Easter Egg Dud

Did anyone go to the Mayor's Easter egg Hunt?  I did.  What a horrible showing.  Where was everyone?

I remember years past, hundreds of kids would show up.  Lots of great prizes and fun. 

Do kids have no interest in doing egg hunts anymore, or is it just the Mayors egg hunt?

Considering Midway Manor had a good showing I am thinking it was just the above mentioned. 

Who is in charge of organizing this event?  They dropped the ball this year.  I am just so surprised a free event did not draw 100s.  Its Allentown.  So if its free, everyone should be there

.. no????  

I took some photos of the event.  Maybe this is why it wasn't well attended.

F.B.I was in town

FBI Director Kash Patel and Senator Dave McCormick were in Allentown today for a roundtable on the fentanyl crisis. While their visit highlights the severity of the issue, there is a huge ongoing crisis that the local health department and police department rarely speak about publicly. I wonder why.

How many calls do Allentown EMS, fire, and police respond to where fentanyl is involved? The police department has data analysts on staff—I don’t know exactly what all they do, but tracking and publicly reporting these numbers should be a core task for them.

How many fentanyl arrests are made each year? How many overdoses involving fentanyl occur annually in Allentown and Lehigh County? Homicides may be down—and that’s the metric the mayor and police chief often highlight as a major success. But what about all the overdose deaths? Someone is selling this poison, and in a very real sense, they are killing people. It’s a different type of homicide, if you ask me.

Yes, people have a choice to use drugs, just like they have a choice to shoot someone. But that doesn’t absolve the dealers who flood our streets with a substance so potent it kills users—often unknowingly—by the hundreds.

The Mayor only ever highlights its accomplishments and never its downfalls. The mayor only says how great Chief Roca is, yet continues to hide all the things he isn’t accomplishing. Between the illegal dirt bikes, the huge juvenile gatherings, recent shootings,  and the fentanyl problems, what is really being done? It’s all just smoke and mirrors.

What is the health department doing about this? Ms. Kistler, where are you? Haven’t seen you at a council meeting in a while.

(She makes me cringe. Eeeewww)

The public deserves transparent data on fentanyl-related emergency responses, arrests, and fatal overdoses. Shining a light on the full scope of this crisis—not just the declining homicide numbers—is essential to holding leaders accountable and driving real solutions.

No Kings? Or a good Mayor

Look at this clown. I'm genuinely curious how Mayor Matt Tuerk has the balls to keep talking shit on the Trump Administration when Allentown City Hall is a complete and utter joke.

I hear he reads this blog and isn't a fan — probably because I shine a harsh light on the real truth about his administration and this failing city. 

By the way, I wear that badge of honor with pride. Knowing Tuerk is annoyed by my blog gives me all the fuel I need to keep exposing him. That, plus the flood of voices reaching out daily with the nonstop nonsense coming out of City Hall. Those who fear retaliation and targeting by Matt, his administration, his HR team, and their weaponized legal crew will always have a voice and a safe place here with Abe.

How the hell is our mayor so obsessed with Trump and ICE while he can't even handle a basic snowstorm? Residents were furious at council meetings — streets still a nightmare weeks later, with Tuerk himself admitting "everybody's pissed" about the pathetic cleanup. Yet he's out there today at the "No Kings Palooza" protest in Bethlehem, grandstanding like it matters.

At the same time, he's promoting unqualified individuals to important positions, has zero control over spending, and is gearing up for more tax pain (we already got slammed with nearly 4% plus trash fee hikes in 2026 — expect 6-12% or worse in 2027). He can't get the roads fixed, shows zero real care for the homeless, bullies councilmembers, pushes family members of council into positions, and after five years has basically zero meaningful accomplishments to show for it. Pay attention to Allentown, Matt!

As mayor, you shouldn't be sticking your nose into these divisive national controversies. You're a local government leader with zero impact on the federal government or the current Trump Administration. 

You're absolutely nobody to them. Remember this, my man: You can scrape out wins in Allentown by playing up your Latino heritage, but step outside the city limits and try winning anywhere else. This is as good as it gets for you — and you're continuing to disappoint the people who actually live here.

Taking part in the No Kings protest today won't change a damn thing. It's a pathetic waste of time and energy. But wasting time and taxpayer money seems to be one of your basic tenets of "management." Who exactly is the "King" you're protesting, by the way? Last I checked, the only really recognizable King is in England.

