C was putting out an endless line of truck cabs.

I was about fifty years away from thinking about local politics. I couldn't tell you who the mayor was until Joe Daddona in the late 70's. We're learning that Ed Zucal is asking Republicans to write him in on May 20th, and that Matt Tuerk and Dems are in a huff about it. 

Although conservative, I'm a true independent. By that I mean that I vote for people, not a party. There hasn't been a Republican voted to any Allentown office this century, but a shakeup sure wouldn't hurt the town. When nobody from the Baum Art School, which just started building a new addition, doesn't complain about the Museum moving away to 10th Street, we have become mired in go along to get along. It is my contempt for that attitude which fuels this blog.

Allentown Has No Shame

As a long time critic of the NIZ, the newest article by the Morning Call is right up there as an infomercial. It involves placing an arch over the street by Reilly's new buildings, and installing a statue of, no less, a Greek g-d. The icing on the cake is that it is being promoted by none other than Pat Browne, patron saint of Reilly's good fortune.

The new Morning Call reporters are following a tradition at the Morning Call, writing good news about the NIZ, and skipping any unpleasant realities, like the 7th Street drug and gun bust at Strata #5, aka The Hive. The paper has also taken to using stories from former editors and reporters, who now have news letters and blogs.

I keep resolving to be nicer, but I just can't find any justification for it. Meanwhile, back at the upcoming election, Tuerk is claiming that Zucal lies!!!! That he can't be both a Democrat and Republican! Of course Zucal is entitled to ask Republicans to write him in on May 20th, and Allentonians are entitled to vote as they see fit come November.

shown above WW1 Victory Parade arch in 1919, 500 block of Hamilton St.

A Giant Among Midgets

Here's a story you will not read about on any official City of Allentown website. It's a story of private gumption, instead of the usual public subsidy. It's the late 1990's, and I stop in and visit infamous Allentown landlord Joe Clark. He's sitting at a desk in the middle of a large empty storefront at 7th and Turner, surrounded by landlord supplies and building materials. The phone rings and it's Mayor William Heydt. Heydt just learned that Clark purchased the vacant Eastern Light Building on Hamilton Street, and wants to know Clark's intentions. Clark tells him he's going to build the best nightclub Allentown has ever seen. Heydt doesn't offer any help, but tells him that he'll be under close scrutiny. Clark does go on to build the club, without a nickel of help from Allentown. Years later, when the BrewWorks would open with unlimited city subsidy, a public parking lot on 8th Street was given exclusively to the BrewWorks. A few weeks ago Clark asked if he could rent the Parking Authority lot behind the nightclub; Request Denied. This week, based on ticket sales, Crocodile Rock was rated the 60th most successful nightclub in the world for 2011. The midgets at City Hall pay for consultants, when there's a genius half a block away.

above reprinted from January of 2012

ADDENDUM February 8, 2023:What brings this decade old plus post back today is the news that J.B. Reilly's CityCenter Real Estate will build a band venue within their new projects in the 900 block of Hamilton Street. The Morning Call doesn't mention that Reilly purchased the old Croc Rock building and virtually all of Hamilton Street, except for a few holdouts who wouldn't sell. The Morning Call also doesn't mention that Croc Rock was run by Joe Clark, less, but still infamous. I can't tell you how much the current Call article amused me, but Joe got to laugh all the way to the bank.

ADDENDUM MAY 13, 2025: Joe Clark passed away last week. Recently in Allentown homelessness and affordable housing have been news items. I can tell you that there would have been considerably more homeless in Allentown without Clark...He took chances renting to tenants that other landlords wouldn't touch. Bill Heydt also recently passed away...He was the last Republican mayor in Allentown.

Protecting Who From Whom

When Strata 13 was built on the northeast corner of 7th & Linden, Lanta reconfigured the bus flow to accommodate it.  Actually, Lanta has been accommodating Reilly's NIZ since before the beginning. They started by relocating the bus stops off Hamilton, and herding the sheep to 6th & Linden. Actually, Strata 13 is called the Hive, but I call all Reilly's residential buildings Strata. 

On Friday police raided the Hive, seizing a gun and marijuana. Reilly's City Center Real Estate has it own security force to protect the tenants. That seemed appropriate, especially with the infamous 7/11 across the street. After reading about the police raid, the question now is who is going to protect the street people from Reilly's tenants?

With us taxpayers footing Reilly's debt service, I always figured that Reilly would  keep a unit empty rather than rent to the wrong element.  I suppose with the housing storage, the do-gooders pressure him to make units available. At any rate, it appears as if the Hive is fitting into the neighborhood. 

photocredit:WFMZ

Señor No Credit

Although the Poison Hemlock is already thriving along Cedar Creek, I notice two short strips by the Rose Garden that are being cut for the first time in well over a decade. That would be the narrow area between the bridge and first pond, behind the stone house currently hosting Friends Of The Parks. The second strip, which is very narrow, is after the last pond, before the middle walk bridge. While he who cannot ever be mentioned will receive no credit, subscribers of this blog know that I have been complaining since day one about the weed wall.

Over the years there has been a few other suggestions of mine adopted, such as the three large stone landing, next to the middle walk bridge mentioned above. Among my current campaigns, I hope to see the broken up pieces of concrete removed from around the stone piers of the Robin Hood Bridge. Another high priority item on my list is to see the small walk bridge from the Walnut St. side of Union Terrace replaced. It was removed about five years ago, rather than repaired.

Although I remain he who cannot ever be mentioned, occasionally officials have privately sought my opinion, on one topic or another.

Know Thyself

On yesterday's blog post I commented that I don't like slogans, having placed one myself on a photo of Ed Zucal, which I had cropped and turned from color to BW.   So, I suppose I don't like a slogan unless I wrote it :)

On this know thyself topic, I didn't plan on plugging Zucal until closer to the May 20th primary. However, who knows what news will preoccupy this blog in the meantime. While most of my readers trend conservative and are receptive to Zucal, beating Tuerk will be no cakewalk. Tuerk's a flatter machine, and people eat that up.

