Tuerk follow rules? Too arrogant for that

The council passed the name changing of Valania park to Clyde Bosket park. This is great to honor a black man that helped the community in many ways.

He sounds like he was looked up to by younger males and helped people whenever he could.

I do have few issues with the renaming. First, as mentioned in another post, why not name something after Bosket that wasnt already named? The park was named Valania park by the people. It's not like it was the Union St park and now you want to rename it. 

Second issue that many people brought up which is no surprise. Tuerk didnt follow the proper procedure in going about renaming the park. There is a pattern of missteps and thumbing of the nose from this administration. Imagine that, council and the mayor administration not following the rules. Its a joke. Matt you're a joke and your smugness shows every time you speak. It must be lonely living here n a world with you in the center of everything.

Next, Affa is a disgrace and has passed her prime, probably 39 years ago. You argue and talk absolute BS. You try to make yourself seem involved but you are actually absent. That Rec Committee lady called you out and you fell back in your chair where you belong. Actually, you belong in a retirement village in Florida.

Then I have to listen to how arrogant Tuerk is, interupting a female who was speaking. He says while she is making a point, oh well we are talking about the park that is going to be renamed shortly. Shut up you loser. 

Tuerk has the nerve to talk so highly of Mr. Bosket (for votes people!). He clearly didnt know Mr Bosket. How fake are you?

The best was when a woman went up and called Juerk out. She said you dont care about black people and are only using this to get black votes. 

 And you don't follow procedure for anything. She is 100% right. Affa says, well we didnt follow the rules but everyone wants this done. Really? Why have rules? 

So basically you are honoring a black man by not following the rules and that is exactly what black people dont want. To be remembered wrongly or given special treatment.

To be clear I strongly support honoring this man. Just do it right in a dignified manner and NOT by erasing the reason for the park to be named Valania. Someone was honored while another was dishonored tonight. Seems the Administration could have executed this in a way to honor both Allentownians.

I cannot end this ramble without mentioning our Police Chief. Tonight, Chief Roca said APD needs 300 officers. And Affa says well chief you are doing such a great job with having less. Chief and his Admin are the "less". They are the problem in APD. 

Like always Chief was looking to have his ego stroked at the expense of the hardworking men and women of APD. Quit fishing for compliments, you look small and that is a BIG achievement for you. It's so fake and you do not think of your officers on the streets before yourself. 

No plan? Lets invest.

 

Over the summer I touched on two carpet baggers that went to council begging for money to support their new Non-Profit.

They claimed they worked for a non profit of course called the Allentown Alliance or so made up organization and were going to use the $300k to revitalize downtown and get people to visit and spend money.

Finance Director Bina Patel despite claiming she is still not ready to discuss with Council the budget deficit supported the award of the funds. Then the 7 muppets voted to pass the money.

Now the state and the NIZ were dumb enough to add to this a couple more 100k. The monetary goal of the Allentown Alliance is to raise $1million. 

After a year of no progress

Here is the problem: what is the plan to get people to visit downtown? How is this group getting money with no plan? This is really one of the dumbest things I have seen. State and local entity's giving money to a hopeless cause with no plan!!!

People are not going to visit downtown Allentown because of the perception that Allentown has as being the worst in the Lehigh Valley. Plus what is there to do? I spoke on this recently. The perception is that Allentown isnt safe, there is homeless people everywhere, ruthless kids on bikes, and parking close Hamilton St. is at a premium. Let's not forget there is minimum bike lanes too.  

So I am asking this "Allentown Alliance" what is your plan to to get people to visit downtown? Like most ideas in Allentown, it is probably a take the money and run opportunity while ignoring the serious areas that need financial support.

Acting out and Flag raising

 

What is wrong with these politicians, teachers and now a principle?

Either they are opening up their big mouths saying something negative or outright malicious on social media or getting arrested for doing something dumb.

I dont know if its just low level, non educated, deceitful, arrogant, selfish, above the law, drug addict, corrupt individuals. Or is it the peoples fault for electing them pr putting them in positions of power?

Everyday it seems someone in a position of power is messing up.  And I dont mean making a mistake.  When are they going to learn they are not above the law?  They embarass the places they work and the city they work in.  

I also want to touch on something I dont understand.  Flag raising.  Why does the city of Allentown raise a flag for what it now seems every country?  Its getting really stupid to me.  Personally, I strongly believe only the U.S. Flag should be hung outside of a goverment building. I think when the U.S is supporting a country like Ukraine in a time of war, or when morning a country's loss that is acceptable to hang another countrys flag.  

The other day a Mexican flag was raised next to the American flag  Many other flags have been hung as well which I find inappropriate  as well.  The Pa State flag as well as the POW/MIA is appropriate. Maybe even the City of Allentown flag.   I just dont think hanging another country's flag at a government location is appropriate.  Do the flag raising at designated locations that are symbolic of that country not city hall.

