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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Why I Crashed a Pawlowski Presser

Walter Felton
When I heard last night that Lehigh County Democratic Chair Walt Felton had decided to host a presser at Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's campaign headquarters on N 8th St in Allentown, I decided to crash it.

I arrived late, but was there in time to hear Walter Felton hem and haw about how the party never endorsed him, but he is their candidate. If anything, Walter damned Pawlowski with faint praise.

I was there to ask two questions. First, if Fed Ed was truly innocent of these charges, why the hell was he hiding?

Second, if he refuses to resign, will he exercise the Speedy Trial Act and demand a quick trial? Don't the people of Allentown deserve this?

Under federal law, the Speedy Trial Act generally requires that a Defendant be tried within 70 days of indictment or his first court appearance, which in Fed Ed's case will likely be today. This Act also provides that a Defendant must have at east 30 days to prepare, unless he agrees in writing to an earlier date.That means that Fed Ed's trial could conceivably be scheduled between August 25 and October 3.

This is the approach that US District Court Judge Paul S Diamond took in the recent successful prosecution of Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams. Like Fed Ed, Williams refused to resign after being indicted.

Despite a motion to delay the case by both prosecutors and the defense, Judge Diamond insisted on a speedy trial. He noted that the Speedy Trial Act “was designed with the public interest firmly in mind” and that it exists "to vindicate the public interest in the swift administration of justice.”

"I am hard-pressed to think of a case where the public’s right to a speedy trial is more pressing than it is here: the largest prosecutors’ office in the Commonwealth is being run by someone who is not licensed to practice law and is himself charged with 23 federal crimes. Defense counsel—an experienced lawyer—surely understood the need for a prompt resolution of this matter when he agreed to represent Defendant."

In this case, the Mayor of Pennsylvania's third largest city stands accused of being the criminal mastermind of a scheme to deprive the public of their right to honest services through bribery, extortion, bid-rigging and obstructing federal investigators.

Since Fed Ed refuses to resign, it is in the public interest to insist on a swift trial, and one that will be over before the election.

A baker's dozen of Fed Ed supporters were at this news conference. But not Fed Ed.

They quickly identified me as an enemy of this banana republic dictator, and in typical Fed Ed fashion, began denouncing me as disbarred, a nonresident and a drunk. They also said I was "radicalized."

I plead guilty, unlike Fed Ed.

They also began picking on NBC10's reporter, who was asking tough questions, too.

Though I acted all badass, I really felt sorry for these people. He's using them. Most of them are Latinos, the very people described by a former Fed Ed supporter as a "cancer" during a Business Matters broadcast. They reminded me of the female manager of a thrift store on Hamilton Street, who Fed Ed essentially ran out of town in 2007.*

Hamilton St merchants and community activists 
He ignored her multiple calls to him for help concerning bus stops that had been removed, which decimated her foot traffic by 75%. He ignored my calls, too, and at that time I had every reason to support him.

"He's our father. He's the father of our house. He's supposed to take care of us. If he doesn't take care of his children, who can he take care of?"


Those were the words spoken by Bibi Hazra, who operated the Loco Dollar Store. She went under, as did other merchants,and this was long before the NIZ.

Fed Ed now pretends he is the friend of the very people he abandoned in 2007.

In case you've ever wondered what turned me off about Fed Ed, it was this episode. He ignored the people he is supposed to represent.
_______________________________________________________

* Though blogger Michael Molovinsky and I have some serious issues (which actually is a good thing), I have to credit him as the person who first raised public awareness about Fed Ed's attempt to gentrify Hamilton Street.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Walt is a decent guy but he's all wet here.
The party had just revealed itself to he inept and very weak if not corrupt.
I will be leaving the party early next week.

Anonymous said...

I'm staying in the LC Dem party but signing up for Mr. Hyman's campaign.

Anonymous said...

Time for Walt to step aside from this ugly circus.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

When Bernie sees 7:21's racist comment, I expect it will be deleted.

I invite the person who made the comment to reflect on how he/she came to believe that it's ok to disparage an entire race.

Anonymous said...

