Local Government TV

Friday, August 14, 2009

Pawlowski to Move Forward With Cedar Creek Park Improvements

On my way up the hill to Allentown City Council yesterday, I knew it was going to be a long night. At the top of the hill, right outside city hall, people had signs advocating a playground at Cedar Beach Park and condemning opposition as racist. And once I walked inside, there were little girls in pretty dresses everywhere. Lisa Pawlowski's Children Crusade was in full operation. In a letter and on her Facebook page, Lisa had previously instructed her disciples to bring signs and kids because they "play well for any media." Last night, they obeyed. As I moved through the crowd to find a seat in the front, a very attractive woman walked up and introduced herself. "Hi Bernie. I'm Lady MacBeth."

Uh oh. Fortunately, she was very nice.

The place was packed by the time the meeting got underway. I stopped counting at 140. People stood in the rear and along the walls at the side of the room. One of Allentown's finest was on hand in case anyone went berserk. And that was a distinct possibility because the place was full of politicos and bloggers. There were even a few dogs in the building, who were either guide dogs or there to demand a bark park. Pawlowski campaign manager Mike Fleck was there, looking as befuddled as ever, and so was LC Dem Chair Rich Daugherty. All three of Allentown's Republicans showed up, too.

You see, this has become a political issue that has probably cost Hizzoner a few votes. King Edwin can screw around with budgets. He can accept excessive donations form city vendors and workers. He can let crime run rampant in Allentown. He can even lay off thirty-nine workers. But, as I've come to realize, you don't mess lightly with Allentown's parks. And if you do tinker, you better let everyone know exactly what you're doing. That's where King Edwin screwed up. He and Parks Director Greg Weitzel misled the community about what was happening, and Allentown residents are rightfully upset.

Last night, the Parks Director described exactly what the city has planned for the Cedar Creek Park. That was followed by some questions and comments from the public. By my count, fourteen people advocated full speed ahead while nineteen people urged caution. Not a single soul objected to the concept of a playground for differently-abled children.

Because the city has still failed to produce its latest plan and supporting construction documents, Councilman Michael Donovan asked the mayor to delay further construction at Cedar Creek Park for another six days, when the next City Council meeting is scheduled. Council members Jeanette Eichenwald and Tony Phillips joined that request. But Council members Julio Guridy, Peter Schweyer and Davie Howells felt Hizzoner had already done enough, and Pawlowski explained there were open holes in the ground that might present a liability issue. He did promise to post the latest plan and construction documents. He also tried to claim that he had already given everyone ample notice of his intentions, without bothering to pint out that the information was all wrong. He did end up apologizing to one Cedar Creek neighbor who was never told anything.

Despite the concerns expressed by a majority of last night's speakers at last night's four hour meeting, King Edwin's jackhammers will replace the sounds of woodpeckers at Cedar Creek Park today.

The best one-liner of the night was delivered by Council member Davie Howells as the clock ticked towards ten o'clock. "My mind can only absorb as much as my rear end can endure."

I did take a lot of video and will upload and post links over the weekend. I will also transcribe the Psrk Firector's presentation and a fiery exchange between Geza Frey and Mayor Pawlowski.

Update: I will be posting the Park Director's presentation, word for word, and links to videos of several of the citizens who voiced concerns. The Morning Call has a detailed news account, Molovinsky brands City Council as a rubber stamp and LVCI laments we still have no final plan.

49 comments:

  1. "King Edwin can screw around with budget. He can accept excessive donations form city vendors and workers. He can let crime run rampant in Allentown. He can even lay off thirty-nine workers. But, as I've come to realize, you don't mess lightly with Allentown's parks"


    This is like Deja Vu all over again for me. It just seems that this proves that the residents of Allentown, no matter if you are from Center City or the West End, can not get sufficient satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt. It is as if you are a child and you ask an adult if you may have something and the adult says ,"No." and you ask, "Why?" and the parent simply replies, "Because I said so."

    And THAT, Bernie, is very troubling to me.......

