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| Pearly Baker's Jonathan Davis |
Ferraro first said she would be offering an amendment two weeks ago. But in a remarkable display of secrecy, she has refused to say how much. She hoped to spring it on everyone at the last minute, keeping the public in the dark about their own money
"We have this money, we've been accumulating this money," was Ferraro's justification for giving DaVinci a "shot in the arm."
"I don't know what your rush is to give money," objected Ken Kraft, saying this is a decision that can be addressed by the incoming Council and Executive-elect Lamont McClure.
"It's time to move forward and do something," countered Ferraro, who called for a vote.
Fortunately, Council President John Cusick decided instead to recognize a member of the public who wanted to address the subject.
Jonathan Davis owns Easton's popular Pearly Baker's, Bank Street Annex and Mueller's General Store. He has been operating small businesses for the past 25 years after his graduation from Lafayette College. Claiming to be speaking on behalf of a large number of downtown Easton businesses, he said they are "very much opposed to the Science Center as it now stands."
Plans for DaVinci include a 250-seat restaurant as well as cafes. "The restaurant community cannot have that happen to its downtown," he argued. He noted that four Easton restaurants have closed this year, and only two have re-opened. "This quasi government kind of manipulation that has happened, with good intentions, has ransacked the business community." He said the food court at Crayola has negatively impacted lunch business. He added that the publicly subsidized Public Market is no public market. "It's a food court. That cut our business in half."
He called the DaVinci Science Center a "killer for the restaurant business." He said his 50 or so employees are suffering from lost tips already, and that DaVinci will be a "vacuum that sucks away any benefit it is supposed to have."
"This is our money, this is public funds, and it should be going for the benefit of downtown Easton."
"Destroy the restaurant community that established the downtown, and you will have larger issues than you ever expect," he warned.
He added that Erickson told him that the restaurant would be used as a profit source to offset future expenses.
"Maybe we could have an event center with a caterer and a liquor license," suggested Ferraro.
"Why? Why? What's the mission? The mission is science and education. Where is it coming that we're serving cocktails?"
Erickson admitted that current plans do call for a 250-seat restaurant, a liquor license and an operator.
Mat Benol thanked Davis for his visit, saying it prevented him from a "huge mistake." Matt Dietz said he had enough concerns before last night, but now considers the plan too indefinite to justify any public spending. Hayden Phillips added that he was concerned that a publicly subsidized aquarium would compete unfairly against a private venture like a proposed Ripley aquarium, located 60 miles away. But the competition against small businesses in Easton is much more immediate and serious. Public tax dollars would enable DaVinci to steal business from restaurants just blocks away.
Kraft moved to table Ferraro's grant, and it passed 7-2. Glenn Geissinger and Seth Vaughn voted No without explanation.
"We can visit it next year," said Kraft, who told Erickson that the incoming Council will work with DaVinci.
Later this evening, Council will consider the $1 million grant, which Ferraro wants to increase without bothering to say how much until the public hearing.
58 comments:
Come on Bernie, you know why Ferraro is doing, what she is doing. She takes her orders from the Easton republican Elite like she has for decades. One of the biggest republican elitists and Easton booster is Andy Daub. If he says jump Ferraro asks how high.
She has always been in their pocket and has done their bidding in Easton as in other areas.
Isn't the Mayor of Easton supporting this issue. Where was he last night? His people are coming to the County in opposition to a program he is sponsoring. This Council and future Councils should let this issue die on its own merits. No more public monies for pie in the sky financial programs. Tourists coming to the fish tank will visit the fish tank and maybe the Crayola Center but will not have time to dine downtown. DO NOT FUND THE FISH TANK.
People need to give Sal the benefit of the doubt and back him on this, his contributions to the Easton Golden age are not up for debate.
1:56, thanks to Panto, Easton has committed $30 M to this fish tank. He was there last night, but left before the subject came up. My guess is that Easton City Council had a meeting. This should wait until next year. I really want to see an INDEPENDENT study, not one financed by DaVinci.
2:39, Panto has been a good Mayor, but is flawed in that he is quite thin-skinned and unwilling to accept constructive criticism. This is a bad idea, and not his first. Remember the high school hall of fame?
The mayor is a horse's ass. He's big on picking winners and losers, using tax dollars. When did a socialized fish tank turn into a bar and restaurant? Sucks to be a private restaurant investor on Panto's subsidized Easton. He loathes taxpayers and brags of not raising taxes he's not legally permitted to raise. Then, he jacks up fees, which are tax increases. I'd say he speaks with forked tongue. But he's just not that smart. Exhibit A: the idiotic attempt to hide from his tom18017 and roverfan73 sock puppetry; followed by his hilarious lie about his computer or account being hacked.
