Affortable Housing Joke

Affordable housing has become the political equivalent of going to the gym: everyone says they’re committed, everyone buys the Lululemon outfit, and absolutely

 no one shows up.

Politicians in the Lehigh Valley adore the housing crisis because it’s the perfect problem. It’s existential in Allentown, it’s big, it’s dramatic, and best of all, it cannot be solved in a single term—ideal for endless promises with zero follow‑through. 

It’s the perfect political prop—always there, always tragic, always ready for its close‑up. And until solving it becomes more rewarding than talking about it, we’ll keep getting promises instead of apartments.  

These politicians use this to get votes knowing damn well its bullshit.  No builder is going to build houses cheaper so poorer people can afford them.  Supplies keep going up as well.

Only HUD housing is “affordable”, because the tenants will never own the residence and they are built cheap.  

The fact of the matter is, there is limited space to build on in the city of Allentown.  Then to build a single residence even 1500sq/ft is going to cost atleast $200,000 plus the land it is built on.  The mortgage on $200k with taxes is easily $1600-$1800.  So one would have to make around $65,000 to afford this with the current rates.  Um the medium income in Allentown, just a guess is no more than $30,000.  So why is this pipe dream on the forefront of everyones promises?  

Ana Tiburcio, a new Democratic candidate…but another politically connected individual who is related to Cynthia Mota will run for Josh Siegel's seat. Ana has already started running the affordable housing script from the playbook that many before her used and claims that she will fight for affordable housing.  Yes, please explain what you are going to do?  Build the homes yourself? 

 

Allentown really deserves a departure from the same tired group running politics.  Ana claims she will fight for affordable housing, but like those before her she will find simply saying those words is easier than putting them into action. 

It’s getting old to hear the same old promises, but common practice in PA politics and certainly the golden standard in Allentown. 

😤 

#Housing #Politics #Promises #Reality #Allentown

"Whispers Turn into Shouts"

Well, ladies and gentlemen I read a portion of the Curtis report and it is damning. Between the Mayor and his administration , if I were some of these directors and managers, I would be worried.   The things that were discovered in this investigation are absolutely insane and it is blatantly obvious that the external message of the administration is that the employees are happy is not the truth.

The reality is in contrast to the well crafted messge- the actions of the administration have created an insanely toxic environment. 

I have heard that now that the Tuerk administration has bought the report they are on witch hunt to remove anyone that cooperated with this city investigation. I wonder now if that is the reason for the giant mayor's office exodus?  

This Curtis Report brings new light to the original NAACP letter. Could this be why there was such a concentrated effort to ensure the report never saw the light of day?

The Temper Tantrum Budget

 

You gotta love this arrogant guy.  "I am the mayor, hear me roar."  This is what everyone hears.

Per WFMZ:

So Council is supposed to give its stamp of approval, something that hasn't happened yet, but Tuerk said the law doesn't have any penalty if you break it.

"It doesn't say, or else, alright? There's no, there's nothing in the Home Rule Charter that says what happens if Council fails to adopt a budget," said Tuerk.

Actually, it does. And I wrote on it days ago.  Simply,  there is no budget for the following year and council and the mayor must come up with one, and of course pass it.

He's a great leader.  Lets not follow the rules. Just say I dont interpret them the same.  But he always talks about leadership.  This is why the city is a shitshow.  Everyone in the surrounding areas tune in to see what problems Allentown has today.  Now Pennsylvanians can talk about the Mayor who doesnt follow the city"s rules because he says it isnt breaking the law. I wonder what Shapiro thinks? 

When you mention Mayor Tuerk:

I guess all the city employees should just sit around and do nothing.  When their boss tries to push their weight.   Just say I'm citing the Matt Tuerk rule, "it isnt breaking the law."  

Then Napoli Tuerks shadow, starts his Presidency at council already breaking the rules. Says he doesnt know when council will finalize a budget, but we should sometime.  Napoli you should stick to coaching a fantasy football league.

He says per WFMZ:

So for now, the roughly 4% real estate tax increase, and the roughly 20% increase in the trash collection fee, are going to stand, but Council Chair Santo Napoli said eventually, the budget needs to be approved. 

Ultimately, we have to do something. We have to figure this out and finalize it," said Napoli.

But Napoli didn't put a timeline on it because he said, with new members on the board, there's a lot to discuss.

Chapter 1. Ethics

Chapter 2. How to follow the rules

Whats there to figure out?  Daddy wants his budget, so do it.  Follow his rules, not the Home Rule Charter. 

I will say it again, Allentown's leadership is more and more of a joke.  I cant ever write anything positive because the damn place wont allow me too.  Constant joke.

