In light of Allentown City council’s unanimous vote to approve funding for a high rise “income restricted” apartment building in center city one is left again to ponder the thinking of our city leaders. While it has been at least a decade since the last of these failed relics of the Johnson Administration’s well intentioned but flawed war on poverty projects was demolished our council is prepared to ignore history’s lesson and move forward with their own model of this proven failure. Of course the city, its residents, and the future tenants of this project will pay a high price and the federal funds involved will be just a down payment on the pain and misery that is sure to follow.
What sense does it make to place high density low income housing into the area that already has the valley’s highest concentration of poverty and crime? The simple answer is none. Urban experts have realized for some time now that the poor are best advantaged by integration into middle income neighborhoods. All studies indicate that concentrating the poor into high rise structures does not resolve but rather exacerbates poverty and its related pathologies.
Yet our city leaders press on intentionally ignorant of the evidence and the obvious They, however, will not be the ones that suffer from their own actions; those they seek to help are the ones who will be hurt. Let the woe that is bound to follow be on their heads.
"All studies indicate that concentrating the poor into high rise structures does not resolve but rather exacerbates poverty and its related pathologies."
ReplyDeleteActually in Chicago, stacks of low income, crime ridden, high-rises have been demolished.
Does anyone know if this building will permit children? If the answer is yes, where are they going to go to school?
Yeah but they are getting free money to do it.
ReplyDeleteAllentown Democrat Voter
That,s why the school district is building all the new class rooms. That's good planning.
ReplyDeleteProud Allentown Democrat Voter
i'd like to see it put in bethlehem township, by the new treatment center. someone call abe...
ReplyDeleteRetired ASD teacher here.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 7:36AM is somewhat misinformed on the current building boom in ASD. The capacity added was to alleviate massive overcrowding that ALREADY existed. There is little, or no empty space waiting to be filled by new families.
During the past 5-10 years, to make due, ASD divided single classrooms in half (60 students now in square footage once designed for 30). It created classrooms in former book rooms, on auditorium stages, in basement storage areas (some with no natural light) in gymnasiums, even converted student lavatories into classroom space!
The city claims this proposal will be limited to no more than 2 bedrooms per unit. That will help, but it's not uncommon for low income families to squeeze 5 kids into one bedroom.
This type of development will lead to even more ASD construction at a later date.
Neither the Mayor nor the City Council apparently did their homework on this one.If they did I am sure they would realize, like the majority of experiences studied and written about, that high rise housing does not work.
ReplyDeleteDo they simply assume everyone should think, act and have the same values as they do. There is a failure here to appreciate the reality of the culture they are dealing with. Why else would they include "Lofts" in the project name?
Do they fail to accept the "urban" culture that is Allentown?
This culture and it's attendant independent economy is often characterized by gangs, transience, underemployment, excessive legitimate unemployment, illegal sales of drugs and alcohol, speak easys, prostitution, high rates of incarceration, high prevalence of births to single women, high prevalence of single parent female headed households that are in poverty, old substandard housing, chronic health issues due to a lack of access to health care, crime and violence and their own methods of handling perpetrators of crime and violence, illegals, mental health issue, etc., etc., etc.
People doing what they need to do in order to survive. While they "survive" the infrastructure suffers. It is deprived of tax dollars from the many "illegal / black market" activities and usually ends up draining the infrastructure that continues to try and provide services as if this was the Allentown of the 60's or 70's.
The urban culture was created and exists irrespective of race or ethnicity. It is an economic / cultural phenomena more than it is racial or ethnic.
The census bureau recently noted a significant increase in average family size. This means families are doubling and tripling up. Simply stated there are more families choosing to live together than on their own. In tough economic times it makes sense to me. Historically this trend has been devastating to the housing market. Fewer houses / apartments are rented or purchased and the whole cycle of disrepair, falling housing values, increased foreclosures and further strains on the infrastructure perpetuate themselves.
This new project perhaps should be named The Hotel Traylor - East, highly adaptable to the needs of the urban culture and it's licit and illicit activities. It will, I predict, be ground zero for what everyone in Allentown complains about and fears. To make it otherwise while be prohibitively expensive and impossible. Man adapts, man changes and the urban culture is much more skilled at surviving than your culture.
You all may be going down a path you will wish you had not, in the near future.
Schools and children. Are you kidding me. I guess everyone who lives in this new structure will not have any children, grand children, friends children, nieces, nephews, etc. Are you going to force sterilization or require proof of contraception as a lease clauses. If you find children are you going to deny them education or throw them out on the street on trash night? Maybe you will just evict the tenants and have a vacant building.
