The Night They Shot Emma Down

There was a time in Allentown's past, during the Heydt Administrations, when neighborhood groups had great influence. Special parochial interests prevailed; the neighbors of Muhlenberg College got the city to past special restrictive zoning against student renting(unconstitutional,shame on the college for laying down), Rental Inspections Law, in effect creating two classes of property owners, West Park Historic District, against the majority of homeowners wishes, etc... yes it was an effective machine which even resulted in the election of two members to city council, Pam Varkony and Tom Burke., everyone was happy, the mayor got support and the neighborhood associations got special considerations., There was only one fly in the ointment, the one and the only EMMA TROPIANO. She always voted for the "people" and what she considered fair. She delayed the passage of these measures, and was punished on Oct. 16, 2001. Invited to a candidate's night, she was confronted with special "yes or no" questions designed to specifically humiliate her. She refused to acknowledge that she was delinquent in taxes and had a building declared unfit (two recent developments from property she inherited) The Morning Call reporter was more than glad to answer for her in the next morning's paper. That was the end of Emma's career. It was also the end of decency in Allentown's political arena. She served 16 years on City Council, aided thousands of citizens, and earned my lasting respect.

reprinted from June 2, 2007

ADDENDUM: BILLY GIVENS RECOGNIZES EMMA

Sal Panto Says

Sal Panto and I have been having words on the blogosphere, both here and on Bernie's O'Hare's site. Panto, Easton's Mayor, doesn't like what I'm saying about his Lanta Plans. Before I go too far explaining the story, I should make a couple of confessions. I have referred to Sal as a retread; Easton tends to recycle it's mayors. I have referred to the coming High School Sports Museum as the Al Bundy Hall of Fame.

Sal Panto says:
Oh one other thing, you will be eating your Al Bundy comment about the National High School Sports Hall of Fame in a month or so when some exciting announcements will be made. Just another example of you being confused by the facts (in this case you don't even have the facts becasue all of them haven't been released yet.)

In Easton, Lanta is to build a transfer terminal several blocks away from the square and Northampton Street, as Allentown did at Sixth and Linden. Easton, like Allentown, has no destination stores in it's downtown. However, when people have to wait for their transfer bus, they will shop if the store is right there, and they're waiting anyway. When the transfer stops were removed from Hamilton Street, business there declined 40%. Although buses still stop on Hamilton and adjoining corners, the riders will not make an additional stop to shop in the stores; They will not interrupt their ride to the transfer point. There is a big difference, commerce wise, between a bus stop and transfer stops. Panto doesn't understand this difference. He keeps repeating that the buses will still stop on Northampton Street.

Sal Panto says:
Again the facts -- there will still be bus stops on Northampton Street. Transfers will be at the new transportation center.

Sal says that I criticize him, but do not take him up on his offer to come to Easton and hear his patter in person. More important, I suggested that Sal come to Allentown, and speak to a few merchants on Hamilton Street; In twenty miles and twenty minutes, he could learn what will happen to the Easton dollar stores, which now depend on the current bus transfer stops.

I hope when they bring Sal out of mothballs for the third time, he will invite me again.

No Dutchmen Need Apply

Mildred and Milton are upset. They lived and worked their entire lives in Allentown. They both started working in sewing factories after high school and spend their working lives there. During the late 60's they owned their only car, and always lived in apartments. They never sought any help from the government, their culture taught them to make it do, use it up, wear it out and do without. When they heard about these new apartments overlooking the Lehigh, they thought that would be a nice reward for a life of hard work. They were told it would take years,years they don't have, to get on the list. Its hard for them to understand how brandnew comers to the area, who don't even speak English, go to the head of the line. They don't know about the poverty pimps, the social organizations, funded by grants; The professional advocates who know what buttons to push, who make a career out of political correctness. Maybe we need a Pennsylvania Dutch American Organization.

reprinted from June 26, 2007

A Vanishing History

Most of you know it as the Phoenix Building, a sprawling old factory building on Race Street, between Hamilton and Linden. When in opened in 1881 as the Adelaide Silk Mill, it was the largest in the world. By 1928 Allentown had over 140 textile factories; it was the second largest industry and employer in the region, only behind assorted metal fabricators.

