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.