Get the money but do something with existing housing. It is a better alternative for the city and probably most of the city's residents.
It amazes me how can such a group of intelligent men be so incredibly naïve and short sighted?
0736 Free Money?. Someone is paying for it and it just may be those selfish Suburbians that Dono speaks of.
ReplyDeleteI am not against income adjusted housing, however is this the right place? Is this the smart growth that RenewLV uses to support their rail argument? I doubt it. I am tired of hearing how we need to repopulate our Cities (commonly referred to as core communities) to bring them back? With Easton being the exception, City population has increased in the last decade.
A property like this should be an office complex, to bring people in that patronize downtown businesses. It worked for Harrisburg. We need less pawn shops, less tattoo parlors, and only a couple of dollar stores downtown. We need to rid the streets of Crime and make people feel safe. Suburbia did not draw the buzz away from the Cities, City crime chased them away.
Townhouse style lower income housing is better than high density. Children need safe, green places to play in front of their homes. Seventh Street is not that location. Hope the “young professionals” understand this. Wanting a little green space is not selfish.
Philly has been systematically demolishing its high rise low income housing and replacing it with more normal looking housing. Agree with Armstrong. Allentown is riddled with this stuff. Why are these "projects" not being built in South Whitehall or Lower Macungie Townships?
ReplyDeletea pantheon of fools that continue to win elections. how does it feel to lose to a pantheon of fools?
ReplyDeleteI rarely agree with right wing wacko Scott Armstrong but I believe when someone is right they are right. Allentown City Council is loaded with fools.
ReplyDeletePart of the problem is all the young Dem's that are now using the Team Callahan model of government. Allentown, Lehigh County, Northampton County and Bethlehem are loaded with these folks. They are are working off the same program and it is all about money flowing in certain ways.
This is a horrible decision by the City. Have any of them ever walked in downtown during the day much less night. This housing is Section 8, dreamland and will be thug infested within weeks. The City without limits needs more female teenagers on cellphones pushing baby strollers. Young baby daddies hanging out doing basically nothing.
Allentown should be called, "Allentown, Camden of the North". The decline of the once proud city for the benefit of a few politicians is truly a sad thing to see for Valley natives like myself. Unlike Scott, I will not just blame Democrats, though of course they are certainly part of this mess. A cabal of Republicans and Democrats working together for self-enrichment and social engineering have created this sad situation.
Vetitas
Veritas,
ReplyDeleteWhat Republicans worked with Pawlowski and council to pass this high rise low income fiasco?
While I agree that certain business people who may be registered as Republicans are getting exactly what they need from city government the local Republicans aren’t responsible for the corrupt and inept Democratic machine that is running Allentown into the ground. The truth is the Democrats have done real and significant damage to the city in the last ten years. This is beyond dispute.
By the way, why does a belief in small government make someone "a whacko"?
Scott Armstrong
IN Philadelphia all of the high rise projects are or have been demolished.I remember reading Allentown was awarded #3 million {I could be wrong on the amount) to fight homelessness and I agree with the comments on crime etc. King Ed's courtyards will be the name of the Projects and it will be another disaster.Think Hotel Traylor before it was "cleaned up".Bad move
ReplyDeleteOh Great report Scott,I always tend to agree with you.Scary since I have been called an unhinged woman on this site but then if I am unhinged I will take that over being a troll
ReplyDeleteThis will probably be the first time I've ever posted something written by Scott in which the majority of readers agree with him.
ReplyDeleteI understand he's been rushed to the hospital.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. We conservatives live in an alternative universe where everything reported in the media, taught in the schools and is socially acceptable at social gatherings seems contrary to our beliefs. Conversely Liberals have their perspective is re-enforced every time they turn on mainstream media, listen to their teachers or professors, or go along with the day’s talking points at parties. Yet they dismiss us as uncritical. It is much easier to be a liberal. We are the real rebels, they are going along with the flow.
Scott Armstrong
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteIs no one going to defend the council vote? Rather disappointing. I have a back log of rhetoric at the ready. Epitome of stupidity for example.
Except for Guridy being absent the vote was unanimous right? Perhaps in their (team Pawlowski) confidence they believe they are immune from all criticism.
Scott Armstrong
How can anyone with common sense believe this is a good move.If ya wanna invest in housing, invest in senior housing.Few problems with senior housing.OMG, am I becoming an elitist?
ReplyDeleteI am really interested in the reasoning behind the logic on this project? I am being serious, if anyone knows(not political opinion please) I would be grateful.
