Bullshit excuses for Raises

I went back after a couple drinks and rewatched the special meeting this past week.  The CED introduced yet another upgrade to the Health Director with a salary increase from $110,426 to $117,267. The justification is that the Health Director is in a cabinet level position. Well, according to the Home Rule Charter, the Health Director is not considered cabinet, and the Council has not approved adding the Health Director to the cabinet. So, this raise shouldn’t be approved

They are also promoting the Opioid Prevention Manager – they seem to be doing a great job, we have Narcan vending machines.

Their salary will increase from $70,070 to $74,695. Justification for this promotion is to “better align with duties”. What does that even mean? Such a bullshit explanation. Show some results. There are people overdosing every day, yet is a vending machine your solution?

Civics Innovation Manager – although not on the agenda for promotion, yet. Councilman Binder asked recently about the mayor’s office Data Analyst to assist with some of the concerns from the CED committee meeting and Frank stated there is no data analyst in the mayor’s office. Newsflash Burgundy, the data analysis, is a duty of the Civics Innovations Manager. The most recent vacancy report shows the position was filled in March 2026. 

It is very well known that Ms. Boyer was promoted to the new Civics Innovation Manager. To my knowledge, there has not been a request to reorganize that job that was approved by the council. Similarly, there has not been a single CHATT since Ms. Balek-Cole left the position last year. It appears that the position duties have been converted to doing nothing but getting paid very well, a gold standard for Boyer.  The vacancy report also indicates that the city has a Communications Manager?? But do we?? There has been zero from this individual and no announcement from the administration regarding who they are.

The city keeps doing this thing where they hand out raises and change job titles and then act like it’s all fine because it “better aligns with their duties.”

Like… seriously? That phrase means nothing. It’s just a go‑to excuse whenever they want to give someone more money without explaining why. Or if Bina is there the response is "I do not have that answer."

The city paid for an expensive pay study — a big fancy report that’s supposed to show what jobs should really earn and which should be eliminated. But the second the study didn’t say “yes, give this person a raise,” it was tossed aside like it never existed. Crybabies.

So why even pay for the study? Just to pretend they care about fairness? Because they sure don’t use it.

Instead, they keep doing these “realignments” that magically bump people up pay grades. No posting the job. No letting anyone else apply. No proof that the work has changed. 

Just poof — new title, new salary. It really shows that the Tuerk administration thinks they are above following any rules. I blame this on the inexperienced mayor and incompetence in all levels of management.

Meanwhile, regular employees in the city are out here trying to stretch every dollar. When will Council start paying attention to the game that is being played with promotions? The administration presents promotions during the budget season and then brings more changes during the budget year and claim that they “found cost savings” or try to justify the change because it is “grant funded”. As if grant money doesn’t matter at all..I mean it is free money from the state and federal government, not taxpayers, right?   

Council has tried for years to force the administration to follow a process for promotions, new positions, and upgrades during normal budget approval. They are simply weak when it comes to follow-through and paying attention to their own concerns.  

The administration has said for four years “we can do that next year” and then the mayor asks for changes outside the budget and council allows it again.  

If these raises are so important, then show the proof! Show the numbers. Show the workload. Show literally anything besides the same four‑word excuse they keep repeating like a broken record. Show that there is a process and follow it with no exceptions or special considerations.

It looks like the city can’t say no to itself…it keeps saying yes to spending our money. #getthemallout

And honestly? I am tired of it.

Also, this week’s agenda shows a proposed police pension ordinance Bill 55. The bill allows officers to buyback prior police time as credits for their retirement.  For example, an officer who worked in the city of Tuerk for 3 years could buy that time.  So once the officer had 17 years of service completed, they could buy the prior three years and retire with 20 years of total service.   They will not be eligible to purchase post-employment healthcare unless they completed 20 full years serving Allentown alone.  Officers may buy up to five years.  Mayor O'Connell agreed to this bill in 2021, but the bill didn’t pass until 2024.

This bill is supposed to entice experienced officers to come to work for the city.  Yet it allows them to retire earlier.  Not sure where the benefit exactly is.  

