Are their pockets getting lined??

I listened to the council meeting last night. The biggest concern was Bill 20 which concerns the approval of data center ordinance language to the code. Mainly a data center on Emaus Ave was the building in discussion.

There was a strong presence from the community begging council not to vote for data centers instead to vote for a currative amendment which would allow 180 days halt to allow for amendments to the implementation of data centers.

What we do know is that communities who have these data centers have seen increases in electricity bills, water bills, and impact on health and safety. Additionally there are noise and a slew of other complaints.

I can see Frank and the Mayor's office wants the data centers. I am sure for Tuerk there is pressure for him to get this done.

I really think this vote defined the word politics. Meaning, the vote was influenced by higher entities with deep pockets. 

Councilperson Mota complained in previous meetings and reiterated tonight that she did not want these centers in her back yard, and basically stated she was against them. Then she voted down the currative amendment and yes for bill 20.

The reality is the data centers are coming. There is way too much money behind them. These companies have endless money to fight the city to get what they want. 

Big companies and construction firms just like Butz enterprises - or the company Councilperson Pungo is employed. I dont think any amendments would matter.

However, I think council should have opted for the currative amendment to atleast give them some time to try and strengthen the bill.  Pressure and fear casted their votes. 

Bill 20 passed 4-2. Gerlach and Santos the only yes votes for the currative amendment.

And Napoli needs a button to mute people when they get out of order (and he doesnt control the meeting) or go past there alloted time limit or a trap door. 

It was painful watching all these people go say the same thing for hours. Also some of them were saying the dumbest shit. 

Also two other news worthy items

Today there was almost a 3rd teen homicide in what 3 weeks?  A 14 year old girl was stabbed almost to death.  Wtf is with these kids? 

Where is Promise Neighborhoodz?  They get all this money and what is the result? Nodda. 

2nd

Conveniently, the audio failed at the county council meeting tonight.  The big discussion of the "Wealth Tax" trying to be imposed on all people who work in the county. Greedy fuckers.  

Blues, Brew and No One Came Through

What is even happening with Allentown right now. For real. Today was the big Blues, Brews, and BBQ thing and it was basically Blues, Brews, and BIG FAT BUST.

Nobody came. Like, zero humans. Not “a few.” Not “slow start.”

 I mean ZERO, like the city hit the mute button on the whole town.

And honestly, duh. We just had two shootings in two weeks downtown. TWO. Back‑to‑back like some kind of awful “double feature.” 

Who is gonna go stand around eating BBQ when bullets been flying lately. I’m not trying to be on the news as “random bystander #3,” thanks.

Only people there were the workers who had to be there and Sherri, who looked like she got lost on her way to Walmart. 

She kept looking around like a crowd was gonna magically appear if she stared hard enough. Spoiler: it didn’t.

And yeah, the city did their usual trash job advertising it. Like maybe a few flyers taped to telephone poles somewhere in the west end. But honestly, even if they screamed it from the rooftops, nobody’s showing up when the city feels like a 

DANGER ZONE. Safety first, BBQ second.

And because Allentown can’t go five minutes without acting up, the dirt bikes were back again, buzzing around like they forgot they annoy everyone. APD walked around and did nothing.

What really fries my brain is I KNOW they’re gonna pretend it was a win. 

They’ll post some cropped picture of a table and be like “Great turnout today!”.

Meanwhile the whole community is staying home because we’re tired of the violence and tired of City Hall acting like everything is fine and crime is “down.”

If the goal was to show how out of touch City Hall is, then wow. Congrats. You nailed it. The empty streets today were basically screaming louder than any public comment ever could.

Knee pads, Bullshit and Love Island

I hope you didnt have to sit through the knee pad council show.

The discussion of the mayors travel was nonsense as always. Frank Kane stated the mayor is the mayor and doesnt need approval to travel.  But the rest of employees have to get approval. So no checks and balances for the mayor?

Such bullshit. He uses our money and the city is going to say he can go whenever he wants. He is not a king. He is responsible to taxpayers and we require policy and proper procedures when administering appropriated tax payer funds.

Sounds like the king is above the peasants. 

A positive note

Council did acknowledge the Allen Varsity Boys baseball team who won districts this year before falling in the first round of the state tournament.   Good job guys.

Marty Velazquez delivered albeit - through a proxy - an update on the Personnel Policy Manual rewrite. Frank Kane informed council that the document isn't ready after two years of development. The document is so out of date that employees and managers use its age as a reason not to follow the rules. Once you read through the bullshit and get past the tap dancing it is clear that HR failed once again. It really doesn't matter if a PPM is ever produced... it will only be enforced for those who the mayor, directors, and managers plan to target. All others are above the rules, starting with him.  

Towards the end of the committee meeting CeCe asked the very question I had on my mind "is there a plan to abolish the homeless commission?". This may seem out of left field but Tuerk has made it known that he plans to disband the commission and has taken dangerous steps previously to minimize the impact and capabilities of the much needed commission.

Onward

Frank stated him and Chief Roca will be presenting a strategic plan on combating the violent crime in the city. Seriously guys? That is something you do when you get hired, not after you have been the Chief for 5 years and two kids were just killed.

