BrewPub Owner Serves Himself

Today's Morning Call contains an incredibly self serving letter by the owner of the Allentown BrewPub; http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/letters/all-fegley.6198304dec30,0,1003821.story
Mr. Fegley is not happy that the newspaper reports some of the crime in center city, which in turn could scare some clientele away. He refers to a set of new enterprises and their owners as visionary, but neglects to mention that without exception, they were all highly subsidized by the taxpayers and abated of both local income and real estate taxes. He shows no awareness of the plight of the original merchants, and lauds the new Lanta Terminal, which displaced their customer base; He thinks Hamilton Street is there only for these new "visionaries." In a final confirmation of his entitlement to customized news coverage, he actually "lives" in town near the peasants.

Sheftel & Malenovsky

In 1920, two brother- in-laws, bought a truck and started dealing in cloth scraps from the many sewing factories in the Lehigh Valley. By 1950 the firm was called A. Sheftel and Sons, but scattered throughout the valley, were still buildings with the older Sheftel and Malenovsky banner painted on the side. Other families also traded in the by-products from the large local needle trade industry, mainly the Levine's and Pearlman's. Although the factories declined locally, the Sheftel sons' grew the business nationally, and today it is operated by the third generation. In the minds of old timers, the Sheftels and Malenovskys are still linked. By coincidence, less than 24 hours after a previous posting concerning my maternal grandfathers citizenship paper, I received a call from the Sheftel family. They had no real knowledge of me, much less my blog. They had discovered, that in their possession, was a copy of my paternal grandfathers citizenship paper, Aaron Moloviensky. My family, in the 1930's had attempted to "Americanize" our name, by changing it from Moloviensky to Molovinsky, it didn't work. Apparently, at sometime in the past, after a local Jewish History exhibit, someone had placed the Moloviensky document in the Sheftel-Malenovsky folder.

Morning Call as Magician

In a clumsy act of distraction, today's Morning Call editorial, tries to shift the blame for firing the police officer from the mayor to city council. In reality, magic aside, Allentown City Council has NEVER voted against the mayor's preference on any issue since his election. Council's function as a rubber stamp is a matter of public record, making today's column nothing more than damage control for the mayor, in regard to a very unpopular decision with the general public. Blind support of the mayor is bad enough, using others as a scapegoat is worse.

King of the Gypsies

According to my mother, a Gypsy king was buried in Allentown in around 1960, she knew about such things. She was born in Galgo, Hungary, an area of Transylvania, now part of Romania, near present day Gilgau. In Galgo, the Jews and Gypsies lived on the edge of town. In the early 20's, my grandparents, along with their Gypsy neighbors, came to Bethlehem to work at the Steel. On weekends, to make extra money, my grandparents would open their house and show Hungarian movies. None of their relatives, Jew or Gypsy, save one cousin, survived the nazi's; even the cemeteries were desecrated. As you can see from the document above, my grandfather earned his citizenship the hard way.

King of the Castle

All homes sold will now be inspected by the City of Allentown. They want to protect new residents from deficient properties. Who will protect Allentown from deficient new residents? There is no need for the inspection program, no less than 19 contractors are in the yellow pages offering the service to those that want or need it. When your showing someone your house for sale, the last thing you need is Mayor Pawlowski sitting on your toilet, and Allentown City Council in your bathtub. For most of us our home is our main asset, I think the Morning Call should inform the homeowners that they are no longer king of their castle.

Sold Down The River

Last night Allentown homeowners got sold down the river by both the city and county elected officials. The county commissioners voted to give 1.5 million dollars to several organizations to make "middle class" homeowners. Those of us familiar with these groups realize the real middle class doesn't need such assistance, and we are again just financing the poverty magnet. Allentown City Council approved a new law mandating that every property must be inspected by the city before it can be sold. Three realtors, portraying themselves as representing the realtors association, endorsed this proposal. After the meeting, in the hallway, they conceded the realtors were never polled on this issue, and as officers of the association they took that decision upon themselves to make. Also in the hallway, the mayor thanked them for their cooperation in this matter. Allentown would be better off, if both the city and county officials, recognized we need self-sufficient home-buyers; The long term taxpaying homeowners, should have the right to sell their house, without the city getting between them and their buyer.

Pawlowski's Patronage Positions

During the mayoral campaign of 2005 I was aghast at Pawlowski's blatant acts of pandering. He would point out to the audience and say "There's a man who will work at city hall if I'm elected"., "That woman will be at city hall if you elect me"; even the person who carried his briefcase during the campaign now works at city hall. Although I will not reveal the names or positions of these individuals, let me assure you their jobs are by no means necessary, and we would all be better off with a few more police officers. This brings me to an article in today's Morning Call, that Louie Belletieri is resigning his unnecessary job, because he couldn't handle the frustration with City Hall's slow pace and bureaucracy. Fortunately for Pawlowski, the reporter doesn't realize that as Director of Community Development under Afflerbach, Pawlowski implemented and spend $3 million dollars remodeling city Hall to make it efficient and business friendly. Although this past October, Pawlowski hired a second coordinator to help people through the city permit process, and Louie said "it's not like the real world," the mayor hopes to refill the "position" as soon as possible. It's not the real world.

