Hamilton Without Lanta

It has been about a year since Allentown and Lanta ended their historic covenant with the merchants, and the result has been a disaster. The 700 block of Hamilton, although not glamorous, was viable. Years ago there was an expression; there's many more nickels than quarters. Without the bus traffic, no less than 6 businesses have closed. All the new stores have been subsidized by city grants. Currently on Allentown Good News, a blog sponsored city officials, they're bragging about a women who sells coffee and cookies, and even that required a grant. The bad news, is that the gentrification hoped for, never materialized. Johnny Manana's, despite 50 thousand and a county sponsored liquor license, has locked the doors. Last spring, Mayor Pawlowski said 150 grand left from facade grants, may be spent to support existing restaurants. How much we really put into Manana's may never be known. Mayors will blame the economy for the failures. In ten years, we will hire a consultant for hundreds of thousands, who will recommend restoring bus transfer stations to Hamilton.

artwork by Karoline Schaub-Peeler

Change

Nobody has gotten more out of the word "change", than Obama, since the cash register was invented. Here, on the local blogosphere and newspaper, we are somewhere between cult worship and a new religion. Take for example, an Email I received this morning from Bill Villa concerning my previous posting;

"This one's just between you and me. I just wanted to tell you what a horse's ass you are, posting that dumbo entry about some WW II fighter pilot guy the day after Barack Obama's victory. This is your uniquely Molovinsky self-absorbed way of showing just how insignificant you consider Obama's victory to be. As if anyone cares what you think. You're also sucking up to that "Greatest Generation" (which you missed being a part of by only a few short years) that is lamenting the "America they used to know." Nice pandering. And while we're on the subject of total transparency, if "The Banker" isn't Bernie O'Hare, I'm not Bill Villa."

I print the above Email with some hesitation, because Mr. Villa said the message was between him and me. I suppose because he calls me a horse's ass, and because he deleted, rather than read my reply to him, I need not consider his feelings more than he considers mine. The fighter pilot is my son's step-grandfather, and has always shown much consideration toward him. Had McCain won, would any post on any other subject be considered disrespectful? In Obama's speech Tuesday night, he expressed respect for McCain and his supporters. I wonder if that toleration will be practiced by his supporters; that would be a change.

An American Hero

This painting, by aviation artist Mark Postlethwaite, based on World War 2 illustrates an actual air battle; Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 of 14/JG26 flown by Ofw. Werner Zech is intercepted by a P-51 Mustang of the 339th FG flown by Captain Francis R. Gerard, 18th March 1945. Frank Gerard was one of our flying aces, shooting down four enemy aircraft from his Mustang in one battle over Leipzig, Germany. The retired Major General passed away this week and will be buried tomorrow with full military honors.

Pawlowski's Halloween

For the second time in one month, there was a fatal shooting in front of young children. Last night's crime happen during the trick and treat hours, creating a real life horror for kids being robbed of an Allentown tradition. The shooting on 9TH St., under a flashing blue surveillance camera and a near a identified landlord of shame, appeared on the local news page of the Morning Call. Above the slaying article, columnist Bill White praises the Pawlowski initiative against landlords. Allentown should not be so conditioned to murder and violence, that it has become B section news. We should not tolerate an administration which blames its inability to deal with crime on tavern owners and landlords. You don't have to be a brain surgeon....

The Press and Allentown

Today's editorial in The Morning Call, supporting Pawlowski's Hall of Shame, is inexplicable. Simply put, the program ignores a system of ordinances and legal remedies, and resorts to ridicule, not unlike the stockade in Puritan New England. The first inductees were certainly soft targets, young brothers from New Jersey. Are their records and violations any worse than several well known local landlords, not at all. Not that many years ago, the newspaper survived a hugh slander lawsuit involving another targeted "slumlord". To this day, whenever using his name, reporters must first get clearance from their editors, who in turn consult with their legal department. I find it curious that the paper would again go down this road, but what's really amazing is that every proposal ever made by this mayor, has been endorsed on the Editorial Page.

Allentown Post Office 1934

In the 1930's, the "New Deal" was good to Allentown. As I noted on earlier posts, our park system was enriched by monumental stone construction under the WPA. We also received one of the architectural gems of our area, the magnificent art deco post office. Constructed during 1933-34, no detail was spared in making the lobby an ageless classic. The floor is adorned with handmade Mercer tiles from Doylestown. Muralist Gifford Reynolds Beal worked thru 1939 portraying the Valley's cultural and industrial history. This incredible 74 year old photograph is the contractor's documentation of the project's progress. The back of the photo states; Taken Sept 1 - 34 showing lobby, floor, screens, desks, completed & fixtures hung

Historic Opportunity

During the Republican National Convention, I was struck by the comments of several young black delegates; btw, black republicans, as with gay republicans, do not require a large convention center when they meet. Back to the point, these three young republicans all stated they would be voting for Obama come November. They clearly pointed out as blacks, Obama's chance of becoming President, was too hugh of an historic opportunity for them not to support. I was also struck by the terms Colin Powell used to justify his endorsement of Obama; transformational and generational. They seem odd words for an experienced soldier and diplomat. Although I would not hesitate to vote for Colin Powell or even Condoleezza Rice, I will not vote for a inexperienced freshman senator, who has not demonstrated any comprehension of world issues or even the economic principles of capitalism, upon which this country has thrived. Perhaps in time, Obama can mature into a viable candidate, not just an historic opportunity.

Hall of Shame

Today's Morning Call features a hugh photograph of city code enforcers hanging a large sign identifying the owner of a building with code violations. The offender, Adam Thor, is Allentown's first inductee in the Allentown Landlord Hall of Shame, which is also being featured on the city website. Mr. Thor owns two buildings in the 300 block of 9th Street. Interestingly, about one year ago, an article identified this block as targeted by the Redevelopment Authority for multiple acquisitions and de-conversions. I bet Mr. Thor is ready to negotiate now! Unless Mr. Thor is the person who shot the driver on 7th Street earlier this week in front of the victim's children, he is just a scapegoat and distraction for Pawlowski's inability to deal with Allentown's real problems.