The Crucifixion of Gavin Holihan

Gavin Holihan was the last assistant district attorney to forever DA Jim Martin. When Martin retired in 2023, he recommended Galvin as his replacement. Martin was a Republican, and Holihan ran on the Republican ticket for the position.

This year state representative Josh Siegel announced his candidacy for County Executive, and Holihan endorsed him. Siegel is a rather progressive Democrat, and that endorsement caused the local Republican Party to censure Holihan. Holihan claimed that as a state rep., Siegel was aggressive in bringing extra funding to local police departments. Holihan making the endorsement before he knew who the Republican candidate will be, only further annoyed his party.

Now, I do remember Siegel as an activist years ago, marching in Allentown with the Defund The Police group. His DNA is too progressive for my vote come November, but I believe that Holihan, regardless of his party affiliation, is entitled to make an endorsement based on his knowledge of a candidate. Meanwhile, back at the local Republican Party, individual party members are demeaning Holihan as a betrayer, weak, and rat.  Ironically, the Republican overreaction has given Siegel another talking point for his campaign. But worse for the Republicans, their censure of Holihan has generated more publicity for Siegel than he could have ever generated on his own. 

photo above taken by Lee Ann Smith, concerning apartment building at the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery

Republicans In Opposition

As a conservative independent, over the years this blog's audience trends Republican. The recent blog posts' comments, correspondently,  paint us in a golden era. While Democrats seem to have a wider range of  philosophy, from center left through liberal to progressive, the Republicans run a tighter ship. Differences in philosophy elicit labels, such as RINO,  even traitor.

As an independent, I'm disappointed at the lockstep occurring. However, there was a Principles First convention last week for the disenchanted Republicans, if only attracting about 1,200 attendees. Although no real game plan of action was formulated, I found the convention encouraging. 

Trump publicly made the cabinet subservient to Musk on Wednesday, by asking any cabinet member with an issue to speak up then and there, in front of the media. Musk is now established as the ramrod or foreman of Trump's Team. Loyalty remains the absolute requirement for the new Grand Old Party.

Space X and The Resolute Desk

As I revealed here last year on the blog, I have rented a small satellite office on the Space Coast. It's a small room on the upper story of an older building. While sparse with just a desk and cot, I do have a large window facing east..While I can't see the ocean, I can see the rockets fired from Cape Canaveral arching upwards.

In 2024, Elon Musk's Space X shot up 138 rockets carrying thousands of satellites for numerous companies and countries. For such a titan to be standing over the Resolute Desk, is unprecedented in American history. Usually presidents protected themselves with firewalls against such appearances. Once upon a time, Musk would have been a suspect for the Anti-Trust watchdogs. Musk's conflict of interest as a hyper-adviser, with Space X and NASA contracts, could only be ignored by Donald Trump, no other elected official would be so oblivious. 

The Republicans are calling the Trump/Musk association visionary. They're calling all Trump's appointments creative and what's needed to fix the ship of state. In reality, they're demoralizing the departments, and marginalizing the concept of qualifications. I would like to be able to differentiate between partisan and credible Republicans, but so far, the latter has not appeared. That delay to properly describe the emperor, will come back in 2026 and 2028 as a penalty at the polls.

Allentown's Ukrainians Are Not Happy

When Ukrainians meet this Saturday at their historic church on Fullerton Ave, Charlie Dent will be there. Although he hasn't represented them now for over four terms, he knows how tightly that community is woven into the fabric of Lehigh Valley. Recent congresswoman Susan Wild will also be there. Who won't be attending is current congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Although Trump's coattails helped get him elected with the MAGA wave, there is no intelligent way to explain why Trump would have called Zelensky a dictator, or that Ukraine started the war?

While many Americans are upset with Trump's reversal of foreign policy, with the local Ukrainian community it concerns the survival of their relatives. It concerns the blood their extended families have shed for the last three years.Trump can reverse and backtrack on many issues, but the local Ukrainians will not forget his ignorance, no matter what policy he finally adopts. They will also not forget Mackenzie's absence at their meeting. 