    Alfonso Todd

    www.umclv.piczo.com

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  2. Alfonso,

    You are right on the mark. The most disturbing comments I have heard from City Council during the last two meetings is that city council has no "power" and that the Mayor can basically do whatever he wants to.

    So much for a government system with checks and balances!!!! Why have a council at all?

    I would not want a Republican Mayor with that much power nor a Democrat.

    But, then again, maybe Allentown is "little Chicago".

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  3. "Facts On The Ground" potentially causing liablity concerns cited by Pawlowski as reasons to continue full speed ahead, eh?

    MOLOVINSKY CORRECTLY PREDICTED THAT

    No political bullying and propaganda stunts going on last night, eh?

    OLD EAST GERMAN JOKE:

    2nd last guy out leave a note for Erich Hoenecker reminding him to kill the lights.

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  4. Thank God that the "Good Guys", won this one. The bigots and the hate mongers cannot be allowed to direct the actions of a civilized society.

    High praise to the Allentown officials for standing up to the blog bullies on behalf of the children.

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  5. Howells has never never gone against Democratic mayors. Guridy too. While Howells is finally retiring, Allentown residents need to remember Guridy's actions when it comes time to vote.

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  6. There is more danger in center city and Pawlowski could care less. Why is he ignoring the concerns of so many? There's gota be something behind all this.

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  7. Folks, just drive up and down a few Allentown streets. From Front to Tilghman, Tilghan to Sixth. That is what Pawlowski has given the city.

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  8. Is the project going full steam ahead. No alterations for the concers of neighbors?

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  9. There should be no council at all. Agree. They are figureheads. Nothing more.

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  10. What the seems to show to readers unaware of this issue until now, city council voted approval of a huge project without knowing what they were voting for.

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  11. Bernie,

    I saw you in the front row of the chamber last night, I was sandwiched against the wall between two girls with"I'm for inclusion" stickers on their shirts. Although I wisely brought a book I left after thirty minutes or so during the park director's "short" presentation. At that point he was still droning on about childhood obesity.The one bright spot of this meeting was that perhaps it served to demonstrate the Democrat penchant to name call, often as racist, anyone who disagree with their plans. We have seen this tactic used in Allentown since Roy Afflerbach brought it with him from Paris. Ed has carried it on. Now we see it on the national level in the health care debate.
    One could see even before the meeting started what the conclusion would be. Ed doesn't care what the residents think, council for the most part will not break rank from their party masters,well intentioned but misguided and gullible people would take stands for flawed causes, and city staff would follow orders to keep their jobs. In light of these dynamics the people and future of the city are only once again screwed.
    What's new.

    Scott Armstrong

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  12. Did I write Paris? I meant to write Harrisburg, Roy brought it from Harrisburg. Sorry.

    Scott Armstrong

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  13. Think the park was scaled back a lot. That is a good thing.

    It is interesting how people will not let go of the race and inclusion thing.

    Many thanks to MM and MD. Tireless work by both that brought this issue out of closet.

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  14. Can't help but wonder how could Rose Garden residents not know about this project in play two years? How could that be? These are some of the most educated talented individuals and yet they did not know? If this can happen to the city's Rose Garden, it can and will happen elsewhere. Folks need to be vigilant. They need to have one individual attend every single council meeting and report back.
    Blogs help but live attendance is always the best as one hears details never reported by papers.

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  15. Race played no part in Rose Garden residents concerns about this project as people of all cultures live in area.

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  16. I really think The Morning Call is to blame for the lack of public knowledge.

    The city publicly advertised public meetings and plastered info about the plans all over the place, including to the call. They chose not to cover it and only offered a little blip in the paper announcing the meetings.

    This is just one example of how the call hates its own community. They feel their only role is to sell advertising by sensationalizing violence and muckraking.

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  17. please do not post fyi only

    Mr. Molovinsky,
    Someone tried all day yesterday to contact Phillips on his city-issued cell phone no. Never did he pick up. Do you really think he is sincere about this campaign or is it all a joke of some kind.

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  18. Why do people insist on their claims that the signs were claiming racism? They were in fact promoting "inclusion".

    Just another way of spreading misinformation I guess.

