Allentown's Ukrainians Are Not Happy

When Ukrainians meet this Saturday at their historic church on Fullerton Ave, Charlie Dent will be there. Although he hasn't represented them now for over four terms, he knows how tightly that community is woven into the fabric of Lehigh Valley. Recent congresswoman Susan Wild will also be there. Who won't be attending is current congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Although Trump's coattails helped get him elected with the MAGA wave, there is no intelligent way to explain why Trump would have called Zelensky a dictator, or that Ukraine started the war?

While many Americans are upset with Trump's reversal of foreign policy, with the local Ukrainian community it concerns the survival of their relatives. It concerns the blood their extended families have shed for the last three years.Trump can reverse and backtrack on many issues, but the local Ukrainians will not forget his ignorance, no matter what policy he finally adopts. They will also not forget Mackenzie's absence at their meeting. 

The Republican problem, which is coming home to roost faster than anyone imaged, is that Trump is not a Republican. After November 5th, 2024, he could care less about that party's future. But partisans are so desperate for victory, any ticket to ride was good enough. Mackenzie can issue statements about ICE and Northampton County, but the MAGA's will not be voting in 2026... That was a cult vote for Trump, not Mackenzie... But, the Ukrainians will be voting, and it won't be for Mackenzie.

ADDENDUM: I've been informed by Mackenzie's office that because congress is in session, it's not possible for him to attend the meeting at St. Mary's, but he did speak with the pastor, and sent a message to be read at the meeting.

shown above St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The White House Bully Pulpit

No one can accuse Trump of not working much during his first month in his second term as president. After firing all our top military leaders on Friday, I wish that he would take a week or longer off, and go play golf. 

By pulling the rug out from under Zelensky, he has managed to change long term American foreign policy in this first month. Musk seems to be the hyper active de-facto vice president, literally welding a chainsaw in Washington. He has already cut up and minced most of our safety nets. 

Most of Trump's MAGA supporters don't know what's even happening. Some hardcore ultra conservative are pleased with the shakeup, but CPAC only meets once a year, and they are also hardcore Republicans. Independent conservatives like myself are upset, so is the stock market.

While consequences are usually felt by the midterms, Republicans are already being called on the carpet by their constituents. Elected officials are pretty quick at reading the tea leaves. I think the pushback from congress will be coming sooner than Trump expects.  I'm hoping that Trump devotes more time to his golf game.

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The Real Lessons At Allentown's New School

Allentown's finally getting a middle school on the East Side, but the real lessons there will never be taught or learned. 

There was never a public good component to the sale of the former State Hospital on Hanover Avenue. High bids were ignored, and Allentown's chosen developer was rewarded the prize by his associate Pat Browne, who still reigns in Harrisburg. Reilly is now selling a small portion of the parcel for three times more than he paid for the entirety, to the Allentown School System.

Likewise, the school district is snubbing local construction manager Alvin Butz for an out of town firm. Butz's contributions to the school system over the years have been notable. 

The system's superintendent, Carol Birks, states that although the district will comply with new directives concerning DEI, the changes will only affect language used, not actions. Considering how poorly the students are faring by all measurements, it would be better to change all actions, and leave the language the same. The district has been consumed with racial identity for years. They think that the teachers should look like the students, the principals should look like the students, even the superintendent should look like the students. A white superintendent had zero chance of getting hired in the last decade.

Former school board member Bob Smith is offering his experience to the voters once again. Hopefully he'll regain a seat on the new board.

shown above the former State Hospital

The Movies Of N. 8th Street

Two movie theaters were on the unit block of N. 8th Street, separated by one building. The Earle was demolished in 1961 to create another Park & Shop lot. The other theater, the Cinema, ceased operation in 1953, becoming a warehouse for the Farr shoe chain. The theater was built in 1917 as The Strand, but changed ownership and name in 1930. The lobby portion of the former Strand/Cinema still stands today, now being used as a tax service business. In the late 1970's, I operated a photographic darkroom business in part of the space.

reprinted from January of 2014

The Mad Men Of Allentown

Back in the day, the titans of Allentown would fill the five barberchairs of the Colonial Barbershop, 538 Hamilton Street. That was when the town had three department stores. That was when Wetherhold and Metzger had two shoe stores on Hamilton Street. That was when Harvey Farr would meet Donald Miller and John Leh at the Livingston Club for lunch, and discuss acquiring more lots for Park & Shop. By 1995 all that was gone, but Frank Gallucci, 82, would still give some old timers a trim. The Colonial Barbershop property, closed for many years, has been purchased by J.B. Reilly. It is my pleasure to present this previously unseen portrait of Gallucci, toward the end of his career.

photocredit:molovinsky

reprinted from May of 2013

Shade Tree Grant Wilted

Allentown City Hall was excited about a $milliion dollar shade tree grant.  It was supposedly going to save the residents in reduced electric costs. The grant is now tied up because of the Trump administration fund freezes. Mayor Tuerk even complained that the freeze hurts our kids...“Every kid knows how important trees are to clean air and clean water."  

Of course this miserable blogger has a different take on city trees. Unless they're planted southwest of the house, and at a certain distance, they won't help cool the house in the summer. But wait until the homeowners have to repair and replace their raised sidewalks, at their expense, from the tree roots. Wait until they have to clean the endless tree leaves and other tree droppings from their gutters.

I do share Tuerk's desire for our kids to experience water. What Allentown should do is take care of their parks as they were intended. They should replace the aging, damaged and now gone Weeping Willow trees along the creek banks. Besides for the Willows, which is all they need, they should mow the grass, so those kids can see and enjoy the water from our creek banks.