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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Armstrong on Hockey Arena: Fort Apache?

We know that Michael Molovinsky is dour and misguided who despises everyone. I'm even worse. I'm a bottom-feeder who actually sent three increasingly nasty emails to a quadriplegic just two weeks ago. But the writer people really love to hate is Allentown School Director Scott Armstrong. Here's his latest, about Allentown's transformative hockey arena:

I read recently that our local public utility has bought naming rights to the new hockey arena under construction in downtown Allentown. This is apparently big news. However, the bigger story that hasn’t received enough attention is that the police chief and most of the top brass will be leaving the police force in mass to take advantage of the very lucrative pension deal the city’s Democratic leaders negotiated several years ago. One might wonder what the implications of this mass departure of experienced police leadership might be to the city, its crime rate, and its residents. Outside of a single report that dryly reported the exodus of the chief and the captains, the local media remains curiously uncurious. Apparently, they don’t see a story there.

Or do they? Perhaps like many of the city’s residents they are anxious about the departures but hesitant to report further on the story because it would conflict with their “hear no evil, see no evil, report no evil” template of the shiny new buildings and real estate deals that will save the city. Interviews on and investigations into this development are being left undone, but ignoring the obvious won’t change the facts that will soon enough be apparent on the ground.

Residents have every right to be very concerned and those who still have not figured out the press’s angle on the arena might finally see for themselves how special interests shape the news in Allentown.

51 comments:

Englebert Humperdink said...

If Steve Barron found the a cure for cancer, vaccine for HIV and saved an elderly woman from being gang raped by street urchins you sure wouldn't hear about it on LVR.

Bernie O'Hare said...

But he didn't and won't.

Steven Nichols said...

Armstrong is a piece of shit. His comments on every blog will be remembered when he attempts to run for re election.

Susan Michaels said...

And you will still be known as a man that never ran for election and is a disbarred lawyer. You are the biggest piece of shit there is.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Why on earth would I want to run for anything when I already occupy the highest office there is - that of citizen? And here you are, at 12:58 AM, talking to a big piece of shit. What does that make you?

Anonymous said...

Are you not here too? Throwing rocks in a glass house.

Bernie O'Hare said...

" You should make your blog members only and charge a fee. I'd be willing to join."

Then I'd have one customer.

Anonymous said...

Amen to that.

Anonymous said...

Let them all retire. Who really cares. Do they really do anything to help reduce the crime rate?

Anonymous said...

Scott's political rants and his personal story don't add up. Has a silver spoon guy preaching hellfire and damnation to poor and working stiffs.

Anonymous said...

Better be careful Bernie or Alan Jennings is going to pull your funding.
He can arrange that dude.

Anonymous said...

I think Scott wants to get voted off the School Board so he can blame uninformed liberal Democrats for something else.

Bottom line, the ASD will realize a positive gain on the NIZ within just a year or two. Millions in additional revenue will flow to the ASD annually in a few years from the announced projects alone.

Anonymous said...

Because lots more negativity and scary crime stories is EXACTLY what Allentown needs.

What a pessimistic and dour lot you are. Don't you think the city's crime problems are obvious? What is everyone supposed to do? Lie under the sink in a fetal position like you because the police chief is leaving? Stand up and grow a pair. Move the hell out of Allentown if it is so awful.

Anonymous said...

I'm still wondering why Mr. Armstrong accepts government handouts.

Anonymous said...

Well, judging from the spew of hatred, I'd say Armstrong must be on to something, or union thugs are just hating him in general. I'll say this, Armstrong has the best interests of Allentown and ASD in mind, unlike the union thugs who have a personal stake in these discussions.

Anonymous said...

is Armstrong a Republican? What's he doing in Allentown anyway?

Allentown Democrat Voter

Anonymous said...

Scott is correct, of course. He gets points for staying and fighting. I moved out 19 years ago and have never looked back. I like going to the Iron Pigs because it's easy to get to and it's a very safe environment with lots of security and parking personnel everywhere. The hockey arena is a different story. Like traversing nighttime Easton to go to The State Theater, just a block and a half from the latest murder, I think about my wife's and my personal safety. Our safety is never part of the Pigs equation. Scott knows of what he writes.

Guy Williams said...