ReplyDeleteI mean I understand the money is available to do the project but so what. If someone offered to pay you to paint your house with permanent skunk stink would you do it?
This is the exact opposite of what cities across the nation are doing. City council has literally voted to increase crime, poverty and population density in the very center of an economic economic area. I mean 7th and Hamilton. If someone told me this cold, I would think they were pulling a joke.
I realize with the young new Pawlowski carpetbagger councilmen he has a majority on Council but what the Hell is the point of their vote?
I must admit, I am mystified.
fyi, the housing project was included in the bill with the entire CDBG, which also includes funds for the redevelopment authority, housing acquisition, various social agencies, etc. donovan proposed separating out the low income project; that proposal failed to pass 5 to 1. then council vote on the entire package, which passed 6-0. supposedly the plan had to be approved before a may 14th deadline, for submittal to HUD.
ReplyDeleteOne o'clock on a balmy Saturday in Allentown, a man is shot sitting in a car feet from the
ReplyDelete7th Street Business & Visitor Corridor. And city fathers say all is well.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteThis affair is appalling all around and everyone on council and in the administration needs to be held to account. As usual I will wait for a prominent Allentown Democrat to speak out against this absurdly detrimental action. Of course one will as usual wait in vain for that. Will the “Local” paper again fail to properly editorialize on another outrageous action of Allentown Democratic Machine? What’s your guess on that?
Scott Armstrong
No more lumping bills or proposals together. Period. I dont care whose machines in office.
ReplyDeletescott, the morning call no longer runs editorials, they haven't for a couple of years. far be it from me to defend the administration or even council. i posted the facts. personally, i give donovan credit for attempting to separate the housing project from the rest of the bill. i believe council of the whole would defend the overall bill, which funds code enforcement and property acquisition. this mentality is ingrained in allentown. even heydt purchased over 100 properties to keep them out of the "wrong hands".
ReplyDeleteIts amazing that the a few short years ago that the Heydt administration was called racist and uncaring. Its amazing that the budget always had a surplus and the City seemed to be doing quite well. Now, building projects that are destined to fail. Out of control budgets. Lack of City services because of cuts. Agree with a previous poster that Allentown is looking more and more like Camden.
ReplyDeleteI have read Donovan's explanation, on his and other blogs. I agree Donovan is more transparent and accountable than other officials. I believe he should have voted against the entire bill.
ReplyDeleteHe claims the opportunity expires 5/14. OK. Kill the ordinance, let the city make the changes needed, and then hold a special meeting.
In fact Donovan and a magority could call a special meeting now to cancel the funding.
MM -
ReplyDeleteThe probem is that council is in the Mayor's back pocket.
Donovan may have tried to separate the low income project, but still voted for it in the end because of the HUD deadline. I also think Donovan's proposal to separate the low-income project was grandstanding on his part since the solicitor said it couldn't (legally) be separated from the rest of the bill.
Until council stands up to the Mayor and demands (by NOT approving the package) adequate time for review, the Administration will continue to bring items to council right against a deadline. As long as council continues to approve what the administration wants, what motivation does the administration have to change?
Since council is not willing to stand up against the Mayor, they are complicit.
By the way, the remainder of the "package" is filled with more funding for the very groups that are killing the city. Isn't it time that City Hall realizes what they are doing isn't working?
This city could wind up like Camden if you dont stop the partisan bullshit on both sides.Its also not lost on me that a failed former Republican machinist is now gloating over finaly getting one on the opposition. No doubt a council screwup.Drill em Scott, Drill em
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteDonovan’s attempt to separate the fly from the ointment doesn’t excuse his vote for the final bill, in that regard he is as culpable as the rest.
Scott Armstrong
Scott:
ReplyDeleteI was quite vocal against the 7th st project from the beginning when I learned about it; tried to separate the item for a vote on the merits of the project; and then tried to kill the funding for that item all together.
I was not pleased with the way it turned out, and yes I could have voted no on the entire bill acknowledging it would pass anyway. I seriously thought about doing that, but decided against it for what I believe were logical reasons.
I really resent your characterization/generalization of liberals (and more pointedly, on my behalf, professors). I do not consider myself a fool. I understand the arguments you are making and have been very vocal about developing a much better urban strategy than the short-sighted actions taken in Allentown. I get mad at those conservatives who generalize like you occasionally do.
The Mayor does not like me at all because I question him so often. Indeed, I know that he is trying to get people to run against me at the next election. Isn't that fun.
