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Thursday, May 01, 2014

Donchez: We Need Your Involvement

Bob Donchez
Although three inches of April showers made it impossible for Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez to walk the streets, he still held his first Town Hall on April 30 at the Northampton Community College on the City's south side. Both the Mayor and his entire cabinet  listened to about 15 South Siders voice concerns over garbage, parking, snow removal, Lehigh students and Sands Casino vagrants. They also gave the City high marks for the greenway between 3rd and 4th Streets, which many use to commute, exercise, shop and go to school.

Donchez Wants Garbage Zones

Resident Jo Zavecz complained about garbage sitting in front of home for days at a time, in violation of local ordinances. Chief Housing Inspector Mike Palos that many Lehigh students do that when they leave campus in May. "It's amazing the stuff they leave behind." But Environmental Health Manager Jessica Lucas cautioned that, "for many South Side residents, there's no other place to go."

Jessica Lucas
Donchez announced he's working on a plan to deal with this problem with three or four different garbage zones for the City's estimated 22 private haulers. Garbage would be allowed outside on garbage day only.
He hopes to have it finished by year's end, after reviewing it with private haulers and Council members.

Snow Removal

Craig Evans noted that many citizens were slow to remove cars from snow emergency routes. Donchez agreed, but noted this winter was the first time in many years that any snow emergencies had been declared at all. He indicated that the signage has faded in some areas and needs to be fixed. "For the most part, people were very cooperative. Unfortunately, we did tow some cars." Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said that about two dozen cars were towed during each of the City's two snow emergencies. Police Chief Mark DiLuzio also noted that they did issue a few dozen citations for snow covered sidewalks.

Mike Alkhal
Parking

Resident Ann Evans complained about meters on Packer Avenue, where there is no commercial traffic, which result in people parking in front of her home. While promising to look into these new meters, Donchez announced there is a "strong possibility" that two parking garages are coming to the South Side. One would be located next to Northampton Community College, with another planned nearer the Fahy Bridge.

Sands Casino vagrants

With a disturbing undertone of bias, some residents expressed worries about the mostly Chinese bus riders who use the greenway daily. One woman asked for a bigger police presence there, though it is already patrolled by mounted officers. South Side activist Roger Hudak asked police to make sure the skate park is locked at night, to guard against what he called the "Asian invasion."

Donchez Transparency

In addition to regular town halls, Donchez reminded everyone he has open office hours every second Monday. He also provided his office (610-865-7100) and home (610-868-4680) telephone numbers.

"We need your involvement," he said. "You are our eyes and ears."

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just a little racist there Hudak? Did he really say "Asian Invasion"? If he had said "Black Brigade" or "Puerto Rican Parade" people would be up in arms! Don't like the Asians there Old Boy?,then you know what?,move! You voted for that Casino-or did you vote for the "Whites only" Casino?

Bernie O'Hare said...

He really did say that. It really is bigoted. I emailed him about this and he apologized. It was a poor choice of words. The point you make here is the very point i raised with him.

Anonymous said...

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-43...for all the residents of Bethlehem that are scared of the big bad chinese

Anonymous said...

Try calling Donchez, and his secretary will tell you he is busy but you can try again in a week. Some availability.

Anonymous said...

too bad the health bureau doesn't stop making excuses about the garbage and start enforcing the law

Anonymous said...

If the mayor wants garbage outside on garbage day only, where are people to store it in the meantime? Is he suggesting that we keep it inside our homes until it's time to pick it up? Not very sanitary.

Anonymous said...

7:24, you are the reason people have to bring up the problem of idiots who don't understand the concept of garbage cans that are used to put bags in, then brought to the curb on pickup day.

Anonymous said...

bernie, can you at least take down the project gutenber spam posts?

Bernie O'Hare said...

My blog is being intentionally spammed again. My guess is that Mezzacappa is unhappy that her libel and fraud case against me was dismissed yesterday bc she refused to pay the filing fees, and wanted taxpayers to subsidize her private vendettas.

Anonymous said...

My garbage can is within my fenced property, but not near my house. Would this mean that I am potentially in violation? Nobody I know keeps their garbage can close to the house, and then moves it to where it is picked up.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Can't answer you.Last night, i was told there are five different ordinances, some of which may conflict with each other. In short, they are unenforecable.