Pawlowski's Poor Excuse

Someone once told me the difference between Parkland and Allen is that the Parkland kids can buy better drugs from nicer dealers. There's probably a lot of truth to that statement, and I think truth goes a long way in problem solving. I didn't take much consolation in Mayor Pawlowski's statement that he spent his first two years reviving Allentown financially, and now will focus on crime; those words are almost enough to make me go out and buy a bullet proof vest. All the solutions offered, such as the Route222 anti-gang task force, surveillance camera system, yearlong study of police force, Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and the anonymous tip line, ignore the politically incorrect reality that there is a correlation between poverty and crime. Although the administration wants to make Hamilton Street appear more affluent, by relocating the bus riders to sabotage the existing merchants, elsewhere Allentown remains a publicly financed poverty magnet. The mayor of Hazleton, although offering no solutions to the national dilemma of immigration, sought to avoid its consequences in his community. Allentown can ill afford to lead the nation in a solution to poverty, drug abuse and crime.

Dr. Lee County

With Lehigh County moving forward with a possible health agency, I hope they remember the Hippocratic oath to do no harm. As a baby boomer I have been concerned with reports of fluoride contributing to brittle bones. It's my understanding that fluoride only helps the teeth of young children, and can be effectively applied topically, and enhanced through toothpaste and mouth wash. The current director of the Allentown Health Bureau can foresee dental programs as a component of a regional department, perhaps that would be a more appropriate venue to provide fluoridation to children. Although my demographic might benefit from valium or viagra in the water supply, I think pure water should be the regional goal.

Lanta Lacks Manners

Although not reported today in the Morning Call, merchants and bus riders attended the Lanta meeting yesterday. Apparently a pattern is emerging, while the board does not respond or ask questions during public input, after the speakers leave the room, their comments are dismissed under the nay-sayer category. According to report today in the Express Times, board members wonder where the complainers where during the seven years of public planning. I, as a public meeting junkie, never heard of the project until which time it was announced. If not for the Allentown Parking Authority building the deck and needing some more state money, there would be no Lanta transfer station. Will Lanta build a station on their own without the Riverwalk project in Easton? Has Lanta been holding public meetings on the Easton project for the last seven years?

Monster as Landlord

Can anyone explain why the Allentown Parking Authority should be a landlord? It is apparently not to make money, because the rent is far below the cost to construct the square footage. It is not to serve a local neighborhood need or the need of the bus riders, few of them purchase private vineyard wine or natural fiber designer clothes. Here's the answer; because Linda Kauffman, former director of the Allentown Parking Authority, thought it was a good idea. She also wanted stores in the new deck at 4th and Hamilton, but City Council decided not to compete with local investors. So now we have a parking deck which is mostly empty, a Lanta Transfer Station which is putting the Hamilton Street merchants out of business, and a new subsidized yuppie who will fail anyway because she is in the wrong location for her product. Ms. Kauffman retired and moved to the Maryland beach.

Hark The Herald

The holiday season is not an easy time to question a faith-based initiative, but it is sure an opportune time to announce one. Last week in Mayor Pawlowski's weekly press conference he announced his Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, to be run by one of his special assistants. Today, in the Morning Call's monthly endorsement of Mayor Ed, the "office" was heralded as an imaginative way to improve the city through the mayor's "moral leadership". One must wonder what the members of The Council of Churches, Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding, and CUNA (Congregations United for Neighborhood Action) feel they have been doing for the last twenty years?

Once Upon a Time

This image heralds back to once upon a time, when traffic, buses and shoppers on Hamilton Street were desired, much less called congestion. Although Lanta's circulator bus has only attracted 12 riders a day, their new concessions, which do not start until Feb.11, only add stops on 7th and 8th streets to the northwest and south sides. No concessions will be made for the Hanover Ave. and east side passengers. Lanta has clearly put the justification of their new transfer station over the survival of our merchants. I ask you to join me, merchants and bus riders on Tuesday Dec. 11, at 12 noon at the Lanta Headquarters, 1060 Lehigh Street, to let them know their still doing too little, too late.
The image is part of a watercolor by Karoline Schaub-Peeler

Lanta gives Coal

Despite the media attention yesterday, I'm afraid Lanta gave the merchants a piece of gift-wrapped coal for Christmas. The main concentration of stores on Hamilton Street are between 7th and 8th. These merchants were dependent upon the transfer stops located there and around the corner. The bus riders would shop while waiting for their connecting bus, and could always take the next, if they missed the first. The circulator bus failed, because it was not convenient to ride from the Lanta Transfer Station to Hamilton Street, and then back again to the station, to purchase an item or two. A Lanta board member stated he is not sure its Lanta's responsibility to appease the merchants. I would think it is Lanta's mission to care about the riders, and Hamilton Street provided them with a convenient, affordable shopping venue. The new announced Lanta bus stops on 7th and 8th streets are not transfer stations; more troubling, they do NOT include the routes which provided the most shoppers for the affected merchants, the routes which go to the east side, A, E and G. I do not relish appearing ungrateful for accommodations being made by Lanta, but I believe the survival of the Hamilton Street merchants is more important for the community than the fullest utilization of the Lanta Transfer Station.