The Republican problem, which is coming home to roost faster than anyone imaged, is that Trump is not a Republican. After November 5th, 2024, he could care less about that party's future. But partisans are so desperate for victory, any ticket to ride was good enough. Mackenzie can issue statements about ICE and Northampton County, but the MAGA's will not be voting in 2026... That was a cult vote for Trump, not Mackenzie... But, the Ukrainians will be voting, and it won't be for Mackenzie.

ADDENDUM: I've been informed by Mackenzie's office that because congress is in session, it's not possible for him to attend the meeting at St. Mary's, but he did speak with the pastor, and sent a message to be read at the meeting.

shown above St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The White House Bully Pulpit

No one can accuse Trump of not working much during his first month in his second term as president. After firing all our top military leaders on Friday, I wish that he would take a week or longer off, and go play golf. 

By pulling the rug out from under Zelensky, he has managed to change long term American foreign policy in this first month. Musk seems to be the hyper active de-facto vice president, literally welding a chainsaw in Washington. He has already cut up and minced most of our safety nets. 

Most of Trump's MAGA supporters don't know what's even happening. Some hardcore ultra conservative are pleased with the shakeup, but CPAC only meets once a year, and they are also hardcore Republicans. Independent conservatives like myself are upset, so is the stock market.

While consequences are usually felt by the midterms, Republicans are already being called on the carpet by their constituents. Elected officials are pretty quick at reading the tea leaves. I think the pushback from congress will be coming sooner than Trump expects.  I'm hoping that Trump devotes more time to his golf game.

molovinsky on allentown, centering on local politics and history, is published every weekday.

Rainy Morning Chronicles, a conservative's journal, is published as warranted.

The Real Lessons At Allentown's New School

Allentown's finally getting a middle school on the East Side, but the real lessons there will never be taught or learned. 

There was never a public good component to the sale of the former State Hospital on Hanover Avenue. High bids were ignored, and Allentown's chosen developer was rewarded the prize by his associate Pat Browne, who still reigns in Harrisburg. Reilly is now selling a small portion of the parcel for three times more than he paid for the entirety, to the Allentown School System.

Likewise, the school district is snubbing local construction manager Alvin Butz for an out of town firm. Butz's contributions to the school system over the years have been notable. 

The system's superintendent, Carol Birks, states that although the district will comply with new directives concerning DEI, the changes will only affect language used, not actions. Considering how poorly the students are faring by all measurements, it would be better to change all actions, and leave the language the same. The district has been consumed with racial identity for years. They think that the teachers should look like the students, the principals should look like the students, even the superintendent should look like the students. A white superintendent had zero chance of getting hired in the last decade.

Former school board member Bob Smith is offering his experience to the voters once again. Hopefully he'll regain a seat on the new board.

shown above the former State Hospital

The Movies Of N. 8th Street

Two movie theaters were on the unit block of N. 8th Street, separated by one building. The Earle was demolished in 1961 to create another Park & Shop lot. The other theater, the Cinema, ceased operation in 1953, becoming a warehouse for the Farr shoe chain. The theater was built in 1917 as The Strand, but changed ownership and name in 1930. The lobby portion of the former Strand/Cinema still stands today, now being used as a tax service business. In the late 1970's, I operated a photographic darkroom business in part of the space.

reprinted from January of 2014

The Mad Men Of Allentown

Back in the day, the titans of Allentown would fill the five barberchairs of the Colonial Barbershop, 538 Hamilton Street. That was when the town had three department stores. That was when Wetherhold and Metzger had two shoe stores on Hamilton Street. That was when Harvey Farr would meet Donald Miller and John Leh at the Livingston Club for lunch, and discuss acquiring more lots for Park & Shop. By 1995 all that was gone, but Frank Gallucci, 82, would still give some old timers a trim. The Colonial Barbershop property, closed for many years, has been purchased by J.B. Reilly. It is my pleasure to present this previously unseen portrait of Gallucci, toward the end of his career.

photocredit:molovinsky

reprinted from May of 2013

Shade Tree Grant Wilted

Allentown City Hall was excited about a $milliion dollar shade tree grant.  It was supposedly going to save the residents in reduced electric costs. The grant is now tied up because of the Trump administration fund freezes. Mayor Tuerk even complained that the freeze hurts our kids...“Every kid knows how important trees are to clean air and clean water."  

