tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7305231957582162966..comments2024-03-28T05:39:03.366-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Bethlehem City Council's Communication ProblemBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88670280249371030142015-11-13T20:23:49.155-05:002015-11-13T20:23:49.155-05:00People that live in 8th Avenue area have no clue w...People that live in 8th Avenue area have no clue what a Promenade sized mall will bring in the way of traffic versus the benefit of an office park community. With an office park there is only traffic in the the morning and late afternoon 5 days a week. That is the way the current zoning is for that property. As a retail destination, 8th Avenue will be jammed 7 days a week all day and night. <br /><br />You are not thinking clearly on this and box stores take money out of the Lehigh Valley while local stores in both north and south side Bethlehem are local business owners that recycle their earnings here in the valley. A decayed downtown has negative property value implications for all of Bethlehem. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91692691522923716512015-11-13T17:18:54.938-05:002015-11-13T17:18:54.938-05:00Anonymous, I'm sure you NEVER have out of town...Anonymous, I'm sure you NEVER have out of town guests to show them the history of our little town. I also assume you NEVER worked or supported a mom and pop business before. It's a shame. YOU are missing out. If all you can find that you "like" is a $300 wool cap at a store the specializes in imported items, then yes, you should go to the mall and buy the crap that is made in China. <br />Guess you have never had a "date" night and walked through our little town. Maybe you should move. Mom and pop stores built this country. Just sayin'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5574188281452084612015-11-13T15:31:13.112-05:002015-11-13T15:31:13.112-05:00People hate parking garages. They are unmanned and...People hate parking garages. They are unmanned and unguarded. Unlike street level parking that is easy and safe, the garages are crime magnets. People have told officials this over and over but are ignored, wanting to suck as much money as they can from these high rise garages. Their own pompous greed is their biggest problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58421383039381089162015-11-13T10:16:42.407-05:002015-11-13T10:16:42.407-05:00If people could Park? There are two parking garage...If people could Park? There are two parking garages less than 100 feet away from Main St. with the lowest parking garage rates and the lowest meter rates in the entire Lehigh Valley!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58527433868473048562015-11-13T09:43:25.169-05:002015-11-13T09:43:25.169-05:00The above statement is completely untrue, and is j...The above statement is completely untrue, and is just the latest set of lies. Actually, Main St is the most attractive area to people who live in the LV. It would have much more business if people could park. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44389597576509191562015-11-13T09:13:14.771-05:002015-11-13T09:13:14.771-05:00Ms. LoBaido, the fact of the matter is that most o...Ms. LoBaido, the fact of the matter is that most of the residents of the City of Bethlehem can't afford to shop on Main Street. A wool cape at Donegal Square costs what 300-400$. I can go to JC Penney and buy a wool coat for much less. Johnny's Bagels are a good price, but when you pay more for the cream cheese than you do the bagel, it makes it un-affordable for most residents of the city. I do not believe retail at the Martin Towers site will take away from the business on Main Street. I am sure if you took a poll you would see the residents of Bethlehem are not on Main Street. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69949365497358434522015-11-13T08:36:18.439-05:002015-11-13T08:36:18.439-05:00No offense Ms. LoBaido, but we don't tell you ...No offense Ms. LoBaido, but we don't tell you what to do with Main St., please don't tell us what we want on our side of town. The Westside has been ignored for years. We get NOTHING! We DO NOT WANT your more residential units or corporations/offices. You can go shop at the Westgate Mall all you want. We live here. It seems to me the city should worry about the people who live here, not the people who own businesses on Main St. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68732845583729555532015-11-13T06:37:05.119-05:002015-11-13T06:37:05.119-05:00Also why not bring in light industry to the Martin...Also why not bring in light industry to the Martin Tower site where it would create living wage jobs for the people of the city. Retail does not create living wage jobs. That is what the existing merchants have been asking. As far as we know there has not been any effort made to attract industry to that site. At the last meeting it was noted that a merchant had spoken to the powers that be at Guardian life. They are building, in Hanover Twsp., a facility to house 1800 employees. They were never aporoached about possinly considering the Martin Tower site. Why were they never approached? Because CRIZ money would not be profitable to the developer unless it is used to build retail where all the sales tax money, for many years, will he used to go back into the developers pocket, one developer who does not actually even live in the Lehigh Valley. I believe he is a California resident. This is what the Main St. Merchants would prefer above all. Luving wage job creation and the positive effect it would have on existing businesses.