You base your arguments on a "we/they" perspective, when really Allentown is just like 300 other urban areas in this country, all of which are struggling with the same issues. Some cities do a much better job than we do (and who is in office really doesn't matter), the key difference is often the way the city's government is organized and the extent to which professionalism trumps politics. I have come to not like strong mayor governments. I would rather see a council/manager form.
You can call people like me names all you want, but I take deep pride in the balance I try to bring to government and the effort I am attempting to improve the lot for all of Allentown's citizens.
I did not spend my life developing whatever skills that I do have to be an extremist. I believe in moderation. I believe in discussion. I believe that there are good ideas everywhere.
At the same time, I can get just as irked and pissed as anyone. It shows from time to time, doesn't it. I regret when I get angry to a fault and try to return to a calmer perspective.
Have a nice mother's day with your family.
Best regards,
Michael Donovan
Like 11:02, I believe Council should have killed the entire package, let Pawlowski scramble to provide them w/ a new plan that does not include this bad idea, and then convene a special meeting.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Donovan's tranaparency, but his constant "We have no power" arguments are tiresome. I suspect he knows very well what they could have done and would rather incur our wrath than that of Pawlowski and whatever special interest is behind this new proposal.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHey, feel free to disagree and state your arguments. But anonymous personal attacks, especially those directed at a reader, will be deleted.
ReplyDeleteDoes Armstrong have a blog where the original article was posted? I don't see a link. I'm wondering if his article has links to any source material to hear the other side of the story. Not that Armstrong is one-sided or anything....
ReplyDeleteCentral, Sure, Scott is one-sided, just like you. Should I disreagard everything you say bc you are one0-sided? So far as I know, he has not posted this on his blog or the A-town Commentator.
ReplyDeleteThis is a bad idea. Concentrating low income or no income together, if not in high rise, is a form of de facto segregation from your religiously enlighteed mayor.
If yoiu need links to all kinds of information to substantiate this, try google. For the rest of us, it's pretty obvious.
Indeed, I know that he is trying to get people to run against me at the next election. Isn't that fun.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with politics in a nutshell. Why are politicians always worried about their reelection? Do what is right and let the chips fall where they may. It's exactly this type of worrying which leads to status quo, don't rock the boat legislation.
Nothing personal against Mr. Donovan who seems to be a fine public servant. But so you lose an election, return to private life and allow the system to work as it was meant to.
Relax. Was I asking too much? Sure, many of us are one-sided. I just assumed this was an excerpt from a larger piece. Thank you for pointing out that this was a contribution to your blog and not from another source. I was not aware.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why you are lumping me into the pro-high-density housing crowd. I would just like to know the details before jumping in and bashing one side or the other.
And I wasn't interested in substantiation. Just a link to any coverage of the meat of the bill.
ReplyDeleteCentral,
ReplyDeleteThis has been covered in TMC and at numerous blogs, including Pam Varkony, MM and Donovan.
You want to see the meat of the bill? Ask the transparent mayor or transparent city council why it is not on the transparent city web page.
Before you get into questions of ideology and partisanship, the fundamentals of good government should be observed. A-town is in such bad shape bc they are ignored. When a group of citizens gwet together to try and place something on the agenda, they are centrally scrutinized. People who wish to make points are told to come back in 2 weeks. Others, like Lou Hershman, have been muzzled. The city fights routine right to know requests. Information is so jealously guarded that the city would prefer to disinform about park renovations than get the story out.
This is the result of one-party rule. There are other cities with one-party rule that work well, but in those cities, the fundamentals of good government are observed. There is transparency. There is accountability.
Bravo 11:46. Thats what sets Tom Burke apart.Was a great councilman,A moderate, Who I think should run for mayor.
ReplyDeleteGuy,
ReplyDelete“Former Republican Machinist”. The Allentown Republican Committee was dedicated to putting qualified candidates on council and in the mayor’s office. Can you say the same about the local Dem’s with a straight face?
Scott Armstrong
Mike Donovan,
ReplyDeleteSo you made the “logical” choice to put a high density, low income high rise in a high crime area? Really?
Scott Armstrong
Bernie says: I've been asked to point out that characterizing this 4-5 story project as a "high rise" is a mistake. There is no precise definition, but I'm told that in this area, a high rise usually refers to a building that is six floors or more.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter if the building is six or four floors. It can have hundreds of apts. stretched wide if not high across the property. It will need to have X number of units to make it financially viable for the developer.
Central,
ReplyDeleteI got a heads up on this story from local blogs and a Morning Call article, all after the fact. It would be may guess that almost no one in the city has any knowledge of this deeply flawed project.