Monster is generous

Resident Allentown Monster Frankenstein, aka, Allentown Parking Authority, will share its spoils in the form of an annual wage increase of 7% for the next three years. In return workers will have to pay something toward health insurance if they choose the premium policy option. This creature writes over 100,000 tickets at year and still has meters as far out as 10th and Chew, five blocks beyond the closest store. The "Authority" is a blatant nuisance tax against Allentown's poorest residents.

Low Class Lanta

Yesterday, Mayor Pawlowski rode the bus. "We have great transportation for a region of this size. Right now, the bus is confined to people who don't have the opportunity to own a car,'' he said, ''but how do we make it attractive for middle-class folks like myself to use it?''
Perhaps have two separate bus lines based on class? Perhaps move the current low class users off Hamilton Street?

Hotel Traylor Press Conference

When you conduct a dog and pony show, there is always the danger you will step in the animal excrement.

ALLENTOWN ON MY MIND

When Billy Joel sang "Allentown" in 1982, then Mayor Daddona invited the singer to come and see what a vibrant city we still were. He was afraid the negativity of the lyrics would hurt the city. Today there are many people who yearn for the good old days of the early 80's. Likewise, I'm sure there are people in Camden who would be offended by anyone thinking of their city as a metaphor for being distressed. My concern is Allentown's reality. I believe perception, is just an impression, by people, of a place they don't go to anyway.

Camden On The Lehigh

Last evening when I entered City Council Chambers, as is my custom, I scanned the document table for the agenda and specific ordinances under consideration. There on the table, printed, fastened and disguised as an official document complete with charts, was an attack piece against one of the nay-sayers or reactionaries who challenge the administration. The victim was Robert Romancheck, who served on the zoning board for 12 years, and is a neighborhood leader in the Raub Middle School area. The fabrication stated Romancheck mismanaged Perkasie, resulting in a tax increase. Coincidentally, todays' Morning Call has an article on Perkasie which features that boroughs financial stability. The victim or misinformation to me is irrelevant, the fact that it was on the document table was outrageous. Between the committee meeting and the regular Council Meeting, I approached our elected, appointed and hired officials with this document and my discontent about it. Their reaction, to the man, ranged from amusement to indifference. I contribute this cavalier attitude to the one party sweep this past election. I believe Mayor Pawlowski, although a misguided micro-manager, has integrity and is free from corruption; however, an arrogance has taken over city hall, and we know where that will lead us in the coming years.

Chinese Execution

In China bureaucrats who under perform are executed, here in the Lehigh Valley they are submitted to me. Yesterday the public was invited to participate in the transportation study by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission; I was the public. Because Lanta is one component of the Valley's transportation, I chose to address my concerns with that organization. After being told I was off topic, since I was the extent of the public, I decided to ignore their request and continued speaking. Although I never have revealed this before, even for the mayoral campaign, I have a degree in communications from Emerson College. I challenge all readers to go the Commissions' site and figure out the proper topic of yesterdays hearing. (they control millions of your tax dollars) Not one member of the board (at least 15 people) said one word to me after I spoke; so much for public participation, the thousands of our money they spent advertising in obscure legal journals, their legal requirement was met.

Fly In The Soup

If I saw a shrink for my frustration about Allentown, I would have to be in therapy all day. If I took sedatives, I wouldn't be able to stand up, instead I run for office and blog. Pawlowski announced his plan to restore the city on Friday; continuously inspect every inanimate object in Allentown. This professional advise came from a former Philadelphia housing guru, of course a fly in the soup is that Philadelphia is the corruption and murder capital of the world. Allentown's Rental Inspection Law failed to upgrade the city; while you end up legitimizing slumlords with certificates of occupation, you cannot legislate pride of ownership. Many local conscientious owners sold out rather than submit to the bureaucracy, increasing the frequency of inspections will again backfire. Although Pawlowski (and Cunningham) campaigned about their grand plans and communication skills, neither even knew the Allentown School System was going to demand reassessment; It's time for the taxpayers and citizens to reassess who they elected.

UPDATE: The current Rental Inspection Law, started in 1998, calls for an inspection every 5 years. This administration(and Pawlowski was in charge in the last one) has yet to inspect every rental in the city since the program started(over 20,000). The new plan calls for inspection once a year, do the math, we would need more inspectors than we have police officers. How do you spell much bigger city hall and taxes.

