An Exercise in Financial Cluelessness

When the mayor ignores the required budget process, it’s not a minor oversight—it’s a breach of public trust. The city has put procedures in place to ensure transparency, oversight, and honest governance. Skipping them like Tuerk has done this year shuts residents out of decisions that directly affect our community.   

After Mayor O’Connell vetoed a budget in 2019 and put a large tax increase into effect, the residents of Allentown made it very clear in 2019 by passing Bill 15544 that a bait and switch like that will never happen again.  

The text, as shared by an ABE follower says the following: 

ADOPTION, DEFAULT AND VOTING REQUIRED FOR TAX INCREASES AND FEES:

Removes the budget default process (preventing a tax increase from going into effect by default), requires adoption of the budget by December 31 with an affirmative vote of four members of Council and approval by the Mayor.

(Passed 15544 6/20/2019, Adopted November 5, 2019; Section 805 changes - 8,982 to 965; Section 807D changes - 7,802 to 1,836)

It seems quite clear to me. If the mayor can’t follow the basic rules for handling public money, that’s a serious problem. The solicitor’s office plays a critical role in keeping our local government on solid legal ground. That’s why it’s troubling to see the mayor move through the budget process without proper guidance or correction from the very office meant to ensure compliance. Our community deserves a solicitor’s office that upholds the rules, not one that looks the other way; the Matthew Tuerk's way.

Our city deserves leadership that respects the process, not leadership that sidesteps it. The mayor seems to think that Allentown is a dictatorship and that he has supreme and everlasting power. 

He thumbed his nose at the required budget procedures, refused to look at his areas in the budget that could see reductions, and name called members of council and threw a temper tantrum when he didn’t get his way; I mean who is smarter than him?  

Abe is

I have been flooded with messages talking about how Matt sent out an email to all staff saying that the City Council Solicitor, Attny Maria Montero, is wrong and his Solicitor is right. He then advised the entire city via email to "show up for me [him]"...spoken like a true dictator that believes he has unchecked power. No one wants to show up for you, Matt.  

Matt-the one recurring theme that I hear from city employees is that you are the worst mayor the city has ever seen, and your decisions are destroying the city. You have armed your Solicitor's office to execute your unlawful orders, and you listen to people that don't deserve the positions that you put them in.  

This is not just sloppy governance—it’s a direct violation of the public’s right to oversight. These rules are not optional. They exist to prevent exactly this kind of unchecked decision‑making. Cutting corners on the budget process shuts residents out, weakens transparency, and concentrates on power where it doesn’t belong. If the mayor refuses to follow the basic safeguards for handling public funds, the community has every reason to demand answers and insist on accountability.

Citizens of Allentown-this city is ours, and Matt Tuerk and Council are put in these positions to work for us. This latest move by Tuerk cannot go unchecked. WE should have our voices heard.  

Call the Mayor's office - (610) 437-7547 - you may also email anyone on his staff by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Elected-Offices/Mayors-Staff -don't expect a response from Ms. Boyer since she is still driving around PA looking for Allentown.

Call the Solicitor's office - (610) 437-7545 - you may also email the Solicitor directly by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/ens/Government/Departments/Solicitor

Call the City Council office - (610) 437-7554 - you may also email anyone on his staff by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Elected-Offices/City-Council/Council-Members -Remember that Hendricks and Zucal are no longer on Council before submitting an email.  

I just found this out:

Laura Cole left the city today.  She is another HUGE loss to the citizens of Allentown. ABE wishes her and her family the best of luck. 

Puck Drop or Peep Drop

So I decided to go watch the Peep Drop in Bethlehem instead of risk an Allentown NYE disappointment.  

Peeps fest has much better parking as well as that safety factor. Fireworks and a great crowd 

Anyways,

Did anyone go to 7th/Ham for the puck drop? I heard the drone aerial display was just okay.  Not like the drone displays in other countries. But here are some photos.

There appeared to be a decent amount of people there. The crowd was alot of locals combined with some phantoms fans.  

I didnt want to worry about parking, and I knew the police presence wouldn't be strong.  So that ruled me out of heading there.  Also after living in the city for a long time, I know it is common for people to shoot guns in the air at midnight.  Yea not getting hit with a stray bullet.