Scott Armstrong
i have put up the entire bill in the comment section of my blog, where it will remain for today. i will remove it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someone can explain why Allentown's mayor seems to focus on hiding documents (TMC Sunday S.Mtn woods) from the public rather than striving to curtail the ongoing crime. What kind of impression does he think his city portrays when someone is shot in broad daylight?
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your point. However, I do not control the other councilors. I did what I thought was right, and lost.
To the other person about my reelection. Quite frankly, I have not decided if I am going to run or not. Why do you think I am being a thorn in some people's side.
Indeed, I have been told the unions hate me. The mayor does not like me. The republicans do not like me.
Gee, I'm in a perfect place -- would you not think?
Oh. I'm not going to take money away from deserving groups, when I lost on the other item.
Oh. One other point. I asked why CDBG funds should be funding general city funds (inspection), when inspection is a normal city function. I would rather get money into logical community development activities.
And Scott. Since you have no respect for "professors," I have no respect for people who just espouse their ideological viewpoints.
And, yes, that is a criticism -- since you are so quick to criticize me.
Have a nice day.
Mike Donovan,
ReplyDeletePerhaps readers of this sight wonder why you have decided I “have no respect for professors”. Is it because I have not shown deference to my betters when I dared in a blog posting to scrutinize the doctrinaire liberal/Marxist philosophy that is pervasive amongst the faculties of America’s colleges and universities? Clearly you appear to have taken umbrage to this in spite of the fact that you yourself routinely proclaim your own allegiance to the same political point of view and have recently trashed those who don’t.
It is amusing to me that you have decided to “ have no respect for people who just espouse their ideological viewpoints”. How is that going to work when you are tarred by the same brush ?
Scott Armstrong
Michael,
ReplyDeleteScott Armstrong is married to a professor, so you're painting with a rather broad brush when you claim he does not respect them. Certainly nothing in this blog thread substantiates that accusation.
A NO vote, in my view, is the only sensible decision. It would encourage the mayor to submit a plan that includes those other worthwhile endeavors. Youi could have scheduled a special meeting to accomplish that. Instead, you voted to support something that will just exacerbate A-town's problems.
Other than you, not one person in any of the blogs I have read hasdefended your vote. That should tell you something.
"Allentown Republican Committee was dedicated to putting qualified candidates on council and in the mayor’s office"
ReplyDeleteAnd yet the voters disagreed with that assessment. In a democracy, the voters cast the final ballot. Whatever delussion you need to justify your failures, just go ahead and continue living in it.
bernie, let me remind us that no good deed goes unpunished. michael donovan, although he did vote for the bill in it's entirety, did propose the amendment to separate the low income project from the bill. had he succeeded, we would be praising him. his fellow council people saw differently, and his proposal was defeated 5 to 1. he has justified why he joined the others; to provide funds to organizations he finds worthwhile. lastly, let me say that i give him much credit for dialoguing with us, again he stands alone in this activity.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:47,
ReplyDeleteMy “failure” to get good people elected to public office in Allentown is a disappointment that I live with daily as a resident of a city that has suffered greatly under the guidance of people I tried to defeat at the polls. I remember one election morning seeing yard signs at most of the polling places that read “Hold every Republican Accountable”. The Democratic voters of Allentown did and threw Tom Burke off of city council and replaced him with political opportunists and feckless handwringers. Yes, they sent George Bush a message that year. Sadly Allentown has paid a heavy price.
One may blame me for losing an election but one may not say I governed a city into ruin. That charge lies at the feet of the city’s Democrats.
Scott Armstrong
Scott-
ReplyDeleteIt would be easy to joke that the Dems are approving a precinct that will vote 90% D and be as easy to get to the polls as knocking on their door and telling them that voting for the Dem is part of their residency requirement.
But I have to take exception to the always blame the Dems line. C'Mon, Heydt never went to council meetings and the only reason he had a surplus was because he refused to fund fixing a single bridge or street. He kept putting it off to the future.
Lets agree to disagree and accept that both parties, and all Allentown residents need to accept some responsibility for the wreckage.
MM,
ReplyDeleteI agree that Donovan is far more transparent and accountable than most public servants.
I disagree completely with his vote and his logic. But I tend to respect and support politicians who make an effort at good government, as Donovan does.
A previous post asked:
ReplyDelete"I am really interested in the reasoning behind the logic on this project? I am being serious, if anyone knows(not political opinion please) I would be grateful.
I mean I understand the money is available to do the project but so what. If someone offered to pay you to paint your house with permanent skunk stink would you do it?"
