According to former Controller City Council member Lou Hershman, Pawlowski's action is simply illegal. This is because City Council never appropriated the money for this $89,000 position. Their permission is needed, which is certainly the way most local government works
At City Council's October 19 meeting, he questioned how Jeff Glazier, a Fed Ed ally who replaced Mary Ellen Koval as Controller after she pleaded guilty to political corruption, could approve any payments. . Glazier said he'd "take the matter under advisement." He declined to state whether he would make his findings public, stating that would depend on what he hears from the Solicitor.
Great minds think alike. Council member Daryl Henrdicks told Lou that he's already asked for an opinion from the Solicitor on this issue.
Several residents also suggested it is time to perform a home rule study.
State House candidate Ben Long, who is running against Mike Schlossberg for the 132nd State House District, slammed Fed Ed. “The Mayor’s move flies in the face of the Democratic process," he said. "Council represents the will of the people and the Mayor’s decision disregards them.”
Long was knocking at doors instead of spending his time at City Council. But he labeled Fed Ed as "Schlossberg's patron," and called on his opponent to renounce Pawlowski's action. "This is not a state government issue," he conceded. "It is, however, an issue of integrity."
Schlossberg's Facebook page is silent on the issue. State legislators tend to avoid local issues.
16 comments:
"Schlossberg's Facebook page is silent on the issue. State legislators tend to avoid local issues." except when the local mayor helps to fund the state legislators campaign.
Darth Voter is Fed Ed's lapdog. Along with his mentor, Jen Mann. Those fools perpetuate a culture of corruption in the Queen City.
Schloss is a political whore and will take money from anyone. Sits around all day and night emailing request$$$. Can't fix stupid with political monies.
I'm voting Ben Long, Schlossburg had his chance and is proving to be more of a sore spot than worth our while!
But Pawlowski sure has balls in his attempts to get himself free legal advice at taxpayer expense.
I questioned at that meeting how an individual who was not confirmed by Council and therefore must be considered as an non employee without tenure or status could be hired by the Mayor at a salary above entry rate or budgetary rate for the job classification he was supposed to have... I used an example of an another individual who had actually worked for the salary a long time, somehow being refused nomination, but given the post that Walker was given but in a different department if they had the same structure of jobs as Community Development ... I said that this could have been possible but the same being done for Walker was arrogance and contempt by the Mayor.
But who cares what a non former City Official says or someone not running for Office says ...
Dennis, you certainly did make those points, but I do think Council is paying attention. My guess is they will refuse to fund the position. They ought to consider defunding all the at-will positions in the Mayor's office.
Of course it is. The mayor cannot hire an agency head without approval by City Council.
Do we have a City Attorney to refer the case to ?
Schlossburg is another myopic patron of the S.S. Pawlowski. He is part of the "pact of steel" that supported Pawlowski's selected candidates for office in Allentown, [including Charlie Theil], and will not jump ship against his mentor, confidant and benefactor. [Who says State Representatives don't get involved in local politics]!
I agree, defunding the Walker position and the rest of his useless rah-rah minions, would place the rotund-one on an island no bigger than his future cell. The question is; does council have the resolve. With the verbal abuse Ms. Mota took from "Fed Ed" the other night, this might be the super-majority needed to spank the sleazy one.
7:54 The Allentown City Council are wimps that have licked Pawlowsk's boots for a dozen years. If you think they really have any backbone I've got a bridge to sell you.
Ed has enough friends on City Council to effectively stymie any meaningful action except possibly a resolution of disapproval.
8:19 I disagree with you. City Council has shown, especially in the last couple of weeks that they do have the fortitude to stymie the Mayor. The first steps were the vote of no confidence and the resolution for his resignation in the beginning of the year. Remember Walker was initially wanted by the Mayor for the Managing Director position. Since he could not persuade Council to approve that he tried to get him the DCED position by using Craig Messinger, Keith Morris, & Lee Laubach. That also failed. Now he is trying an end run for the vacant Operations Manager position within DCED. HE may have that position until January but Lou Hershman brought up some very good points about his salary. I believe it will be for the current budgeted amount.
The Mayor has only two staunch supporters on City Council, Julio Guridy & Candida Affa. The upcoming budget meetings will be very interesting. I predict hat City Council will defund both the Operations Manager and the Managing Director positions. I also think they will go after some of the Mayor's office staff.
"Of course it is. The mayor cannot hire an agency head without approval by City Council"
He was not brought on as an agency head, but as Operations Manager. That itself is perfectly legal. But the point made by Lou, Dennis and others is that Walker was brought in at $89k when the position is funded for $20k less in the budget. Since he is bringing this guy in at $20k more than what was budgeted, it needs Council's approval,sez Lou. Hendricks has this concern, too. Most local governments require legislative approval for major salary increases.
The definitive result to all of this will be the May 2017 Democratic primary election
If Pawlowski wins it, all of this complaining by City Council will be muted If he doesn't, he'll be like the third tit on a bull.
Given our Mayor-Council form of government, when nearly all political power is in the mayor's office, that's just the way it is. Especially in a one-party town like Allentown.
Does anybody ever see Glazier at city Council meetings picking his fingernails and texting on his phone and appearing disinterested the entire time. What a joke.
Before Fed ED, before Jen Mann there were those who propped up Schlossberg. His true political godparents were Donny Cunningham and Tony Iannelli. They propped him up from college to jobs and set him up for his wonderful political career. Just keeping it real!
When you don't sign your name you can't claim to be keeping it real.
Who will represent The Church on the Run if Izzy isn't on the 5th floor?
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