Last week, thanks to a tip from Allentown community activist Dennis Pearson, I was able to tell you that Pennsylvania's DPW plans to close Allentown State Hospital by the end of this year. Now don't you worry, state officials will conduct a hearing to get your input on February 22, between 9AM and 9 PM, at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, and you can register at (610) 740-3409. But as someone pointed out to me, why would they be interested in what we think if the decision has already been made?Over a month ago, State Rep. Joe Brennan sent DPW a letter asking for a sit down, joined by State Reps. Karen Beyer, Jennifer Mann, Doug Reichley and Steve Samuelson. Concerned about the workforce as well as the families being served, the LV delegation expressed some hope that the institution could remain open. In Secretary Dichter's news release last week, she indicated patients would be sent to a group home, public housing or with family. She also said she'd "attempt" to find jobs for workers elsewhere in the state, maybe Punxsutawney.
Well, the unions have had enough! Tomorrow, members of SEIU Local 668 and AFSCME Local 2061 will rally outside the entrance to Allentown State Hospital on dangerous Hanover Avenue. They'll be meeting at 12:15 PM, wearing either their union colors or a Groundhog Day costume.
Where there's unions, there's bound to be a few politicians. So Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, joined by State Rep. Steve Samuelson, will condemn this closure.
This is one instance where a conservative like Allentown's Scott Armstrong and Pawlowski are in complete agreement. That probably means the world will end tomorrow instead of 2011, as predicted by the Mayans.
No word on who will be providing traffic control, but I doubt they'll be using boy scouts.
20 comments:
the reality is that 34 million dollars a year is spent on 175 people...over 210 thousand dollars a person per year plus who wants to live in an institution where there is no privacy ?
My brother is severely autistic and lives in a group home. 30 years ago he probably would have been placed at the State Hospital. My largest concern is the 175 residents of this facility who have lived there for years who know nothing else and how they will react to the transition.
My best wishes for your brother, Jacob.
despite pawlowski play acting about the lost jobs, his administration, and previous ones, have long coveted that parcel
Hmmm....,let's see....,a secure facility that treats illnesses. What could the options be for the reuse of the facility?
Possibly a bi-county work release and drug rehab program?
Closing Allentown State Hospital is long overdue. It should close, not because the cost of over $35,000 per year per patient is outrageous; it should close, not because warehousing people who have no families or community supports is a leftover from the 19th century; it should close, not because the mentally ill need to be controlled; it should close because the test of a society is how it takes care of those who cannot care for themselves. Insane asylums must end! Patients with illness should be in their neighborhoods with the supports that help them lead meaningful and productive lives. Michael Molovinski, in the Morning Call yesterday, raises spurious issues and is on the wrong side of history. Otherwise he is an important and cogent contributor to the dialog in the Queen City.
Bernie -
Pawlowski is (again) playing the unions for fools!
While he showboats that he is against the closing, he is working on plans behind the scenes as to how he will divide the parcel up among his campaign contributors.
Wake up, my union brothers!
Bernie -
The sad fact is that few of these patients will actually be put back into "their neighborhoods" or the neighborhoods of their families.
They will be cut loose and congregate in Allentown, a city whose neighborhoods already bear their fair share of those dependent on government and other assistance.
Overall, it will be just another unintended consequence of Progressive politics. Thanks to Governor Rendell and Mayor Pawlowski for all their help.
MM, I'm no Pawlowski fan, but would like to know the basis for your claim that Pawlowski secretly supports the closure.
bernie, your research skills are much better than mine. check TMC archives, there were several stories years ago about how if the hospital does closes, the great potential that land has for development. if pawlowski was not mayor at the time, he was community development director.
State hospital land could become cash crop for city ** Allentown to get 35 acres of farmland to use for development.
Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; Jun 10, 2006; pg. B.3;
2. State hospital rumors aired ** Official says Allentown doesn't want human services hub there.
Daryl Nerl Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; May 28, 2003; pg. B.1;
3. State hospital land may be site of new city housing ** Thirty-five acres could be sold to a developer if Legislature approves.
Joe McDonald Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; Jun 11, 2006; pg. B.3;
4. CARBON OFFERS HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE
The Morning Call; Morning Call; Oct 31, 1990; pg. B.03;
5. City sees profit in state hospital land ** Allentown wants to buy up to 50 acres for development.
Matt Assad Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; Jan 12, 2004; pg. B.1;
6. GOLF EVENT RAISES $1,000 FOR BENEFIT
The Morning Call; Morning Call; Dec 21, 1992; pg. B.03;
7. OFFICIALS, CLIENTS PRAISE NEW HOUSING FOR MENTALLY ILL
MARGIE PETERSON, The Morning Call; Morning Call; Dec 21, 1991; pg. B.18;
8. State land eyed by Allentown may be contaminated ** Hospital site may need remediation for soil, groundwater.
Scott Kraus Of The Morning Call; Morning Call; Dec 2, 2006; pg. B.1;
9. MAHLON SOUDER, 87, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST IN BUCKS, MONTGOMERY
The Morning Call; Morning Call; May 22, 1989; pg. B.06;
10. State needs consistent economic development policy
Thomas Hylton, Special to The Morning Call - Freelance; Morning Call; Mar 7, 2004; pg. D.3;
MM,
I will look into those articles. It does not sound like Pawlowski has secretly been coveting ASH (my words), but has been doing so quite openly.
bernie, looking at my comment at 4:05am, i never said "secretly". nor do i know that those articles substantiate my assertion. However, as part of my institutional memory and associations, i know that city administrators have considered both the state hospital and queen city airport as the best "solutions" to increasing the allentown tax base. for the record, i think they should both remain undeveloped, and our officials should raise the tide by improving quality of life. historically, this city was prosperous without those parcels
Throw 'em all out in the street! Mama wants an inground pool! No taxes!
The sate hospital, and state hospital land, are not exactly one in the same.
The land covers a huge area. Half of it could be developed and never encroach on anyone of those buildings. In theory the mayor could support both.
MM, As I indicated, those are my words, not yours. Pawlwoski spoke briefly at the rally and said he hoped the state can find jobs for the workforce. That was about it.
bernie, i think we are both confused, your first comment;
MM, I'm no Pawlowski fan, but would like to know the basis for your claim that Pawlowski secretly supports the closure.
10:44 AM
What will happen to this place? I spent many of days playing football on the front lawns.
Peace, ~~Alex
MM, I asked you to tell me why you thought Pawlowski secretly supportred the ASH closure. Those are my words, not yours. You never said this was a secret. I wanted to clarify that.
I asked bc i was going to the rally, and wanted to be able to ask Pawlowski. It looked like he was acting openly.
I do think he does support the closure, whether it is secretly or not. I don't know what he said after the rally when he continued talking to everyone with a camera, but during the rally itself, he only stated he hoped the state could find other jobs for impacted union workers.
I did not videotape him myself bc my batteries were low and I was afraid I would lose what I had. But if my camera was working properly, I would have cornered him on this subject so he could state for himself exactly where he stands. Perhaps he will have made that clear to the numerous reporters who were there.
Absolutely positively, Pawlowski has always supported dumping the State Hospital and selling the lane to developers.
As the Director of Community and Economic Development under Afflerbach(who taught him everything he knows) he openly pushed for the closing of the Hospital and having the land given to Allentown to sell to developers.
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