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| Scott Armstrong |
This one's about Allentown, and I pretty much agree with him.
For years now Allentown’s Democratic voters have chosen party allegiance over common sense at the ballot box. In 2005 they promoted to mayor a key player in a failed administration and since, have repeatedly elected and re-elected proven incompetents to city council. Meanwhile, they voted out of office every Republican-- including by all accounts, Allentown’s best city council person in memory, Tom Burke--and failed to support well qualified and capable Allentownians for city positions just because of party affiliation. Their straight party voting has produced a city controlled by a party machine under the thumb of a Democratic mayor and his Democratic cohorts on council. Every city bureau, agency, commission, and board is also populated by Democratic team players; all stand ready to receive and act on orders from the top. For good measure, the local press and media dominated as well by Democrats, routinely reports favorably on all this. This is how Allentown works, or more precisely, doesn’t work for the greater good. The latest example of this is the mayor’s plan to sell the city’s water works to pay off poorly thought out public sector pension obligations. This plan is so bad a few current and former Democratic elected officials are aghast. In a desperate attempt to stop the sale they are sounding the alarm and expecting a result. The monster they had a hand in creating is running amuck, bent on the fiscal destruction of the city, and despite their plea, the public pays no heed. After all, why should the citizenry be aroused? Aren’t the good guys in charge? Weren’t all the threats to the city removed when the Republican Tom Burke was thrown out of office?
The old adage of “you reap what you sow” is coming home to roost. Allentown’s Democratic voters and Democratic civic leaders have all had a hand in creating the monster that is the Pawlowski Administration. Presently, the wiser ones, aroused, are shocked by the destruction it/he is leveling on the city. How unfortunate it is for them to comprehend that their campaign to vilify those who could have stopped the monster was all too successful. Their call to action now falls on deaf ears.
48 comments:
I don't a;ways agree with Scott, but he is right on Tom Burke for sure. He was a really good council member.
I have always believed that we are best served when we have government divided between the parties but that members were willing to work together towards a common solution.
Allentown's government has been broken for some time now and very closed to public input. I am a registered Democrat and will not vote for anyone who votes to pass the water lease project, which I think is a golden example of leaders acting against the interests of those that elected them.
Yeay. Who was the alternative Armstrong and his ilks served up in the last mayorial election. Anyone care to remember that gem?
Scott blames to voters for their failure as a party.
Sounds like he hit the nail on the head
Armstrong is right on target. What scares me is that Pawlowski will be long gone (just like his mentor Roy Afflerbach) when this deal sinks the city even further in the hole. The one advantage the City has over the suburbs, our high quality regional water and sewer systems with reasonable rates for City residents, will now be sold to pay for Roy's pension bungle. Pawlowski will be long gone when our water and sewer rates go through the roof to help the private water and sewer company make profits.
Tom Burke? Didn't that happen like eight years ago?
Scott just hurt the Republican's chances of getting in office again by calling Allentown voters stupid. Thank gosh this guy is not in sales.
Then again, it doesn't really matter since they don't present decent candidates anyway.
Right, because if there's one thing that's for certain, it's that Republicans really REALLY care about people in cities.
Even if you really believe that, try to look around yourself.
From the results, it's very evident that the Democrats certainly don't care about the cities. Instead of listening to what the democrat party tells you, look at the results.
All the democrat elected officials care about is staying in power. They will enslave generations to poverty to stay in power.
I think it's time for democrat voters, especially those in the cities, to listen to someone else.
I agree with Scott that Tom Burke was the best council member we ever had but as always he directs his blame game away from the painful truth. Why is it that most campaign resources within the republican party has always gone to support congressional candidates and above?Where is their ground game in the city besides a handful of volunteers?With all the money in the county republican circles there is no excuse for the small low keyed campaigns of the rep council challengers that were presented in the recent past.Where was the county chair in all this?Seem to remember how Tom Burke was scorned by some from his own party for his work to promote The Tropicana Casino project in allentown.Scott has much disdain for democrats.Does his disdain extend to those democrats that signed his petition when he cross filed for his current school board position?Why is it that the Republicans have problems coming up with winning candidates both local and national?The dems fault? Yeah right.
There was a time in the not too distant past when party affiliation was not such a critical factor in Allentown, Lehigh County or for that matter Bethlehem. Democratic elected officials tended to be fiscally responsible people who stood for good public services and a strong local economy that supported an educated and relatively well compensated work force. Republicans tended to be socially moderate pro-growth advocates who also saw the need for good government services supporting a robust business community. They all had party affiliations but in terms of policy there was far more agreement on what was best for the area than is seen today. This resulted in long term consistencies of policies supporting both efficient but active local government, and economic growth through new development. In the past several decades Allentown has been hit with unprecedented economic challenges as its former strengths were replaced by weaknesses in a vastly changed regional market and new demographics that included much lower earning power of its residents. Armstrong is correct in many of his accusations but he neglects mentioning the demise of the local Republican Party that once saw the importance of good government (instead of limited government) in maintaining services, quality of life and strengthening opportunities across the social and economic base of the city.