There is an interesting editorial* in today's Morning Call. As efforts continue to brand the area Lehigh Valley, Josh Friebolin ponders the loss of local history and culture. Josh may share my frustration with the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum. Last year I reported that Frank Whelan, a local historian who was formally with the Morning Call, was laid off by the Museum. The current director, not from the area, is an expert on Abraham Lincoln. The show on the famous President, although not a local topic, was understandable. The Museum now has a show on reducing electricity consumption, based on it's experience. I can understand the topic for the Da Vinci Science Center, but our local Historical Society?

I would like to see a show on the local needle trade industry. The last remaining factories have closed. Thousands of people in this area worked in the sewing factories. The remaining testimony and artifacts are quickly disappearing. What will future researchers be able to uncover, when our Historical Society is too cosmopolitan to document our own past?

* this well written piece does not appear on mcall under the opinion section, but is misplaced under sports

ADDENDUM: ALLENTOWN AFTERTHOUGHTS PICKS UP THIS POST, AND RICH FLAGG INFORMS OF A NEW ERA IN THE LOCAL APPAREL INDUSTRY

Addressed To City Council

This evening, you will hear testimony from various people enthusiastic about the cure-all called the Trail Network Plan. My fellow blogger, Andrew Kleiner, believes it is the lighthouse for a new awareness of our environment. Recreation (and park) Director Weitzel sees it saving our children from obesity. The Greeenway Consultant has promised economic recovery for the City.

I am unable to attend the meeting; Please forgive the presumption that some of you may read my opinion here on this blog, and a sincere thank you if you do. Not that many months ago, a huge crowd gathered in the Council Chamber to express their dissatisfaction with the Cedar Park Plans. Mr. Weitzel claimed that the public was missing in action from the planning meetings; they were johnny come lately then. Once again the public input process raises more questions than it answers. Although the third and final meeting was properly publicized in January, few public knew about or attended the previous meetings. The plan seems particularly orientated to bicyclists, raising many concerns to everyone else who enjoys walking, or just strolling on the paths. Although bicycles are now accommodated, does it serve the greater public's interest to have many more cyclists? Safety concerns have been raised about the preference for hard-surface trails, which will encourage even faster cycling.











I was especially upset at the January meeting to see that the grand stairways leading up from Fountain Park to Union Street, and then up to Spring Garden Street, were not included in the planning. The consultants touted how their plan would connect the intercity residents to the park system, while these steps were built and used for that exact purpose. But most disturbing, is that I realize we are building more, while not maintaining what we already have. Will this plan distract both our attention and resources from properly maintaining our existing park features?

Council Members acknowledged that the Cedar Park Plans got ahead of their oversight. I respectfully ask you now to consider not allowing that situation to repeat itself; The commotion from last summer is avoidable. Our park department currently has 17 less workers; we can build more with grants, but can we maintain more? Legitimate concerns have been raised about encouraging faster bicycle use on the paths, and the paving and widening of the paths. Let us slow down and smell the coming spring flowers. You have heard from the Park Department, the paid consultants, the cyclist lobby; give the general public more of an opportunity, it is really their parks.

Growth Industry In Allentown

Yesterday I went to the Social Security Office, across from the prison, to discuss my retirement options. I was given number 199. In addition to retirement, Social Security also dispenses money for disability. I would say from the gray hair, there were about three of us contemplating retirement, all the others were for disability. A few middle age men were carrying their fake canes. The canes aren't fake, it's the disabilities. I saw one such gentleman walk in from the parking lot, clearly the cane bore no weight, and was merely a prop. Most of the people waiting were quite young, in their twenties. Disability has now been expanded to include mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, additive personality and anger management. I will say many of them did look angry to me. It was hard finding a parking space. Business also looked good at the prison. If Johnny Manana's had gotten these crowds....

reprinted from Nov. 18, 2008