Allentown is Nice sounds like another one of those frilly puff blogs that make me want to hurl. But its very first post - a picture of the ceiling at Cannon's bar - blows that theory like one of my jeep's balding tires. Author A-town liker has obviously spent a lot of his time at that fine establishment on his back, looking up.
My kind of guy! I'm surprised he's not King of the World.
What really intigues me is his latest post, A Tip for You, addressed to someone named Ed.
"Even though you've been comped for a meal, it's still customary to tip your server. Just thought you should know.
Regards,
Liker"
So who the hell is Ed?
I've learned independently that the Ed referred to in this post is none other than Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. The restaurant in question is none other than the famous Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!). Pawlowski stuffed his face there gratis on January 18. All the local elites were there for its grand opening. My invitation was probably lost in the mail.
Pawlowski must think his server's best reward was the honor of catering to his every whim. No tip. Waiters have contacted Zee Weikel about a yard sale to help make ends meet. When it comes to the little guy - suffering Hamilton Street merchants, seventy-five year old ladies conducting yard sales, or waiters - Pawlowski has very little respect or concern.
How do other elected officials feel about handouts? Northampton County Exec John Stoffa refused to accept a bag of pretzels during a meeting last year in which Morning Call columnist and Love Doctor Bill White acted as some sort of Doctor Phil. "I won't accept anything from anybody." Easton Mayor Sal Panto has the same attitude - "ask Josie at the deli, I won't even take a sandwich."
My kind of guy! I'm surprised he's not King of the World.
What really intigues me is his latest post, A Tip for You, addressed to someone named Ed.
"Even though you've been comped for a meal, it's still customary to tip your server. Just thought you should know.
Regards,
Liker"
So who the hell is Ed?
I've learned independently that the Ed referred to in this post is none other than Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. The restaurant in question is none other than the famous Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!). Pawlowski stuffed his face there gratis on January 18. All the local elites were there for its grand opening. My invitation was probably lost in the mail.
Pawlowski must think his server's best reward was the honor of catering to his every whim. No tip. Waiters have contacted Zee Weikel about a yard sale to help make ends meet. When it comes to the little guy - suffering Hamilton Street merchants, seventy-five year old ladies conducting yard sales, or waiters - Pawlowski has very little respect or concern.
How do other elected officials feel about handouts? Northampton County Exec John Stoffa refused to accept a bag of pretzels during a meeting last year in which Morning Call columnist and Love Doctor Bill White acted as some sort of Doctor Phil. "I won't accept anything from anybody." Easton Mayor Sal Panto has the same attitude - "ask Josie at the deli, I won't even take a sandwich."
Not Pawlowski. He'll take a handout, but won't tip his server. He doesn't care much for Allentown's poor. So who does he like? You can get an answer to that question on the 31st. Mayor Ed is having a fuñdraiser that night at famous Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!). For just $5,000, you can be a "gold" sponsor and get a gold taco or something. For $1,000, it's bronze. That's a pretty much tells me who Pawlowski thinks is important. It also sheds light on his views concerning local campaign finance reform.
50 comments:
"Mayor Ed" can't find the his wallet to tip his server but he has the nerve to ask Allentown citizens to fight crime among themselves.
This guy claims he's Tigger? Tigger would tip his server, Ed, Shame on you. In fainress, maybe he forgot.
I think it is very irresponsible to re-quote and make assumptions around an anonymous post. If you have some facts bring them forward. If not, this is a new low for you Bernie.
this is a new low for you Bernie.
Why thank you. I try.
As I indicated in my own post, I indepedently verified from two different people that Ed Pawlowski not only enjoyed a free meal at JM on 1/18, but he also failed to leave a tip for his server. His refusal to even toalk to suffering Hamilton SDt merchants, his slam ata 75 year old woman and this all lead me to think he doesn't give a shirt about people who don't have dough.
They can't be gold sponsors.
BOH has had a lot of new lows this week.
Oh, I can get a lot lower than this. Wait 'till tomorrow!
Oh! The mayor forgot to leave a tip! What's the matter, Bernie, was the waiter one of your queer boyfriends? Who cares?
No, this is not my week for boys. That's next week.
