Data, DROP, and Duds

Council tonight was never ending.

The first part we were blessed with Frank Kane giving an explanation of the police DROP pension program.  And chewing atleast one pack of gum.

"This guy makes a $135,000 a year and comes to council disheveled, on his phone, and chewing gum"

Bina Patel delivered another Academy Award nominated performance and, as always, could not answer any questions and deferred to 'getting that data' and 'we will have that conversation'. 

Council VP Mota asked some great questions, but I do think she is probably more confused after the explanation by Kane and Patel. Frank still chewing

Basically, what's the impact on the tax payers?. No answer. How much will it cost? No answer.

Basically, the police can double dip and leave with a done of cash after they retire. Costing tax payers millions. There getting a new 45million dollar station and want more.

Onward

Patel did state there is like 70 capital projects going on. So there is a cost for that. Yet as Finance Director she has no clue what financial impact these projects, including the DROP, will have on the taxpayers. Do your job!!!!

In between Frank being on his phone alot of the meeting, Frank stated the city will need to come up with $6.75 million for the lost revenue from stornwatee fees from the ruling in the state assembly. 6.75 million!!! That's without the DROP and whatever other expenses. But assured the administration will figure it out.  Where are you getting all this money???  Quit borrowing. Administration is like a 20 year old charging everything with $15/hr job. Ridiculous. 

There will be a Special Meeting to discuss the DROP probably on a Wednesday night at 3:30am. Bina is gonna avoid answering any and all questions VP. Mota asked, if she shows up at all. Im sick of her not knowing shit.

Mayor Tuerk missed another community impacting meeting. Don't worry Matt, we saw Vicky Kistler in the back watching people, taking notes, and names. She will send you a summary tonight. I do hope Disneyland California has wifi and good cell reception so you don't miss the her notes.

The main focus of the 2nd meeting was the proposed data center in south Allentown. Basically, everyone opposes it.  

The basis of Bill 20 was to amend the code language so data centers can't be built in the city limits.  But this is a complicated process.

How about how the City Solicitor who is hired for these types of issues sat in the back silent and the council solicitor had to answer for both the best she could?

There was a lot of discussion regarding a Curative Amendment. Now I am not a code aficionado, but I am able to “Google it” like Verizon Frank mentioned.  

1. A municipal curative amendment is a legal process under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) that allows a municipality to self‑declare its zoning ordinance or parts of it as substantively invalid and then enact a new or revised ordinance to fix the problem.

53 P.S. §10609.2

Declaration and Proposal

The municipality formally declares its zoning ordinance or portions thereof as substantively invalid.

Within 30 days, the governing body must:

Pass a resolution identifying the invalidity (e.g., missing or insufficiently permitted uses, entire ordinance needing revision).

Begin preparing and considering a curative amendment 

 Enactment Deadline

The municipality must enact the curative amendment within 180 days from the declaration to validate or reaffirm the ordinance 

Landowner and Hearing Board Exclusion

Once the process starts, the municipality is not required to consider landowner curative amendments under §609.1 or to issue reports on similar grounds 

Limitation

After enactment, the municipality cannot use the same process again for 36 months, unless a new statutory duty or court decision requires it.

A municipal curative amendment is a statutory tool for Pennsylvania municipalities to fix zoning defects internally, with a set timeline and procedural safeguards, while shielding themselves from competing landowner challenges during the process.

Councilperson Gerlach came in for the win once again! She was saying what was stated with a simple Google search. A Curative Amendment for a Municipality signals that our zoning ordinance is flawed and requires amendment or expansion for clarification to address the issue. This action protects the municipality from entertaining landowners with curative amendments.

This all seems complicated with loopholes within.  

Bill 20 passed 7-0 to be tabled. Hope it was the right decision. Im glad there was a huge turnout of citizens expressing their thoughts.  I wish every meeting was like that.

Lastly and for the Irony

All I can say was that there was a ton of speackers tonight. Who are against these data centers, but I am curious how many used Chat GPT to write their speeches? 

