On Wednesday night, there was a bit of journalistic royalty at Allentown City Council. No, not Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky. It was Andrea Seabrook, the former weekend voice of All Things Considered. Her story aired on Friday, and I've embedded it below instead of Opinions Online, my usual Saturday feature.
Brad Bumstead, the state's premier investigative reporter, has begun snooping around as well.
94 comments:
When Ed is vindicated I hope he goes on Fresh Air with Terri Gross to discuss his ordeal at the hands of dour, misguided and perpetually sadistic hate bloggers.
Heh...small town politics. Gotta love NPR
This whole thing may find it's way to Iowa and New Hampshire now that NPR has made note of a possible "Clintons" connection.
My only disappointment is that I never got to see the face of that rat Fleck when he got nabbed. And sadly, he like most rats will probably get off the easiest--even though he was the main enabler and tool in this corruption case.
Still, I will be at federal court with bells on to see Fleck get on the stand. I want that smug liar to have to look at my dour stare.
That'll make 2 of us.
The only true Lehigh Valley journalistic royalty is Tony "Snow" Rhodin and Jim "Sonic" Deegan
Here's a fact about this interesting and growing story....without the courage and tenacity of two local bloggers, MM and BOH, the entire affair might still be under the radar.
If there was any justice in the world you would both be getting the Pulitzer Prize.
The entire region owes you both for your extraordinary contributions.
There won't be many heroes in this growing scandal, but there are at least two.
5:44am I will second that for the reel dirt on this gang o thugs that has been opperating fo much too long tha I'd care to put to print¿!)$ This criminal enterprise infects the public the same as the poision peddled that they allow and supply and incubated, nuthured and helpped set up shop in various area to succum there blight to trangretion transformationally regretion into the dark ages for there future developmental eminant domain take over to build there counter parts new tenaments to opperate from on the grant grab get to give back¿!)$
Bernie,
I was so hopping to be entertained with oppinions this weekend as team Fed Ed and team snake oil salsepeople were exposed as the circus hucksteers that they true are for the selling of OZ's propogated propoganda¿!)$
Who and what is the guy perpatrating a public servant with fed ed on mm's blog yat another political parasite posterboy pin-up for adolesent obesity well into adulhood and gluttonous illbehaviors kings alla-cart¿!)$
redd for Republican
patent pending
Funny how NPR fails to mention the political affiliation of the mayor and everyone on city council. I guess it's not relevant when democrats are involved.
Scott Armstrong
Indicte Cynthia Mota and Sleepy Jeff Glaiser and proceed from there.
It's beginning to look like the undead from Latinos For A New Lehigh Valley are returning from the grave and Julio is about to be the next
victim.
......and then there's the two recently orphaned Boy Represenatives, waiting to clamber aboard ReNew Lehigh Valley's diversionary Ghost Train to Nowhere with yet another Pawlowski product pretending to be Toot Toot Charlie at the wheel.
Which family capo will get the nod as City Controler?
Tune in tomorrow, next seasons shows are going to be block busters.
Bernie
Does this mean no opinions?
The Clinton connection is fascinating - I have not heard that angle yet. And, it may explain why early on in this scandal, Hillary sent back a campaign donation to Ed Pawlowski. I had always wondered how her camp found out about his dirty hands so quickly - she returned $1000 to Ed's campaign committee on July 8th - only 6 days after the FBI raid.
When I look back at a Morning Call article about this matter (dated 7/16/15) it also points out that on June 18th, Clinton returned $1000 to Citizens for a Greater Reading. She received this donation May 5th. Citizens for a Greater Reading is a "political action committee whose report was submitted to the Reading city clerk by Sam Ruchlewicz, an employee of Fleck's defunct consulting firm." The Reading office was raided after the Allentown raid. So...Clinton's team must have had an inside scoop on what was happening here in Pennsylvania with the Fleck connection.
Isn't that interesting?
