Several years ago Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski testified in front of the panel that would decide which local municipality would be granted the much sought after casino license. The mayor's testimony raised eyebrows when he stated that Allentown would become a black hole if it wasn't given the casino.
Speed forward to today and see Ed's prediction coming into fruition in the heart of the downtown. A square block has been condemned and demolished. This obliteration of countless individual buildings and businesses through the very questionable means of eminent domain is not the black hole of which Ed spoke. The box that Pawlowski will build there is the vacuum that will suck resources from the city, the school district, and surrounding municipalities. The arena project is the black hole.
Ed didn't get mad when the casino license went to Bethlehem instead of Allentown; with the help of local state legislators and campaign contributors,he is getting even.
19 comments:
And I thought that howling sound I have been hearing since the demolition took place was the wind picking up.
Thanks Scott for confirming it is not a climate change, just the sound of Allentown being flushed down the proverbial toilet.
Under the current administration Allentown should have it as good as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAkBotFH7w
John Ingram is mad at Pawlowski for not re-appointing him to the City Planning Commission. Ingrams term actually ended January 2011 but was allowed to serve until February 1, 2012 when Pawlowski informed him that he was not being re-appointed. This occurred at the same City Council meeting in wish Julio Guridy was elected President initially by a vote of 4 yes and three no. Schweyer made a motion afterword to have a revote to make the election unanimous. Guriday was voted on 1st. Schweyer was to be voted on 2nd but since Guriday was able to get 4 votes no vote on Schweyer was made
Also at the meeting was a vote on the other astronomical program -- Delta Thermo Energy waste to energy plant. The measure was defeated 3-3. Cocannon did not vote. He hung up his telephone.
How does this transcend ideologies? So far, it seems to break down pretty nicely with people who have conservative views on land use issues lining up on one side, and people with liberal views on the other. The political question is whether you want more cornfield development when the economy starts growing again, or whether you want to stop sprawl and start building up in the cities.
Recent reports claim more than 600 housing units are in deplorable condition. Why aren't Allentown residents demanding answers from city hall?
This is trickle down economics. You'll see. It works.
Gon Jeeting
Jon, No the question is whether we want a government that is accountable and transparent or not. That transcends ideologies. Do we want a government that can take money from people in one community, and divert it off pay the loan for a developer in another community? Even when the people voted to dedicated the use of that tax for a particular purpose? Do we want back door legislation, slipped in a bill that no one had time to read? Do we want pay to play politics, where campaign contributors are rewarded with contracts? Do we want the lobbyist wife of the state senator who drafted this legislation to benefit from it?
These questions all transcend ideology. In short, do we want good government or don't we? You are willing to justify a violation of the very principles upon which this government stands in order to see an urban project succeed. What are you gonna' do when the government turns around and starts treating you like shit, too, as they did with the merchants on Hamiltion Street?
Bernie, Allentown looks kinda sorta almost nearly close to transparent from Brooklyn.
To paraphrase Sarah Palin: you can actually see Allentown from Brooklyn!
Gon Jeeting
Well, Armstrong is never going to be appointed to a board or a commission in Allentown, those are reserved for bootlickers and campaign donors like Mark Buchvalt and the lawyers from King, Spry... King Edwin did predict a black hole, I just never expected the Republicans (Pat Browne) to be involved.
I'm waiting for the big bomb to drop (sarcasm) that Cynthis Mota is changing her mind and voting for the garbage burning plant. Word has it she might get invited to spend opening night in the Jaindl luxury box with the Brownes, Jennifer Mann, Marcel Groen, Jerome Frank and of course King Edwin and Queen Lisa. Many jumped the gun and commended her for her independence. I nominate Frank Concannon to drop the inaugural first puck!
Actually, Armstrong is already on the Allentown School Board. I wonder what his plans are for Allentown's Schools?
Any ideas Scott? Haven’t heard much from you yet. You can only be a freshman board member for so long.
Actually, Armstrong is already on the Allentown School Board. I wonder what his plans are for Allentown's Schools?
Any ideas Scott? Haven’t heard much from you yet. You can only be a freshman board member for so long.
Actually, Armstrong is already on the Allentown School Board. I wonder what his plans are for Allentown's Schools?
Any ideas Scott? Haven’t heard much from you yet. You can only be a freshman board member for so long.
Bernie, you don't understand! When I said "conservative views on land use issues", I meant paying off politicians and screwing the small local merchants. Can't you see this as building up Allentown?
Gone Cheating
Mota is supposed to be on an educational trip to Egg Harbor , NJ to learn about Delta Thermo Energy's Waste to Energy Plant ... Unfortunately she will only learn for sure how they make their fuel ...Well they take sludge from a treatment plant ... If treatment was done right it was dewatered and should be odorless... Delta will do more dewatering and use a process similar to a medical Alcove at high heat to sanitize the sludge and bake it much like they bake coal to produce coke to produce their ungassed fuel product,, The Egg Harbor plant is said no to have an colmbustion chamber and does not produce energy ... If so, Mota will only learn more as to high the fuel is produced.
Mota is supposed to be on an educational trip to Egg Harbor , NJ to learn about Delta Thermo Energy's Waste to Energy Plant ... Unfortunately she will only learn for sure how they make their fuel ...Well they take sludge from a treatment plant ... If treatment was done right it was dewatered and should be odorless... Delta will do more dewatering and use a process similar to a medical Alcove at high heat to sanitize the sludge and bake it much like they bake coal to produce coke to produce their ungassed fuel product,, The Egg Harbor plant is said no to have an colmbustion chamber and does not produce energy ... If so, Mota will only learn more as to high the fuel is produced.
pawlowski is making callahan look good. just teasing. it's not possible.
the hole is as black as his heart
"pawlowski is making callahan look good. just teasing. it's not possible"
bitter, much?
Bernie..after talking with our boro manager about the discussions at the TCC meeting last Thursday , it came up that the LST..Local Services Tax..$52 a year per person..could also be grabbed by the NIZ tax thieves. Did you know of this wrinkle? He said nobody at that meeting knew of any real details of this mess.
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