Ed Zucal's background as a policeman appeals to those of us who believe that the ship should be run tighter in Allentown, while Tuerk's constituents enjoy the carefree attitude about enforcing quality of life issues.  Of course, in reality, that attitude really benefits no one.

Who Is Repressing Crime Reporting In Allentown?

Mayoral candidate Ed Zucal reported Monday on social media that someone was stabbed on Friday near West Park, and that two cars exchanged gunfire near Hayes Elementary School. As of Tuesday evening, neither incident was reported by the Morning Call or WFMZ.

Being a small town pizza blogger only claiming informed commentary, rather than investigative reporting, I have not checked the police blotter or with those news outlets to analyze the crime repression. However, I do know that both Mayor Tuerk and police chief Roca claim that crime is down. They're not bashful about complimenting themselves when someone is caught, as was the person firing a gun on 2nd St.. From my excursions around Allentown, I can tell you that quality of life is down, and that reality is what affects most of us.

As long as the car stereos vibrate a block away, and people feel free to stop their cars anytime, anywhere, Tuerk and Roca lack credibility with me. Tuerk has been playing his Latino card harder than in his first campaign, but I don't think that compensates with the residents in West Park and other affected neighborhoods.

Pickup Hoops At Jordan Meadows

Subscribers to the blog know that I bill myself as an advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA structures within them. However, since 2005 the Allentown parks and recreation departments have been combined, and I claim no expertise about the recreation programs. On the contrary, I know very little about them.

I do know that the basketball courts at Cedar Beach are heavily used. I do know that the baseball field in Fountain Park is heavily used. I do know that whenever kids are playing sports, it is positive for both them and the city.

With the above disclaimers, allow me to opine that the recreation sector of the park department should refrain from those activities for which there may not be much long term demand, such as was the case with roller hockey in Jordan Meadows. Near the parking lot at Robin Hood in the Parkway, it's painful to see a disk golf tee located at the neglected WPA spring pond, with its quaint miniature bridge. 

Shown above a pickup game of hoops at Jordan Meadow.  The handball court was also in use this past Saturday.

Homeless and Roller Hockey on Jordan Creek

This past Friday I visited the Jordan Meadows pathway for the first time.  The pathway itself is on the west ridge above the creek, while the large homeless encampment is down the slope, on the creek itself.  The city organized a trash pickup over several days, the last occurring on Friday. I passed a few do-gooders with a photographer in tow.

While the park department has built a large multi-sport complex on the east side of the creek, the purpose of the west side walk path, beyond accommodating the homeless, isn't clear to me. While the east bank sports a new lighting system,  the only recent investment on the west side was by Nat Hyman, to his lawyer. Hyman, after donating land for the walkway, feels forced to sue the city to maintain quality of life for his tenants, impacted by the homeless encampment. Rather than relocate the homeless, the city is encouraging the situation by supposedly supplying porta johns and trash containers. A previous homeless encampment near Basin Street, which was not impacting any rent paying tenants, was dismantled by the city to facilitate a commercial real estate deal. Furthermore, they built that commercial developer a $million plus private bridge off Martin Luther King Blvd.

As an advocate for the traditional park system, the placement of the sports complex puzzled me.,,Bucky Boyle served the area for years. Saturday found me back at Jordan Meadows, this time on the east sports complex side. Speaking to guys playing both handball and basketball, none of them have ever seen any activity at the roller hockey field. Hopefully that will change, because the city has just reconfigured the field for soccer.

Crime In Cedar Park

Subscribers to this blog know that for years I have been advocating for the park department to keep the large pavilion in the picnic grove. Instead, with typical bureaucratic mentality, they submitted the structure to benign neglect, intent on replacement. 

That former beautiful structure met its demise yesterday.  A park employee gave me the company line that it wasn't safe. What won't be as safe is its metal lightning rod replacement. In addition to bad planning, talk about bad timing!! Now, after all these years, they tear it down right before the picnic season begins?

While some in the administration don't appreciate my unsolicited sidewalk supervision, I actually have been holding my tongue on many items. If I printed my punch list for the parks, I'd have to have five posts a day. Like Popeye, now-a-days I only speak out on the things I can't stand anymore.

A Meat Market In Easton

When I was in high school my father owned a small meat market in Easton. It was called Melbern, and was on South 4th Street. That small row of old buildings was replaced in the early 1980's by the current KWM Insurance Agency. I spent my high school summers working in the meat market, and exploring Northampton Street on my lunch breaks. 

Recently, I returned to retrace my steps. Back then I would walk down to the circle for lunch, usually stopping to visit a friend who worked at the lunchmeat counter in the five and dime. The circle is still busy with a lunch crowd, even without a NIZ subsidized by Pennsylvania taxpayers. 

The buildings, for the most part, are original and charming. Easton is up and coming, because it wasn't lucky enough to become revitalized with sterile towers of architectural mediocrity.

I even stopped in to visit Sal Panto at the new city hall. I suspect he saw me coming through a surveillance system, because his secretary assured me that he wasn't in. 

 reprinted from April of 2018 

Freight train crossing river in Easton in 1939

Allentown's $10Million Dollar Joke

Allentown is embarrassed about the Gateway appearance entering downtown Hamilton Street from the west.  Allentown has a lot to be embarrassed about, but the condition of the sidewalk is the least of its problems.  People are concerned about the lack of people on Hamilton Street, and more so, the character of the ones that are there!

Our city leaders and planners are taking about a new sidewalk and new trees. Over the years I have seen them reconfigure that sidewalk at least half a dozen times. Add trees, cut down trees, wrong trees, right trees, add bricks, remove bricks, and never have those things mattered.  