The following occurred years ago. Two young guys opened a small homemade food restaurant on the first floor of the Americus Hotel and the city hammered them with code upon code violation till their lost their money and closed the door. Now to discover that may have been planned is disgusting. Perhaps there will be a class action suit against the city by multiple small business owners driven from downtown?
isn't Julio still a member of the Joint Deliver River Toll Commission or some name like that and receives a very hefty sum for his diligence and keen eye watching our toll booths. Maybe that's why he couldn't watch city hall as well?
I join Redd in hoping for Opinions hotline. It makes the day!
Anonymous WDIY listener said...
When Ed is vindicated I hope he goes on Fresh Air with Terri Gross to discuss his ordeal at the hands of dour, misguided and perpetually sadistic hate bloggers.
12:57 AM
Please buy lots of toothpaste. Ita be 2050.
The bad press keeps growing. The City is barely functioning and things are going from bad to worse.
The big money boys must be livid.
The old money boys have shown themselves to be irrelevant.
The walls are tumbling down.
How long can this continue.
Give us a list of code enforcement employees. It would be interesting to follow their illustrious careers and qualifications .I recall a person I knew some years ago,a city employee, a drug user and alcoholic. This person transitioned from one department to code enforcement, no training no knowledge. The code- who writes it? Think of the power trip these thugs have been on. The party is over assholes. Think of the first day in jail when you are in withdrawal from your drugs and alcohol. It's coming assholes. Any knock on the door could be the one. Anybody you have shaken down could have been wired.You have been taped. You have no skills. Enjoy.
Fran D. controlled the thugs in the Codes Dept.
I hope they all go to jail.
They hurt a lot of good people.
Lock them up!
Anonymous WDIY listener said...
When Ed is vindicated I hope he goes on Fresh Air with Terri Gross to discuss his ordeal at the hands of dour, misguided and perpetually sadistic hate bloggers.
You are clueless. The blogger is reporting what he sees and hears. He posted someone ELSE'S news report - a respected news outlet.
The real targets of your venom should be council - they are the ones who voted. But your venom is totally misplaced, because his indictment looks inevitable, and plenty of evidence has already been published. I suppose you blame the FBI for that. Open your eyes, because it's dangerous running around blind.
"Funny how NPR fails to mention the political affiliation of the mayor and everyone on city council. I guess it's not relevant when democrats are involved.
Scott Armstrong"
That's irrelevant to NPR's story. They pointed out the CONNECTION between the mayor and several council members. That's part of the the story. You're trying to make another point, which was not part of the story. Besides, corruption runs rampant right across party lines. If you are hoping for a story that shows Democrats are corrupt, and Republicans are not, listen to FOX News, not NPR.
@1:18 AM The chances of that are very small. 90% of federal prosecutions result in pleas. The bad part of this is most of the evidence never sees the light of day, and the witnesses you would like to hear never tell their tales.
Let's hack into city computers. Let's throw our feelings up on their screens while they are watching porn. Think about the paranoia running wild in all departments? All of the useless people with useless jobs wondering when it's going to end . I have an idea-soon, very soon!!!
Anonymous said...
Give us a list of code enforcement employees. It would be interesting to follow their illustrious careers and qualifications .I recall a person I knew some years ago,a city employee, a drug user and alcoholic. This person transitioned from one department to code enforcement, no training no knowledge. The code- who writes it? Think of the power trip these thugs have been on. The party is over assholes. Think of the first day in jail when you are in withdrawal from your drugs and alcohol. It's coming assholes. Any knock on the door could be the one. Anybody you have shaken down could have been wired.You have been taped. You have no skills. Enjoy.
8:31 AM
Of all the city's departments code enforcement now titled building standards (that's a laugh) is one of the most powerful and destructive. All one has to do is drive through any of center city streets outside Arena Way and lack of enforcement is evident. How many babies are living in squalor today with no heat because of these city workers?
