As you approach 12th and Hamilton, although much money was spent on the Arc of Reilly, the corner is dominated by homemade tinfoil signs. The signs are religious in nature, and quite prevalent...They are what grabs your eye, not Reilly's arch.
Although I remain an outlander, I do occasionally communicate with the establishment. While the city is not happy about the display, it is like pesky bloggers protected by law. I also had a short chat with the pastor, who is steadfast about his mission.
Although much of my blog audience is distressed about my recent concentration on national issues, I do still patrol Allentown. Understand that as this blog approaches its 19th year, and I approach my cankerous 8th decade, I offer no apologies in regard to my blog topics.
This is the Blogosphere ‘neighborhood’ that best suits you, and frankly, where you should remain. Here is where your experience and expertise lies.
ReplyDeleteYour forays over the past few months into World and Federal issues and personalities was not very successful short of 2-3 of the usual blockheaded liberals who felt the need to chime in with little more than repeated liberal talking points expressed at those type ‘news’ outlets that unfortunately occupy most of America’s information outlets.
For me, a valuable Blog is one that offers real substance and original thought for contemplation. Simply making unsubstantiated accusations and slanders against persons one has never even met diminishes that Blog in value. There’s got to be more brought to the table.
Local is where you have always shined Mr. Molovinsky. Why? Because you lived, and are living, in the local here and now. You have legitimate insight to share.
I’d like to hear your views about the specific region we both inhabit, Allentown and Lehigh Valley. Convincing others not to approve of Trump is, to me, a real waste of time.
Recently, we’ve read in the Morning Call (Evan’s piece) a surprising revelation that for the first time since its inception (19 years?) the NIZ has finally produced the same revenue for the city it was already receiving without the NIZ!
We’ve learned of the usual local pass-the-buck homeless problem. We’ve seen continued growth in petty and worse crimes in Allentown that are obviously spreading outward. We still see no evidence that sufficient amounts of people actually live in all those taxpayer built Reilly apartments.
We get continued wildly exaggerated attendance figures from Musikfest and suspicious (possibly paid for) awards won by Hotel Bethlehem and Main Street.
We have the Cumberland Gardens Youth Center supposedly closing and the YMCA being re-invented from its original purpose. We see an obvious uptick in litter throughout the region.
We recognize the Morning Call content shrinking to a point that’s hardly worth paying for, and know from a mostly hidden posting of its circulation numbers, our local newspaper is down to about 25,000 hard copies distributed from what had been 100,000+.
Lots to examine right here, and only independent bloggers are left to do this. HERE’s your niche, Mr. Molovinsky!
anon@7:35: Let's condense and translate your long comment. You're a purebred Republican, who valued blaming Allentown's decline on its one party reality. So my posts critical of Trump annoy you on their own merit, and deny you the opportunity to lament Allentown's Democratic rule. I'm afraid you'll have to content yourself over at Allentown Truth.
ReplyDeleteAllentown will remain a one party town. The litter and loud music will also remain. Besides for an occasional New York Times writer visiting for three hours, the valley knows that the NIZ is a potemkin village.
I'm not looking for a niche, nor growing my audience. As my blog header states, history and politics, local and beyond.
OK, then. Have a good life! Oh, by the way, I’ve been registered No Party for at least 10 years.
DeleteI would have to agree with everything the earlier comment said, I believe it was at 9:39.
ReplyDeleteFull disclosure:
I am not now, nor have I ever been, a Republican. The LV D Party types finds my positions repugnant and wants no to do with me, emphasis on nothing. Mayor Matt, who I have know for many years, for example, blocked me several years ago.
I served with his lovely and competent wife on the Allentown EAC.
To cover all the likely bases, I was raised in a rather old fashioned Irish Catholic household and I am told product of 10 years of a Parochial education, half of it pre-Vatican II.
I am also staring down 80.
Further information upon request.
anon/Michael Adams at 9:23: Please START your comments with your name, that way you won't have to keep sending "forgot to sign my name" followup comments.
ReplyDeleteYou might as well be a registered Republican from your current enthusiasm for this administration.
But I'm not concerned with how you or I feel about the administration. As a pundit in training, I do believe there will be a blue tidal waves in November and in 2028.
No reply please, especially about boys in girl's locker rooms, WAY too repetitive
This post is about how twenty rolls of tinfoil upstage an unnecessary $500K arch.
That gentleman who sets up shop on 12th and hamilton is there every day, rain or shine, even in the blustery cold we had this winter. He asks for nothing and does not bother anybody. Yesterday he had a broom and was sweeping up the corner around the bus stop. Look at the southern end of the arch and you can find burned out buildings with a fence around them. Welcome to Downtown Allentown. When will they have to raze or repair those?
ReplyDeleteThe City should tear down those stupid hand made signs that are posted in the public right of way.
ReplyDeleteIt can be interpreted as folk art and deserves to be protected.
ReplyDeleteApparently I wasn't clear enough...the signs are protected by the 1st amendment, or they would have been removed long ago.
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe so. The man certainly has the right to stand there holding whatever sign he wants. He can even bring friends, and have them hold some of his signs. He does not have the right to cover all four corners of the intersection with them and attach them the light and sign poles, or to block the sidewalk with standing displays. This is settled law.
DeleteOnce again, the problem is one of lack of standards and enforcement from the current city administration.
Unfortunately, the current city administration has no real intent of improving the city or making the lives of residents better. So this is the result.
I have a feeling there would be a much different response from city hall if the signs were pro-Trump. Maybe if a local Trump supporter attached a few “God wants Trump 2028” signs to the arch, we’d get the proper (and equal) response from the city.
anon@3:45: I cannot address the legality of your points, but the sidewalks are NOT blocked by any of the signs. As noted in the post I did consult with an official, who stated that it was "protected" expression.
ReplyDeleteThey are wrong. And tell the people trying to get out of the street and onto the sidewalk that they’re not being blocked by those “sandwich board” signs.
DeleteBut if the official is giving the ok to run rampant, maybe it’s time to put the MOA logo and message of the day on the arch.
Again, when you have no standards, this is what you get.
anon@4:47: Too bad you have to give your name to speak at City Council, otherwise you could set them straight about those signs.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re so concerned about people giving their name, why don’t you remove the anonymous option?
DeleteOtherwise, why don’t you STFU?
anon@5:53: Most bloggers have their own policy. Mine is clearly indicated by the comment box. I leave many comments unprinted, especially short compliments, i.e. "good post". I tend to print more insults, especially from keyboard warriors like you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that people have the right to free speech, posting signs on public property is another matter. Quick research on the subject shows there is an ordinances in the law including PA state law. Reading thru Allentown's § 505 seems to state that such posting would be illegal, whether ignored by the city or not.
ReplyDeleteThe Anonymous option is important, without it MM would have nothing to complain about or to justify the need for censorship.
ReplyDeleteanon@10:43: Not printing every boring or repetitive comment is NOT censorship, it is editing. I do not "edit" out comments because they are critical of me or my point of view.
ReplyDeleteI'm frankly confused why people comment under their name on Facebook, yet want to be anonymous on a blog?