What's sad is these planners know that it doesn't matter, that it's a joke, yet they still do it.

If the new buildings in the above rendering of the new Gateway sidewalk/tree project look lifeless and nondescript, it is because those new buildings are lifeless and nondescript. If I have offended any of the planners, then we're even.

above reprinted from December of 2022

ADDENDUM APRIL 30, 2025: A current piece in the Morning Call is about Urban Forestry. Apparently, there is a grant for sidewalk trees. I can tell you that today's trees are tomorrow's sidewalk replacement, and in Allentown that is generally at the homeowner's expense. Trees and sidewalks are not compatible for the long term.

Weber, The Wizard

During the vaudeville heyday of stage magic, star magicians such as Thurston and Blackstone, while performing at the Lyric Theatre(Symphony Hall), could be found staying and visiting at the Weber household in Allentown. Herman L. Weber, a contemporary and friend of Houdini, was known as Namreh, the Magician and also as Weber, the Wizard. Twice, during 1930's and 40's, he traveled coast to coast with his traveling magic show. Allentown has a rich tradition of magic and a long standing chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Herman Weber lived on N. 17th St., and had two sons, Robert and William

reprinted from December of 2008, in memory of Robert and William Weber

Neuweiler Nights

The Limey drove an old Plymouth to work. My friend Johnny walked 3 blocks to work. I rode the bus. We all slaved in the dye house at Third and Allen Streets in Allentown about a hundred years ago.

Danny Bokeko, Subby, Joe Alizirri Jr., Jimmy the numbers runner, and George ("me rent and me eats") were some more of us.

We were all pretending to be tough guys. But Johnny really was tough. It was the way he had been brought up. Yet, although he was a bruiser, he was amazingly tolerant and gentle (in contrast to his dad). He was actually John Eugene Vasilik, III. When you called him on the telephone, his father John, Jr., usually answered and you had better ask for John Eugene Vasilik, THE THIRD. The whole enchilada! "WHO do you want--the father or the son?" "Why don’t you ask RIGHT?"

Johnny’s father was shorter than his two sons, but a nasty SOB if there ever was one. He was continually belligerent and would never back down. He badmouthed a bartender at the Dial Inn down in the ward one night and got beat up. The very next day he was back at the Dial Inn tormenting the same guy, arguing, provoking, and cursing--just totally nuts!

The Limey would pick me up at night and we would hang on the corner at 3rd and Hamilton Streets with Johnny. There was always something happening. We got to know the cops fairly well. Sometimes we would sit in Jim The Greek's. The cockroaches were big as mice. Johnny was always hungry and ate with impunity. I would only have bottled soda.

I worked at the Allen Dye House for two and a half years and then my father died and my brother and I took over the business that my Dad had started from our home. So I sort of drifted away from the colorful life down in the ward. Two years later Harry Birch (The Limey) went back to England and Johnny left the dye house to work at Neuweiler’s Brewery with his Dad.

Johnny’s father had a round depression sunken into his forehead about the size of half a golf ball. Very noticeable. Johnny never knew the story behind it. Can you imagine even ASKING? Johnny worked in the brewery while his Dad drove a beer truck. So how did their coworkers differentiate between these two Johnnies? They called the FATHER, "John." And they called the SON, "Hole-In-The-Head," or just "Hole."

After Johnny needed to wear eyeglasses, however, they began calling him, "Four-Eyes." Some time later he thought he would outfox them by getting contact lenses. You guessed it. Johnny had earned the moniker, "Contact."

Everyone called me, "Clint," because I resembled a guy on a TV show, "Clint and Bullets." I had never seen the show. Maybe it is just as well.

Two days after the September 11th tragedies, a phone call from England came on my answering machine. It was The Limey, Harry Birch; after all of these years asking for Clint and wishing me well.


NARRATIVE BY WILLIAM WEBER, WEST PARK ICON, HISTORIAN AND REALTOR OF CHOICE (BONDED REALTY)

reprinted from April 20, 2009, in memory of William Weber

Art Museum, Another Sad Relocation

The Art Museum move to the NW corner of 10th & Linden is about as cultureless as it gets. In addition to having no history there, it will be separated from both Baum Art School and the art park. It will most likely be another architectural monstrosity. 

If the move was to the post office, an art deco masterpiece, it would have some merit, but 10th & Linden is tasteless.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the Allentown Art Museum as a vibrant cultural hub,” Max Weintraub, the museum’s president and CEO said in the release. “By relocating to 10th and Hamilton, we are not only expanding access to the arts but also contributing to the revitalization of downtown Allentown and creating a legacy for future generations.” City and state officials lauded the museum’s plans to relocate, which will bring the museum to an up-and-coming Allentown neighborhood that developer City Center Group has dubbed Downtown West. The Da Vinci Science Center and Archer Music Hall recently opened in the same area.

The above press release and snippet from the Morning Call, inadvertently reveals Allentown's reality. We learn that Reilly's 10th & Hamilton is up and coming, who the real piper is, and who is following him.  I suppose another charter school will take over the former art museum on 5th Street.

shown above is the magnificent post office, left to languish by our cultural elite.

Political Manna For Printing Industry

Earlier in the week, the Morning Call had a story about campaign contributions already flowing to Ryan Mackenzie.  The Mackenzie-Wild race in 2024 cost $38 Million. Considering that we have one newspaper and one television station, most of that was spent, or wasted, on oversize postcards. If you weren't offended and annoyed by the endless stuffing of your mailbox, you should be nominated for sainthood. 

I have serious doubts about how many votes those endless cards actually swayed, I believe very few. If you divide the few who were swayed by the cost of the election, that per vote cost was astronomical. I find it so wasteful, I will not contribute to the candidates that I do support.

