It's Getting Dam Interesting

I learned early this morning, ironically from an anonymous comment, that there is most likely an impropriety occurring in South Whitehall, in regard to the Wehr's Dam. The very engineer that sits on South Whitehall's dais with the Commissioners, has the Wildlands Conservancy as a client.

Here is a tidbit about the south whitehall dam situation. The engineer for the township lists the wildlands conservancy as a client.... http://www.pidcockcompany.com/clients                                              

On Wednesday evening, when I stated that the engineer was stonewalling the opponents, I had no idea about the conflict of interest.  In light of this revelation, it appears that the public's interest in preserving the dam might have to seek intervention through the court.

ADDENDUM: In the course of the last several Township Commissioner meetings, there has been some hesitation about engineering studies on the dam which would advise the commissioners. Although some Commissioners had previously directed the Administration to prepare an independent report on the dam's condition,  that directive was not implemented. Never once did the township's engineer, Ralph Russek, or Commission President Christina Morgan,  disclose that Russek's primary employer, Pidcock Engineering,  also represents the Wildlands.  Although this explains the hedging on the independent report, it shows a lack of candour toward the public effort to retain the dam.  Furthermore, out of the blue, Morgan now favors bringing the issue forward.  Morgan is said to support the Wildlands, which last October demolished the dams in Lehigh Parkway,  immediately after obtaining Allentown City Council permission.

UPDATE: I have deleted the portion of the anonymous comment alleging to arrangements between Wildlands and Jaindl Land Company.  A spokesperson for Jaindl categorically denies that any such arrangements ever existed.

The Anonymous Comment

For those of us who produce a blog, the anonymous comment has always been a problem. Although those using that handle can have a legitimate reason, for others it can be a mask to make incendiary statements with no accountability. Worse, it can be used as a subversive weapon to taint a blog or it's writer. Here in the Lehigh Valley, one well known cyber-stalker actually brags about the blogs that he has sabotaged. The remaining blog producers in the Valley have adopted different policies about comments. Here on molovinsky, the comments are reviewed before being published. Please don't be offended if your anonymous comment does not appear.  You can always resubmit it with your verifiable real name, and I may then decide to print the comment.

Disenfranchising An Independent

Early this spring the local media did several stories on the candidates for the primary, then reported the results after the May 20th primary. Residents of the 183rd District know that the Republican incumbent Julie Harhart is being challenged by Democrat Terri Powells. However, my candidacy as an Independent was never duly reported. Although I gave a press conference, none of the media attended. The Express Times announced my candidacy on their website, but never included it in their hardcopy edition. Likewise, neither the Morning Call or WFMZ has informed the public that there is a third candidate on the ballot. As of early September, even the Northampton branch of the League of Women Voters didn't know that it was a three way election. If such an informed group was unaware of my candidacy, the local media has under-served both me and the public.

Allentown, Get A Grip

Mayor Pawlowski has declared today Tom Petty Appreciation Day. Apparently, we appreciate that Mr. Petty is willing to come to Allentown for his normal large fee. I have no doubt that a group like the Eagles, which normally plays bigger venues, was compensated for the difference. In his column today, Bill White is gloating that Pawlowski proved the naysayers wrong. Would that be those who feel that using the cigarette tax, originally designated for children's health insurance, to pay for private office buildings is a misappropriation of taxes? Let us hope that for $700 million of taxpayer dollars that the NIZ is indeed a success. Despite one gushing article after another by The Morning Call, even Bill must know that it's somewhat premature to evaluate success after the opening night venue. More inappropriate is Petty Appreciation Day. There's a nameless man who has been picking up litter in the West Park neighborhood every day for twenty years. I think that he should be ahead of Petty in getting that certificate.

Branding Candidate Molovinsky

An article on Wehr's Dam referred to me as a blogger running for State Representative. Before that label sticks,  please allow me to identify myself. I'm a long time community advocate, who in recent years has used a blog to help shine light on issues. Long before I had a blog, or even a computer, I was a contributor to the community dialogue. Although a life long proponent of historical preservation, in the late 90's I organized homeowners who felt an unnecessary proposed historic district infringed upon their property rights. Among many other issues in recent years, I turned my attention to the preservation of the WPA structures gracing our communities. Although the article referred to me as a member of the group defending Wehr's Dam, I actually started that effort. Even though Allentown is not part of the 183rd District, I continue to publish molovinsky on allentown, because it is an archive on my activism during the last decade. However, that activism started long before the blog.

A Candidate Of Historical Record

Wehr's Dam is the featured special in today's Morning Call. From my perspective, the story concentrates too much on dam removal science. Worse, that science is not site specific. But, what's worse than the article making that mistake, is the State of Pennsylvania making it. I understand why the Wildlands Conservancy cherry picks the science, they garner grants and administrative fees from removing dams. The Director of the Fish and Boat Commission recently told an associate that he feels that all dams should be removed, that's why Pennsylvania leads the nation in dam removal. That dubious distinction has resulted in some historical dams being removed which did not adversely affect fish or water quality; One size does not fit all.

I'm proud of my record advocating for the WPA sites in the Allentown Park System, and my attempted defense of the Robin Hood Dam there last year.  I'm proud that I was able to save the Reading Road Stone Arch Bridge. When asked to support saving the dam, incumbent State Representative Julie Harhart declined. As a citizen or as a Representative, my advocacy for our traditions and history will continue.

The Partisan Money Machine

The upcoming fundraiser for Justin Simmons will be held at the upscale Melt at the Promenade Shops in Center Valley. Attending will be Pat Toomey, Charlie Dent, Bob Lovett, Bill Heydt, and so on. Tickets start at $250 and run to $1000. My opponent, ten term Julie Harhart, will also be in attendance. I assume that she will be treated in kind soon enough. Someone recently commented on a post that he supports issues, not partisan politics. Although it's easy to say that you think independently, are you willing to contribute to an independent? My neighbors have already received four recent mailings from Julie Harhart. I don't need $1000 contributions at the Melt. I don't even need $250 donations, but I do need $25 from many of you. I expect just one mailing to cost $10,000 to the large district. If you have a problem with an incumbent who is running for her eleventh term, and voted herself a 50% pension increase, please contribute to my campaign. Please help me make the residents of the 183rd District know that there is an alternative available for them. Please let Harrisburg know that the voters of Lehigh Valley are not to be taken for granted. I have installed a paypal button on the sidebar, thank you.

Greg Weaver Art Scene

For about ten years, mid 70's to 80's, Allentown was graced with a one man art machine. Greg Weaver studied at Carnegie Mellon and then returned to the Valley to become artist, promoter and inspiration to dozens of local artists. His large studios, which moved from one low rent location to another over the years, became hubs for innovation and social activity. He was very prolific with his work, and generous with his encouragement. A typical monthly bash involved perhaps a poster by Mark Beyer( now an internationally known underground comic) performance by a jazz group such as Gary Hassay,(Greg also had a band) and perhaps a new showing by a local artist, such as Barnaby Ruhe. The loft parties were always mobbed, by many of the same people who now attend the Museum social events. This art "scene" cost the taxpayers nothing, it was done by artists, and it was real. Greg suffered from diabetes, and eventually lost his sight. Although blind he continued to produce art and inspire people until his death. Several of his works are in the Allentown Museums' permanent collection and his memory is in the hearts' of his friends. The image here is from Mark Beyer, representing an invitation to a Weaver event.

UPDATE: The post above is from September of 2007. This weekend Allentown will have two art events;  An Arts Celebration at the Art Park for the arena opening, and an Alternative Art Festival at Cedar Beach.  Weaver was the original art celebration and festival.