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| Ed Hozza, Jr. |
Hozza, a fellow Democrat, has been a good Mayor who actually has reduced Whitehall's debt from an all-time high of approximately $8 million when he first assumed office. In five years, the Township will be debt free. His tight grip on manpower has also resulted in $2 million in savings every year.
But Hozza sinned. Whitehall Township and Hozza opposed Allentown's NIZ, especially when it was drawn up so that J.B. Reilly could legally steal the EIT of Whitehall residents who work there. He can only steal their businesses. Whitehall also had a problem with Allentown's water and sewer lease, wondering why their ratepayers should have to help Allentown dig itself out of its own pension hole. But what really pissed King Edwin off is that Whitehall dared oppose Pawlowski plans for a digital billboard at Jordan Park, which straddles Whitehall.
So just as he unleashed J.B. Reilly and others on Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan's quest to become NorCo Executive and basically ruined good government here for the next three years, he's trying to destroy Whitehall. He's backing Jerry Palagonia, a former cop known mostly for multiple suspensions as well a criminal prosecution for obstruction, against Hozza.
When The Morning Call asked Pawlowski whether he was planning a takeover in Whitehall, he denied it. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous," he told a reporter, "We're focused on the city of Allentown. The last thing we need to do is think about Whitehall."
The pre-primary reports are in, and pretty much prove that Pawloski is full of shit.
Be vewy, vewy quiet.
I'm Hozza huntin.'
He's also using the newspapers and unsuspecting veterans to smear Hozza.
Palagonia's pre-primary shows that he's raised $20.460 in his bid to become Whitehall's next Mayor. This includes the following contributions:
- $4,000 from Pawlwoski's warchest.
- $1,500 from Pawlowski controlled unions.
- $500 from Pawlowski puppet Joe Davis.
- $6,000 from billboard magnate Abe Atiyeh.
- $2,000 from electrician Manhill Makhoul.
- $1,000 from municipal consultant Jim Hickey.
- $1,000 from contractor Sean Boyle.
- $1000 from J.B. Reilly's ""Citizens for Urban Renewal."
In stark contrast to Palagonia, Hozza's pre-primary indicates that most of the $16,485 he raised comes from small, $100 contributions, from people who actually live in Whitehall. The larger contributions come from himself, family and a friend.
Pawlowski's campaign manager, Mike Fleck, has a political consulting business called H Street Strategies. H Street has been paid $18,100 by Palagonia's campaign. H Street also hired former Morning Call reporter Daryl Nerl.
Soon after Nerl was hired, uncomplimentary stories about Hozza began appearing in The Morning Call. Nerl has been spinning them. I know this because he tried to spin me over asbestos-gate, a goofy story about Hozza sanding a floor inside some bomb shelter and accidentally setting off an alarm. I was offered copies of a police report, which should have been confidential, as well as a statement from none other than Palagonia.
Admittedly, as a bottom-feeding blogger, I have low standards. But I stop short of shilling for the urban growth regime.
I prefer democracy, as shitty as it is, over some oligarchy including King Edwin and rich bastards whose primary interest is their own wallet.
56 comments:
Shame on Jim Hickey
Good for Jim Hickey!
Yeah a guy you can buy !
O'Hare's unusually off the rails. Even by O'Hare's standards. he should team up with Jim Gregory when he returns. They are two peas in a pod. Or more like two nuts in a shell.
Jim is a power top and that should work out well.
looks like you hit a nerve with 242 Anon Bernie, thanks for shedding light on the unholy alliance between the MC, Pawlowski, and the rest. it's really all about the rich getting richer, as it always has been and always will be. I am afraid the scare tactics and using the MC to spread propaganda will prevail. but maybe not.
Glad you are writing about the digital billboards. Maybe someone will tell us if it's even legal to have a digital billboard
feet from a major thoroughfare.