11:49 You say Scott is correct and knows of what he writes, okay, but it wasnt too long ago his tirade was against the iron pigs and their stadium.Guess he was just a little off in his opinion and thats his right to speak out.His tirades go way back to even the Heydt days and sad in a way because many are rooted in common sense.Its his style that torpedoes any respect he may deserve.This is the current state of politics and the bloodsport it fosters. Still waiting for the day when the republicans come up with candidates willing to seek office in our city.Our city needs them. There is just no excuse,NONE.

Anonymous said...

There are plenty of good police officers waiting for their chance to occupy the top spots in this department.

Anonymous said...

Penn State 3 - (#18) Wisconsin 2

NCAA hockey is way more fun than state-sponsored AHL hockey

Anonymous said...

Bill White says the Palace of Sport needs to spread the wealth.

Anonymous said...

Will the Phantoms be charging an extra dollar or two per ticket for an NIZ tax so Alan Jennings can get his money?

Anonymous said...

Guy Williams - Stop being afraid. It's really not that bad. Unless you get involved in a meth sale or something. Seriously, stop spreading the nonsense and running around like a scared 9 year old.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, that was for the post before Guy Williams. My apologies.

Anonymous said...

"it's really not that bad"

Guys walking around with machetes are really not that bad at all --- I agree 100%!!!

Anonymous said...

Alan is going to start a community magazine in the NIZ.

Anonymous said...

Maybe if Big Government did NOT spend $ 177.1 million dollars on a "transformative" ice hockey rink for rich white owners who don't have a dime of their own money invested ...

... then there might be money left over to share with Alan and his righteous poverty programs.

JUST SAYIN'

Anonymous said...

Maybe if the Palace of Sport was only $ 80.0 million dollars, as originally advertised ...

... then there would be almost $ 100.0 million dollars for Alan and all his wonderfulness.

Anonymous said...

"Allentown - It's Really Not That Bad"

This is the new slogan for Allentown?

These dopes prove Scott right every time they attempt a thought.

Anonymous said...

IF the arena fails . . .

What will be done? How likely is it to find someone else to buy into a "dead" neighborhood?

Do you carve it up into 50 smaller spaces, sell it to Storage Wars TV producers for a whole new series featuring BIG abandoned items?

This thing better work as an arena, because it has NO alternate use through conversion. At least the hotel and office buildings can be easily converted to low rent dwelling units.

Anonymous said...

I like the "it's not that bad" defense of Allentown. Like pigs who become inured to wallowing in their mud, the lever pullers are kinda sorta OK with some of the violence and murder because it's not that bad. Imagine a world where you can attend events without fearing - even a little - for your safety. Not that bad.

Anonymous said...

The Allentown arena will be a VERY tough sell.

Unless the district offers EXTREMELY bright street lighting, a visible cop on every block over a four block radius, and more daytime events than nighttime events, it will be a struggle to run regular events there.

Even better, have eyes and ears on every parking deck level, too!

Alfonso said...

BH, Until the City starts recognizing and valuing the residents and neighborhoods and includes them in their plans (not by giving them programs or welfare, but making them aware of business opportunities and benefits) then Scott is correct. I LIVE on 4th and Turner, literally blocks from the prison, City Hall, and all things positive and negative. I refuse to say that A-town is the WORST place in the world to live but it is certainly far from the best. The "powers that be" are announcing/celebrating the naming rights on an arena that no one knows any TRUE information about, and a man is shot to death, literally, a few blocks away. People are yelling and screaming about meeting with the project owners about giving "something" to the community and, in reality, they don't owe us anything. When will we pull up our sleeves and stop asking for hand outs and just start going into the communities and finding answers one neighborhood at a time? Because buildings don't change crime or perception, the people do...

Alfonso Todd

www.votealfonsotodd.com

Anonymous said...

Bernie

How about you do one of those FOI requests on the amount of season ticket holders this great establishment has been able to secure. Inquiring minds want to know???

GS

Anonymous said...

Dioxin contamination will force a gov't buyout after the test results are certified.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to my hockey games. Have my season tickets. You haters can park my car for me if you want. I'll tip you well.

Anonymous said...

