tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post349864502521142693..comments2024-03-29T05:58:13.155-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Allentown: We're Broke, So Let's Borrow Money!Bernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-40740275037275747892010-01-11T23:24:34.757-05:002010-01-11T23:24:34.757-05:00Hey Kim,
If you have so many great ideas, why do...Hey Kim, <br />If you have so many great ideas, why don't you run for office?SomeNeophytenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84312802954757806102009-03-29T08:53:00.000-04:002009-03-29T08:53:00.000-04:00Time for Fast Eddie to move West and time for Dono...Time for Fast Eddie to move West and time for Donovan to head North. Go home guys.<BR/><BR/>The budget thing was no secret. These guys are a bunch of lying political fools. <BR/><BR/>The mayors staff is dying to give away the Americus as long as someone will pay the back taxes to cover their salaries for a little while longer.<BR/><BR/>Tough times have just begun. Hopefully they are not going to cut jobs means they are planning to do just that.<BR/><BR/>Allentown will be a true welfare city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20560984502632956992009-03-27T21:39:00.000-04:002009-03-27T21:39:00.000-04:00I couldn't agree more. I hope Bill Heydt is readi...I couldn't agree more. I hope Bill Heydt is reading these blogs.<BR/>If he runs one more time, he has to defeat Fast Eddie, The citizens have to see the handwriting on the wall. Borrow ourselves out of debt? Come on.Right Onnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65820933967646425082009-03-27T20:12:00.000-04:002009-03-27T20:12:00.000-04:00Kim, At this point some neophyte will write, if y...Kim,<BR/><BR/> At this point some neophyte will write, if you have all these good ideas why don’t you run for office. They won’t even know that that you did, you were one of the evil Republicans.<BR/><BR/> Scott ArmstrongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78821513178302784512009-03-27T11:45:00.000-04:002009-03-27T11:45:00.000-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.Kim, I just want to "pigg...Retired ASD teacher here.<BR/><BR/>Kim, I just want to "piggy-back" on what you have written about Mayor Heydt. I had the pleasure of working with him on a large community event.<BR/><BR/>For me, Bill Heydt, was the last qualified and effective Mayor Allentown has had. I believe Bill Heydt really knew what he was doing. He was direct on issues, didn't seem to dance around those issues, made concrete decisions, and obviously brought Allentown to a positive place while he was in charge.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, Bill Heydt! Sometimes, we can't value something until it's gone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47258813945651058122009-03-27T11:00:00.000-04:002009-03-27T11:00:00.000-04:00The reason Heydt lost and Afflerbach won was that ...The reason Heydt lost and Afflerbach won was that Afflerbach said everything people wanted to hear and people didn't pay close enough attention as to whether or not his words were truth. Heydt was his own man and people didn't always like his honest talking. Quite frankly I would rather not like the words and be spoken to honestly than sweet talked while being lied to. Heydt may not have been perfect but he did what he was supposed to do - he kept us on good financial footing and he wasn't a shmoozer and he didn't bore us to death with his powerpoint presentations. He served Allentown well even if people were bothered by him. People get hung up on their feelings and don't address the real issues. As an Allentonian from birth I can honestly say under Afflerbach and Pawlowski, I feel robbed. Afflerbach, Kuhn, Blackburn, Pawlowski, Wermsdorfer....It is all one BIG joke. Only problem, is it isn't funny. Please don't bother to say than why don't you come up with ideas...I have plenty of them. I run a neighborhood group in center city, I'm an advocate of the police department, I believe we need to make cuts in our government. I think we should look at government in a different fashion. We should systematically address departments with zero based budgeting. Quite frankly there are too many programs whose purpose was served or never served and should be removed from the taxpayer's burden. There are too many top level postitions and way too much beauracracy. Term limits should most definitely be instituted as well for our elected officials. There's alot that this adinistration could do to address Allentown's financial situation other than borrowing more debt; only problem is that it takes leadership and the ability to curtail spending. Something this administration shows no skill for.