It appears Allentown placed one of these feet from the newly revamped 15th Street bridge. Isn't the purpose of these billboards to catch driver's eye? If so, won't this particular billboard distract drivers as they pass by? Residents of all ages walk across this bridge. Who allowed a billboard this close to one of Allentown's major and busiest thoroughfares?
Primary challenges are a sign that democracy is alive and well.
If I get another sleek, expensive mailer from the Pawlowski slate for ASD and Allentown City Council, I'm going to puke. My mailbox is overflowing with King Edwin's sneaky grin every day this week. The amount of money this guy is spending to gain full control over City Council and the School District is alarming.
Also, the massive, obnoxious digital billboard installed on Lehigh Street is a disgrace.
I get where you are coming from, I do. But as I drive through Allentown, you have to realize that NONE of that development is going to happen without lots of incentives to the people with money to do it. Without the NIZ, Allentown is another year in decay. It's looking good down there - like a city with something to offer again.
As for Whitehall, I always found it amazing that a town with an incredible retail tax base could be so mismanaged and so ugly. Whitehall puts zero effort into doing anything for their citizens - where does all the money go?
In my opinion, Allentown does not look good at all beyond the state-financed Potemkin village. The house of cards will collpase once th NIZ subsidy runs out. In fact, I think it will collapse before that happens. As for Whitehall, the mismanagement you see is something called democracy. We fought a war for that form of government, which no longer exists in Allentown.
We fought a war to mismanage a huge tax base where Whitehall doesn't even have a community center for it's citizens?
7th St looks great (not NIZ but storefront after storefront of ethnic businesses), downtown now has nice modern office buildings. There is even a Starbucks opening on the corner. A Starbucks in downtown Allentown? Who'd have though that would ever happen?
Which wouldn't have happened without giving wealthy developers millions of dollars of taxpayer money, which was to originally come from other municipalities. I think it's a little harder to deal with PennDOT on a major highway for beautification projects than on 7th as well.
Allentown's little people better get out of the way so you can have your state-financed latte. Do you realize how idiotic you sound?
Love the arguments for allowing the rich to get richer. Ugly new buildings.
0830 provides us with a little campaign double speak. Sounds like the last administration left Hozza some debt. The fact that he was able to pay down the debt during the Great Recession is a sign of good leadership. On the other hand, Palagonia's campaign finance shows that he wants to bring pay to play contracting to Whitehall. Accepting large contributions from interests that want to do business with the Township, is poor judgement, IMO.
Did i just read celebration over Starbucks moving in?? Grotesque.
Yes, we fought wars to preserve democracy, but apparently Hozza does not appreciate that sacrifice enough, since he struck the MIA flag in favor of the Syrian flag. What a careless buffoon!
democracy is barely recognizable in this issue; the primary "challenge" is a bald attempt by an unqualified individual with questionable background being used by the NIZers so that they can impose their will on Whitehall. oh, and slander and libel a decent guy who is a public servant in the truest sense of the word. so they can all make more money.
People who exalt the flag code over democracy exalt form over substance. The vets in that room were used like pawns by a regime intent on destroying what little is left of our democracy.
Nothing worst than an idiot with a microphone, or in your case, a keyboard.
Your anonymous personal attacks make me look better, so thanks.
Guess Pawlowski and his buddies ran out of room to play, so they're trying to extend their reach.
That Atiyeh is a dirtbag, known by all throughout the Valley. As for Fleck, well, if people don't know about him by now, they will someday. Kudos to the mayor in Whitehall for standing up to this regime.
Starbucks and Tim Horton's a few feet apart. Oversaturation!!! The whole PPL area is becoming oversaturated. Wait till the "Going out of Business" signs start appearing!!!
You don't care who YOU insult BO. The vets in that room were understandably upset that Hozza would replace the frickin Syrian flag for the MIA flag, even for a couple of hours. Add that stupidity to Hozza sanding asbestos floor tiles and sticking flower planters on a state road median and your hero Hozza looks like a buffoon. But your hatred for Pawlowski and Allentown has blinded you again.