If Todd's strategy is win the hearts of people on blogs, he will be very saddened when he receives less than South Whitehall Township resident Michael Molovinsky did in 2005... In that election MM only received 3%... I am guess that Todd will be around the same number come primary season. He forgets that the people he "represents" don't vote.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
Because lots more negativity and scary crime stories is EXACTLY what Allentown needs.

What a pessimistic and dour lot you are. Don't you think the city's crime problems are obvious? What is everyone supposed to do?"
Gun Control require's a firm wrist & a good eye, to hit a target. Are the Citizen's about to carry arms to defend-the-defenceless? I think so. Cost regressive and Counter-Productive to to the Effective Admin.-of-Gov't. Do you want a County of Law-Abider's or Tax-Payer's??? Mutually Exclusive terminology in the trichotomy of Law, Order & the Effective Admin.-of Taxes. Do we "Protect" ourselves? YOUR choice. When SURVIVAL INSTINCT overcomes Rationality....odd manifestations emmannate from the Populace. Rule-of-Law should prevail. 'Tis the American Way. It's what this Country/County was created/based upon. Remember History....You're about to repeat it!

Anonymous said...

If the Ethnic Diversity-of-the-Lehigh Valley were registered to vote, you would see the Majority Demo-Graphic....is NOT white. Remember O'bama? 2 voted in. We are no longer a White Majority emigrateing to L.V. Interstate/InnerCitily Gangs roam the streets @ Night. How about a curfew-to-Protect the Money-Clip Law-Abiding Patron's @ your Inner-City (Blood-Sport) Arena? Law's are made....for those whow will follow them. The rest of us, just don't give a shit, anymore....
Am I out-of-Line? Who will protect them-from-us....or us from them? All of your police are retiring....remember?

Anonymous said...

"Allentown - It's Really Not That Bad"

This is the new slogan for Allentown?

These dopes prove Scott right every time they attempt a thought.


Yes, it's a good slogan for ANY urban city. If you weren't so afraid to come out of Stiles or Bangor, you might see for yourself. I can't imagine any of you rubes ever setting foot in an actual dangerous city like Chicago or New York City. Ed Rendell was right when he called us a "nation of wusses." They are on display in every LVR Allentown posting.

Anonymous said...

I like the "it's not that bad" defense of Allentown. Like pigs who become inured to wallowing in their mud, the lever pullers are kinda sorta OK with some of the violence and murder because it's not that bad. Imagine a world where you can attend events without fearing - even a little - for your safety. Not that bad.

This LollipopLand of your doesn't exist. Wake up.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to my hockey games. Have my season tickets. You haters can park my car for me if you want. I'll tip you well.

Surely, you'll be purchasing a bullet proof vest? Aren't you afraid? Oh my, the bad guys might get you if the streetlight is out. I'm terrified just thinking about it.

Unknown said...

How will the Meek inherit the earth? With Violence? Not a very Christian Attitude sir!
Please think-before-you-type.
Thank You

Anonymous said...

8:02 - I'd Google the proper grammatical use of capital letters. And work on coherent thought as well.

Anonymous said...

Criminals look for the Flash-of-Cash! A Money-Clip will get you killed, in the city. Don't believe the Police will help. They are outnumbered.

Anonymous said...

Yeah because the criminals will be hanging around the arena when 5000 people pour out. Use your brain. They will be as far away as possible.

Unknown said...

What is the Projected ratio between Police and Patronly presence? How many criminal's will be in attendence? Criminal's don't abide by the Law....you know.

Anonymous said...

@ "Anonymous said...
Yeah because the criminals will be hanging around the arena when 5000 people pour out. Use your brain. They will be as far away as possible. 9:10 AM"
It takes a criminal mind-to-predict criminal behaviour. If you don't think like us....then you are un-aware of the Potential modus operandi.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, there are no crooks hanging near the Sands because there are thousands of people.

Said nobody who reads the paper.

The arena will be a magnet for miscreants. More cops will be deployed. The rest of the city can go to hell. It's hockey after all. Toughen up.

Anonymous said...

Oh please. Hide your head in the sand. The slight probability of violent crime exists in any urban area. Just stay home and listen to your police radio.

Unknown said...

Criminals look for the Flash-of-Cash! A Money-Clip will get you killed, in the city.