I can tell you other country's do not fly a U.S flag at their government buildings.

Controllers duties? Im not sure anymore..

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and got to spend time with loved ones.  

Todays memes had me laughing so enjoy. Now lets get into the Truth. 

The agenda for this week's Council meeting is extremely light on actual action by our city government, but two areas caught my attention:
 1. The Controller’s reports and
 2. The renaming of John A. Valania Park.  

Let’s explore both below.
According to the Home Rule Charter the City Controller shall have financial oversight of City finances, independent of the Executive and Legislative branches and shall review all expenditures of the Mayor, City Council and City Boards, Commissions and Agencies.

Is it just me or does the Controller focus on the easy audits and does not tackle the areas that are hitting the city with the greatest financial impact.   The overtime for Public Safety and Public Works, the ever-increasing cost of the employee healthcare, and the promotions for a Solicitors office who outsource most legal services.  

When was the last time an issue within the city happened where an outside entity wasn’t contracted?  Yet, the city keeps giving this office more money for doing so much less.  I have heard from many current employees that the solicitor’s office is one of the most underperforming and lazy group of individuals who always have a reason not to be in the office. 

Seems to me like the Controller is rather deficient in his duties and focuses on the low hanging fruit. He has to justify the salaries in his department. At the same time he is hitting the audit "easy button"money is being wasted behind his back. Maybe he knows it is being wasted? Maybe he does not want to go against the administration? ....or is investigating the areas of big concern just too complex for him and his assistant?

This week’s Controller’s report focuses on chasing incorrectly posted accounts for charging, not resulting in any sort of savings at all.  Instead, it just corrects the accounts.    How much time was spent going through these transactions to correct a $9.99 book in Recycling that was charged to an account 68 erroneously and should be charged to an account 32?  Doesn’t seem to pass the commonsense test that any time was wasted by the Controller's office on this ----  Why are their auditors in finance if they don’t catch these misused accounts.  Wait, let’s ask Bina “I don’t have that information, but I can get back to you” Patel.  Hold your breath starting……now!

The renaming of John A. Valania Park.  The city website indicates that “John A. Valania Park was built and dedicated in 1976 using Allentown Redevelopment Authority funds. A contest was held, and it was decided to name the park after former Allentown School District principal John Valania, who died at the age of 43.”  

Doesn’t it seem that there are other areas of Allentown that could be renamed in honor of Clyde Bosket.   Here’s a thought, why not name the street that his barbershop was located?    How about something that was not renamed in honor of another person, especially one through a campaign where the people chose the name of the site?   Mack Pool?   Cedar Beach Pool?  The new Police Station or Fire Station?  The new police station would be a great idea.  Im sure Chief Roca would love that since Im sure he thinks it should be in honor of himself.

The influence that Mr. Bosket had on the Allentown community cannot be denied, my feelings are that we should not strip one dedicated space name and replace with another.   That is disrespectful and unfair.

I know my words are probably falling on deaf ears/blind eyes, but it is more and more obvious as I started to watch what is going on in Allentown after several missteps of the leadership, that these city leaders we elected accept mediocrity and avoidance as a fundamental of city administration.  

Siegel reaching new lows



Josh, I really cant believe the level you have stepped too. You are the scum that covers pond scum, that’s how low you have become. I will not support you,  not because of your political party or your views, but because of your lack of compassion and outright ignorance to another human.  You are unstable and reckless and are inciting the exact destructive behavior that you claim to be against.

Your latest Facebook post starts out saying:

 "Let me be clear: Political violence is a cancer, it’s corrosive, destructive and disgusting. Society cannot function when a vigilante’s gun becomes our perceived path to victory.

Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve to die, his wife shouldn’t be a widow and his children shouldn’t be without a dad."

After those 2 paragraphs I was actually commending you in my head for being a decent human being to a response to a horrific shooting.  One that was able to do exactly what should be expected of a human being…someone who put aside differences.

Then you turn to this divisive and destructive comment:

  "The purveyors and perpetrators of hate soon become its casualties. The fires they fanned soon rise to consume us all, vicitms and victimizers. No one is safe and nothing is sacred. "

So are you implying since no one is safe others are going too or deserve to die because of their views?

"Kirk was as responsible as anyone for our toxic political culture."

Look in the mirror .Sounds Like You for writing your post??

You then state:

"Ask yourself, how many trans kids committed suicide because of the rhetoric he helped spread? How many hate crimes has he inspired or contributed to by demonizing gay kids?"

 I am not going to touch this, because their is no proof he caused any of this.

"He was a casualty and a consequence of the political climate he helped build."

Once again you are heartless man. Be American. Stick to your first two paragraphs and end it.