I have yet to hear it answered. If Mr. Donovan is reading this could he respond to what the reasoning of his fellow council people for following thru on this project was? Was it even discussed? I am also trying to follow the thought process here.
I know the previous poster did not want a politcal answer but the only logical reason I could see would be to attract more Democratic voters to the city ensuring the electability of Demeocrats in the future. And I'm a lifelong Demo.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteNever! I was at council meetings that Heydt attended. I was a community leader when he was mayor and one could disagree and still get along. Bill Heydt managed the city for eight years and left Allentown in fine fiscal order. It wasn’t because he didn’t fix a bridge it was because he watched every nickel and never spent a penny foolishly. Bill Heydt worked hard to get Rental Inspections passed, he was never a party guy and had a registered Dem(Ross Marcus) as his Community Development director. Contrary to what is commonplace today not once was a person hired for patronage reasons.
You Dem’s want to spread the blame for the destruction of Allentown by claiming it was bipartisan. It won’t wash because it isn’t the truth.
Scott Armstrong
Chris Casey said:
ReplyDelete"Heydt never went to council meetings and the only reason he had a surplus was because he refused to fund fixing a single bridge or street."
********************************
Chris -
You're obviously misinformed or just spreading democrat propoganda.
It was under Mayor Heydt that a systematic approach was developed to resurface all city roadways. City streets and alleys that hadn't seen repaving in DECADES were reconstructed or repaved under Heydt. The bridges were maintained, and new roadways (such as the MLK and Sumner extensions) were developed.
Some may not have liked his style, but Heydt focused on the core functions of what city government should be doing - police, fire, public works (including roads) and parks.
Again Scotts twisted partisan logic,The council members themselves are responsible and should be held accountable.Most in both parties vote in good faith.Are rep voters to feel guilty for Hoover,Nixon and Bush screwups.What makes you think the reps have all the answers.You have problems in your own party.In city elections your failure is not being able to find a candidate to run ,let alone win.Bible totin right wingers cant win in allentown or one that comes off that way either.Moderates could win,So where are they.Dems lost for years cause they couldnt properly field candidates in the primary,now your in the same boat.NYC has rep mayors, imagine that.You havent learned a damm thing.
ReplyDeleteGuy Williams said...
ReplyDelete"...Moderates could win..."
**********************************
Right Guy, that's exactly what the city needs - a moderate Republican who can try the same failed approaches of the Democrats over the past 10 years. Brilliant!
Ever hear of mike bloomberg,The best mayor NYC has ever had.Your only dreaming.Show me a city run under your rules.
ReplyDeleteGuy,
ReplyDeletePlease point out how I “twist partisan logic”. The truth is the city’s Democratic voters have elected and re-elected proven failures to city offices. What sense does any of this make? What is one to make of the fact that never does any city Dem speak out against the blatantly obvious bone headed legislation, appointments, firings, hirings, bond refinancing…ever, not once.
In state elections a few years back Republican voters threw out of office many of their Republican elected officials who voted themselves a pay raise. Did the Dem’s do the same? No.
Spare me this spread them blame crap for that is what it is. Take full credit for the destruction you have brought to the Queen City, it is all yours.
Scott Armstrong
See Scott,Thats the problem with you far right,my way or no way,Fire an Brimstone conservatives.I have yet to meet a candidate from any party who shares my belief on every issue.This fiasco seems to have been orchastrated by the mayor.All council members are at fault esp. the leadership.Dont know how many of their voters are pissed.Anyone Who knows me knows i didnt vote for any of them.I would hold those accountable who agree with their decision.You just dont make sense to me.On one hand you want everyone to be accountable for their own actions not society ,on the other, society for the actions of a few.
ReplyDeleteGuy,
ReplyDeleteBelieve you failed to point out how I” twist partisan logic”. Calling someone names rarely suffices as evidence.
You will have to explain the rest of your post; I can’t make any sense of it.
Scott Armstrong
scott, you keep blaming the voters. only losers blame teh voters. only people who refuse to respect democracy blame the voters. right now, you sound like a loser who hates democracy.
ReplyDelete"I am really interested in the reasoning behind the logic on this project? I am being serious, if anyone knows(not political opinion please) I would be grateful."
ReplyDeleteQuite honestly, I thought the purpose of this project was to bring more people downtown who LIVE there. The theory is, the more people living downtown, the safer it will be, and we really NEED it to be safe to support our restaurant row vision.
