Local Government TV

Monday, January 19, 2009

Pay to Play Pawlowski Raises $101k in 2008 From City Vendors, Lawyers and Contractors

In 2006 and 2007, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski raised a whopping $108,588, mostly from city workers, developers, contractors, consultants and lawyers who do business with the city. Along the way, Pawlowski has thumbed his nose at election laws requiring public disclosure of his "pay to play" pals. He has filed reports late and has illegally tried to use campaign funds to pay late fines. Recently, he falsely claimed, in a sworn statement, that he had received no contributions at all between January and October of last year.

Lehigh County Voting Registrar Stacy Sterner, made aware that Pawlowski's report was false, ordered him to re-file. He finally did so late Wednesday. Instead of the goose egg originally claimed, Pawlowski actually raised $101,599 in just the first ten months of 2008, nearly as much money as in 2006 and 2007 combined.

Principals at Nic Zawarski & Sons have kicked in $3,850 in addition to the $13,350 paid between 2005 and 2007. Attorneys at Gross, McKinley, LaBarre Eaton tacked $3,400 onto the $5,600 contributed between 2005 and 2007. And so it goes.

Not too long ago, then managing director Francis Dougherty urged city workers to cut through the red tape for some big wig who wanted an inground swimming pool. He flatly stated that quick action "means money from air products later." Last year alone, Pawlowski's campaign raked in $1,500 from Air Products.

It's called pay to play.

Below is an itemized list of contributors, arranged in alphabetical order. What do you think?

Air Products PA Political Alliance
PO Box 441, Trexlertown PA 18087
Date: 09/02/2008
Amount: $1,000.00

John McGlade
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 08/28/2008
Amount: $500.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Air Products, 7201 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown PA 18195
Occupation: Executive

Michael Adams
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $105.00

Gerald Alfano
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/15/2008
Amount: $250.00

Rudy Amelio, Jr.
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/30/2008
Amount: $75.00

Karen & Antonio Angello
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/27/2008
Amount: $100.00
(Karen is Allentown School District Superintendent)

Ismael Arcelay
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
(works in Mayor's office, would like a seat on Northampton County Council)

Ernest Atiyeh
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 05/10/2008
Amount: $25.00

Mark and Susan Bahnick
Nazareth PA 18064
Date: 10/21/2008
Amount: $250.00

Ibolya Balog
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00

Frank Banko
Quakertown PA 18951
Date: 10/03/2008
Amount: $500.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Banko Real Estate
915 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem PA 18018 5064
Occupation: Realtor

Jeffrey & Gina Barber
Slatington PA 18080
Date: 01/29/2008
Amount: $50.00

Hank Barnette
Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $250.00
Date: 09/28/2008
Amount: $250.00
(Barnette is retired chairman of Bethlehem Steel)

Bennett 2008
PO Box 9195
Allentown PA 18105
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $75.00

Martin and Siobhan Bennett
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 05/10/2008
Amount: $100.00
(Siobhan Bennett is former mayoral and congressional candidate Sam Bennett)

Robert J. Bennett
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
J. H. Bennett, Inc.
4800 W. Tilghman St., Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/13/2008
Occupation: Auto Dealer
Amount: $1,500.00

Stephen Blaschak
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00
Date: 04/23/2008
Amount: $50.00 (wife joins in this donation)

Leonard and Beverly Bloch
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/08/2008
Amount: $100.00

Paul and Carol Bouis
Bethlehem PA 18020
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Brennan for State Representative
Fountain Hill PA 18015
Employer Name and Mailing Address
PA House of Representatives, 7 West 4th Street, Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/26/2008, 02/01/2008, 10/14/2008
Occupation: PA State Representative
Amount: $75.00, $100.00, $250.00

Ed Brill
BVI Capital 600 S. 10th Street, Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Occupation: Investments

Ed Brill
Lower Gwynedd PA 19002
Date: 09/02/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Allentown Metal Works, 600 S. 10th Street, Allentown PA 18103
Occupation: Businessman

Marie & Donald Burns
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 05/11/2008
Amount: $50.00

Greg Butz
Orefield PA 18069
Date: 08/27/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Alvin H. Butz Inc., 840 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18101
Occupation: President & CEO

Thomas M. Caffrey
Whitehall PA 18052
Date: 10/15/2008
Amount: $250.00

Robert Cawley
Macungie PA 18062
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Richard & Diana Celmer
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $100.00

Cement Masons Local 592 Political Action Committee
2511 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19145
Date: 08/13/2008
Amount: $1,500.00

Ed Charles
Whitehall PA 18052
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $50.00
Date: 09/29/2008
Amount: $100.00

CHH PAC
Philadelphia, PA
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $1,000.00

Robert Ciccone
Bath PA 18014
Date: 10/10/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Occupation: Contractor

LaShawn Clark
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

David and Amy Coleman
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/14/2008
Amount: $250.00

Ron Coleman
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Cozen O'Connor State and Local PAC
1900 Market St., Philadelphia PA 19002
Date: 09/04/2008
Amount: $2,500.00

John Curcio
Dataw SC 29920
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Mack Truck
2100 Mack Blvd.
Allentown PA 18105
Date: 01/28/2008
Occupation: Retired
Amount: $1,075.00

Robert P. Daday
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Date: 08/14/2008
Amount: $100.00

Sydney Lynn Davis
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/23/2008
Amount: $25.00

Maxwell Davison
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Davison & McCarthy PL
2015 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Date: 09/02/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Occupation: Attorney