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084295217587950171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53399738583024527032015-11-13T06:20:58.779-05:002015-11-13T06:20:58.779-05:00Did you ever eat at Johnny ' s bagels or Marlo...Did you ever eat at Johnny ' s bagels or Marlo's pizza. Very affordable. Retail expensive downtown? Not really. I know for a fact the retail shops carry a variety of items, many if not all produced locally or in the U.S., unlike big box stores, that are reasonably priced. Sad that you feel only tourists should support the downtown but that is your opinion and your right. When I buy something at a big box store and it falls apart after several months I say oh well I got a "good deal" so I'll just go out and get another one because I don't expect anything else from China made junk but I can show you many items, purchased years ago, from those "expensive" shops in Downtown Bethlehem that still grace my closet and I still wear. I'd would really rather buy quality that lasts me many, many years then junk that will last only 1 or 2 seasons. I still wear a wool cape I bought at Donegal Square over 10 years ago that looks brand new. Gats purchased at In the Mood that , after several years of wear, still look good abd shoes bought at Aardvark that have held up fine going on year 2. i can't say that for many things I have purchased in big box stores. I am a merchant on Main St. and do support my local businesses. Try us sometimes, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find and still own after many years.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084295217587950171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24256918613995162442015-11-13T06:02:46.192-05:002015-11-13T06:02:46.192-05:00Would you like to see your Main St/ Historic distr...Would you like to see your Main St/ Historic district lose all of its retail? Do you want an empty Main St. like most small towns and cities have? why do you have to do to Allentown fir shopping? Is there not enough retail in the township or the Promenade to meet your needs. Think about it. Do we really need more retail shops with more and more people buying online. Heard just heard Target is closing stores. Look at the Westgate Mall. The smart thing to do is revitalize what ia already existing, not to add more and watch what is there close their doors.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084295217587950171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5154853585087299032015-11-13T01:46:24.350-05:002015-11-13T01:46:24.350-05:00Bernie...In your statement you said the Al Wurth q...Bernie...In your statement you said the Al Wurth questioned the incentives for new owners that will never live in our City. Mr. Wurth is right on with his statement and let me add that Alecia Karner does not live in the City and I doubt will ever. She lives in Bangor and was given that position to play this silly game at the cost of our long time Citizens. There is no sense in talking about a Mayor that was on Council and stated he would never agree to tear down the tower. He just follows what he is told to do. There are many people that backed him that will never vote for him in the next election. It's sad we have to wait until that time to get rid of him and Karner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37529842529781154712015-11-12T22:22:54.277-05:002015-11-12T22:22:54.277-05:00There will likely be no consequences unless the af...There will likely be no consequences unless the affected businessman makes a complaint. I doubt that Callahan acted with the intention of breaking the law, but it should be made crystal clear to him that disclosing confidential information like this has no purpose other than to chill free speech. It is a civil rights violation in addition to being a violation of the local taxpayer bill of rights. Callahan owes the businessman he smeared an apology and then should consider exercising his fifth amendment right to remain silent bc every time he opens his mouth, he puts his foot in it. He is a very nice guy, but he is alienating everyone. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16538909280053996842015-11-12T21:20:55.450-05:002015-11-12T21:20:55.450-05:00And what are the consequences of that violation BO...And what are the consequences of that violation BOH? I am sorry for harping on this issue, but didn't we just have the feds/IRS use confidential tax payer info against people and or groups ? in fact i also remember Harry Reid going to the senate floor and making the claim that Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years, which was a complete lie as admitted by Reid. From following this site for the last few years, I know you believe in democracy and Our Constitutional Republic. This type of politics is dangerous , very dangerous, not only for the private citizen , but for democracy. <br /><br />When any member of the govt,including Callahan, on a local, state or federal level use confidential info against anyone, there needs to be serious consequences. <br />And Callahan claims to be a private/small businessman? Maybe what is good for the goose will be good for the gander in due time. If this is how he plays , one can only imagine the scams he uses to run his so called business. This is a violation and a complete misuse of so called political power. This is a soft tyranny, if there is a such thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-8769199273281091082015-11-12T20:02:15.629-05:002015-11-12T20:02:15.629-05:00There is no doubt in my mind that the Local Taxpay...There is no doubt in my mind that the Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights was violated and that Callahan used confidential information improperly.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63270034903077293582015-11-12T19:42:33.479-05:002015-11-12T19:42:33.479-05:00i am confused here based on this part of the artic...i am confused here based on this part of the article.<br />But that pales in comparison to what Bryan Callahan has done. After various merchants have spoken and are unable to rebut him, Callahan has ticked off concessions that have been made to them, often erroneously.<br /><br />"At the end of the November 4 meeting, Callahan actually accused one critical merchant who won't be named here of paying all of his Bethlehem employees from an Allentown-based business to be able to take advantage of Allentown tax incentives.