In terms of the crime associated with low-to-moderate income families, the leasee of these apartments will have to undergo a criminal background check, from what I read in a previous article. That's all well and good, but of course it won't help. When a single mom with no record signs the document, she passes the criminal background check and moves in. But her (potentially, theoretically) low-life gang banging hoodlem boyfriend, well, he gets to live there despite his criminal background, because there's NO WAY TO STOP HIM from living there.
Of COURSE there will be children living there. Not sure what school that building will be sending the kids to, but it doesn't matter, really - the ASD cannot handle the children it already has at school.
Finally, I appreciate Donovan's point of view on this project, and his willingness to explain the reasoning of his vote. I do not agree with his final vote, but Donovan continues to have my utmost respect because of his willingness to engage in a dialogue with all of us.
Whether or not there is a need for low income housing (and I am not convinced there actually IS a need, but that's another post), it is clear that the place for this housing is NOT at 7th and Hamilton. That is the very core of downtown, and this project caters to the very lowest common denominator, financially speaking. And, sadly, crime is inversely related to socio-economic status. I do not claim to personally know the folks moving into this project, but I can say that the odds of this project housing criminals are quite high, and I do not see how this will have a positive effect on the folks trying to make downtown a better place. Perhaps the APD should put a hub in the bottom floor of this project.
Scott-
ReplyDeleteI lived in Allentown from 1995 to 2004. I went to several meetings. I remember see Pam Varkony up there on council, but maybe I just had the bad luck to attend the meetings Mayor heydt did not.
I have not called you names or insulted you, I have shared my recollections of what i observed.
How many times was maintaining the 15th street bridge put off? The linden street bridge was put off. How about the Albertus Meyers?
Did all the concrete falling off start the day Heydt left office?
I call it benign neglect.
I agree with many of your points, but once again your tone is one of extreme condescension and little respect for any differing view.
I feel your frustration, but alienating anyone who would be willing to work with you is counter productive.
Really Scott, why would anyone at City Council want to sit down with you when you call them a pantheon of fools?
By the way:
Main Entry: pan·the·on
Pronunciation: \ˈpan(t)-thē-ˌän, -ən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English Panteon, a temple at Rome, from Latin Pantheon, from Greek pantheion temple of all the gods, from neuter of pantheios of all gods, from pan- + theos god
Date: 14th century
1 : a temple dedicated to all the gods
2 : a building serving as the burial place of or containing memorials to the famous dead of a nation
3 : the gods of a people; especially : the officially recognized gods
4 : a group of illustrious or notable persons or things
Scott, I don't think Pantheon is the appropriate word to use here. Dig out Roget's Thesaurus and try again.
I don't think anyone looks at City Council or the mayor as Gods, but that is just my view.
I note to Chris Casey. You use words "never", "always", "only", etc.
ReplyDeleteVery early in my career, whatever that means, I was told not to use those words. Good Advice.
One thing I seem to not understand is your seeming to be a chameleon. I do not know where you core values lie. Obviously democrat is strong but occassionally you seem to make sense. ??????????
Bob Romancheck
Not to add insult to injury ,Whats wrong with calling people names....I use to call Luther Gerhringer Dopey Duncan all the time
ReplyDeleteI've been called a vixen by a male who meant to reduce me to a sexist slur because he disagreed with my opinion. And now he's charged with instructing young women at a local college!
ReplyDeleteOn the request that I provide some information about the reaoning behind the project, I would prefer to do that on my blog, which I will do probably this evening while I administer an exam (Finance by the way -- taught the standard way, by the way, but with emphasis on how numbers can be used unethically over the years) -- as we have discovered can happen in both the private and the public sector.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Michael Donovan
Michael, I look forward to reading your explanation. Like MM, I do appreciate your willingness to explain the process. I can still disagree with you, and sometimes do, but I have an immense amount of respect for public officials who practice transparency and accountability. There is too little of that.
ReplyDeleteMichele,Relax,it might be helpful to lobby Websters to include sexist slur in its definition.
ReplyDeleteGuy Williams,
ReplyDeleteI took Michael to task for his comment at the time it was made, several weeks ago, but don't consider it a matter to dwell on forever. We all make insensitive comments from time to time. Referring to Michael as Michele brings one's sex into the equation, too, and that is insensitive, too, doncha' think?
Let's try and stick to the issue and forget the personalities.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteNever been to Paris? Too bad. They have a large structure there that they refer has the Pantheon; it contains the moral remains of their national heroes. Therefore one may use the word as I did. I had it approved by someone with much more knowledge of language than either you or me.
To your other points; I have no interest in meeting anyone from council as I understand they take direction from Ed rather than from their constituents. I figured that out years ago and stopped attending meetings as a result.