9:07am What you say is true.Concerning the ferret, I believe he is so insane as to believe he can talk his way out of this. He envisions himself being a rock star. Hey slick, the gig is over. I'm waiting for the greatest hits cd.
Called Codes to ask for help with a neighborhood broken sidewalk that was broken quarter of the block. The response; "What the hxxx you want us to do about this?"
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Fran D. controlled the thugs in the Codes Dept.
I hope they all go to jail.
They hurt a lot of good people.
Lock them up!
8:57 AM
Who would fire these people?
"Give us a list of code enforcement employees"
Give us a list of government officials that also have family members working for the city.
How many downtown Allentown businesses can afford a weekend of no business due to the snow storm?
How many downtown Allentown businesses were interviewed by NPR?
When will FedEd make his appearance on American Greed?
WDIY listener,
Blog Mentor is a putz.
I know a website called Open Book? It I believe contains the names and salaries of any public employee. Let' s look.
Too bad Jon Geeting isn't around to tell us all how wonderful the NIZ is and how special the Democrats are who administer it.
I wonder why Ms Hailstone resigned?
Hailstone wants to spend more time with her family.
Allentown city hall easily could correct the current disgraceful taxpayer treatment:
1. all calls tape recorder.
2. all employees required to present full name when answering call.
3. a citizens review board that after 10 days of inaction by any city employee including the mayor would invite taxpayers to contact the citizens review board to initiate an investigation.
When does The Morning Call's Bill White apologize to his readership for being such an NIZ tool?
When the FBI comes for you, call your union thug and file a grievance. Remember you are a union member and you don't have to put up with this shit.
"I wonder why Ms Hailstone resigned?"
People are beginning to see what Fed Ed s like. I imagine few people can put up with that kind of person for long. I believe she is a cooperating witness.
Since the fertilizer encountered the atmospheric acceleration unit .Does Hiz Goner invite himself to these functions or is he invited.?
The Morning Call should be indicted as a co-conspirator.
They have not just failed their mandate but have participated in the whole dirty scam.
The Morning Call is another rotting apple.Disarm indigenous people.
"I know a website called Open Book? It I believe contains the names and salaries of any public employee. Let' s look."
Anyone who wants to know the salary of a public official can simply file a RTK.
Fox Rothschild made a $1000 donation to Cynthia Mota. She then paid herself $1000 for traveling and campaign expenses.
"Called Codes to ask for help with a neighborhood broken sidewalk that was broken quarter of the block. The response; "What the hxxx you want us to do about this?"
In a city with lots of code problems, I would imagine this is not high priority. I'm not crazy appoint self-appointed property inspectors who think it is their job to rat out half the city property owners for code violations.
"Give us a list of code enforcement employees. It would be interesting to follow their illustrious careers and qualifications "
I am not going to be part of some lynch mob against city workers, most of whom are very good. WWe get it. You hate code.
"I join Redd in hoping for Opinions hotline. It makes the day! "
That only works as well as the people using it. You have to leave comments during the week. This week, I received none.
Monkey Momma, a more likely explanation is that these were not registered federal PACs.
"If there was any justice in the world you would both be getting the Pulitzer Prize"
I certainly deserve it but MM is too dour and misguided. he is also ugly.
This whole situation makes me embarassed to be a citizen of PA. First we have the AG who is stripped of due process and is currently being forced out of office in the impeachment process, before she has been tried in a court of law.
Now we have a City Council and a circle of loose cannon bloggers who lack any life of their own making indictments , and predicting jail time, before any indictment has been announced.
So far, I see a circle of others who pocketed no money, but were charged by the Feds , and pleaded guilty the same day. If you ask me, its a war on First Amendment speech and campaign finance, and has nothing to do with criminal activity. If the Feds are conducting this witchunt in ALlentown, then all members of US Congress and Senate should be prepared for same.
As Donald Trump has said dozens of times, "I gave to everyone. I needed something done, and it got done. I'm a business man" What does that tell you? Pay to Play happens everywhere every day, and I see nothing in the future to stop it, despite this Allentown mess.