Bureaucrap

In a move of arrogance Lanta announced they will operate a shuttle between their Transportation Center and Hamilton Mall. Hamilton's merchants were adversely affected by the removal of three transfer stations. The bus riders, while waiting for a bus, would patronize the stores, always having the option of conveniently taking the next bus. Will they make a trip from the Transportation Center to the mall and then back to the Center? Although running the shuttle will be an extra expense to Lanta and not help the merchants nearly as much as returning one transfer station, it allows the bureaucrat to appear responsive.

Afterthought: My fellow blogger, Bernie O'Hare, who is more diplomatic than I am, gives Pawlowski and Lanta some credit for finally feeling the merchants pain. It took 9 weeks and simultaneous reports from the Morning Call and WFMZ-TV to stimulate this empathy.

Ex Recreation Chief No Fun

Today the Morning Call reported that former head of recreation, Tom Smith, is suing Pawlowski over the loss of his job. The reporter states it's not unusual (great Tom Jones song) for top administrators to leave a new government; I disagree, for four top people to leave a city government is very unusual. Three of the four were employed in the 30 year range, through 7 administrations of both parties. Two of the four were the most respected people at city hall. What is unusual is this lawsuit. Most seasoned people adhere to the code of silence, burn no bridges, and take advantage of their contacts to gain employment with another bureaucracy. The apologists for the administration keep referring to dead wood, they ignore the fact that under Afflerbach, Community Development Director Pawlowski praised and promoted these same people.

BILL NO. 109-2007

An ordinance requiring the city inspection all residential properties sold in Allentown has started winding its way through city council. According to its sponsor, Julio Guridy on behalf of Mayor Pawlowski, its purpose is to protect new residents from deficient properties. I wonder who will protect properties and Allentown from new deficient residents, but I digress. The problem with this proposal is that there is absolutely no need for it and the timing couldn't be worse. The majority of mortgage companies require an inspection, and no less than 19 outfits advertise the service in the yellow pages. Almost all real estate agents recommend the service to buyers. The 83 year old widow who has lived her lifetime in a modest rowhouse with 60 amp. service and original windows will be forced to upgrade for a new owner,( or compensate new owner for upgrades) with no return on that expenditure. Let me clarify that all rental property, or property bought to rent, is already inspected under an existing ordinance. As the real estate market enters a down turn, Allentown finds another nuisance tax(inspection fee $200); never mind that the director of the dept. has not been replaced since his "departure" last spring, and his supervisor has not been replaced since her "departure" this summer.

Pawlowski Podium Position

Although there has been no news about replacements for Building and Code Enforcement, or Community Development, Pawlowski is expected to announce early next week a position for press conference podium placement. Sources for this blog report probably the position will be filled with someone from Philadelphia.

Battling Lanta

On Tuesday Nov. 13, at 12 noon, bus riders, merchants and citizens will meet at Lanta Headquarters at 1060 Lehigh Street to address the consequences of removing stops off of Hamilton Street. The historic covenant to provide public transportation to our city shopping district has been compromised. Please come and support this congregation of concerned citizens.

Thoughts on the Election

Michael Schware(R) for Allentown City Controller if you believe counting your change or balancing your checkbook is not an insult to your clerk or bank.

Bob Smith Jr.(R) for Allentown City Council if you believe reading a contract before you sign is not an insult to your contractor.

Dean Browning(R) for County Commissioner if your not positive Don Cunningham can walk on water.

Todd Larmer(D) for Allentown School Board if you believe financial knowledge is helpful for a $220 million bond.

Shopping on Hamilton Street

When I was born, my parents lived on 17th Street near Queen City Airport. The streets in our neighborhood — Liberator, Coronado and Catalina — were named for some of the World War II planes built there at the Vultee factory. I vaguely remember taking the trolley over the 8th St. bridge for our saturday shopping trips on Hamilton St; I clearly remember taking the bus. The transit station was on south 8th Street, 75 feet from Hamilton. I can't imagine what Max Hess and John Leh would have said had Lanta moved the terminal and customers to 6th and Linden Street, but then again who cares now about a few Asian merchants.

Queen City Daily

The Queen City Daily, the Morning Call's reporter blog(which is more like a weekly) today asks the city council candidates three questions; one of which is their opinion on the Lanta changes. Three candidates supported the merchants, two of which did so before the meeting, as reported earlier on this blog. I would especially like to compliment Jeanette Eichenwald for her unequivocal statement. I appreciate the fact that she and Michael Donovan are willing to go against the Mayor's position on this issue.(Bob Smith is the third supporter, while Peter Schweyer and Dave Bausch defend Lanta.) The survey was conducted by Paul Muschick. Below is a second email between myself and Michael Donovan which I have not previously released;



Yes, I would favor restoration of some stops...I would strongly favor is more like it! Please stress that I also feel that light sequence is important, also.