Next Controller

 

Sadly, the city must fill the Controllers position due to the recent passing of long-term Controller, Mr. Glazier. The city controller is one of the most important positions and is essentially the chief financial officer and independent fiscal watchdog. The job is to make sure the city’s finances are honest, accurate, lawful, and transparent — even when that means telling the mayor or council “no.”.

Here are a couple important duties that should be noted:

Pension

Pension Management: Often serving as a voting member on the city's pension boards and overseeing retirement system investments. Why is this important? 

I mean the Police want a DROP pension to line their pockets with cash before they officially retire.

Budget Review: Analyzing the mayor's proposed budget prior to city council approval and providing non-binding and independent recommendations. Why is this important? Well, it's sort of funny; the mayor routinely asks for position upgrades, raises, and more employees throughout the year that were not included or forecasted in the original budget approved the year prior. No one in council ever stops him and says this should be discussed during the budget review. An effective and independent controller that is not in the mayor's pocket could recommend that these positions move to the next budget cycle since they were not included in the current approved budget.

Internal Audits/Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Protection: The Controller performs internal audits, investigates discrepancies, and ensures public funds are used efficiently and legally. The Controller is one of the few positions that are empowered to flag misuse of funds before it becomes a scandal.

PROCESS FOR A NEXT CONTROLLER

Section 405 Vacancy 

A. If the office of the City Controller becomes vacant for any reason, Council shall appoint an interim City Controller, of the same political party, who shall serve until the next Municipal Election.

B. A vacancy in the office of the City Controller shall be filled at the next Municipal Election, in the manner provided by law. The person elected shall hold the qualifications for the office of the City Controller and shall serve the remaining portion of the vacated term.

This position is currently very important to the mayor. Some council members had requested an audit of the mayors travel expenses. I think he is budgeted for around $25,000. Im sure he is over that already. The next controller will know the truth. 

Then let's not forget that Frank Kane stated he would have the mayor's travel expenses once he double checked his numbers. That was four weeks ago. Frank is probably thinking he squeaked out of this one. Wrong. The 3500 views and many comments about the travel during this past week indicate that people want answers. If you have nothing to hide — make it public. I think Matt Tuerk used those same words during the Scott Curtis investigation before he did everything possible to not cooperate. Not just the 5 people you think comment on here. Basically, he didn't have any numbers to check and was stalling. Classic bullshitter. 

I am curious to see who responds to the vacancy announcement.

Personally, I support Ed Zucal for his no nonsense and honest approach. I do feel that he would definitely receive votes from the council, but who knows if he would want the job. He would certainly hold the administration accountable. Im calling you out Ed, throw your name in the game.

Tuerk will obviously want someone he can control like his entire cabinet members. I'm thinking that Ana Tabasco/Tornado/Toblerone lady or whatever her name is or Julian Guridy. We do know that Matt has his favorites, so any number of names could be called to serve him. 

Other choices, Daryl Hendricks. I'll stop right there. If that happens, this blog will end, cause the city will end as well. (hint-hint, Matt)

Oh wait, light bulb. Let's get Scott Curtis to be the controller. Can you imagine what that spy would come up with? "I found a nickel that hasn't been accounted for." 

My final choice is no other than Matt Tuerk himself. I could see him taking on a hybrid role of both mayor and controller. He is so arrogant, I could see him trying. Sort of like some small-town shit, where one is the mayor, Chief of police and the judge. Obviously, I am joking but I am sure Tuerk has researched the possibility.

It will be interesting to see who wants to play banker with this mess of a city budget. I recommend whoever gets the position to have the entire budget audited immediately and DO NOT forget about the travel audit. Actually, Jackie Moore is being appointed to Interim Controller — she can get started once she is approved with the audit of travel expenditures.

Is this a waste of money??

Last year I wrote about these two guys council gave $300,000 they just had laying around.  These two didnt have a plan but wanted the money for an ambassador program downtown.  Their goal is to greet people and give them information on where to eat, park, etc. Part of the their job is to try and get people to stay longer downtown and not just see a show or eat and leave.

