Blogger's Note:Opinions Online is a regular Saturday feature. If you'd like to express your opinion on any topic, click on the Opinions Online button on my left sidebar. You can also call 385-325-2564. In addition to these submissions, I sometimes highlight comments from throughout the week and re-publish them here.
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The Lehigh Valley lost a cherished labor leader, boxing fan & community activist - RIP Steve Curto
Blogger's Reply: He worked very hard for Sam Murray's judicial race. I can say I shared a Pat Sportelli spaghetti meal with him and Tom Nodoline, and he was a class act.
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wonder how the green pond preservationists feel about green pond country club being sold and turned into houses?
will it happen????
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My condolences to you for losing your mother to Asbestosis. It is a horrible way to go. By any chance was she employed at the Northampton County Courthouse?
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I'd like to see a pole & or statistics on prostitution stings set up by local police (Bethlehem Twp):
1. Do they make for a safer community?
2. Do they impact real estate sales / prices?
3. Are they a cash grab?
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Today's post on Bethlehem twp. was excellent.
I read you blog every day.
G. John Bryant , Jr
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Here is yet another example of how the federal government has completely failed the people:
It is illegal to kill a Canada Goose. These damn flying rats are a total nuisance to many property owners, are overpopulated, yet they are protected. If my property weren't so visible to neighbors and passers-by, I'd kill every damn goose that touched the ground here. Worthless poop generators they are.
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Does being gay impact government leadership?
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The Lehigh Valley probably has its weakest delegation to Harrisburg in recent modern day history. This includes Senator Boscola and Brown. Ask yourself what has any one of them accomplished in the past 2 years or more. Jeanette Reibman must be turning over in her grave. She was the last respected legislator we had. By the way diverting taxes from the commonwealth to a piece of Allentown to me is not a success as time will tell.
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Any elected or appointed official who has anything to do with public parking should do us all a favor and visit Corning New York. Or better yet Planning Commission,, invite them here for a valley wide meeting.
Briefly here is how it woks: drive into town and its busy street and get 2 HOURS OF FREE PARKING. After that meters are available or parking lots where one has to pay. From Friday night around 6 parking is free until Monday around 6 am. I counted over 200 businesses on their main street and there were only 2 empty store fronts. Place is jammed with people down town until the wee hours. I`d go back in a flas
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Bethlehem claims to be open for business while trying to woo Fedex, but at the same time Main St is struggling to survive. There are countless storefronts with nothing to show.
Little Italy has been closed more than a year. Corked, by association, is on borrowed time. The clothing store across from BrewWorks just shut it's doors, as did American Hairlines.
I understand that the city can't prevent all businesses from going under but it's quite obvious that there is a problem here that needs to be attended to. It's time to table the Martin Tower discussions and instead focus on Main St. Without Main St Bethlehem will turn back into another downtrodden city.
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Just got finished reading donchez's state of the city. Sure used the word "I" a lot. Major swollen head on this guy. Far as I can tell the major accomplishment was 22 years as a tree city and 600 smoke detectors. By the way booby, they're not free. The citizens paid for them.
9.7 million casino cash for "public safety" or we'll lose 110 cops. What a simpleton crock that statement was.
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What are the chances of Jimmy's Hot Dog in Easton moving to the NIZ in Allentown?
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Love him or hate him, Donald Trump is totally in control of the 2016 election. By words and deeds, he is FORCING citizens to examine their government and to define what is America. Because of Mr. Trump, I expect many more people to go to the polls in November than would have gone without a "Trump" in the race.
A huge turnout will, of course, increase the amount of voters who determine our picks to fill local offices, as well.
Right now, I don't believe Donald Trump will be the eventual winner. I honestly think our politicians now in place will drive him off. STAYING in place is what incumbents are all about, I think. Trump threatens the status quo.
Career politicians are NOT what's best for any electorate. I'm going non-incumbent this November.