Im curious who forked the bill for this party?  Im going to guess the Phantoms didnt throw much out.  

Should the city be spending money on aerial display drones and throwing a big party when their is no Budget?  Yea I know Tuerk said he was passing the budget starting today.

Yes, I know he his violating the home rule charter section 807.  I hope someone investigates this.

S.-Steller, E.-Elite, I.-Ironclad, U. -Underdogs

 

Stellar Elite Ironclad Underdogs

This should be S.E.I.U motto.  

The way I see it is the Mayor has less than half a day to come up with a contract for these people.

But since he couldnt even get a budget passed for 2026, what makes anyone think SEIU has any chance? He has proven over and over again that he is inept as a Mayor. What is next? No budget no money.

Contract negotiations are at a standstill since Tuerk is trying to save money off the backs of the SEIU employees. His team continues to refuse any significant raises or other added benefits.

To all the SEIU workers. STRIKE! Don't play back and forth with these negotiators, remember they offered you 2% when the rest of the city got 3%. Another recommendation: show up to negotiations with a fire or police uniform, then maybe he will pay attention.

Wait until the next snow storm and Strike. 

Simple, drive the plows at 10mph. Not 25-35mph. Take long breaks. Hit some more car mirrors with the plows like you guys always do. Lmao. Someone took my mirror off one year. Its all good. It happens. Quit taking Tuerks shit.

Know your worth!! I do. You are out there freezing, and burning in the heat. You are the backbone of the city. Not the police. Definitely not the fire department. Not city hall.

Without the roads clear, everything stops. Simple as that. No plowing, no driving. Even a $50,000 mach E mustang wont go very far in a snow and ice storm, especially when buried under a mountain of snow.

Please have a safe and prosperous New Year.  Good things for 2026

Last picked in Dodgeball, gets his way

Well, no point and waiting as to what tonight's vote will be is there? The boy who had a temper tantrum to get his way has prevailed. 4% tax increase, along with your trash increase.  Way to start off 2026.  Everyone will suffer.  Goodbye once again to Hendricks.  You sold your soul to the devil and screwed the taxpayers of Allentown. 

A.I generated.

You are a typical selfish Allentown public servant.

This veto could make Tuerk go down as the most inept and worst mayor in the history of Allentown; and we have a Mayor in federal prison and one that started the financial decline with a pension gift to the police department.  Oh wait, didn't Hendricks benefit from that gift?

I mean let's be honest; this 4% isn't going to do shit for the budget.  The lawsuits alone this year will eat up the 4%.  

If they don't, then the police department will.  I'm hearing the Mayor has promised the police to get their DROP Pension that will eat up another $1million + a year.  Of course, the greedy firefighters will want a DROP for themselves. Then the rest of the city should piggy back using the Me Too clause so every city employee is eligible.

Just wait for this proposal by Mayor Tuerk.  It's coming in January, I'm hearing.  Also, the groundbreaking of the new police station should be starting soon.  The first year payments are 0 and deferred until the start of 2027.  That $40million bond is going to start.  Where is that money coming from? 2026 is going to expedite the bankruptcy process for the city of Allentown.   

Ms. Patel better setup a lemonade stand with CeCe outside City Hall to start increasing city revenue.

Oh here's a spoiler.  I am predicting Santo Napoli as the next Council President.  Be careful what you wish for Napoli. Remember in the hot seat you will be criticized the most.  Unless of course you always do the right thing.  I hope you do, so I can actually blog some positives things in 2026.

Added 920pm

Quoted from Mcall:

"Our position as the administration is we are going to use the 2026 budget we presented to City Council because it is the only budget that meets all of the criteria of the charter, which is a balanced budget presented to City Council prior to the end of the year,” Tuerk said.

He has no clue how to be mayor. He is elected by the voters, not anointed.

Attorney Montero had to set Tuerk straight since he thinks he knows it all, and said that the referendum means that the city will have no budget in place for 2026.

“That is a political question,” Montero said when asked how the city will move forward without a budget next year. “From a legal perspective, all I know is that there is no budget.”

He doesnt even know or want to follow the Home Rule Charter.  Read section 807.  You have no budget for 2026.  Good job Matt.  Guess people are not going to get paid.  

