Rumble In The School District

Scott Armstrong, the school director everyone loves to hate, was fouled this morning in a Morning Call ViewPoint, by teacher's union president Debbie Tretter. The paper's editor bent his own rules in allowing Tretter to make personal attacks based on emotionalism, as opposed to facts. It is disappointing when any elected official, let alone a school board director, denigrates those who are less fortunate and votes against housing opportunities. Saying that Armstrong denigrates poor people is simply untrue, and throwing mud against the wall, hoping that some of it sticks. Armstrong voted against bestowing a tax free status upon the Phoenix Mill, in a proposal of turning that commercial space into apartments. There was no claim that the Phoenix Mill would be affordable, on the contrary, it was presented as loft apartments, which would attract very few, if any children. He was joined in that vote by four other school directors, two of whom (Joanne Bauer and CeCe Gerlach) are known as very pro teacher. I believe that it's inappropriate for Tretter to be attacking an elected member of the school board with innuendo, and inconsistent of the newspaper to facilitate it.

UPDATE: The editor defended Tretter's attack on Armstrong by saying that it's "Her opinion."  I have in the past been prevented, by the same editor, from even writing that someone used "propaganda techniques." I was told that such an accusation constitutes a personal attack, which is against their policy. I was to restrict myself to only refuting facts.  It appears that Ms. Tretter was given more more freedom with her opinion.  The editor told me that each piece is evaluated on a case by case basis. He apparently means a person by person basis.  At best, the paper applies it's standards selectively, in an inconsistent manner.

Life After Pawlowski

Siobhan (Sam) Bennett and Charles F. Thiel have a lot in common, although they will probably oppose each other for mayor of Allentown in 2017. Both believe that public safety and public education are the keys to Allentown's future. Although Allentown may be making significant gains in the bricks and mortar of development, the neighborhoods and school district languish. Both future candidates believe that unless these quality of life issues are addressed, the commercial development alone isn't enough to revitalize Allentown. Bennett is returning to town after being President/CEO of the Woman's Campaign Fund and She Should Run for five years. Both are national organizations housed in Washington, D.C. She was cofounder of the William Allen Construction Company and served on the School District Foundation. Charles F. Thiel was recently appointed to the school board and also serves on the District Foundation.

He is general manager of a local communication and technology company. Both Sam and Charlie will be disappointed with this write-up. I conducted the interviews over the phone, and unbeknown to them, I wasn't writing down their articulate views. They will have over three years to present those polished points to more conventional reporters. Although both are currently Democrats, I believe that they will oppose each other in the general election. While Bennett is married to the Democratic Party, Thiel is flexible enough to run as an independent. Either Sam or Charlie could well serve Allentown.

UPDATE: Bennett is literally married to the Democratic Party, her husband heads the Allentown Committee. Both Bennett and Thiel feel that Pawlowski will not be running for a 4th term, nor would they hesitate to challenge him, if he does. Likewise, neither expressed any concern about Julio Guridy, who also might be a candidate.

UPDATING THE UPDATE: Bennett feels that Allen High's alumni, 60,000 strong, is a tremendous untapped resource to revitalize the school district,  which would help the city with one of it's major negative perceptions.

Two Tales of One City

I have lived in the City of Allentown since 1978 and the recent snowfall has reminded me that city services are being more efficiently performed now than at any other time in my memory...not perfect, but better. On those very rare occasions when I bother to go downtown, I am starting to see a profoundly different city. Every other Mayor in my lifetime was just trying to re-capture some glorious past which, take it from me, wasn't all that glorious to start with. I think that when it is all said and done, that Mayor Pawlowski will have had as significant impact on Allentown that Caesar Augustus did on Rome or that Napoleon III had on Paris in that he is changing the face of the City I realize this sounds like sucking up on a grand level and perhaps it is but I am trying to offer a lifetime's perspective on a City which historically has underperformed all our expectations.
Todd Larmer

The roads here are a nightmare. Almost every street in the downtown has been posted posted "No Parking" for so long residents are ignoring the warning. Most streets are reduced to a single lane with cars parked in snow bunkers carved out by the locals. Others are buried and have not been moved in weeks. Yet none of our local media outlets are ready to report what an abysmal job the city administration has done. Can't wait for the arena traffic to add to the joy.
Scott Armstrong

Todd lives in the west end, where most cars are parked in garages. The streets are pre-treated before the snow, and plowed fairly quickly. Scott lives on the fringe of center city, by West Park.

UPDATE: Comments on Facebook

   Jean Lambert-  east side of allentown bad

   Michael Hysick-The St. Francis of Assisi neighborhood is real bad

   Benito Cruz Jr.-I could use a run of napalm on my block

   Kenneth Heffentrager- How do you close Green St. 3 days ago to say now to be removed still     

   nothing has been done... Tilghman has been closed to parking for days...

   Bill Stauffer-Several streets are closed in my neighborhood as well...City does not seem to have the

   same level of manpower it had to remove snow that it did prior to the "lease" of our water system
   Michael E. Golden-Where The Hell Are The Snow Plows?? Isn't West Brook Park Part Of Allentown!

                        

photocredit:Emily Robson/The Morning Call/December 8, 2013

Pep Rally at Reillyville

Sometimes the news is more absurd than this distractor could ever fabricate, such was the case Wednesday afternoon. Two hundred invited guests packed into Symphony Hall to the Reilly Institute, to hear a lecture on the future of center city, or I should say City Center. An urbanist author explained how there is a national trend back to living in cities. Although I haven't written a book, nor have I stayed at a Holiday Inn, I know Allentown. Reilly can make them work downtown, but he won't be able to make them live there. There is no reason to live there. You can reach center city from anywhere in the suburbs in ten minutes. Allentown is 20 years away from creating any culture that could compensate for the crime and grime. That will take much more than five new buildings.

When Allentown Came To A Standstill

Thirty one years ago, almost to the day, Allentown received a record snow storm of over 25 inches, not counting the drifts. It snowed 5 inches an hour on February 11, 1983. At the time I was living by West Park, and joined in the neighborhood effort to dig out West Street. Despite those efforts, occurring all over the city, there was no place to go, and no place to park. If Allentown still has the neighborhood fabric for such efforts is questionable.

photocredit:The Morning Call

Morning In The Parks

Although I have been profoundly disappointed by the Pawlowski administration and City Council in my efforts to defend our unique park features, I have not allowed that defeat to deprive me of one of the benefits of Allentown, enjoying the beauty of the parks. The winter provides a certain magic in the parks, for those who can cope with the cold. This particular winter requires some discipline, but the rewards are there. Recently, I came within six feet of a Blue Heron, standing still while fishing in a creek.

photocredit:molovinsky