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  19. ''The master plan is a concept, not a final plan,'' Weitzel said. ''It's a living, breathing document that is subject to change.''

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  20. Bernie you are crazy. There were at least 200 people wearing stickers in support of the park and a few white guys speaking against the park. Most of the non-Pawlowski haters that had legit. questions about the park thought they were answered and while upset with some of the process were now ok with the park. Man when you take a position you stick with it no matter what the facts. I am sure you will delete this because I am again urging all to go see Lehigh Valley Somebody and find out about the real Bernie O'Hare. You are the pond scum that is being dredged up in the Rose Garden pools.

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  21. Anonymous said...
    ''The master plan is a concept, not a final plan,'' Weitzel said. ''It's a living, breathing document that is subject to change.''

    9:35 AM

    Sure hope developers are reading this stuff.

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  22. It was disturbing to me that at last nights meeting about The Cedar beach renovations. Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Parks Director Weitzel were not paying attention (laughing and joking) even at one point I observed the Mayor falling asleep. To do this shows the kind of character this elected official has. They should have been listening to each and every residents concerns. Also not surprising Pastor Randy and a few of his followers where in attendance but didn't stay to long (who by the way were misinformed that this was a "discrimination issue" by Mayor Edwin and his Evil Wife). I hope the good folks of Allentown remember this when it is time to vote in November. It was even more disturbing watching Council president D'amore (who is on the Pawlowski team) cut off Tony Phillips every time Tony tried to give some input. It was so obvious.
    The highlight of the night was when One resident drilled the Mayor with the question "why did you lie to the churches and ask for their support in this issue) D'amore intervened and the Mayor REFUSED to answer that question.
    It was amazing that the Mayor seemed as if he really didn't care what anyone had to say and just confirmed to me what I already knew in my heart. This Mayor has to simply go away! It is up to us to do that November 3rd ,2009

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  23. Now that Trexler Trustees have mandated this project, they will keep it financed and maintained. Cannot imagine any judge allowing less.

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  24. "Anonymous said...
    Why do people insist on their claims that the signs were claiming racism? They were in fact promoting "inclusion".

    Just another way of spreading misinformation I guess."

    Oh please, for one to wear stickers that state they are for inclusion is to imply directly that the opposing side isn't.

    Scott Armstrong

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  25. There were at least 200 people wearing stickers in support of the park and a few white guys speaking against the park
    .


    I am sorry now I didn't go last night, for I would have been another one of them.
    .
    The current condition of many of America's cities were created in part by this sort of thinking. I am aware of no city of any size in America run by liberal blacks or other non white races that can be considered a success. Most cities can only stay solvent with huge amounts of federal and state help.
    .
    Your mentality exhibits the crowd can't be wrong thinking. I would suggest history shows otherwise.
    .
    While I am glad you found an opportunity to strike a blow against some imaginary civil rights infraction, what I am really curious about is can you be just as useful at stopping Allentown's continued financial decline. Striking a blow against the "white power structure" is one thing, but as I pointed out, the diversity types have had a hell of a time trying to figure out how to pay the bills. Complaining is easy, producing results is not.

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  26. Keep your government hands off my public park system!

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  27. Call's photo accurately depicts standing room squashed crowd that contained so many young children. Can't imagine parents forcing their children to stand for more than hour in such conditions as they did last night.

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  28. There were not 200 people wearing stickers.

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  29. Whether you support her or not, two points for Lady Pawlowski for having a sense of humor and confronting Bernie,introducing herself as Lady MacB. That was classy. The LongDems could learn a lesson or two from her. As a politician (or pol's wife better said), her method is a lot more effective than filling LVRamblings with misspelled and non-grammatical anonymous vitriolic personal attacks. You can catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar.

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  30. Rather then fill this blog up with my long comments on this, please see...

    Cedar Beach Full Steam Ahead!

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  31. As suspected, last night's meeting was simply a chance for the mayor and company to defend their plans, not to consider changes based on input. It is distressing to read this (at the Call and here and elsewhere), since this simply discourages futher citizen involvement. What is the point of being involved when the folks at the helm have already made their decision??

