Courtesy of the Floor

This video clip was shot by Bernie O'Hare at Council on Wednesday Sept. 1, 2010, and was presented on his blog Lehigh Valley Ramblings.

Censure Time

Allentown City Council has been much more assertive against it's citizens than the Administration. To my memory, no Pawlowski initiative has failed to pass, but they're pretty tough with the public. When I asked Council President D'Amore if he would distance himself from Stephen Barron's threats to T-Mobile, his reply was silence. When Bob Romancheck asked Council if they would censure D'Amore, the answer was silence. Northampton County, in it's first scheduled meeting since this controversy became public, has censured Barron. Their County Executive immediately sent an apology to T-Mobile. Allentown has spent $millions of dollars trying to lure business here. What's the message, come to Allentown and be harassed about unionizing? For my tax dollars D'Amore can resign, his arrogance has well exceeded his accomplishments. Unless he has at least the consideration to defend his actions to the citizens of Allentown, his fellow Councilors should censure; He was elected, not anointed.

Time To Go

It's time for Michael D'Amore to go; It's time for him to resign. I first realized how much contempt he had for the citizens last summer.


Over 60 citizens signed a petition last July, under the Home Rule Charter, to put an item on the Council Agenda. Council President D'Amore declined to include the item, although all conditions were met, and the signatures were verified by the City Clerk. He even attempted to prohibit discussion of the issue, (Cedar Park Plan) although more than 150 concerned citizens had come to the Council Meeting. A discussion only occurred at the insistence of Council member Jeanette Eichenwald. I have provided a copy of the charter rule below; Inclusion is not at the option of Council President.

Apparently, Mr. D'Amore feels that as President he does have options above and beyond the Charter, even if the citizens deserve less rights. He may visit Lehigh Valley employers, and be part of a threat if they don't respond to his Mummer Parade Strut up to the door. He was fully part and parcel of Stephen Barron's threat. He didn't disclaim Barron's words or Barron's use of the word "We're", then, or since. The reason I seek D'Amore's resignation is that City Council is suppose to be the watchdog on contracts with the various unions representing city workers. Can D'Amore now claim that he is putting the taxpayer's interest ahead of the union when the next contract comes up for approval? This union advocate even wants to be Mayor. Could you imagine him negotiating, he'll make Afflerbach look good. Michael, I wish you well. Go back to teaching full time and being a union sycophant, but please first resign from City Council.
SECTION 1010
CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
A. The qualified voters of the City of Allentown, upon receipt of a petition by the City Clerk, may
enter one agenda item on the regular agenda of City Council.
B. The petition filed with the City Clerk must contain the signatures and addresses of thirty-five
(35) registered qualified voters of the City, and the item to be placed on the agenda of City Council for
discussion/consideration before Council. Upon receipt of such petition and a two (2) day
review/certification period of the petition by the City Clerk, the President of City Council must include the
item on the agenda at the next regularly scheduled meeting of City Council.

The Mighty Atom

Years ago, at the Allentown Fair, as one would push through a sea of carney delusion, tucked back by the 4H animals, was an island of reality. There, in an old battered truck, an ancient Jewish strongman performed incredible feats of strength, to sell only homemade kosher soap. Standing on a platform on the rear of his truck, flanked by photographs from his performing youth, he would bent horse shoes and bite through nails. Many years earlier, my mother as a little girl in Bethlehem, saw him pull a truck uphill with his hair. Even as an old man, like a reincarnation of Samson, his grey hair was still long.
In the summers of 1964 and 1965, myself and a friend,(Fred Schoenk, retired Allentown art teacher) made and sold printed tee-shirts at the fair. We had the honor to know Joseph Greenstein(The Mighty Atom) and his wife. For those interested, there are various articles on the Mighty Atom and even at least one book. Enjoy the fair!

post reprinted from Aug.24,2007 and Sept.2, 2009

Northampton and Lehigh County Threaten T-Mobile

Steve Barron and Michael D'Amore, identifying themselves as public officials from Northampton and Lehigh County, threaten a T-Mobile executive. Mr. Stoffa and Cunningham, is Barron authorized to use his position in this way? I know that Michael D'Amore exceeded his authority.


As a taxpayer, I appreciate T-Mobile choosing to locate here, providing employment and paying taxes. The unionization of their employee's should be an internal matter between management and workers. It is totally inappropriate for D'Amore to use his city title in such a manner. Barron, in my opinion, should be replaced as controller.

Did Barron speak up for the union workers at Gracedale?

UPDATE: It took less than two hours for the first utube to be removed (this is another edition) It ends with Steve Barron, after being refused entry, giving the T-Mobile security guard a message for T-Mobiles's Vice President visiting the Allentown center

"Please remind him that if he needs anything from Lehigh County, we're going to remember this day."

This post is based on the current post by LVCI, which still has a working version of the utube as of 1:30 pm

The King has Abdicated

In 1958 my father had a food stand at the fair. It took him about an hour to realize you can not sell hot dogs in the King's back yard; Yocco, the hot dog king. When Yocco's claimed last year they were not at the fair because their canvas ripped, I was skeptical. This year it's official, they have abdicated their spot. Tonight the fair was jammed. In Ag Hall the granges still compete in vegetable canning. A wiseguy still incites you to dunk him. The world's smallest horse hasn't grown. Maybe Yocco's is gone, but the fair is still much more like 1958 than any other aspect of Allentown.

reprinted from Aug. 28, 2007 and Sept. 1, 2009