On the gentrification issue, I just don't know enough to comment. I wasn't in the meetings to hear opinions. However, I will stand by my comment that I do not think that all relevant parties were involved in the decision. As will be my battle cry for the next four years ... who are the appropriate parties that should be at the table for any public decision.

Best regards, and thanks again.

Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: MMolovinsky@aol.com
To: Michael@DonovanforAllentown.org
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 5:42 PM
Subject: Re: meeting on lanta

Michael,
thanks for your reply. as you may know there are those who feel political considerations involving gentrification of hamilton street were behind lanta decisions. would you care to comment on that topic, and would it be fair to summarize, "yes" that you would favor the restoration of at least some stops on hamilton st.

Panderlvania

As the Associated Press prepares to reveal Rendell's generosity at taxpayer expense, players of this billion and half dollar sham gathered at the local shrine of grants, the Allentown Brew Pub; there the Secretary of Economic Development "radiated confidence" and said by every measure Pennsylvania is doing well. The truth is the only growth industry in Pennsylvania is poverty and the only thing we produce is votes; Hershey Chocolate moving most of their production to Mexico says it all. As our elected officials build toll booths on what were free roads and investigate new casino owners after the fact, the middle class is burped for their few remaining dollars.

All Candidates want more Police

If Mayor Pawlowski paid attention to the debate between Allentown City Council Candidates this week, there was only one nail which stood up. Only one candidate questioned the unnecessary bond refinancing; Robert Smith, Jr.. Bob Smith, current School Board member, has also been the taxpayers best friend in that capacity; he single-handedly prevented a tax increase in the past. The mayor has enough rubber stamps, a vote for Bob Smith will help make the administration more accountable. The cityscape is by Mark Beyer.

Silence of the Lanta

Hannibal Lecter has been offered parole on the condition he restrict his diet to Hamilton Street bus riders. Once a month he will be permitted an Asian merchant; on thanksgiving he may have a preselected blogger. Mr. Lector will be micro-chipped and given a new Hamilton Street loft apartment. He will be monitored by the new surveillance cameras. Mayor Pawlowski and Armand Greco will provide more details at a press conference early next week at the new Lanta Terminal.

Silent on Lanta

As the organizer of the forum at Faith Baptist Church on Lanta, I would like to make some speculations on what was not said at the meeting. First and foremost, the meeting was not covered by The Morning Call. I sent the press release to two reporters,plus the local editor. I'd like to note the "Paper" is a "partner" in the new Lanta Terminal. It was built on land they sold to the Parking Authority and they receive free parking at the new deck; Their publisher attended the dedication with the three amigo's.(scroll down to earlier posting). All four democratic candidates for county commissioner were no shows, although one of the candidates, Kevin Easterling, expressed solidarity over the phone; but Kevin was recently hired by Ed Pawlowski as our new Recreation Director. My attempts to connect with Lehigh Carbon Community College in regard to the effect on their students at the Hamilton Street annex were unanswered. I would like to thank all the candidates who did attend, Ellen Millard-Kern from Senator Browne's office and Bernie O'Hare for his detailed report on http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/

UPDATE: As a result of a inquiry by Ellen Kern, I did finally receive a call from a dean at the Community College. They approve of the bus stop being removed from in front of their facility because it has "reduced the litter". I inquired about the inconvenience for their students who now must walk to the Lanta terminal; they have received "no complaints". As one who tried to contact a dean myself and received no replies, I must question whether that comment has much value. As winter weather approaches, common sense would indicate a bus stop moved from in front of the building to two blocks away, is not student friendly.

Faith Baptist Church

This evening I had the honor to hold our Lanta Victim's Meeting at Faith Baptist Church on north 12th street. It's a small, plain but dignified sanctuary. Many of the candidates attended, below are comments from two who could not make the meeting.


from Michael Donovan, City Council Candidate;
In my early career, I gained knowledge of public transportation as a result of studies and exposure to professionals in the field. I am not an expert, but I have some experience with these issues.

While I do not have all the information that went into the Hamilton Street decision, I am extremely disappointed that bus routes were taken off the city's major urban street without adequate consideration of the various populations that would be affected. I applaud the creation of an indoor/covered switching center, but do not believe that also warranted wholesale changes in routes and/or stops. Two things come to mind if the major consideration was that congestion, indeed, was one of the problems to be solved: Change the sequence and timing of the lights. The design is not consistent with sound traffic flow. Only a few seconds are allowed for cars to pass west to east. I do not propose allowing high speeds along Hamilton -- just the ability to let traffic flow smoothly, say at 20-25 miles per hour. Second, spreading the stops a bit wider along Hamilton would help a bit, too. Walking one block on the same street is far different than many blocks.