Their entire case is based upon favorable treatment for those who donated. Like people who pay their doctors. Like people who pay their lawyers. Like others who get a better seat at a football game than the average Joe. Like one kid who makes the varsity line-up before someone else, and those who either get accepted or rejected by a fraternity.
I do not see how public money was stolen or misappropriated in any of these indictments, so why waste the time? Really now?
People have really been punished by codes over the years, BOH.
To make matters worse the big offenders seem to always slide.
Worst of all it's clearly been used as a political tool. People have been abused and are understandable upset.
This is not a normal Codes Dept., with all due respect, sir.
@1:51
Agreed.
What's wrong with a little bribery?
You got to pay to play.
That may be, and I have in the past written abort some abuses. But I see no point to a list of the employees except to embarrass good people. I am also always leery of any lynch mob mentality, especially when it is encouraged by anonymous cowards. And I distrust officious self-appointed code officers who think it i their job to make life miserable for other property owners.
Agreed, BOH.
bernie@2:24, i doubt that there is anybody commenting on your post who is actually more familiar with code enforcement than me. although I have written about some isolated cases of abuse over the years, and questioned some policies, i have found the department run straightly.
Thanks for your insight. I defer to you on this matter.
80% of the commets are anonymous you cowards.
A few willing thugs can tarnish the image of an entire department.
The administration knew who to turn to when they needed legs broken.
Cynthia mota will be arrested by May 2016
"80% of the commets are anonymous you cowards." @2:48 PM
100% of the comments about the anonymous comments are from other anonymous cowards.
Put your name on your words. Stop being cowards. Pawlowski is going to jail. His gang is going to jail. If you don't speak up now, everyone will know that YOU didn't speak up and stand behind your name.
Be brave. Do the right thing.
Even the decent staff in the Codes Dept. have compromised themselves occasionally.
The thugs do it whenever they are directed to do it.
I'm glad to hear you have never been mistreated, MM, others have not faired as well at the hands of what you agreed is a vindictive and corrupt administration, Michael.
Delete all anonymous and see what is left.
I would be rid of you.
I respectfully disagree with Mr. Rich Fegley.
They can and will continue to hurt people.
@ 6:07 PM
If these people are "afraid" of Pawlowski, have they spoken with the FBI yet?
If they let the FBI know that they are going to blow-the-whistle, the FBI can watch and see what Pawlowski does after they blow-the-whistle.
If you think Pawlowski and his gang will hurt you, why are you not talking to the FBI? You could wear a wire too!
lol-npr. real media success.. NOT - stop funding this one sided garbage and let them sink or swim on their own. historically speaking, like all lib garbage , they will sink. lib media has not and will never be a success .
If you want to talk to MM, sen him an email. If you wish to call code enforcement corrupt, identify yourself and stop being a coward. They are not policy makers and I will not allow continued anonymous slurs.
Now the anonymous coward makes off topic attacks aimed at the "left." Put the bottle down.
9:04, Sure, it's irrelevant. Nice try. Look for some intellectual integrity in snow when you are shoveling. If you find some use it online,then you could actually sign your name to your comments. Scott Armstrong
@8:58 PM It *is* irrelevant that they are Democrats. The story on NPR was not about how Democrats are more corrupt than Republicans. The story was that several council members who are politically aligned with a mayor voted for that mayor to resign. It doesn't matter what party they are - it is a very uncommon occurrence.
I don't have to sign my name for making an obvious observation. If you can't understand the point I made, maybe you shouldn't sign your name. I see your point - you're trying to attack Democrats. What the mayor and others did could just as easily happened in a city run by Republicans.
