The Turning Point At City Council

As a blogger/journalist I'm at a table for one. No one accuses me of having favorite politicans or favorite anything...I can't be counted on to take a predictable viewpoint, so most officials have no use for me. However, I do get contacted by activists now and then, willing to roll the dice that I will see things their way. I think that this post may equally offend all. 

The Discrimination Resolution was never in doubt, because of the math. Hendricks proclaimed before the discussion that he would vote against it, and Affa often shares his sentiments on such things. Even if Napoli joined them, co-sponsors Zucal and Gerlach could count on Santos and Mota. Before the Discrimination Issue reached discussion, Tuerk called on Karen Ocasio from HR to explain procedure on sick days. His introduction of her demonstrated that people of color were in positions of regard within city hall. 

The meeting progressed through the various resolutions on the agenda, leaving the investigation of discrimination until last. When Karen Ocasio stood up again to speak, this time as an employee of color who felt victimized, I think that Hendricks and Tuerk knew that they had no chips left to play. 

Photo shows Ocasio walking past Tuerk after testifying about what she felt as harassment in city hall.

above reprinted from September 8, 2023

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 22, 2023: I've never used such a recent reprint before, but who would imagine Tuerk terminating Karen Ocasio so soon after her accusation of discrimination. The optics look so bad I must believe that Tuerk feels that he can document the justification. However, such a justification is lost on Councilman Ed Zucal, who has called for a vote of no confidence over the situation. Tuerk issued a response Tuesday afternoon that he doesn't participate in retaliatory practices. 

I suspect that Matt and Ed are not sharing a holiday meal this week.

Lunch At Dieruff

When I saw the new principal's picture, bow tie and all, I thought the kids at Dieruff  will eat him for lunch. Then, when I read about his background teaching culture,  I wasn't sure that he would even make into the building.  However, with some more research by the blog staff, we think that Mr. Schmidt may do just fine.

We know that being a principal at a high school in Allentown is no cake walk. His predecessor left under murky circumstances. In addition to the student challenge,  the board and administration don't have a supportive reputation.

An article in the Morning Call mentions that the interim principal at Dieruff is well liked by students and staff alike.  They also mention that there will now be a search for a new principal at William Allen. One wonders why not place Mr Schmidt at Allen, and make the popular interim official principal at Dieruff?

Another alternative for Allen might be myself. I remember in mid-1960's, during my last expulsion, it was said that nobody ever spent more time in the principal's office than me.

Anywho, we wish Mr. Schmidt well in his new pursuit.

Union Street Slowdown

By the early 1960's, things had slowed for Allentown's manufacturing base and the rail freight cars that served them. Train lines had consolidated, and tracks and spurs had been removed. Remaining plants were supplied by trucks, and people traveled by bus and car. The remaining train station would soon close, but the term rustbelt had not yet entered the vocabulary. Western Electric (AT&T) on Union Blvd. was now making transistors, and there was still confidence in the new economy. Allentown was the All American City.

reprinted from July 2011

Allentown's Frankenstein, The Parking Authority

The monster, aka Allentown Parking Authority would be hard pressed to pass a polygraph test. In 2005, the former and current director of the Authority, testified in front of City Council that the majority of the merchants wanted the meter rate increased. They lied*. The Authority has always functioned for the betterment of the BIG BOYS on the backs of the smallest among us. In 1991 the Authority purchased the 13 parking lots owned by the declining Park N Shop for well over market price. Profiting from the buyout was Morning Call owner Donald Miller, Department store heir John Leh, Harvey Farr, and a few other good old boys. Keep in mind Hess's and Leh's department stores had their own parking decks, and the meters penalized the small merchants. Today the monster feeds on Allentown's poorest residents. Meters still extend out to 10th and Chew, 5 blocks well beyond the closest store. Over 100,000 tickets a year are issued to Allentown's poorest, mostly the intercity tenants. Now, 15 years after serving the needs of the BIG BOYS, the Authority again schemes for the connected. Now they give away the lots so that developers can have free to cheap KOZ opportunities. The new housing at 8th and Walnut was at the expense of the existing homeowners who used those lots as off street parking. The protest which came from a neighborhood group out of St. Pauls Church was labeled as naysayers to moving Allentown forward. Years ago the Authority paid millions for the lots, paid for them by aggressively ticketing the poor, and now are giving them back to the rich. The current plan is to "sell" a lot at 7th and Linden, used by the Verizon employees, so a developer can make a few bucks on unneeded townhouses.
Easton is beginning to realize their Parking Authority needs scrutiny. If they thought about it more, they may wonder why a town that size even needs an Authority at all. Please join me this wednesday Feb. 27, 4:00 pm at the Monsters house, 10th and Hamilton Sts., to support the Verizon workers attempt to retain their safe and convenient parking.