With a preponderance of evidence against the "mayor for life" I can't believe Big Walt, a retired Allentown Police Officer, tried to come to the rescue of the Chicago Slickster so fast. Yes, Pawlowski is not guilty and presumed innocent, but the evidence surely points the other way. This makes me wonder if he used this same analysis when he arrested and prosecuted criminals! Walt must be drinking out of the same cup as Pawlowski; enjoy your ride to eternity Walt when the slickster pleads guilty or is found guilty by a jury of his peers. When the charges are unveiled today and the immense time in prison he can serve, I suspect he'll change his mind and plea.

Anonymous said...

B.O. - great job in reporting this story. Where are all the B.O haters and deniers now?

Anonymous said...

The King and Queen are too busy dressing up for the court appearance today.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"B.O. - great job in reporting this story. Where are all the B.O haters and deniers now?"

Believe me, they are still here. Yesterday, I was getting attacked when there was no news of the indictment by 2 pm.

Anonymous said...

Walt needs to resign. It was under his leadership that 6 candidates stayed in the race up to the day of the election. This folly allowed a disgraced politician to sneak in and win the party nomination with 28% of the vote. Now he has to own is mistake, hence the presser. He should absolutely resign for that mistake.

Anonymous said...

OMG: Must watch on (YouTube) (Lehigh County Democrats defend Ed PawLOWski), draw your own conclusions.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who knows Walt knows he's a decent guy.
Now he's a decent guy who has made a very unfourtunate choice and should step aside for the good of his party, his city and his reputation.
Do the next right, honorable, thing, Walt.

Anonymous said...

I agree he is a good guy however that was a rookie and costly mistake for the City of Allentown.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for educating us on the "Speedy Trial Act" I was aware of course to the right to a speedy trial, afforded by the 6th Amendment - but not this Act. You have a great sense of humor Bernie - funny stuff.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Felton will be the next person used, abused and finally tossed aside by a heartless criminal administration.
The mayor uses people up and throws them away.
Indeed, Walt should run away from this gang of thrives as quickly as he possible can.

Anonymous said...

Geez, Walt is really, really, really being chumped here.
Sad to watch.
Down right painful.
What a portrait of the local Democratic Party.

Anonymous said...

To say this is an absolute farce doesn't do it any justice.
Totally ready for prime time.
Pathetic beyound description.

Anonymous said...

Darth Voter tweeted that all of this does not represent democratic values. With 14 either indicted or having taken a plea, I believe we have a quorum. Then there's that whole voting on behalf of another house member thing.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Curious as to what Ms Candida has to say. She has been a staunch fed Ed supported the entire time.

Canary_In_Coalmine said...

Bernie:

Good reporting. Did you ask your questions? How were they answered?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I did, and the only answer was that I am disbarred, radical and a nonresident.

Anonymous said...

He calls the indictment a incident, a Federal indictment an incident you got to be kidding, and then a party member says they will support him unconditionally. Democratic Party in Allentown please re-organize this is so unbelievable.

Jamie Kelton said...

I saw the news conference by the Federal Attorney.

All I can say is OMG.

Canary_In_Coalmine said...

Bernie:

That sucks. You've been in front on this story multiple times and you deserved at the very least the first question.

Anonymous said...

Ed's proud constituents.
It's a mighty, mighty coalition,

Anonymous said...

Don't forget where Walt's Loyalties are Walt wouldn't be chair if Fleck and Palowski didn't get him elected

Anonymous said...

Leave Walt alone he's a good guy.

Anonymous said...

Let's talk about Northampton county's pay to play scenario what about the public works department buying paint from the executive secretarys husband, what about the county hiring the public works directors ex company to install new generators at the government center. Hmmmm.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I knew nothing about these allegations, and will discuss them with Stan Rugis.

Anonymous said...

What was your outcome ?

Anonymous said...

???????? Still waiting

Bernie O'Hare said...

You are both off topic and wrong. The paint in question was Serwin Williams, not the exec sec'y husband. The company used to install generators is state contract and is the last company Stan wanted there.

Anonymous said...

Gracedale buys paint from Miller's paint, so you may be wrong yourself.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You first made the accusation about public works, defaming a good woman in the process. Now it is Gracedale. You've already been established to be full of shit and I have no intention of going on another of your wild goose chases, especially when you lack the basic integrity to say who you are.