On my last post about Trump, the comments said "give him time, you'll see and it's worth the short term pain." Come 2026, I believe Mackenzie will be facing a headwind of voter discontent about the Trump administration. I suspect by then he won't be touting the company line. Trump and the Republican victory, along with the coattails, were by a very large part from the independents like myself, sitting out the election. For Mackenzie to get my vote in 2026, he'll have to cut bait with Trump, and much sooner than the mid-terms.

Plywood Coming To Allentown

I don't see myself as an expert in real estate. Generally, I have alway bought high and sold low. However, I have lived through several real estate cycles, and see the current market not boding well long term in center city. When a row house in an alley sells for $200,000, I see trouble coming. Unless the new homeowner is a dedicated urban pioneer with deep pockets, those payments will soon become a bitter commitment. Walking away might be the easiest choice for the newly disillusioned, and the mortgage company will order plywood for the doors and windows.

If the property was purchased as an investment, that $2000 plus rent will have to be collected month in and month out, or plywood will be coming. However, $200K currently floats in the city, with astronomical  $500k and $600K in the suburbs. The astronomical prices are being driven by an incredibly short supply. When the supply and choice increase, the frenzy prices will subside...Then reality will return to center city real estate.

In a couple years there may be a glut of available houses for those advocates for affordable housing. If my dire prediction comes true, blight will be the next buzz word.

When Alleys Aren't Alleys

The most intractable issue in the Allentown Parking Authority controversy is alley parking. Although the Authority itself offered a compromise on that issue, at least two members of council, Candida Affa and Daryl Hendricks, won't budge. They see the topic as a slippy slope. They find the 12 ft. proposal too unenforceable... one person may perceive the width as 11ft., and another 13ft.

As a lifelong resident, I know that all alleys are not created equal.  An alley in center city with houses actually fronting on it is a very different animal than the alleys farther west. 

Past 17th Street, there are no houses in the alleys. Past Ott Street, there's not even many garages in the alleys.  In the deep west end, many former alleys no longer exist.  While the city accommodated some owners by vacating certain ones, others were just appropriated. People put private driveway signs and gates up...others were absorbed into lawns.

Leaving the alley ordinance as is leaves the issue up to the discretion of the parking authority. That discretion, or lack thereof, is what brought this current controversy to the front burner in the first place.

Show above was a "private" alley with gate. Before the gate, it was a public alley.  Farther downtown the same alley has a street name and even houses. The gate has since been removed, and it's now a garage driveway.

above reprinted for May 1, 2023

ADDENDUM APRIL 22, 2025: What recycled this post today isn't the alley issue, rather the affirmation of Allentown's west end. It is my policy not to dox people or their property, so please mention neither in any comments, I won't print them. 

Real Estate prices in Allentown are going through the roof everywhere, even in downtown alleys. That phenomenon is a topic for another post, but this one concerns construction and additions in the west end. The large lots in the deep west end were suitable for sub-division and additions, and numerous owners have done so in the last few years. I see this expensive new construction as an affirmation of that section of the city.

No Egg Hunt

For the first time in over 60 years, the children of Little Lehigh Manor will not be enjoying an egg hunt on the same slope of Lehigh Parkway. The event was started in the late 1940's by the homeowner's association, then taken over by the local chapter of the Optimist International in 1960. That chapter now has been reduced by the years to three men, all in their eighties, and one of them now lives in Florida. Ever the optimist, Dave Jordan put up the sign above, hoping to create some interest for next year. So far, he has received only two calls, one from an older Jewish blogger, who hunted for eggs there as a child, growing up in that wonderful neighborhood. If you have an interest in volunteering to take over the event, please phone Dave at 610 XXX-XXXX

reprinted from April of 2012

ADDENDUM APRIL 21, 2025: I do not know if an egg hunt ever was restored to the Parkway neighborhood, but otherwise, the hunts are alive and well in Allentown. Last Saturday there were hunts in Midway Manor and Mountainville. This Saturday, there were hunts in Percy Ruhe, Jordan and Bucky Boyle Parks. Over the weekend there were also smaller hunts,  among them, one organized by the Ortiz Foundation in Stevens Park, and another by a book club in Cedar Park.

When Mack Was Allentown

I grew up around the corner from Mack's famous 5C plant, on the corner of Lehigh and S. 12th Streets. In the early 1950's, the brightly colored truck tractors would cover the lot next to the old assembly plant. All day long, a new tractor would leave for delivery somewhere, with two more piggy back on the coupling hitches. Over the years I have written a lot of posts about Mack, especially how their workers would use the Fountain Park WPA steps, walking to their jobs on S. 10th Street. Mack made all their own truck parts there, except the tires. Built Like A Mack Truck, was a result of the local craftsmanship.

In Saturday's Morning Call article about Mack investing in the Macungie plant, the vice president is quoted as saying that Mack was here to stay. By Saturday evening, that vice president was no longer with the company, according to WFMZ. I remember when the larger share of production was moved to South Carolina in 1987. Shortly before that plant closed in 2002, they handed out sunglasses to symbolize their bright future there. I remember when the World Headquarters on Mack Boulevard moved to North Carolina. I don't know about Mack's long term future in the valley, but I do know that the ties that bind have long since been broken.

Jack Mack, one of Mack Truck's founding brothers, was killed in an auto accident in 1924. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery on Lehigh Street.

above reprinted from 2016 

ADDENDUM APRIL 18, 2025: Mack has announced an upcoming layoff of about 300 workers, citing the tariffs and uncertainly about demand. Local Democratic elected officials, Josh Siegel and Nick Miller, have wasted no time blaming Trump's half hazard approach to tariffs. Mack union officials are also joining the chorus, not against tariffs per se, but the way the administration has implemented them. While local Republicans have not yet commented, they know that Trump's coattails are already turning into a liability. How did this fall from grace happen so quickly? Trump's appointments have been the worse in my memory, and he's a man who certainly needed good advice.