When the mayor of LV's largest city gets comped on a meal, that alone disturbs me.
But when he "forgets" to tip his server, that tells me he'll be just as likely to forget about the working class while on the job.
When Hillary Clinton left a lousy tip, she was nailed. When Mitt Romney forgot his wallet, he was nailed. Mayor Pawlowski is entitled to no special dispensation. If anything, as mayor, he should be looking out for the little guy.
Hey Mayor! Dig your wallet out of your fat ass, walk up to JM, and leave $10 or $20 for your server, asshole. I did that long enough to know it matters.
The mayor is having a fundraiser at Manana's Thursday night. Why don't you stop by Bernie, and see if he leaves a tip? LOL!
Are you sure the free meal he ate on that date wasn't the buffet served courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce? It is the same evening, no?
If you are unable to reveal your sources than they are as good as lies if you can't confirm the situation to your readers by other means.
This is nothing more than spreading childish rumors.
Anon 10:56, It was, indeed, that same night. Waiters who work buffets get tipped, too. Pawlowski left nothing. I have this from two independent sources who were there. And I'll keep their identity to myself to protect them from the wrath of some very vengeful people. Papers protect sources of information, and I can, too. This is no different. What the mayor should do is drop by and leave some money for the server he stiffed. How hard is that?
Since when is everyone who eats at a buffet supposed to tip the servers?
This whole post is misleading to the point it is a lie. If the chamber failed to tip that is the issue. Is that what you are saying Bernie, that the chamber failed to tip for the service they contracted? I doubt it, that is typically included in the bill.
Or are you saying the mayor failed to leave a tip after picking up a few crackers and pieces of cheese?
No, I'm saying he ate a full dinner, had a server who catered to his demands, and refused to leave a tip. What you're doing is looking for excuses for your emperor by bashing the messenger, in true Pawlowski style.
Dude....leave the mayor alone. Yes, I agree, that he is not perfect but he is trying and is a nice guy.
He is 100% better than the stiff career POLITICIAM ex mayor Afflerbach.
Who was the meal comped by?
Mananas or the Chamber? Did he have one, or multiple servers?
Please provide your readers with one credible source that this actually happened. If you refuse to do so it must be assumed it is because you can't.
The meal was comped by JM. He had one server. I am revealing no source. He knows.
Maybe the service was bad.
Julie......LOL.....good stuff....maybe THAt is the reason there was "supposedly" no tip there.
BTW a few weeks ago Billary Clinton and her whole entourage left a diner without paying. Was that reported on here.
Did he have the full meal himself or was there someone dining with him. Was their meal comped too?
Was the meal off the menu or from the buffet? Did the server serve the meal or simply serve drinks and remove his plates? Was he sitting upstairs or downstairs?
Does the manger know that one of JM's servers is publicly complaining about a customers tipping practices?
I think you are making this all up. Prove otherwise.
Anon 11:41 -
Give it a rest. Just as you choose to remain anonymous for whatever reason(s), Bernie is protecting the jobs of those involved. You're being childish.
If the names of the people involved and their futures matter that much to you, perhaps you should do the reporting yourself instead of just complaining about it.
Newspapers frequently publish stories w/o revealing sources. I happen to have two independent sources to back this up. In addition, there is an anonymous post by A-liker, which got me started. I would not write this story unless I had good reason to believe it to be the truth.
I will not reveal their identity of people who ask to remain anonymous. Then I would be breaking my word.
Also, do you think I'd want to expose them to people like you. I've seen what happens to people who dare criticize A-town or Pawlkowski. They are marginalized. And Allentown suffers as a result.
If I had just the post from A-liker, I'd say nothing. But I spoke to two different people.
As far as the service being bad, I doubt very much that the mayor of Allentown got anything but the best service. And as I previously indicated, he had one server, and that person was stiffed.
You think I'm making this up? Then I guess A-liker made something up, too. I guess two people flat out lied, too. I choose to believe what I was told.
You're free to attach whatever weight you want to this story. It would be better if the persons in question let me use their names, but some people are afraid, and I don't blame them.