Dennis M. McCarthy
Allentown PA 18103
Davison & McCarthy P.C., 2015 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18104
Date: 08/23/2008
Occupation: Attorney
Amount: $1,000.00

Democracy Fund
PO Box 12090 Harrisburg PA 17108
Date: 09/19/2008
Amount: $5,000.00

Nelson Diaz
Emmaus PA 18049
Employer Name and Mailing Address
self, 4413 Newton Circle
Emmaus PA 18049
Date: 01/31/2008, 10/05/2008
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
Amount: $100.00, $250.00

Nick DeRose
Furlong PA 18925
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Joyce Dougherty
Bethlehem PA 180186014
Employer Name and Mailing Address
The Program for Women & Families 10 W. Walnut Street, Allentown PA 18018 Occupation: Executive Director
Date: 1/26/08, 10/5/08
Amounts: $75.00, $250.00

Jason Engelhardt and Susan Monaco Engelhardt
Flemington NJ 8822
Date: 10/15/2008
Amount: $250.00

John Englesson
Center Valley PA 18034
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Solar Technology Inc., 7620 Cetronia Road, Allentown PA 18106
Date: 01/24/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Occupation: Communications-Long Dist. & Telecom

William A. Erdman
Orefield PA 18069
Date: 08/27/2008
Amount: $100.00

Jane and Eugene Ervin
Emmaus PA 18049
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $100.00

Paul and Kym Farr
Center Valley PA 18034
Date: 01/31/2008, 10/01/2008
Amount(s): $150.00, $100.00

Paul Felder and Peggy Palmer
Easton PA 18042
Date: 09/28/2008
Amount: $100.00

Frederick & Nanci Fenselau
Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Joseph A. Fitzpatrick
Bethlehem PA 18015
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, 4001 Schoolhouse Lane, Center Valley PA 18034
Date: 01/31/2008, 10/22/2008
Occupation: Attorney
Amount: $150.00, $1,000.00

Oldrich Foucek
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 08/26/2008
Amount: $500.00
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Tallman Rudders & Sorrentino, 1611 Pond Road Suite 200, Allentown PA 18104
Occupation: Attorney

Marlene & Beall Fowler
Bethlehem PA 18018
Employer Name and Mailing Address
self, 443 Center Street, Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 08/15/2008
Occupation: Stained Glass Artist
Amount: $1,000.00

Fox Rothschild LLP
2000 Market Street 10th Floor, Philadelphia PA 19103 3291
Date: 01/23/2008, 09/02/2008
Amounts: $1,000.00, $2,500.00
Occupation: Law Firm

Jerome B Frank
Emmaus PA 18049
Employer Name and Mailing Address
King Spry Herman Freund & Faul LLC, 110 N. 6th Street, Allentown PA 18101
Date: 08/21/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $150.00
Occupation: Attorney

Eugene Freed
Chalfont PA 18914
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Gran Turk Equipment, Co.
1 Schuylkill Pkwy, Bridgeport PA 1940S 1078
Date: 01/25/2008, 10/23/2008
Occupation: Sales Rep
Amount: $150.00, $250.00

Hugh Gallagher
Allentown PA 18101
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Daniel G. Gambet
Center Valley PA 18034
Date: 08/15/2008
Amount: $50.00

Sara Gammon
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 10/07/2008
Amount: $250.00

Tony Ganguzza
Allentown PA
Date: 10/14/2008
Amount: $250.00

David Gilgoff
Breinigsville PA 18031
Date: 10/02/2008
Amount: $50.00

Joel & Molly Gilley
Coopersburg PA 18036
Date: 01/29/2008
Amount: $225.00

Emmanuel Glykas
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00
Date: 10/17/2008
Amount: $250.00

Goldsmith Kahn Associates
The Wannamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia PA 19107
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $225.00
(This is a Philadelphia public policy firm registered as a limited liability corporation. Pennsylvania slections law prohibits corporate contributions.)

Donald Goodman
Allentown PA 18103
Employer Name and Mailing Address
American Atelier Inc., 301 N. Front Street, Allentown PA 18102
Date: 08/25/2008
Occupation: CEO
Amount: $1,000.00

Howard & Lea Graeffe
Emmaus PA 18049
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Gross McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton
Malcolm Gross
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Gross McGinley, LaBarre & Eaton
33 S. 7th Street, Allentown PA 18101
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Date: 09/03/2008
Amount: $2,000.00
Occupation: Attorney

John Servis
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $200.00
Date: 08/22/2008
Amount: $200.00
Gross,McGinley,LaBarre,Eaton/Attorney

Julio Guridy
1029 N. 14th St
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $55.00
(Allentown City Council)

Ramzi A. Haddad
Whitehall PA 18052
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Abe Atiyeh business partner)

Thomas and Helen Hahn
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/31/2008, 04/05/2008
Amount: $150.00, $50.00
(IS Manager, Sacred Heart Heath Systems)

Barbara and Doug Hamilton
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/12/2008
Amount: $50.00

Lorraine and Gregory Harper
Allentown PA 18104 6106
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Date: 10/25/2008
Occupation: Volunteer
Amount: $500.00
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00 (Lorraine only)

Aris Harris
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $100.00

Graysha K. Harris
Tunkhannock PA 18657
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Self, 452 Schoolhouse Road, Tunkhannock PA 18657
Date: 10/07/2008
Occupation: Consultant
Amount: $500.00
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $150.00