A representative stated “What we have to form is the [impression] that there is something to do downtown,”

The impression?  Listen there is either things to do downtown or there isn't.  Honestly, there is no safe nightlife unless you want to get shot at.  There are a few decent restaurants there, but Billy's Diner left and so did The Hamilton.  The businesses that downtown offers are nothing special.  There arent places people say "That is the only place where you can get that," or "that is the best place to eat this or that."  

So the city, and all these other organizations throwing money at the Downtown Allentown Alliance are wasting their money.  This is like that dumb saying "putting the cart before the horse."  You need busineeses-good ones.  You need restaurants that stay open late.  You need cops walking Hamilton St. at night.  

This ambassador idea is great, but the city doesn't have the infrastructure that needs it.  I think its just premature to throw money at this and at $300,000 last year could have been used to knock almost 1% of the tax increase.

I really think this is just lining the pockets of some people.  

As council President Santo Napoli stated on Mcall: the million-dollar question is, how do you measure results?” Napoli said. “Everyone’s going to have their own version of results, but ultimately, it comes down to our cash registers. And if OUR registers are ringing, that’s obviously how most merchants will measure it.”

Oddly, Mr. Napoli owns a clothing store downtown and voted to give the $300,000.  So basically, voted for something that may make him money.  Smells like shitty old man tighty white-eeez.

I drive thru downtown maybe once a week or so and I have never seen one of these Ambassador people.  Have you? 

Oh to answer the title of this post. Yes, yes it is.

A little Cleanup and Congrats

Let me begin with a huge congratulations to the William Allen Canaries baseball team with their 7-5 win over Stroudsburg to capture the district 11 6A title. On to States!!

A couple house cleaning items before there out in the trash for good that are worth mentioning:

What is the status of the audit of the mayors travel expenses? Oh Frank. Verizon Frank. Frank the Tank. Frank the Liability. You promised numbers after they were reviewed. Where could they possibly be? Down by the homeless camp next to your phone? Does the Secretary have them and you are awaiting her to actually come to the office? 

Are they in Tuerk's luggage for the Conference of Mayors trip next week to Long Beach, CA?

In case you haven't noticed, I am missing Frank. 

Not since, well Tuerk has their been a better bullshitter, and not since Michaela Boyer has their been a lazier employee.  

Did Mota and Affa just give up? Cause a stink like Pepe La Pue, then vanish?. Cmon ladies grow a set and expose this rainbow 🌈 wearing hotdog. 

Follow-through, accountability, and attention are basic requirements of your job.

We are approaching June 1, I haven't heard CeCe bring up homeless issues for a while. Wasn't there an agreement to have it all fixed by June 1st? Or now that she won the Dem primary has she given up because she got what she wanted? If so, she is no different than Tuerk. Promises made, promises forgotten. 

I read a dirt bike article on the Morning Call website recently and Chief Roca was claiming that there were 161 calls related to dirt bikes this year as compared to 83 last year. 83 seems like a very low number. When you look at the police crime dashboard it has a much higher amount of calls.

Either your numbers are wrong or your crime analysts need to step up the data crunch efforts and correct the errors so more accurate information is reported to the community.

Senator Miller wants to pass a law allowing local municipalities to be able to seize dirt bikes. Currently only APD can. My question is... isn't there a dirt bike task force? With all the technology the city claims it has one would thinking catching these people wouldn’t be hard.  

Disappointment is in the running for the word of 2026. 

Lastly, since government must go on.  I'll leave you with a thought.  How about Ed Zucal?

How to Impeach

As expected the mayor didnt even try to put even a half ass Memorial Day service for the fallen hero's of this country. Worse than that the flags outside of city hall weren't at half mast. You literally are the biggest problem this city has. 

Mr. Siegel even had a nice Facebook post for memorial day. Tuerk couldnt even do one. Why? Are you away again on some useless trip? Cant wait to see where you go next and who you take with.  

Now to the real meat.  

How Allentown residents can Remove a useless Mayor. Here is a guide to the Impeachment Process. I'm excited.

You can tell alot from a persons eyes.

If you live in Allentown, and hate it you’ve probably wondered at some point: What happens if the Mayor seriously messes up? Can they actually be removed from office? 