You folks are posting anonymously yourselves. Julie, what's your last name? Hoof hearted, where's your name in the phone book?
If you think I'm going to name these people so they can have inspectors show up at their home, think again.
The wagons are circling.
Tell your pal to dig into his wallet, take a short walk to JM, and leave a tip for the server he stiffed.
Heck, i'm gonna run for mayor and you wont have these problems.I hope you all vote for me.
hey bernie what happened with the jim thorpe girls basketball team?
Does the manger know that one of JM's servers is publicly complaining about a customers tipping practices?
Now we see the retaliation. You want to find out who the server is so you can have that person fired. Nice people.
You folks really care about the little guy. Faux liberals again. Very progressive until it's time to do the right thing.
A vague, unsubstantiated gossip column matching the vague, one-sided hit piece from yesterday. Congrats.
Interesting that you left off the part about the Chamber event, the buffet and, you know, the facts. Yesterday's piece had no facts either and when you were challenged on what the facts were, you fell back on personal attacks and the iron-clad believability of a random senior citizen.
Sources are one thing. Facts are another.
When you dismiss the facts, you can create any scenario you like. It's fun. It's called 'creative writing.'
Now we see the retaliation. You want to find out who the server is so you can have that person fired. Nice people.
You folks really care about the little guy. Faux liberals again. Very progressive until it's time to do the right thing.
You have some serious paranoia issues. Wow. They're watching you, Bernie. And yes, Mayor Ed is our pal. Give it a rest. Geesh.
Ed's Shadow,
Really? Then why the question about whether the manager knows if one of his servers may or may not be complaining?
Obviously, the intent is to intimidate and hush people up.
Hayshaker,
Yesterday's post contained a photo, the name, and age of a woman intimidated by Mayor Ed's lackeys. The best you could do was to snark at old people . I launched no personal attack although I myself was attacked and you made bigoted remarks and I properly pointed them out for what they are.
If your not going to reveal your original sources you either have to get someone to confess or find some sort of other verifiable sources to confirm your information.
This is the worst excuse for journalism ever.
If your not going to reveal
It's you're, not your. I'll consider your grammar along with your assessment of my "journalism." As I've indicated repeatedly, I have no intention of revealing independent sources who choose to remain anonymous. Considering the intimidation tried by some of you snarks, who refuse to divulge your own identities, it was a wise decision.
BO, Love the "yard sale" sign next to Mayor Pawlowski!
This is the worst excuse for journalism ever.
I'm sure I can do worse than this.
He obviously hasn't seen my blog yet, lol.
Yesterday's post contained a photo, the name, and age of a woman intimidated by Mayor Ed's lackeys. The best you could do was to snark at old people . I launched no personal attack although I myself was attacked and you made bigoted remarks and I properly pointed them out for what they are.
Sure. But you never bothered to follow up with facts like: were her wares blocking city sidewalks (you made an analogy with a yard sale - are there yards at 11th and Turner?), were these wares on display on a daily basis, was there ever a prior warning, was there some other problem your one-side did not reveal. You see, Mr. O'Hare, journalism is more than a gossip column. I can live without sources but not without some semblance of the complete facts.
Really? Then why the question about whether the manager knows if one of his servers may or may not be complaining?
Hogwash. Maybe the commenter works in the restaurant business. Its not all a conspiracy, BOH. Not everyone is an operative and out to get the local yokel in Nazareth PA. lol
Hayshaker,
This woman was never warned about having yard sales until the day in question. As I mentioned in response to your question yesterday, it is probable that some of her wares may have blocked city sidewalks to a limited extent. So the hell what?
AS I Mentioned yesterday, there really is only one side to this question. A 75 yr old lady, whose name was provided, was surrounded by code officers after the mayor spotted her on Turner Street. She had periodic yard sales when the weather was nice to pick up a little money. There were no prior warnings.
It is a story you'll rarely see bc people like you laugh at 75 year old women, as you did yesterday.
Not everyone is an operative and out to get the local yokel in Nazareth PA. lol
You will be. I'm just getting started.
it is probable that some of her wares may have blocked city sidewalks to a limited extent. So the hell what?