Of course this miserable blogger has a different take on city trees. Unless they're planted southwest of the house, and at a certain distance, they won't help cool the house in the summer. But wait until the homeowners have to repair and replace their raised sidewalks, at their expense, from the tree roots. Wait until they have to clean the endless tree leaves and other tree droppings from their gutters.

I do share Tuerk's desire for our kids to experience water. What Allentown should do is take care of their parks as they were intended. They should replace the aging, damaged and now gone Weeping Willow trees along the creek banks. Besides for the Willows, which is all they need, they should mow the grass, so those kids can see and enjoy the water from our creek banks.

Allentown's New Building and Old Graves

Thanks to Allentown resident Lee Ann Thomas Smith, we learned this past November that the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery on Railroad Street was being desecrated by the construction of a new apartment house. Smith contacted WFMZ, who reported on the outrage. Allentown Mayor Tuerk said that he would arrange a meeting between the developer and church, I suppose to dress up bad planning and make some amends. Hopefully, they will plant a row of hedges between the tombstones and the new building. I assume a cemetery doesn't require a setback, as with another building.

Already years ago, I reported on what I called the Plywood Plaza. In essence, it seems that Allentown has not been providing much oversight on these new construction projects. It may well be that the city does not have the expertise to do so, but then such inspections should be farmed out to an engineering firm.

As for as the approval process, that has been compromised for years. Planning and zoning are compliant puppies, waiting to be petted. The neighborhood, otherwise essentially poor at the richest, will have its scarce parking further reduced.

BUT, there will be a grand ribbon cutting, and we'll learn that the neighborhood is being revitalized under inspired leadership.

photocredit:Lee Ann Thomas Smith

Ce-Ce and Me Part 2

Recently, I had a post about my long history with Ce-Ce. I first met Ce-Ce campaigning outside of the gate at the Allentown fair. Her goal at that time, in 2011, was the Allentown School Board.  A couple years later we met for coffee at the Hamilton Family Diner. Her sincerity reminded me of my old friend Emma Tropiano. 

When Ce-Ce first ran for City Council, I attended her fund raiser at the Brew Works. I think by then the distance in our politics was already apparent. Ce-Ce is so left of me now, that my old eyes can barely see that far. However, she's in synch with much of current Allentown. I hope she realizes that I also care about humanity, even if I don't subscribe to DEI as an operational priority.

For the upcoming Democratic primary, I'm supporting Ed Zucal for mayor. Although he's also somewhat to my left, he has institutional knowledge of what was once a safer Allentown.

Easton Says No Thanks To Welcome Mat

Easton's police chief and mayor for life are not eager to put Allentown's Welcoming City status on their door stoop. They also don't have or want Allentown's shooting and homicide schedule. 

While Venezuelan gang members were killing someone in the Poconos,  Allentown was proposing to become a Welcoming City. Easton's top cop senses that the Welcome City designation can only be a beacon for unnecessary commotion. 

Allentown city council, confronted and intimidated by a chamber full of Welcome supporters, adapted the ordinance. It's easy in our polarized society to be construed as anti-immigrant, or worse, even as a racist. Mayor Panto felt compelled to emphasize his appreciation of law abiding immigrants on social media the next day. I was disappointed to see the ordinance in Allentown pass unanimously.

Shown above Easton center square, 1948

Depot At Overlook Park

Old timers have noticed that the contractor's building on Hanover Avenue transformed into a community center for Overlook Park. But only the oldest, or train buffs, realized that the building was the freight depot and office for the Lehigh & New England Railroad. Lehigh & New England was formed in 1895, primarily as a coal carrier. The line ran from Allentown to Maybrook, New York.

In 1904 it was acquired by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. The line ceased operation in 1961. Among it's infrastructure were impressive bridges across both the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, both of which were dismantled. Ironic that a remnant of our industrial era is being utilized by the successor of a public housing project.

reprinted from February 17, 2011

photographs of Lehigh New England Railroad

Judge and Jury Alan Jennings

Alan Jennings was recently ranting on his facebook page about Trump/Musk shutting down the Consumer Finance Protection bureau. He wrote:

"Some of you may remember that my agency, now called Community Action Lehigh Valley, busted a mortgage fraud conspiracy that preyed on low-income Hispanics in downtown Allentown. We put a few guys in jail."

