As I sat in the council chambers, the tension was thick like the room was holding in a fart. My phone buzzed again: friends texting, frustrated that they’d been blocked from watching the livestream.
Thank God I was there. A strange silencing, like the show inside the room was too hot to go public. Then I heard someone yelling Jerry,Jerry,Jerry!!!
But inside, things moved fast. The mayor’s earlier desperate post on Facebook, the one blaming the need for higher taxes on rising crime, urging residents to build homes so they could be taxed felt like a prelude to a showdown.
The rumble in my mind was Abe’s bet: five to two on council votes aligning with his call. And that’s exactly how it landed. (Mostly) every prediction fell into place.
Who could’ve expected Napoli and Hendricks to switch bodies. Freaky Friday anyone?
I was just glad Council finally put a serious check on the mayor’s power. The “defeat” wasn’t just symbolic; it was a clear message. Actually it was a beating.
But here’s the twist: publicly, the mayor went on claiming victory over Ed Zucal. But seems like those Council Chambers humbled him hopefully to realize that just because you’re the mayor doesn’t mean that you have all the power. We don’t live in a dictatorship Mr Mayor, remember that.
But because we all love a recap, let me give you the basic highlights. Council approved a new Deputy HR Director by a unanimous vote. That wasn’t on everyone’s radar, but to Abe, it raises many questions. Questions no one else seems to care about. What exactly are we paying for? Probably nothing. More cushiony positions for a department that has a big black cloud around it?
How about those two background analyst roles for HR, part-time (25 hours/week) but with staggering pay ($91,000 total). That works out to about $72/hour. Now when it went to a vote, Council tabled it 7-0. Ms. Affa led this charge (and a good charge later on), and her voice carried weight… finally. Glad to see she was awake for this one. She was awake but Mike wasn't. As always
Need I remind you that he said this is a flat budget without new positions or promotions. How can we afford to keep adding more and more?
I was also shocked the mayor was so dumb to say ,The officers that are going to be getting these jobs are sitting back there and pointed at them. If you have any questions, you can ask them. Are you serious? The mayor knew he should not have said that
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The mayor literally said two positions that weren't even voted on or posted yet were already filled!!! I guess the corruption in the police department still exists. Maybe the Duane Morris report missed that.
I don’t think I need to say much when it comes to the mayors office. I’ll just leave you with this food for thought. Courtesy of Ms. Gerlach… “What has the mayor’s office done?”
Nothing!!! But spend taxpayers money.
Great question Cece. Lunch is on me if you can give me a good answer in the comments.
I hope you know by now that my work here is to point out the con man that is this mayor. His words fall flat and he’s more transactional than he is anything else. Think about this. Zucal said during the meeting that most city employees would be receiving about $1800 this year in raises. I’m assuming this is the cost of living increase.
Then you have this mayor asking for $10k raise for a staffer. This isn’t just a pay adjustment. It smells like favoritism. And hopefully it wasn’t a payday following an election victory as one woman claimed because correct me if I’m wrong but can city staff work on elections?? Whatever. Based on what my sources tell me she was due for a humbling and now this issue is dead. A relief. Needless to say a couple citizens blasted this employee saying she isnt a good worker, and I think someone said her idea of team building is going to the club.
What’s the bigger picture here? Well Abe’s five-to-two wasn’t just guesswork: it was reading the room right. Something this mayor really doesn’t know how to do. Council sent the mayor a loud ass statement: they’re not interested in rubber-stamping. They’re watching, and they’re holding the administration accountable. GOOD. Bought time. But the broader fight is far from over.
Don’t forget this mayor also claims to be transparent. So transparent that people couldn’t even watch the livestream. So transparent he just forgot to turn over job descriptions for the new positions he’s looking to create. Give me a break. I’ll never forgive any of you that voted for that man.
Needless to say the mayor will start his little campaign to threaten city council people and destroy their reputations to his friends aka developers. Which he’ll deny if you ever ask him about it. I’m just hoping they don’t buckle to any pressure. But for now I’ll say this, Well done City Council. Well done.
Oh I almost forgot. The best part of the night was when a councilwoman whose name rhymes with Hoffa decided to call a citizen a "pussy" and challenge them to come over to her. As if to fight.
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10 comments:
Two questions:
1). Are they still talking about raising the deed transfer tax?
2). If so, are they even allowed to raise the deed transfer tax? I thought that to raise any tax other than the property tax they had to put it to a referendum.
Lots to process here but I need to focus for now on the aggressive and unprofessional actions of a council member. Is this the same councilwoman that is currently named in a federal lawsuit for discrimination, racism, and for creating a hostile work environment ? The one that an attorney referred to as “an unashamed bigot”?
Sounds to me like she has serious problems and at her old age is unable to hold in her racism and hatred. It just shows that hatred is everywhere even with a woman who uses her sexual orientation and member of the LGBTQ community as a veil to hide how ugly she really is inside.
She should be ousted if this really hapoened as described.
Thank you for the outstanding article. You don't need to be a Community Engagement Specialist in the Mayors Office making upwards of $102,000 to see that there is finally some slight bit of optimism about City Council. I feel like finally they are standing up for residents of the City.
This was a great stand by council. Little pee wee is going to have to cut back his spending habits
Affa gives yet another speech about treating people with respect and no personal attacks, but continues to use language like "you people" during these tirades. Ocasio didnt name anyone by name at all, yet the Tuerk and Affa took personal offense. Michaela Boyer does NOT respond to emails to the public or boards/commissions and I would also like to see a job description.
When did the confrontation between Affa and the woman occur? The meeting cut off right after Affa yapping.
Glazier needs to go. And possibly get his head checked because he was more of a bumbling idiot than ever.
Affa was absolutely out of line and needs to be removed from council for her racist rants. She does not represent me or the City of Allentown. She is a disgrace and I will be sending a letter to the council president (after slime-ball Hedrix leaves) Demanding she is censured and removed from council.
Her calling Mrs. Ocasio a “p***y” is vile and disgusting.
Thats because they all expected things to go their way. And when it didn't they were speechless
Job description- must be able to make a mean cup of coffee. Sleeping on mayors couch as needed Wander the halls of city hall.
1. Barista background- starbucks preferred.
2. Sleep apnea
3. strong legs
4. No sense of direction
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