Allentown As Charlie Tuna

One girl gets a new hair-do and wardrobe, but the other one gets asked to the prom?!?  While a $Billion Dollars of our diverted state taxes went to Allentown's Hamilton Street, Bethlehem was voted Best Main Street in the nation. 

Years ago, Starkist Tuna had a campaign where Charlie Tuna, although dressed in the best, was never picked. Starkist wanted tuna with good taste. Nobody has ever accused Allentown of having good taste.

Children learn that all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Despite one promotion after another, Hamilton Street remains dead. I suppose I should be glad that only the street is dead, as opposed to the people walking on it. Last Friday we learned of a shooting off Tilghman Street. Almost a week has passed, but not another word on the incident. When shootings became so common place in Allentown that there was no follow-up story in the paper, we were in trouble.

The Depreciation Of Union Terrace

I have been advocating for Union Terrace since I stopped then-mayor Joe Daddona jogging to complain about some work needed on the structure. Likewise, I stopped Bill Heydt and his wife on a walk, and badgered both Pawlowski and O'Connell.

Matt Tuerk, consider this an open letter to you. Union Terrace (now Joseph Daddona Terrace) has never looked worse, or never was it in more immediate need of intervention.

The double stairwell down from St. Elmo Street is degraded. Worse yet, shown above, the northern end corner of the stage mound wall is about to collapse from shameful neglect.

Mr. Mayor,                                                                              Please don't allow the park department to tell me that they will seek a grant from Trexler Trust, and that they will send a consultant to recommend what kind of mortar to use on the repair.  Please just send a mason and fix it.

Sincerely, Michael Molovinsky, Advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA

reprinted from June 2022 

ADDENDUM APRIL 16, 2025:Union Terrace has been repointed, and the mason did an excellent job. Expect some fanfare this spring/summer from the city and Parknership about the restoration. While they're basking in their accomplishment, hopefully they will put the Parkway double stairwell landings on the schedule, because that job is way overdue.

Future of Allentown Parks In Jeopardy

Let me clarify that I'm referring to those aspects and features of the park system that made it famous. Let me clarify that I'm referring to those features which Harry Trexler established a trust fund to protect. 

If anybody doubts that even Trexler's wishes have been subverted, let them try and locate Mrs. Trexler's greenhouse. Although it was her pride and joy, specifically protected by the trust, years ago the trust petitioned the court it allow its removal, to accommodate a former park director.

Lately, the park department and Trust have been accommodating the Wildlands Conservancy. The agenda of the Conservancy and the traditional park system are NOT compatible. The word wildlands is not in the definition of parks, and the word parks is not in the definition of wild lands.  Under their cooperation, we have lost access to the park creeks, some WPA structures, and the future of the traditional Allentown park system.

The new Parknership is funded by both Trexler Trust and the Pool Foundation, which is the main backer of the Wildlands Conservancy.  It would be nice if the current Trexler Trustees were all descendants of the General Trexler, and shared his park values. In reality, they're all influential people, who mostly value getting along with the establishment.  Allegiance to the traditional park system no longer figures into their decision making, and hasn't for decades.

Besides for the parks, there's not much left of Allentown's former uniqueness. However, I know that there are thousands of people who share my dismay about the direction of the park system. I intend to make the new Facebook group, WPA of Allentown, a lobby for the traditional park system. There appears to be no other advocacy group for those values.

ADDENDUM: The above is rather blunt, even for this outspoken blogger. However, there is no other local venue expressing such sentiments, although many share my opinion(s) on the parks.

Bad Day For Allentown's Traditional Park System

Sunday was a rough day for Cedar Park. In cooperation with the City Park Department, dozens of eager Wildands Conservancy volunteers descended upon Cedar Park and planted dozens of trees, expanding the faux Riparian Buffer even out more from the creek. While some of the plantings took place in the most western section toward Cedar Crest Blvd., half the damage was done before the last walk bridge on the path loop. This former open space was prized by numerous dog owners, near one of the few places their pets can get a tick free drink!

The holes were dug earlier in the week by the park department. This cooperation between the department and Conservancy indicates that the department is as committed as ever to the faux buffer, aka Weed Wall. The Wildands owns hundreds of acres on South Mountain, where they could plant all the trees they want.  

I recently offended some officials by stating that the current public park input meetings are a political dog and pony show. If the city really cares about how the residents feel about the parks, they can read the Facebook group Allentown Chronicles. On the group, hundreds of residents have expressed their disgust with the weed walls.

Just Out Of View And Gone In Allentown

The photo above means a lot to me, for the things just out of view and now gone. You're at the crossing tower on Union Street, near 3th. There's another gate stopping the eastbound traffic, which has backed up toward the Jordan Creek. The same train has also blocked traffic further down the line, at Basin Street. It's the early 1950's and the tracks from the two rail lines, Lehigh Valley and Jersey Central, cross here.  At the end of Union Street you can make out my father's market, Allentown Meat Packing Company. The whole side of the building is a sign, painted directly on the brick in red and silver, Retail Meats, Wholesale Prices. You'll pass Morris Black Building Supply and The Orange Car before you get there. You'll also have to cross another set of tracks, which was the Lehigh Valley old main, before they built the Railroad Terminal over the Jordan Creek, at Hamilton Street. Our commercial past is now consigned to memory and future urban archeology.

reprinted from December of 2013

The Deep Price Of Trump's Showmanship

Trump says sometimes you have to take medicine....I wish that his Secretary of Health, Kennedy, felt the same way. 

While measles in Texas is terrible, our cutoff of food and medicine to Africa could have more dire consequences.  The first case of ebola in American could be a plane ride away.

I see partisan acquaintances defending the economy against Trump's tariffs, and his inappropriate cabinet appointments as necessary to right the ship. As they guzzle the kool-aid, I hope that they have deep pockets and a good immune systems. 