<br /><br />In addition to being untrue, how employees are paid and taxed is confidential information protected by the Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Disclosure of that information is unlawful. According to Callahan, he obtained this information from the City's taxing authority, The Keystone Collections Group.He then used this confidential information at a public meeting to intimidate one of the merchants who has been critical of the Martin Tower rezoning".<br /><br />so the tough guy Callahan broke a law? He used the info in a public setting , to intimidate a member of the public. Why has he not been charged? Why has he and the city not been sued? Who else on council knew tough guy was going to do this. <br />If the public only knew the skeleton hanging in tough guys closet and the closet of his brother and their families, he might want to think twice before breaking the law to intimidate members of the public.<br /><br />what am i missing here? the term used by BOH was unlawful. does that mean a law has been violated? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23796278354711385202015-11-12T16:40:46.800-05:002015-11-12T16:40:46.800-05:00Bernie,
I have noticed that someone has been park...Bernie,<br /><br />I have noticed that someone has been parking truck trailers in the tower parking lots. The number has increased over the past week and a half. I am unable to get an actual count, but there have to be around 20-30. They also are paying a uniformed security guard to control access (it's the side where Muskifest parking is). I have to wonder if this use is allowed at the site as the area is starting to look like a truck terminal. I am also curious about who is parking the equipment there. Im through there regularly and I never see any tractors coming or going. <br /><br />Hank_HillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69036159989963498352015-11-12T15:00:53.901-05:002015-11-12T15:00:53.901-05:00Do you know why people do not shop in downtown Bet...Do you know why people do not shop in downtown Bethlehem? The prices are way to high. You can go to a mall where they actually have sales. Bernie, do you shop in downtown Bethlehem? The downtown is a place for tourists, not citizens of the city. City folk can't afford to eat at the Hotel Bethlehem. but they can afford a sandwich at the mall. The drinks are overpriced at the Brew Works. Take a poll and see how many shop owners in Bethlehem, shop in downtown Bethlehem. I am sure they don't. There will not be money taken away from downtown if they build retail at Martin Towers. Just tear Martin Towers down and build some decent retail stores for the citizens of Bethlehem and let the tourist continue to support the downtown business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28303378547534795562015-11-12T10:56:22.309-05:002015-11-12T10:56:22.309-05:00"The MPC does not require that they actually ...<em>"The MPC does not require that they actually hold a meeting or offer its recommendations, it just requires that the board be given 30 days for "an opportunity to submit recommendations." Council can move ahead after 30 days with or without those recommendations."</em><br /><br />Still looking for a way to jam this down people's throats, eh? The PC had no quorum this month de to one member being elected to CC and another member being in Florida. The whole reason that MPC requires planning review is to give the public more imput and provide for more transparency. If you move aherd without bothering to get that imput, you will be proving the truth of every word in my essay. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-1901204613517289542015-11-12T09:13:24.302-05:002015-11-12T09:13:24.302-05:00Enough already with all the Main St. complaining. ...Enough already with all the Main St. complaining. How much more tax money does the rest of the city tax payers have to keep supporting them. There are other areas of the city that need work. Look at our roads in the West side Clearview area! We don't want more residents!!!!!! Why are main st merchants telling us what should be in our back yards. Bring in nice retail shops so I don't have to drive to Allentown and the Lehigh Valley Mall. Keep our tax dollars in Bethlehem. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14670597430894830392015-11-12T08:29:01.003-05:002015-11-12T08:29:01.003-05:00Why would the planning commission cancel its meeti...Why would the planning commission cancel its meeting? The MPC does not require that they actually hold a meeting or offer its recommendations, it just requires that the board be given 30 days for "an opportunity to submit recommendations." Council can move ahead after 30 days with or without those recommendations. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76472201964103909112015-11-12T03:04:30.655-05:002015-11-12T03:04:30.655-05:00In light of the comment at 1:46 I am compelled to ...In light of the comment at 1:46 I am compelled to post this comment. It was copied from one of Bernie's entries from the other day. It is truly amazing. Enjoy,<br /><br />"People need to remember that Bethlehem city will be fine. Soon Jim Gregory will be back and rebuilding his political dynasty. His days of suffering for his cause are coming to an end.<br /><br />He will no doubt be running for Mayor in 2017 and bring Bethlehem into the Golden Age it deserves. Soon the countdown will begin. The Unity-Pac is awaiting his rectum. Soon you can all rally to his cause of Fraternal love and fellowship."<br /><br />How can anyone put it better. Donald Trump, eat your heart out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25556522966104950282015-11-12T01:46:56.390-05:002015-11-12T01:46:56.390-05:00No decision on the tower should be made until Past...No decision on the tower should be made until Pastor Jim Gregory is released from SCI Pitts and is involved in the dialogue.<br /><br />Donchez and his toadies fear the olive skinned Adonis not only for his propensity to bed married women but also for his political acumen which has been described as equal to or greater than the a "Mouth of the South" James Carville.<br /><br />Orefield Otternoreply@blogger.com