Yeah, Anon 9:31 ... you just got it SO right ... Rethuglicans just don't care ... they just want to kill women and children as well as poison the water supply.
... Vote for Obama (again) ... and please enjoy your $ 177.1 million dollar Pawlowski Palace of Sport.
guy and 10:16, too often those who comment feel that if their comment is articulate enough, it will pass as truth. republicans have offered some excellent candidates in recent elections. for instance, eric weiss, as former head of code for many years, has a tremendous knowledge of allentown and it's problems. not only didn't he win a seat, 89 year old frank concannon won with the straight D lever pulling. even non-partisan people have concluded that R's can no longer win in the city, regardless of their qualifications.
I recently spoke to a retired city employee, a democrat, that worked for the city for 44 years. He worked with and through many city administrations. He said Tom Burke was the best city councilman we ever had. (I knew that.) He said Tom would come to them and ask questions and he listened to the answers. Tom was like that. We, as residents, lost a lot when we lost Tom Burke as our representative.
We have had good people run for council also. Maybe I am partial; I was one of them in 2005. The slate was solid: Tom Burke, Stephen Bodnar, Charlie Thiel and myself. Most of the time that election cycle the democrat candidates hardly were at any functions (yet alone council meetings) until very close to the general election. When we look at our local elections we need to do a very good job at looking at the people we want to have represent us and what their character is like and how much actual knowledge of the city they have and how it functions. Important pieces of information many seem to forget about. A lot of these folks didn't even know who the city clerk was until after they were elected. What does that mean? It means they never went up to the council's office and spoke with a key person in the life of council; Mike Hanlon. He does most of the leg work for these folks.
People, stop thinking republicans are evil; we're not. I tend to believe we all want similar things; a place that is safe for our families, good services for our tax dollars and a government that looks after the welfare of its citizenry while keeping spending in check. My views on certain issues might be more conservative; so what? What I know is this: what we have now; isn't working. It needs to be fixed and it won't be fixed by picking more of the same. I don't know if Allentown will come back to a financially sound place. That's up to us.
@9:41
Give us somebody else to listen to and people might listen.
Not a right wing cartoon character like Scott.
The guy singlehandedly turns off huge numbers of thinking people with his simple minded rants and his black and white world view.
Enjoy YOUR $ 177.1 million dollar Palace of Sport, Anon 11:16.
We know Allentown is a lost cause.
We know the Entitlement / Welfare mentality is here to stay.
We know Obama will sweep to re-election easily.
We are looking for other countries to move to.
THE EVIL, GREEDY, NASTY REPUBLICANS
".......campaign to vilify all those who could have stopped this monster was all too sucessful."
WTF is this guy ranting about?
Campaign to vilify who? Tony Philips? Bob Lovett ( great guy, would have been a great mayor--- lousy campaign ).
Eric Weiss or Tom Burke? ( Two other great guys. Toms last campaign was poorly run. He still should have been elected! But vilified? Hardly.)
Weiss would be excellent serving in any capacity.
Just keep right wing dingaling Armstrong away from his campaign.
Lifelongdem
Someone please shut that looney bin Rolf up.
Rolf and Armstrong kill the chances of solid republican voices being heard.
Kim B.@11:13
Whoever you are your a refreshing voice.
Don't know Bodnar.
Burke was excellent / so was Weiss.
Thiel seems to only show around election time,plays the religious card and doesn't add much to the conversation. Wouldn't trust the dude.
I'm also a democratic. I was happy to vote for Weiss/Burke/Lovett. I'm not the only one and I am tired of Armstrong's dull insults.
Allentown Republicans please find another voice.
@Micheal Molovinsky...I appreciate your comment on my "articulate" presentation at 10:16. LOL Although I am not an Allentown resident I well know Eric Weiss personally as I do several of the other people who are frequently mentioned in both Bernie's and your blog. Eric was an excellent candidate who didn't win. Having a great candidate or two does not however speak to the strength of a local party organization or the overall policies of any given party. In my opinion a good candidate like Charlie Dent has won consistently in the Lehigh Valley because he runs with his own approach and has not totally adopted the beliefs or attitudes now prevalent in the GOP. My ideal of a Lehigh Vally Republican was the late Walt Dealtry from Bethlehem who I also had the pleasure of knowing well. Unfortunately there are not many Walt Dealtrys around these days. unfortunately if there a few left, they probably will have a hard time succeeding in today's ideological partisan environment.
While I agree with your sentiments, Charlie Dent lost Allentown in at least the last two election cycles.
Why don't you MAKE ME shut up, courageous Anonymous 11:37.
And, enjoy YOUR $ 177.1 million dollar Palace of Sport while you are at it.
ROLF OELER
Bernie...My points never disagreed with Armstrong or Molovinsky on the current situation in Allentown politics. The Democratic Party has a stranglehold on election results. That is a given for the near future but it does not however change the fact that the GOP will not attract many Allentown voters with its current ideological position. Charlie may not have won Allentown because of current registration figures but he does attract the votes of the thinking Democrats in Allentown, however many of those still exist. Please take my feelings as disgust with both parties today. I find the whole situation bordering on the dysfunctional.
