Is there really hope for Allentown? I started this blog because I wanted a place to talk about the Allentown issues that affect us all. Whether it be problems in the school district, to careless never ending spending by our city officials. To coverup investigations and investigations that are designed to clear the mayor and racist Candida, to deeply personal agendas, to harsh treatment of employees. Citizens begging and asking for help, homeless being ignored, an underlying foundation of corruption. To those being persecuted because of their beliefs. To people wanting transparency, and people wanting to be heard.
So I ask does Allentown have any hope for making it better?
I feel we are going backward with most things and not forward enough with others.
I do like the new buildings that few can afford , street lighting...on Hamilton, better sidewalks....on Hamilton. But at what cost? It appears only a few select people are benefiting from the construction. Taxes arent going down. If you think there wont be an increase next year....just wait. There should be one this year but I'll give you a rundown come budget talks next month.
I am excited to share everything with you that we learn from the budget process. I like police cameras everywhere, and the feeling someone might be watching if I need help. Technology is only as good as those monitoring and acting on the data. I am fairly certain that nobody is watching.
There are people trying to make Allentown better but honestly not to insult anyone, those trying are silenced by the current Council and Mayor and they aren't able to push for changes.
On the flip side tho, overspending, fixing budget numbers, not thinking long term is very destructive. The $134 million bond that the city is going to float will certainly have a dramatic and costly effect to the future.
Those in charge have agendas that use everyone to achieve said agendas. Personal gains in our leaders is at the forefront, but at what cost? Employees? Services? Community support?
I have been told over and over again that Tuerk wants to be in Congress. Mota is so far up Tuerks ass because he promised her Mayor after his term. Neither of which is going to happen.
People are not being heard. People are being pushed aside. Government is supposed to be for the people. But I just dont see it.
Allentown is just ticking along. Tic tok tic tok tic tok until something really bad happens.
I feel it there may be a slim chance to fix this, but it would take a Jenny Craig complete makeover for that to happen.
24 comments:
No hope
Yes, hopeless it is!!! It's pretty sad when people in the deep west end are complaining of no police presence. Where are they and what are they doing??? agree that no one is watching the million dollar camera system... heck, they set off fireworks right under the camera's eye... they tell us not within 150 feet of a building... THAT'S NOWHERE in Allentown except for the fairgrounds and J Birney Crum stadium and maybe the Parkway and Cedar Beach. It's a given that center city is a no go zone for police except when they're speeding to some infraction. (shots fired?) It's disgusting the manner in which we are treated. Where's that fork???...
Chief Roca assures us crime is down and everyone is safe. Has anyone seen him the last few months?
I'm 75. Spent many years living there. Worked hard there to improve the quality of life in that city. As a take from the familiar saying goes, "I didn't leave Allentown, Allentown left me.
Four key elements led the Allentown I knew slip away.
Too many transient people moving in and out.
Laziness
Carelessness
Lying
These are issues that take years and years to fix. The handwriting for decline was already on the wall 30 yeas ago. So I left the city limits. Still, nothing's really changed there to bring me back.
Should there be some legitimate "Renaissance" coming to Allentown, not just window dressing, I haven't seen it coming. I'm too old now to ever see that happen if it ever does come.
I had options to exit. Sad that many are not so fortunate.
No.
Abe
Do you only post negativity? It seems that you are working hard to paint this picture of Allentown that I know is incorrect. In fact, most people know it is not factual.
Have you learned nothing from the investigation? There are a lot of distractions working against the city leadership. Like you they keep trying and failing and will continue to do so . The picture you are trying to paint clearly proves that you may be part of that group living in an alternate reality. Maybe it is time you leave Allentown if it is that bad, even if it is only in your head.
