Nobody knows better than Alan Jennings how much I've opposed his involvement in Allentown's NIZ because I've told him that repeatedly. But I am pleased to see that he is finally willing to speak for those who have no voice and insist that the NIZ developers start raising some money for programs that actually help people who make less than $1,000,000,000,000,000 per year.
Maybe they'll throw him a bone.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Friday, February 15, 2013
41 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
The Tobaccoist's were told we had to stay because of the "Tax" revenue. Where did it go?
ReplyDeletebernie, i understand matt assad's omission, but not yours! what was not mentioned, by either of you, is that jenning's organization would administer the suggested funds. this is not to say that he has anything but good intentions, but that fact should be part of the story.
ReplyDeleteMM has it right. Put more bluntly, although the guy does good things it seems he does those things that benefit him also. I have a hard tome getting over his sleeze factor.
ReplyDeleteHow is benefitting his agency benefitting him?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBernie,
What about the TAX that CORBETT and the Republican Legislators are proposing on the Price of Gasoline!
Wat to keep 'em honest MM. Jennings ALWAYS has an ulterior motive.
ReplyDeleteBERNIE, WOULD IT BE A VIOLATION OF STATE ETHICS CODE IF HE VOTES FOR THE FEE HE US TRYING TO RAISE TO BENIFIT HIS ORGANIZATION YHAT WOULD THEN USE THE MONIES TO PAY HIS SALARY AND EXPENSES
ReplyDeleteThis man has been a actor of the local politicaly corrupt acting under the cover of color of law with many legal facets of human service organizations in collution to take advantage of the disadvantaged for more than the money his organization allocates to the public.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter what Jenning's motivations are here. The fact of the matter is, his demands for more money prove that the NIZ isn't living up to its promise already. If Browne, Mann and the rest of the fools who composed this legislation thought that a "development fee" was necessary to lift all the boats in this pond, then they would have written this development fee into the law itself. When the public was sold this NIZ law, we were told that development, in and of itself, would help the surrounding neighbors of the NIZ area. Now we see quite plainly that many on the "inside" believe this is not true.
ReplyDeleteApparently, ANIZDA can make up the rules as they go along. Just having this debate lets all developers know that the "rules" of today may or may not be the rules for tomorrow. It is clear that Jennings is many things, but not a business person who knows what motivates development and what deters development. Let me tell you something: a new "development fee" that is launched out of nowhere will DETER development. I guarantee it.
What's funny is that the people Jennings says he represents are the same people the NIZ was designed to remove from Center City.
Now that I think more about the development fee, I wonder if maybe bringing this up so late in the game wasn't part of some grand plan. Perhaps, in an effort to protect the major developers (JB Reilly & Butz), those projects were allowed to proceed without this fee, but everyone on the 2nd tier and lower of the NIZ priority list does have to pay. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute----- this is a joke post. Right?
ReplyDeleteI get confused, was it just April Fools Day? Have I missed something?
This is a joke, right?
A source of supposed "free" money has been uncovered with the introduction of the NIZ. Lots of "concerned" people are coming out of the woodwork to benefit from that.
ReplyDeleteIt's no longer acceptable to wait for ANTICIPATED spin-off benefits, as those benefits might never have existed in the first place. What's desired now is some sort of REQUIRED donation for the common good. A better guarantee of the value of the NIZ.
Either way, the FREE money is not exactly free, is it? Those who provide it simply find a way to pass the obligation down the food chain. Like Corbett's proposed increase in revenues from gas suppliers. Guess who will end up paying for that?
Who knows, hockey fans? An additional dollar added to your ticket price might end up being the Phantom's contribution to the neighborhood good. Generous of the Phantoms, no?
The fact that CACLV (and only CACLV) would be the recipient of this extortion is a telling omission of the article and this blog post.
ReplyDeleteJennings is addicted to empire building and influence and that requires constant expansion. Need more control, more employees, more control of funds.
This isn't about the low income folks in the neighborhood, and I doubt it has been for 20 years.
Surcharging developers to build in Allentown of all places is a ridiculous idea.
Building out bureaucracies is what liberals do. Haven't we seen enough of this on the national level?
ReplyDeletesounds like jennings is looking for his HUSH money
ReplyDeleteMM, You are correct. I should have pointed that out.
ReplyDelete6:52, Try commenting without all caps. I would like to see a ruling on your point. He is definitely advocating for funds to benefit his organization. It does pay his salary.
ReplyDeleteHow is benefitting his agency benefitting him?"
ReplyDeleteThe argument would be it benefits him bc it pays his salary.