Next on the agenda is the sick time legislation.  This is an overreach of authority in my opinion for the city government.  Pennsylvania has no statewide mandate for sick leave.   Some PA municipalities have decided to try and force employers to provide sick leave minimums for local employers.   Allentown is following their precedence and claiming it is a public health issue. 

Trying to put this authorization under the local health authority is a weak attempt to fill the gap.  The Allentown health department is stretching “public health” beyond its intended scope.  Employers will be forced to provide sick leave just because they have a business in Allentown.  Small businesses will most likely leave Allentown for places in the Valley with less regulation.  Tuerk just keeps trying to ruin Allentown.

Finally, I want to take a moment to look at the contracts that are being presented this week.   Am I the only one who notices that the city usual cast of vendors (Michael Baker, Telco, Johnson Controls, etc) continually have change orders that increase the cost of the contract? 

Example: The Bogarts Bridge project was originally $2,258,522.18 and now there is an increase of $156,084.66 to bring the new contract pricing to $2,414,605.84.  The justification is that they discovered wood that was damaged and wasn’t included in the original pricing.

Hmmm?  The question is – was there not a visual inspection of the bridge prior to the bid announcement to ensure a better scope of work was presented?  Is the city negligent in presenting a proper bid document? Do vendors know the city is unable to forecast the actual work required?  This happens repeatedly with the city contracts.  It does seem that the usual vendors bid low to secure the contract and then have a change order to add more money. I don’t blame the vendors; the city has been unable to write a proper bid document that minimizes the chance for contract cost inflation.

All I want for Christmas is a functioning Allentown city government.

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Cannot capitalize on anything

 

I went to an Iron Pigs game the other day.  I have to say, that place is the best thing within the city limits.   

For starters the parking lots were clean.  No litter.  Everywhere was well lite up and I felt safe despite not seeing even one police officer. Its even cheaper to park at the game then on Hamilton St. 

I didnt hear loud music blasting,  loud obnoxious mufflers nor did I see any stupid scooters or dirt bikes.  

The game appeared to be sold out, as many are.  But does the city actually benefit from this cash cow? 

I believe the players stay in a hotel in Bethlehem after games.  I am sure the visiting teams stay outside of the city as well. That is embarrassing.  They cant even get the players to stay after the game. I mean I am sure the Super 8 on Airport Rd would offer a great deal. 

So, how does the city have one of the top attendance minor league clubs in the United States, yet doesn't benefit?  That is insane.  No one eats dinner in the city before the game, and once the game is over look out route 22.  No one stays and spends money.

Remember when the Sands casino (now the Wind Creek) was deciding which city to build its casino? Allentown or Bethlehem. Could you imagine a casino right near the stadium?  That would have made for a fun night. Baseball, beer, and gambling. But we all know how that story ended.  The Sands wasnt dumb and went to Bethlehem.  Yet, despite their move, they still pay  the city like 3 or 4 million each year.

The city just cannot capitalize on anything. The NIZ zone does not count either. The fact Allentown is the 3rd biggest city in Pa, with a river running through it is amazing.  Yet the river does not draw anyone there except out-of-staters looking to party and litter the waters.  I cannot think of another major city that has a major body of water in it that isnt utilized to draw people and make money. 

Until our leaders learn how to start generating money for the city vs spending it, the city will never get better and taxes will continue to go up. I have a very nice post on the uncoming budget.  Lets just say, you won't be happy reading it if you live within the city. 

Lastly, after the game there were fireworks. I gotta say, they were awesome.  They werent real long, but I enjoyed them way more than the city's 4th of July fireworks.  

Bezos to the rescue

Jeff Bezos the founder of Amazon— you know the guy who literally makes more money in a minute than 90% of the world —has donated 4million dollars to Allentown. The money is supposed to be used to transform the empty lot at Franklin Park back into a park.

If not properly monitored by police which it wont be, the park will allow for several things.  

1. A new place for kids to fight after school.

2. New graffiti grounds.

3. New spot for a gang to call home. 

4. A good location to meet and sell drugs.

My question is will someone actually watch how the $4 million is spent? Will some be dumped into the general fund? Because Im sure that never happened before.  

