When Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners met late last month, a tearful Kurt Derr shocked all present when he announced his resignation as District Three's representative, which includes Allentown's East Side. Derr is moving out of the area. Every one of Derr's colleagues, Democrat and Republican alike, expressed sorrow at his sudden departure. Chairman Percy Dougherty called it a "great loss. I'm really going to miss you."Commissioners have just forty-five days to appoint Derr's Democratic successor. According to The Morning Call, the deadline for applicants is Monday. One of them will be Lehigh Valley native Kevin Easterling, who currently serves as Allentown's Superintendent of Recreation.
In the last municipal election, Easterling finished seventh out of eight in a race for four at-large commissioner seats. But in District Three (Allentown 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th 19th wards, Catasaqua and Hanover), the only candidate with more votes than Easterling was Gloria L. Hamm. Here's the actual breakdown: Gloria L Hamm - 3358 votes; Kevin Easterling - 2988 votes; Bill Leiner, Jr. - 2932 votes; Rich Gawlick - 2870 votes; Andy Roman - 2194 votes; Dean N Browning - 2193 votes; Roger C. Reiss - 1780 votes; and Brent Labenberg - 1718 votes. Easterling's vote total in his own district is higher than three of the four commissioners who were eventually elected.
Undaunted by defeat, Kevin in February entered the blogosphere with the Lehigh Valley Black News Network, which contains information and events related specifically to the Lehigh Valley's black culture. Kevin is himself a victim of Allentown's not so distant discriminatory past.
I could fill you in on how the City's red lining laws prohibited Blacks from purchasing property beyond that point in the City. At that time, you had 90% of the Blacks who lived in Allentown living in that area. That was the Black neighborhood by design. You think the LANTA thing was an issue, it was nothing compared to some of the practices that this City used to do in those days. When I first moved here to Allentown (from Bethlehem's South Side) they still had ‘Racial BUSING’. Do you know what that is? I lived on 5th & Union streets in Allentown (moved here in early 70’s) while in 3rd grade. It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to school because I had to attend Lehigh Parkway Elementary school to make a school quota of minorities. We only had one bus in the entire ASD that gave rides to ALL minority students, so we picked up every Latino and Black student on one Bus and took all of them to various schools in the District. We were not allowed to ride on any other school bus.
If appointed, Kevin will the the first African American ever to have served as a Lehigh County commissioner. In addition to his work with the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Kevin is a founder of the Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley, which has promoted youth basketball in Allentown since 1994.
As the second highest vote getter in District Three, Kevin deserves this appointment. As of late Friday, there were no other applicants. Things are looking good for the former third grader who used to spend two and a half hours on the bus every day.
25 comments:
This is a thoroughly researched post, BO. I like the vote totals for each candidate in the third. It's weird how Kevin can finish 7 out of 8 but be #2 in his own district.
i have to question kevin's ability to be his own man. although he expressed some solidarity with the merchants injured by Lanta, he failed to show up at several efforts on their behalf. if pawlowski can influence him that much, he would be putty for cunningham. parks and recreation is all chefs and no indians in allentown. there are questions about where he came from(recently) and why he was put there. i would hope he does not get that appointment, the lehigh valley may need more black representation, but he's too green.(as in inexperienced)
Who would you pick, Mr. Molovinsky, who could ever meet your high standards? There's a first time for everybody, you can't predict these things, how about giving the guy a chance before you eviscerate him?
I wonder what Mr. Easterling thinks about the PBS 39 Documentary on Allentown's history and the fact that they did not even mention the segregation of blacks, even when they interviewed a black woman who spoke about her family history. They could devote an entire documentary to that topic.
The current board is made up of 8 individuals, only three of which have held elective office before holding the commissioner's seat. In fact Commissioner Derr had never held elective office before his election to the board. Neither did I, nor Commissioner Fredericks or Commissioner Kelly. Life experiences and perspective are very important. Sounds like Kevin has a lot to offer along those lines.
Marc Grammes
i have to question kevin's ability to be his own man.
MM, I do not judge a man by the company he keeps, but by what I see in my own dealings with that person. Yes, I'm fully aware where Easterling is employed and am no Pawlowski fan. But it is ridiculous to hold his connection to Pawlowski against him.
As Easterling told you himself, and on this blog, there was a conflict for him at the first meeting you scheduled. He made clear then that he supported Hamilton Street merchants.
As far as being green is concerned, what was your experience in office when you ran for mayor? Looks to me as though you're looking for reasons to rule this guy out.
Easterling gives the entire Lehigh Valley something it sorely needs in regional government - diversity. NC has yet to appoint or elect any minority member to its council. Easterling, a LV native, can recount the discrimination he experienced himself as a young schoolboy. He tells us about blacks being excluded from certain areas of A-town, and not so long ago. That's experience, by the way, for anyone who enters government.
I understand there are now three applicants. The LC Board of Commissioners should choose the best person for the job. I find myself hoping that person is Easterling, the second highest vote getter in that district in the most recent election.
I wonder what Mr. Easterling thinks about the PBS 39 Documentary on Allentown's history and the fact that they did not even mention the segregation of blacks,
I have not seen the Tempo documentary and am unable to comment on it, but I have seen Tempo and it is a disgusting display of puff news whose host appears to be a Stepford wife. I would never count on her for an honest representation.
