Crimes Of Lanta

NEW IMPROVED VERSION
Regular readers of this blog know I don't think much of Lanta. A couple years ago when they decided to sacrifice the Hamilton Street merchants for their own agenda, I got involved with that cause. Their board of directors is a case study in bureaucratic aloofness. From a alternative transportation idealist (currently not serving) to a professional politician in training, every wrong interest is represented, but the common shmo* who rides the bus out of economic necessity. The shmo used to be able to do his shopping, or fill his prescription, between buses on Hamilton Street. He now has been restricted to sitting on a cold bench or eating a stale donut while he waits. But there's big news for the shmo. Lanta has $9.3 million dollars in Stimulus money and now is squandering two of it on a GPS system. They refer to it as a "Monumental Step" toward improving conditions for bus passengers. Although the buses already have radio systems and cell phones for emergency communication, now Lanta will know where each bus is at every moment. Because the buses are on a fixed route with well publicized schedules, this is sort of like putting GPS on a children's ride at the fair which goes around in a circle.

This system will be monitored by the same guy who watches Allentown's crime cameras. He will take a taxicab back and forth between Lanta and Police headquarters. Back to the shmo; while waiting on the bench he will able to see a screen telling him where his bus is now, reducing his anxiety and improving his mental health. Lanta's buying these devices from a small company in State College, on a single bid. A review of their web site, between the lines, indicates they do not manufacture these devices. Can you take Chinese at Allen High? One would think with $7.3 million left over, Lanta might find an alternative to tearing down that baseball field.

* hapless victim of circumstance

Preaching To The Choir

Yesterday, Rendell came to Bethlehem to squeeze the udders of our new cash cow, The Sands Casino. Somehow, through interior design, this money vacuum cleaner is portrayed as having something to do with the former occupant of that parcel, Bethlehem Steel, which actually produced something. Already, we are being primed for table games; their fear is that some people may still have some money left when they leave the parking deck to go home. On the way to the ribbon cutting and his free steak dinner, Bam, he stopped to stroke Renew Lehigh Valley, progressive advocates for regionalism. The sermon was that somehow they and Rendell have a plan to save us money, down the line, by consolidating water systems and avoiding repetition of capital expenses in projected upgrades; and of course they would do all of this, cognizant of "smart growth". Last year, a chemical truck overturned on the turnpike entrance and contaminated a nearby well, one source of South Whitehall's water. Fortunately, our current "dumb growth" still had additional sources. By their recommendations, Trexlertown and Fogelsville could look forward to Allentown's fluoridated water. Now only if those old Dutchmen still had their baby teeth, the fluoride might have done them some good.

UPDATE: NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION

Allentown Baseball Ephemera

In early August of 1942, Alvin Butz attempted to prevail on the Detroit Tigers minor league team not to cancel their scheduled game with The Allentown Wings, minor league team of the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was supposed to be played on August 26th on Fairview Field, currently known as Bicentennial Park. Mr. Butz was president of the ballclub at that time and was also a major contributor of the current stadium built in 1975.

click on letter to enlarge

If Cows Could Talk

If this cow could talk, she would tell you she was made by Greg Weaver in about 1980. Although his wife Fran worked at Bethlehem Steel, most likely Greg secured the steel from one of two scrap yards on Sumner Ave, which graciously tolerated his foraging excursions. Most likely the cow was cut and welded at his Allen Street studio, just west of 9th Street. The building was an old wooden barn type structure, owned by Fred P. Kistler, and no longer exists. (it's a few parking spaces now) Fred didn't get much rent, but he does have some nice Weaver artwork. I recall gathering in the rose garden to celebrate the installation. I repeated the phrase "most likely" because the details blur with time, worse, too many of us there are no longer. The photo was taken by Andrew Kleiner and published on his blog, Remember.

