Dam Removal Threatens Bridge

An on site engineering consultation made the following points.

Removing a dam is one thing, removing a dam next to a bridge is another. 

After the dam is removed, expect the creek bed to be several feet lower. 

The bridge piers must first be evaluated for depth and condition.

Did the Wildlands Conservancy provide the City of Allentown with the proper engineering studies to confirm that removing the dam will not have an adverse effect on the bridge?  Is the City of Allentown willing to jeopardize the citizen's iconic Robin Hood Bridge to accommodate a pet project of the Wildlands Conservancy? The dam removal will significantly increase the velocity of the stream and accelerate pier scour. Will the Wildland Conservancy indemnify the City for consequential bridge re-mediation or replacement?

Give A Damn, Save A Dam

The post card above dates from the early 1950's. Allentown's Lehigh Parkway, especially the Robin Hood area, attracted national attention for it's beauty and integration of the spectacular WPA structures. This occurred because two years prior to the WPA era, General Trexler had plans made up for the Parkway. Allentown, in the current vernacular, was shovel ready. The bridge, little dam, and double stepped structure provided the park visitor with both beautiful sights and sounds. The Wildlife Conservancy has received a grant for close to half a $million dollars to remove dams in Allentown's park system. Nobody is paying attention. Mayor Pawlowski, not too interested in the parks anyway, is consumed with his development projects. The Conservancy is politically correct in this era of ecology. The thing is that this park, and especially this area of the park, is not a wildland, but a historical icon of Allentown. Please help me save our heritage, help me save this little dam.

Junior Scientists To Alter Park System

The junior scientists of the Wildlands Conservancy have been given permission by The City of Allentown to remove four dams along the Little Lehigh and Jordan Creeks. These dams have been in place since the 1930's. Experienced fishermen worry that their removal will allow muskies and other large predators to move upstream and endanger the trout population. Between the opinion of fishermen and junior scientists, I'll take the fishermen any day. The park department is officially leaderless at the moment. While the former director moved on, the new one has not yet been confirmed. Although the Conservancy got a grant to remove the dams, how much would it cost in 2013 dollars to replace these dams? As a park walker, I can attest to the beauty and sound of the water cascading over these short one foot drops. The current administration should protect our park's history, until which time the citizens are in consensus with such drastic changes.
UPDATE: The new park director was confirmed at the last city council meeting. The Wildlands Conservancy was previously allowed to create riparian buffers in the park system, denying park users the traditional view and access to the streams, now the dam removals. I think the time has come for a discussion: Is the park system to be used as a laboratory for the Wildlands Conservancy, or an asset for the citizens?  Were the parks meant to be wildlands, or to benefit from landscape architecture as envisioned by Harry Trexler and others? Are these decisions to be made by a series of itinerant park directors or the citizens of Allentown? photocredit:The Morning Call/Donna Fisher

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Although Carmen Bell took advantage of the press conference and photo opportunity against the water lease, she was not willing to commit to being opposed. Instead, she suggested more opportunity for dialogue, and informing both the citizens and council on all the options. As the election draws nearer, three weeks, she has opted out of the anti-lease, anti-administration group. Melman, Todd and Velez will present themselves as a slate for transparency and responsiveness. The incumbents, Guridy, O'Connell, Glazier and Moto must stand on their record. Incumbent Joe Davis is running unopposed for a two year seat. Carmen Bell will join Daryl Hendricks as a stand alone candidate, but without his connections to the community.

A Revolting Development

At the end of every episode of The Life Of Riley, Chester Riley would say "What a revolting development this turned out to be." If I was Dave Erdman, Editor of The Morning Call, I might have uttered those words at the History Museum on Blogger Night. The paper did everything right to promote the event. In addition to continuous notices in the hard copy paper, and the digital version, they offered free trial digital subscriptions, plus food and beverage for attending. It truly was a well done production. Never the less, not all the winning bloggers even attended, much less any general public. Despite all the publicity, the needle on the site counter for this blog hasn't moved. I make a point of listening to what is discussed in diners in the morning. The recent police raid on the stripper club garnished much more interest than the water lease. Interest in the news, either main stream or alternative, is minimum in this town. Half the population is in a social economic survival mode, which consumes their attention. The other remaining half is indifferent, at least to local affairs. Those of us that are interested in such things may have the problem requiring help.

Wimpy's Revenge

After some deliberation, Bernie O'Hare and I decided that we would solicit support for the 2013 blog contest. We would both do a post, and drafted Wimpy, as we did in 2012. I put the post up in early April, and placed Wimpy on my sidebar. Two days later, I asked Bernie about his post, and he replied, "I forgot, I'll do it." Although he never remembered, I never said anything, but didn't forget. It's nice for Bernie that I would grovel for our votes, while he could remain the dignified journalist. Bernie didn't attend the award ceremony last evening, but I volunteered to take his prize. If he acts quickly, he might still find it. It's in a city trash container near 6th and Chew.