Myron Haydt
Allentown PA 18103
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Myron Haydt Development, 3005 Barrington Lane, Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/31/2008
Occupation: Developer
Amount: $1,000.00

Marissa Hazzard
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Jan Heller
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 10/16/2008
Amount: $250.00

Mervin Heller, Jr.
Wyomissing PA 19610
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Carla & James Hickey
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/25/2008
Amount: $150.00

Rick Hildenbrandt
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Larry Hilliard
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
City of Allentown
435 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18101
Date: 01/18/2008
Occupation: Finance Director
Amount: $300.00
Date: 08/20/2008
Amount: $250.00

HNTB Corporation Political Action Committee
715 Kirk Drive, Kansas City MO 64105
Date: 08/26/2008
Amount: $1,000.00

Jerry Holliday
Rosemont NJ 8556
Date: 01/24/2008
Amount: $75.00

John and Karen Hoy
Lower Gwynedd PA 19002
Date: 11/04/2008
Amount: $200.00

Edward Hozza
Whitehall PA 18052
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $75.00

HRG PAC
369 East Park Drive
Harrisburg PA 17111
Date: 09/29/2008
Amount: $250.00

IUOE Local 542 Political Action Fund
1375 Virginia Drive, Suite 100, Fort Washington PA 19034
Date: 01/15/2008 08/19/2008
Amount: $450.00, $1,000.00

Friends of David Jones
1942 W. Chew Street
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Robert Kearns
Scranton PA 18509
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Stacy Kerr
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/28/2008
Amount: $25.00

Yasin and Elizabeth Khan
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Westfield Hospital, 4825 Tilghman Street, Allentown PA 18104
Date: 11/07/2008
Occupation: Physician
Amount: $2,000.00

Dr. Indru Khubchandani
Allentown PA 18103
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Khubchandani surgery
1275 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/28/2008
Occupation: Surgeon
Amount: $300.00

Thomas Kleinman
Philadelphia PA 19103
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Philadelphia Force
255 S. 17th Street, 607, Philadelphia PA 19103
Date: 01/28/2008
Occupation: Owner Softball Team
Amount: $300.00

Nathan Kline
Macungie PA 18062
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00
Date: 09/04/2008
Amount: $245.00
(member of AEDC)

Mary Ann Kohn
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/24/2008
Amount: $10.00

James Kostecky
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $75.00

Guy & Suzanne Kratzer
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/26/2008
Amount: $75.00

Linda Krisko
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Sam Kucia
Norristown PA 19401
Date: 10/16/2008
Amount: $225.00

Laborers Local 1174 PAC Fund
465 Allentown Drive
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $2,500.00
Date: 10/23/2008
Amount: $500.00

Cynthia Lambert
West Macungie PA 18062
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
Date: 10/01/2008
Amount: $50.00

Richard Larish
Hellertown PA 18055
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $200.00

Todd Larmer
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Michael & Carol Leahy
Garden City NJ 11530
Date: 01/25/2008
Amount: $100.00

Alan B. Leahy
Allentown PA 18106
Date: 10/24/2008
Amount: $250.00

Lehigh Valley Assoc. of Realtors
10 South Commerce Way
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Buddy Lesavoy
Allentown PA 18195
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Local 32BJ PA American Dream Fund
101 Ave. of the Americas, 18th Fl, New York NY 10013
10/30/2008 $500.00

Bruce Loch
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $150.00
(Loch is a developer)

Tommaso & Audrey Lonardo
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Joyce Marin
Allentown PA 18101
Employer Name and Mailing Address
City of Allentown
Date: 01/18/2008, 08/15/2008
Amount: $150.00, $1,000.00
Occupation: Director of Community & Economic Dev.

Roger and Mary Maclean
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Allentown police chief)

Charles Mackenzie
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Charles Marcon
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 09/09/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Marcon & Boyer Inc., 3400 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem PA 18017
Occupation: Executive

Daniel & Christine McCarthy
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Allentown lawyer)

Joe & Yvonne McDermott
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

David McGuire
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/26/2008
Amount: $50.00

John F. McKiernan
Emmaus PA 18049
Date: 10/25/2008
Amount: $100.00

Friends of Tom McMahon
PO Box 12373
Reading PA 19612
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Reading mayor)

Linda Merkel
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00

Gary Millenbruch
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Harry Miller
Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Miller Brothers
2939 Felton Road #2, Norristown PA 19401
Date: 01/28/2008
Occupation: Electrical Contractors
Amount: $2,500.00

Clair D. Miller
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 09/29/2008
Amount: $250.00

Kathleen Miller
Emmaus PA 18049
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Ken Mohr
Coopersberg PA 18036
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00
Date: 10/17/2008
Amount: $250.00 (with Dorothy, too)

Jennifer Morrison
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
Date: 10/10/2008
Amount: $250.00

Jamie Musselman and James Edwards
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 10/08/2008
Amount: $250.00

James and Bertie Musselman
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 09/25/2008
Amount: $250.00

James Musselman
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 08/29/2008
Amount: $100.00

(Blogger's Note: Musselamn is an Allentown attorney and GM stockholder who advocated that GM demand wage concessions from the unions.)