<BR/><BR/>Kim BeitlerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85166292392297821232009-03-27T06:50:00.000-04:002009-03-27T06:50:00.000-04:00Rising Sun wrote:"Could it be that your memory is ...Rising Sun wrote:<BR/><BR/>"Could it be that your memory is bad, those stats are cooked, or the good voters of Allentown want to suffer?"<BR/><BR/>My memory is fine, and the "stats" are easily verifiable. Allentown voters, however, have shown an amazing ability to elect and re-elect big-government Democrats despite the results. <BR/><BR/>This dynamic is nothing new for cities across the country, just new for Allentown. Unless something changes, Allentown will continue to suffer.<BR/><BR/>Big government doesn't work. Eventually they run out of other people's money to spend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13466023789073956092009-03-27T05:55:00.000-04:002009-03-27T05:55:00.000-04:00Insults are predictable and empty of insight, dull...Insults are predictable and empty of insight, dull read and reflect more on the user than the target.<BR/><BR/> Scott ArmstrongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52169428692522297252009-03-26T20:22:00.000-04:002009-03-26T20:22:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64659887154831339612009-03-26T19:53:00.000-04:002009-03-26T19:53:00.000-04:00Scott,No, I don't want your graciousness. Last tim...Scott,<BR/><BR/>No, I don't want your graciousness. Last time we got into it, you went to the "you're stupid" route. I was pointing that out.<BR/><BR/>I have no problem debating the merits of any issue you'd like. Wouldn't be the first time. I agree with you, we should go that route, I'm saying practice what you preach, don't cry now that some nice lady smacked you around on here. I'm simply saying beyond that, she's right about what she said. I'm sure some of us are guilty of just beating down the right too. Fair's fair here, have some thick skin.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156821106883484918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47674867699125805242009-03-26T19:02:00.000-04:002009-03-26T19:02:00.000-04:00Rising Sun, So I should acknowledge your/Democ...Rising Sun,<BR/><BR/> So I should acknowledge your/Democrat magnanimity to debate me. Rather pompous on your part?<BR/><BR/>Why not keep it simple and stick to the issues/issues? Why the constant resort to insult? One could perceive this tactic as an indication of a lack of confidence in argument and ideas.<BR/> Ten years of previous involvement in Allentown Politics has toughened me up a bit, simple slander and bullying will not dissuade me from expressing my opinion. Therefore, you (and the rest) might want to reconsider the use of these tactics. Frankly it is tedious to the sites participants.<BR/> Readers of this site see it for what it is, so move on, make your point, and prepare for the rebuttal. <BR/> Scott ArmstrongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27165114803634376482009-03-26T18:29:00.000-04:002009-03-26T18:29:00.000-04:00My point here is that we need some new thoughts, s...My point here is that we need some new thoughts, some new ideas. I haven't heard a new idea from the present administration, and don't expect any from his campaign contributors now known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, who will only report after the primary. I have at least put forth some ideas on my Facebook Green Ribbon page,(http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=9837&post=84434&uid=57740191481#/group.php?gid=57740191481)<BR/> and invited everyone to join in with ideas. We do have a future, but what it looks like is our choice.dick neponhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694305390710425613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-159614168762111822009-03-26T18:17:00.000-04:002009-03-26T18:17:00.000-04:00Here is an interesting take on Government spending...Here is an interesting take on Government spending - getting Value for our dollars!