The Second Tenant

As both a property manager and a political activist, I know Allentown needs less housing, not more, to upgrade itself out of its current problems. I have opposed the mass conversion of commercial space into loft apartments, and the building of new townhouses on former parking lots. The apologists for this administration, both amateur and professional, dismissed my perspective as nay-saying, claiming a middle-class will relocate to these urban experiments. Experience has taught me that the first tenant doesn't matter, who will be the second and third tenant? Will that new apartment soon be occupied by another young unwed mother on a buffet of entitlements. Several years ago the residents around St. Pauls Church, at 8th and Walnut, objected to losing the neighborhood parking lots for a Nic Zawarski Townhouse project. Pawlowski and The Parking Authority bestowed the parking lots, high hopes and KOZ status on the new townhouses. Those completed and unsold are now being offered for rent.* Although the apologists explained how the units were built for childless well heeled buyers, under the reality of federal rental discrimination laws, the Allentown School System better buy a few more desks.

*http://www.niczhomes.com/rental-properties/rental-communities.php

No Past, No Future

Yesterday, I went to the local history room at the public library to continue my research on Mt. Sinai, the old Jewish section of Fairview Cemetery. Sometimes you get lucky, sharing the room with me was Frank Whelan, Allentown's history expert. Many of you may remember Ask Frank, his column at The Morning Call. I found nothing in the card catalog on either Mt. Sinai or Fairview. On a hunch I asked Frank, a Christian, if he knew anything about the obscure Jewish Mt. Sinai; I hit the jackpot. Unfortunately, Allentown is not as lucky. Frank has been laid off from his position at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, operated by the Lehigh County Historical Society. Their director, Joseph Garrera, although an expert on Lincoln, is not even from this area. It seems that the local historical society, with a half dozen or so paid positions, chose to dismiss the only local expert on the staff to save a few bucks. Frank's salary was nominal, I'm sure it costs more to feed the penguins at the zoo. Allentown is changing quickly in every way. It is not enough for the Museum to save the local artifacts, while it discards the local resources.

Allentown Crime Down

According to statistics released by the State Police, crime rates have decreased in Allentown. If this makes you feel safer, please stop reading this blog now, because you are a moron. However, there are other local blogs you may well enjoy, among others, I suggest Allentown Good News or Lehigh Valley Somebody. If your interested in seeing a powerpoint presentation of the actual statistics and charts, attend an upcoming campaign meeting with Mayor Pawlowski. Many of his presentations can be seen at suburban churches, comfortably away from the "safety" of Allentown. Although this report may be of little consolation to the 85 year old west Allentown woman, recently punched three times in the face in her own garage, these numbers are music for those who design election brochures. This city has degenerated into the frightening realm of home invasions, what can it matter that vehicle thefts have decreased from 553 to 492?

Photo, courtesy of William Weber from the Herman L. Weber Collection

Exclusive Interview with Pawlowski

Bill and Angie Villa have just announced that they have arranged an exclusive interview with Mayor Pawlowski. They will accept questions the public wishes to ask the mayor. Here's a few questions; Does the mayor have any hesitation about being interviewed by a couple who are routinely dishonest about what they and others say? Does he object to the Villa's assuming other people's identity on their and other people's blogs? Is he bothered by the fact that the Villa's continually attack the integrity of the District Attorney and the Editor of The Morning Call? Does he mind that the Villa's submitted a member of Allentown City Council and a Northampton County District Justice to insults?

Weed and Seedy

In the 2005 Mayoral Campaign, as I listened to Edwin Pawlowski elaborate on how he would energize the local Weed and Seed initiative, although he never mentioned involuntary home inspections, I called it a crab grass program. Apparently I was wrong, it may well be a crass grab program. Today I interacted with the National Weed and Seed headquarters, they are not familiar with any mandatory homeowner participation, which is exactly what Allentown's systematic inspections constitute. I call upon Phyllis Alexander, Coordinator for Allentown's Weed and Seed, to explain this unique interpretation of a national program and justify the imposition upon our homeowners.

In Jarrett Renshaw We Trust?

So far I'm impressed with Renshaw's (Morning Call reporter) coverage of Mayor Pawlowski. Assuming he will cover the election, which will be slightly longer than the recent shelf life of city beat reporter, I'm hopeful for fair coverage. The coverage in the 2005 election was not fair. Although I do have an axe to grind with the reporter at that time, Daryl Nerl, I think my assertion is not unwarranted. Pawlowski for that election hired Bob Whittman, Nerl's former city beat partner, as his press secretary. Pawlowski's Republican opponent, former Mayor William Heydt, struggled for equal coverage. My campaign was ignored and suppressed. Nerl confessed to me he thought my idea's would resonate with the public, but he refused to print them. On the other hand, Whittman handed Nerl ready to publish stories. For this election Pawlowski had hired former Morning Call reporter Joe McDermott. Let us hope that McDermott has less clout with Renshaw.