Mine arn't anonymous Bernie,
yesterday AFD held a 101 class for the Hole of the valley¿ Afterwords they collaborated with local hound from hell with there palanned hostel takeover tactiks ready to be imployeed, for the aqwisition of yet another alcohol beverage license to be held in escrow¿ With the damage similar to youell oster house¿ They had probably brought Judge the arson sniffing dog, but than he has been bought off by a second pension for AFD handler¿
redd
patent pendin
Everything Mayor Hossa did with the Syrian flag ceremony was done exactly to US Flag Code. Morevoer, Allentown kicked the Syrian community to the curb, and Hossa welcomed them with open arms.
I've had the pleasure of having some long conversations with the mayor and he is doing his very best to clean up the mess he inherited. It's never about him, but the community.
As for the comment about the Community Center... there is a YMCA in North Catty as well as Northampton's own centers.
This is only a primary. Does it mean there will be no debate for the general? If Whitehall is another one-party, lever-puller paradise - like Allentown and Easton and Bethlehem - then democracy is already dead there and it richly deserves its incestuous, one-party fate.
Who the f**k thinks a community center is necessary? Go to f****g gym and don't ask taxpayers to divert precious dollars so you can keep your girlish figure or play bingo on the government dime. Community center? Are you serious?
Digital billboards are a disgrace. Many states ban them but good ole Pennsy loves the special interest money.
They are not only an eyesore but on major roads like the interstates they are as dangerous as texting. Money talks in Harrisburg!
Anon 1:30, it is like the entire south. One party lever pullers.
I will show you Bernie!
I agree with the writer who badmouthed Community Centers. Taxpayer playpens is all they are. Whitehall is a nice suburban community filled with private homes with family rooms and basements..as well as back yards. Enough of this taxpayer subsidized crap. Reminds me of full-day kindergarten and pre-school. Nothing but taxpayer paid baby sitting. what's next, taxpaer supported pre-pre-pre-school?
I have no problem with the flag raising. Hozza was not honoring Syria, but the good Syrian-Americans that have played a big role in the development of the Lehigh Valley.
Hozza gotta GO!
counted 27 votes against him tonight at a little league game, only 30 people there, 3 are registered independents
You were playing in Allentown.
Bernie, you know that Hozza's going down next week. When he leaves office, you can be an investor in his asbestos removal business.
The spinners are at work.
Give Hozza credit, he inherited that goof McNeil's mess. O'Neil is a maroon who somehow ended up on Harrisburg. Come to think of it, that makes a great deal of sense.
Allentown's little people better get out of the way so you can have your state-financed latte. Do you realize how idiotic you sound?
No, unlike you, I travel to other cities where commerce and business is conducted downtown. In those cities are professionals in office buildings stopping at Starbucks. I suggest you leave Nazareth and the Slate Belt to visit New York or perhaps Toronto. Nice place.
Starbucks and Tim Horton's a few feet apart. Oversaturation!!! The whole PPL area is becoming oversaturated. Wait till the "Going out of Business" signs start appearing!!!
What is "grotesque" are clowns like this and O'Hare cheering on and desperately hoping Allentown fails. It's pathetic that there are people like this who hold our area down to the lowest of standards.
I have no problem with the flag raising. Hozza was not honoring Syria, but the good Syrian-Americans that have played a big role in the development of the Lehigh Valley.
Syrian-Americans? Then raise the AMERICAN flag.
Knock it off, moron. It is quite common for Americans in this country to celebrate their ethnic heritage. It is also a First Amendment right. That's what this country stands for, not your misguided notion of pariotism.
"clowns like this and O'Hare cheering on and desperately hoping Allentown fails."
Far from it. I hope democracy rises again in Allentown and casts out the tyrant who think government exists to make the rich even richer and that the police only exist to provide coverage around the arena.
"No, unlike you, I travel to other cities where commerce and business is conducted downtown. In those cities are professionals in office buildings stopping at Starbucks. I suggest you leave Nazareth and the Slate Belt to visit New York or perhaps Toronto. Nice place."
