The Depreciation Of Union Terrace

I have been advocating for Union Terrace since I stopped then-mayor Joe Daddona jogging to complain about some work needed on the structure. Likewise, I stopped Bill Heydt and his wife on a walk, and badgered both Pawlowski and O'Connell.

Matt Tuerk, consider this an open letter to you. Union Terrace (now Joseph Daddona Terrace) has never looked worse, or never was it in more immediate need of intervention.

The double stairwell down from St. Elmo Street is degraded. Worse yet, shown above, the northern end corner of the stage mound wall is about to collapse from shameful neglect.

Mr. Mayor,                                                                              Please don't allow the park department to tell me that they will seek a grant from Trexler Trust, and that they will send a consultant to recommend what kind of mortar to use on the repair.  Please just send a mason and fix it.

Sincerely, Michael Molovinsky, Advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA

reprinted from June 2022 

ADDENDUM APRIL 16, 2025:Union Terrace has been repointed, and the mason did an excellent job. Expect some fanfare this spring/summer from the city and Parknership about the restoration. While they're basking in their accomplishment, hopefully they will put the Parkway double stairwell landings on the schedule, because that job is way overdue.

Future of Allentown Parks In Jeopardy

Let me clarify that I'm referring to those aspects and features of the park system that made it famous. Let me clarify that I'm referring to those features which Harry Trexler established a trust fund to protect. 

If anybody doubts that even Trexler's wishes have been subverted, let them try and locate Mrs. Trexler's greenhouse. Although it was her pride and joy, specifically protected by the trust, years ago the trust petitioned the court it allow its removal, to accommodate a former park director.

Lately, the park department and Trust have been accommodating the Wildlands Conservancy. The agenda of the Conservancy and the traditional park system are NOT compatible. The word wildlands is not in the definition of parks, and the word parks is not in the definition of wild lands.  Under their cooperation, we have lost access to the park creeks, some WPA structures, and the future of the traditional Allentown park system.

The new Parknership is funded by both Trexler Trust and the Pool Foundation, which is the main backer of the Wildlands Conservancy.  It would be nice if the current Trexler Trustees were all descendants of the General Trexler, and shared his park values. In reality, they're all influential people, who mostly value getting along with the establishment.  Allegiance to the traditional park system no longer figures into their decision making, and hasn't for decades.

Besides for the parks, there's not much left of Allentown's former uniqueness. However, I know that there are thousands of people who share my dismay about the direction of the park system. I intend to make the new Facebook group, WPA of Allentown, a lobby for the traditional park system. There appears to be no other advocacy group for those values.

ADDENDUM: The above is rather blunt, even for this outspoken blogger. However, there is no other local venue expressing such sentiments, although many share my opinion(s) on the parks.

Bad Day For Allentown's Traditional Park System

Sunday was a rough day for Cedar Park. In cooperation with the City Park Department, dozens of eager Wildands Conservancy volunteers descended upon Cedar Park and planted dozens of trees, expanding the faux Riparian Buffer even out more from the creek. While some of the plantings took place in the most western section toward Cedar Crest Blvd., half the damage was done before the last walk bridge on the path loop. This former open space was prized by numerous dog owners, near one of the few places their pets can get a tick free drink!

The holes were dug earlier in the week by the park department. This cooperation between the department and Conservancy indicates that the department is as committed as ever to the faux buffer, aka Weed Wall. The Wildands owns hundreds of acres on South Mountain, where they could plant all the trees they want.  

I recently offended some officials by stating that the current public park input meetings are a political dog and pony show. If the city really cares about how the residents feel about the parks, they can read the Facebook group Allentown Chronicles. On the group, hundreds of residents have expressed their disgust with the weed walls.

Just Out Of View And Gone In Allentown

The photo above means a lot to me, for the things just out of view and now gone. You're at the crossing tower on Union Street, near 3th. There's another gate stopping the eastbound traffic, which has backed up toward the Jordan Creek. The same train has also blocked traffic further down the line, at Basin Street. It's the early 1950's and the tracks from the two rail lines, Lehigh Valley and Jersey Central, cross here.  At the end of Union Street you can make out my father's market, Allentown Meat Packing Company. The whole side of the building is a sign, painted directly on the brick in red and silver, Retail Meats, Wholesale Prices. You'll pass Morris Black Building Supply and The Orange Car before you get there. You'll also have to cross another set of tracks, which was the Lehigh Valley old main, before they built the Railroad Terminal over the Jordan Creek, at Hamilton Street. Our commercial past is now consigned to memory and future urban archeology.

reprinted from December of 2013

The Deep Price Of Trump's Showmanship

Trump says sometimes you have to take medicine....I wish that his Secretary of Health, Kennedy, felt the same way. 

While measles in Texas is terrible, our cutoff of food and medicine to Africa could have more dire consequences.  The first case of ebola in American could be a plane ride away.

I see partisan acquaintances defending the economy against Trump's tariffs, and his inappropriate cabinet appointments as necessary to right the ship. As they guzzle the kool-aid, I hope that they have deep pockets and a good immune systems. 

As I'm writing this. Trump announced that he is suspending the tariffs on most countries for 90 days. What the situation will be by the time you read this tomorrow, who knows? But, I can tell you that the rest of the world is not amused.

Reillyville Defended To Taxpayer's Last Dollar

Nick Miller not only took over Browne's office space in Reilly's building, but also as front man for City Center Real Estate. Also, let's not forget the Morning Call's endless promotion of Reilly's NIZ. This recent headline shown above, again forgets to mention the $Billion of diverted state tax money that went toward all the privately owned  new buildings.

Now, if I have my numbers wrong, don't blame me. The state house voted down Jarrett Coleman's proposal for a real audit. Joining the panel discussion with Miller was a City Center spokeswoman, and a merchant. Also you shouldn't blame the new reporter, he doesn't know that he's beating an old drum.

Talking of that old drum, I wonder who is still listening to it?  Someone recently told me that they were billed hundreds of dollars a month when their subscription promotion expired. Here you might also get distorted news, but at least it's free!