So because the 15th street bridge needs repaired Bill Heydt was part of the problem and both parties are to blame for Allentown’s current situation. Really? Please.
Scott Armstrong
Mortal remains, it has been a long day, little time to write.
ReplyDeleteScott Armstrong
Anon 7:21,
ReplyDeleteHow cowardly to write an insult and then hide behind “anonymous”. Typical. If you lack the courage to sign your name to an opinion/insult why should anyone care what you write?
Scott Armstrong
Scott, We must all bow to your knowledge of all things French since your wife is one of France's rarest treasures. I'm surprised they let her leave the country.
ReplyDeleteThe Heydt Administration had a policy of "no policy" when it came to Community and Economic Development. In fact a running joke was why Poss Marcus even bothered to show up for work as his Department accomplished nothing during Heydt's term.
ReplyDeleteGuy Williams. Grammar tip. You should always insert two spaces after a period. This is 4th grade stuff, my man.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is the city’s Democratic voters have elected and re-elected proven failures to city offices.
ReplyDeleteAs a former Allentown resident, I have to say people chose the lesser of the evils. The opponents of the clowns that won were EVEN WORSE.
So according to Armstrong, Allentown has been steadily declining EXCEPT for the glorious 8 years Bill Heydt was in office. What a complete joke. The decline was just as steep during Heyt's tenure as anyone else. As a matter of fact, Heydt's period of leadership was probably the most crucial period to turn things around and he blew it. How 'bout them Allentown Ambassadors?
ReplyDeleteSorry.... Never gradchated
ReplyDeleteScott-
ReplyDeleteI lived in Europ over three years as a member of the United States Army. I traveled when I could. I visited Paris in August (The Seine Stinks) but it is a beautiful city.
Scott, you have a pretty high opinion of yourself, but as a later commenter added, Things were not all glorious while Heydt was mayor. You can nitpick and dance all you want, but I stand by my belief that all involved share some blame. Heydt's idea of economic development was to wait for a miracle and hope manna fell from the sky. I have tried to be nice in describing his terms in office, but he was pretty ineefective in doing anything that might have turned the city around.
If Allentown dies, all the communities around it suffer. People like Don Cunningham and Dean Browning see that. They work across party lines to solve issues, while you and Pawlowski sit in bleachers on opposite sides of the field and throw water ballons at each other.
More power to you, I will make sure I carry an umbrella when I walk out on the field.
"Bill Heydt managed the city for eight years and left Allentown in fine fiscal order."
ReplyDeleteScott that is BS. The city had a debt problem under Heydt and he solved it by refinancing with balloon payments that began just a few years after he walked off the job.
He then came back and tried to blame the debt on the next guy. Afflerback was no good mayor but Heydt was simply dishonest with that implication. He was not a good mayor either.
Come on Scott, Bill Heydt was as vindictive as they come. The current Mayor, slightly different in style, is just as mean spirited. Heydt had to be pushed into the "Rental Inspection" law. He was supporting a greatly watered down "Bill 50". To his credit he did come around. Ed P., head of ABC at the time, did nothing to advance rental inspection. If Allentown is going to be saved it needs leadership of a much higher order.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteI high opinion of myself? Why the insult? You were the one to question whether my rhetoric was proper and I responded.
Anyone who would make the case that Bill Heydt or any Republican(outside of Dave Bausch) is responsible for Allentown’s demise is themselves acting completely partisan by attempting to spread the blame from where it rightfully belongs
I could bore readers of this site with the many non partisan efforts I engaged before Afflerbach became mayor but that would be tedious. Since that time I am proud to have been a vocal advocate against the many ruinous schemes and plans of both Roy and his acolyte Ed. I think the current state of affairs validates my “partisan” activity.
Scott Armstrong
Anon 1:57,
ReplyDeleteIf you want anyone to believe your claim that Bill Heydt didn’t support Rental Inspections 100% you’d better sign your name otherwise why should any reader give credence to an anonymous accusation? I was there and know the truth is that he did.
Scott Armstrong
Scott, come on, enough bullshit. Heydt was a waste of time. Ross Marcus was his token Democrat because the guy was ineffectual and no threat to Heydt and sadly had little to show for his tenure as Economic head.
ReplyDeleteYou are grasping at straws Scott.
The Tock
Anon,
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is just another word for coward. Why should anyone bother with the comments of a coward?
Scott Armstrong
Scott,
ReplyDeleteDid Heydt refinance the city's debt with scheduled balloon payments after his term or did he not? Yes or no?