Fred Windish
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the ex teacher (grabbing a pension and health benefits), ex councilman (grabbing a pension and health benefits) present mayor (adding to his pension and health benefits) needs to reduce expenditures. Here's some hints your committees probably haven't been smart enough to think of. 1)Privitize the golf course, eliminating both union and non union jobs cutting associated costs, pensions and other benefits. 2) do the same with the grass cutting, thus eliminating more union jobs and even more pensions benefits, etc. 3) turn the city garage over to a private concern further reducing all the crap mentioned above.
Study it. Now having given my advice I realize that you can't cut all the positions. You need more people in street and parks to do snow removal and to maintain public properties. Just keep the sober ones.
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Your story about Rose S., the lady whose body was found in a recycling container, was very kind, and very appropriate. May she rest in peace, and I hope those responsible are found and locked up post-haste.
There is no known connection, but the fact is that the Republican ladies were over here one night last week at the gun club, learning how to shoot. These are ladies in their 60s, 70s, and 80s! God bless them, we all maybe ought to do the same.
Blogger's Reply: I was very upset over that homicide for a lot of reasons. She was obviously a very good person, and I still feel terrible about how she lost her life. I was so impressed that APD did not ignore this, but investigated it vigorously, even though it came at the price of an officer being hurt.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Saturday, February 20, 2016
23 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
"....What are the chances of Jimmy's Hot Dog in Easton moving to the NIZ in Allentown?..."
ReplyDeleteIn a normal city, if they want to and can afford the rent it wouldn't be a problem
In Reillytown, they need approval from Reilly. Vinces was probably lined up probably a month ago.
I'm just wondering which one is next. Chickie & Petes or Tim Hortons. I bet it's Tim Hortons because of Starbucks being across Center Square.
Parking Authorities. Any elected or appointed official who has anything to do with public parking should do us all a favor and visit Corning New York. Or better yet Planning Commission,, invite them here for a valley wide meeting.
ReplyDeleteBriefly here is how it woks: drive into town and its busy street and get 2 HOURS OF FREE PARKING. After that meters are available or parking lots where one has to pay. From Friday night around 6 parking is free until Monday around 6 am. I counted over 200 businesses on their main street and there were only 2 empty store fronts. Place is jammed with people down town until the wee hours. I`d go back in a flas
If governments really want to improve, they improve. How many times do you hear, "It's always been done this way."
Rumor Schweyer has a D opponent. Is this true?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"ALLENTOWN — The stepmother of a 5-year-old boy who had burns and bruises on his body and was so hungry that staff at his elementary school found him eating food from garbage cans pleaded guilty Friday in Lehigh County Court.
Shaquila L. Byrd, 35, of Slatington pleaded guilty before Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony to endangering the welfare of a child. She will be sentenced in April and faces a maximum sentence of 31/2 to seven years in a state prison.
Byrd, of the 4000 block of Mountain Road, admitted that she hit the boy with a belt and punished him by making him do push-ups."
What's troubling about this horrific story is that the school noticed (how long)
a 5-year-old eating garbage and waited to call authorities. Waited? What does it take for school personnel to do anything to protect a child? Disgusting. But then Allentown School District receives only $200+ Million state funding.
This article is lie and setup like no other. Do some real investigation and get real facts before speaking on lies and deceit. You reports are suppose to find facts yet never investigate for any. #getalife
DeleteSell Green Pond?
ReplyDeleteGo ahead, sell it dummy, see how that works out.
I knew Jeanette Reibman very well. Jeanette Reibman was a friend of mine. And Lisa Boscola's record of independent judgement and achievement; tenacity in the face of adversity; energetic support for education; practial approach to politics in service to our community--are a fitting and excellent ltribute to Senator Reibman's legacy.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about A.C.C. losing to Bethlehem Catholic. And to boot, both N.D.G.P. teams (boys and girls) lost. Sad day for the Catholics, all around. Hopefully, Dat keeps his chin up and works in the off-season. Can't wait to see him be the star.
ReplyDelete"Little Italy has been closed more than a year. Corked, by association, is on borrowed time. The clothing store across from BrewWorks just shut it's doors, as did American Hairlines."
