Union Made in Allentown

There was a time in Allentown when the label Union Made, or Made in USA, referred to a product, now it's a pandering politician. Although the City has yet to secure a developer for the proposed office building and hotel on the arena block, the Administration's hand puppet, the ACIDA, announced that all construction will be union done. Morning Call reporter Scott Kraus notes that the construction unions contributed over $36,000 to Pawlowski in 2011. When the construction is completed, nothing will be produced in these new buildings. There are no union jobs in these new buildings, instead, people stick their McDonald's wages into slot machines, look at art or toothless skating Canadians. The rat pictured above, visited Reilly's City Center Development Company this past summer. If the chosen private developers will also be required to use union construction, has yet to be announced.

A Force in Allentown

I received a nice compliment the other day, somebody told me that I was a force in Allentown. I'll take the compliment as remuneration for the time and effort put into this blog. I see blogging as a component of community activism. Andrew Kleiner has put his blog to use to promote ecology in the park system. Bernie O'Hare functions as a one man newspaper, and is a force in the entire valley. My posts, in addition to Allentown politics, also cover local history. These subjects are not unrelated, as local political ambitions and projects are often at the expense of our history and culture. Perhaps, even my occasional boxing posts relate to those who wouldn't mind punching me in the nose. I regret my lack of diplomacy, but blame genetics. Today's photograph predates the current concrete Hamilton Street bridge, with it's two west side entrance ramps. The former old metal bridge, had Union and Hamilton Streets merged into one ramp, passing the massive Arbogast & Bastian Meat Packing Plant. Next week, another historic bridge is in jeopardy. Although structurally sound, Lehigh County has appropriated funds to replace the stone arch bridge by Union Terrace. More on that later....

The Strange Case of Dr. Mota

Thurs. March 8, 2012*. Last night, only weeks after being appointed to City Council and promising to represent the little people, Cynthia Mota joined the Administration Machine. Her change of vote to support the Trash to Private Cash scheme was expected. Her reprogramming began immediately after she voted against it, two weeks ago. Although she admitted to Colin McEvoy of the Express Times that she received threats, that behavior was overlooked, to forward the Administration's agenda. Although she will not be representing the interests of the Hispanic Community, she now becomes the second si vote on Council.

* This blog often posts about the past, so today we cover the future.

Open Mike

Long time readers of this blog know that previously my Open Mike sessions were illustrated by a radio microphone. This lone blog publishes no political press releases, bashes no political opponents, and promotes no politician's agenda. Nothing is off topic today.

World War Ringside

Joe Louis had won his previous 23 fights, and was expected to do the same against Germany's Max Schmeling in June of 1936. Instead, the large crowd at Yankee Stadium saw the older Schmeling, a former World Champion, outscore Louis, and then knock him out in the 12th. Schmeling would go back to Hitler's Germany a national hero. Louis would go on to beat the Cinderella Man, James Braddock, for the World Championship. The stage was set for the most anticipated rematch in history. The famous 1938 fight, again at Yankee Stadium, was a sellout. Louis and Schmeling embodied everything about the pending war between the two countries. They were given pep talks by no less than Roosevelt and Hitler themselves. Louis carried the mantle for all Americans, but especially Black Americans, in the late 1930's. He would leave nobody down, by knocking out Schmeling in the first round.top photo of German toy produced between the first and second fights
bottom photo, one of three first round knockdowns in 1938

Arena Project Growing Private Parts

The Morning Call team of Matt Assad and Scott Kraus broke the news that Pawlowski is pulling even more from his magic hat. The project now will include a hotel, office building and parking garage on the arena block. A new artist rendition shows the new structures. The Allentown Planning Puppies will be asked to lick their approval. Last round, they were overlooked, and miffed. One must wonder if construction is really slated to begin when the plans are in a state of constant flux? Who will own the hotel and office building? It's apparent that eminent domain was improperly threatened, because the project clearly will be mostly privately owned.