The Painterly Eye

Photographer K Mary Hess combines masterful technique with a landscape painter's aesthetics,  to create hauntingly beautiful images of the Lehigh Valley and it's surrounds.

Transformational Politicians

When I first started writing about Donny Cunningham years ago, I referred to him as an Eddie Rendell in training pants. Although I don't know how he progressed with those pants, he has picked up the new pol word of the decade, transformational. Donny is now head of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, where the first thing he did was fillet the experienced business recruiters when he got the position, to steer the organization into the 21st century. Now, Donny says that if the taxpayers up his budget by 15 times, from $2.5 million to $33 million, that he can do a better job. For that kind of money his agency could do transformational things, and he has the consultant's report to prove it. All this can happen by simply raising the valley's sale tax by one cent on the dollar. Those of little faith should know that this plan almost has Tony Iannelli's approval, It's good to see the region's leaders looking to create a grand vision for economic growth...

Street Sweeping Tickets Start March 1

Yesterday, was one of those days when the switchboard at molovinsky on allentown lit up all day. Seems as if the Parking Authority was putting flyers on cars notifying them that street sweeping tickets would resume March 1st in district 2, west of 10th Street. For hapless Allentown residents, some of whom are still parking in the hole they carved out, the Authority's enthusiasm was less than appreciated. Allentown has the knack of punishing the good deed of living there. Let up hope that next winter, with the hockey arena opening, that Allentown doesn't receive any snow.

Steven Ramos Announces His Candidacy For District 22

Steven Ramos announces his candidacy for the newly drawn 22nd State House District.

"I'm running because it's imperative to have a representative that fights for the best interest of our families and our community. My initial priority is focusing on reforming parts of our government that put unnecessary burdens on our families."

Steven attended Trexler Middle School and William Allen High,  before serving 4 years in the Army. He and his wife Josie have been married for eighteen years and have four children. Steven has worked as an Information Technology professional, managing server systems and networks for the past 16 years. He served as Executive Director of the Lehigh County Republican Committee, and has served on various campaigns reaching out to the Hispanic community.  He has continuously helped with the vision of restoring Allentown to a strong vibrant community.

"We have a very unique opportunity to have a new voice fighting for our best interests. I look forward to the campaign ahead and starting to visit our residents in the community to listen to their concerns."

Editor's note: I'm delighted that the new district will have a Republican candidate who happens to be Hispanic, and that Mr. Ramos permitted molovinsky on allentown to make the initial announcement.

UPDATE:   Steven Ramos Website

The Transfiguration of Allentown

Pawlowski calls it transformative. I then began referring to it as the transformation. However, that word does not do the expectations justice. After all, Pawlowski thought that he could ride this donkey into Harrisburg. Every city in Pennsylvania now wants a version of the magic tax loophole. Although the results still remain to be seen, careers are changing on the expectations. Both Mann and Browne are retiring to lucrative lobbying positions as a result. While this blog reported last year that we now live in Reillyville, and that his lordship purchased almost the entire square block of Walnut Street, the Morning Call reporters have now done a feature on that story. If they can write themselves a ticket out of here with charts and graphs, like some of their predecessors did helped somewhat from my scoops, remains to be seen. Needless to say, the expectations of the arena will exceed the reality, it always does. The nation is littered with urban failures. The only insurance against a white elephant is leaving before it makes it first big mess.

UPDATE: The graphic map prepared by The Morning Call omitted two major Hamilton Street properties obtained by Reilly's City Center, the former Colonial Theater site near 5th Street, and the Gallery On The Mall, in the 900 block. The Call's feature story also failed to mention that Reilly was fronted $20million dollars by the Arena Authority,  which he used to acquire all the properties.

photocredit:molovinsky

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.