As I'm writing this. Trump announced that he is suspending the tariffs on most countries for 90 days. What the situation will be by the time you read this tomorrow, who knows? But, I can tell you that the rest of the world is not amused.

Reillyville Defended To Taxpayer's Last Dollar

Nick Miller not only took over Browne's office space in Reilly's building, but also as front man for City Center Real Estate. Also, let's not forget the Morning Call's endless promotion of Reilly's NIZ. This recent headline shown above, again forgets to mention the $Billion of diverted state tax money that went toward all the privately owned  new buildings.

Now, if I have my numbers wrong, don't blame me. The state house voted down Jarrett Coleman's proposal for a real audit. Joining the panel discussion with Miller was a City Center spokeswoman, and a merchant. Also you shouldn't blame the new reporter, he doesn't know that he's beating an old drum.

Talking of that old drum, I wonder who is still listening to it?  Someone recently told me that they were billed hundreds of dollars a month when their subscription promotion expired. Here you might also get distorted news, but at least it's free!

Homeless Moving To Allentown Rose Garden

Nat Hyman filed a legal action against the city in regard to the homeless encampment by one of his buildings. I do not find his action inappropriate.  The city then asked Hyman if he would take in some of the homeless....That request I do find inappropriate. They would not have asked Reilly to put up the homeless in a Strata building.

Years ago, Pawlowski took a local developer off the hook,  purchasing two parcels we did not need for parks. One on Basin St., and the other the old fertilizer plant on Martin Luther King. We didn't need them then and we don't need them now. 

Although I'm a self-proclaimed park expert, I must admit I have not been to the Jordan Meadows parkway along the Jordan Creek. I will refrain from opining if the park was advisable, but since we created it, we must maintain it. Comments on yesterday's post on the homeless maintain that the city has adopted a too woke attitude tolerating homelessness.  Rather than rehash that discussion, let's say that all sections of the city deserve the same treatment. Would that encampment be tolerated in the Rose Garden?

The Homeless of Allentown

Homelessness in Allentown, or any other city, is nothing new... That's why the Rescue Mission has been in business for over 100 years, and I mean in business, but more on that later. 

Before having a winter weather shelter at the Y, we used the former pool house at Fountain Park. The Salvation Army has facilities for women and children. Back during Pawlowski's reign, his wife was in charge of the homeless situation.

We always have had homeless encampments. They're usually displaced because of some commercial reason. In recent years, they were under the 8th St. Bridge, by the former incinerator plant, and now in the news, along the Jordan Creek. There have always been the lone wolf homeless. Whether in Lehigh Parkway or even by the Giant shopping center.

When the siren goes off every few years, people form committees and fork over money. About twenty years ago, the Rescue Mission was so flush that they operated an apartment house on 8th Street. When I reported that they were evicting people for non-payment of rent, my disclosure was resented. There has always been lone wolf homeless, and lone wolf bloggers.

While people are blaming current high rents, of course mental health is the long term reason for homelessness. Needless to say, I have no solution. However, I have observed that outreach workers hooking up the homeless with whatever assistance they're willing to accept, has been useful.

The Singer And The Steakhouse

Yesterday, the infamous Shula's Steakhouse singer was in district court on charges unrelated to the Arts Walk incident.  He claims that the Allentown Police have a vendetta against him.  Maybe they do,  their boss's boss is known for his vendettas.  The Hunsicker family, long associated with baseball on the south side,  made the same accusation about Pawlowski last week at city council.  But, this post is about the real crime last August by the steakhouse.

In the molovinsky on allentown hall of justice,  J.B. Reilly, Pat Browne,  Sy Traub, etc. would have been in court yesterday, not the singer.  They, and the others that are responsible for using public money to bring Shula's to the Strata Building (which is filled up no matter what Molovinsky says).  They are responsible for the vendors who got stuck holding the bag for pennies on the dollar, when Shula's went bankrupt.

Elsewhere, in the upside down NIZ world, the parolee center is closing after 35 years, so that Reilly can build his City Center Tower Number 6.  Some of the parolees will be transfered to Scranton and Wernersville, now, that shouldn't disrupt their lives.  Hey,  if you're a singer or a parolee, move along, it's Reilly Time.

above reprinted from May 25, 2016

ADDENDUM APRIL 4, 2025: For many the above post is ancient history.  But allow me to refresh your memory. Some hapless soul was arrested on the Arts Walk for singing about ten years ago. They claimed that he was degrading the atmosphere. I can't tell you what restaurant is there now, so many have come and folded. Yesterday it was announced that they were closing the Marketplace. How many poor vendors wasted their time and money there?  Don't blame the Morning Call for these NIZ failures, they never stopped promoting the scam/scheme that uses your diverted state taxes.  About the only place people ever read the truth about it was here, on this blog.

Mackenzie Breaks Ranks On Proxy Voting

Ryan Mackenzie joined eight other  Republicans supporting twelve week proxy voting for new parents. While this accommodation seems reasonable, it apparently contrasted with Trump's back to the office preference. His robot, house speaker Johnson, will now try another way to keep the bill from going to the full house. 

The bill was co-sponsored by Anna Luna R-Fla and Brittany Pettersen D-Colo.  Pettersen voted with both baby and burp cloth on her shoulder. Mackenzie was involved with new parent legislation while serving as a Pa. state rep..

While the proposal itself only pertains to those members who are new parents, it's revealing how important being in lockstep is to this administration. However, being in the company of eight other Republicans should shield Mackenzie from White House retribution.

Pettersen D-Colo voting

The Wagon Trail

Most of Lehigh Parkway lies in a deep ravine. The slope up to Lehigh Parkway South, across the creek from Robin Hood, is very steep, about 60 degrees. Unknown to many people, there is a diagonal trail on part of the slope, which comes out halfway up the hill behind the Stone and Log House.

