Friends and colleagues,Since Olson has had a firsthand look and is a consultant and everything, I decided to ask him some questions.
As a board member of ACIDA (Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority) and an advocate of the Arena project, I have had a firsthand look at the wonderful and positive impact the Neighborhood Improvement Zone will have on the economic revival of the City of Allentown, and the ripple effect potential on the Lehigh Valley as a whole.
I have attached a letter written by the Mayor of Allentown, Ed Pawlowski, which he has asked me to share. May you please consider reading this and applying your influence in areas that will ultimately have a positive impact on the Lehigh Valley? Thank you!
"Since you have so much knowledge about this project, please share the financials with us. Why has the City refused to do that? How much money exactly has ACIDA spent on this project so far? Where did this money come from? How much went directly into J.B. Reilly's pocket? Why was he selected? Why was this opportunity afforded to him and him alone? Does it have anything to do with the $20,000 that he and his partner gave Pawlowski last year?"
Alas, Olson refuses to answer my questions.
Hello Bernie,Sorry, Dave. My mistake.
I sent a personal e-mail to people I know who are in my contacts. You are not in my contacts.
Best Wishes,
David Olson
36 comments:
David Olsen is my new hero. I love it!!
Like he needs to answer your dumb ass questions. who the Hell are you.
You are some old crazy drunk disbarred attorney and you think this guy has to deal with your bullshit.
Multiple ditto's to David Olsen. his answer to you is priceless. You are a cockroach and he treated you as such.
I guess all that Gracedale Karma is coming on back there Mr. blogger.
Time for your "drug cocktail."
Now, now Trisha, Tricia, Brenda, or whatever you are calling yourself these days, you wish that you could have had a response like Mr. Olsen's. But you aren't playing with a full deck. Seems like from your comments on your blog and the way you are commenting about manly behavior, you must be suffering from pee-pee envy? You have man hands. Your face looks like your were rode hard and put away wet. That's your Karma ...
Why don't you ask your questions at an ACIDA meeting? They are public meetings.
David Olsen needs to change his tampon and buy a dress. What a chicken shit. It isn't easy fronting for a hole in the ground and a mayor who's demonstrated a shockingly low intellect in his attempts at written communication.
Pretty boy! Pretty boy! Gotta love the Puds and their absolute lack of tact and class. I can just imagine the king Pud and his cronies getting together in his mancave. Quality time smokin Marlboros, drinking diet Dr Pepper and rollin up on one cheek to let one rip as the plan blog strategy. Yuk! Yuk!
At any time, any developer can get NIZ financing to build a building in the district. It's not limited to JB Reilly. As more office buildings go up, Reilly's profits will be competed away too.
Jonathan, Really? This must be why, when nobody really knew about the NIZ, JB Reilly was quietly buying up the land. This must be why NONE of the mostly minority merchants were NEVER told they could participate in the NIZ. This is why there are "development guidelines" and applications that must be approved bythe NIZ. It is not "any" developer, but a select few who must be members of the urban growth regime.
Since King Edwin put all his friends, campaign donors and political allies on the ACIDA, I give this guy no credibility. He is most likely self serving and not truly concerned about the best interests of all City residents. I figure David Olsen already has his invite to bow down before the King in the royal luxury box on opening night (if there is one).
His arrogance towards you is a good indicator of the types of attitudes that got King Edwin in this mess in the first place. Open and transparent government with competent staff and a respectful attitude would have gone a long way to avoid the "Hole in the Ground".
"Why don't you ask your questions at an ACIDA meeting? They are public meetings."
This reflects a basic and somewhat common misunderstanding of the Sunshine Act. Contrary to popular belief, none of us has a right to insist on answers to questions during public meetings. We have the right to be there. We have the right to listen. Wee have the right to say what we think. But we have no right to demand answers.
"Multiple ditto's to David Olsen. his answer to you is priceless."
Priceless? Hardly.
Gutless, useless, more accurately stated.
BTW, his pose is gay (not that there's anything wrong with that...)
-Clem
It really is a weird, narcissistic picture.
The whole NIZ is more covert than a CIA Operation.