This is clearly corruption 101 and now city council is following.  Tuerk wants to talk about how the city treats people fairly and it is a great place to live an work. Blah blah.  Only a hypocrite would say that.   He does as he pleases and as a result his employees are jumping ship before it sinks.

Here should be City Hall's new slogan for 2026.

The replacements have arrived

I would like to welcome the two new councilmembers to the show. I am going to tell you a little bit of what I know about them.

First Cristian Pongo.

Well he is very young. No experience, but look at the Dias. Elmo could sit up there. Anyways,  I hear he is very intelligent, and motivated to bring some new ideas. Bring a younger point of view. 

What we do know for sure is, he works for Alvin Butz.  You know the construction guy who gets all the big contracts in the city.  

Per Lehigh Valley News

Pungo’s platform is focused on “Building Up Allentown” through greater investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety, and economic and educational opportunities. 

Next Jeremy Binder

His platform from what I can tell is that he wants more involvement with the community and their issues. A noble cause. He owns a local IT and security company.

I am curious to see who these two align with.  Mota (if she doesnt switch back to the loyalists), Santos, and Gerlach, or the Mayors besties Napoli and Affa. 

These two have big shoes to fill replacing Daryl Hendricks vote switching and loyalty to Tuerk and Slick Eddy Zucals cut throat to the truth attitude. The Springer Council show must go on.

Their first test will be shortly, when Tuerk tries to pass his 4% budget (aka the Temper Tantrum Budget) with who knows what strings will be attached. Will they show loyalty to Tuerk or tell him to quit giving his cabinet raises and control his spending.

I wanted to give these two a chance before I say anything negative and hopefully I won't have too.

STAY TUNED

And did you see Tuerks speech?? Lmao.  Please watch it. I hope the city budgets for alot of toilet paper to clean up all the shit that came out of his mouth.

I will say Matty boy, your definitely a reader. You kept saying you show up.  Really? Sounds like you took some of Abe’s playbook when I told yoh last post to Show up!! Clever use my stuff.  Your welcome.  

The Rule is over for Just some of us.

I prefer to stay away from world affairs and focus on what impacts us locally, specifically as an Allentownian I prefer to focus my efforts on the very frequent missteps by our city leaders. I will leave world affairs to Molovinsky and Bernie O'Hare. Our supreme leader Matt Tuerk did not disappoint and seized on the extraction of now former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and turned it into a “look at me” moment for himself.  

I find it interesting that a mayor who should be focusing on the city budget, a clean community, affordable housing, safe streets, and effective administration of public services now thinks he has any input into what the federal government and President Trump do on the world stage. 

Remember when he tried to tell the Lehigh County president judge how to deal with ICE in the courthouse? That didn’t turn out too well for him. As mayor, you need to study your roles and responsibilities better and read the Home Rule Charter. Maybe instead of looking for a social media moment you should attend a Council Meeting? 

Does the mayor think he is Venezuelan now? Or is he in solidarity because his claimed ancestral homeland, Cuba, was very closely aligned with the Nicolás Maduro regime? My guess is that he truly doesn’t care about Cuba, Venezuela or any other Latin country. He is just using the community to further his self-promoting mantra that he is Latino and not actually just a basic white guy who learned Spanish from Babbel or Rosetta Stone.

He will sadly be the mayor for four more years (unless the FBI finally sweeps in), then I predict his political career will rapidly dissipate like a fart in the wind. Stinks, then non-existent. I thought the extreme left snowballs were opposed to cultural appropriation? Have they seen Matt “I will appropriate any culture to remain relevant” Tuerk? I can’t wait for him to claim he's part Cherokee the next time the a developer wants to take land and build a casino.

I did find his family tree so maybe I am wrong: it covers every nationality.

Per Lehigh Valley News

As someone of Cuban heritage, he said, he identified with the struggles of Venezuelans fleeing the country as the nation's democracy slid into authoritarianism. So, do you identify with and support a dictatorship type of governance? Absolutely NOT surprised. 

What struggles have you had though? You’re from upper middle-class Boulder, Colorado, and you don’t appear to have ever struggled in life like the people of Venezuela, or even the same residents that you serve in Allentown! 

"As Allentonians are thrilled about Maduro’s removal, I am right there with them," he said. Okay, this is the only good thing he said. I agree with this.

But, for a guy who fought with Trumps people and participated with anti-Trump organizers when he held a rally, now he wants to give the real "Big Man" some credit? Or is he?

Still, he expressed concern over President Trump's statement that the U.S. would be taking over Venezuela, at least temporarily.

He hoped that American officials would partner with Venezuelan officials to help them restore their country to a modern democracy instead of beginning a lengthy occupation.