What Crayola and the Public Market has done to the lunch crowd is exactly what DaVinci is going to do to the other nonprofits and forprofits in the area. There are not enough people and dollars to go around. Funding DaVinci with these kind of dollars is going to directly compete with Crayola, the Canal Museum, Lost River Caverns, Dorney Park, Camelback and all the other day trip opportunities in the LV that parents and daycares take the kids to all summer long.
Peg Ferraro is following in the footsteps of the soon to be late County Executive John Brown. No transparency! This is partly to blame for his demise, and yet, she wants to follow. She should have been dumped by the voters, but her likeable past pushed her through common sense. She thinks taxpayer's money is expendable and has no qualms spending it. Knowing it is her last term in office, she seems hell bent in spending tax revenue that can go to more county-wide projects. However, this is her last chance at stealing taxpayer's money with her lame duck friends on council.
"We don't have money for step raises for our employee's but lets give millions to an outside entity...and for what? a possible aquarium.
"Panto has been a good Mayor, but is flawed in that he is quite thin-skinned and unwilling to accept constructive criticism"
*in shrill voice*
YOU'RE NOT MY SUPERVISOR!!1
Well done Jon Davis! His businesses have had a presence in Easton long before it became trendy, in fact, he and his business partner even be congratulated as being the trend setters for Easton's revival. Keep up the GREAT work!
Pocketbook Peg is what I cal her with her free to open the pocketbook of the taxpayers and spend, spend, spend! let the fish tank pay its own way. You must be some kind of stupid Pocketbook Peg to think WE the taxpayers are Okay with a fish tank- If your so smart? Put this on the next ballot for a taxpayer vote-
How and how much does the "public" market receive in subsidized taxpayer dollars?
As stated in the report. 4 restaurants closed, 2 reopened. Maybe if the price was right, provide a quality product and have parking available people would support your business ( restaurants) downtown. Easton needs more than just restaurants . It needs businesses ( stores) and attractions to bring people there. I have no need to go downtown for a meal and pay for parking when I can go to the "burbs" and have a dinner , get free parking and have other stores or businesses nearby. Maybe these restaurants need to find a way to market themselves as part of the Science Center or partner with them along with Crayola and State theatre . A novel idea, working together instead of complaining about progress. ???
Peg maybe you can help me out I want to buy a little building on N. 3rd St. and open up a tropical fish store, it will be very educational, I will explain to the children and their parents the different kinds of tropical fish from all over the world and they can buy them along with fish tanks and supplies ect. While the parents have their children there I can also open up a little lunch counter to serve all types of sandwiches and hoagies like the kind that Josie's deli and Subway sandwiches sell. I think $20,000 a year in grants for 10 years from hotel taxes and amusement taxes the kind that are tacked on to hotel rooms and patrons of the State Theatre. This grant will be very helpful. Thank you
Maybe these restaurants need to find a way to market themselves as part of the Science Center or partner with them along with Crayola and State theatre . A novel idea, working together instead of complaining about progress. ???
Get real. People aren't going to walk themselves and their kids blocks away to eat at a restaurant when a food court is on location. Nor will they pile into a car to drive to a restaurant, looking to find another parking space.
Easton restaurants in the downtown are going out of business because patronage is down. Every time a car is given a ticket it is a lost patron. Paying for parking is factored as part of the meal cost in the minds of customers. Cheaper prices, quality food, and free parking only minutes away in other communities is taking its toll on Downtown Easton eateries.
I'm one who stopped going Downtown a couple of years ago. Many friends have also found better elsewhere, without having to worry about the "Parking Authority" Nazi rushing to get his ticket on a windshield.
Thank goodness for entreprenurial leadership in arresting the irrational boosterism of the latest, greatest boondogle to enchant the government-tourism-non-industrial complex!
The amount of public money potentially wasted on an entity which will be property taxexempt is absurd. In a flood plain. Across from the McDonalds which had water to its roof in 2005.
Create something truly innovative--an urban business park in a small city ---which creates customers for downtown businesses; retains a property rate-able; generates taxes from wages; increases employment opportunities and is a rational INVESTMENT.
If you need non-profits let them lease from a taxpaying entity. And expand NCC class room space; partner with a MBA school (Temple, ESU, etc) so Lafayette students and others can have a joint degree; bring back the old culinary school idea (more chefs, more restaurants); seek a Museum annex relationship with a NYC museum. The ideas are endless And not going to end up subsidizing the irrational exuberant boostersim of a big a fish tank....which sooner or later will literally be under water.
