I was unable to attend last night's hearing, but Queen City watchdog Lou Hershman has called me to report that Mayor Pawlowski's fairy-tale budget was adopted by Allentown City Council. Sure, they rejected it, but because Michael Donovan and Tony Phillips amendments failed, Hizzoner's spending plan goes into effect anyway. That's the way Allentown's Home Rule Charter works. The Morning Call's Jarrett Renshaw has a detailed account here. No means yes.Yes apparently means No, too, at least to Julio Guridy. According to Renshaw's account,
Councilmen Peter Schweyer, David Howells and Julio Guridy voted to support the budget.
But minutes after the outcome was determined, Guridy changed his mind and tried call for a second vote, but was told that it was not allowed.
He then attempted to distance himself from the mayor's spending plan.
"Although I voted 'yes' on the budget, that does not mean I support it," Guridy said. "It didn't matter how I voted. This is the mayor's budget, not mine."
Council Prez D'Amore apparently flipped a quarter to decide how he'd vote.
Bernie, I posted this at Mike Donovan's blog earlier this morning, and am reposting it here as well. If you'd rather I not do that, go ahead and delete -
ReplyDeleteI posted this comment in your 'Budget Analysis' post a few days ago, and it applies in spades:
"I'm seeing more urgency from Mr. Donovan now and I'm very happy to see it. I don't see it from the Mayor, his cabinet or other council members."
Michael, before I start, a disclaimer - this is not directed at you, you tried and for that I thank you. It is directed at the others on Council, the Mayor, his cabinet, and all the others who pretend to serve the citizens of Allentown.
Council abdicated their responsibility last night. For no one to second this motion is a travesty. Jeez, all a 2nd does is start discussion - you can 2nd a motion and still vote no if you are so inclined. As far as I'm concerned, they simply did not want to do their jobs and make the tough calls that they were elected to do. They just want to be able to blame the mayor when this craters, which it will.
Julio Guridy - "Although I voted 'yes' on the budget, that does not mean I support it." WHAT????????
Michael D'Amore - "You might as well flip a quarter. I vote 'no.'" HOW ABOUT INSTEAD OF FLIPPING A QUARTER YOU DO THE JOB YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO?????
Peter Schweyer on Phillips' proposal for blanket cuts - Members "are abdicating their responsibility." HOW ABOUT TAKING SOME RESPONSIBILITY THERE MR. SCHWEYER?????
This budget is a sham, this process was a sham, and Allentown taxpayers are going to get ramrodded yet again.
Michael, I am sorry for the tenor of this post, but jeez enough is enough and I am angry.
The Banker
Julio is a classic - in any language.
ReplyDeleteBernie -
ReplyDeleteRegarding Julio's attempt to change his vote:
Dave Howells tried the same tactic a few years ago on another issue. It was quickly determined that he could not legally change his vote after it had been cast. Julio was there, so he knows he couldn't have changed his vote.
Julio's attempt to change his vote(and Howells' attempt a few years ago) is simply political posturing.
Regarding council cutting the budget itself, the only way that has worked is for council to adopt a blanket percentage to cut the budget across-the-board. The part time council does not have the time, expertise or staff to make the individual cuts needed to properly balance the budget. The only way to do it is the blanket approach, and the administration will be forced to reallocate as needed or council can amend going forward.
Tom Burke led council to do the percentage approach a few years ago when it became apparent that Afflerbach's budgets (like Pawlowski's) were fiction.
To attack Guridy is to be racist!
ReplyDeleteMost of the bloggers including Ohare are racists as well as anti-semetic.
ReplyDeleteAnother chapter in Louis Carroll's classic, "Alice in Wonderland" with Julio Guridy appearing as the Mad Hatter ... Let me get it, it was three votes yes and four votes no ... The Male Alice in this story threw his hat in with the Tea Partiers of the Board for image reasons but knowing full well that the Male Queen of Hearts with his veto power would get his way on either vote ... More so if Alice voted no... He would get the full package he wanted because Alice will not call City Council back in session before December 15 because that might be a meaningless meeting because Council has agreed to disagree and has opted out of the public option. Critique --- Steinfeld will be happy about this show about nothing and where drama is simply for show... May I ask who was the director of this strategy ... A pure genius in letting the public hang on for the ride and then drop them off in Wonderland land ...
ReplyDeleteBy the way bad decisions are bad decisions who ever makes it ... Suppose Dave Howells and Peter Schweyer made bad decisions and we call them on it ... Nobody will say we are racist if we critique both gentlemen ... They might say that our observations are wrong ... So why is it considered racist to critique Julio Guridy for making the same bad decision.
Good luck Tiny Phillips in your next adventure and the same to Dave Howells although your vote on the 2010 Budget issue may not have been your brightest hour ... Your throw was high and wide
Posted by Dennis L. Pearson
Julio is the target of Ohare orchastrated racism. Angle has taught you well Ohare.
ReplyDelete