ReplyDeleteKnow your facts before spouting off. Little Itlay is closed after a fire, and insurance dispute. The owner is also getting other restaurant ready, That's Amore, after a fire closed it, too.
American Hairlines in Allentown closed. Bethlehem store still open.
Corked is not on borrowed time. It is doing very well. Packed on weekends and Thursdays. Go check it out.
And the clothing store, Sophistokate, closed because the owner wanted to spend time with her children and be a stay at home mom.
Downtown Bethlehem is strong, and will continue to be strong since the City Council weakened the zoning at Martin Tower after the merchant's complaints.
"the ex teacher (grabbing a pension and health benefits), ex councilman (grabbing a pension and health benefits) present mayor (adding to his pension and health benefits) needs to reduce expenditures. Here's some hints your committees probably haven't been smart enough to think of. 1)Privitize the golf course, eliminating both union and non union jobs cutting associated costs, pensions and other benefits. 2) do the same with the grass cutting, thus eliminating more union jobs and even more pensions benefits, etc. 3) turn the city garage over to a private concern further reducing all the crap mentioned above."
ReplyDeleteAll excellent ideas.
In defense of the mayor, he does not have a pension from his time on City Council, unless he bought time back, which is only way he could get a city pension, since he won't have enough time as mayor to vest. He does have a pension from being a school teacher and from his time as a legislative aide.
Does anyone know how much the Bethlehem Mayor's school pension is?
ReplyDelete:32,
ReplyDeletewell said ak
Jimmy's hotdogs suck, they deep fry them, disgusting. Latino's and other ethnicity's in downtown Allentown don't like hotdogs so #FAIL.
ReplyDeleteThe parking bunglers in Bethlehem are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council. (all inbred tax and spend dems) They are not about to offer you free parking. In fact, they want to charge you more to park now so they can build yet another money grubbing monster in the future.
ReplyDeletethe so called administration will never give up the half a million they reap from their appointed bunglers each year.
the state of the city of Bethlehem is this. It is now split into 3 factions: South side, main street and the martin tower debacle. you can thank ineptness and bully tactics from 10 e. church st for this.
ReplyDelete??? - 10:46 AM,
ReplyDeleteWonder why Yocco's on Liberty street does so well then?
If anyone want to see how much someone gets in government pension, it is public info at this link http://dfmphillydata.blogspot.com/2014/04/data-project-pennsylvanias-pension.html
ReplyDelete"Rumor Schweyer has a D opponent. Is this true?"
ReplyDeleteI published an article about the state house races on Friday, and that was discussed there.
It was so nice today, we went to Valley Forge to the park. On the way back, we made a special stop at Zandys.
ReplyDeleteJust to put a thumb in the eye of The Morning Call. lol
I hope everyone enjoys the nice weekend :)
We should all just get along. ..
ReplyDeleteYea right, when the inno ent indigent childrens children are being beaten and eating from garbage cans, there is just something wrong with this picture put to print by a paper that is only good for one thing and that would be paper training a dog¿!)$
DeleteWith regards to the comment about the geese, Canada geese are absolutely overpopulated, and are sometimes considered a "native invasive" species, much like deer. Unfortunately, in order to appropriately deal with them we will need some new regulations. Currently they are protected under the migratory bird act, but they have overlapping migratory AND nonmigratory populations that are difficult to tell apart.
ReplyDeleteBethlehem's Parking Authority is one of Bethlehem's worst enemies. I had just moved here in 1994, was at a job interview on the South side, parked on the street, left for lunch, and came back about an hour later, parked at a different location on the same street, and got a ticket. When I objected, I was told that was just the way it is. I was parked too long on that street even if I had been away for an hour during that time, and even if I had parked at a different spot the second time. As a result of that idiocy, I deliberately avoided shopping or patronizing any restaurants inside the City of Bethlehem for the next five years. Always shopped and ate in Hellertown or Bethlehem Township, or ...anyplace BUT Bethlehem.
ReplyDelete