Ruth O'Connell
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/28/2008
Amount: $25.00

James O'Hara
Allentown PA 18103
Employer Name and Mailing Address
USI, Tilghman Street, Allentown PA 18104
Date(s): 01/25/2008
Occupation: Insurance Brokr:
Amount: $1,000.00

Judy O'Hara
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $25.00

David Olson
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Robert A. Oster
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 10/06/2008
Amount: $250.00

Jeffrey and Joni Ott
Emmaus, PA 18049
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $125.00

James and Nina Pauloski
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 10/18/2008
Amount: $25.00

Ed Pawlowski
Allentown PA 18101
Employer Name and Mailing Address
City of Allentown
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown PA 18101
Date: 03/10/2008
Occupation: Mayor
Amount: $270.00

(Blogger's Note: This payment was made after Mayor Pawlowski tried unsuccessfully to have his campaign pay a $270 fine for late filing.)

Pennoni Associates PAC
One Drexel Plaza
3001 Market Street
Philadelphia PA 19104 2800
Date: 10/15/2008
Amount: $250.00

Gloria Perils
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/24/2008
Amount: $25.00

Christian M Perrucci
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $1,000.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Florio Perruccii Steinhardt & Fader
60 West Broad St., Bethlehem PA 18018
Occupation: Attorney

James G Petrucci
Far Hills NJ
Date: 10/28/2008
Amount: $2,000.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
J. G. Petrucci Co., 171 Route 173, Suite 201, Asbury NJ 8802
Occupation: Real Estate

Armond and Elaine Piehl
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/23/2008
Amount: $50.00

Scott Plavner
Penn Valley PA 19072
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Jefferson Pooley
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Pooley's wife is Director of Allentown's Redevelopment Authority)

Rose Ann M. Posch
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 05/04/2008
Amount: $25.00

PPL People for Good Govt
Two North 9th Street, Allentown PA 18101
Date: 09/05/2008
Amount: $1,000.00

Bert Daday
Allentown PA 18101
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Daday is retired from PPL but is Secretary to the Lehigh Valley Partnership)

Robert J. Grey
Allentown PA 18104
Employer Name and Mailing Address
PPL Corporation, 2 North 9th Street, Allentown PA 18101
Date: 09/03/2008
Occupation: Sr. V.P. General Counsel
Amount: $500.00

Race Street Pac c/o Pennrose Mgt Co.
1301 N. 31st Street, Philadelphia PA 19121
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $5,000.00

Patricia Downing Rasich
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/24/2008
Amount: $50.00

J.B. Reilly
Bethlehem PA 18015
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Landmark Communities
1 Saucon View Drive, Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 10/15/2008
Occupation: CEO
Amount: $500.00
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Rev. Jimmie Rivera
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

James Robbins
Allentown PA 18101
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $200.00

Heather Rodale
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 10/16/2008
Amount: $100.00

Stuart Rogers
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Gregory and Kristi Rogerson
New Hope PA 18938 9221
Employer Name and Mailing Address
J.G. Petrucci Co.
171 Route 173 Suite 201, Asbury NJ 8802
Date: 10/01/2008
Occupation: Real Estate Developer
Amount: $1,000.00

Stephen Rohrbach
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/25/2008
Amount: $75.00

Lewis D. Ronca
Nazareth PA 18064
Date: 10/06/2008
Amount: $250.00
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $250.00

Jeffrey T. Russell
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/09/2008
Amount: $250.00

Jerold Rutberg
Newton MA 2458
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $250.00

Susan E. Rutt
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Samuel B. Saxton
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 08/22/2008
Amount: $200.00

Anthony Scaicia, Jr.
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/22/2008
Amount: $75.00

John E. Schneider
Hellertown PA 18055
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $500.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
E. Schneider & Sons, 616 Sumner Ave. #656, Allentown PA 18103
Occupation: Executive

Sherry & Erich Schock
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Thomas & Rita Schweyer
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/06/2008
Amount: $25.00

Stephen Scipione
Fairfield NJ 7004
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Donald Senderowitz
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00

Stephen P. Shaak
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 10/13/2008
Amount: $150.00
(former Dem. political consultant)

D. Gregory Shamp
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00

Tom Shaughnessy
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/30/2008
Amount: $75.00

Sht Mtl Wrkrs' Local No. 19 League for Political Ed
1301 South Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia PA 19147
Date: 10/08/2008
Amount: $500.00

Roland and Doris Sigal
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/08/2008
Amount: $250.00

Richard & Jennifer Simonek
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/17/2008
Amount: $50.00

Chris Snyder
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00

Diane E. Snyder
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 09/01/2008
Amount: $500.00
Date: 1/28/2008
Amount: $250.00
Occupation: Retired

Kim W. and Linda Snyder
Coopersburg PA 18036
Date: 10/04/2008
Amount: $250.00

Frank & Valerie Sparandero
Neshanic Station NJ 8853
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $225.00

Jeffrey & Tina Spotts
Bethlehem PA 18015
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $150.00

Steamfitters' Local 420 Committee on Political Education
14400 Townsend Road, Philadelphia PA 19154
Amount: $1,500.00

Richard and Alyce Stein
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/30/2008
Amount: $50.00

Anthony Stellar
Schnecksville PA 18078
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Stellar Construction
Rt. 309 and Lowhill Rd., Schnecksville PA 18078
Date: 01/18/2008, 03/31/2008
Occupation: Construction
Amount: $1,000.00, $5,000.00

Clark and Marilyn Sterner
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 04/22/2008
Amount: $10.00

Joseph Stolfi
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount:$75.00

Elliot Sussman
Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 01/18/2008
Amount: $75.00
Date: 09/30/2008
Amount: $250.00

Candida Svirzovsky
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Charles Thiel
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Alan Tjeltveit
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Seymour and Susan Traub
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 10/07/2008
Amount: $250.00

