A Legend to be released

It appears Mr. Pawlowski will be released this summer. Good for him. Eight years is a long time. Although he has only served a little over half his sentence. Personally there are other people I would like to see in prison.

Let's talk about the former mayor. He is an entrepreneur, a tough mayor, a fair mayor, but was he unethical? Let me start with the bad things. Obviously, he was taking bribes in exchange for things. A big no no in the politics, if you get caught. Did he financially gain from all of his charges? He obviously had some sort of financial gain that led him to a prison sentence. I doubt it was boxes of cash being delivered to undisclosed locations.  

But what did he do. Ed used illegal means to get downtown bigger and better. No one can deny the big buildings, the arena, all of the restaurants and the sudden influx of money that came into the city.  

In exchange for all the illegal things he did were to better his chances of becoming something more than a mayor. A Senator perhaps. Do I fault him? I mean did he hurt anyone in his endeavor? I dont think so. He went about making a city better in an unethical and illegal manner.

Do I think the city would be better if he was still mayor? 💯. Ed's bad decisions arent as blatantly obvious as the current mayor. His accomplishments were seen unlike the current mayor. He was more liked than the current mayor. Ed was using his position to promote and grow Allentown while building his brand and chances for higher office. The current mayor has done absolutely nothing for Allentown and is working overtime to ruin the city.  

Pawlowski was a far better Mayor with all of his unethical activity than Matt Tuerk could ever be.  

We all know that politics is dirty. Will always be dirty. Pawlowski did things behind the scenes. He didn't waste money. He didnt promote friends. 

He didn't make bike lanes no one will use except the dirt bikes. He didn't have palpable disdain for the United States like this mayor. He actually focused on Allentown and made more happen here than any prior Mayor. A record he holds today.  

I sort of wish Ed could run again. I could see downtown revitalized again.

No memes needed because the joke is on all of us Tax paying fools

 

I literally saw an ethical violation by all council members including the mayor by voting for Councilman Binders wife to be appointed to the housing commision. What the fuck!!

A sweet lady came up to the bafoons and read how appointing a family member is unethical per the Allentown Charter ethics code.

All council people just ignored her and voted yes.  Do the council members and the Mayor realize that those that do not live in the city laugh at these meetings. We are a joke.  Any idiot can see the decisions made are ruining the city.  There are no rules followed, no ethics and no fucking morals whatsoever.  

Interupting sorry.  Make sure the 5 people that attended get their Chaser free parking ticket validated.

Back to the bullshit.

I truly miss Eddie Cares, Ms. Ocasio, Zucal, Ms. Redman and all the people that made council fun.  It really sucks now.  Its boring. Boring. And did I mention it sucks. And its more predictable than Matt Tuerk raising a flag for every country, township, group, village, fraternity, and any other non profit you can think of.  The scripts are handed out before the meetings and you hear nothing but Yes,Yes,Yes,Yes.

I heard Tuerk mention a concern about city health care costs. And how the city should be concerned because they have lost Federal funding.  Why doesnt he learn to run a city without relying on everyone else to give handouts.  But he is a Democrat.

I also saw previous comments on a proposed police DROP pension.  So I have been researching this.  Next week I will drop the good news on the tax payers if this passes council which I hear they will vote on it this month. A slight spoiler, I am anticipating this Pension change to cost the tax payers roughly $1,000.000 a year.  

Well we were or are the "City without limits", so money doesnt matter. But now we are "All Inspiring" for what? Corruption? Stupidity? Nepotism? Quid Pro Quo?

Its funny the 3rd largest city in Pa is attended by fewer people than my over 60 pickle ball banquet.  It is really sad to see a city fall into despair like it has under the Tuerk administration.  

Taking care of Business

“In Allentown, Public Service has always been a Family Business"

Now I dont know Mrs. Binder personally, and judging by her resume she appears to be very qualified and extremely intelligent. She has a long background in social services and community engagement. However, that is only what I see on a piece of paper. This is not about Mrs. Binder--she is a long standing community ally. 

