On his WGPA 1100 AM radio talk show, Ron Angle today read portions of a letter he received concerning long-time Allentown code enforcement officer Eric Weiss. Mayor Ed Pawlowski intends to fire him.
According to the letter, Weiss recently found code violations at a dilapidated apartment building near the river. But the building is owned by a big-time Pawlowski campaign contributor. When Weiss refused to play ball, he was given his thirty day notice, and the violations were reversed.
I called the code enforcement office, and confirmed that the mayor has, in fact, asked Weiss to step down. But I can't establish the reason. The mayor's office was unable to answer my question, citing the confidentiality that pertains to personnel matters.
So is this a crock? Why would a thirty year veteran be asked to step down?
17 comments:
This is interesting.
What was the building, and what are the code violations. Is there even any (legal) apartment buildings by the river now, not to my knowledge. Unless you call the entire 1st & 6th wards "by the river."
That Hyman guy was a big Mayor P contributor and the mayor did not stop code enforcement from coming down on him. What gives?
We need more info.
Mayor P doesn't seem to be the type, from my experience, to play that sort of game. seems every career bureaucrat that's fired nowsdays cries "politics". let's see how it plays out.
This is raw, unfiltered info. It might be complete garbage. It might also be true. I tried calling the Mayor's office. They can't talk to me, and I don't fault them. I also tried calling Weiss, and haven't heard.
I can't recall who that letter came from, but it was NOT anonymous.
I would not form any conclusions, but I'd sure like some answers. I agree that Pawlowski does not seem the sort who would do this. It would be incredibly stupid.
But when an allegation like this is made, it has to be treated seriously and pursued. We definitely need more info.
If you have ever had to deal with Eric Weiss personally your would probably agree that he is responsive and professional.
But . . . if you look at the number of unattended to code violations in certain parts of the city the problem has reached epidemic proportions over the last 30 years (Mr. Weiss's Career).
This is a tough one. We will have to wait and see.
You know Bernie they wanted "Information" from Number 6 in the village as well.
Call out the weather ballons and silent midegt butler.
Its time to get number 2's "information".
Mayor 'Eddie The Paw' lost what little credibility he had left when he talked about not caring where Allentown's many criminals go, "as long as they leave here."
Thanks, Faster-Than-Fast-Eddie, Eddie.
That's the position Mayor Guliani (sp?) took and he is considered a hero who is now running for president.
At the least you should be thanking him for being open about his intensions. In reality, I think the mayor was trying to get peoples attention and communicate how crime in Allentown is a regional issue. Caused by regional neglect and abandonment of the city. Without the resources of the region available to cure or prevent Allentown's crime the only option is to try and push it out.
Even if the mayor was just being arrogant (which I believe he was not), everyone loves bashing Allentown. What's wrong with the city fighting back once in a while? Would that hurt your feelings?
Damien, I don't think too many are offended by a mayor who wants to eliminate crime. I wouldn't let that get to you. I was at Allen HS two weeks ago to watch a regional playoff game. I walked around a bit before and after, and it is a wonderful city. Not as nice as Nazareth, but we have Buddy Christ.
My post today is not to trash A-town but to try to find out if these allegations are true.
Bernie:
I understand your reasonings, and I applaud them. I was responding to the post before mine.
I really don't have anything to say about these allegations (with such little info) at this point in time other than It would surprise me if they proved to be true.
Nazareth is tough to compete with, especially now that you are allegedly the Nazareth mentioned in that one song.
what one song?
Maybe it wasn't a song, maybe it was a commercial, or maybe it was a song in a commercial.
I think the commercial was for Singular, I don't know what the song is called.
Excuse me. That came from over here. Won't happen again. Didn't expect it to smell.
yeah because Weiss has done such an outstanding job of keeping our city buildings in tip-top shape over the last 30 years.
I've got nothing personal against Eric Weiss, but I will say that his reputation suggests that most people who have had to deal with him do NOT describe him as "responsive and professional."
Do you think we could convince the mayor to dress up as buddy christ?
First, to clear a few things up:
The song was "The Weight," by The Band. "I pulled into Nazereth, was feeling 'bout half-past dead..." Big story in The Morning Call last summer about how it came out of a Martin Guitar plate on the songwriter's instrument. By the way, Allentown has had its own issues related to "that one song," as you may remember.
Now, as to Angle and his "anonymous source," we all know Angle never let the facts get in the way of a tirade, and he probably couldn't find Allentown on a map, let alone the 1st or 6th Wards.
Next, maybe someone should call Mr. Hyman and see just how easy the city was on him. I heard he was forced to make almost a hundred-thousand-dollars in repairs and renovations.
Finally, I can't believe Bernie O'Hare couldn't get anyone in the mayor's office. And Look Out Lehigh Valley has a point in the prior post.
Anon 4:11, Now I've got to clear a few things up myself.
1) I don't think the letter was anonymous. I wasn't paying close enough attention to be sure, but I thought he gave out a name. Shows what kind of reporter I am.
2) I did call the mayor's office and Mr. Weiss. Mr. Weiss has not returned my call. I asked to speak to the Mayor and was told he was in a meeting. I then asked the lady w/ whom I was speaking to respond to what had been said on the radio show. I was told that the Mayyor's office could not confirm the reason for Weiss' removal, but could only confirm that they are trying to get rid of him.
3) I don't know who the heavy campaign donor is supposed to be.
4)If you really want to clear things up, then why not clear them up? Tell me whether there is any truth to the allegation, and your basis for saying so.
I have been a Facilities Engineer unti retirement in Eastern Pennsylvania. I became employed as a Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector in the State of Maine for the past 18 years.
Without complete information on the Weiss issue, I can only say that the Allentown Mayor is the one that should be removed from his job, not Weiss.
The Code Enforcement Officer is sworn to uphold and enforce the Town or City Ordinances and the Mayor has no right to intefere in that work. Politics has no place in Law enforcement.
The Allentown City Council should investigate and if remove this Mayor and restore Mr. Weiss with back pay and any other costs to him caused by this miscarraige of jusice.
Robert Sharkey, Lamoine, Maine
Thank you, Mr. Sharkey. It is very nice to hear from an ex-Allentonian.
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