NIZ Cheerleading Backfires on Schlossberg

Mike Schlossberg is a member of the country's second highest paying legislature, after California. He ran unopposed last year, primarily because democracy is dead in Allentown, He's nominally a Democrat, but in truth, he's following Jennifer Mann's footsteps as a servant of the urban growth regime. He's a Moneycrat, like King Edwin Pawlowski, Pat Browne and others. Instead of representing the people, his boss is J.B Reilly. Over the Christmas weekend, he made the mistake of praising Allentown's controversial NIZ on his personal Facebook page. This is a government sanctioned tax gimmick that allows Reilly and fellow developer Joe Topper to use state tax money sorely needed in Allentown's schools to transform themselves from millionaires to billionaires.  As you might have guessed, Schlossberg had his head handed to him by people who can see through the bullshit.

Schlossberg is one of my first readers. I remember meeting him when he was the Manager of Hellertown's Main Street program. At that time, he had ethics and cared about people. He came from a middle class background in Jersey, so I doubt he knew or understood much of anything about people in Allentown who are literally hungry, but I thought his heart was in the right place.

Something happened. Once elected to Allentown City council, he became one of King Edwin's men, a rubber stamp. He was one of the Yes votes for Pawlowski's slap across the face of anyone who cares about a healthy environment. He actually voted in favor of a goofy plan to convert New Jersey shit into energy, which sounds a hell of a lot more offensive than spreading it on farmland.

Because this plan was being promoted by major Democratic fundraiser Marcel Grown, I guess it looked liberal enough, though it obviously was just the greedy action of a few oligarchs out to pillage and rape a City.

Schlossberg is getting a raise as legislator while most of his constituents are below the povery level. But that's not enough for him. He also ranks #36 for expenses. Those include $9,782.00 in per diems and $8,027.43 for mileage. That $18,000, which is on top of his salary, is about $1,000 more than the per capita income of an Allentown resident.

It does not stop there. Schlossberg also holds himself out as a social media consultant. He has whored himself out to privatized tax farmers like the Portnoff law offices for his so-called expert advice. Of course they will use him and contribute to his campaign, and in return, he will support legislation that makes it easier for leeches like Portnoff to soak residents with municipal liens and Sheriff Sales. He's hardly the first pol to use his government position to put a few extra coins in his pocket, but it's still disappointing to me because  remember when he used to have ethics.

Over the weekend, for shits and giggles, he published the results of a study predicting job growth in the Allentown area. "[Y]ou can bet that's largely because of the NIZ," he says. "Let's keep up the great work!" . He goes on to predict that the NIZ will cure all disease, end hunger and bring us world peace.  Amazingly, he made these bold statements on his personal Facebook page, where people would prefer to see pet pics and watch fart videos.

The best thing a pol can use Facebook for is to humanize himself. Let people know he's one of them, even if he's not. If he wants to make a political statement, he can do that on his legislative page or somehere else. Another social media expert thinks you lose friends and clients by using your personal page to get into thse kinds of subjects. It's the wrong platform for discussing politics unless it is in a group with a closed membership.

Schlossberg slipped. His initial remarks, and subsequent defenses, indicate he is not one of the people, but part of an urban growth regime. Several astute readers, including Michael Molovinsky, saw through the bullshit and really let Schlossberg have it. Pawlowski did his best to post links to news releases. Ed Disgrace [he's a troll who used this blog to slime a Hispanic leader] rushed in and called all NIZ critics naysayers. But the damage was done. The urban growth regime and Schloss looked pathetic yesterday.  Here are some of the comments.

Michael Phoenix Mike Schlossberg a majority of the jobs created are low paying. Not helping the residents. If you would walk the streets, you would find out there is still very low confidence. A majority of people tell me the city is trying to get rid of the lower income people. A majority of center city still has a serious drug and gang problem that people worry will take over the Hamilton st. Area. I thought you were aware of the real city and not just promoting the rich and high income. That was not the reason I voted for you. I voted for someone who would walk the streets off Hamilton and try to raise the standard of living for everyone.

Michael Molovinsky shameful post considering that most of the jobs of any substance were poached from elsewhere in the valley. furthermore, the state coffers are down $33 million paying for these privately owned buildings. lastly, even the cigarette tax previously going to CHIP is being diverted.

Michael Molovinsky michael phoenix, you also voted for him because you had no choice, mr. schlossberg had no opponent.

Ed DisGrace (to King Edwin) Hey Ed, you can count me among the cheerleaders. Allentown has come a long way and you've had your hands and your heart in her rebirth since ABC, DEDC- Allentown, etc. My beef is with ASD and we have a long way to go in the areas of education, income disparity and minority engagement toward building the new but, I'm sure you're aware of these continuing battles. Maybe some of the naysayers should consider running for Mayor, against you and your record. Statistics show that even a generic, recalcitrant, yelping opponent could muster 35%. Good job Ed. Still much to do but, keep building the new.

Michael Molovinsky ed degrace, i thought i was done with this dialogue because ed pawlowski only wants to keep linking to articles which are nothing more than press releases for reilly and city center (vs. center city). you however are far worse. nothing has been done to raise the stakes of the hispanic minority majority in this city, yet you have the gall to mock those who would "dare" to challenge the status quo.

Michael Molovinsky my problem with schlossberg and pawlowski is the lack of candor. yes ed, the morning call has been acting like a press agent for the NIZ, even writing multiple articles and promotions for an out of town cheesesteak. how cheesy, considering that zandy's has been paying for advertisements for 40 years. no mike, the other communities will not be able to have an NIZ, because the state cannot afford any more of such tax give-aways, that's why it now doling out CRIZ's instead.

Gina Blevins I think the very valid point is that it's entirely premature to claim victory or celebrate success regarding job creation when those jobs don't even pay enough to live in what you Ed refer to as the poorest of neighborhoods. Creating poverty level jobs isn't really something you should want to be known for. But maybe you do. The reality is this study proves nothing. I will end simply with the number one rule of data. CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION. Just because the NIZ exists does not mean that it is the reason for these results that is a non fact based assumption.

Michael Molovinsky gina, "naysayer" was first employed locally by pawlowski to discount anybody critical of any of his plans. if he had his way we would be burning a mixture of sewage and new jersey trash, and he would be moving into the governor's mansion. degrace, don't confuse the voting public with democracy. if you weren't so self-serving you would concern yourself with the very meager hispanic voter turnout, instead of spending your energy licking those you hope can further yourself.

When the NIZ is pronounced a failure, and that will eventually happen, J.B. Reilly will have already made his money, King Edwin will be long gone, and Schlossberg will be trying to get elected to Congress or the State Senate. ... And taking in more consulting fees.