The answer is fuck yes — but there is a process. 

The process is spelled out in Allentown’s Home Rule Charter and follows specific rules designed to balance accountability with due process. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how it works.

When Can the Mayor Be Forced Out of Office? Hopefully asap.

According to Allentown’s Home Rule Charter, the Mayor shall forfeit office if they:

First he went to Panama to work for an outdoor advertising company and the result was the United States gave back the fucking Panama Canal and asked Panama to keep him lmao.

Then the guy worked at an economic development corporation and he was demoted and stayed. 

Back on track

A. No longer meet the qualifications (never did meet any) required for the office (either under the Charter or state law) at any point during their term. 

B. Violate any explicit prohibition written in the City Charter. Please go look. I'll reserve my thoughts.

(Would the audit of his travels that council requested and hasn't followed up on count?  Didn’t Frank Kane state he had the numbers but wanted someone more qualified than him to verify before he gave them up.  That was like 3 weeks ago) The numbers may have been stored in his phone. 

C. Are convicted of any crime classified as a misdemeanor of the second degree or higher. 

Step-by-Step: How the Removal Process Works

Initiation

The process usually begins when formal charges are brought or a petition is filed that clearly outlines the alleged misconduct. This can come from citizens, Council members, or other officials.

Investigation

City Council typically votes to authorize a committee (them and their committees) to investigate the claims. Which I think the citizens should so it is done right and unbiased. This is where a mayor tries to influence Council members to bloch the investigation. 

"I'd shit my pants if this mommy came running after me"

Uses scare tactics to break weak members. I.e. Mota, Gerlach, Affa, Napoli.  Evidence is gathered and witnesses may be interviewed. If council were to bloch the investigation then a petition would be started to remove them. You can go round and round. Waste their time like they do ours.

Public Hearing

A formal public hearing is held. The mayor has the right to appear ( or zoom from some city paid for trip), present evidence, call witnesses (not friends), and defend himself. (Defend this) These hearings are open to the public, so transparency is built in. Transparency ha, something the mayor and council know nothing about.

The Vote

After the hearing, City Council members vote on whether to remove the official. A supermajority — usually two-thirds or more of the Council — is required to actually kick someone out of office.

Legal Safeguards

The entire process must follow both the Allentown Home Rule Charter and Pennsylvania state laws regarding municipal officers.

Cutting corners isn’t allowed. Only allowed when they do it.

Can the Removed Mayor fight Back?

Yes. They can.  They can appeal the Council’s decision in court. 

Bottom line: Removing an elected official in Allentown isn’t quick, or even easy but the Charter provides a clear roadmap if one wants to try.

Also an impeachment attempt on a mayor whether they leave or not will surely ruin any attempt at a future political office. Which is what we all want.  Council could always to another vote of no confidence which would damage his resume even more.

I have to add this.

The Allen boys baseball team won 3-2 over Northampton to move onto the district finals to play Stroudsburg at 7pm at Desalles University. Hopefully, it isnt a good game and the Canaries blow them out.  I am as excited for this game as I am of impeaching this fool.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice is the reason we live in freedom today. May we carry their memory with gratitude, humility, and resolve.

God Bless,

Abe

Allen Canary Baseball

Omg!!

I finally have something positive to write about.  The William Allen Canaries baseball team has been amazing all season.  They lost 5 games during the regular season.  Yes 5 games!! 

They beat Whitehall to win the EPC championship, the first time they did this in I dont know 100 years, no seriously I think they did it in early 2000.  

Their hitting has been on point all year and their pitching has unmatched depth.  I absolutely love seeing Allentown schools dominating sports. Dieruff guy myself but...

The word is a freshman pitcher has got the attention of big college schools with Michigan coming to scout him.   He is ranked as one of the best pitchers in the state and nationally ranked in his class.  

A special acknowledgement to head coach Rob Leskosky. He has done an amazing job with this young group of men.  Coaching such a diverse group I am sure has its challenges, but you are doing it. Congrats.

On Memorial day, weather permitting  Allen will play Northampton at Desalles University at 3:30pm for the district Semi-Finals.  