Allentown started it's spiral downward when it became a one party town. There hasn't been a Republican holding any office in the city for the last 8 years and that was a single seat on the school board. The last Republican on council was voted out around two decades ago and the last Republican mayor, Bill Heydt left office in 2001. Allentown has suffered the same same fate as every other large party Democrat controlled city in America. Lousy schools, blight, poverty, crime, low quality of life, and corruption. There were excellent people in city government who happened to be Republican. They were all voted out because they were Republican. Every attempt after that made by a Republican to win any city office failed. This is what the voters of the city have inflicted on themselves. Good job Democrat voters. It's your city! Hope you're happy.
P.S. I have over many years, witnessed many of Democrat neighbors, who voted Democrat, election after election move out of the city. They left seeking better conditions and complaining about life here. Go figure...
You seem to be the perfect example of what I posted below. Thank you. Notice how those who praise Allentown do so anonymously. Perhaps they have interests here but don't actually live here? Or they could just be your typical Allentown Democratic voter. Either way...
Hook, line, and sinker. Thank you for proving my point. Some people just enjoy living in the negative space. Typical Republican—trust that a Republican will not solve a damn thing. What’s worse than a Republican? A Republican in Democrat clothing. Look at Zucal and Hendricks. Two waste of space individuals who have done nothing for Allentown but enrich themselves.
Your argument for being anonymous is also weak. Typical Republican using scare tactics and diversion of facts to make their point.
You need help
Working in city hall I learned alot. How to cover up corruption by silencing and paying off people!!!
What's that saying? Doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome.
Well give me something positive to write about. I'll wait.
The investigation!!! Was a total waste of money. A total coverup. No one buys Duane Morris bullshit results. I work for APD. Do you know the coverups they did for the vice officers? Do you know how bad female officers get sexual harassed and treated? You have no idea how much of a hostile work environment APD is. The captains are the worse.
Council hasn't passed any meaningful legislation in years. I support not declawing cats or selling animals that come from mills, these aren't the quality of life issues that the constituents are looking for.
You’re the blog writer, not me. You as an informed commentator should have good information to present.
Just because you say the investigation was a joke, doesn’t automatically nullify it. As for the APD, there are bad actors in the APD that also try to make APD seem worse. How have the cases panned out? Not well. Each case brought forward against APD has fallen apart. The problem is individuals in the prior union are unhappy and retaliatory individuals and they are driving the morale down in APD. One of them themselves acted inappropriately in their duties but is deflecting to others. A little too handsy from what I hear.
I want to have hope for Allentown but I'm more skeptical than ever. Tuerk isn't likable or effective, but at least the damage he inflicts is relatively not so bad. Just wait until some opportunistic incompetent with a D next to their name takes over and starts running the City further into the ground for good. The NIZ is a failure and the quality of life in the City's neighborhoods erodes daily. I fear Allentown will only ever be attractive to low income Hispanic in-migrants from NY and NJ who find Allentown affordable and the schools better/safer than where they came from. I would expect Allentown to be 75% Hispanic by 2040 with increasing crime, diminished quality of life and even more suburban flight by residents who can afford to leave. Man I hope I'm wrong!
I’m thinking that you nailed it.
Anonymous 8:16 Again, thank you. You are demonstrating exactly what todays Democrats are, anonymous slander machines and intimidators. I can debate without insulting people, clearly you, nor many Democrats out there can. So please insult me more, that's all you have.
ABE obviously you were not here when Dadona's federal prosecution was gwashed by the county? This being he closed Hamilton down for mall sprawl and bring in the infection we currently have in city hall. Just now it is so down right blatent that the inmates run the asylum.
Speaking of Dadonna, I read on Molovinsky on Allentown last week, that the Allentown ZHB approved variances to allow a suburban investor to turn Dadonna's old house into apartments. Apparently he curried favor with them by agreeing to rent to low income tenants. That this could happen in 2025 shocks the senses and shows how little hope there really should be in Allentown.
Don't get me started on Zoning and Code... both departments should be blown to bits. I could relate stories you would swear were outright lies. The bullshit writes itself!
Anon 7:32pm Please share your stories with the group 😀
Abe, I would love to expound, but as this city has a long, revengeful and unforgiving memory, to do so may expose myself to more B/S from these nasty clowns.
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