There is an opening on the Allentown housing board that mayor Tuerk has to fill. As many of you know Mr. Binder has just been elected to city council.

Does the mayor’s appointment of Mrs. Binder have anything to do with the fact that her husband in my opinion is considered a swing vote? Matt Tuerk only makes moves that benefit him. 

The mayor continues to make questionable moves to advance his agenda. Mrs. Binder has been in the community for many years and suddenly now that her husband has been elected to council, she is appointed by Mayor Tuerk? How can you appoint spouses of people on city council and it not be looked at like quid pro quo? This is disgustingly wrong, but not surprising coming from this Mayor. Mr. Binder should not vote on this appointment. His vote would make it even more corrupt. "Sorry honey, I had to vote No." "Jeremy you're outside and the dog is inside."  

Seriously though the dude has only been on council for like a month and this stunt is going on?My guess is that we will find out when Mayor Tuerk brings his next initiative to full council. Pay close attention to how Mr Binder votes. Then, we will see if there was a secret deal made behind closed doors.  

My bet is that it has something to do with getting his secretary promoted.  

Atleast the snow is gone.

Round 2

At the time of this writing all indications say that this storm has seemed to have shifted and will result in less snow than was originally forecasted, yet the mayor has taken to social media to scold the residents for not remaining calm and that we should just wait for "55 degree weather".  The mayor has proven over and over again that HE is not equipped to respond to any situation that requires the city services to be deployed.  We have seen this with the snow response, the rude staff in city hall, the even more rude staff in his office, the failed response last summer to the multiple heatwaves (who can forget the trashing of our waterways), the unsheltered response, the horrible condition of our streets, the Oprah Winfrey "you get a car" style spending in the city government; the list goes on and on.   While his most recent blame game claims the city does not have the equipment to remove snow, he further proves that failure is the result of any task he attempts or is involved.   Round 2 of the snow disaster cleanup is coming, also look for a request for DPW to buy new equipment for snow response.  $$$$$$$

What do we know? 

Yesterday, Tuerk announced the city emergency declaration at 6pm Saturday night.  He advised that cars needed to be removed by 10pm.  The best part was the Mayor ordered snow routes to be cleared by 10pm only four hours after the snow emergency was declared.  Great job giving people time to get their vehicles to alternate locations. Now leaders are trying to be proactive to try and fix all the mistakes from the last snowstorm, by creating more missteps and failures. He stated towing and ticketing vehicles would be enforced on snow routes. It seemed to have fallen on deaf ears anyway.  The Police Chief had more sense and sent out a message on Sunday saying they would enforce parking starting Sunday at 10pm.  

I truly hoped it wouldnt snow at all but too late for that.  Calling a snow emergency maybe 24hrs before it even begins snowing is just asinine. Could you imagine how dumb this city will look if it doesnt snow or if only a couple inches come down? Maybe Matt should wait until the governor decides to call a state of emergency before he does.   What we can expect is Matt "Kardashian" Tuerk continuing to send out his stupid TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram videos that show him running.  Running suits you Matt — you "run" from anything that requires attention or effort.

The city’s constant failed reaction really comes down to an administration that doesn’t seem capable of managing even routine situations. 

Giving residents only four hours to move their vehicles is unreasonable, especially when there won’t be a plow on the road or any meaningful snowfall by then. How much can anyone really say about something this basic? It’s not as if Allentown is experiencing snow for the first time.  Hell, just look back a month ago.  What’s even more baffling is that Allentown is the only place declaring a snow emergency four hours in advance. Is that because they’re the only ones who still haven’t figured out how to handle snow management?

 

Fun fact.  Did you know we have an Emergency Management Team?  Me either!   A quick look at the City of Allentown website and we have an emergency management team!   Why do I feel they arrange travel for the Mayor since there are no 'emergencies' in Allentown?  Why is it that we have heard absolutely nothing from Allentown Emergency Management?  Not even a CodeRed alert; yet the city webpage keeps telling us to listen for notifications via CodeRed.   I have CodeRed — NOTHING.  Thank goodness this isn't an earthquake, major fire or ICE situation, we would all be in danger. 