The police DROP Pension took most of the 6:30 meeting.

Chief Roca started out by saying this isnt a money grab. Those were his 1st words.  Awful choice of words. 

After listening to his word salad justification for the DROP it appears this is a money grab. 

Roca bragged about APD being the best department in the area. Stated his officers choose Apd for a career are eager to make a difference and sleep in their uniforms...blah blah blah. Allentown has the worst reputation as a police department in the area. This also came from a guy who spent 3 months on the street as a patrolman per his resume but talks as if he has grinded for 20years.

Im sorry but I walked away from watching the meeting for a little because I can't stand Roca's bullshit robot responses to everything. People want actions not words.

Chief don't you read social media and everyone complaining about the nuisance problems and all the crime? 

Roca blew more smoke than Frank does. Using scare tactics and basically Roca and the FOP pleading on their knees. It became very pathetic for the hour or so they kept speaking.

The big focus I feel Roca was trying to hit home in his feeble attempt to persuade council was the city will have to pay overtime if guys retire. So if 10 guys retire, according to hiring fliers officers make over $100,000 a year. You can't tell me $1 million extra won't go a long way towards overtime considering the police are budgeted at 2.6 million.

A DROP will line the officers pockets at a huge tax increase cost. The 20 year plus guys will benefit. The Chief said that the absence of a DROP will cause more overtime. Huh? You would move out the high earners, promote deserving mid staff and hire more lower to replace those lost through retirement. What he isn't saying is that OT is offered and senior staff get first dibs because of.....well, money 💰 💵 💰. They go after the OT pay first. It is not for the junior officers. There was a very careful choice of words to scare the leaders to making the DROP a reality. 

Council will have to vote in the future but from what I see I think council has realized the benefits do not outweight the negatives.

Oh did anyone see Tuerky jerkey tonight?

Good idea horrible approach

 

Wfmz interviewed Mayor Tuerk on the recent violence or more specifically the two homicides of two teenagers.  

His response was he would like to create some open dialog with the youth of Allentown.  

He stated you can call the mayors office and he will talk to you.  I'll stop right there.  He will talk to you?  He is never there.  Is a secretary going to forward the call to California or wherever his next vacation is?

This may be a good idea for youth to have someone to talk to, but why the fuck would they want to talk to the mayor?  First off inner city minority youth do not want to talk to a white guy who claims hes latino. Despite the 5 readers who comment here that the mayor is hip and cool.  To the youth he is a dork. Sorry. 

Get someone they look up to.  Get local celebrities or local rappers to speak to the kids.  Get $5 Wawa gift cards and give them away after kids talk to someone.  I can guarantee the mayor doesnt get 5 phone calls. 

Yes the idea has some merit but the approach is all wrong.  Besides the guy doesnt even show up for council meetings and now wants you to call him?  

Heres an easy idea. Take some of the Mayors travel expense money if there is any left and go to the basketball courts with a cooler of gatorades and snacks. Have some counselors there, and tell the kids we want your input on some things 1 on 1 of course. Ask them each say 5-10 questions (keep it around 2-4minutes max and give them their reward.   Make it fun. You expect some kid to call a number and speak to a stranger?Play some hoops and while doing so ask them questions. Or say if I beat you I get 5 minutes of your time. You will have a line of kids wanting to talk.  Here I will even give you 5 example questions since I care about this issue.

1. Do you feel safe playing at the playground? How about when it gets darker out?

2. What is one thing you would like to do for fun in the city if it was available?

3. Would you be interested in some summer camps or things to do on the weekends? If so what?

4. If I gave you $100 what would you spend it on?

5. What is scary about living in Allentown?

Just a somewhat broad group of questions that could provide alot of information about the youth.  They are just examples and better questions could probably be asked. Kids love to talk, but make it fun.  The information with flow with ease.

Good idea, horrible approach. 

Accountability

 

I feel like I have to keep speaking on this. Maybe one day it will actually happen.  But if we hold our breath we will surely all die.

Accountability is the obligation to explain, justify, and take ownership of your actions, decisions, and outcomes.

In medieval times when kings overstepped their bounds or imposed ruinous taxation, powerful nobles used armed rebellion to force compliance or outright depose the ruler.  Obviously, that isnt how we handle things in the 21st century.  So...

How do we hold our city officials  accountable?

Do we point out every flaw they make?

Do we watch there every move?

Do we micromanage them?

Or 

Do I just write a stupid blog explaining the truth behind everything they do?

The key word to solve most of the problems associated with accountability is transparency. 

Transparency is the quality of being clear, open, and honest. In business, governance, and daily communication, it means operating without hidden agendas and sharing information in a way that allows others to see exactly how and why decisions are made. 

Why is this so difficult for these elected officials?  

The citizens have the right to know how their tax money is being spent.  Why it is being spent and what are the benefits of the spending.

We get nothing.  The issue is no one has ever made a platform like this blog to vent out your frustrations anonymously and uncensored to your leaders. This is an important process in holding our officials accountable.  

Here is a perfect example:

Remember the mayor stating he would fix the potholes in the city? He said you could call the streets department and complain about a pothole in the street.