One more Chance

Lehigh Valley News and the Morning Call have indicated that Daryl Hendricks "is poised" to bring a vote to full council to potentially override the mayor's budget veto just days before the expiration of his and Zucal's term.   There will be a meeting Tuesday at 6pm.

Tuerk said, “My reasoning is simple: the amended budget does not adequately increase revenue to meet the City’s rising costs, and we cannot jeopardize our financial health by using our limited cash reserves to balance our budget.”

What have you done to address the rising costs Matt Tuerk?  Absolutely Nothing.  You want to keep your inflated well compensated workforce (not including SEIU) with the crazy fire and police pensions and even crazier fire and police overtime provisions.  You have added over 120 positions since you became mayor, including several worthless positions in your own office.  Palowski ran a better city with fewer employees.  

I honestly do not want to predict what could (or will) happen because I know that Matt Tuerk is working overtime to put a complete stop to any override, including favors and throwing taxpayer money at the council for their special interests.  Money that he thinks is his own and can use as he sees fit.  

If we learned anything from this budget season, when things don't go his way, he pouts, has a tantrum, and pulls aid and money that he promised the community.  Then he goes and eats a WhaaaBurger and some frenchcries.  

Matt claims he serves all residents, taxpayers, visitors, and businesses that live and work in Allentown, but we see there are conditions on that statement. 

Homeless are "icky" and easily screwed over, just like the taxpayers.

To the Councilmembers:

President Hendricks - This is an opportunity for you to go out serving the taxpayers and residents of Allentown and not the mayor.  Stop being concerned about your son; we all know the mayor is vindictive but getting rid of your son would not look good for him if you voted for the veto override.   If you vote no to the override or not call a special meeting, Matt will get what he wants with the budget, and he will probably target your son anyway. 

  

Napoli- You may just surprise us all; but not putting too much faith in an override vote either.   This blog continually points out that Mr. Napoli is in the mayor's pocket, but I believe that he is a smart man and may actually surprise everyone. He has to see the way this mayor operates and continues to attack anyone that is in his way.   He must notice that the mayor is not a good or God-fearing man. 

Affa- Is a hard "no" to the override.  She continues to be a disappointment in Council and will always side with the administration.  Affa is completely unable to articulate or argue an opposing point so she takes the easy route and sides with the administration 9/10times.

Zucal, Santos, Gerlach, and Mota — hold the line. 

I am still curious how borrowing from the waste budget and then paying it back over several years saves any money?  The citizens ultimately will have to cover that loan amount along with any possible interest that they may have lost on it.  Patel had stated that, but it seems Affa and Napoli and Hendricks actually believe borrowing money from yourself and paying it back will actually save you money.  

Tuerk knows that council is part time, at best, and he capitalizes on that each year.  He has yet to explain what he has done to cut costs in the city. Instead, he has given the AFD a Cadillac standard of a contract that delivers higher expenses to the taxpayers.  He gives money to those that helped with his campaign, including several attempts to give more money to his 24-year-old executive assistant.  

As a matter a fact — the ONLY savings the mayor has tried to secure is through screwing over the SEIU members.   He and his administration are trying to fund his programs off the backs of the SEIU staff.   The city would come to a STOP if they weren't at work.

Zucal, Santos, Gerlach will be a no.  Mota may change her mind, but she made a passionate statement that she is worried about the taxpayers of Allentown.  

This meeting will make history whether is passes or not.  A pass shows just how weak Tuerk is.  Shows he can't get a budget to pass without a veto.  Shows weak leadership.

A rejection would show solidarity between the main 4 who voted no, and then 1 or more who found a brain over the weekend. 

I think the meeting is so embarrassing for the Mayor.  But since he lost Ortega and now another office worker, I mean how much more embarrassing can this get?

Ortega finally got some sense to leave the 5th floor circus.  I would really like to interview her on this blog and get the truth.   Did she leave because it is a toxic place to work like everyone knows? OR Did she leave to spy on council for the mayor? 

Oh, Oh,  I forgot the Deputy Finance Director also quit. LOL.  This is awesome and certainly indicative of the leadership in the city and finance department. And I heard he fired another director.  Dude is on a roll.    

