Jeanette At Bat

This past Tuesday evening over 70 Allentownians gathered in Council Chambers to express their dissatisfaction with the Cedar Creek Park Plans. There is a special bond between long term residents of this community and our nationally recognized park system. We see the park as perfection of design, requiring only dedicated maintenance. Unfortunately, the new Park Director sees it as a palette to make his mark. By now readers know my reverence for the parks, so lets get to the meat of the meeting. The meeting was called by Tony Phillips, both Chairman of the Park and Recreation Committee, but also Republican candidate for mayor. Although he was stonewalled by the other committee members, and the administration, councilwoman Jeanette Eichenwald joined Tony on the dais. She told the citizens that she fully believed a compromise was needed, and a plan could be reached which served the sensibilities of all involved. Enter Michael Donovan; although Donovan was not at the meeting, on his blog, called Inclusion*, he reveals that he will sponsor legislation to interrupt the project for proper public input. Proponents of the plan must realize that the Rose Garden hasn't had a wedding pavilion for 80 years, a month or two more of deliberation is reasonable. Although Tony may well introduce a similar bill, can democrat Eichenwald really support Pawlowski's opponent? There is probably nobody on council more conciliatory than Donovan, also a democrat. He's looking for someone to second his proposal. I'm confident Jeanette will seize the opportunity to put meaningful action behind her eloquent words.

www.donovanforallentown.blogspot.com

Can Phillips Unwrap the Present ?

Tony Phillips, who thus far has offered little as a candidate, didn't even seem to realize the present he was handed last night. Over seventy people filled Council Chambers to vent their outrage over plans to remake our beloved Cedar Creek Park. Mayor Pawlowski, who was in the building, ignored these taxpaying voters. More insulting, he directed his park director not to attend. In the Mayor's mind, and that of councilman Peter Schweyer, the issue is closed. Truth be known, even the Morning Call reporter doesn't fully understand the ramifications. He quoted the mayor that there was sufficient public input and noted a drawing of the plan was taped on the wall near council chambers for months. Council Chambers hold 125 people, Allentown has 108,000 citizens. When a Mayor from Chicago, and a Recreation Director from Philadelphia, wish to remake Allentown's historic, iconic Park System, public notification must be more than a rendering taped on a wall; that packed Council Chamber last night demonstrates the notification was insufficient. Tony concluded by telling the crowd that they must organize and make their feeling's known to Council. WRONG!. Don't tell the citizens what they must do, they attended last evening expecting you to do something. Last night was the second time some of these people came to the council chamber to express their displeasure. Tony, it's time to show some leadership, especially if you want to be mayor. Council is on record as stating they didn't fully understand the scope and scale of the plans which they approved. Council didn't even see plans for the "Destination Playground" until minutes before they approved it. The City Charter demands fourteen days of due diligence, unless the rules were suspended. There was no such suspension that evening.
Submit an ordinance to your colleagues, Ms. Eichenwald will second it, withholding use of those park funds until which time there is proper public input.

Park Assault Unreported

On July 15th, thirteen of fourteen citizens, including a direct descendent of General Trexler, told City Council that the new recreational based plans for Cedar Park would be an assault on their quality of life. All lamented the overuse of the park, and the total disregard for the park's traditions. The fourteenth speaker complained about his neighbor's pigeons. The Morning Call this week wrote a two page feature about the pigeons, and today's "quote for the week" was about the pigeons. The pigeons of course concern one person, and are a temporary problem, while the park plans upset thousands of citizens and are changes forever. Also, in today's paper, the president of the Wildlands Conservancy, Christopher Kocher, joined his associates in dancing on the head of pin. He is "Confident" the City will protect South Mountain, even though it spend $7,500 hiring a professional lumber consultant after signing a "Appropriate Stewardship" agreement with the Conservancy in April.

In spite of enabling by the Conservancy, and confused priorities by The Morning Call, I urge all Allentownians to once again attempt to defend our parks this Tuesday evening, July 28th, at 6:30, City Council Chamber.

photocredit: Thomas Grim

Weigh In On 1948

1948 was a good year for Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. Mack Trucks, Lehigh Structural Steel, General Electric and almost all factories were going full steam. President Truman stopped by to give a speech. The Allentown Cardinals played the first game in their new ballpark, Breadon Field. The baby boom was going full tilt:



The school district unveiled Lehigh Parkway and Midway Manor Elementary Schools and the new professional style football stadium. Donald Hock was Mayor, and although the last beer was being brewed on Lawrence Street at Daeufer Brewery, the Paddock joined many new restaurants opening that year. Photo's from Dorney Park in 1948.

Phillips Serves Up Weitzel

This coming Tuesday evening, July 28th at 6:30 pm., Tony Phillips will be serving up Greg Weitzel in the Council Chambers, but it won't be a fresh meal. Tony, as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, wants Weitzel to explain the park plans, and for the public to have an opportunity for input; trouble is the horse already left the barn long ago. Council, including Phillips, approved all the appropriations for the Cedar Park Renovations last year, and didn't question at that time the lack of public participation. Never the less, I will attend the barbecue, with a few questions, both for Weitzel and Phillips.

Plaza Growers Market

Every Wednesday at lunch time, 11:30 to 1:30, find a small, but interesting mix of local growers and food vendors at the PPL Plaza, 9th and Hamilton Streets. The market also provides live entertainment by some of the better known local musicians.

photocredit: molovinsky