One more Chance

Lehigh Valley News and the Morning Call have indicated that Daryl Hendricks "is poised" to bring a vote to full council to potentially override the mayor's budget veto just days before the expiration of his and Zucal's term.   There will be a meeting Tuesday at 6pm.

Tuerk said, “My reasoning is simple: the amended budget does not adequately increase revenue to meet the City’s rising costs, and we cannot jeopardize our financial health by using our limited cash reserves to balance our budget.”

What have you done to address the rising costs Matt Tuerk?  Absolutely Nothing.  You want to keep your inflated well compensated workforce (not including SEIU) with the crazy fire and police pensions and even crazier fire and police overtime provisions.  You have added over 120 positions since you became mayor, including several worthless positions in your own office.  Palowski ran a better city with fewer employees.  

I honestly do not want to predict what could (or will) happen because I know that Matt Tuerk is working overtime to put a complete stop to any override, including favors and throwing taxpayer money at the council for their special interests.  Money that he thinks is his own and can use as he sees fit.  

If we learned anything from this budget season, when things don't go his way, he pouts, has a tantrum, and pulls aid and money that he promised the community.  Then he goes and eats a WhaaaBurger and some frenchcries.  

Matt claims he serves all residents, taxpayers, visitors, and businesses that live and work in Allentown, but we see there are conditions on that statement. 

Homeless are "icky" and easily screwed over, just like the taxpayers.

To the Councilmembers:

President Hendricks - This is an opportunity for you to go out serving the taxpayers and residents of Allentown and not the mayor.  Stop being concerned about your son; we all know the mayor is vindictive but getting rid of your son would not look good for him if you voted for the veto override.   If you vote no to the override or not call a special meeting, Matt will get what he wants with the budget, and he will probably target your son anyway. 

  

Napoli- You may just surprise us all; but not putting too much faith in an override vote either.   This blog continually points out that Mr. Napoli is in the mayor's pocket, but I believe that he is a smart man and may actually surprise everyone. He has to see the way this mayor operates and continues to attack anyone that is in his way.   He must notice that the mayor is not a good or God-fearing man. 

Affa- Is a hard "no" to the override.  She continues to be a disappointment in Council and will always side with the administration.  Affa is completely unable to articulate or argue an opposing point so she takes the easy route and sides with the administration 9/10times.

Zucal, Santos, Gerlach, and Mota — hold the line. 

I am still curious how borrowing from the waste budget and then paying it back over several years saves any money?  The citizens ultimately will have to cover that loan amount along with any possible interest that they may have lost on it.  Patel had stated that, but it seems Affa and Napoli and Hendricks actually believe borrowing money from yourself and paying it back will actually save you money.  

Tuerk knows that council is part time, at best, and he capitalizes on that each year.  He has yet to explain what he has done to cut costs in the city. Instead, he has given the AFD a Cadillac standard of a contract that delivers higher expenses to the taxpayers.  He gives money to those that helped with his campaign, including several attempts to give more money to his 24-year-old executive assistant.  

As a matter a fact — the ONLY savings the mayor has tried to secure is through screwing over the SEIU members.   He and his administration are trying to fund his programs off the backs of the SEIU staff.   The city would come to a STOP if they weren't at work.

Zucal, Santos, Gerlach will be a no.  Mota may change her mind, but she made a passionate statement that she is worried about the taxpayers of Allentown.  

This meeting will make history whether is passes or not.  A pass shows just how weak Tuerk is.  Shows he can't get a budget to pass without a veto.  Shows weak leadership.

A rejection would show solidarity between the main 4 who voted no, and then 1 or more who found a brain over the weekend. 

I think the meeting is so embarrassing for the Mayor.  But since he lost Ortega and now another office worker, I mean how much more embarrassing can this get?

Ortega finally got some sense to leave the 5th floor circus.  I would really like to interview her on this blog and get the truth.   Did she leave because it is a toxic place to work like everyone knows? OR Did she leave to spy on council for the mayor? 

Oh, Oh,  I forgot the Deputy Finance Director also quit. LOL.  This is awesome and certainly indicative of the leadership in the city and finance department. And I heard he fired another director.  Dude is on a roll.    

A small rumor getting more vocal is that Chief Roca may be on his way out too.  It could be wishful thinking by my friends in APD if there could be truth.  My friends at APD have said for years, Roca was never a cop.  He is too political and answers every question as a politician and not a Police Chief.  Maybe he would succeed as a politician better than the APD Chief? Or maybe the ticket counter at the fair?