A small rumor getting more vocal is that Chief Roca may be on his way out too.  It could be wishful thinking by my friends in APD if there could be truth.  My friends at APD have said for years, Roca was never a cop.  He is too political and answers every question as a politician and not a Police Chief.  Maybe he would succeed as a politician better than the APD Chief? Or maybe the ticket counter at the fair?  

SEIU at 2%, Bosses 10487293%

When all these leaders talk about equality, fairness, and all the other nonsense they spit at you.

Look at the pay difference between the Cabinet and the SEIU that are fighting for 2%.  It should be noted that the Police Chief is at the top of his pay scale and has no  room for growth.  

You cant respect greedy people.  But they will complain about how they deserve raises.  But then let the people who do all the work suffer. All EGO driven bosses.  Yet they get little respect from their subordinates who laugh behind their backs.

Meanwhile,  check this out

Cause this is ethical, 

Wonder why we need tax raises now?

A special Thanks

 

I wanted to thank all the city workers who have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas day. 

I truly wish everyone a safe and happy holidays. And if you see or know a City Worker, thank them for what they do. 

Merry Christmas, 

Abe

The Truth: Where alot of your taxes go

THE FATE OF THE TAX INCREASE RESTS IN THE HANDS OF A COUNCIL PRESIDENT THAT HAS TWO WEEKS REMAINING BEFORE LEAVING CITY COUNCIL. I FEEL THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HENDRICKS WILL IGNORE THE VETO AND NOT CALL A SPECIAL MEETING BECAUSE HE HAS TO PROTECT HIS SON.

By request. 

The non-bargaining units are not contractually protected. The administration provides a recommendation to council for non-bargaining staff wage increases. Each Non-bargaining staff receives a minimum of two raises each year. One for the annual cost of living, typically under 5% and another raise on their anniversary during the year. They all move to the next step. It should be noted that this approximate 3% second increase is not based on any kind of performance or evaluation--it is just for breathing.   

Heres where the money is given away.

Moving onto the police and fire.  I had to have my firefighter and police officer friends explain their pension systems.

The bargaining unions such as police and fire traditionally get 3-5 year contracts.

Currently the police are in a contract until 2026. They had a 1 year extension of their previous 3 year contract. The 1 year was implemented so many officers would reach 20 years. Next year you will see approx 15-30 officers retire. The 4 year contract is set at 3% a year raises. With Longevity increases the longer you stay. They get I think 14 paid holidays. Heres a nut kicker. If they work say Christmas they get double time and a half. Or paid 20hrs for 8hrs. If they are off or take off, they get 8hrs for the day as well as 8hrs of holiday pay or 16hr for the day. Every holiday including their birthday is set this way. Clothing and higher education gets compensated. Also officers pensions are calculated by their highest five years or last 30 days. 5 year average divided by the percentage of pension they leave at. Ex. If they average $120,000 over 5 years and leave at a 70% pension they get $84,000 a year pension for life. Always while on the job their medical for a family is like $1500 a year.  

If they leave and use their last 30 days, this is a little tricky to calculate but its their last 30 days, with a 10% overtime cap to be added. Shift diff, and longevity also get used.  Most leave in November because there is 4 holidays for all the guys. 5 if they were hired in November and 6 if their birthday is in November. Work all the holidays say all 4. Thats 48hrs of overtime added into your calculations. So basically, all the money you make in your last 30 days, say is $12,000. City takes 12months x $12k equals $144,000 times that by .70% or whatever percentage they leave at and get $108,000 pension.

Fire is very similar to police with the exception of higher overtime rates and their minimum staffing requirement that causes the city to "hire" replacement employees when someone calls off or is sick. The city pays a much higher premium for these replacement staff and the Fire Department has figured out how to pad pensions using extra duty.  

Let's not forget that the mayor rushed the newest fire 5 year contract two years in advance and publicly claimed it was a good contract for the city. He left out that it is a premium contract for the city firefighters.

This is why the city is broke. Even at 50% pension of $144 is $72k. This padding of the pension is only available to Fire and Police. The NB and SEIU staff have a pension that is properly administered through the state. The city should move away from the city funded pension for fire and police and require the public safety staff to participate in the Pa State administered pension.

My sources tell me some of the recent police officers have left with over $100,000 pensions.  And their are several firefighters making over $150,000 a year. Thats insane.

The city cant go on paying these pensions that are close to the police and firefighters regular salary.  The way they calculate their pensions needs to change. No other departments calculate the way Allentown does.