Tuerk conveniently forgets how he pissed off Trump's people when the President was here for that rally. He got into a screaming match with a staffer over barricades, got handed his ass publicly, and the viral clips racked up millions of views — embarrassing himself and making Allentown look ridiculous. So sad.

If you zoom in really far, you can see Matt on the map.

You tried to put yourself and the city on the map, but only succeeded in showing everyone what a lying fool Allentown has for a mayor. Then you had the nerve to claim Trump supporters "left trash everywhere." We all know why: You ordered not enough trash cans to be put out, forcing people to leave their mess behind so you could paint the "Trumpsters" as slobs. I know this because I had friends who were there, picked it up themselves, and told me straight about your sabotage orders.

This post isn't about whether I support or oppose ICE. It's dead simple: Our so-called mayor keeps obsessing over things he can't control while the basics in his own city rot. Do your damn job, Matt. The people of Allentown deserve way better than this epic failure 

Sorry this is just funny

Tuerk hands over keys to new Managing Director; Immediately added to snow emergency contact list

Council was scripted and predictable.  I watched the video playback so you didn’t have to waste YOUR time.  There was absolutely no one from the public there.  I felt like I was attending a Trenton City Council meeting—empty public seats, heavy scripting, and a lot of back-patting over the new managing director.  There was so much optimism coming from the Mayor and Council that even a Trump rally would pale in comparison.   The thought that a new managing director is the savior to the city is laughable.  

Affa thinks council is already great and the director will make the city so much better.  Yea okay??  Affa is 20 minutes past her 15 minutes in the spotlight.  She is irrelevant at this point.  

I am not sure why the city needs a mayor and a managing director.   Matt doesn’t “show up” for committee meetings or council meetings 90% of the time and really wasn’t missed.  

Oh boy Bina came up and said the city is doing financially great and they will just realign the budget to pay for the new director.  I am not sure how council was able to fully fund a position that has a $131,977 salary and the 2026 budget had it funded for $1.  Basic procedures would make you believe a transfer at a minimum to the position would be necessary.  This was not a fully funded position in 2026.  Bina sucks too…i feel somewhere she wanted to say “we are hiding our plan until after this passes so we can box council in to a decisions that you may not have made”

Mayor said they will not fill some positions so they can fulfill the managing director budget.  

I truly believe the M.D is a waste of money, but not more than the mayor’s position and the Civic Innovations Manager.   The mayor needs someone to blame for his own missteps.  Essentially, he will be Tuerk’s fall guy. 

Mota you choked.   You continue to grovel at the Mayor's tennis shoes. She stated the director will help support the mayor and he is in much need of support. Maybe if he had an effective and present staff?

Executive assistant is filled per the mayor, but wasn’t she just promoted to Civic Innovations Manager? Are my sources incorrect?  Say it ain't so. So when the mayor is absent the deputy mayor was Chief Roca? Too bad the mayor wasn't absent more often. I love watching Roca speak.   Now it will be the managing director.    I read the charter for the Deputy Mayor.  The actual wording is: 

“Upon taking office, the Mayor shall designate a department head or elected City official who shall serve as Deputy Mayor, in the event of the Mayor's temporary disability or absence from the City. The Mayor may change his designation from time to time. The Deputy Mayor shall exercise all the duties of the Mayor, except the power of appointment or removal from office.”

So I believe the city hierarchy now goes mayor, managing director, then whatever Boyer is, then directors.   

Does anyone know why this guy left the county? Josh Siegel is an astute and quality leader.  He is young but that is part of his appeal.  The city and the lehigh valley have an old regime problem where we see the same tired individuals in government.  Josh breaks that mold and I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw that in the Government Center and that is why Allentown has Frank. Could the county position be better than the city?  Mayor didn't answer why Mr. Kane left the county but bless him for keeping Frank employed. 

Napoli tried to explain who the best employees are and I stopped listening because....just because.  

Binder is really growing on me.  He wasnt kissing Kane's ass but instead trying to get him to answer questions.   I don’t think Kane did that great of a job. Remember when you hype up someone like I feel council did, you set an expectation.  Frank Kane didn’t meet the expectations in my opinion.  Which I'm sorry but he is stepping into a failing city with a failure of a mayor, so I wouldn’t expect a revolution to happen in Allentown with this appointment.   Most likely more of the same.