Has anyone done it?  If so, did anyone come out and fix it?  

Whats the point of calling if nothing gets done? If they do come out is this the result?

I wont even blame the street department since they just follow orders.

If these people want to sit at council meetings or in public settings and know people dont trust or believe anything they say and throw up smokeshields to mask the truth,  you do you Boo. The truth cannot live where lies are. If accurate numbers and facts cannot be disclosed along with pertinent information during decision making time how can anyone be trusted?

Bottom line. People want to see action to the statements and promises officials blow up our asses. People want the truth. They want to feel included.  People can handle the truth and get past it over time even if they don't like it at first. It is lies and deception that never heal. 

When city leadership lectures instead of leading

 

Yesterday was another horribly sad day for Allentown.  Another child lost to gun violence.  

Our police chief immediately reacted in the same - oh so predictable - manner, probably taught to him by his mentor and ruler, Matt Tuerk.  Instead of action we got a social media post.  Absolutely zero comment from the mayor of course.  Frank Kane’s phone is ringing for comment but he lost the phone again.

You can read the Chief’s comment here in full:

“When a homicide happens, it impacts not only the victim but the community itself. My message continues to be put the guns down and resolve potential disputes in a civil manner by communicating. This type of violence impacts many neighborhoods across our nation.

Our patrol and investigative teams are hard at work in conducting the investigation and we will put out informational updates as we can. Now it is even more vital for people to get involved and uplift our community. No one deserves this outcome.

Our community is angry and rightfully so, but I want to say that the person pulling the trigger is where we need to focus our efforts. My question to you is, are you going to sit back and call Allentown a cesspool or are you going to do something about it and get involved?”

What an empty message to deliver after yet another act of violence in our city. Instead of leadership and a plan, we get a lecture. 

I’m tired of hearing elected officials calling for people to “put the guns down”.  It’s a very tired and overused slogan.  Does Roca or the mayor really think that the thugs committing these violent acts are looking for conflict‑resolution advice from a Facebook post? 

And the part to “get involved and uplift our community”?

Get involved how, exactly?

With what resources?

What programs?

What support?

What infrastructure?

What investment?

If you’re going to ask residents to step up, you need to tell them what you’re stepping up with.  You are paid very handsomely to figure it out…so do something.  

    •    Stop focusing on the new police station

    •    Stop pushing for a DROP

    •    Stop the loser social media presence, leave that to Mayor PeeWee

    •    Start doing the job you are hired to do and put a plan in action.

Tell me what any of these things are going to do to reduce crime and fun violence? And yet all of these bullet points combined will cost the city $100 million between capital and staff wages combined. 

When you narrow the entire issue down to one individual, you never have to talk about policy failures, prevention failures, or the city leaderships own role in creating the conditions where violence thrives. It’s actually insulting to the community and a cheap way to deflect to individuals so that you never have to answer to the problem.

Residents aren’t angry because they’re lazy or don’t care. We are angry because we are tired of being told to “get involved” and city leadership refuses to get real and do something.  Instead we have the Police Chief posting a lecture on Facebook and Councilperson Gerlach saying she is meeting with the Violence Prevention Coordinator.  Two reactive approaches. Although Cece makes me continue to question why we pay high wages to city workers for questionable outputs. What exactly is the job of the Violence Prevention office and what are Those metrics for success? Because I’d say that office is failing. 

Let us not forget that our mayor is in a California with his secretary again.  Allentown  needs a present leader, not a globe trotting twink. 

I don’t know about the rest of Allentown but I am not even that interested in his words anymore.  They mean nothing. 

This man has stopped caring and it’s clear he’s abandoned his entire job. From someone who loooooooves strategic plans so much… where is the strategic plan for reducing gun violence? Oh wait maybe the violence prevention office can spit one out with ChatGPT and call it day. 

Chief Roca and Mayor Tuerk, one piece of advice. If you want the community to step up, start by doing the same.

Rivers are open!!

 The weather is hot, people are hot, rules are, well, maybe enforced.

I am going to try and only speak about this ooncethis summer, unless their is a homicide or God forbid someone drowns. The pools are open.  Who cares!!! The rivers are way better.

1. They are free

2. You can drink there

3. You can cook with charcoal and then just leave that there smoldering 

4. Got trash? Just throw it over your shoulder, it will float to Easton

5. Gotta Piss, go ahead 

6. Gotta Shit, go ahead

7. Music isnt just for you, its for everyone within 500ft.

8. Bring your hooka to smoke in the water

Im not doing a meme for #9.

9. Even if your overweight, bikinis are acceptable (its mean but true)

10. Its only a 2-3 hour drive for most.

I mean whats not to love. Basically do what you want all day, then leave and go far away and let the Parks department clean up your mess.  Its simply amazing this still continues. Even despite the subpar efforts of APD which has done better in trying to combat this, people still do it.  

I personally dont see the fascination of driving all the way from New York or New Jersey to act like savages and maybe be told to leave by the police.  Pool passes must cost alot more than gas these days.

Lastly, I am not going to throw a jab at the city administration (but I love doing it). This problem has been like this for years with little resolve or care to fix it. (Maybe that is a jab...fuck it)