"This is not a both sides issue-there is only one movement that has a coordinated and sophisticated anger machine, there is only one ideology whose entire strategy revolves around creating an other or enemy. There is a dangerous and extreme right-wing, authoritarian, nationalist movement that has succeeded in creating a politics of perpetual outage."

What are you talking about? You act like your in the middle. You are acting like a left wing nut job!! I am not excited about Roger MacLean but at least he is not sinking to the lows you seem to reside.  

More Apartments?

A local developer is trying to get approval to build a 7 building 180 unit apartment complex in East Allentown.

Slam the brakes.  First off does Allentown really need to build more apartments in a residential area?  

Several problems arise right out the gate

1st off property values of single homes will most definitely drop in value unless these apartments are high end which they wont be. Here is a photo of what I predict in 10 years.

2nd 180 units.  Should bring in a ballpark of 400-600 people living in the buildings.  Just if you say 3 people to a unit that is 540. Some may be single occupants, or a couple or a family of four.  Family of 8, who knows. Im going to say on the low end 100 of the occupants are kids.  

3rd 100 more kids.  Where do we put them?  Thats 100 more for the Allentown School district. 

4th more apartments unless people are civilized means more police calls for noise complaints, domestics etc. 

5th I do not think the taxes collected on 7 buildings would be the same as if you had single dwelling homes.  I could be wrong tho.

Allentown doesnt need more people living here.  The state hospital is going to cause enough problems with all the traffic, extra students and required services for all the people living there.  

Allentown needs businesses. Needs jobs, a bigger tax base.  Apartment units create temporary jobs until they are completed, plus a few after completion.  I just dont think more apartments should be built, especially over on the East Side.

Allentown needs a giant trash can

So the city wants to combat some of the litter problems 🤔.  Before I get into this I want to give a shout out to the City's Clean Team.  They do an amazing job on Hamilton St.  I do not know where else they clean, but they do a good job before the animals destroy it throughout the day.  I bet they get paid shit as well.  Very sad.

The City wants to see from what I understand is if there is a correlation between having a plethora of trash cans and a reduction of litter on the streets.

The city environmental advisory council met and feels studies need to be conducted before they can properly address the issue.  

Brian Stout, Allentowns manager of recycling and solid waste stated:

"I would not be able to truthfully back it up with any kind of data unless we ran a pilot test. But, if there was containerization, you are going to see a significant decline in litter almost instantly.”

Brian thank you for not saying the streets are clean and their isn't a problem.

Officials feel that people who just put bags out, contribute to the litter unintentionally, because sometimes the bags are ripped or animals get into the trash.

The environmental council believe that having more trash bins will help with the litter however at what cost?

Councilman Santo stated that people will be for the trash bins until they are advised they have to pay for them.

So who is going to pay for these cans/bins?  I mean we could leave it up to council and they can vote the citizens are mandated to have trash bins.  Which I am sure the fourhorse would vote yes on.  

I know a decent trash bin with wheels is probably going to run well over $100. The citizens already got an increase on their trash.  How much does the city want to squeeze us?

I do think having trash cans throughout the city and parks will reduce litter if they are regularly emptied, however I am not so bought on the idea trash bins will reduce litter.  Have you ever seen a squirrel get into a closed trash can?  I have seen them eat through the side of plastic cans.  So animals are going to get into the trash no matter what.  

Atleast the city wants to do surveys throughout the city to get a well rounded idea of whats the best course of action. 

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• FTwitter
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• Email“I would not be able to truthfully back it up with any kind of data unless we ran a pilot test. But, if there was containerization, you are going to see a significant decline in litter almost instantly.”

Perception or reality of crime?

There was a Shooting over the weekend in Allentown!!! Shocker. Apparently the victim and witnesses are not cooperating.  Shocker. 

It pains me to ask, is Allentown getting safer?  I feel that there are less shootings this year.  But I am pretty sure not all of them are reported on the news.  Homicides may be down but that isnt the problem that most on social media are concerned about.  People are sick of the double parking, loud music, and dirt bikes.   

Now you won't catch me walking down a dark alley late at night in the city.  That is just asking for trouble.  But have things changed?  Is your preception on crime a reality?  Or is your perception way past the reality that it wouldn't matter what the stats say on crime?

I think the Mayor and Chief Roca need to work on the preception of how bad it is vs the reality.  No stats are going to make people feel safer.  Good luck with that guys. 

For example, remember when the PPL building opened?  There were cops everywhere on every corner. By all the parking decks.  The perception was that with all these cops around, one had nothing to worry about.  Now go to a game or concert.  You will be lucky if you see 5 cops.  Now the perception turns back to feeling unsafe walking to your car after the game.

One can build all the buildings they want.  Put up lights,  speed bumps, bike lanes whatever. Say crime is down, blah blah blah.  If the perception is unsafe the reality will not matter.

Duane Morris . Please wait 4 seconds for the question to appear.