    City council should acknowledge the power imbalances in this town and collectively resign. That would do more to wake up Allentown than anything else. There is no point in council continuing to meet and eat up tax dollars if their positions mean essentially nothing.

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  32. "two points for Lady Pawlowski for having a sense of humor and confronting Bernie,introducing herself as Lady MacB"

    Agreed. Gotta' give her some credit.

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  33. "There were not 200 people wearing stickers."

    Perhaps 10 were wearing stickers, and the person handingthem out was Lady MacBeth. I thought she was going to put one on me.

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  34. " and a few white guys speaking against the park"

    This is wildly inaccurate. There were three persons of color who spoke. Deb Hunter and her mother, who first proposed the playground, spke in support. A black/Hispanic gentleman voiced concerns. many of those voicing concerns were women.

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  35. "Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Parks Director Weitzel were not paying attention (laughing and joking) even at one point I observed the Mayor falling asleep."

    This is accurate. I saw it myself. But to be fair, I don't think the mayor was being disrespectful. I think he was tired.

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  36. "Why do people insist on their claims that the signs were claiming racism?"

    Because at least one of the signs specifically stated, "Stop racism." I spoke to the person who carried that sign and said, "Do you know this has nothing to do with racism?" He answered, "Sorry to hear that?"

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  37. Our family history goes back more than a hundred years in Allentown. After all the inane rhetoric coming out of the mayor's office these past few years there isn't much faith or trust in what he touts as city reform. Worst would be the repeated promises of increased security by increasing the police force. Have we forgotten the "homeless" hotel to support all the downtrodden? Didn't last very long when the deluge of homeless came knocking on our city welfare doors. Problems began from the day Joe Daddona accepted the award for All American City at the National Mayors Conference in Miami. He proudly boasted Allentown as a Hispanic friendly city and welcomed everyone to join our community. They came and came until our welfare minister mayor out of Chicago came to open the city even more. Meanwhile to oppose the Cedar Park plan means I discriminate against handicapped children. Mr. Mayor have you no shame. All this work and energy for political gain and once again the taxpayers of Allentown are fated to pay for the upkeep of this modern facility certainly never considered by Gen. Trexler. Our property taxes for education are exorbitant. Also a 9 million dollar City debt to pay. How much longer can I own a home in Allentown before the debt and crime burden force me elsewhere? Please put your priorities in order. Gambling may have come to our area but the worst bet has been you.

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  38. 'The city publicly advertised public meetings and plastered info about the plans all over the place, including to the call"

    But Mike, it ws the wrong information.

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  39. Saw the signs "Stop Racism" as we walked in to city hall last night. They were there along with at least three individuals.

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  40. "Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Parks Director Weitzel were not paying attention (laughing and joking) even at one point I observed the Mayor falling asleep."

    if he was tired, he shouldn't have been laughing.

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  41. Of course they were laughing. They got their way.

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  42. The race angle is appalling, but expected. There will never be racial harmony as long as some continue to use it as a wedge to get their way. This was not the intention of Birmingham and Montgomery. It sets race relations back and foments the kind of hatred the MC online used to promote. Pawlowski is a divider.

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  43. Anonomous Said ...Thank God that the "Good Guys", won this one. The bigots and the hate mongers cannot be allowed to direct the actions of a civilized society.

    High praise to the Allentown officials for standing up to the blog bullies on behalf of the children....

    A Rebuttal ---- Pity a civilized society if people are not allowed to come forward with legitimate concerns about a project ... Society will be run over by a hit and run driver ... And why must the so-called good guys describe the concerns of these people as bigoted and hate mongoring ... Why must these people be demonized?

    Council can be complemented for holding a show meeting ... But the die for what happened was set earlier leaving Council really powerless in this matter ....

    Changes indeed were made in the original plan ... This means the public did cause the Administration to worry and scramble .... Thus causing sanity to the extreme.

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  44. Bernie are you going to post the citizens who showed support or do you only care about people who want to slam Pawlowski?

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  45. I will load videos from both sides. But the reality is that more people were there to express concerns than perform as cheerleaders. Except for one person, nobody slammed Pawlowski.