The targets of Jennings' campaign at the time supposedly participated in what was called predatory lending. Certain mortgage companies were giving mortgages to people with poor credit at a higher rate. I believe that it remains standard procedure for car loans and credit cards. Our enlightened, like Jennings, now focus on affordable housing, making low-income permanent tenants.

Jennings take great pride in jailing those mortgage brokers.  One of the people he sent to jail was married to a Hispanic woman, and was well appreciated for his work at a local mission.  Meanwhile, Jennings continues to campaign for Ed Pawlowski's release, whose criminal behavior cost every Allentown taxpayer more money on every contract he rigged during his reign.

Hunting For Non-Partisan In The Lehigh Valley

I owe Robert Orenstein for a snicker* when I read that his blog, Armchair Lehigh Valley, is non-partisan. He was the gatekeeper for the Morning Call opinion page. Almost all my submissions were rejected by him, because they were either too long for a letter, or too short for Another View. Lengthening or shortening them didn't help me get pass the gate :). Once, he actually told me that my piece only represented my opinion.  Imagine, sending an opinion to the Opinion Page?

His newsletter articles are now being printed by the Morning Call, and they in turn are promoting the newsletter. The newsletter is free, but he does have his hand out for donations.  It was under Orenstein's tenure that the three amigos were installed on the Another View page as regulars...Jennings, Cunningham and Iannelli. They're still there.

Those pieces of mine which did appear resulted from my annoying persistence. Several times I had to go over his head to be published. I do agree with him that there is a need for a local non-partisan outlet for local political news. I like to think that you're reading it here.

* a silent laugh

Mike Welsh Announces For County Executive

Mike Welsh, an extremely qualified local business man, has stepped forward to become our next county executive. 

“It’s an honor to step up to represent the County that I have had the privilege of calling home,” said Welsh. “Lehigh County has given me incredible opportunities — it’s where I’ve raised my family, run a small business, and served my community both in and out of office. Now, as our county grapples with new challenges and faces an uncertain future, it’s time for a steady hand and strong leadership. 

 “I know how to fight on behalf of residents and taxpayers. When I served as one of the few conservatives on the Allentown School Board, I fought against tax increases and wasteful spending while also working with both sides to get things done for students. And as a small business owner, I know the challenges that taxpayers and working families are facing in our county. I’m looking forward to fighting tax increases, supporting our local law enforcement, ending our status as a sanctuary county, and restoring common sense to the Lehigh County government.” 

As a political independent and blogger, I appreciate that county residents have a strong alternative to Democrat Josh Siegel, who never met a far left wing agenda that he didn't support.

Contact: Mike Welsh 

484-347-1833 

welshforexec@gmail.com

A Flash From Allentown's Past

In a 1997 Allentown of long ago, a controversial councilwoman lost a primary election for mayor by one vote. The councilwoman, Emma Tropiano, actually became more controversial after she passed away. She was branded as a racist by a newspaper at the time quick to judge. Years later, I heard the accusation/slur repeated by people who actually never knew her. But this post isn't about her, but about the person who beat her by one vote, Marty Velazquez. 

Velazquez was also a councilperson, and the first person with a Spanish name to serve in that position.  On Wednesday night, we learned that Marty is once again going to serve the city of Allentown, this time as the city's new HR director. 

Marty's hire is welcome by everybody, even this blogger! After last serving on council over twenty years ago, he re-enters a city hall mired in allegations of discrimination.  He has both the background and institutional knowledge to make a positive difference.

Trump Endangers Hostages

As Trump addressed Gaza at this press conference Tuesday night, I feared for the remaining hostages in Gaza. Trump was leaving nothing on the table for the Palestinians, much less Hamas, in whose hands the fate of the hostages lay.

As an independent, I could not bring myself to vote for the top of the ticket this past November. Both Republicans and Democrats complained that my decision was a vote for the other side. I mention this again, because after Tuesday night my non-vote decision was reaffirmed.