Amy Burke a "Stepford Wife?" LOLOLOLOLOL! More like a "Stepford Anchorperson!"
bernie, i do not consider that he's black and diversity a valid reason to pick him, politically correct, but not valid. in addition to the meeting at the church about lanta, those who chose to make a statement also had an opportunity to attend two board meetings at lanta headquarters. apparently this is the second time he has worked for pawlowski, the first being at the alliance for building communities. you questioned recently if that was his wife who popped up on a blog defending pawlowski.
chris, i didn't "eviscerate" him, i spoke with him on the phone, he privately expressed support for the merchants, but then chose not to participate in three separate opportunities to stand up for them.
Michael,
A woman who identifies herself as Sandra Easterling did post a comment on a Bill White blog in which she compares Mayor Pawlowski to Winston Churchill. I did ask her if she is related to Kevin in some way.
As far as those LANTA meetings go, it is a mistake for you to assume that only those who attend meetings agree with you. As Kevin told you himself, he had a conflict during the meeting at Faith Baptist and was detained. The LANTA board meetings were conducted during the middle of the work day, when it is virtually impossible for working people to appear. He publicly expressed support for Hamilton St merchants, and on this blog. He just was unable to attend three meetings. You're being a tad tough on the guy over that. As you very well know, most of the merchants themselves failed to attend those meetings.
I can't condemn the guy simply bc he works for Pawlowski. If Pawlowski had a few more Easterlings, he might make an effort to reach out, as Easterling himself has done.
As far as Eaaterling being black is concerned, that's no reason (by itself) to select him. But that's no reason to exclude him, either. A-town has been a source of discrimination in the past. It remains a source of discrimination, and that is evident from the MC Reader Forum. You've experienced it yourself, Michael. The diversity that Easterling brings may signal an end to that discrimination. This is far more than being PC. Easterling would bring a perspective that LC has never before seen. I do not regard this as a sole reason to select him, but it is very much an asset.
If you use "Molovinsky" logic, you would conclude that a guy who calls Allentown a "poverty Magnet" and dismisses a County Commissioner candidate because he is black, might be a racist.
But we all know how open mided and unbiased Mike Molovinsky is. He is a bastion of love of kindness towards people who he disagrees with. or whose views aren't as prfect in kight and being as his.
Maddy,
MM made his points. I made mine. I respect Michael. I think he respects me. I'm glad for his input, even when he disagrees with me. But I'm tired of seeing the personal shots going back and forth between bloggers. It detracts from our focus, makes us look silly, and I need no help from you for that. You have a sharp mind and are using a lot of negative energy. I fall subject to the same problem from time to time myself, so for once I'm not trying to get preachy.
Bernie,
I believe Kevin's mother's name is Sandra, although I do not know if that is the same person to whom you are referring.
As far as Kevin goes, from the little I know of him I think he would be worth taking a chance on. However, the fact that he is employed by the city creates a huge conflict in my mind.
Doesn't either the city or county charter prohibit such conflicts?
the fact that he is employed by the city creates a huge conflict in my mind.
This is a very valid concern. I am unaware of the specifics of the HRC although Easterling claimed he was clear when this issue arose once before. But obviously, he would have to recuse himself from any vote involving the city.
maddy, i'm not against easterling being appointed because he's black, you know that. however, i do disagree that diversity is a reason to appoint him. many in allentown label the intercity apartments a major problem, and various solutions have comprised the agenda of the past several administrations. i have some expertise on the subject i would have bought to city hall. dennis pearson is now also seeking the office. here is a man who has repeatedly found errors in the city budget and has led an east side neighborhood for many years. although he brings no "color" or fashion to the commission, he sure offers substance.
"he would have to recuse himself from any vote involving the city"
That is silly, 1/3 of the county population is the city. Every vote involves the city in one way or another.
Looks like Kevin Easterling might not be able to work for Pawlowski and serve as a Commissioner. What is "political employment"? Doesn't being a political appointee to an administratin qualify? Watch, not in Allentown.
From Lehigh County Charter:
§ 1.2-204. Requirements; Prohibition.
(a) Elected officers, except for members of the Board of Commissioners and the District Attorney, shall be considered full-time employes of the County and shall devote the time and effort to official County business as is required for full-time employes of the County Government generally.
(b) During his or her term of office, an elected officer shall not hold any other County office or County employment for compensation, any other elective public office, any other political office or political employment for compensation.
Joe, I don't know whether a superintendent of parks is considered a "political office or political employment for compensation." That's a good question, and let's take it one step further. How about the legislative aide of an elected state senator or state rep? Good question.
If in his position he is in charge or directs any federal funds, he can not be in a political office. Hatch Act.
True.
"I have not seen the Tempo documentary and am unable to comment on it, but I have seen Tempo and it is a disgusting display of puff news whose host appears to be a Stepford wife. I would never count on her for an honest representation." Keep up the hate dude... you are great at it :)
That's not hate. That's the way she appears on TV. Sorry. She's the only woman I've ever seen who smiles while reciting how many women die of ovarian cancer each year, and who asks that question in a "quiz."
shame on you
No, shame on her. This is OT, but I think her Tempo program is absolutely worthless. Her interviews with candidates for state legislature, conducted two years ago, were a disgrace to journalism.
then why do you watch it? :)
Post a Comment