Hey wouldn't it be nice if the city recognized these kids?  Maybe inspire the other secret athletes attending Allen and Dieruff to come out and play. 

I hate transitioning to this because I wanted to focus on the baseball team, but there is alot of talk about helping the youth, getting them away from violent lives.  Put these kids on a billboard in the city or the one at the PPL Center.  Let other kids see that and say "hey I want to be on that."  Too many times, well all the time I talk about the negative things in the city.  Here is a chance to inspire and get the attention of the city's young athletes. I am not aware of other areas putting their athletes on display on a huge level.

Lastly, here is an amazing idea.  Why doesnt the city use one of their buildings and put a billboard up to honor Allentonians Accomplishments?A new business opens, throw a photo of the owner and business up their, when an athlete or team wins something, put it up there, if a student wins an award, veterans who served or are serving, milestones in the city, famous Allentonians etc.  Keep it only for Allentonians. This is how we invest in our people by promoting the good things they do. Who doesn't like to be acknowledged? It can be Named Abe’s Allentown Accomplishers. 😆 

Let's go Canaries!!!

Memorial Day in Allentown

 

Today I was going through the messages that I have received from blog patrons. I do this often and look forward to feedback, both good and bad. Mixed among the overwhelming compliments for keeping it real and honest were a few comments that weren't the nicest probably out of fear of more truth (probably from the Administration). Anyways, I enjoy reading all the comments. 

I came across a message and a link to a Facebook post indicating that the mayor has chosen not to honor the brave military personnel that served our country and paid the ultimate price with their lives with any mention of Memorial Day or a ceremony to honor the fallen. Memorial Day is not an option, Pee Wee.    

Memorial Day isn’t a suggestion or a happy feeling holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving. It is the one day set aside to honor the men and women who died wearing the uniform of the United States. And yet somehow, our mayor has managed to treat it like an optional day.

There will be no ceremony.

There will be no acknowledgment.

There will be no moment of silence.

And that’s the part that should bother every Allentownian. Because when our mayor can’t be bothered to honor our fallen veterans on Memorial Day, it tells you everything about his priorities. Clearly, symbolism only matters when it’s convenient. That tradition only matters when it can be turned into a photo-op. Sacrifice — real sacrifice — is something they remember only when it fits neatly into a press release.

This is about respect. Every community owes the people who never came home.

Adding insult to injury, it was also brought to my attention and forgive me I never noticed that the flags outside city hall are incorrectly displayed. The US Stars and Stripes are currently in the position of dishonor. 

 When you walk past city hall you expect at least one thing to be done right: the American flag should fly in a place of honor.

Does the flag appear as depicted on the left? US Flag code requires that when looking at it so that no flag is to “its own right”?

In the United States, no other flag should be placed above the American flag or, if they are to be placed on the same level, to the right (union (the blue field with stars) of the American flag.

Where is the City Hall flag? Hmmmmm?

City Hall will tell you it’s an oversight. A mistake. Something they’ll “look into.” But this flag has been intentionally placed by Tuerk in the position for several years despite being told several times, by individuals and groups that the flag is in the wrong place. He refuses to correct this issue and prefers to dishonor the flag.  

To make matters worse, the LGBTQ/Trans flag has been placed all the way to the far left — standing alone in the position of honor — while the American flag has been pushed to the end of the line. Is this really the new standard for the city? Why would anyone do this intentionally? The only reason that comes to mind is that they refuse to respect what it stands for and are not at all proud to be American. There can be no other acceptable reason. 

If they can’t honor the flag, what else aren’t they honoring?

Budgets? 

Residents? 

Transparency?

Take your pick – we know Tuerk and his Administration don’t respect the citizens of Allentown; their actions have proven this true time and time again.

And this guy wants to run for Congress?  No veteran, current service member, family of those who have lost a love one WILL EVER VOTE FOR YOUR CLOWN ASS!!

Check out this link: copy and paste 

NOT ONE EVENT IN THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN

www.wfmz.com/tncms/asset/editorial/6ff3effa-275d-4b69-8666-2fdefe4c493e