I was disappointed on Wednesday to read that Marco Rubio said...  As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again.. Although never thought of as a diplomat, his appointment as Secretary of State seemed less far out than some other cabinet picks.  Although all secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President, Rubio didn't have to parrot Trump's real estate banter.

Needless to say, Trump's plan won't play well in the Arab world. It won't even play well anywhere else in the world. Hopefully he'll start walking it back sooner than later.

Ce-Ce And Me

Ce-Ce Gerlach rocked South 16th Street this afternoon with a block party to raise funds for school uniforms. The block was packed with people enjoying several carnival attractions, music and food. From all reports, the new Allentown school uniform policy seems to have gotten off to a good start, but one issue is the cost of the  clothes.  With a large, low income student body, this can become a family hardship.  I'm sure Ce-Ce's organizing abilities  will help with this problem.  I've had a couple of conversations with Ce-Ce this past month, and I believe she will be a factor in Allentown's future.

above reprinted from September 7, 2013

UPDATE January 30,2018: Last evening I attended an early kickoff for Ce-Ce's campaign for Allentown City Council in 2019.  I've known Ce-Ce for years, and am glad to see her again offering her time and energy to Allentown.  In this sorry time we need people with her sincerity and integrity.

In regards to this sorry time,  it's my understanding that the prosecution against Pawlowski had a strong showing in court yesterday. Numerous witnesses, including former city employees, described bid rigging and a pay to play culture. Supposedly, the defense attorney seemed exasperated, and Pawlowski himself somewhat forlorn.

ADDENDUM MAY 30, 2023: This post harks back to 2013. Over the last ten years I have posted often about Ce-Ce. While she was trying to raise money for student uniforms back then, they have just become optional. While her progressive politics didn't earn my endorsement for the recent primary, come November Ce-Ce will certainly retain her City Council seat. 

Show above is the street party she organized in 2013. She is speaking with a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, a Black motorcycle club which visited the event.

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 5, 2025: Someone recently assumed that I didn't like Ce-Ce. On the contrary, I like her a lot. However, I couldn't be more opposed to some of her recent politics. One such initiative of hers is coming to vote tonight at city council....The Welcoming City Designation. At a time when gang members from Venezuela are being located and arrested, this would be a designation that Allentown surely doesn't need.

No Liberal Fix For The Carnage In Allentown

A shooting outside of an after hours club on Union Blvd. kept the emergency room busy. While one victim died, the other three survived. The newspaper tells us that this is the first homicide of 2025, after a recent low number in 2024.  What we're not told about last year is the total number of shootings, and bullets fired.  To this observer, those are the numbers that count.

The shooting isn't what brings us today's post, but rather the quote from Josh Siegel. “After-hour clubs like BKK Lounge undermine Allentown’s quality of life and our goal of building a safer city,... I believe in a vibrant and thriving nightlife, but not at the expense of safety and security"

Josh Siegel is the state rep from Allentown center city and aspiring to be county executive. If the current  Morning Call reporters had more institutional memory, they would remember when not that many years ago Josh marched up Hamilton Street with the Defund The Police crowd. I'll spare Josh some of the chants shouted that day, but they surely will not appear in his campaign literature. If the APD had more boots on the ground, perhaps cars could be assigned to the clubs' parking lots. It's not the first shooting outside one of these places.

Prostitutes and Rape in Allentown

A former Allentown police officer is charged with rape. News headlines tell us that someone can be sentenced to life in prison for certain rapes.  A street walker gets into a car voluntarily, discovers the driver is a cop, and then complains that she performed a sex act under duress, is that rape?  If an officer coerces someone he pulled over in a traffic stop for a sex act, that is rape. If a cop pulls a young girl into his car, that is rape. I understand that my feminist readers will take offense with this post. Many of my posts offend someone.

Supposedly these indiscretions were alleged before, and the previous DA declined to prosecute. There appears to be new allegations that the charged officer withheld confiscated drug money from the department. The illegality of that charge would be indisputable. Apologies, but I find rape too strong of a word against a prostitute who got into a car to perform a sex act.

Regardless of my outlook on the situation, Mayor Tuerk has a conundrum to straighten out before the upcoming election. He has stood behind police chief Roca since being elected. Will Tuerk continue that support, or will Roca find himself under a Lanta bus?