The "so the hell what" is what leads to couches on porches and recliners saving parking spots.
Did the city tell you there were no prior warnings or incidents or this all gathered from your one-sided conversation.
Yeah, my mom says some crazy stuff too. She's also been known to exaggerate a tad. Oh no, is that bigoted?
Rage against the machine, Mr. O'Hare!
from your one-sided conversation.
There is only one side to that story, Hayshaker. A 75 year old lady was bullied by officious people like you for daring to sell a few odds and ends. You're trying to cover your ass now but you made it quite clear how you felt about older people yesterday.
I undertand a new restaurant is opening in Allentown called Soylent Green. You should enjoy the appetizers there.
I've clearly showed there are at least 4 or 5 possible questions which a proper story would have asked. If those questions were asked and exhausted, I'd be more apt to agree with you there is one side of the story.
Despite your fantasy outlook, there are reasonable conditions under which granny should not be selling wares on city sidewalks.
Cover my ass? Please. I'm such a bigot! Don't forget elitist. Give me a rim shot too!
just for the record, i have seen Zee's occasional sidewalk sale, and the sidewalk is not blocked. these type of questions are not unlike steve schmidt from Lanta wanting the merchants to produce their financial records and prove their business is down. the mayor is now asking community leaders to report any house for sale by owner to the city, so that it may get its due inspection. to my knowledge, at this point, there has been no request to turn in those violating the yard sale ordinance
Ha! Soylent Green is people!
Bernie,
Why is it so hard for blind followers of a politician to understand right and wrong. Accepting anything including comped meals opens the door to corruption. Even if no tit for tat occurs, the perception alone does not send the right message.
My suggestion Ethics Ordinance
There's a semi-organized undercurrent of evil in Allentown. As a lifelong resident, I always thought this undercurrent was just, well, dumbness, or incompetence, or a xenophobic resistance to change. But over the last 2 years, the result of many close encounters with our local "justice" system, our hometown "newspaper," area politicians, local captains of industry, etc., I've come to believe that there are powerful people with hidden agendas and blinders on who are attempting to call all the shots around here ... and woe to those of us who don't fall in lock-step line marching behind them.
It appears that many of them are regular readers of your blog, Bernie, and it also looks like some reinforcements were enlisted for commentings on this post.
Kudos to you for drawing them out.
The better we can see them, the easier they will be to defeat.
BOH has another paranoid guy on his team. Hip hip!
Bill Villa - You may be right about powerful people with agendas (duh, doesn't that exist everywhere) but think your imagination is a bit active. You came to the right place though.
You came to the right place though.
So have a lot of other people. This blog is widely read, and the audience grows every month. I guess there's a lot of paranoid people out there, and some of them vote, too.
"This blog is widely read, and the audience grows every month."
... as The Morning Call's # of subscribers and readers drops steadily. Hey. Life is good. FYI, I canceled my 25+ year subscription to the MC yesterday and I encourage the other dozens of remaining subscribers to do the same. It feels terrific ...
Bill,
At our best, blogs are only a complement or supplement to the MSM. I have voiced some criticism of that paper, but believe it has many good people and reporters.
As long as they're giving it away online, I'd encourage anybody to cancel their MC subscription. It feels so good.
"At our best, blogs are only a complement or supplement to the MSM. I have voiced some criticism of that paper, but believe it has many good people and reporters."
I don't disagree ... and I too have people I think of as true friends who work at The Morning Call (don't worry friends, I won't name you here ;) or anywhere. You know who youse (plural) are.
But overall, and I'm talking "at the top," and likely because of having no competition and being a monopoly for far too long, I believe The Morning Call is really systemically and dysfunctionally dug in and beyond changing its arrogant, clannish, stubborn, disingenuous, and over-priced ways.
Some competition would do them and us a lot of good.
There was talk a while back (and even a buried little item in The Morning Gall) about a group (cabal) of local big shots who were interested in buying the "newspaper." Now that new Tribune owner Sam Zell seems like he'll be keeing the MC intact, maybe these local folks would like to start a 2nd, competitor newspaper. You know, as a completely selfless public service to the community ... like those new buildings at 9th & Hamilton streets ...
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