Weekly Review

 

Not a whole lot happening in the "City without Limits."  Please comment some new names the city could use.  You know "City without a mayor," "Hell's hairball".  Im sure their is some clever names.

On monday two suspects involved in a homicide at the BKK Lounge on the eastside were found guilty. What amazes me in the district attorneys office actually won a homicide case.  I believe they have lost 3 this year, maybe more.  Jim Martin is probably rolling in his grave.  Actually the DA's office has lost alot of cases this year.   I also hear the turn over rate in that office is similiar to Amazon.

The city is apparently or has installed speed bumps by the Phoebe home.  Yep out west again.  Atleast it may help an old person not to get hit.  We all know anywhere downtown is like walking through a mine field.

Im starting to hear some rumblings that this new police station may have been a mistake.  There is alot of unknowns once or if ground is ever broken.  How about the river that flows under the station?  Yes there is one.  I wonder if the EPA knows about it? Price tag keeps going up on this project.

Is it me or have the douchebags on the $800 cadillac/japanese scooters died down some?

Next year I am using my tax return to buy me one and I am joining them. Im the meantime,  what will the police do with all the free time they have now? I mean crime is way down according to the Mayor. 

Budget is right around the corner. Word is the fat pills arent being covered by the city anymore.  Im sure that is chapping alot of people's asses. There may be alot of swimsuits being returned. I dont think that should be covered anyways.   Its not a necessity.  It costs the city a ton of money.  

I know 4 firefighters using it.  Don't they have treadmills at their firehouses?  I know they have couches. 

The Executive Charter School played their first game at their new stadium on top of a parking garage.  The stadium looks amazing and I am glad something big has happened for our youth.  Mind you two thirds of the 25 million dollar stadium was paid for by the Charter School Foundation and only one third taxpayers.  Imagine that, a major project in Allentown built mostly without the taxpayers having to foot the entire bill. Go Raptors!!

Will this nor-eastern blow the city arch over?  

Will the mayor have to much fun this weekend?

The past week

 

Over the weekend and past few days

Lets see had another shooting in the 100blk N. 12th St.  Shocking.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on S. 4th St.  Shocking

A large group of people took over Hamilton St.  Basically acting like complete assholes.  Watch for yourself. No police action taken from what I saw.  Commentator does a great job describing the situation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1PFM7ae3Ku/

The police station was evacuated for the day.  I wonder why? Was their a gas leak?  Or was the Mayor flushing too many files down the toilet and clogged it. Power outage?  Was Dunkin Donuts handing out free 🍩 🍩? Its odd all operations stopped there. No one knows. News never did a follow up?  Suspect of that.

There were flyers placed on vehicles on the East Side of Allentown.   The flyers encouraged people to call Immigration on Sept. 30 if they see someone they think illegal. 

Cece Gerlach called the flyer "despicable." She stated the Lehigh Valley Immigration Rapid Response will be on hand.  If you do not know what the Rapid Response is, it is basically a local group of people that protect immigrant communities from ICE.  Of course Gerlach supports this.  Nevermind the fact their are illegal immigrants and illegals with warrants living here.  

Gerlach stated:

“It is despicable, and it really speaks to the climate that we are living in where everyone is struggling between gas and groceries and some people’s answer is to blame folks who may have came here from a different country, as though they are the reason why they are broke,” Gerlach said in an interview.

I did not see the flyers but, it seems they were directed at illegals.  Illegals with warrants. Those who dont pay taxes, yet benefit from tax funded schools,  free healthcare, etc.  Go thru the citizen process to becoming legal like all of my ancestors did. Nothing is free CeCe. Someone has to cover their bills.  Quit being such a liberal socialist. 

Mayor Tuerks response was he is dedicated to supporting residents.  Blah blah blah.  He wont be saying that when he raises taxes.

He also stated:

"We’re not going to let anybody intimidate residents of the city of Allentown."  Like he intimidates the employees of the City.?  

Will APD find the villian responsible for this?