Stick to the topic please. Also, drop the obscenities please.
I'm gonna vote for Obama (twice) so I can be popular with all my friends and get free stuff, too!
TYPICAL DEMOCRAT
Rolf, Please (1) stop the obscenities; (2) stop the repetitive nature of your comments. Thank you.
This issue raises an interesting point: Should all Republican candidates for public office in Allentown change their registration and run as a Democrat? Why does party affiliation mean so much. The City desperately needs smart, competent and independant citizens to run for office. Maybe Tom Burke would have won as a Democrat, the City would be much better off for it.
1:27
GREAT POINT! Well said.
Is Mayor Ed considering re-election? I can't wait to see ...
Schaibu!!!
Does anyone know the answer to this question? Why do just certain offices require cross filing? Why not all local offices? Just wondering. Perhaps cross filing would make party affiliation more of a non issue in local races.
In a judicial race, politics are not supposed to be a factor. Therefore, one can cross-file.
I'd (1) open the primaries and (2) eliminate party affiliations in local races, as is done in many other states. This would benefit Rs in the cities, but would benefit Ds everywhere else.
Go away Rolf!! You add nothing to the conversation.
If mr guridy becomes mayor the city is cooked. Stick a fork in it.
Hopefully his stupid support for the H2o sell out ends his political career.
10:16
nice job, very thoughtful.
thanks
Rolf!! How much does the arena cost? I am not sure if I seen the price recently...
MM and Kim, there are 14000 registered republicans in the city of allentown. Eric Weiss got 3000 votes in a general election.The republicans are doing a poor job of getting their people out to vote.Your excuses are weak.
177.1 million $$
I'm always tickled pink to tell you.
Anon 11:26, goodbye.
How different is this than Northampton County? The Democrats rule there to. Callahan will walk into office unaopposed and endorsed by O'Hare.
So in one place this form of rule is bad, and in another it is good.
All depends on your current bromance.
I have consistently opposed one-party rule in all my years of blogging, so you're full of shit. As for BNC, you're full of shit there, too. NC has a R majority on Council, and power has gone back and forth over the last 12 years. NC has elected as many as 7 Rs to Council. NC has had a R County Exec. 5 of NC's 9 judges are Rs. I support Jerry, then Panto, then Callahan. I do not support McClure. I would support a R Exec candidate if it were someone good, but I've heard no good names. Your comment is nonsense.
Easy to say since neither Seyfried nor Panto are running. Two years ago you told everyone how awful Calalahn was, a trainwreck in your words.
Now of course, you just want to spread the hate for people like Lamont McClure and Ron Heckman. I don't knmow if Lamont is running but I know Ron is running for county council and will win easily dispite haters like you.
You are truely a hypocrite. The Callahan people are playing you and it will be fun to watch when he takes office. Better find a new washroom. The free washbasin bathtub days are over.
Scott Armstrong's contempt of Democrats is so vitriolic that it reminds me of public figures who gay bash only later to come out of the closet. It makes me wonder if Scott is a closet Democrat?
I am a person who was raised as a Republican and switched when I tired of George W's wars as a colossal waste of this country's money and good karma.
There are plenty of bad things to be said about both parties.
Instead of fighting about parties, can't we just come together at the local level and figure out a way to stop Allentown's water lease?
10:16 -
Limited government IS good government.
It recognizes that government can't afford to do everything for everyone. It also recognizes the detrimental effects that big government has on individuals and society as a whole. Limited government advocates also despise the crony capitalism practiced by big government supporters IN BOTH PARTIES.
I'm constantly amazed at the mischaracterization of limited government, either inadvertent or deliberate.
At this point, the only hope for Hole City is to get out of the way and let it crash. If you are of the means, pick up and get the hell out. Surrender Thunderdome to Teh King and his cronies and let the lever-pulling hand out seekers suffer the fate they've chosen.
Get thee to a community where your efforts and contributions will be recognized and rewarded, not villified and confiscated.
Only from the ashes can the Phoenix rise.
-Clem
Scott is ready for Prime Time TV,
Scott is ready for Prime Time TV,
If you want limited government, there are plenty of communities in the Lehigh Valley that practice it. In Macungie, they don't put any money into parks. It's all raised by citizens. Many municipalities have volunteer fire departments. Is Allentown ready for that? It would certainly save on pension costs.
In Camden, NJ they just went to a non-union police force because they said that they couldn't afford union police. That is the wave of the future.
If you want limited government, then you need citizens who step up and volunteer.
What makes a city liveable, desireable?
*Good schools.
*Affordable real estate.
*Safe environment.
*Reasonable supply of quality water at good affordable rates.
*Parks & recreation.
*Good government.
Well, at least the real estate is somewhat affordable, but you tell me, how is Allentown doing otherwise?
Mr. Armstrong is correct when he says that Allentown is responsible for Allentown's plight. Leadership from the mayor to council is god-awful, and it's getting pretty late to do anything about it.
VOR
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