* I conducted a survey at that time, 40 out of the 47 merchants were opposed to the meter increase.

reprinted from February of 2008

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 17, 2023:Abuse by the Parking Authority continues to this day. In recent times, the few remaining surface lots went to the few NIZ czars, as if their deals weren't sweet enough already!

Turning Out The Light

The train tower on Union Street was demolished in 1971. It survived years beyond need because the gates were never automated, and the remaining track was used for switching freight cars. The junction yard behind the State Hospital property, near the border with Bethlehem, is still active. The freight trains travel south Allentown toward Emmaus several times a day. In the quiet of early morning, you can still hear that whistle almost everywhere in the city.

photograph by Dave Latshaw is part of the Mark Rabenold Collection

reprinted from July 2011

Allentown's Mutiny

When I observed Pawlowski's corruption trial, sitting in the gallery was Phoebe Harris. She and Jessica Lee Ortiz were staunch Pawlowski supporters. 

Mayor Tuerk has not inherited that support, on the contrary. There was an incident at Ortiz's Ark Foundation with a supposed racial slur. I say supposed because the word is used differently by different people, and I'm not qualified to judge what someone meant by it. 

One thing is for certain, the Ortiz's didn't appreciate how Tuerk and his administration reacted. The poster shown above was created by Jessica Ortiz. If City Council will override Tuerk's veto of their no tax hike budget version, or reach a compromise, remains to be seen tonight.

A sure bet is that Ortiz and Harris will be there, along with others dissatisfied with this administration.

Lehigh Valley Railroad

The Lehigh Valley Railroad began as an carrier of anthracite coal in 1846. At it's peak, it stretched from the docks of New York harbor to Lake Erie. Although mostly a freight carrier serving the hearths of Bethlehem Steel, it operated a well known passenger line from New York City to Buffalo, The Black Diamond. As a child in the 1950's, I would sit in the car with my father waiting for the long freight trains to cross Union Street. A train watch tower stood over the busy crossing. By 1976, remnants of the railroad were absorbed by Conrail. Shown above, from the late 1930's, is the streamlined engine of the Black Diamond.

reprinted from January 2011

School Board Considers Cutting Off A Funding Hand

Over the years I attended alot of schools, but certainly not because I was a good student. I always marvel at the persistance of alumni organizations. Never contributing doesn't slow down the mailings. I suppose maybe they figure the alumni, or in my case the brief attendee or more accurately the brief non-attendee, might become senile and make a large contribution...And it almost happened! 

This week I received for the first time an issue of the Allentown School District Foundation's annual appeal and report. I was impressed about the good work of the foundation. Since its inception the foundation has raised $8.8 million dollars for the school district. This year $68,000 went to help seventy graduates with their college tuition. Numerous teachers were also given grants to enable special programming.

Lehigh Valley News reports that the foundation has learned through the grapevine that the administration/board is considering cutting ties with the foundation; without, as of yet, providing an explanation... Talk about shutting the stable door on a gift horse. 

There apparently will be some changes in the Foundation's leadership. Perhaps the changes would be more beneficial for the school system if they occurred within the board and administration.