Anonymous said...

Bedlam, all show time no reality.

What a town!

Anonymous said...

I had to chuckle at Hudak's concerns. In 2006,"Roger Hudak will tell the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board that he and all of his neighbors can't wait for the casino to be built just 250 yards from his south Bethlehem home." He was the biggest cheerleader for the casino, and was dismissive of anyone who raised concerns. "He has been organizing a bus trip to take supporters to the hearing today. Hudak said the Sands is paying for as many as five buses to take supporters to the Harrisburg hearing today." Somewhat ironic that he now has concerns about an "invasion" that bus trips bring in with their vouchers.

Anonymous said...

Why can't Messycrapper just celebrate in your taking down of another unstable liar? Oh, that's right. She's one of the unstable liars you've taken down. Please post the day of the sheriff sale of the West Easton sty. I'm brining popcorn and don't want to miss a minute of it.

Anonymous said...

11:36 - further proof that the health bureau has no idea what they are doing. can those responsible and get real live employees that earn their keep

Anonymous said...

How hard is it to make garbage zones

South Side- Mondays
Lehigh County Side- Tuesdays
Using Dewberry Ave as the cut off
North of Dewberry- Wednesday
South of Dewberry- Thursday

Change recycling days to match above, Take it one step further and put a dumpster at the recycling center to allow for trash bag drop off for stinky stuff.

Hank_Hill

Anonymous said...

5:38 Great idea about the dumpster at the recycling center. Each hauler can take turns putting their container there on a rotating basis each week so that everyone gets something out of the arrangement.

Anonymous said...

In all his years as a elected official. Has Bob ever made a decision? Or put front a proposal? He has always been a second to a motion and voted for the majority. That's not leadership but either is boy Reynolds. We had a leader and now he is our city Controller! All the Callahan clowns on council need to go. Enough is enough

Anonymous said...

Anon 1:42 You obviously don't live in Bethlehem. Let me guess, you live in shit hole Allentown. Where ever you live, since you know so much, I think you should put your name on the Blog and/or run for office and straighten things out. LOL. Stop hiding behind a Anon. post.

Anonymous said...

I went shopping at the Sands on a Frday during the lunch hour. I saw a number of Asians, however, did not feel threatened at all. One male was eating a bag lunch and an elderly lady was excercising . Maybe if she was much younger, more attractive, and wearing under armour hanging out in front of one of those "interprative signs", people might boast how the rebirth of the southside has an urban/metro feeling. I thought how tough it might be that folks would endure the trip for a few bucks and how they must stretch a dollar to survive. Until the Sands curbs the effect of free riders, a few Asians hanging out minding there own business beats the less desirables in other parts of the valley. You cannot limit Asians on a public trail or in a Million Dollar skate park unless they are breaking the law/littering. These are places meant for "hanging out" to enjoy the environment. What do folks expect from Urbanization...a bunch of young professionals wearing silk ties drinking micro brews or latte?

Until the Sands limits the incentive, you cannot target them unless they are breaking the law.

I bet they have some interesting life stories to tell. Maybe some are even Vets.

Anonymous said...

I have known Roger Huday since High School. He is a lot of things, but he is not racist. Not certain about the exact context of the discussion in which he said what he said, but I might offer that he was trying to be funny.

VOR

Anonymous said...

of course, I meant "Hudak"....

Bernie O'Hare said...

VOR, Roger was being insensitive. I accept your statement that he is no biogot and certainly never saw that in him. He apologized yesterday. I believe him. I do feel that we can't brush these things under the rug and pretend they were not said, but on the other had, we should not crucify a person for saying something in a way he did not really mean. It is just something to watch. I detect a real undercurrent of racism at Asians on the South Side.

Anonymous said...

The sands won't be sold after all. Incidentally their license got renewed. That was a given IMO, however, this is not the first time they suggested to pull. Then there was good news. Maybe just coincidental. The first time as the scope of their land acquisition. Then there was the hotel. The Hoover Mason tressel is moving alomg , but the promise to restore the blast furnaces is still uncommitted.