About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Diacogiannis Speaks Out on Baltimore

Several years ago, when Hanover Township was among the first of numerous municipalities to challenge Allentown's NIZ, the urbanistas ganged up on this suburban community for daring to challenge the diversion of its earned income tax. Never mind that Hanover and other rural communities were proved correct.

Hanover, in particular, was portrayed as anti-city because one of its Supervisors made a joke about the proposed arena. The Morning Call, which incidentally provides no coverage of Hanover's meetings, did a hit job.portraying a very collegial board - the best in the Lehigh Valley as far as I am concerned - as a bunch of heartless bastards who were laughing at Allentown.

At the start of last night's meeting, Chairman John N. Diacogiannis spoke about the unrest in Baltimore following the death of an African American who was in police custody.

"I really love Baltimore," stated Diacogiannis. "It's one of the nicest cities in the United States. I hope everyone stays safe tonight."

Baltimore has some real problems that have nothing to do with police brutality, like a 14% poverty rate and water shut-off notices sent to 25,000 customers last week.

It might sound corny, but the best start to dealing with the real problems there is by expressing good will for the people who live there. That's what Diacogiannis did.

Updated 7:11 am: What You Need to Know About Baltimore.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Trying to look like some kind of hero on the backs of misery and violence in Baltimore? Really, no class. No class at all. Shameful. Just shameful!

Anonymous said...

Give me a break 12:28! YOU are shameful for calling a good man out who rightfully expressed his best wishes for another city in turmoil

Anonymous said...

Give me a break 12:28! YOU are shameful for calling a good man out who rightfully expressed his best wishes for another city in turmoil

Anonymous said...

In honor of the Chairman's heartfelt wishes and sincere concern for the racial unrest in Baltimore, Hanover Township should permit high density housing for low income minorities.

Anonymous said...

12:28 and 7:56, give me a break. You both show what's wrong with this world. IDIOTS!

Anonymous said...

7:58AM AMEN!

Anonymous said...

What is your point 7:58? Other than you are capable of making an idiotic comment.

Anonymous said...

"It's one of the nicest cities in the United States."

This dude obviously never left Inner Harbor.

Anonymous said...

How many free and reduced lunches are given at Hanover Elementary School?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Hanover Township should permit high density housing for low income minorities"

Acually, HT is working on a zoning overlay in the nothern section of the district that will permit high density housing. It also maintains numerous apartment complexes. It is just a well-planned community, something your hate won't allow you to see.

It's very telling that someone cannot just express good wishes without being attacked.

Anonymous said...

How are the 7:56 comments construed as an attack? I also think it would be a great gesture if Hanover Township's leaders embraced diversity and racial tolerance in deeds in addition to words. Low income housing in Hanover Township could provide a step up for the region's minorities and help avoid their concentration in the cities. Hanover Township's leaders can help prevent the next Baltimore!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Read the copmments above.

Anonymous said...

Excellent article you linked to, Bernie.

People focus on burning cars - not the addressing the issues that underlie literal flame-ups of violence and protest.

Anonymous said...

8:46 - Baltimore is a lot more than the inner harbor. Yeah, there are neighborhoods you wouldn't want to walk or even drive through - but it is a complex city. I lived there.

Michael Donovan said...

Feeling sorry for what happens in a disaster (social, environmental, industrial) is important. Empathy is more important, and that is where interpretation gets dicey.

Anger and its consequences are a challenge to understand and accept. One might ask, "why is someone angry? I don't see it."

So, I wrote this piece yesterday. Read if you wish.
Baltimore/Anger

c said...

Thank you John. Believe in the good of people.

Anonymous said...

It is just a well-planned community, something your hate won't allow you to see.

A postage stamped sized place with a median income of $65K. Now that's tough.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I think we all see where the hate is coming from.