Coffee With Emma and Ce-Ce

This blog did not take any overt positions on the recent primary election. Instead of profiling any candidate, I reprinted my piece on Emma Tropiano, 

The People's Candidate. I believe that Emma has a kindred spirit in Ce-Ce Gerlach. Now, I understand that a lot of people will take exception to my comparison, maybe even Ce-Ce herself.

Because of inaccurate media reports, Emma was falsely portrayed as bigoted. Her memory now unjustly bears that misconception. Most people today who repeat that slander never knew her. Emma was immensely popular, and easily won reelection to city council, election after election. Ce-Ce Gerlach was the top vote getter this primary, receiving almost double the votes of her fellow candidates.

As someone who knew both women, there are many similarities... Both being extremely accessible, down to earth, and making people comfortable.

Emma was energized to work hard for Allentown, as is Ce-Ce. Emma was passionate about the issues she championed, so is Ce-Ce.

I sat in diners having coffee with both of them, many years apart. I think that they would have understood and liked each other.

reprinted from 2019 with new photo

ADDENDUM AUGUST 26, 2025:I've known Ce-Ce a long time, my first post about her was in 2013. What is behind today's reprint is that Ce-Ce has announced that she will run for State Representative. She is running for the 22nd district, currently occupied by Josh Siegel, who is running for County Executive. If you check my archives, I have about a dozen different posts about Ce-Ce. I chose this one because Emma also ran for State Representative, losing to then newcomer Jennifer Mann. While Mann retired from the state house years ago, and Mike Schlossberg inherited the seat, she remains the quiet kingmaker in Allentown.

Weaponizing The White House

Over the years John Bolton has been called many things, mostly a hawk, but never disloyal to the country. He did however write and say that Trump was incredibly uninformed and unqualified as President. No good deed goes unpunished, and the FBI gave him a good housecleaning on Friday. Trump's response to news of the search... “He’s not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy and we’re going to find out".

I don't expect anybody in the cabinet to speak out, they're sycophants who are there for their loyalty, not their expertise or integrity. But I must wonder about the long term workers and agents assigned with such distasteful tasks. They know that they're harassing or firing or penalizing people who deserve better.

As I have written before, I think that Republicans are going to have a hard sell come mid-terms. I don't think that they need to worry about Trump promoting a primary challenger, but rather being ousted in the general for their compliance to him.  J.D. Vance apparently thinks that he is the heir apparent of the newly gilded Oval Office, parroting Trump's Blame Biden Blatter. After the Democrats retake the White House in 28, Vance can always write another book. For the former MAGA non-readers, he can record some podcasts.

Hurricane Diane, 1955

Hurricane Diane hit the Lehigh Valley in August of 1955. Living in Little Lehigh Manor, I remember huddling in the house, while the metal garbage cans of the era flew around the neighborhood. My father, whose meat market was on Union Street by the Lehigh River, worked throughout the night. Fortunately for him, his market had an second floor backup cooler, and a small freight elevator. While the retail business district on Hamilton Street is elevated enough to be unaffected from flooding, center city Easton was devastated by the Delaware. The next morning was rather surreal for a nine year old boy. A large willow tree on the corner of Lehigh Parkway South and Catalina Ave. was lying on its side. Although the Little Lehigh receded quickly, the park road and basin had been flooded. Diane remains a record in flooding and damage. Let us hope it remains that way.

photo from August 1955. Lehigh River rising by former A&B Meats. The row of houses shown were demolished to make way for a new bridge approach several years later.

reprinted from August of 2011

Beyond Disillusioned With Netanyahu

Oct. 7th was atrocious, and Israel of course had the right to defend itself. The attack by Hamas was very low tech and a complete failure of Israeli security. The prolonged counterattack has been very disproportional. 

Between Trump talking about turning Gaza into a resort, and Netanyahu's government looking for other countries to take Palestinians, no wonder G-7 will recognize a Palestinian State this fall. I understand that with planned Jewish construction on the West Bank, such a State will be virtually landless for now, but world attitude favoring a state has turned strongly toward it. Netanyahu and his obsessions have done for the Palestinians what they wouldn't and couldn't do for themselves. 

More consequential is that Israel has squandered its reputation. It has depreciated the Jewish reality of the holocaust. The disservice that Netanyahu and his coalition inflicted on Israel and world Jewry will be a long term burden.

shown above the Tomb of Aaron

Mike Schlossberg's Self-Flagellation

You have to give Mike Schlossberg credit, he's not afraid to confront mental illness, in himself or his constituents. Recently, to atone for any and all misguided votes over the years, he suggested voters dunk him. For three consecutive days, Mike allowed voter after voter, regardless of political affiliation, to throw balls at the target. He was dunked no less than three hundred times.

Asked if this will be a yearly ritual, he's hesitant to commit. He doesn't doubt that his future votes will deserve public punishment, but confused by the enthusiasm of the participants. 

Some ball throwers in the long line exhibited anger far beyond any decision made in Harrisburg. His aides had to monitor against people wanting a second and third time in line, despite the long wait. His intent was to reduce mental illness, not contribute to it.

Archer Music Hall

I'm sure I don't know as much as I think I do about most things I write about, but with today's post, I know nothing. Dr. Google has been helping me out here with band schedules and reviews. If I was fifty years younger, maybe I would have heard of some of these groups, but I wasn't very hip back then either.

The reviews suggest that the venue is doing well. People complain about the wait to get in, but that suggests the shows are successful. My big question is about spin off business after the shows? I know they have their own bar, but are the other restaurants benefiting before or after the performances? Another question is about the Allentown Parking Authority. Are they preying on the concert goers?

J.B. Reilly seems intent on injecting some life into his Potemkin Village. Considering how many of our state tax dollars have been invested into his empire, we must wish him well on that.