Allentown, Free Market Reject

With all the press conferences and announcements, sometimes it hard to remember that the Free Market passed on Allentown. Not one project, nor one dollar, is coming from private hands. Credit Pat Browne and J.B. Reilly for the mother of all incentives. Credit Mayor Pawlowski for labeling the public money grab as a Transformation, and The Morning Call for their eagerness to disseminate such propaganda. A decade ago, the real marketplace rejected Heydt's attempt at a $14 million dollar arena. Now, working 7 days a week under lights, using public money, we are building a monument to hope, at 20 times the price.

Watchmen For Jerusalem

Isaiah 62:6-7
Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, 7 and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.

Christian Zionism is appreciated by Israel

Today, Christians by the thousands, by the tens of thousands, by the hundreds of thousands, by the millions, by the tens of millions – today they have heard this call, and they stand with Israel. I salute you, the people of Israel salute you, the Jewish people salute you.                                                                                                 Benjamin Netanyahu

From a Christian Zionist radio station operated in Israel by Stan Goodenough, to the mega ministries of John Hagee  and Joel Olsteen, Christian appreciation of the Jewish State continues to grow.       Christians United for Israel

On May 28, 1948 the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem fell to the Arab Legion; They immediately destroyed the Hurva Synagogue (in anticipation of the arrival of King Abdullah) and began burning and looting Jewish shops. No Jew would again pray at the Western Wall until 1967. Photo from 1948 Life Magazine shows residents of the Jewish Quarter on the shortest exile in modern Jewish history; 500 yards, through the Zion Gate to the New City.

reprinted from September 2010

NIZ Hubris

The Morning Call revealed yesterday that the Arena Authority has been meeting behind closed doors, in violation of the Sunshine Act. The stunning article, by Emily Opilo and Matt Assad, explains how meetings were not advertised, and that a reporter was asked to leave at a recent meeting. In a further demonstration of their arrogance, two attorneys connected with the board, claim ignorance of the violation. The one attorney on the board, Sy Taub, maintained that bond payment arrangements between the Authority and chief beneficiary, J.B. Reilly, should be determined in private executive session. Before the Authority was formed, the Administration made a case that a degree of secrecy was necessary when acquiring properties for the arena, to protect the public cost from real estate speculation. Since the public portion of acquisition has been completed, I see no justification for keeping arrangements between Reilly and the Authority private.

UPDATE: Although the private Executive Session can be technically used under the Sunshine Act for an agency to discuss lease and purchase of real estate,  Sy Taub extending that exception to a private developer is a legal stretch,  showing the contempt this Administration and Agency has for the general public.

Does the Authority exist to service Reilly, or the public good? In the first year of using state taxes, half of the revenue went for Reilly's debt service. Who determined that ratio between Reilly's interests, and that of the citizens? In the two hybrid buildings on the Arena Complex, partially owned by Reilly, who determines what percentage of the building belongs to whom. How could Taub and Jerome Frank justify no public knowledge, much less scrutiny? The Arena Authority has no oversight by the State of Pennsylvania. Last year Sy Taub said that it would be up to the Authority to monitor itself. So far, they have failed miserably with that promise.

High End Malarky

Today, there was another press conference, and The Morning Call once again regurgitated malarky. Pawlowski and Reilly say that high-end apartments are coming to 7th and Linden. To help induce the disposal income  crowd, they're  going to extend the Art Walk, that should do it. Although Reilly had announced this project previously, there's a change. He's now partnering with Pennrose Properties, which specializes in harvesting tax credits for income restricted projects. I'm not one to mince words. Mixed income neighborhoods exist in large cities, where space is at a premium, not in Allentown, not at 7th and Linden Streets. What does another barbershop photo have to do with this story?  In center city Allentown, in 2013, if you look at someone for more than two seconds, they want to know what you're looking at. Imagine walking into a barbershop, in today's Allentown, and photographing strangers, good luck with that. Why would our young office worker want to spend $1000 and up a month, to live at 7th and Linden Streets?  Is he hoping to get shot at the all night convenience store?  Reilly knows better, even if The Morning Call doesn't, that's why he's bringing in Pennrose.

photocredit:molovinsky

Lehigh Valley Transit, Clearing The Tracks

One of the challenges faced by The Lehigh Valley Transit Company was keeping the tracks cleared of snow during long winters. Special cars were constructed with huge plows for that purpose, plus some regular passenger cars had small plows mounted on the front for continuous cleanup. Shown above is a special plow car stored at the Fairview Yard.







The trolley system required much more infrastructure than later buses. Shown here is track intersection being constructed in center city Bethlehem. Corresponding electric lines would have to be constructed overhead to power the cars. For your viewing pleasure, here is an introduction to an available video by Gerhard Salomon on the service in Easton.



More information on The Rockhill Trolley Museum

reprinted from May 2010

Bill Villa, The Tormentor

While Easton was celebrating the ordination of a new priest, Bill Villa was tormenting him. Not too many people want to confront Bill Villa, they just hope his vicious distortions don't come their way. The priest is an easy target for Villa, with forgiveness and all that. First a little background. Villa's daughter was tragically killed in a single car accident, about six years ago. She and a friend were out celebrating her birthday. He served about double the usual prison term for his offense. Everybody has empathy for Villa's loss, the issue is Villa's current aggressive behavior. He started out on a campaign against the District Attorney, Judge and those directly involved in the trial. Soon, he decided that you're either with him, or his enemy. His enemy list now contains 58 people, almost all of whom have no connection to the trial, what-so-ever. The list includes professors and their deans, most of The Morning Call staff, and local clergy, besides the priest. Villa contacts their superiors and demands their dismissal. If they refuse, they join the growing list. He once told me that he considers all fair in his war. He accuses people of doing to him, what he actually does to them. He describes the priest as a sadist and a cyberstalker, he describes himself as a grief stricken victim. Bill Villa is used to being the bully. He doesn't appreciate anybody speaking up against him. This post will move me up a notch on his enemy list, but those other 57 victims need a voice.

Lehigh Valley Transit Freight Service

Lehigh Valley Transit Company began their freight service in 1908, using converted passenger cars. By 1912, they were purchasing cars manufactured for commercial hauling. Various train/trolley websites specialize in the exact specifications of these trolley cars, and trace the history of specific cars. It was not uncommon for a car to be used by three or four different companies, and retrofitted for various uses. Throughout the formative years, Lehigh Valley Transit acquired smaller companies and absorbed their freight operations; The Quakertown Traction Company operated between Perkasie and Quakertown. Lehigh Valley's freight operation extended to the 72nd Street Freight House in Philadelphia.

Several years ago, Allentown lost an expert on our local train/trolley history, Gerhard Salomon. Mr. Salomon was a partner in the family jewelry store, one of few remaining gems from Hamilton Street's past.



reprinted from May 2010