Karen Tuerk
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Andrew and Bridget Twiggar
Bethlehem PA 18017
Date: 10/11/2008
Amount: $500.00
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Dunn Twiggar Co LLC, 1665 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 110, Bethlehem PA 18017 Occupation: Developer

R. Scott Unger
Allentown PA 18102
Date: 10/22/2008
Amount: $250.00
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00

Miguel and Maria Valle
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/21/2008
Amount: $50.00

Wachovia PA Employes Good Govt Fund
301 South College Street, Charlotte NC 28288
Date: 09/29/2008
Amount: $1,000.00

Friends of Jack Wagner
2756 W. Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh PA 15216
Date: 10/01/2008
Amount: $250.00

George Waters
Allentown PA 19050
Date: 10/23/2008
Amount: $200.00

Thomas Wallitsch
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Attorney)

Jeff Wenk
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 08/26/2008
Amount: $200.00

Richard and Tracy Werner
Elkins PA 19027
Date: 10/15/2008
Amount: $200.00

Donald E. Wieand
Fogelsville PA 18051
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Stevens & Lee
190 Broadhead Road, Suite 200 PO Box 20830, Lehigh Valley PA 18002 830
Date: 01/18/2008, 10/08/2008
Occupation: Attorney
Amount: $1,000.00, $250.00

Lori & Joel Wiener
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00
(Allentown attorney)

Eric and Patricia Wilburn
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 04/22/2008
Amount: $25.00

Richard Wilburn
Allentown PA 18109
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00
Date: 05/10/2008
Amount: $150.00 (wife Sandra joins in this contribution)

Susan Ellis Wild & Kerry Acker
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $125.00

Gladys and Dale Wiles
Allentown PA 18109
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Self, 7731 Main St., Fogelsville PA 18109
Date(s): 01/31/2008, 04/25/2008
Occupation: Attorney
Amount: $150.00, $200.00

Raymond Wolf
unknown PA
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $75.00

Robert & Ilene Wood
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 01/28/2008
Amount: $150.00

Thomas E. Young
Allentown PA 18104
Date: 09/30/2008
Amount: $250.00

John and Helena Yurconic
Allentown PA 18103
Date: 10/14/2008
Amount: $250.00

Martin Zawarski
Easton PA 18045
Date: 01/31/2008
Amount: $100.00

John Zawarski
Easton PA 18045
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Nic Zawarski and Sons, 1441 Linden Street, Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 01/31/2008, 04/25/2008, 08/27/2008
Occupation: Real Estate Developer
Amount: $250.00, $500.00, $1,500.00
Date: 09/29/2008
Amount: $250.00

Taras Zawarski
Easton PA 18045
Employer Name and Mailing Address
Nic Zawarski and Sons, 1441 Linden Street, Bethlehem PA 18018
Date: 01/31/2008, 08/27/2008
Occupation: Real Estate
Amount: $250.00, $1,000.00
Update: I have incorrectly identified Musselman as an attorney. He is actually a retired art teacher and advertising agent.

64 comments:

  1. Mr. O'Hare,

    It would be interesting to see the actual percentage breakdown on the money and contributors. There are about 215 different contributions listed. How many of them are P2P? How much money would be considered P2P?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. gee, McDermott paid $75.00 to keep his job, and so did the Police Chief! Big Spenders! Big Ed is really shaking them down!
    Do you even comprehend what a petty little man this reveals you to be?
    You don't think your hero Tony Phillips wouldn't take that same cash if it were offered to him?
    You can't list Tony's donors because there aren't any with an IQ low enough to give to him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a long time City residents, I feel hopeless for the City's future when I see that the Mayor continues to draw huge sums of money from donors in tthe suburbs and from outside the region. I think its horrible that Pawlowski has turned the Allentown Mayor position into a ceremomnial position that is so politicized.

    Mark Bahnick is a principal engineer at Van Cleef Engineering in Bethlehem.

    Bill Erdman is a president of Keystone Consulting Engineers in Trexlertown.

    Tony Ganguzza is a president of Rettew Engineering in Nazareth.

    Joe Fitzpatrick and Erich Schock are attornies at FLB Law Offices in Saucon Valley.

    I could go on and on and on. Who's interests are served by this massive money grab? It's a sad, sad day for City residents.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Under Hypocrisy alerts,
    perhaps Mr. O'Hare should publicly thank Congressman Dent for those hard to get Inauguartion tickets he was given by the Congressman's office, after his well done "hatchet job" on the Congressman's opponent.
    Nothing like sharing the wealth!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Quid Pro Quo, Eh, O'Hare?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anon 6:27, That's exactly whgat I was hoping for. I appreciate that information.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anon 6:40, 6:41, My grandson will be seeing Obama's inauguration. I requested tickets a long time ago and got them. It was first come first served, not quid pro quo. Joe Long, the Dem party chair and no friend to Congressman Dent, got eight.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Question.
    How is it legal for a Political Campaign Fund to donate to another candidate? Aren't these funds actually donor dollars?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anon 6:09,

    I can't answer that question without knowing all the players. I know many, but not all. Anon 6:27 identified a few. Some are obvious. I am hoping to determine what people do and what they want.

    There is little doubt in my mind that most of the money here is P2P, i.e. given with the expectation of getting something in return.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anon 8:00,

    It is legal but perhaps it should not be. If I'm a Rhode Island resident who give money to the Bennett camp under Act Blue, I don't expect to sdee her turn around and give the money to some local candidate, as happened here.