"It really needs to be led by the Venezuelan people," Tuerk said.

Why does Tuerk feel that he has any involvement with this? Why is he commenting? You’re a nobody on this issue. He constantly needs attention. Maybe he is a tad jealous because he doesn't get the same rockstar quality press that the mayor of NYC has been receiving and this is little Matt's "pick me, pick me!" moment?

How about this Matt – you like to wear out and overuse the “Allentown shows up” statement. How about YOU show up! Show up to the Council meetings. Show up to the City. Show up for the employees you ignore. Show up for the homeless. Show up for the hardworking SEIU staff that still don’t have a contract. Show up the very people you serve. Find your Chief of Staff that you fight day and night to get promoted and make her Show up and do her job. 

No matter what, the swift and precise action taken by our President was a good thing for the people of Venezuela.

An Exercise in Financial Cluelessness

When the mayor ignores the required budget process, it’s not a minor oversight—it’s a breach of public trust. The city has put procedures in place to ensure transparency, oversight, and honest governance. Skipping them like Tuerk has done this year shuts residents out of decisions that directly affect our community.   

After Mayor O’Connell vetoed a budget in 2019 and put a large tax increase into effect, the residents of Allentown made it very clear in 2019 by passing Bill 15544 that a bait and switch like that will never happen again.  

The text, as shared by an ABE follower says the following: 

ADOPTION, DEFAULT AND VOTING REQUIRED FOR TAX INCREASES AND FEES:

Removes the budget default process (preventing a tax increase from going into effect by default), requires adoption of the budget by December 31 with an affirmative vote of four members of Council and approval by the Mayor.

(Passed 15544 6/20/2019, Adopted November 5, 2019; Section 805 changes - 8,982 to 965; Section 807D changes - 7,802 to 1,836)

It seems quite clear to me. If the mayor can’t follow the basic rules for handling public money, that’s a serious problem. The solicitor’s office plays a critical role in keeping our local government on solid legal ground. That’s why it’s troubling to see the mayor move through the budget process without proper guidance or correction from the very office meant to ensure compliance. Our community deserves a solicitor’s office that upholds the rules, not one that looks the other way; the Matthew Tuerk's way.

Our city deserves leadership that respects the process, not leadership that sidesteps it. The mayor seems to think that Allentown is a dictatorship and that he has supreme and everlasting power. 

He thumbed his nose at the required budget procedures, refused to look at his areas in the budget that could see reductions, and name called members of council and threw a temper tantrum when he didn’t get his way; I mean who is smarter than him?  

Abe is

I have been flooded with messages talking about how Matt sent out an email to all staff saying that the City Council Solicitor, Attny Maria Montero, is wrong and his Solicitor is right. He then advised the entire city via email to "show up for me [him]"...spoken like a true dictator that believes he has unchecked power. No one wants to show up for you, Matt.  

Matt-the one recurring theme that I hear from city employees is that you are the worst mayor the city has ever seen, and your decisions are destroying the city. You have armed your Solicitor's office to execute your unlawful orders, and you listen to people that don't deserve the positions that you put them in.  

This is not just sloppy governance—it’s a direct violation of the public’s right to oversight. These rules are not optional. They exist to prevent exactly this kind of unchecked decision‑making. Cutting corners on the budget process shuts residents out, weakens transparency, and concentrates on power where it doesn’t belong. If the mayor refuses to follow the basic safeguards for handling public funds, the community has every reason to demand answers and insist on accountability.

Citizens of Allentown-this city is ours, and Matt Tuerk and Council are put in these positions to work for us. This latest move by Tuerk cannot go unchecked. WE should have our voices heard.  

Call the Mayor's office - (610) 437-7547 - you may also email anyone on his staff by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Elected-Offices/Mayors-Staff -don't expect a response from Ms. Boyer since she is still driving around PA looking for Allentown.

Call the Solicitor's office - (610) 437-7545 - you may also email the Solicitor directly by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/ens/Government/Departments/Solicitor

Call the City Council office - (610) 437-7554 - you may also email anyone on his staff by going here: https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Elected-Offices/City-Council/Council-Members -Remember that Hendricks and Zucal are no longer on Council before submitting an email.  

I just found this out:

Laura Cole left the city today.  She is another HUGE loss to the citizens of Allentown. ABE wishes her and her family the best of luck. 

Puck Drop or Peep Drop

So I decided to go watch the Peep Drop in Bethlehem instead of risk an Allentown NYE disappointment.  

Peeps fest has much better parking as well as that safety factor. Fireworks and a great crowd 

Anyways,

Did anyone go to 7th/Ham for the puck drop? I heard the drone aerial display was just okay.  Not like the drone displays in other countries. But here are some photos.