We kids who grew up in the Parkway called it the Wagon Trail. I believe it was part of the Kemmerer Farm (Stone and Log House), which dates back to the late 1770's. In the 1950's, the foundation of a small kiln was still visible on the trail. The subsequent years had not been kind to the old trail,  and it is no longer maintained by the Park Department. About halfway between its entrance and exit on the hill, the trail has been blocked by a large fallen tree. People had dumped debris on the trail, and it remained there for years.

In April of 2010, I organized a cleanup.  The park director at the time cooperated on the project. I agreed that no power tools would be used, and he arranged for the city to pick up the rubbish.

It is my hope that the new administration will realize that our parks are more than just space to cram more recreational gimmicks.  They are steeped in history, and places where children can explore.

reprinted from April of 2010

Allentown Saturday Night Fever

Once a week I go on the same loop and occasionally report on the state of the city's civility. Sorry to say that there is no improvement, but one sign of hope. 

The loop starts at Ott and Tilghman. A little west of Ott, the city is once again preparing to dig up Tilghman street. As residents all over the city can attest, there has been no coordination between UGI and the water department. The streets are in a constant state of being dug up. Once upon a time, such activity was managed by the city.

I assumed the car in front of me at 9th and Tilghman had a very loud sound system. But when he turned off on 7th Street, the sound continued, even getter louder? Finally, the gentleman passed me going west at 6th and Tilghman. I started hearing him back at 10th, and I'm getting hard of hearing! 

2nd Street was surprising void of the usual double parkers, but I did pass a patrol car in the 200 block. 7th and Linden was devoid of life, but then again, it was only a Saturday night at dinner time :) Apparently, there isn't enough of our tax money to restore vitality to center city, but only to expand one man's real estate portfolio. 

Back to that sign of hope. Ed Zucal has a campaign banner at 7th and Tilghman. Unless loud car stereos and litter are your values, you better support him in the upcoming primary election.

molovinsky:7th & Turner

Ryan Mackenzie

Lehigh Valley's freshman congressman, Ryan Mackenzie, was appointed to the Education committee. Considering that Trump has already signed an executive order abolishing that department, Mackenzie's appointment is akin to being assigned to the social committee on the Titanic. 

In a recent Morning Call interview, he handled the reporter's (Lindsay Weber) questions fairly well. He asserted that only congress can ultimately end the department, but he avoided saying how he would vote on it when that time came.  He did express concern that Special Education and student loans be protected.

Mackenzie is being assaulted by protests at his office. While the MC interview was a good opportunity for him,  his midterm future could rest with Trump's popularity at that time. I suspect that Trump isn't a hill he wants his career to die on.

photocredit:Tom Shortell

Trump Doesn't Want To Take A Chance

Trump withdrew Elise Stefanik from her United Nations consideration, deciding he better keep her vote in  Congress, although that part of New York state has been reliably red. While commenters on this blog maintain that Republicans are on board with the Trump show so far, the boss isn't as sure. He doesn't want to take a chance on a special election, even in a red district. 

Although I occasionally can't resist replying to an absurd comment, generally, I let my readers rant on unanswered. However, I have no doubt that they're in for a rude awakening. Trump and his appointees can say that security leaks are a hoax, or that disagreeing judges should be impeached, but only those with red hats glued to their heads are buying it. 

In Florida's upcoming special election, the Republican is polling and fund raising considerably less than he should be in his bright red district. While my readers may still be gulping the kool-aid, even Trump senses the shift.

Republican Wake Up Call

Pennsylvania has a new state senator*, and he's a Democrat. But the reason that this special election is news worthy, is that this is the first Democrat elected in that district since 1979. While the Republicans are blaming being behind the eight ball in early write-in voting, I think  that they will need more excuses come November, and especially the mid-terms in 2026.

However, I believe that by mid-terms, Republican candidates will be putting some distance between themselves and Trump's Washington. Even now, just three months in, only partisans can defend Musk's disruption of the federal workforce.

While Republicans are now reduced to town halls by telephone, it will only get worse. They were elected on the coattails of a cult. MAGA will go back to political indifference, unless their benefits are cut...In that case, they'll be joining the Democrats at protests.

*James Malone, 36th Senate District

Josh Shapiro's Political Baggage

I don't know if Josh Shapiro has political ambitions beyond Pennsylvania, but if he does, he might consider dumping his Director of Revenue, Pat Browne. 

Pat Browne devised the NIZ, which only Allentown qualified for. It turns out that his life long friend ended up being the biggest beneficiary of the program. Almost all the new buildings on Hamilton, Walnut and Linden Streets are owned by this friend, J.B. Reilly, and the debt service on them is paid for with diverted state taxes...that's right, private ownership paid for by the public. 

New state senator Jarrett Coleman has been working since his first day to have financial information about the NIZ made available to the public. Browne, on his way out the door of the senate, inserted language into the NIZ ordinance making such information confidential. 

As Shapiro complains about cuts from Washington affecting Pennsylvanians, he has remained complicit in the Allentown coverup. Although he touts the development in Allentown, he ignores the details of blatant favoritism and secrecy. If he has any dreams about 2028, it's a situation that he might want to get in front of.

As Allentown Turns, March 25, 2025

Yesterday's big news is that the city employee is charged with planting the infamous noose herself. Worse for the town, she is also on the school board. By the time you read this here Wednesday morning, she will be pretty torn up by the gristmill. 

Elsewhere in my recent archives, I devoted a couple posts to a Promise Neighborhood critic. Like with the city employee, beyond this mention, my mobile press room is moving on. 

We reached a point where discrimination and accusations of such, have become a cottage industry. Everybody, including the self-proclaimed victims, would be far better off ridding themselves of those chips on their shoulders. Likewise, I think that both the city and school system would be better off less concerned with DEI, and more so with a stronger work ethic.