    Yours is a good point.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is why blogs exist. Nice job, Bernie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why is a priest (Daniel Gambet, oops he forgot to put Rev. in front of his name!) giving money to a politician? Does the faithful know their money is going to politicians and not the church? This is just sickening.

    A minister could espouse a political agenda, it's America. But using the faithful's funds is something different.

    ReplyDelete
  13. From 8:53 Anon

    To follow up on my last comment, I thought religious institutions and ministers are by law forbidden to engage in politics because of tax reasons. Are they not given tax free status, as long as they don't contribute to political campaigns? Just wondering. Can anyone answer?

    ReplyDelete
  14. From Anon 8:53 - I found this:

    Under the Internal Revenue Code, all IRC section
    501(c)(3) organizations, including churches and religious
    organizations, are absolutely prohibited from directly or
    indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political
    campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate
    for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign
    funds or public statements of position (verbal or
    written) made by or on behalf of the organization in favor
    of or in opposition to any candidate for public office
    clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign
    activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial
    or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of
    certain excise tax.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anon 8:58,

    I suspect Father Gambet is using his own funds, which is legal, as opposed to church funds, which is not. Most doiceses permit a priest to contribute to a political candidate, but do not allow their congregations to do so.

    I had no idea Gambet was a priest.

    ReplyDelete
  16. no fegley donations?

    ReplyDelete
  17. no fegley donations?

    ReplyDelete
  18. double post. sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nope. No Fegley donations. In fact, Pawlowski's campaign actually spent money paying state Dem committeeman Fegley for some events at ABW.

    ReplyDelete
  20. From Anon 8:53

    Frankly Bernie, if a church member donates money to the church, the church member does not expect his donation to go to a political campaign. Whether the donation is from a minister's salary (which is tax exempt because of the tax rules AGAINST giving to political campaigns) is not the question.

    It seems to me Rev. Gambet is playing two sides. Keep my salary exempt from taxes AND allow me to contribute to a campaign. Then again, he's hanging around hizzoner, so....

    ReplyDelete
  21. How does this amount of money compare with mayors of similar sized cities from across the country? Is there any data available on the web, any sites that track such things?

    100K seems like a lot to me, but maybe its not when compared to other cities with populations like Allentown.

    ReplyDelete
  22. "I had no idea Gambet was a priest."

    From Anon 8:53

    The Rev. Daniel Gambet is probably the most influential Roman Catholic priest in the Lehigh Valley. Bigger politically then the Bishop himself. Rev. Gambet has pulled in tens of millions of dollars into DeSales University when he ran the college. He also garnered accolades pulling in money for local charities. How much went into his own salary, I would not know. But he does hang around politicos and people with deep pockets.

    ReplyDelete
  23. More suburban Pay to Play donors:

    Richard Celmer - Spotts, Steven & McCoy Engineering

    Paul Farr - PP&L

    Joel Gilley - Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

    ReplyDelete
  24. You need to put this in perspective- as compared to all the other mayors and county executives in the region- how do the number and positions of donors compare? I suspect that Mayor Ed is not different from most of the other elected government heads in the region. Not saying that it is right- just that you should not suggest that he is alone in his conduct and thus worth condemnation.

    Interesting the number of republicans on the list-mostly small donors- perhaps covering their bases.

    Daday is a former very conservative republican candidate for allentown mayor- he is an attorney and does work for the city now for the tax collections contractor.

    Susan Ellis is an attorney with Gross McGinley- a firm with long-standing ties to the city (Mal's father was mayor).

    John Servis is an attorney but has not worked for Gross McGinley for a while.

    Buddy LeSavoy is also an attorney.

    Jane Ervin, Gary Millenbruch and Dave Gilgoff all run local charities.

    Ken Mohr is former development director for Lehigh County.

    Frank Sparandaro was CEO of Sacred Heart.
    Hospital.

    Seymour Traub is also an attorney in-house for St Lukes hospital.

    Elliot Sussman works for LVH.

    I bet lots of these folks have also contributed to Cunningham's campaign, as well as many out of county donors. If you can pull Jane Ervin's or Jane Baker's or Mayor Heydt's or Afflerbach's reports it would be interesting to see if there is also overlap.

    ReplyDelete
  25. As someone who looks at many campaign finance reports, let me put this in perspective for you. They nearly ALL engage in P2P. But Mayor Pawlowski has exalted it to an art form. I have never seen anyone make bigger use of vendors, contractors and municipal workers, not even Glenn Reibman.

    Pols like Sal Panto, who is mayor in Easton, actually try to avoid this. In his primary race, he did not collect a dime from the PACs.

    I have never seen anyone in this area, during off election years, raise AND spend so much.

    Between 2006 and 2008, all of them off-election years, Pawlowski raised over $200k. He spent nearly as much. It is obscene.

    ReplyDelete
  26. IU have been supplied with some information, back channel, about 2 of Pawlowski's P2P pals.

    1) race st./pennrose properties. $5000 contribution. - converted the hugh highrise buildings on 7th, offset from corner, into senior highrise, income restricted. This project was done by Pawlowski as community developjment director under Afflerbach and is actually his main accomplishment at the time.

    2) Myron Haydt ($1,000) - building the Cosomopolian resturant. He was given the site, the previous building was torn down at city expense, he got a 50 k start up, plus special liquor license, etc., etc.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Pennrose is also the entity working on the revitalization of Hanover Acres.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Bernie, OT here but since you brought up Myron Haydt and the Cosmopolitan - what is going there, is that project formally dead or just on hiatus?