By the time it is finished those that come forward as "witnesses" will need to be place in the witness protection program offered by the FBI after testifying in the trial under:
109 RICO charges
It is unlawful for anyone employed by or associated with any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt. 18 U.S.C.A. § 1962(c) (West 1984). The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) was passed by Congress with the declared purpose of seeking to eradicate organized crime in the United States. Russello v. United States, 464 U.S. 16, 26-27, 104 S. Ct. 296, 302-303, 78 L. Ed. 2d 17 (1983); United States v. Turkette, 452 U.S. 576, 589, 101 S. Ct. 2524, 2532, 69 L. Ed. 2d 246 (1981). A violation of Section 1962(c), requires (1) conduct (2) of an enterprise (3) through a pattern (4) of racketeering activity. Sedima, S.P.R.L. v. Imrex Co., 473 U.S. 479, 496, 105 S. Ct. 3275, 3285, 87 L. Ed. 2d 346 (1985).
A more expansive view holds that in order to be found guilty of violating the RICO statute, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) that an enterprise existed; (2) that the enterprise affected interstate commerce; (3) that the defendant was associated with or employed by the enterprise; (4) that the defendant engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity; and (5) that the defendant conducted or participated in the conduct of the enterprise through that pattern of racketeering activity through the commission of at least two acts of racketeering activity as set forth in the indictment. United States v. Phillips, 664 F. 2d 971, 1011 (5th Cir. Unit B Dec. 1981), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S. Ct. 1265, 73 L. Ed. 2d 1354 (1982).
An "enterprise" is defined as including any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity. 18 U.S.C.A. § 1961(4) (West 1984). Many courts have noted that Congress mandated a liberal construction of the RICO statute in order to effectuate its remedial purposes by holding that the term "enterprise" has an expansive statutory definition. United States v. Delano, 825 F. Supp. 534, 538-39 (W.D.N.Y. 1993), aff'd in part, rev'd in part, 55 F. 3d 720 (2d Cir. 1995), cases cited therein.
Who is David Olsen and why does he matter?
Why am I buying expensive ice hockey tickets to Chairman Pawlowski's $ 220.0 million dollar Palace of Sport because some kind named David Olsen knows how to nifty picture of himself?
What happens if I am just not cool enough to hang with the hip crowd watching minor league heavyweights throw haymakers on Hamilton?
STRUGGLING TO SELL WHAT THE NIZ IS BUYING
Actually Geeting is wrong on the facts let alone prior events. NIZ regulations clearly state that all NIZ development requires the prior approval of the City of Allentown before it even gets to the NIZ board.
Add to that Sy Traub's statement (not yet policy) that there may be flexibility in who gets what grant money in the NIZ based on their tenant base.
So we have a political process at the city (you want approval? Write a large check to whoever's in charge, then we'll talk) coupled with another political process, and as Bernie pointed out most of the center city stuff was already bought up before anyone know what was bending them over.
To think that 'any developer can get financing' equal to Reilly's is just idiocy.
The photo is an interpretation of "The Thinker." It's "The Stinker."
Fill the hole before it's too late. Allentown must strive to be a City Without Divots.
Here is my question. How can a piece of legislation, which affects multiple municipalities, be drawn up, enacted, voted upon and signed into law without one of these municipalities having a say in the matter. To me it seems only reasonable that a fair and ethical piece of legislation would require involvement of all those that it affects and then discussed before ever becoming law. The reason why it flew under the radar and was kept such a secret is that the deep pocket boys are trying to pull a fast one and they got their hands caught in the cookie jar. Well, when you make a mistake and get caught in the act, at some point you need to say, you know what, I made a mistake. But to continue to try and get to the cookie jar saying that everything will be allright it just B.S. Put the King and his Court behind bars where they belong!!
@ 10:16. It was drawn up in public and reported in the proper Legislative Journals. In fact, the "boy wonder" Jon Geeting reported on it (and its potential impact for the city) while it was still in its legislative infancy. The municipalities could have intervened at that point but didn't. Either a) they didn't care or b) weren't doing their jobs. Either way, not knowing about the legislation was clearly their fault as the legislative process was as public and transparent as the law requires.
This is bullshit. For one thing, Geeting wasn't even blogging in 2009, when this passed. The amendment containing the NIZ was slipped into a budget package with no debate and no notice to affected municipalities. Trying to pretend otherwise is downright dishonest.
11:45 am -
Please. Just because something is "reported in the proper Legislative Journals" doesn't make it legal, let alone right. The way this bill was passed in Harrisburg was sleazy, and that's being kind.