<BR/><BR/>Minnesota's Bottom Line: Better Results for Dollars Spent was released for public dialogue last night with an audience of 100 Minnesota stakeholders. While we looked at a wide range of ideas, we had time to flesh out nine of them, based on the following principles: <BR/><BR/> * Promoting collaboration, sharing, across levels and types of government<BR/> * Funding consumers of services rather than suppliers of service<BR/> * Offering flexibility in how things are done while strengthening accountability for results<BR/> * Integrating funding sources around the needs of citizens rather than the convenience of the government system<BR/> * Distinguishing between the "deciding" function of government and the "doing"<BR/> * Strengthening accountability through greater transparency of actions and records<BR/> * Having a preference for results-inducing incentives over coercive forms of compliancedick neponhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694305390710425613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-72141493276236480192009-03-26T17:37:00.000-04:002009-03-26T17:37:00.000-04:00All of this misses the main point. This argument i...All of this misses the main point. This argument is supposed to be about the management of Allentown city government. As I said, city government does not equal federal government. There certainly is an issue in Allentown, the balance sheet doesn't look healthy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156821106883484918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42326366843753515462009-03-26T17:34:00.000-04:002009-03-26T17:34:00.000-04:00Anon 5:16,Read history. His budget projects 4% gro...Anon 5:16,<BR/><BR/>Read history. His budget projects 4% growth on out, the CBO projects 2%. I can definitively say we beat 4% growth under Bush II, Clinton, Reagan, Nixon, Johnson.... Well you get the point. 4% growth in a year is not a "never before seen period of economic boom" It's kind of average growth. It's quite possible that we'll beat the projections.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156821106883484918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78555522687118730992009-03-26T17:16:00.000-04:002009-03-26T17:16:00.000-04:00"The reality is, we've been running ridiculous deb..."The reality is, we've been running ridiculous debts since the beginning of Bush's term ..."<BR/><BR/>President Obama quadrupled Bush's deficit in fewer than 60 days. His own budget office projects initially lower debt for four years and then breathtaking increases for the next six and beyond. And this will only happen if his "worst economic crisis since The Great Depression" is resolved quicker than any mild recession in modern time - and followed by a never before seen period of economic boom. Impossible.<BR/><BR/>Allentown is just following the Dear Leader's example. It has lots of defenders. It's just got to work. That, and hockey, maybe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59412549664917743622009-03-26T17:05:00.000-04:002009-03-26T17:05:00.000-04:00Anon 3:16,You believe that? Why doesn't anyone els...Anon 3:16,<BR/><BR/>You believe that? Why doesn't anyone else in Allentown, or the greater Valley, remember these great days of Mayor Heydt? Last I checked, most voters rejected him four years ago. Most people remember a different story. Could it be that your memory is bad, those stats are cooked, or the good voters of Allentown want to suffer?<BR/><BR/>Anon 3:20,<BR/><BR/>Actually there are people buying our debt. Read the Chinese press and you can see, they are having a debate about this. Grant you, we can have a debate about the merits of that. Secondly, yes, we are printing money to finance it, as we have in the past at times. Again, this is something federal government can do that local governments cannot. This is and of itself doesn't scare me. The reality is, we've been running ridiculous debts since the beginning of Bush's term, through until now, but at least now, our current President is giving us something back for that.<BR/><BR/>Scott, <BR/><BR/>Some of us don't mind debating you. I'll say this though, Taylor is right about how you sound. By the way, if you don't like people being rude, don't do it to others.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156821106883484918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20019164998970262552009-03-26T16:31:00.000-04:002009-03-26T16:31:00.000-04:00Taylor Swift, Is this an intelligent response?“To...Taylor Swift,<BR/><BR/> Is this an intelligent response?<BR/><BR/>“To sum up every Scott Armstrong post:<BR/><BR/>Blah, blah , blah, Democrats are evil. Blah, blah, blah. Democrats are evil. Blah, blah, blah. etc, etc, etc.......<BR/><BR/>Taylor Swift”<BR/><BR/><BR/> Try a little harder than mere insult if you want to impress. I give you credit for signing your name to your post. Normally, as with the other Armstrong basher, those who substitute rudeness for argument prefer anonymity.