I've been absent like the Mayor

I took some time away from posting for a few days to shift my focus away from the shit hole that I am watching our city become to spend time with family and community. My sincere hope is that one day this blog will become completely irrelevant because we have ethical and capable leaders and administrators in the Allentown government. This is where I live and raised my family, so I will continue to fight for a better Allentown. I must admit that it is getting increasingly difficult with the current occupant of the mayor’s office and his administration, and I do not see it changing for the next 3 years and 6 months.

This last weekend was the annual Juneteenth celebration at Cedar Beach, and sadly it ended up turning into yet another chaotic scene. Instead of a safe event, the day and night were overshadowed by fights, disorder, and violence. A viral Facebook video has been shared showing the violent acts of several attendees that spoiled the Juneteenth events for the individuals and families that were there to celebrate. Where was the APD during this display of lawlessness? Where was the city plan to de-escalate the violence? Promise Neighborhoodz?? The mayor was in attendance but did nothing but stay long enough to get his picture and video for his social media post. Notice mo media coverage on the fight.

We get it Matt, you “show up” only to serve your own interests and feed your ego. The community is on to your game. We realize that you are an absent mayor and your crafted “present mayor” persona is showing strong evidence of cracking, dare I say large holes? Shit, even your teeth are falling out at this point. 

Obviously, the mayor is not the only party that failed in this event for the community. What is going on with the Events team? It seems to me they cannot manage a celebration without it turning into a safety nightmare. 

Don't bring your guns??? No shit. Only Fists, rocks, and hair pulling is allowed. Sad you have to put that on a flyer. 

There is a big problem in the Events team – my guess is that it is at all levels up to and including the mayor. The Events team hasn't gotten a single city event right this entire year.

Juneteenth should be a day of pride and community — not another opportunity for violence at Cedar Beach.

Onward

Speaking of the absent mayor – Our supreme leader is once again out of Allentown. Is he on another trip? Frank better update his tracker, I hope it is electronic because it is changing weekly.

Finally, City Council is back at it again, trying to push through another round of data center legislation like the last few attempts have never happened. Honestly, it is getting old. Every time they mention this, it feels rushed, confusing, and way more focused on helping developers than helping the people who live here. Residents ask questions, and the council gives the same vague answers, like they are hoping people will just stop paying attention. I am sure it is because not one of them on the dais or from the administration has a clue about data centers.

Council keeps trying to force this legislation, so I wonder who is pulling the strings behind the curtain? Look at how quickly Cynthia Mota and Jeremy Binder changed their minds last week – appears they may have been influenced. We know Pungo is easily influenced when it comes to construction. His employer, Butz Enterprises, has a hand in many construction projects in the Lehigh Valley.

If Council wants our trust, they need better transparency, community input that is not ignored, and a plan that benefits the city — not just the companies waiting to cash in and extract valuable resources from our community.

The council members claim that is why they passed bill 20. They needed to pass the bill to change the bill. Sounds eerily familiar – circa 2010 during the passing of the ACA Nancy Pelosi said, “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what’s in it”. Well, let us see what they can do. At this point it has been passed and the residents have no choice but to hold them accountable. Sadly, in the end we have people like Pungo (who should recuse himself), Napoli, Binder, and Mota who are easily influenced and do not hear or listen to the community.

I have an idea — Council should summon the mayor to all meetings related to AI and data centers. Remember the taxpayers paid for him to go to a conference on this exact subject? We have a resident expert and have yet to tap this valuable resource.

Also I cant stop laughing at this photo.  

Ohhhhh and Eddie Pawlowski gets released at the end of the week.  His 1st purchase will most likely be soap on a rope.