Ryan Mackenzie

Lehigh Valley's freshman congressman, Ryan Mackenzie, was appointed to the Education committee. Considering that Trump has already signed an executive order abolishing that department, Mackenzie's appointment is akin to being assigned to the social committee on the Titanic. 

In a recent Morning Call interview, he handled the reporter's (Lindsay Weber) questions fairly well. He asserted that only congress can ultimately end the department, but he avoided saying how he would vote on it when that time came.  He did express concern that Special Education and student loans be protected.

Mackenzie is being assaulted by protests at his office. While the MC interview was a good opportunity for him,  his midterm future could rest with Trump's popularity at that time. I suspect that Trump isn't a hill he wants his career to die on.

photocredit:Tom Shortell

Trump Doesn't Want To Take A Chance

Trump withdrew Elise Stefanik from her United Nations consideration, deciding he better keep her vote in  Congress, although that part of New York state has been reliably red. While commenters on this blog maintain that Republicans are on board with the Trump show so far, the boss isn't as sure. He doesn't want to take a chance on a special election, even in a red district. 

Although I occasionally can't resist replying to an absurd comment, generally, I let my readers rant on unanswered. However, I have no doubt that they're in for a rude awakening. Trump and his appointees can say that security leaks are a hoax, or that disagreeing judges should be impeached, but only those with red hats glued to their heads are buying it. 

In Florida's upcoming special election, the Republican is polling and fund raising considerably less than he should be in his bright red district. While my readers may still be gulping the kool-aid, even Trump senses the shift.

Republican Wake Up Call

Pennsylvania has a new state senator*, and he's a Democrat. But the reason that this special election is news worthy, is that this is the first Democrat elected in that district since 1979. While the Republicans are blaming being behind the eight ball in early write-in voting, I think  that they will need more excuses come November, and especially the mid-terms in 2026.

However, I believe that by mid-terms, Republican candidates will be putting some distance between themselves and Trump's Washington. Even now, just three months in, only partisans can defend Musk's disruption of the federal workforce.

While Republicans are now reduced to town halls by telephone, it will only get worse. They were elected on the coattails of a cult. MAGA will go back to political indifference, unless their benefits are cut...In that case, they'll be joining the Democrats at protests.

*James Malone, 36th Senate District

Josh Shapiro's Political Baggage

I don't know if Josh Shapiro has political ambitions beyond Pennsylvania, but if he does, he might consider dumping his Director of Revenue, Pat Browne. 

Pat Browne devised the NIZ, which only Allentown qualified for. It turns out that his life long friend ended up being the biggest beneficiary of the program. Almost all the new buildings on Hamilton, Walnut and Linden Streets are owned by this friend, J.B. Reilly, and the debt service on them is paid for with diverted state taxes...that's right, private ownership paid for by the public. 

New state senator Jarrett Coleman has been working since his first day to have financial information about the NIZ made available to the public. Browne, on his way out the door of the senate, inserted language into the NIZ ordinance making such information confidential. 

As Shapiro complains about cuts from Washington affecting Pennsylvanians, he has remained complicit in the Allentown coverup. Although he touts the development in Allentown, he ignores the details of blatant favoritism and secrecy. If he has any dreams about 2028, it's a situation that he might want to get in front of.

As Allentown Turns, March 25, 2025

Yesterday's big news is that the city employee is charged with planting the infamous noose herself. Worse for the town, she is also on the school board. By the time you read this here Wednesday morning, she will be pretty torn up by the gristmill. 

Elsewhere in my recent archives, I devoted a couple posts to a Promise Neighborhood critic. Like with the city employee, beyond this mention, my mobile press room is moving on. 

We reached a point where discrimination and accusations of such, have become a cottage industry. Everybody, including the self-proclaimed victims, would be far better off ridding themselves of those chips on their shoulders. Likewise, I think that both the city and school system would be better off less concerned with DEI, and more so with a stronger work ethic.

The Island Of Lehigh Parkway

The scene above shows the island in the Little Lehigh, with the boatlanding in the background. Please note the bridge leading to the island. The island, bridge and landing were created by the WPA. Although the island still remains, as does its stone piers, the bridge is long gone. The boatlanding, although buried, was partially recovered last year by myself and a number of volunteers. The island, as remaining, has lost its shape and has been enlarged from deposits carried by the Little Lehigh. The island was created by the WPA in the mid 1930's, by excavating a channel on its south side. It is the intention of the park department to eventually allow mother nature to fill in the channel. Park philosophy has changed from manicured to al natural. It is my hope that the excavated portion of the boatlanding will be retained. In regard to yesterday's post on Irving Park, I have confirmed that one of the WPA stone stairwells was indeed removed this year by the city. I hope that is not their version of a fix. It clearly indicates the need for the WPA Support Group. Click photo to enlarge.

reprinted from April of 2011

UPDATE JUNE 7, 2018: As a boy I played on the island and especially remember the concrete benches inlaid with tile. It was indeed a special place.  Although the island will never be restored, it is my mission that the remaining WPA structures be maintained.  In years past I have conducted tours of the WPA Structures, and will do so again if the park department does some restoration.  In the photo above, note the bench overlooking the stream and island,  with no weed wall in the way of the view.

ADDENDUM MARCH 24, 2025: I have started a new Facebook group call WPA of Allentown. If you appreciated Allentown's traditional park system,  please consider joining us.