    Also, re Father Gambet - I know him well, and trust him. He is a good man - but he is also a politician as most senior clergy that have filled roles such as president of a university are. Unfortunately that comes w/ the territory.

    Also, Catholic priests pay income taxes, they are not exempt. They are permitted to make personal political contributions, but the churches they run (parishes, diocese, etc.) are not permitted per the IRS code previously cited.

    The Banker

    ReplyDelete
  29. Banker,

    I know Catholic priests can and do make political contributions. I'll confess that it bothers me as a (lousy) Catholic bc priests are supposed to take a vow of poverty. They should have no funds to hand out.

    I'm pretty sure the Cosmo and many other development projects are on hold right now. MM would know more.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I dont' think all priests make a vow of poverty? I thought Priests who are members of religious communities make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience while diocesan clergy do not.

    Fr. Alex, am I right or wrong?

    On MM, I'll give him a shout.

    The Banker

    ReplyDelete
  31. Barry Obama bathes in more filthy, untraceable cash than any politician in US history, but Ed gets whacked here for the equivalent of lunch money. Hell, Barry's Chicago-style graft has been defended here. Not so much for poor Ed. Perhaps if he were half African-American it would be different.

    At tomorrow's inauguration, Barry's smirk will cover his laughable contempt for the sheep he's taken in. And Ed will do well to study better his dirty political craft from The One.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Banker,

    I just spoke to my brother, an ex-seminarian. You are right about the priests. Some orders require a vow of poverty; some do not. He tells me that some diocesan priests have been millionaires, although the money is usually inherited.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anon 10:53,

    Let's see. Pawlowski is to be excused bc Obama does it on a larger scale? That's assuming you are right. Like I told you before, I prefer to deal with issues over which I have some control.

    ReplyDelete
  34. More P2P:

    Howard Graefe - Cambist Inc. Investment Banking

    Marissa Hazzard - Owns a Home Design Company - Neighbor of Lee Butz in Parkland SD

    Mervin Heller - Berks County Attorney

    Sam Kucia - Environmental Consulting Inc.

    Todd Larmer - Creative Capital Group LLC

    John McKiernan - Lutron Electronics

    Jeff Ott - Ott Consulting Engineers

    Jerry Holliday - Real Estate Agent for Patt White - Listing Agent for Americus Property

    Stephen Scipione - Attorney for the Americus Property buyer

    Joseph Stolfi - Advanced Print Solutions

    ReplyDelete
  35. All this $$$ collected in a non-election year! Just wait till Fa$t Eddie (Pawlowski not the other one) starts raking it in for 2009. No wonder the City duped the stupid voters in Allentown into lowering $$$ value of no bid contracts. P2P should be in high gear for the 2010-2014term.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Bernie,



    When so many of Allentown’s good government activists had given up hope you came forward and filled the void with brilliance and energy. Allentown may already be a lost cause but the truth is always worth fighting for.

    Scott Armstrong

    ReplyDelete
  37. Keep it up Scott. stroke Bernie's ego. Maybe he will buy you kneepads!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Andrew Twiggar was the principal of the firm that proposed that massive waterfront project in the City, just south of Neuweiler Brewery.

    ReplyDelete
  39. O'Hare you know that the Demo Chair is going to get tickets, regardless of who he is. You got your thirty pieces of silver from Dent to go to Washington.

    Explain again how a child not related to you is your grandson. It may be a better explanation than the pay to play allegations which you cannot prove.

    ReplyDelete
  40. to the anon who keeps publishing people's employments that aren't on the original list - I'm wondering how you see some of these as pay to play?

    Wouldn't P2P suggest that the donors are being rewarded with city contracts or other work? Some of the people you are listing as "P2P" are just business owners or lawyers or employees of companies located in Allentown - their donations are not "P2P" They should not have fingers pointed at them simply for donating money.

    From another angle, this is possibly a more hypothetical question, but also one I think about in light of this post and the Joyce Marin post - there are donations here which seem at first glance to be pay-to-play donations... for example, the Butz family... but at the same time, Butz is widely recognized as one of the best builders in the region, and it seems that they would likely win city contracts regardless of whether they have donated to politicians, so is that P2P or a donation by a family who are major stakeholders in the success or failure of the city? I mean, it does not behoove the Butz family to support a mayor who they don't think is doing right by the biggest city in the LV, since the ultimate success or failure of their company depends in large part on the health of the regional economy, so logically I would have to surmise that they are EP supporters for many reasons.

    Just thoughts and questions. I think this is an important topic of discussion, whether you are an EP supporter or critic. I find myself walking the line, I see the many faults of the mayor, but also positives. Clearly his "P2P" attitude, along with his general preference for secrecy and underhanded politics are among his primary faults, and regardless of some of his other "pluses," are simply bad government, a quality I do not want in a mayor and I know others agree.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anon 2:35,

    I've asked people who know something about contributors to list what they know. I want it. It could mean P2P or something else.

    In the case of Stellar Construction, which suddenly came out of nowhere, it is becoming apparent why. Stellar apparently now splits some of the fire restoration contracts with City-Line. It may even be doing rehab in Old Allentown.

    Pay to play.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anon 2:02,

    With Pawlowski supporters like you, I don't know how he won. You trash me for getting inauguration tickets just like everyone else who applied in time. You then trash my grandson, someone I love, simply bc he is not a blood relative. Fortunately, he does not read this stuff yet, but he soon will bem and should not have to feel like a piece of shit because of some anonymous coward like you. What a miserable person you must be! Nice to know that Team Pawlowski is all for slamming 9 year-old, half black kids.