Hey Matt funny you can give all your department heads huge raises, and you allow the police and fire to retire with pensions higher than your salary 🤣 🤣 

Budget? I hardly knew it

 

So I wasnt going to write anymore for the holidays, but once again Tuerk didnt let me down. Probably because he is as predictable as the sun rising and setting each day.

The mayor decided to veto councils decision on not raising the taxes. 

Council President Hendricks would have to call a special meeting/vote to override the veto.

Yes, someone has to step up.  Will Hendricks atleast do the ethical thing and let the full council vote or will he tank it?

Matt sorry but you're a turd.  You haven't been successful at passing a reasonable budget without resorting to threats (yeah definitely after the last council meeting), name calling, and bullying tactics.  

You can't pass a budget unless YOU VETO IT!!! You really need to take a look at your inflated salaries and positions before you ever ask the taxpayers to give the city more money from their hard earned paychecks.  

While your scraping by this holiday season, go look at the bosses salaries.  Then decide if you really want to work in the city anymore.  Or for the Unions, don't spend your whopping 3% raises if you even get them when these useless few take home $9,000 raises.

GOT Veto???

What is his next move? 

Well he tried 3 times to get a tax increase passed and failed. He wanted 4% along with the mandatory $140 trash increase fee.

Then he changed it 4% with a $50 trash increase.

Then he asked for a lolipop and some skittles. He didnt get anything.

So what are his options?

1. Accept councils ruling and work with the zero tax Increase.

2. Veto councils decision.

A veto would have to have a 5-2 vote by council to overturn. Meaning either Napoli, Affa, or turncoat Hendricks would have to change their vote to a No to override. This will have to be done at the next council meeting. With no council meetings scheduled for the remainder of the year, the budget will revert back to the original submission by the mayor.  

This is an important time for Cynthia Mota to show her true leadership qualities. She should be demanding a special council session to vote against any veto. If the council succeeds on a "no" vote, the budget passes with no tax increase and it forces Matt Tuerk to take a look at his inflated budget and personnel and start making cuts in 2026. This was the push of the council from the beginning; deliver a budget that looks at inefficiencies and eliminates them, something Matt Tuerk has refused to do because it was too difficult.  

The Council President would have to call a special meeting to decide to vote on the veto. If he decides not to hold a meeting, then the veto won't even be contested. 

If a veto would go into affect, this would mean the mayor would get his original proposal.

4% increase

Trash fee of $140 would still be implemented

All the raises he wanted for his cabinet would go thru. So the $9,000 raises to unqualified besties would happen.

The question is — Will the two outrageous, ridiculous, embarrassing, back door, part-time positions at $72/hr. $91,000 a year pass? Would the reward for Ms. Boyer be part of the original submission? My guess is "no" because council voted those down by a 4-3 majority, but I do not trust the actions of the council and mayor. The code is clear:

§ 5-15City Council action on budget.

[Amended 4-17-2003 by Ord. No. 14078]

The Mayor may propose amendments to the original proposed balanced budget. Any amendment which increases any tax rate or fee shall become part of the original budget, provided City Council approves each amendment by five votes. Other Mayoral amendments which do not increase any tax rate or fee shall become part of the original budget, provided City Council approves each amendment by four votes.

The Mayor's original proposed balanced budget is that budget which was submitted on or before 75 days prior to the ensuing fiscal year pursuant to the Charter.

If the mayor were to use his veto powers, this could not fare well for him. Actually, both options do not look good for Tuerk. I wouldn't be surprised if people didn't ask for his resignation or at minimum another vote of no confidence. His political future, if he has one, will surely decline. Word on the streets are that he not only lost Genesis Ortega this week but another staff member of his has left the city suddenly. This is very telling of the type of person he is and that he is a failed leader.

His inability to get a budget passed because of his shitty presentation on why the city needs a tax increase coupled with his desire to not look at his current budget and have a temper tantrum to get his way, is why he didn't succeed once again. To hit the cheat button after you don't get your way is just childish.

Maybe tho a veto would be fun. I'm sure the comments on all the social media platforms would be positive.

Here are the cabinet salary increases for your reference: Are you getting a $6,000 - $9,000 raise this year?