<BR/><BR/> Scott ArmstrongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15206869066373243522009-03-26T15:23:00.000-04:002009-03-26T15:23:00.000-04:00The federal government is not borrowing. It is pr...The federal government is not borrowing. It is printing. The good news here is that a left leaning blogger is concerned about spending. There is hope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58358824793982871662009-03-26T15:20:00.000-04:002009-03-26T15:20:00.000-04:00Rising Sun wrote:"The federal government is large ...Rising Sun wrote:<BR/><BR/>"The federal government is large enough to borrow big numbers of cash..."<BR/><BR/>Actually it cannot. Nobody is buying. The Fed is now printing more money to buy our debt. <BR/><BR/>That is a recipe for disaster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24609724189050287462009-03-26T15:16:00.000-04:002009-03-26T15:16:00.000-04:00Rising Sun wrote: "But you see, if the Republican...Rising Sun wrote: <BR/><BR/>"But you see, if the Republicans ran Allentown, they'd cut taxes (because that would fix the revenue problems), and cut spending (because Allentown doesn't need deep investments in cops, economic development, infrastructure, and other things). They'd tighten the belt, because they believe this crazy story Reagan told them that tightening the belt can increase revenue."<BR/><BR/>Actually you don't have to go back to Reagan. When Bill Heydt (a Republican) left office 7+ years ago, the city had more police officers than it does today and a six million dollar surplus IN THE BANK.<BR/><BR/>The city's financial situation was so good that he felt comfortable enough (with Council's approval) to cut real estate taxes by a half mill.<BR/><BR/>Roads and alleyways (infrastructure) were on a systematic schedule to resurface them on a regular basis, and the city needed no Pothole Hotline (which was announced yesterday by Ed Pawlowski).<BR/><BR/>Under Afflerbach and Pawlowski, taxes have gone up, the number of police officers has decreased, city bridges are closed due to lack of repair and we're spending more than ever. <BR/><BR/>Taxpayers are now actually paying more for less!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56803755935235324882009-03-26T14:07:00.000-04:002009-03-26T14:07:00.000-04:00Anon 11:22,Because federal government and local go...Anon 11:22,<BR/><BR/>Because federal government and local government are very different, and their capabilities are a far cry different. It's like saying a poodle and a pit bull are the same. Sure, they're dogs, but they operate a lot different. The federal government is large enough to borrow big numbers of cash, local governments should try to be more prudent. <BR/><BR/>Anon 11:27,<BR/><BR/>I'm not blaming anyone for anything. I'm simply stating, for those who are unhappy with the city, the alternative cannot work. Reaganomics would not get the city out of it's mess. Cutting taxes and tightening the belt don't work when it comes to creating more revenue.<BR/><BR/>Besides all of that, I just don't think this is an ideological debate here.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16156821106883484918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91697419935731032662009-03-26T11:27:00.000-04:002009-03-26T11:27:00.000-04:00Reagan's not president. Bush is not president. R...Reagan's not president. Bush is not president. R's don't run Allentown.<BR/><BR/>Allentown is now the manifestation of the complete liberal agenda, sort of a "Philadelphia-lite." <BR/><BR/>Stop blaming dead and retired politicians and savor each and every moment in the paradise you created.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6409296021605944782009-03-26T11:22:00.000-04:002009-03-26T11:22:00.000-04:00Obama's popularity is plummeting. He's currently ...Obama's popularity is plummeting. He's currently lower rated than Bush was after the same period in office, and despite the contentious election dispute. Washington's trickle-down investment in capital improvements is designed to create and preserve jobs. If you believe this, why won't Allentown's scheme do the same?<BR/><BR/>No bait and switch here. It's your blog. You get to have it both ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42213089290018416842009-03-26T11:12:00.000-04:002009-03-26T11:12:00.000-04:00To sum up every Scott Armstrong post:Blah, blah , ...To sum up every Scott Armstrong post:<BR/><BR/>Blah, blah , blah, Democrats are evil. Blah, blah, blah. Democrats are evil. Blah, blah, blah. etc, etc, etc.......<BR/><BR/>Taylor SwiftAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com