Bernie,
I have a email sent to fed ed that was sent to hailstone than to the head of rental tenaments to no avail¿!($ The response was we have code officer working in that area¿ !($ There is one problem here they are tell the bad people the good people are calling the police and to top that there is a hous addresse in this email that was a total gut and only has one permit tag and the name on the permit is one of palumpas pension proCUREment reciepiants that has ties to the notorious hamilton street gang o thugs subsect hounds from hell fire truck chasers¿!($ Than said tenament is a city funded rental that has to seperate hovels and have never been reapproved as such due to lack of off street parking¿!($
Than there is a recent incident of palumpas party favor consessionair competitor as well as counterpart campain contribitors allowed to allow the criminalty incubated as long as they pay to peddle and play¿!($ Said unaddressed slumlordian is also protected by said law dog¿!($ Than tere was a recent incident in all tree hovels that the police faked fact put to print than also destroyed what counterparts seperate but one in the same forcd me the historically replicate while allowing astetics as well as historical integrity to be destroyed with popcycle sticks¿!($
Than there is the $2,000,000.oo alocated and misapropreated since the king was crowned and I will sign my name as well as others¿!($ mediaman,the writter that writ and the sneak that snuk cause as we see the few top political parasites are a couple chips short of a bag or there redd nose tell the tale of th true underlieing issue unaddressed that must be the begining of addressing the many that are just below the surface, as for not knowing they did anything wrog is simple right and wrong as well as being cognazant and complicite and than trying to burry it¿!($
FAT CHANCE IN HELL LIKE THE ICEWATER SAYING an speaking of water did the king do a water deal like flint and put his posion peddled fermented pot o blue political juice in allentown water to to infect the innocent indigent childrens children and the oldfolks for the soul sale sector subdeversionary tools¿!($
redd for Republican
patent pending
9:48, But did it?.Answer NO. It is a Democrat political machine that is running one of the state's most corrupt cities. This kind of corruption can only happen when there is no checks and balances in government. Democrats in Allentown need to own up to this ugliness. They closed their eyes to it.they put their faith in Ed and their intense partisanship ahead of civic duty. Scott Armstrong
Once again, Scott Armstrong nails it!
Flawed government leaders, are made possible by ENABLERS. People who either agree with shady practices, or turn a blind eye. No matter where one lives, he/she MUST pay attention and demand accountability. Keep a light shining.
Purposeful misdeeds begin in the shadows.
Fred Windish
The problems in Allentown have nothing to do with political affiliation and everything to do with greed and corruption.
Really? Is it just a coincidence that every elected official involved is a Democrat? Some of the business people involved may be Republican but none of them were put into or re elected into political office. No that was done by the partisan voters of Allentown. Scott Armstrong
Are you EVER capable of leaves aside the partisan rants Scott.
It's getting very very tedious.
It is indeed a shame, a tragedy even, that Allentown is a one party town with no checks and balances.
Bernie,
Just a qwick thought put to print, is the aticipated tax revenue sharable a hidden insurable peril under the kings decree of the Z under homeschool charter too¿!($ Now there is threats comming in via computerized landline messaging center¿!($ By the way how are the city streets looking until the egal shits its snow plow funds the next bissiness day¿!($
There should be a statue of humtydumty allright hanging from the area signage as well as digitally broadcast on local vidio news stations and the electronic billboards¿!($
redd for Republican
patent pending
"The problems in Allentown have nothing to do with political affiliation and everything to do with greed and corruption."
Amen. It is crony capitalism, which affects both parties.
"Really? Is it just a coincidence that every elected official involved is a Democrat? Some of the business people involved may be Republican but none of them were put into or re elected into political office. No that was done by the partisan voters of Allentown. Scott Armstrong "
Any attempt to make this a partisan issue is very short-sighted. Scott, you are arguing illogically. Only one elected official has been indicted. Now there are three more who have been prosecuted. Two were city officials and thy are Democrats and the third is a Republican. But let's assume they were all Dems. It simply does not logically follow that therefore all Dem officials must be corrupt. That is a logical absurdity. One party rule and the death of democracy tends to promote corruption, and I would support proportional representation, similar to what exists in the county commissioner form of government in which the winner does not take all.