Send an email to the City Emergency Management and express your dissatisfaction with their preparation and response to these storms.     

EMA@allentownpa.gov.

https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Departments/Fire-Emergency-Services/Emergency-Management-Agency-EMA  

Pray for Summer

Residents of Allentown took to the city council meeting to complain about the lousy snow removal effort of the city.

A resident as mentioned before in a post cited Apd was on her block after midnight blasting their sirens to get people to move their vehicles.  

Also mentioned was the fact people are getting tickets when they move their vehicle to a location so snow removal can be done. In my opinion the citizens are getting so screwed by freaking snow removal. Woken up, cited, towed, and there is still snow everywhere. Great job. Plus more snow on the way. 

I personally have seen several parts of the city not plowed and mounds of snow. Residents have to relive their drivers test just to get into a parking spot.

The reponse by Council President Napoli was he reached out to the APA and is working on putting together a joint meeting of council and the authority on April 8 to answer questions regarding parking enforcement. 

April 8th? When its 70 degrees out? Such good planning. Isn't there anyone competent that can be in charge of the city and its departments??

Napoli quoted on WFMZ

“On the issue of snow removal, there is a public works committee meeting on March 11 and we will be discussing the snow removal with our public works team, and learning more about that,” Napoli said.

Learning more about what? Snow removal? Simply plow to the nearest intersection, have a front end loader load snow into a dump truck and go dump it at fountain park.

And of course Mayor Tuerk had nothing to comment on the snow removal. Pretty hard to know what's going on in the city when your in Washington DC or California. Wheres your next useless trip on the city taxpayers money?

Ask and Maybe you shall Recieve

 Happy Presidents Day Abe!!!

Finally, something positive to write about. The city has created a data center aimed at handling Right to know requests.

The data hub created will allow people to research different things to include:

City code cases, city building permits and city rental licenses.

I am not sure the extent of what will be able to be seen on this hub but I am sure it is limited.

Now I do think this is a great idea...But. 

I would imagine people will be looking up things on busineeses and their neighbors all the time. 

The code office will be smothered with complaints as people report on things. So the city might want to hire more code enforcement officers.

Also, will the Curtis Files be able to be seen on this Hub?? Its okay, the files will be out on their own. Give it time.

I do find it rather concerning that the rise of RTK requests is on the rise every year. The city claims the rise reflects the growing public interest in access to city records. I would think its because people are tired of all the corruption and wasteful spending and want to know the truth. RTK requests to me mean the city isnt transparent enough so people have to go the legal route to get the information.

Also, the snow removal is just embarrasing at this point.  Who is really in charge of this shit?  Do they just pick random streets to remove snow?  I read they just hit N. 6th St.  How in the hell did they just get to 6th st?  Its been like 3 weeks since the storm. The eastside, west end and southside have zero chance of getting any removal.  Or basically all the tax payers, working class arent getting any services.   

So much love in the Heart of the City

Happy Valentines Day

In appreciation of Valentines Day, I want everyone to show there love for the city and I want to see how honest you are.

I hear the city puts out surveys to its employees to see how much they enjoy working for the city, or improvements that could be made etc. It is some type of attempt to try and get their employees to think the management cares and is listening to you.  Yet nothing changes. 

Your post is anonymous here unlike the city surveys that I am sure they can somehow track. There is nothing anyone can do about it on here.

I want to hear from you, if you worked for the city, are currently working now or even know someone who has worked for the city. What is the truth?

Tell me about your experience. What you didn't like or didn't like. Improvements you would suggest. Please keep to a half a page if possible.

Where the city or department you worked for is headed.

 The issue with the city surveys is that no one ever sees the actual results except the mayor or his cronies. 

Then the mayor or someone will say how everything is so great and everyone loves each other, but cannot show his proof. Or people lie on the surveys because of fear of retaliation.

                      "Madonna"

  

Archer Hall anyone?

