Win, Place or Show With The Morning Call

The paper has been giving the water lease controversy good play, but I can't say the same about those candidates opposed to the lease. Although the digital version of the paper has treated the challengers well enough, the problem lies with the print edition. Independent candidate for mayor, Michael Donovan, had his initial announcement on the bottom of the 6th page. Yesterday, the same dismal spot was reserved for the council candidates opposing the water lease. It's my observation that the paper, for the most part, has two different audiences. Although the digital subscribers may now outnumber the old hard copy folks, it's those very dinosaurs who comprise the super voters. While the reporter, Emily Opilo, has been being fair with her writing, the layout editor has given the candidates poor placement.

Thank You Senator Toomey

As the country is reeling from the cowardly terrorist act in Boston this week, local Senator Toomey exhibited extraordinary courage in co-sponsoring the gun background check. Toomey's base is ultra conservative, and he hurt himself with that constituency. With the proposal failing to pass the Senate, his credit with the gun control advocates will be a forgotten moment. Toomey said he was doing it because He felt it was the right thing to do. Apparently Capital Hill isn't ready for any changes in gun control, because the Toomey-Manchin amendment only closed gaping loopholes.

Lifestyle Coaching

With only an exception or two, I'm not a big fan of the local blogosphere. But, with The Morning Call Blogger night coming up, I thought I would surf around and get reacquainted. I noticed that one blogger has deemed herself a LifeStyle Coach, for vegetable eating or such. She charges $75 a session. She claims that it helped her lose weight and cleared her complexion. I have decided to also become a coach. If you suffer from undue optimism, give me a call. If your friends resent your positive attitude, give me a call, I'm well qualified. In the picture shown,  I'm receiving the Cynic Award, which I didn't deserve.  I charge $65 a session. Most of my students will be disappointed.

The Mutation Called Democracy In Allentown

This coming May 21st will be the fall general election for Allentown City Council. All candidates are of the same party, Democratic, meaning that who wins in the primary, wins. (Unless an independent(s) decide to run before the deadline in July) Although there is only one person running for the two year seat, incumbent Joe Davis, nine Democrats are competing for four seats, including the four incumbents. Today a slate of the anti-water lease candidates held a news conference. My associate, Bernie O'Hare attended the conference and will write about it late this evening. He will paraphrase their speeches, then print their speeches verbatim, also including a video of them giving their speech. I will soon be presenting some posts on what I think of the other bloggers in the Lehigh Valley. UPDATE: Although in Allentown's mutated democracy all candidates are Democrats, not all the Democrats on May 21st are the same. There is an opportunity for those voters who seek change at City Council, but just in the primary election.

The History Of Union Terrace

The area now known as Joe Daddona Park has a rich history. The stone arch bridge dates back to 1828. If Lehigh County had it's way, it would already be gone. I'm proud to have played a part in it's reprieve. Today, I start a series of posts which will eventually lead to another Walk In The Park, this time in the area known for most of my life as Union Terrace. The park consists of the former city ice skating pond and the WPA amphitheater. This blog previously featured the train of Union Terrace, which was near the end of the former Barber Quarry Branch line. Talking of trains, shown above is the Joe Daddona house, which was originally the freight station of the Allentown and Reading Traction Company.

Reilly Gain, Masonic Pain

The Masonic Temple is perhaps the remaining architectural wonder of Allentown. The five story Classic Revival building took over two years to construct, opening in 1926. The large ritual meeting rooms are adorned with murals. General Harry Trexler was a Mason, and largely responsible for Allentown's Temple, which is on the list of significant historic buildings. Unfortunately, after almost ninety years, it's future is in jeopardy. It is essentially supported by one large commercial tenant, an accounting firm which rents the office space on the first floor for $10,000 a month. The accountant will be moving into J.B. Reilly's new office tower when completed. The Masons are hoping to find ten smaller tenants for $1000 each to fill the void, or perhaps twelve at $800. The only certain thing is that their good fortune with a large dependable tenant appears to be over. When Pawlowski cuts the ribbon for Reilly's new tenant, he'll be actually pulling the plug on an important part of west Allentown's history. He'll give mouth service that his department of Musical Chairs will help find them a tenant.