In brief, my sense of the decision is that LANTA did not involve enough people to make a holistic, sensible decisions that provided for a new central location while maintaining excellent service along critical routes. I believe that if you bring the appropriate people to the table where ideas and concerns are expressed honestly and without censorship, we will create sound, productive decisions for the community. This has been true in other public challenges of this type where I have been involved. When the appropriate parties are not involved, we have disappointment, lack of trust, and a loss of community."

Michael Donovan

From Robert Smith Jr. City Council Candidate;

DEAR MERCHANTS, I am shocked of the poor planning by the Lanta board AND THE TOTAL DISREGARD FOR MERCHANTS,SENIOR CITIZENS,AND Students that use Lanta transportation. Despite what the mayor says that this is not a city issue,any time a transportation change,and elimination of bus stops that affect Allentown businesses,Allentown residents, this is a city issue .I ROBERT E SMITH JR. A CANDIDATE FOR Allentown city council, and current elected school board member demand these bus stops be restored,and city council should have a member on Lanta board,because current members are out of touch with the people of Allentown or just do not care about the merchants on Hamilton street or people that are poor and are middle class. We as a nation must conserve our oil supplies,we tell people not to drive,take buses when you can,and this city lets Lanta eliminate bus stops.We need leadership that represents all the people not just politicians and wealthy elitists who want to keep those people off Hamilton street. I THANK THE MERCHANTS FOR STICKING IT OUT DOWNTOWN,AND THANK you mike for organizing this event .I am at a school board meeting tonight and sorry I could not be here .I WILL HELP ANY WAY I CAN, GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Robert e. smith Jr.

Irony at the BrewPub

Tomorrow as the merchants in the 700 block of Hamilton Street struggle for another day under the new handicap inflicted upon them, the movers and shakers of the Lehigh Valley will gather at the Brewpub to honor Alan Jennings and The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley. Air Products and Chemicals is sponsoring the luncheon, which will include testimonials on the wide spectrum of CACLV, including The Community Action Development Corp. of Allentown, 443 N 7th St., which endeavors to assist start-up business from low-income and minority populations. I invite Mr. Jennings and the Air Product executives to attend a meeting at 7:00pm thursday evening at Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12th St., to honor small business owners, from mostly an minority population, who want or need nothing more than a bus stop.

Abuse of Corpse

In a defiant, unnecessary act of aggression, Lanta and/or The City of Allentown has removed the covered bus stops just off of Hamilton St., on both north and south 8th St. I'm proud to say almost every independent merchant on the 700 block has the signs posted announcing the meeting Oct.18th. They plan to close the stores early and attend en masse. Obviously the accelerated removal of the small canopies was a statement. I now consider the board of Lanta unfit and will address that shortcoming in the future.
UPDATE:" LANTA might be able to shift some routes to the Eighth and Ninth streets stops,(Armando) Greco said, but that possibility was about as good as it got for disgruntled merchants"-Morning Call, Oct.3
apparently if any stop is returned, as punishment the riders will have to stand in the weather, as opposed to sit under cover.

Former All American City Now Ghost Town

Today at 2:00pm I was virtually the only person on the sidewalk in the 700 block of Hamilton Street. The once teeming bus stop in front of the Community College is now stripped of its benches, a sign directs passengers to The Lanta Terminal at 6th and Linden. It occurs to me that in spite of the new security camera's, because of the emptiness, Hamilton Street will soon become a very dangerous place for both the merchants and their few customers. On friday our officials and the suburbanites will mingle on the 800 block for the bi-annual Dancing in the Street, admire a few new mostly empty buildings, and return to suburbia oblivious to the plight of the merchants.

Allentown Celebrates

Allentown's latest Dancing in the Street, Octoberfeast, will have multi-cultural attractions. There will be genuine rickshaw rides, pulled by former Asian merchants who were forced out of business by the City Department of Gentrification. After this weeks party for the Brewpub, the rickshaws will operate on a regular basis between Hamilton Street and our new Lanta Transportation Center.

Lanta Victims Meeting

Refusing to be quiet sheep led to slaughter, MACC, merchants and citizen coalition, announce their first meeting in opposition to the recent Lanta bus stop changes, which has caused severe hardship to both merchants and passengers. All candidates for city and county office will be invited to attend, and/or submit a position on the Lanta consequences to Hamilton Street. All citizens who empathize with the merchants or passengers are encouraged to attend. There are parallel efforts also being made on the merchants behalf, and I am solely responsible for the choice of words used in this announcement. The meeting will be held at Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12 St.(between Turner and Chew Sts.) at 7:00pm on thursday Oct. 18.