 

Does anyone go to the Archer Hall? I have not gone myself.  Not because I don't want too, but rather because I havent seen any shows that remotely interest me. I rarely see people leaving or going to the place. Nor has anyone I know gone there. 

Oddly enough, and maybe its nothing but LehighValleyNews.com has been doing alot of stories about the hall and future acts.  Do they not have much to write about or is their another reason?

I recently saw the Hall is going to have amateur boxing.  I actually do not think this is a bad idea.  I dont know of anywhere you can watch boxing at.  I realize PPL center and Wind Creek have events but Im referring to the beginners of boxing vs the more established.  Smaller MMA events arent around here to my knowledge either.   Something Archer should look into.

While Im asking about any Archer experiences, how about the Moxy?  It doesnt appear to ever have any people in its lobby or even the room lights on.  I dont know how the place is holding on.  Besides maybe a big event at the PPL center what would be the reason for anyone to stay downtown??  A festival to get shot at, a photo opp in front of the new arch?  I can't see any businessmen staying there since what business would they be doing in Allentown. 

Make your Hood standout

There was a small article in Mcall

"Allentown residents and community groups can play a role in improving their neighborhood.

The city is looking for project proposals to transform public vacant lots in the 1st and 6th wards into welcoming, community-centered spaces.

Applications should be for small-scale improvement projects within the area bounded by Union Street, Riverside Drive and American Parkway.

Ideas include:

-- Improving seating or recreational features

-- Installing community garden beds

-- Creating public art installations

-- Organizing community clean-up efforts "

Okay, I somewhat like the idea, but lets be real.  

Improving seating and recreational features. Yea lets build more benches for the homeless to sleep on.

Community garden beds??  So people can grow community weed? Great idea.  If we grow mushrooms 🍄 we can have zombies like Kensington walking around.

Public art installations? Do chalk lines count as art? Or bullet holes?

Organizing community clean-up efforts?  Who in the hell is going to get people to clean up the trash that they litter themselves? 

Guys Allentown is not ready for community gardens for people to steal from or wreck. We dont need benches or spaces for homeless to congregate since the city wrecks any tents they put up. I think these open lots could be used to put snow, or turned into parking spaces.  Not some dumb donkey art or something.  

                 "Tuerk Ross"

I will say the drawings on the sides of buildings is pretty cool.  Not the graffiti either. I support that type of art. Maybe come up with something that each ward is known for or a well known past restaurant that was once there. I.e. like the old yoccos at 600blk of Liberty St.    Idk but think more outside of the box.  

Wake up and move your cars lol

 

The Allentown police and the City of Allentown have taken snow removal to a whole new level. 

On 69 news a woman reported and showed video of the police blasting their sirens and driving with their emergency lights after midnight the other night telling residents over their loud speaker to move their vehicles or they will be towed. 

How are you supposed to sleep with that rolling down your block?

Or this coming down the street

Is this how Mayor Tuerk goes about getting rid of the snow now? He sends out crews after midnight to wake everyone up in this alarming manner when people are trying to sleep. Mind you it has been two weeks since the snow fell and we’re still doing snow removal? How pathetic. Remember the snow removal is mainly downtown.   Your not seeing the streets on the westend or southside having removal. 

Then you have the Allentown parking authority telling people that hey it’s not our fault the snow isn’t removed, that’s the city’s problem. An APA representative  stated the APA doesnt tow your car, a private contractor does.  Okay, but who calls the contracted company, either APA or APD. 

This is becoming such a joke that a major city cannot deal with a foot of snow.  This isnt the 1st time it has ever snowed in Allentown.  This is simple. There is no plan from the city to the citizens on what is going on.

  

However, the residents are partly to blame too. You have people who can’t read signs that say no parking until the snow is removed. That means no parking here until the snow is removed. If you don’t understand that sign, that is not anyone’s problem but your own. And your car should be towed. 

You don’t hear anywhere else around here having these problems. 

I truly hope the next time it snows there is a plan put into place for the citizens.  I wouldn't blame the plow guys either, they are only doing what they are told under the direction of the overpaid public works director.  Sorry Mark, but this mess falls on you and your boss.