One of the aristocrats speaks to tell his urbane taste is far too refined for someone who is from Nazareth, which Mayor Pawlowski did call the boonies. I am told to visit New York or Toronto. I suggest he visit Bethlehem or Nazareth.
Knock it off, moron. It is quite common for Americans in this country to celebrate their ethnic heritage. It is also a First Amendment right. That's what this country stands for, not your misguided notion of pariotism.
People raise the Ireland or Italy flag as an afterthought - not as some political point. These people are free to raise the Syrian flag on their own property. No one is forbidding their 1st Amendment rights. Do you see people asking Huzza to hoist the Ireland flag? No, but we should all honor the flag of horrendous murderous dictator who sponsors extremist Islamic terrorism.
Far from it. I hope democracy rises again in Allentown and casts out the tyrant who think government exists to make the rich even richer and that the police only exist to provide coverage around the arena.
So you hope Allentown fails with a downtown with tumbleweeds, tattoo parlors, and check cashing joints. Fantastic.
One of the aristocrats speaks to tell his urbane taste is far too refined for someone who is from Nazareth, which Mayor Pawlowski did call the boonies. I am told to visit New York or Toronto. I suggest he visit Bethlehem or Nazareth.
No, you are just talking out of your ass and need some perspective. I don't know what kind of Mayberry you envision in your head that Allentown is or has been but it's clear you lack context as to what a metropolitan area looks like.
I need no perspective. I have spent years of my life in major metropolitan centers, as wll as small towns. They both have their charms and drwabacks. I suggest it is you who needs perspective. This is not about city life. This is about huge ifusions of public money from all over the state to subsidize the investment of a millionaire. This is about attempting to destory other communities, like Bethlehem and Whitehall, by stealing their businesses. And it's about an attempted takeover of Whitehall by the urban growth regime.
"So you hope Allentown fails with a downtown with tumbleweeds, tattoo parlors, and check cashing joints. Fantastic."
I'll take a democracy with all those problems over a ruling junta that claims a Starbucks. All you need is gladiators in your arena.
"People raise the Ireland or Italy flag as an afterthought - not as some political point"
That is true, and it is very often done on public property. The raising of the Syrian flag was in honor of Syria's independence, not some political point. Why not just admit you hate people from the Middle East?
I have at no time called our veterans stupid and happen to be a veteran myself. But iut is relatively easy to sensationalize something and whip up a mob, no matter what the group. That's precisely what happened here.They were played by people who allow honless veterans to wander the streets of Allentown in the Winter.
That is true, and it is very often done on public property. The raising of the Syrian flag was in honor of Syria's independence, not some political point. Why not just admit you hate people from the Middle East?
Question: are you free to travel from the USA to Ireland? To Italy? How about to Syria? Let's now go back to Kindergarten - which of these three doesn't belong: Ireland, Italy, Syria? Question: Where is the location that the terrorist group ISIL started and still maintains today? Question: When President Assad gassed his own people to death, were you proudly waving the Syrian flag? Question: When ISIL brutally murdered a young American woman providing humanitarian aid in Syria, did you promote Syria as an equal of Italy and Syria?
You are absurd.
This must be why the US is lending assistance to Syria against ISIS. Terror state one day. Friend the next. That's Obama. The flag raising was in honor of the Syrians IN THIS COUNTRY who wanted to celebrate their own heritage. It is only when Pawlowskio decided he wanted to be a Senator that he decided to screw with the Syrians. You defend xenophobia and prejudice, draped in patriotism, something that has happened since he days of the Know Nothings.
Bernie, I'm confused. Look at the players that gave money. None of them really like each other. Comment on that please. And when does the NIZ benefits end?
JB Reilly, Atiyeh and even Hickey benefit financially from Pawlowski, and will do what he tells them to do for that reason. I believe the NIZ lasts 30 years.
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