It's Not Cheap to be Poor in Allentown

Although the shopping district in Allentown has shrunk down to only Hamilton and 7th Streets, the meter district remains as it did during the heydays of the 1950's. The meters extend from Walnut to Chew, from 5th to 10th, well over 1000 meters in 20 sq. blocks. Parking meters extend out to 10th and Chew Sts, three full blocks beyond the closest store. These meters are a defacto penalty for the residents, mostly tenants. In essence, it is a back door tax on Allentown's poorest citizens. The apologists claim the tenants can purchase a resident meter pass, however their friends and visitors cannot. To add insult to injury, in 2005, to help finance a new parking deck for the arts district, the Parking Authority doubled the meter rate and fines. Testimony to City Council permitting the rate increase indicated it was favored by the merchants. At that time I documented to the Council that in fact the merchants were not informed, much less in favor. The vote was 5 to 2, with Hershman and Hoover dissenting. An article in today's Morning Call states the buses will not return to Hamilton Street because of congestion; there is no congestion. Pawlowski states the bus stops are not a city issue, that is simply a pathetic excuse. On September 18, I commented on Peter Schweyers blog that the merchants are being hurt by the new Lanta Terminal, he did not respond; he is unfit as a candidate for city council.

UPDATE: It should be noted that the article in the Morning Call stating the bus stops on Hamilton St. are gone for good was assigned to and written by their transportation writer, as opposed to Paul Muschick, the city beat reporter. This is the Morning Call's way of saying that Pawlowski's position=Morning Call's position=Pawlowski position.

UPDATE: In the Morning Call article Mr. Schweyer states business has improved in the 100 block of 7th St. because of the new terminal. There is only 1 store in that block, one half block away and on the other side, on the far corner of Turner st. That block is the worst in Allentown, 95% vacant. Apparently, Pawlowski and his chosen council candidate, both feel the merchants and public do not even deserve honest answers.

CORRECTION: In the barren landscape of the 100 block I overlooked three businesses. Near the Freedom Grocery Store, which I refer to in the previous update, there is also another small market, Mercadito's Mex. Neither merchant reports an increase, but they hope the new terminal helps them. On the terminal side there is a small hardware store, dressed up, probably from a facade grant(could we see another press conference there soon?) Lastly, and most important, I forget the 7-11. The owner believes he might be selling more coffee in the morning, perhaps his business has improved "1%". I didn't have the heart to tell him about the upcoming subsidized Dunkin Donuts.

Your Fanny May(be sorry)

Those of you familiar with real estate know that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government agencies which insure home mortgages. Before becoming Afflerbach's main man, Pawlowski headed the Alliance for Building Communities, whose mission is to make low-income home owners. An article in today's Morning Call outlined Allentown's investment in the Alliance's latest project. The mayor is quoted as saying "Having more homeowners helps to stabilize neighborhoods,...They'll have more of a stake in their neighborhood(by) reducing litter...." The story centers around a woman who came to Allentown way back in 1999 from South America and mentions most of the buyers need "credit repair". Allentown taxpayers contributed $200,000 toward the cost for five rowhouses in an alley.(Law Street) The houses have been redone, including granite counter tops. In an era of sub-prime defaults should The City of Allentown still be subsidizing homeownership for those who do not qualify for conventional mortgages? Could we be better off putting that money toward the costly refinancing of bonds, or maybe hiring a few more police officers?

The Mohican Markets

Once, before the malls, there were three thriving cities in the Lehigh Valley, and some merchants would have a store in each of the downtowns. Some of the buildings still exist, and have been reused; the Allentown Farr (shoe) Building is now loft apartments. Two of three Mohican Market buildings, famous for baked goods, no longer exist. The Easton location, on S. 4th St., was victim to fire. The Allentown store now is the parking lot behind the new Butz office building. The Mohican Markets were owned and operated by Bernard Molovinsky. Below is the Mohican recipe for chocolate chip brownies, revealed for the first time in 35 years.(you may want to make less brownies)
Chocolate Chip Brownies
#1 Yield (2) Pans.
5lbs. Sugar
2lbs. M.F.B
2oz. Salt
8oz. Glucose
2oz. Milk Powder
2lbs. Egg Whites(1qt.)
8oz. Water(1/2 pt.)
3lbs. 8oz. Cake flour
-----------------------
#2
2lbs. Chocolate Chips
------------------------
#3
4lbs. Dough
4oz. Sugar
4oz.Cocoa
8oz. Water(1/2 pt.)

Place no.1 in small machine bowl and mix smooth. add no.2 to no.1 and mix until chips are well incorporated.
Remove 4 lbs. of dough and mix with the sugar, cocoa and water
Deposit into Baking sheets with no.3 on top to make marble effect.
Bake - 375 degrees

Lanta and the Three Amigo's

Today, less than a week after Rendell, Cunningham and Pawlowski lauded the the new Lanta Terminal, passengers and merchants joined forces at the facility to protest the inconvenience for riders and damage to the business community. Having interviewed many of these merchants in the past, I can assure you only dire circumstances would propel them to demonstrate. Although the new terminal provided many bureaucracies the opportunity to expand their domain, is not Lanta's purpose to first serve the public? Let the little people eat cake!(or Dunkin Donuts)

Open Mike

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

"Were a different city" says Pawlowski

After reading of the latest shooting in Allentown, it was less than consoling to learn Mayor Pawlowski is seeking outside help to create a strategy to combat crime. He wants to spend $100,000 for a consultant to talk with residents and identify problems. Mayor, here's a freebie, "Too many scumbags are moving to Allentown, and your too worried about affordable housing and hanging banners. Please, before the last middle class resident moves, stop the destruction of our city and the waste of our money. Stop making the police chief attend your endless press conferences and let him fight the predators." Its time for tough love, its time to shut the door and save the city. Its not our responsibility to solve the national issues of crime and poverty. The emphasis must be on restoring a quality of life for the existing homeowners.