"Purposeful misdeeds begin in the shadows."
Very well said, Fred.
Bernie, there is nothing illogical to my comments. It is a simple fact that the blatant corruption was occurring in a city control by Democrat elected officials. These same Democrat elected officials were empowered by a partisan electorate that chose to close their eyes to the obvious. Time to own up to this Democrat voters,it's all yours. There is nothing illogical about that. Scott Armstrong
Scott, your argument is completely illogical. Tye fact that SOME Democrats are corrupt dies not mean that ALL are corrupt. Because you are a partisan, you miss this. Your argument is also factually flawed. The evidence points to a conspiracy of crony capitalists, who include both Dems and Rs finally, your argument is divisive. All it success in doing is promoting more
Counterproductive partisan argument and not reform..
BOH is correct Scott A, who has made the $$$ from NIZ, all your old GOP Dutchmen and Pat B
Ouch¿!)$
All that is redd is a redd light shining up out of hell artificially inseminated into Allentown pa and opps yet another Z is born for political parisitism to feed and breed there lower form of life, they think and thought as it was pontificated with thoughts and memories of there momma's back midway cigar surprise sideways with a couple twist'Z¿!($
Notice no sigNUTure
I want to be a serial public servant. Where do I start?
Bernie, write all you want,the facts are what they are. Plain and simple. Scott. Armstrong
5:55, I repeat,non of them were elected officials. None of them held public office. They may be guilty of taking advantage of corrupt Democrat elected officials. The Democrats betrayed the public trust in Allentown,them and them alone. Get it? Scott Armstrong
I agree. The facts are what they are. Your arguments are not supported by facts. They are illogical, inaccurate and divisive. This is because you are a partisan, and it blinds you from seeing things as they are, Scott. Incidentally, the persons crying out most loudly for reform are all Democrats.
BOH said The problems in Allentown have nothing to do with political affiliation and everything to do with greed and corruption."
Amen. It is crony capitalism, which affects both parties.
LOL- I might be wrong, but weren't you the same guy who blamed the GOP for all of the corruption in the city with out limits rules, ethics or the courage to do the right thing. I guess the unions who benefit from the crony capitalism are guilty as well in regards to waste , fraud and political corruption.
How many unions send their cash to members of the GOP? Compare the percentage of cash sent from the unions to the democrats and the GOP. It is no contest. The dems receive about 99% more union donations(wink wink)and that is an undisputable fact. How many teachers unions send cash to the Repukes who run for school board or any political office.
It is all about what party is in charge and what that party can do for the union, in this case. To spin it any other way is not being honest.
4:07 PM Scott Armstrong...
How much campaign cash did you receive from the teachers unions? LOL
My guess is that he received not one penny from the teachers unions, and all the democrats, like fed eds pac , who did everything they could, financially , to make sure Mr Armstrong would be defeated.
"LOL- I might be wrong, but weren't you the same guy who blamed the GOP for all of the corruption in the city with out limits rules, ethics or the courage to do the right thing. I guess the unions who benefit from the crony capitalism are guilty as well in regards to waste , fraud and political corruption. "
Yeah, you're pretty much dead wrong. One party rule does not help, but the real culprit is crony capitalism, a disease which afflicts both parties, especially in local government. You are yet another partisan and are blinded as well.
The Republicans abandoned Allentown, and they abandoned Scott as well.
Get a grip Scott...there's plenty of blame to go around.
Turn off fat Rushbo and rejoin the human race.
You're a good man, we could use you.
"Amen. It is crony capitalism, which affects both parties."
O'Hare sounds like another Bernie here. I like it!
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-seeks-delay-for-sewer-plant
A little more background on the Reading side of the scandal. Recently defeated Reading Mayor Spencer is one of the targets. His attempt to force sewage plant contractors to use union labor caused greatly increased bids for the work, and delayed the federally-mandated project.
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