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  46. Divide and conquer

    Old military strategy

    Kum-by-yah My Lord

    Still a Registered Democrat because I am an idiot

    (LV Ramblings regular readers have told me times enough and finally convinced me - I apologize, you guys were right all along - I feel so silly)

    The Park was all about RACISM and not HANDICAPPED CHILDREN and now I have seen the Light (thanks to the children used as political props)

    The convicted felon (and notorious dog-fighter), new EAGLES QB Mike Vick says he is truly sorry.

    Second chances all around

    The IRONPIGPEN is now officially sorry for the Cedar Beach "Misunderstanding"

    Go BULLDOZERS! Defeat Racism!

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  47. "It was disturbing to me that at last nights meeting about The Cedar beach renovations. Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Parks Director Weitzel were not paying attention (laughing and joking) even at one point I observed the Mayor falling asleep. To do this shows the kind of character this elected official has. They should have been listening to each and every residents concerns. Also not surprising Pastor Randy and a few of his followers where in attendance but didn't stay to long (who by the way were misinformed that this was a "discrimination issue" by Mayor Edwin and his Evil Wife). I hope the good folks of Allentown remember this when it is time to vote in November. It was even more disturbing watching Council president D'amore (who is on the Pawlowski team) cut off Tony Phillips every time Tony tried to give some input. It was so obvious.
    The highlight of the night was when One resident drilled the Mayor with the question "why did you lie to the churches and ask for their support in this issue) D'amore intervened and the Mayor REFUSED to answer that question.
    It was amazing that the Mayor seemed as if he really didn't care what anyone had to say and just confirmed to me what I already knew in my heart. This Mayor has to simply go away! It is up to us to do that November 3rd ,2009

    10:21 AM

    I don't know what meeting you were at, as I was there the whole night and I saw only once when a question had to be repeated to Mr. Weitzel. All the questions whether in support or oppisition of the park were answered completley and curteously. I also, did not see President D'Amore cut off Councilman Phillips at all. Councilman Phillips rarely ever spoke last night as I believe he was concerned about looking to the rest of the city like he was fighting handicaped childern for the rich west enders (not what I think but undoubtedly a way The Morning Call could have spun it). Lastly the person who "drilled" the Mayor, was Mr. Geza Frey the owner of the former Down Low Club "DL Club". He has a personal vendetta agianst the Mayor as is one of Councilman Phillips biggest supporters. His bar was a nuciance and his bar was also the scene of a dog fighting ring busted a few years ago. I guess the Republican Party doesn't care about animal cruelty or violation of health codes so long as the people support their candidates. I could never support a candidate who accepted support from someone like Mr. Frey. I only hope Mr. Hershman for his sake has better judgment than Councilman Phillips.

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  48. I was there the whole night, too. I was in the front row. I videotaped segments of the meeting. There were at least three occasions in which the mayor and/or Weitzell had to ask that a question be repeated. The mayor was mostly courteous to the public. He does have a tendency to get sarcastic, although he appeared to reserve most ofthat for council members. As I indicated earlier, he seemed tired. He was in a hot room and the meeting was long.

    As far as judging a candidate by their supporters is concerned, I was unaware that any charges were ever filed against Mr. Frey abd I recaqll reading his statements that he was unaware of that horrible activity.

    But if you want to judge a candidate by his supporters, look no further than Pawlowski campaign manager Michael Fleck. This is a person who lied about being a college graduae when he ran for Easton mayor. He lied about his job at a used car business. He fleeced a state rep campaign in Kutztown just two years ago. His ex-firlfriend had to sue him over money she gave him, and this was while he was running for mayor. Or how about Rob Hopkins, a guy who engages in sleazy anonymous robo calls, the weekend before an election, that criticize Hershman with misinformation? Or Ed DeGrace, a vulgar bully who laced this blog with all kinds of disgusting ethnic remarks about Lazaro Fuentes and personal attacks aimed at city Republicans?

    Do you really want to play that game? I can guarantee you'll lose.

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  49. Go Bernie.

    Scott Armstrong

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