Lets be honest these salaries should be 

CED $115,000

Finance $115,000

Public works $115,000

Police Chief $120,000

Fire $120,000 

H.R $120,000

Parks $105,000

The fact is I just dont think these people are worth these high salaries. The ground workers do all the work. Yet the police chief and fire chief will probably get $125k / year pension when they retire. Who thinks that is right? 

That should make everyone sick.  This is why he needs to raise taxes. To pay for the upper 7 pay increases along with the solicitor’s raises,  along with other people who work along with him, as well as to pay for the ridiculously high pensions that strain the city budget.

Do we have a communication problem? What!? Hello?

Several sources out of city hall are telling me that the Mayor’s right (or is it left?) hand quit her job aggressively today!! Let’s read through some of them, shall we?

+ “ I heard there was a blow-up fight between those two last month and she’s been looking ever since. “

+ “I was in City Hall, and the fight could be heard down in the 4th floor. He’s been trying to win her back, but she told him she can’t be bought. “

+ “There’s so much drama on the 5th floor. They all hate each other!!!! Everyone knows it and it’s so awkward. “

+ “I overheard a couple employees talking about her quitting. It’s weird but I’m not surprised she’s leaving bc that office is an absolute dumpster fire. “

I mean you should see the stuff I’m getting. I’m not in the business of publishing every tip I get (and boy, would you love that), in fact I dont even like knowing half this shit, but Ortega’s exit is enough for me to question and ask you what is going on here. There’s been zero said about this by the mayor or his spokesperson, but I can’t imagine they can keep a BOMBSHELL exit like this quiet. There’s a lot of crazy shit happening at City Hall. 

Let’s mention the negotiations going south, budget drama, the Scott Curtis report that Tuerk is fighting to see the light of day, and the latest and greatest allegations of discrimination from Karen Ocasio and Tawanna Whitehead. If it’s true, there’s no doubt in my mind that Ortega knows the truth about our peewee mayor and is getting out. No sane person would stay inside of a dumpster fire when it's literally on fire. 

I don’t want to make this a race issue, but a little birdie also tells me Ortega’s skin color is no coincidence to her departure. Tuerk mistreats black people, there is plenty of proof in lawsuits and NAACP letters that support that claim.

I wonder what that means for Miss Boyer because her skin color is green (allegedly, from a post). I’m taking tips and eating popcorn. What movie am I watching, you ask? The Titanic. I love a good sinking ship. Is Jack being played by Matt and Rose by Boyer?

 

Two councilman gone

Farewell to Ed Zucal and good riddance to Daryl Hendricks.

Ed you have shown the public that you care, by putting them first. You have shown ethical decision making. You stood up to the city and questiooned all their stupid decisions. Often never getting an answer to any questions you asked. Ed stood for making sense and the common man. You will be missed. Thank you for your service

Your counterpart. Well I cant say much positive about him. Ive never seen a person change his vote so much. Not have a steady voting platform. Decisions appeared to be made to better his son and not why he was elected. Daryl I believe was bought by the mayor and it showed. But thank you for doing a thankless job.

The actual Council meeting was okay.

As predicted the tax increase was voted down. Then Matty got angry and knocked down the $50,000 he was going to give to the Council of Churches. That was a total jab at Gerlach because she voted No for the tax increase. Im at a loss for words.

An angry lady went up and complained about all the wasteful spending and offered a few ways to save money.

She said. Tax the Niz "is the Niz even legal". Niz has taken so much taxes away from the city. Its absurd.

"Bring back waste management to the city" Too late, city gave Mascaro like $90million to do the trash.

"Cut the bloated police budget" That was my favorite. She said more cops doesnt equal less crime. You damn right it doesn't. But crime is always down remember??

Quit involving the city in lawsuits, then making tax payers pay out the settlements. Numerous employee lawsuits. But there is no problems according to Duane Morris.

She was completely correct on how to save money.

I love her.

Then an SEIU leader came up and spoke. He complained about how the city leaders get 9% raises while his people cant get shit. He said we pick up the leaves, the snow, pave the streets, but yet they cant get a good contract? Im at a loss for words.

I hope the next big snow storm they stop working. Within a few hours they will get their contract. When accidents pile up and people are stuck everywhere, thats when you strike.

Some memes are A.I generated.