His salary isn't huge and it is already covered. He doesn't get bonuses for bringing more money in.
Delete"NOTHING SHAKIN' ON SHAKEDOWN STREET"
ReplyDeleteWhy would I support this? The NIZ is here to stay. I would rather see something to help the disadvantaged than nothing. So far, it's nothing. No rising tide.
ReplyDeleteThere's a problem with the headline- "Jennings Speaks For Those With No Voice". Jennings is a teriffic guy and a great champion, but he needs to be giving those with no voice a voice, not speaking for them. Those voices are out there, they are just hard to hear over Alan's attempts to speak for them.
ReplyDeleteThe concept that a non-elected implementation board in a legislatively defined jurisdiction can mandate fees for use outside of that jurisdiction without specific authorization to do so in the enabling legislation is unacceptable. I generally support Mr. Jennings and his goals. In this case a voluntary contribution by NIZ developers to benefit surrounding neighborhoods makes much sense in many ways. A mandatory fee on the other hand sets a dangerous precedent. Well intentioned ends do not justify using such means.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a Trikle-Down Vodoo Economical Ponzi scheme. No? Reagan-Style politics for the 21 Century.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds like the "Neighborhood Protection Assoc.)....from the Soprano's
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad, these issues will only be "sliced and diced" here and on other blogs, because the Morning Call is no longer willing?
ReplyDeleteBut I thought the disadvantaged were going to be helped by the development itself?! Guess not...but then again, the NIZ was never designed to help the disadvantaged.
ReplyDeleteMany people believe that Allentown has so many disadvantaged people choosing to live here because of all the incentives this town offers them. And now Jennings is demanding more. It's never ending and completely counterproductive. And as anon 11:02 points out, unacceptable.
What about traffic impact fees? Will the NIZ support improvements to access routes to the NiZ?
ReplyDeleteFor Allentown, the arena is all reward, no risk as the $234 million financing shows that Pennsylvania is assuming the liability for Allentown's gain.
ReplyDeleteWas this money used in the Swaption contracts?
With the Latin Kings, MS-13 factions across county lines & Interstate Trans. infusing illegals incognito'....Demographically Speaking.....you know not whom you are dealing with. Constituently speaking....you don't know who your constituent's are?
ReplyDeleteWe know who will own the new office buildings, hotel, and renovated, privately-owned structures who receive our tax contributions, but, who, exactly, will own the arena building?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, should the building become a money pit, a useless building that can ONLY be an arena, or a gigantic storage facility, who is stuck with this "benefit" ?
The new arena will offer dozens of part-time, no-benefits, ticket-taker, popcorn-maker, and janitorial jobs. Workers will flock to Allentown and begin to secure housing with their big compensation packages. Trickle down works. This is widely known. Peter Jennings is a genius.
ReplyDeleteHis name is Alan.
ReplyDeleteBH,
ReplyDeleteThis is WHY I have been preaching self sufficiency and empowerment. The builders, contractors, and planners don't owe us anything and they KNOW this and we have to stop thinking that they do. As long as we have the attitude of obtaining a "hand out" instead of a "hand up" then this will be the response we will often get: more bureaucracy while those still in need languish. I say have them tell us what the projects will NEED as far as employee and service-wise so we can start teaching/training the surrounding residents how to obtain some of the benefits/opportunities. I applaud Mr. Jennings for his work and assistance, but some of us would rather get the info so we can go in and speak and do for ourselves...
Alfonso Todd
www.votealfonsotodd.com
484.619.6541
Alfonso,
ReplyDelete"Doing for oneself" is not where our country is being led.
(of course, you know that)
This might be your first article where the number of comments exceeds the number of words in the article.
ReplyDeleteJust sayin'
Don't make fun of me. This post is at least as relevant as about half of the other comments in here.
I won't. My shorter posts tend to draw more comments than the longer ones for some reason.
ReplyDelete@ Alfonso Todd, Dear Sir,
ReplyDeletewhat is to ratio of needed services of the Wynedote Projects relative to ethnicity specific/social-worker interpreters?People can't be helped if they are unable to fill out the Form's correctly. Language barriers & all that.
I thought the Palace of Sport was only supposed to cost $ 80.0 million dollars ...
ReplyDeleteThe Morning Call
Christopher Baxter
March, 2011
... can't delete histories or memeories, as much as one wishes to get along to go along now that the Palace of Sport is a done deal.
Jennings loves nothing do much as a microphone.
ReplyDeleteMr. Todd,dial back the slick PR speak if you want to be taken seriously....and good luck.
Palace of Sport, If Caligula could see us now....What of Artemis' cut?!
ReplyDelete