RETRACTION; THERE WAS 'SOMETHING' THAT BOTHERED ME. THE COW IS VERY WEAVERISH, I REMEMBER HE PREVAILED ON THE PARK DIRECTOR FOR A LONG TIME FOR PERMISSION, I REMEMBER THE GATHERING, BUT, I DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER THE COW. I CONTACTED AN ASSOCIATE OF THAT ERA, AND HE TELLS ME THAT GREG INSTALLED A FLOWER SCULPTURE THAT DAY, AND LATER A GATE PIECE. I LEAVE THE POST, AND I BELIEVE THOSE OF US WHO KNEW GREG AND HIS WORK WILL THINK OF HIM WHEN THEY SEE THAT COW.

Baseball Memoirs

Bob Lamson saved the newspaper clipping all these years. On Oct. 31, 1975, The Morning Call reported that $200,000 had been raised to built the stadium. Times were different then, there were no KOZ's or cardboard checks from professional politicians. Bob is now 77, he played for the Patriots, and knocked on doors for two years to help build Bicentennial Park. Much of the construction was done by Vo-Tech instructors and students, who donated countless hours of their time. Contributors included the community leaders of their era; Van Schiver, Alvin Butz, and former Mayor Hock. The stadium opened in 1976 to host the National Fast Pitch Softball Tournament. Where will the plaque of contributors to Bicentennial end up thirtyfour years later; at a scrap dealer? Does Lanta really need the space, or does Allentown need the money? Would people again contribute their sweat equity, to build a field of dreams, only to see it torn down by a politician's fast pitch?

ALLENTOWN SPEAK OUT

Yesterday there was quite a difference between the hardcopy and mcall version of the budget shortfall by Jarrett Renshaw. Renshaw did a terrific job of projecting the shortfall, based on an increased budget with a stagnate revenue flow. The newspaper version had the full story, while Mcall abridged the information. With the exception of Donovan, Council was clueless. It appears this lack of comprehension continued even into and throughout last night's council meeting. I conclude the Panel of 17 Experts will also be kept in the dark, both by the Administration and their lack of motivation. If council conspired with the Mayor to create a dog and pony show (expert panel) is now a fair question. Yesterday on topix "Monkey Momma" (pen name for anonymous commentator) wondered if the City should be expanding the Park System overhead while facing an $8million deficit? That is a good question for Saturday's meeting. Here's another; should the Trexler Trust help finance the Administrations' recommendations while other park assets are left to decay?
Allentown Speak Out
Sat. May 30th 1:00pm
Faith Baptist Church
219 N. 12th St. Allentown

A Field Of Dreams

In the movie, Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner builds a ballpark in a corn field. Here in Allentown, Lanta is proposing to tear down a ball park, Bicentennial Field, to build a garage for hybrid buses, which will burn corn oil. I don't think much of Lanta. I saw their arrogance in action when they sacrificed the Hamilton Street merchants to justify their new Transportation Terminal. My fellow blogger, Bernie O'Hare, has more respect for government, authorities and boards. His journalistic, researched posting * on a recent board nominee, Steve Schmitt, credits the bike racks on the front of the buses to this individual. Here is where Bernie and I turn off on separate paths; Now, if those bike racks were for half-wits,** as portrayed by Pee Wee, I would have no problem. Now, if those bike racks were intended for the poor, who owned no car, I would have no problem. But Schmitt's motivation was neither poverty or mental infirmity; He is one of those alternative transportation, spandex wearing, starbuck drinking cyclists, who know it all, and justify taking the buses off Hamilton Street and tearing down a ballpark. To set the record straight, although Schmitt is Mr. Bike Rack, I'm using him to stereotype the board of directors who generally have too much self esteem and not enough common sense. If they insist on hybrid buses and recycled Starbuck cardboard cups, fine; but find someplace else for the garage. Don't tear down a field of dreams for generations of little league, don't tear down an icon which would cost millions to replace. Please join me this coming Saturday and speak out against this pending mistake.

* http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2009/05/schmitt-unfiot-for-lanta.html

** not an official term of the American Psychological Association

Park Plans Examined

Please join us a week from today as we discuss and analyze the new plans, which change the historic nature of our park system. My personal goal is to promote awareness the of the WPA stone structures and the proper maintenance of those landmarks. What aspect of the parks do you want to protect? Allentown has been through many changes in recent years which the average citizen has had little control over, lets stand up for the parks.