Hunting For Non-Partisan In The Lehigh Valley

I owe Robert Orenstein for a snicker* when I read that his blog, Armchair Lehigh Valley, is non-partisan. He was the gatekeeper for the Morning Call opinion page. Almost all my submissions were rejected by him, because they were either too long for a letter, or too short for Another View. Lengthening or shortening them didn't help me get pass the gate :). Once, he actually told me that my piece only represented my opinion.  Imagine, sending an opinion to the Opinion Page?

His newsletter articles are now being printed by the Morning Call, and they in turn are promoting the newsletter. The newsletter is free, but he does have his hand out for donations.  It was under Orenstein's tenure that the three amigos were installed on the Another View page as regulars...Jennings, Cunningham and Iannelli. They're still there.

Those pieces of mine which did appear resulted from my annoying persistence. Several times I had to go over his head to be published. I do agree with him that there is a need for a local non-partisan outlet for local political news. I like to think that you're reading it here.

* a silent laugh

Mike Welsh Announces For County Executive

Mike Welsh, an extremely qualified local business man, has stepped forward to become our next county executive. 

“It’s an honor to step up to represent the County that I have had the privilege of calling home,” said Welsh. “Lehigh County has given me incredible opportunities — it’s where I’ve raised my family, run a small business, and served my community both in and out of office. Now, as our county grapples with new challenges and faces an uncertain future, it’s time for a steady hand and strong leadership. 

 “I know how to fight on behalf of residents and taxpayers. When I served as one of the few conservatives on the Allentown School Board, I fought against tax increases and wasteful spending while also working with both sides to get things done for students. And as a small business owner, I know the challenges that taxpayers and working families are facing in our county. I’m looking forward to fighting tax increases, supporting our local law enforcement, ending our status as a sanctuary county, and restoring common sense to the Lehigh County government.” 

As a political independent and blogger, I appreciate that county residents have a strong alternative to Democrat Josh Siegel, who never met a far left wing agenda that he didn't support.

Contact: Mike Welsh 

484-347-1833 

welshforexec@gmail.com

A Flash From Allentown's Past

In a 1997 Allentown of long ago, a controversial councilwoman lost a primary election for mayor by one vote. The councilwoman, Emma Tropiano, actually became more controversial after she passed away. She was branded as a racist by a newspaper at the time quick to judge. Years later, I heard the accusation/slur repeated by people who actually never knew her. But this post isn't about her, but about the person who beat her by one vote, Marty Velazquez. 

Velazquez was also a councilperson, and the first person with a Spanish name to serve in that position.  On Wednesday night, we learned that Marty is once again going to serve the city of Allentown, this time as the city's new HR director. 

Marty's hire is welcome by everybody, even this blogger! After last serving on council over twenty years ago, he re-enters a city hall mired in allegations of discrimination.  He has both the background and institutional knowledge to make a positive difference.

Trump Endangers Hostages

As Trump addressed Gaza at this press conference Tuesday night, I feared for the remaining hostages in Gaza. Trump was leaving nothing on the table for the Palestinians, much less Hamas, in whose hands the fate of the hostages lay.

As an independent, I could not bring myself to vote for the top of the ticket this past November. Both Republicans and Democrats complained that my decision was a vote for the other side. I mention this again, because after Tuesday night my non-vote decision was reaffirmed.

I was disappointed on Wednesday to read that Marco Rubio said...  As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again.. Although never thought of as a diplomat, his appointment as Secretary of State seemed less far out than some other cabinet picks.  Although all secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President, Rubio didn't have to parrot Trump's real estate banter.

Needless to say, Trump's plan won't play well in the Arab world. It won't even play well anywhere else in the world. Hopefully he'll start walking it back sooner than later.

Ce-Ce And Me

Ce-Ce Gerlach rocked South 16th Street this afternoon with a block party to raise funds for school uniforms. The block was packed with people enjoying several carnival attractions, music and food. From all reports, the new Allentown school uniform policy seems to have gotten off to a good start, but one issue is the cost of the  clothes.  With a large, low income student body, this can become a family hardship.  I'm sure Ce-Ce's organizing abilities  will help with this problem.  I've had a couple of conversations with Ce-Ce this past month, and I believe she will be a factor in Allentown's future.

above reprinted from September 7, 2013

UPDATE January 30,2018: Last evening I attended an early kickoff for Ce-Ce's campaign for Allentown City Council in 2019.  I've known Ce-Ce for years, and am glad to see her again offering her time and energy to Allentown.  In this sorry time we need people with her sincerity and integrity.

In regards to this sorry time,  it's my understanding that the prosecution against Pawlowski had a strong showing in court yesterday. Numerous witnesses, including former city employees, described bid rigging and a pay to play culture. Supposedly, the defense attorney seemed exasperated, and Pawlowski himself somewhat forlorn.

ADDENDUM MAY 30, 2023: This post harks back to 2013. Over the last ten years I have posted often about Ce-Ce. While she was trying to raise money for student uniforms back then, they have just become optional. While her progressive politics didn't earn my endorsement for the recent primary, come November Ce-Ce will certainly retain her City Council seat. 

Show above is the street party she organized in 2013. She is speaking with a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, a Black motorcycle club which visited the event.

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 5, 2025: Someone recently assumed that I didn't like Ce-Ce. On the contrary, I like her a lot. However, I couldn't be more opposed to some of her recent politics. One such initiative of hers is coming to vote tonight at city council....The Welcoming City Designation. At a time when gang members from Venezuela are being located and arrested, this would be a designation that Allentown surely doesn't need.

No Liberal Fix For The Carnage In Allentown

A shooting outside of an after hours club on Union Blvd. kept the emergency room busy. While one victim died, the other three survived. The newspaper tells us that this is the first homicide of 2025, after a recent low number in 2024.  What we're not told about last year is the total number of shootings, and bullets fired.  To this observer, those are the numbers that count.

The shooting isn't what brings us today's post, but rather the quote from Josh Siegel. “After-hour clubs like BKK Lounge undermine Allentown’s quality of life and our goal of building a safer city,... I believe in a vibrant and thriving nightlife, but not at the expense of safety and security"

Josh Siegel is the state rep from Allentown center city and aspiring to be county executive. If the current  Morning Call reporters had more institutional memory, they would remember when not that many years ago Josh marched up Hamilton Street with the Defund The Police crowd. I'll spare Josh some of the chants shouted that day, but they surely will not appear in his campaign literature. If the APD had more boots on the ground, perhaps cars could be assigned to the clubs' parking lots. It's not the first shooting outside one of these places.