    ReplyDelete
  43. why they are simply returning all the money that is constantly sucked out of the valley by the Dccc and the state party as well as Philadelphia. I chronically get asked for money for other areas, and instead of holding a fund raiser for a local congressional candidate in 2006 Callahan raised money for the two suburban districts at riverport. So turnabout is fair play

    ReplyDelete
  44. Pawlowski is just cashing in on the same "change" as the new president ($170 million party with VIP seating for rich donors - while sons and daughters being killed in two wars, while hundreds of thousand are without jobs and trying to heat homes during one of the harshest winters on record).

    What's the big deal?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Obama should read today's one liner. Perhaps if he'd drawn the line at, say, $70 million? His inauguration is not historic. It is immoral and obscene.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anon 10:53 - those are strong charges. Can you back them up? -- The filthy part - you see, if the contributions are untraceable because they are small donations, how can you assert reliably that they are filthy?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hey Anon 5:03 --- you have no idea how much pleasure your discomfort with our newly elected President gives me.

    It's divisive comments like yours that have contributed greatly to the divisiveness in this country. I am glad that a majority of voters disagrees with your narrow-minded view of your fellow man and this country.

    Enjoy the next 8 years.

    ReplyDelete
  48. anon 2:01. I am glad Bernie's grandson is going. It is an historic moment and will be a trill for him,I am sure. Complaining about someones grandchildren can never be justified. Sadly, I just looked on Ebay. Many people had the gall to sell those free tickets for up to $500 each. That is plain old ticket scalping.

    ReplyDelete
  49. anon 5:27

    Don't assume that all who are appalled by tomorrow's obscenity are lock step opposition.

    To anyone on both sides who would condone such extravagance in such hard times while at war - whether it's Bush's $41 million or Obama's $170 million), I say, "have you no decency?"

    ReplyDelete
  50. Folks, Tomorrow's a big day for barack Obama so it is understandable that the topic might turn to him, but I'd appreciate it if you could stick to the topic - Ed Pawlowski's P2P practices.

    ReplyDelete
  51. R. Scott Unger - Is he not on the Allentown Zoning Board and the Executive Director of AEDC, succeeding Joyce Marin? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks. I love this. This is lots more fun than identifying movie quotes, and I always cheat at that anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Bernie, I know this stays OT, but I'm glad Dat is going too. I hope you and he enjoy it!

    on P2P, Merv Heller was mentioned awhile ago - he is Jan Heller's husband, she is Wachovia's market president - he kicks in $75, I'm sure that's connected to her $250.

    The Banker

    ReplyDelete
  54. Banker,

    Now I'm going OT and may have to delete me.

    I'm not going. It's my grandson and his mom. They left for DC this morning and will spend the night there.

    ReplyDelete
  55. You're sending the right people, they'll have a blast.

    Now delete us!

    The Banker

    ReplyDelete
  56. Statistics say alot in baseball, that's why I post tons of them for everyone to have a look and form their own opinions.

    Thanks for some numbers.

    I think it's a very good question from whoever raised it about all the money coming in from the suburbs...

    If a city lawyer donates a couple of bucks that shouldn't be so surprising.

    But exactly what kind of influence is the suburban money looking for and over what?

    Shouldn't I, as an informed city voter, consider these things before going into a polling place to cast my ballot?

    ReplyDelete
  57. OK, Let's just pick one at random, say...Mark Bahnick. Mark's a great guy and I only use him as a representative sample. Mark lives in a subdivision in Lower Nazareth Township and works for a large engineering company with a local office in Bethlehem. Now, why would he get in his car and drive all the way to Allentown to provide a campaign donation to the Mayor of Allentown? What does he care about the affairs of the City of Allentown? Come on. These guys know that if they are going to get any City contracts they have to attend these fundraisers and write a check. In the end, the regular citizens of Allentown are the losers, since Pawlowski owes them nothing.

    Any of you who argue differently are blind apologists for this vile money grab.

    ReplyDelete
  58. It's like looking at the roster for Saucon Valley Country Club. Though King Edwin has not graced me with his presence, I look forward to that day.

    Maybe he can throw me a 20, and than write it off as a contribution.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Can't say P2P is all that hot. Really the City doesn't have much to show for all that money...nor can you say the Mayor is a shoe-in for the next election.

    ReplyDelete
  60. "You trash me for getting inauguration tickets just like everyone else who applied in time."

    You got tickets? I applied to Dent's office the first day they were offered to the public, before his office even knew ho many they would ultimately get!

    No question there was a biased process there.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I applied the day after the election. You probably waited too long. I will delete any more ridiculous accusations and will thank people to leave my grandson out of any criticism of me.

    ReplyDelete
  62. P2P sucks when it comes back to your own doorstep, doesn't it. You attack others and don't like it when the same crooked line can be drawn to you.

    Think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Give it a break. You're talking about apples and oranges. Applying legally for tickets versus possibly illegally obtained government contracts and jobs. What's your point?

    A little advice, if I may hypocritically give it: Hate the sin. Not the sinner.

    Peace be with you, ~~Alex J.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Allentown is really hurting for money. Police are out in droves harassing the citizens over every little moving violation.

    Arm yourself:

    Google:

    Don't Talk to the Police" by Professor James Duane

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.