There appeared to be a decent amount of people there. The crowd was alot of locals combined with some phantoms fans.  

I didnt want to worry about parking, and I knew the police presence wouldn't be strong.  So that ruled me out of heading there.  Also after living in the city for a long time, I know it is common for people to shoot guns in the air at midnight.  Yea not getting hit with a stray bullet.

Im curious who forked the bill for this party?  Im going to guess the Phantoms didnt throw much out.  

Should the city be spending money on aerial display drones and throwing a big party when their is no Budget?  Yea I know Tuerk said he was passing the budget starting today.

Yes, I know he his violating the home rule charter section 807.  I hope someone investigates this.

S.-Steller, E.-Elite, I.-Ironclad, U. -Underdogs

 

Stellar Elite Ironclad Underdogs

This should be S.E.I.U motto.  

The way I see it is the Mayor has less than half a day to come up with a contract for these people.

But since he couldnt even get a budget passed for 2026, what makes anyone think SEIU has any chance? He has proven over and over again that he is inept as a Mayor. What is next? No budget no money.

Contract negotiations are at a standstill since Tuerk is trying to save money off the backs of the SEIU employees. His team continues to refuse any significant raises or other added benefits.

To all the SEIU workers. STRIKE! Don't play back and forth with these negotiators, remember they offered you 2% when the rest of the city got 3%. Another recommendation: show up to negotiations with a fire or police uniform, then maybe he will pay attention.

Wait until the next snow storm and Strike. 

Simple, drive the plows at 10mph. Not 25-35mph. Take long breaks. Hit some more car mirrors with the plows like you guys always do. Lmao. Someone took my mirror off one year. Its all good. It happens. Quit taking Tuerks shit.

Know your worth!! I do. You are out there freezing, and burning in the heat. You are the backbone of the city. Not the police. Definitely not the fire department. Not city hall.

Without the roads clear, everything stops. Simple as that. No plowing, no driving. Even a $50,000 mach E mustang wont go very far in a snow and ice storm, especially when buried under a mountain of snow.

Please have a safe and prosperous New Year.  Good things for 2026

Last picked in Dodgeball, gets his way

Well, no point and waiting as to what tonight's vote will be is there? The boy who had a temper tantrum to get his way has prevailed. 4% tax increase, along with your trash increase.  Way to start off 2026.  Everyone will suffer.  Goodbye once again to Hendricks.  You sold your soul to the devil and screwed the taxpayers of Allentown. 

A.I generated.

You are a typical selfish Allentown public servant.

This veto could make Tuerk go down as the most inept and worst mayor in the history of Allentown; and we have a Mayor in federal prison and one that started the financial decline with a pension gift to the police department.  Oh wait, didn't Hendricks benefit from that gift?

I mean let's be honest; this 4% isn't going to do shit for the budget.  The lawsuits alone this year will eat up the 4%.  

If they don't, then the police department will.  I'm hearing the Mayor has promised the police to get their DROP Pension that will eat up another $1million + a year.  Of course, the greedy firefighters will want a DROP for themselves. Then the rest of the city should piggy back using the Me Too clause so every city employee is eligible.

Just wait for this proposal by Mayor Tuerk.  It's coming in January, I'm hearing.  Also, the groundbreaking of the new police station should be starting soon.  The first year payments are 0 and deferred until the start of 2027.  That $40million bond is going to start.  Where is that money coming from? 2026 is going to expedite the bankruptcy process for the city of Allentown.   

Ms. Patel better setup a lemonade stand with CeCe outside City Hall to start increasing city revenue.

Oh here's a spoiler.  I am predicting Santo Napoli as the next Council President.  Be careful what you wish for Napoli. Remember in the hot seat you will be criticized the most.  Unless of course you always do the right thing.  I hope you do, so I can actually blog some positives things in 2026.

Added 920pm

Quoted from Mcall:

"Our position as the administration is we are going to use the 2026 budget we presented to City Council because it is the only budget that meets all of the criteria of the charter, which is a balanced budget presented to City Council prior to the end of the year,” Tuerk said.

He has no clue how to be mayor. He is elected by the voters, not anointed.

Attorney Montero had to set Tuerk straight since he thinks he knows it all, and said that the referendum means that the city will have no budget in place for 2026.

“That is a political question,” Montero said when asked how the city will move forward without a budget next year. “From a legal perspective, all I know is that there is no budget.”

He doesnt even know or want to follow the Home Rule Charter.  Read section 807.  You have no budget for 2026.  Good job Matt.  Guess people are not going to get paid.  

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?