It's been reported that Allentown City Council couldn't get answers to their questions about the NIZ as recently as May 2011. If they couldn't get the answers, what chance do you think the "average citizen" had to do so?
Those finding out about this now have the right (and the duty) to stop this before more harm is done. If it is allowed to stand, the precedent is set for more such zones in the future.
We don't need Harrisburg trying to pick winners and losers - whether were talking about cities, businesses, or campaign contributors.
but a select few who must be members of the urban growth regime.
In other words, the select few who won't put up more tattoo parlors or pawn shops. Sounds good to this former Allentown resident.
How can a piece of legislation, which affects multiple municipalities, be drawn up, enacted, voted upon and signed into law without one of these municipalities having a say in the matter.
The actual question is why is the leadership of our municipalities not doing their due diligence on legislative matters directly effecting it's citizenry? And then have the audacity to use my taxes to fight it in court after the fact? I'd rather my taxes go to the arena than township layers.
But perhaps that's all part of the game. The lawyers are in on it.
Retired ASD teacher here.
1:01-
I'm thinking the surrounding municipalities are trying to protect your interests over the NEXT 30 YEARS.
Today's expense could be tomorrow's savings! Let's find out.
"The actual question is why is the leadership of our municipalities not doing their due diligence on legislative matters directly effecting it's citizenry?"
Are you telling me that a township supervisor has some obligation to inform himself of every piece of legislation floating arond in Harrisburg? That's moronic.
And by the way, it's "affecting."
The municipalities could not possibly have understood all of the implications. Allentown can't explain all of them now. Their low intellect mayor ( this is documented; please see his writing) likely only saw free money and good tickets at hockey games. He still can't provide answers, only insults. Opponents are very forward thinking in protecting their future interests from future schemes. Easton's Panto is working overtime to pick the surrounding municipalities' pockets. Luckily they've all been exposed, sadly, too late for that big hole that won't get filled in Allentown. The gig is up.
Has the Mayor found a financier in Israel yet? Perhaps a side trip to Poland might identify a few.
joyce marin also has emailed pawlowski's letter to her circle.
Hey maybe he is couch stain from the gags topix and he should change his femanine diaper.
REDD
I see O'Hare is into homophobic and misogynist insults from his teabagger buddies. As long as you aim them at the right people.
You people are a disgusting lot and deserve each other. I am sure your personal histories are as successful as O'Hares sad existence.
Yours must be wonderful, too as an anonymous asshole.
Actually, yes, I would expect my township to keep track of legislation that may impact them, or pay lobbyists (i.e. the township association) to do it for them. This is all so ridiculous anyway. We, and by that I mean the townships, have been given every single break in the book for years now and it sapped the life out of Allentown. How fair was that? We should be willing to pay a little more to give back (probably less than $20 a household). Frankly to argue otherwise is unjust and wrong. The fact that we are instead paying lawyers to fight this is just painful. We have all the money and power and just want to hoard it even closer. Sheesh.
Your comment is complete nonsense. for years, cities have received the lion's share of all subsidies, from cops grants to infrastructure to grants for downtown development. And they should. But to suggest they've been ignored is completely false.
Are you telling me that a township supervisor has some obligation to inform himself of every piece of legislation floating arond in Harrisburg? That's moronic.
That's why the LV suburbs are empty shells of nothing. Because they just think they need to fill potholes and don't bother to do what elected officials are meant to do - to stay abreast of political and economic developments that directly affect us. It is stunning that you believe leadership has no need to look at the bigger picture of state and federal legislation. At the very least, it may be of interest to any serious leader to study the NIZ legislation or any legislation effecting the LV in Harrisburg.
yeah, filling potholes is so passe. I expect my borough Council to know exactly what is going on in D.C. and Harrisburg, every moment of the day, especially for midnight legislation that even the state legislators themselves did not know existed.
But, the state association of townships seems to have missed it too. These lobbying groups are supposed to inform their community of legislation impacts.
Now they want to be involved.
Moot point. It's over for at least a year if not a done deal forever. Let the suit go to the end and get a precedent for the future.
yeah, filling potholes is so passe. I expect my borough Council to know exactly what is going on in D.C. and Harrisburg, every moment of the day, especially for midnight legislation that even the state legislators themselves did not know existed.
You can make excuses for them all you want. I personally expect more from people who choose to run for political office and represent my interests.
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