The worst kept secret among Allentown politicos is that city council VP Tony Phillips will switch parties to Republican to improve his odds against incumbent Mayor Ed Pawlowski. The first half of that rumor is now reality. Phillips is officially a R.It's only a matter of time now before the Phillips screwdrivers begin their work, attempting to marginalize him as they do with every critic.
Phillips is a twenty-two year veteran of the Allentown police department and a life-long Allentown resident. He's a Moravian grad, and teaches in Philly. He's also a victim of racial discrimination, documented extensively in a federal district court opinion. Phillips was forced to work for over ten years with an officer who wore a swastika pin on his uniform and made racist remarks.
Phillips has been called a "chowderhead" and "halfwit" for opposing Allentown's bond refinancing scheme. He has criticized the $73,000 salary paid to the city's information technology director. He opposed a 54% payhike for Allentown's next mayor. He stood up for suffering Hamilton Street merchants - most of them minorities - when they were thrown under the bus by LANTA. He dared complain when the city tried to get a special booze license for Johnny Mañana's - an upscale nonlocal eatery that will send all of its profits out of the city - while thumbing its nose at less trendy establishments.
Pawlowski called Phillips a "lone wolf." As far as I'm concerned, that's a compliment. But then again, some of us prefer independent thinkers to bobbleheads.
Pawlowski also complains that Phillips merely switched parties "as a tool for self-promotion and self-aggrandizement.'' Horrors! That's rich, especially from a dude whose face is plastered all over a municipal web page paid for by taxpayers. Allentonians also pay for a web page that tells us Ed is a "leader with skills honed by experience." Wow! And when Ed first got here from Chicago, he hit the road running because of his "already impressive resume." Oh, yeah, he's also helped "thousands of people" live that American dream.
I'll be sitting down with Tony later this month. I'll have more to say then.
Regarding this pawlowski quote found on TheAllentownCommentater: "Pawlowski questioned Phillips's motives, saying, ''I have no problem
ReplyDeletewith someone switching parties, but I do have a problem with someone
using it as a tool for self-promotion and self-aggrandizement .''
I guess this means that pawlowski has come out against Sam Bennett. Clearly she fits the bill as described.
Retired ASD teacher here.
ReplyDeleteTony Phillips as Allentown mayor candidate will cause trouble for Mayor Ed, and Mayor Ed's believers.
Tony is a "down to Earth" guy who speaks bluntly in language citizens can understand and not feel suspicious about. He's a common man who wants to do right by his neighbors.
Tony will say things that keep our current and plastic leaders on the defensive. PowerPoint postures will be questioned and held up to public scrutiny.
This could be interesting, refreshing even.
I too find Phillip's potential candidacy for Mayor refreshing. I'm so sick of P3's (Power Point Pawlowski) personal attacks. This tendancy to lash out was one of Roy Afflerbach's worst character flaws. Couldn't P3 just be big about this and offer comments similar to Mike D'Amore's, disagreeing with but respecting Phillip's decision.
ReplyDeleteHe should avoid you. You are like poison gas.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but he told me I could even tape my interview with him.
ReplyDeleteThere is a justice department commercial current running, warning the elderly of scams.
ReplyDeleteIt ends with the line "If you do not feel that it is right, it probably isn't".
Good advice that most politicians do not want you to believe these days. Tony did and now he is aligned with the GOP - Thank God.
Does my heart good to see someone stand up for what they believe in.
A plethora of other Democratic politicians should list his support as a mentor.
Okay guys, forget Tony, lets issue another liquor license and build some more office space! Supply and Demand be da**ed this is "Allentown Alive".