The Island Of Lehigh Parkway

The scene above shows the island in the Little Lehigh, with the boatlanding in the background. Please note the bridge leading to the island. The island, bridge and landing were created by the WPA. Although the island still remains, as does its stone piers, the bridge is long gone. The boatlanding, although buried, was partially recovered last year by myself and a number of volunteers. The island, as remaining, has lost its shape and has been enlarged from deposits carried by the Little Lehigh. The island was created by the WPA in the mid 1930's, by excavating a channel on its south side. It is the intention of the park department to eventually allow mother nature to fill in the channel. Park philosophy has changed from manicured to al natural. It is my hope that the excavated portion of the boatlanding will be retained. In regard to yesterday's post on Irving Park, I have confirmed that one of the WPA stone stairwells was indeed removed this year by the city. I hope that is not their version of a fix. It clearly indicates the need for the WPA Support Group. Click photo to enlarge.

reprinted from April of 2011

UPDATE JUNE 7, 2018: As a boy I played on the island and especially remember the concrete benches inlaid with tile. It was indeed a special place.  Although the island will never be restored, it is my mission that the remaining WPA structures be maintained.  In years past I have conducted tours of the WPA Structures, and will do so again if the park department does some restoration.  In the photo above, note the bench overlooking the stream and island,  with no weed wall in the way of the view.

ADDENDUM MARCH 24, 2025: I have started a new Facebook group call WPA of Allentown. If you appreciated Allentown's traditional park system,  please consider joining us.

A New Group For Allentown's WPA

My activism with the WPA began in 2009, when I started conducting meetings at the library. Later that year, with the help of few volunteers, we uncovered the Boat Landing in Lehigh Parkway. The next projects involved uncovering the stones lining the Spring Pond, and revealing the nearby miniature bridge. Cooperating with Karen El-Chaar, she secured funds from the Trexler Trust for the repair of the stairs in Fountain Park. I also conducted a couple tours of the Parkway with Karen. 

The original version of this group was kindly started for us by Steven Ramos. With the new Allentown Parknership deciding against my inclusion, I feel that it is time for friends of Allentown's WPA to organize. We will also advocate for the traditional park system, which also seems to be going by the wayside. Thank you for your interest. 

The above is an introduction to a new Facebook group dedicated to the WPA structures in the Allentown park system. 

Your membership in WPA of Allentown is most welcome.

Latino Festival In Allentown

Many readers of this blog know that I also administer the Facebook group Allentown Chronicles. Occasionally, I place a blog post on the group, if it is within the group's guidelines. Today's post actually originated on the group, and was placed there by someone else. 

The newly announced Latino Festival will occur on Hamilton Street May 18th. Called Fiesta On Hamilton, it is being sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Valley Health Partners, MEGA 101.7,  (Spanish radio station), along with the City of Allentown. The Chamber calls it a celebration of our culture. Although Latinos are now a majority in Allentown per se, I don't think that any one "culture" should be represented as "our" culture. In addition to this new Latino festival, we also have a Puerto Rican parade and a Dominican day. 

I've criticized Matt Tuerk for conducting too many flag raising days. I wonder how much Tuerk  and politics is behind this new festival?  Perhaps we could truly respect our diversity better by not putting certain ones in the more public spotlight than others.

A Promise Made Is A Promise Enforced

Recently, after being lobbied to do so, I did a post on Promise Neighborhoods and a critic. Not wanting to be an agitator, I chose my words to downplay the confrontation between parties. As the week progressed, the critic became tamer, lastly describing the confrontation as a manly conversation. 

Over the weekend, the critic's former personal page had disappeared from Facebook. Today's post isn't to rehash his previous complaints, but to note Promise Neighborhoods protecting its turf. It's my understanding that complaints from Promise succeeded in having the critic's page removed.

The local establishment is invested in Promise, from Tuerk through the Trexler Trust to Josh Shapiro. Apparently, the powers that be also choose to ignore any criticism of their investment.

ADDENDUM: The critic is Johnny Gomez. His organization is called Walk With Me. His current facebook page is Whatzz Tea

Allentown's Salt Of The Earth

Allentown is dependent in many ways on its dwindling stock of middle class homeowners, especially in the challenged neighborhoods, such as West Park and west of the library.  I've been informed on good source, that more and more of such former homes are becoming de facto rooming houses...that the city is turning a blind eye to landlords renting out rooms in single family houses. Although I've been told that there is a loophole in zoning allowing this, I haven't researched the ordinance. What is more important than the zoning, is the enforcement, or lack there of.

These new rooming houses increase the parking burden on legitimate neighbors, and generally decline the quality of life. What brings this situation to this blog's attention is the mayor.

These rooming houses are springing up in the mayor's own neighborhood, with his blessing. I suppose that from his progressive point of view, such a blind eye is reducing the housing crunch in Allentown. However, if bread and butter homeowners decide the increased density is too unbearable and move, Allentown loses in every way.  

South West Street, looking north

Justice Under Trump

Trump's speech on Friday afternoon should have had every lawyer there mortified. Imagine, the President of the United States inferring legal retribution against his perceived political enemies, at the Department of Justice no less! I understand that our 47th felt that the department was weaponized against him, but now he wants to wield the weapon?

The speech also reflected poorly on Pam Bondi, but her introduction of Trump suggested she is not overly encumbered by such shame. As Trump's campaign song by the Village People played at the end, it was clear that this man hasn't moved beyond the campaign. John Bolton says that Trump is purely transactional, and not interested in anything besides his own scores to settle. It's as if the country's future is being scored on a small golf card.

Trump started his speech wondering if it was inappropriate for him to be there?  That ended up being the most appropriate part of his speech. He told the assembled Justice employees that their department was just recently crooked and corrupt. He attacked the press, even the conservative Wall Street Journal, calling reporters scum. It will be interesting to see how long his appointees are willing to compromise their own legacies.