Greg Weaver Art Scene

For about ten years, mid 70's to 80's, Allentown was graced with a one man art machine. Greg Weaver studied at Carnegie Mellon and then returned to the Valley to become artist, promoter and inspiration to dozens of local artists. His large studios, which moved from one low rent location to another over the years, became hubs for innovation and social activity. He was very prolific with his work, and generous with his encouragement. A typical monthly bash involved perhaps a poster by Mark Beyer( now an internationally known underground comic) performance by a jazz group such as Gary Hassey,(Greg also had a band) and perhaps a new showing by a local artist, such as Barnaby Ruhe. The loft parties were always mobbed, by many of the same people who now attend the Museum social events. This art "scene" cost the taxpayers nothing, it was done by artists, and it was real. Greg suffered from diabetes, and eventually lost his sight. Although blind he continued to produce art and inspire people until his death. Several of his works are in the Allentown Museums' permanent collection and his memory is in the hearts' of his friends. The image here is from Mark Beyer, representing an invitation to a Weaver event.

City of Delusion

There is business in downtown Allentown, its not glamorous, its mostly poor people buying cheap items. Our mayor, and other deluded bureaucrats, instead of working with the reality in hand, choose to think that our theatre, school and museum is a thriving art district. To that end, they have built a new parking deck to service the additional patrons they imagine their new banners will attract, and harvested a state grant for Lanta to help finance the illusion. The city and Lanta have moved most bus stops off Hamilton Street and adjoining corners, centralizing them along side of the new deck at 6th and Linden. At the remaining stops they have removed the benches, and placed signs explaining seating and other conveniences can be found at the new central terminal. This will hurt the many merchants who sell a soda or snack to the waiting passengers. While our mayor hopes for upscale gourmet, the majority of our taxpaying merchants are denied their customer base.

The King has Abdicated

In 1958 my father had a food stand at the fair. It took him about an hour to realize you can not sell hot dogs in the King's back yard; Yocco, the hot dog king. When Yocco's claimed last year they were not at the fair because their canvas ripped, I was skeptical. This year its official, they have abdicated their spot. Tonight the fair was jammed. In Ag Hall the granges still compete in vegetable canning. A wiseguy still incites you to dunk him. The world's smallest horse hasn't grown. Maybe Yocco's is gone, but the fair is still much more like 1958 than any other aspect of Allentown.

The Mighty Atom

Years ago, at the Allentown Fair, as one would push through a sea of carney delusion, tucked back by the 4H animals, was an island of reality. There, in an old battered truck, an ancient Jewish strongman performed incredible feats of strength, to sell only homemade kosher soap. Standing on a platform on the rear of his truck, flanked by photographs from his performing youth, he would bent horse shoes and bite through nails. Many years earlier, my mother as a little girl in Bethlehem, saw him pull a truck uphill with his hair. Even as an old man, like a reincarnation of Samson, his grey hair was still long.
In the summers of 1964 and 1965, myself and a friend,(Fred Schoenk, retired Allentown art teacher) made and sold printed tee-shirts at the fair. We had the honor to know Joseph Greenstein(The Mighty Atom) and his wife. For those interested, there are various articles on the Mighty Atom and even at least one book. Enjoy the fair!

Mount Sinai Cemetery

Unknown to most people, contained within the sprawling Fairview Cemetery, is a small section with the oldest Jewish Burials in Lehigh Valley, called Mount Sinai. Fairview, along Lehigh St, is Allentown's most famous and now neglected cemetery. Among the notables buried there, is no less than Harry Trexler, whose largeness keeps bailing Allentown out, even 70 years after his death. Using diplomacy, not my forte, I have been trying to urge more upkeep for Mt. Sinai. Today, a letter to the editor laments the condition of the whole cemetery; perhaps this approach will be more successful. I urge everybody to take a stroll through history, the views of Allentown are among some of the best you can find.

UPDATE: I have reason to believe the Morning Call may shed some light on this problem. Perhaps, considering the enormity of the cemetery, certain area's may have to be" adopted" by interested parties for care. It seems that as old cemeteries fill up, and the descendants move away or die off, the perpetual care becomes problematic. This is certainly an historic, significant site for Allentown, hopefully the Community can respond.