Napoli: any questions or comments from the public?? Lol.  Read the room!! No one was there. No one “showed up” because no one cares anymore. The city is a joke and residents are tired of beating their heads against a wall.  

As a parting comment - Mr Kane would definitely be able to sell a used car. 🚗

Promotion

Another set of congratulations are in order. My sources tell me that Michaela Boyer has been promoted in the Mayor’s Office to the Civic Innovation Manager position. I hope that Ms Boyer is truly interested in fulfilling the responsibilities tasked within the job description, and that this isn’t another misstep with our tax dollars by the Tuerk Administration. Or in normal words.  A WASTE OF MONEY!!! It almost seems this girl has something on Matt.  How does one get on the fast track to city leadership like she has? Is there an apprenticeship or internship available?

Good news to one of my blog followers-CHAT is coming back under Ms Boyer. I hope coffee is served.

Breaking News: Leadership is Now Important for Allentown.

I hear we may have a new director joining the ranks of this blog! This was a surprise for your humble blogger Abe. Thanks to Lehigh Valley Ramblings for breaking this news today.

I am surprised by this move by Matt Tuerk. He does not like to share the spotlight. Could this be further proof of what has been said on this blog and social media? That our Pee-Wee mayor is no longer having fun being mayor. By hiring this managing director, he can now push off all responsibility, and most importantly blame, for the operations of the city… or the failed operations of the city which have been more frequent lately. 

Tuerk can now focus on what he likes to do… turning into a silly jet-setting TikTok diva while billing it all to the city taxpayers.

From my dealings with the city, we are in desperate need of a strong managing director like Joe MacMahon, and I hope Mr. Kane can rise to the challenge. The city is out of control. Between mismanaged finances, crime through the roof, a downtown area that is more like a ghost town, and more people becoming homeless by the day, it is clear that the city is in need of leadership and management. 

What does this mean for the deadweight in the city. Let’s start with Michaela Boyer. 

 Is she no longer trying to get promoted? Is she leaving the city? Will she be able to survive under the careful eye of a managing director? Will she reduce her hours to 1 day every 6 months instead of the current 1 day per quarter?

The cabinet directors must be also shaking in their boots. They are finally going to have someone to hold them responsible for their lackluster and weak leadership.

 I am sure Vicky Kistler is currently researching retirement options because she can no longer pull the wool over her boss’s eyes. She will need to provide results and will be answering a seasoned community & economic development professional. 

Bina Patel will finally have to provide answers and not “I will have to get back to you on that.” 

Mark Shahda will have to be a present leader during snow clean-up operations. 

Freddy Agusto may just have to do an investigation to find out who in his department should be accountable for a traffic violation/” error in judgement.” It is a perfect opportunity to hold 

Chief Roca accountable for the noise and dirtbikes that plague the city.  

The job description passes the city management from the mayor to the new Managing Director. The notice on the agenda indicated that the salary will be $131,977. The mayor makes $95,000 per year.

Last comment: For what are we paying the mayor?

When you preach accountability but can't do it.

Here is an example of accountability the city leaders always talk about doing.  You only need to read the 2nd and 3rd pages.  But a brief summary.  A firefighter took a city fire vehicle out of the city and got a $300 ticket.  I am not sure what the ticket was for, but nevertheless the controller questions fire Chief Agosto and you can read his response.  Disgusting.

 

Why isnt the mayor stepping in?  The employee needs to pay the fine, not the tax payers.  Since said employee hasnt fessed up to the violation he/she should be fired. Can the firefighters commit crimes now and get away with them?  I thought that was reserved only for the police. Just because the union will file a grievance nothing will be done?  Who cares, file one.  Agosto should grow a backbone and control his men.  His excuse is lame.  His firefighters can just take vehicles wherever they want and no one  knows who or what they are using it for?  Yea okay.  This my friends is called corruption.

Have you hit a pothole in Allentown lately?

Obviously if anyone reading this has ever driven in Allentown they would know the streets are some of the worst.  

Potholes everywhere. Mayor Matt was out on his bike the other day riding around showing all the potholes in the street.

The mayor even rode around and showed how his bike transversed the potholes.

The Mayor stated "our crews are gearing up for pothole, they are excited to get out there and fix em." Did you really ask them if they are excited?

The mayor has encouraged people to call 610-437-8775 to report any potholes.   Please call!!!

I do thank you Matt for going out and pointing out the shitty roads.  I truly hope the streets department have funding to completely pave some streets this year, vs just patching them.