Are there any strings attached to this money? It is very interesting to see the administration is welcoming this money from a company that has a culture shaped by a long trail of worker complaints, federal investigations, mistreatment of employees leading to a toxic culture , poor working conditions, and a pattern of repeated retaliation.  

Yet the administration is rolling out the red carpet for Bezos’s money — no hesitation, no scrutiny, no public conversation about what it means to partner with a company known for these issues.

Does this seem like an organization that matches the messaging of the Tuerk administration? Is it possible that Amazon leadership and the administration have more in common behind the polished and highly crafted persona of the mayor’s office and his cabinet?

It’s a question worth asking, the city residents and employees alike are vocal about feeling unheard, overworked, or overlooked.

4th Aftermath

What a long weekend it was for Allentown! Did everyone survive the heat? How about the loud music and the fireworks show?

Allentown’s Fourth of July weekend was overshadowed by the strong storms and dangerous heat that moved through the area. The long weekend to celebrate the great nation's 250th somehow got steamrolled by a tag‑team of strong storms, insane heat that kept most in the AC, and nonstop noise that turned what should’ve been a holiday into a headache.

The storms hit hard, ripping through neighborhoods with heavy rain, sudden gusts, and dangerous lightning. Old city trees snapped; yards flooded, and power flickered across parts of the city. I spent more time checking weather alerts than enjoying the holiday.

Some people were able to celebrate despite the heat and interrupting storms. 

The city had its usual weekend with booming music that went late into the night. Between the thunder and the bass, Allentown didn’t get much peace.

A weekend meant for celebration ended up feeling more like a test of endurance. Storm damage, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of frustration. Here’s hoping next year brings more fireworks in the sky and fewer in the atmosphere.

I take off my hat to the Parks and Public Works Departments who are responding to the cleanup. I do not understand why the city waits for the storms to come and cause chaos. They clean up the messes on the roads and let the homeowner deal with the rest. There is no preventive maintenance or proper evaluation of the trees that need attention. Just like with crime. It's all reactive, never proactive.

4th of July weekend

Well since council cancelled picking a new controller tonight most likely because they didnt like either candidate I wont give a recount of the council meeting.

However, I can predict a few things for this July 4th weekend in the City of Allentown.  Well lets just see how many I get correct. For all you smart asses, no I don't wish any of these things to actually happen, but its out of my control. 

1. Fireworks everywhere. It will sound like Afghanistan from 7pm-3am.   

2. A fire will probably result from fireworks and the fact it is so dry out.

3.  Loser motor scooters, you know the cheap $1500 ones people put $5000 stereos on it so they can feel cool and get attention will be everywhere.

4. Atleast a motorcycle or a dirt bike will crash.

5. Somewhere there will be a huge car meet that will get out of control and have little police presence. 

6. The rivers will be polluted with hooka ashes, urine, feces, cigarettes by out of towners and some inconsiderate natives. 

7.  The mayor will go live on Facebook running somewhere talking about a tragedy that happened the day before.  One day he's going to run into a parked car while filming and I am going to fall off my chair laughing.  "Hey Allentown, Matt Tuerk here..aahhhhhh slam."

8.  There will be little police presence seen anywhere.

9. The J. Birney Crum fireworks will be sub-par compared to  Bethlehem, Dorney Park and pretty much everywhere else. But there will be lots of guns shots.  So watch for bullets,  they do come down.

10. Lastly, there is an increased likelihood there will be a stabbing  or someone shot.  Whether it makes the news will be another story. 

Sadly, these are realities not just predictions.

What will not happen.

1. The city will not do anything special to celebrate America's 250th birthday.  Shame on you. Yea fireworks, big deal.  Probably not even a flag raising, because the poles at city hall already have special flags hung.  

Wait one more for above.

People will be blasting their music celebrating but will have no clue what July 4th even means.

I think I will get all of my predictions.  I am sure I missed a few as well.

Get out this weekend and celebrate America and this important 4th of July. The history of our country is our history. Go see some fireworks, put hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and spend time with family and friends.  Please dont drink and drive. 

God bless Abe