Flock system is again being scrutinized.  Now council spent $10,000 to have a company tell them what we already know.  Yes the system tracks you throughout the city.  Yes the police can use it for means outside of official work.  Yes I am sure they probably dont get monitored as much as they should. But will the study actually matter?  What is the city going to do? Get rid of Flock?

There was a Liberty Bell celebration if anyone knew about it.  Judging by the pictures, it was poorly attended.  That is a shame.  Im surprised the Mayor was involved in that, seeing how he is so patriotic.   

And Im sure this fellow blogger doesnt care me sharing this. Just wait Tom. I think your way off and it will hit 50 million before its down. Honestly, the building looks ugly. Looks more like a community college or something. I would never guess it was a police station.

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Affordable Housing

I see there was a ribbon cutting of a large apartment complex at the old Morning Call site.  Apartments for everyone. You know all the bigwigs were there.

Here are the prices. 

$1290 for a studio. 

$2015 for a 2 bedroom

You have to pay for parking and a $60 amenities fee.

So the medium income in Allentown is roughly $55,000.

After taxes like $43,000.

Or $1650 bi-weekly. 

So in order for someone to live in a one bedroom apartment which I will assume is roughly $1600-$1750 a month, your 1st check of each month covers just the rent. 

I dont see a water or electric bill included so add another say $150 a month. Add parking, car insurance, cable, food, maybe 1 grub hub a month and what is left?

How is this affordable housing as Mayor Tuerk always claims he is working on?  Getting investors to build these buildings knowing that no one around there can afford them isn't right.

The medium income probably isn't the same for the people that live center city. That is probably closer to like $35,000 if your lucky.

I mean who is renting these places? There arent really many businesses downtown that people can walk too from there.  I personally would never spend that type of money to live there.  Downtown is dead after 5pm.  Even after the PPL center events it dies quickly.  

Sure the building is nice, but is it necessary?  Will it actually fill up?  I feel the city wants all these unaffordable apartments downtown to push the poor people out of the city.  I mean this is how you do it.  Buy up all the land and build unaffordable apartments that the natives cant afford. 

Don't preach about building affordable housing, when you clearly aren’t and can't even figure out a solution for the homeless people. 

This week/more added

Not much going on in the city lately. Everyone waiting to see how much taxes are going up. 

I mean there is the fact there is more motor scooter deaths.  Homicides may be down, but I would think vehicular deaths are way up this year.  Where are the speed bumps that were supposed to be placed? APD Traffic enforcement I see has to band with Salisbury PD on the southside to make it look like they are doing something.  Salisbury gets it done just fine on their own.  

The 1st discrimination trial against the city started today. Probably will be more. I am sure it is revealing alot of what goes on in city hall. How bad is it really? My friends who work in City Hall tell me it is awful. Maybe some city workers will comment on this.  

Did anyone see the 911 tribute at city hall? There was like 15 people their besides the firefighters and police. Just sad. 

Leave it up to the Mayor to throw a half ass tribute. But then again the flags are always flown at the same height including the Pride flag, so me thinking he is patriotic is just asinine. 

Oh I cant wait for the council meeting.  Will someone actually explain why 6.5 million is being moved from the general fund to the risk fund for "medical expenses" this late in the year? Who fucked up the accounting?  Who mismanaged that much money?  They should be fired.  Lets see if there is a good explanation for this transfer. Im sure it will be some cover up bullshit reason.  No accountability at all. Maybe Frank, will bullshit his way through it.

Oh I almost forgot.  I believe the court rules this week on whether to release the Curtis Files or not.  You know the investigation council and the Mayor wanted, but then once the Mayor found out how bad it was, he didnt want it released. 

I Hope Mr. "I want a 3rd term" is going to finally get exposed for the piece of shit he is.

Added 5pm

A jury ruled that Karen Ocasio a former city employee was retaliated against.  Also that there was just cause to fire her. Im not sure how that makes sense.

Imagine that, an employee retaliated against by the Mayor?  Ocasio isn't the only one. 

