As The Little Apple Turns

I received a comment to a two year old post on the Parking Authority, alleging some corruption. The claim  is that a resident of his block consistently parks multiple vehicles illegally, but always happens to move them, right before the Authority responds to a complaint. He is convinced the resident is being tipped off by an officer with the Authority. BTW, I don't add comments to such old posts.

I notice a couple well known members of the art community speaking out against the art museum move, and the negative effect it would have on the existing arts district. I'm hoping that their voices attract more  attention on the bad plan to move the museum.

I witnessed a very near tragedy at Springhouse Rd. and Tilghman Street. A very fast speeding red SUV used the right turning land on Tilghman as a passing land, missing a left turning car from the other direction by mere inches. Allentown and its surrounds remain the wild west with few sheriffs.

Zionism and Anti-Semitism

As most of us know outside the WASP circle, that prejudice is never too far away. Yesterday was the anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, a terrible day for Israel. Israel's counterattack has created issues going beyond Gaza, into Europe and United States.

Zionism, the desire for Jews to live in Israel as designated by the UN partition of 1948, is a legitimate mission. If Israel over-reacted in their response to the Hamas attack, and if that response constitutes genocide, are questions separate from Zionism. However, in a world where anti-semitism is never far away, Zionism is being equated with genocide, encouraging anti-semitism.

Complicating the situation for Jews in diaspora, the politics of Israel, not unlike in the United States, is very polarized. Israel is to hold elections on October 27th. Depending on the outcome, Israel may double down defensively, or instead seek to repair its recent image.

Double Haters In Pennsyltucky

I consider myself a true independent, and I'm registered as such. An article in the Wall Street Journal talks about Double Haters, voters who are disgusted with both major parties. Meanwhile, back here in Harrisburg, Pennsyltucky, they're discussing open primaries :) I think that open primaries are as attractive to our life long incumbents as a smaller state house and term limits :)

One small segment doing well is union printers. My mailbox floweth over with campaign postcards. None of them have made it past the waste can, and I'm a pundit of sorts!

Back to double hating... If there were only two things I hated, I would have a friendlier look. I'll stick with my independent label.

Back in 2014, I ran as an independent for state representative. Talk about gerrymandering...Julie Harhart, in her eleventh term, had her Northampton district run from Danielsville west to Slatington, and then a sliver down 309, to the Allentown municipal golf course. My garage was in the district, so I ran :)

Big Church Blues In The Lehigh Valley

An article in the Morning Call about the large Bethlehem First Presbyterian congregation no longer being able to afford its campus caught my attention. Recently, a member of the Allentown's First Presbyterian on Cedar Crest and Tilghman mentioned that they are having the same dilemma.

As neighborhood center city churches in both towns became passé because of changing demographics and lack of parking, those congregations consolidated, and the mega structures were built. Now that attendance has declined, the infrastructure demands exceed the current dues.

Both congregations want to end up with a right size church, with an affordable overhead. Shown above is an old photograph of a synagogue in Coney Island,NYC. Although I don't know its fate, I know that many churches in downtown Allentown now house dominations and faiths different from their original congregations.

Allentown's First Presbyterian began on 5th Street, part of the current Art Museum. That Museum now wants to move to the Reilly Art's District at 10th & Hamilton. Maybe they should reflect on the long term success of such moves.

An Alternative to Career Politicians

Mike Schlossberg has been in the State House way too long. Fresh out of college, he interned for Jenn Mann (who was there way too long), then moved into the seat when she retired to become a lobbyist. (He also had a short stint with the Chamber of Commerce, but no real world experience.)  Mann is the local Democratic kingpin, and Schlossberg a main pony in the stable.

Mike actually got caught ghost voting years ago, but the scrutiny never moved beyond the local blogs. While state senator Jarrett Coleman has been trying to hold the NIZ accountable, Schlossberg and Schweyer have been missing in that quest.

Caren Lowrey of South Whitehall has stepped forward to challenge Schlossberg and the entrenched status quo. While those opposed to the Atlas Data Center across from Parkland High School have seen her in action, most voters in the 132nd District have yet to realize what an option they finally have against the same old, same old Harrisburg game.

Lowrey participated in a comprehensive recorded interview with Moshe Kurtz

Commercial Ad Hawking My Booklet

The other week I set up a table at a local flea market. I was there early in the morning for a couple of hours, and managed to pay the rent by selling a well respected history of Allentown. It's a slick book, a well done production featuring photos of places mostly before my time, and Allentown postcards from yesteryear.

My booklet is not a slick production, and consists of 36 posts from growing up in Allentown in the 1950's.  All the posts are from this blog, so you could assemble it yourself with a printer and stapler. If you're a fellow baby boomer, I think it might bring you a smile or two. I suppose it might be somewhat male orientated, with several posts about the long freight trains that we had to wait for in several areas of Allentown.

In addition to force feeding my blog audience with this advertisement, I will also post it on Allentown Chronicles, a local Facebook group. Those interested in purchase can CLICK HERE to the Amazon bookstore.

New Square For Old Problems

I spent a couple hours last week on Hamilton Street. With the square at 7th and Hamilton being reconfigured, both driving and walking were burdensome and dangerous. Of course the real danger is a couple blocks away, in either direction.*

The denizens don't care about the new square. The prized citizens farther west, the ones we're trying lure into center city, also don't care about the new square. They aren't coming, regardless of what building you move where.

On Sunday night I was in Bethlehem. I had to drive blocks beyond my destination to find a parking space. At no time did I feel intimidated by denizens or surroundings. No new construction there, just history and quaintness. Allentown traded its history for the NIZ, and it doubles down with nonsense plans like the new square and moving the art museum.

*Allentown experienced two fatal shootings Tuesday evening. In both cases the suspect was apprehended.

shown above one block beyond the NIZ

CLICK HERE FOR MY BABY BOOMER MEMORIES OF ALLENTOWN AT AMAZON BOOKSTORE....  36 SELECTED POSTS FROM THIS BLOG.