Lehigh County voters overwhelmingly endorsed an open space initiative in 2002, supporting the investment of $30 million for farmland preservation, open space acquisition and parks. As Lehigh County Comm'r Dean Browning explains, "Once a proposal is submitted that is for one of the designated functions such as parks, and is within the allocation for the requesting municipality, there is little reason for it to be turned down at the County level."On June 10th, Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $300 thousand Green Future Fund Grant Agreement between Allentown and Lehigh County for a Park Improvement Project at Cedar Creek. Sterling Raber, Lehigh County's open space maven, was originally listed as sponsor. But when it came up for a vote, Commissioners David Jones, Dan McCarthy and Bill Leiner insisted on being added as sponsors, too.
Here's the Commissioners' analysis:
"The legislation indicates the project – termed Phase I -- involves 109.62 acres in Cedar Creek Parkway along Parkway Boulevard. Work on the site included: paving the trail system; restoring the Rose Gardens reflective ponds; installing fieldstone walkways; installing four new pavilions; replacing three pedestrian bridges; restoring two existing restrooms and building a handicap accessible restroom.
"The park will be preserved and maintained as a park."
No mention is made of the destination playground.
Sounds like bait & switch politics to me. Ed Pawlowski needs to provide full disclosure when asking the County to sign off on joint projects such as this big $$$ extravaganza. The County has been duped by Mr. Ed.
ReplyDeleteThe War of the Roses just turned into the Hundred Years War.
ReplyDeleteDid Dandy Don Cunningham know about these details? Did he recommend this project to the commissioners? Did his administration thoroughly vet this project? Were there hearings? Where is the scrutiny on a $300k project? Apparently the commissioners were unaware of the "disney at cedar beach" component. Why did the democrats all jump to be sponsors? hmm...curious, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteCurious, indeed. This measure went thru a committee hearing followed by two comm'r hearings. It is also part of the $30 MM open space initiative adopted by the mandate of the voters. I doubt very much that comm'rs were given the right information, especially since the city has yet to give the right information.
ReplyDeleteThe 9 County Commissioners, including Chairman Percy Dougherty, should get their solicitor to strictly enforce the terms of their agreement and prevent any expansion of the legislation by the City of Allentown!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of that. I only have the analysis, not the ordinance or agreement. But if neither makes any mention of the playground, LC could send A-town a message when they meet on Wednesday by proposing a resolution/ordinance that prevents A-town from using the funding for a 19,000 sq ft playground w/o additional detail.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that the Cabinet head in charge of this should have asked all the pertinent questions. Hopefully, the County commissioners investigate this fully.
ReplyDeleteIt may be an instance where the offical policy was if they (commissioners) don't ask we won't tell. I hope not but this does not seem like an appropriate project for the citizens of Lehigh county to be paying for.
open space has become a sacred cow. in reality it is welfare for the landed gentry, who for the most part, never had any intention of subdividing their land estate in the first part. but then using open space lands to contribute to an existing open space, such as a city park, seems to be a misuse. certainly the county may decide to contribute to the allentown park system, used by many of it's citizens, but then it shouldn't be taken out of the open space funds.
ReplyDeleteMM, You rail about the destruction of an iconic park, a treasure, tc., etc. Then you slam the very concept of open space. Open Space, by your own admission, IS a sacred cow. What you really resent that 60% of LC's voters decided to pay $30 MM for open space in 2002,and by the way, that did include parks. I opposed a similar measure in NC. That battle is over. We lost. The people have spoken. Get over it. Move on. Or must you alienate everyone at a time when you need all the help you can get?
ReplyDeleteBernie said, "No mention is made of the destination playground."
ReplyDeleteNeither were " Replacement of existing wooden rose trellises with composite vinyl made from recycled material. A colored finish could be used." as was spoken to ROSE GARDEN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Steering Committee on March 4th.
I trust Dean Browning 100% as a taxpayer advocate, the Commissioners had to approve this as an administrative act. I agree that this program was set up to give local municipalities full decision making in investing the money in parks, open space and recreation. Based on population, Allentown received the most money and it would be unrealistic for the City to purchase open space. I think the City should have been given the right to "sell" their share of Green Futures funds at a reduced rate to suburban municipalities who do want to preserve open space. Given the way the program is set up, Allentown has to spend the money on something. I agree that a playground in a floodplain is suspect.
ReplyDeletebernie, you wrote;
ReplyDelete" Or must you alienate everyone at a time when you need all the help you can get?"
yes, i suppose i must. i never go along to get along. i didn't realize existing parks were part of the open space fund. they are already by deed and zoning deemed spared from development (at least prior to pawlowski). i could see it as appropriate to use the open space funds for new parks, but not existing ones.
"i didn't realize existing parks were part of the open space fund."
ReplyDeleteThey are, and that decision has been made by the voters. Take it up w/ them.
http://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/VoterRegistration/ElectionResults/tabid/445/language/en-US/Default.aspx