The big question is what door does this open up for other employees who have been retaliated against?

And the biggest question is will this cost the tax payers anything? Besides all the lawyers fees. So far it seems like it wont. But I feel the jury didnt do something right.  The verdict doesnt make sense.  Guilty of retaliation, but not held liable?

I hope the financial study coming back takes this lawsuit and pending suits into consideration. 

I do not know the facts of Ocasio's case, but reading other sites it seems the mayor had it out for her.

Per WMFZ:

"The city's defense team said during closing arguments that the Mayor has no animosity and never had an agenda against the former employee."

That statement right there is an omission of guilt if you ask me.  Its not relevant to say that if you truly didn't have anything against her.  

Lets see what Ocasio gets awarded. This doesn't appear to be the end of this case.

Afterwards per WFMZ

In a statement, Mayor Tuerk said:

"We remain committed to making sure the City is a welcoming and respectful place to work and where every employee feels respected and supported."

Is he serious?  Respected? Supported?  Looks like it. There is no government workplace where every employee feels respected and supported.  But Allentown of course.

Well that Dropped fast

 

I rarely give credit to council after a meeting but here goes.

 Good job.

You guys looked out for the financial well-being of the city. And it appears you all took a stand collectively.   Thats a first. 

Mr. Napoli, I am glad you stood up when the Police president was trying to bully you.   The guy was so unprofessional and unprepared what did he think the outcome would be?

The city will be fine and I highly doubt 30 officers leave this year.  And if they do,  so what!  They will be replaced. 

The police have milked the city enough over the years.  And they are getting a new 50 million dollar station. The Greed is insane.

Next few weeks will be good

  

It seriously looks like the data centers are coming to Allentown no matter what and wherever they want.  Despite all the opposition by the public, just watch the center on W. Emaus Ave get approved. Im sorry guys but you really don't matter to the people who have the final say. These data centers will keep pushing until they are approved and Kane, the Mayor, and most of council will support them.

According to Frank Kane, the developer for the data center on W. Emaus Ave has changed a bunch of shit to try and make the center more appealing. Not the location, just things to mask how bad its going to suck for the people who live near it.

Tues at 12:15 you know, the time when everyone is at work there is a meeting about these revisions in the city council chambers.

Bottomline, there is alot of money behind these data centers.  Follow the money.

Has anyone gone to the fair?  I haven't and won't be. Maybe if Tuerk was in a piranha filled dunk tank. I could see Kane there at the ring toss  "Step right up folks, 5 will get you 10" all while chewing 20 pieces of gum like he does at council meetings. 

I wonder how the crowds are?  From some of the photos I saw, seemed a little scarce, but I dunno what time of day they were taken.  

Upcoming:

Council has alot of spending decisions coming up.   I'd advise watching their upcoming meetings.  Since the county proposed a 17% tax increase, ASD will probably add to that, and if the city council approves a bunch of future debt we are all screwed.  Could you imagine the 17% and say idk 9% from ASD and then the city throws another 12%?   People will have to move out of the county. Bottomline, the people in the city aren't being heard. The city employees who I bet 70% of them do not live in the city are destroying the residents with promotions, constant raises, and ridiculous benefits and contracts. The city cant keep taking on debt.  Save us council. 

Also, I believe the decision on the Curtis Files happens mid month.  This month could be very exciting.

Here's some old memes

Desparate I guess

 

WMFZ did an article on Bombero Bob Brooks.  Did you know Bob is starting to care about Latinos in Allentown but according to him he always was.  Now he will use a spanish word meaning firefighter in his name to get Latino votes, and Mayor Twerp is going to help promote this false hispanic facade. Its such a horrible tactic to use the Latino population to get votes.  

This guy wants to be a congressman so bad he will call up the La Mega radio to get publicity.  He's a bald white former firefighter who is trying to connect with the center city Latino population and he doesnt even live within the city limits. Come on dude its pathetic. Making promises you and I know you will never keep.

Its basically the same as Tuerk learning spanish then claiming he is Latino just to get votes.  Tuerk doesnt show up and neither will Brooks. 

Bob Brooks will claim he will help until he wins and thats an if. If he doesn't he will vanish. Just slimy tactics and I encourage Latinos to see through this bullshit.  I really hate when politicians use people for votes.  Yes they all do it to a degree. Please note I am not saying I support Ryan Mackenzie but I dont think he would ever pull a stunt like this.  Just saying.

Other news

How about the Allentown Art Museum getting put in the NIZ.  What a fucking joke.  The people with initials as their first name must reilly have pushed for this.

Its gonna cost 50-60 million to build this new Museum.  Who even goes to the art museum anymore?  I went to the Allentown museum like 50 some years ago when I was in grade school.  

This building will be a flop.  Just like the hotel next to it. I dont know why people think Allentown is so artsy. Well maybe the Mayor is the only one who seems to think it is. 

Sure the art work on the buildings is pretty cool.  Im not talking about the graffiti either. But unless you think seeing packs of losers on scooters messing up the traffic is art, I would not go.

I would never take my grandkids to the art museum, atleast not the one in Allentown.  Kids these days do not want to go to the art museum.  They want to be on Instagram and SnapChat. Its a shame but its the truth.

However, once again when using NIZ money you really cant fail.  

Does everyone really love a Clown?

I wrote on the protected budget for 2027 a few weeks ago. WFMZ just did a story if you didnt read it. 

Ms. Affa stated she is worried about a double digit tax increase.  No shit. Keep spending on things the city doesnt have the money for and that is what will happen.

She stated she was concerned with the not needed police station at a cost of 37 million.  Try more like 40-50 atleast until it is done. 

Also the new firestation and health bureau will cost atleast 65 million. Again something which isnt needed since Central fire just got a brand new roof put on it for 500k.

The police station is atleast a 2.5 to 4million dollar a year loan.  Thats roughly and 8 percent tax increase.  Every 4% tax increase generates approx 1.5 million. Keep that stat in mind.

Then there is the concern of the storm water fee.  Yea 6.75 million dollar concern.  No where to get that money from. The city better hope they dont have to pay that back. Eeeek.  Taxes will be insane.

Bozo the clown Frank Kane comes up with this.

"We don't think that it's fair to give nonprofits a free pass and to balance that on the backs of the taxpayers," said Kane.

Maybe if he stayed awake or not on his cell phone at a council meeting he would see all the money the city gives away to non-profits.  Of course the tax payers shouldnt have to pay their share. 

Candy Kane proceeds to say its to early to tell if there will be a tax increase next year.  Frank the city is looking at atleast a 12-17% tax increase right now. You know it and I know it. 

Quit giving yourselves raises. Also, if the mayor wouldn't travel every month, their would be some money to appropriately use.

Frank Im sorry but I really dont think you know what your talking about.  

Why do you think you never see the mayor at a council meeting anymore?  Not because he is probably in Cuba on some missionary experiment to help the city.  No, its because he has made Frank the fall guy.  When all this shit goes wrong, Tuerk can point at Frank.  I mean Frank thinks he runs the city.  We are doomed.

Bozo #2 Napoli used ChatGBT for  his lame ass quote on the budget.  

"City Council is committed to continuing to deliver the vital city services our residents expect and count on while collaborating with the financial auditor to identify the best solutions to minimize the financial impact to our residents."  

Blah blah blah Shut up.  You literally help your buddy Matt with whatever agenda he has. You vote to spend money on raises, projects, and whatever else the mayor wants.

Your controller vote was so obvious it was Tuerk’s choice.  

To sum up.  There has to be so much budget cutting from within each department to not have a double digit tax increase. You also have the Police contract coming up.  They want their cut of the pie.

Time will tell but mark my words, there will be a tax increase, unless of course you dont want your streets plowed this winter.  Pardon me, they dont get plowed anyways.  Actually, or you dont want the potholes fixed.  Damnit Abe, you are losing it.  Those dont get fixed either.