10:08am Great idea, especially the NCC and/or other PUBLIC university expanding its presence in downtown! Maybe the Council needs to hear your ideas!
Thanks.... it's not that difficult coming up with alternatives to a big fish tank. I mean this boondogle makes the ill-fated late, great black diamonds non-major league baseball stadium next to a cemetery seem brilliant.
Every single Council person who votes for this taxpayer subsidized delusion needs to be defeated.
6:23am Easton's tax rate Millage is 24.95 absolutely outrages the highest in the county, he brags about not raising taxes when it is the highest tax rate in the Northampton county.
And the City has an opportunity to create a tax-paying, job-creating, revenue-making positive contribution to region's vitality, and they come up with a PROPERTY TAX EXEMPT BIG FISH TANK. How is this rational? Sal is smarter than this. He is, however, vulnerable to the siren call of irrational boosterism ( definition=regardless of facts, Im for it because it's in my hood)
9:01, $1 M in public money was spent to acquire it, and allow it to compete against private business. http://eastoneccentric.blogspot.com/2013/09/easton-grants-1m-to-gedp-to-purchase.html
Peg is a very good woman and as a former teacher, is caught up with this. But she should have been transparent about her amendment. Last night, after it became clear how damaging this is to local business, she should have been putting on the brakes.
What really bothers me is that Erickson knew about Ripley's and never said a word to council. She also met with Jonathan Davis, and just plowed ahead without saying a word to council and without addressing his concerns at all. I think she may do so now, but only bc Council is upset. She is not the right spearhead for this project.
@10:32am It's in my hood, too which is why I am completely against it. More traffic and more trash on our streets. Just what our little town needs. How about some open space? Dog park for all the apartment dwellers, skate park?
"As stated in the report. 4 restaurants closed, 2 reopened. Maybe if the price was right, provide a quality product and have parking available people would support your business ( restaurants) downtown. Easton needs more than just restaurants . It needs businesses ( stores) and attractions to bring people there. I have no need to go downtown for a meal and pay for parking when I can go to the "burbs" and have a dinner , get free parking and have other stores or businesses nearby. Maybe these restaurants need to find a way to market themselves as part of the Science Center or partner with them along with Crayola and State theatre . A novel idea, working together instead of complaining about progress. ???"
This sounds suspiciously like Panto, using the same writing style I see from him and from his pseudonyms.
A $130 MM project that shutters local businesses and drains the money from other nonprofits is not progress. It is a government picking winners and losers, the very antithesis of capitalism.
Ironically, I do know people who go to Easton and pay to park just bc they love the restaurants there. Ron Angle goes there all the time. He and Sharon love it. Some of those places have been there for some time, like Colonial Pizza. Not all are trendy.
This is a bad idea. What is worse, the person spearheading this has been less than honest and we all know Panto is flat out dishonest.
"If you need non-profits let them lease from a taxpaying entity. And expand NCC class room space; partner with a MBA school (Temple, ESU, etc) so Lafayette students and others can have a joint degree; bring back the old culinary school idea (more chefs, more restaurants); seek a Museum annex relationship with a NYC museum. The ideas are endless And not going to end up subsidizing the irrational exuberant boostersim of a big a fish tank....which sooner or later will literally be under water."
Simply brilliant.
Interesting argument.
My take is this. The restauranteur is assuming the number of patrons in the downtown area would stay stagnant. An attraction will bring many more people than would usually go to Easton. Currently, all you have are people going to the theater, the Crayola joint, and to restaurants. The fact that the aquarium will have a food court assumes that a certain percentage of patrons will choose low-cost food court food over eating at restaurants. The business currently enjoyed by those restaurants won't change all that much because those people are still going to go out to eat and not visit the aquarium. The positive is that people from the aquarium MIGHT take a walk through town and get a bite at a better restaurant. It's not as if the aquarium will become the hub of all social activities in Easton. That is absurd. What the guy should be concerned about is the PLAN to get aquarium patrons to explore the city square as opposed to just going home. Currently, there is nothing brining anyone up from the waterfront to Pearly Bakers. Cigarette stores and empty storefronts is about it prompting people to get take a pass on bothering.
All that said, I think an aquarium is not what the area needs.
What Crayola and the Public Market has done to the lunch crowd is exactly what DaVinci is going to do to the other nonprofits and forprofits in the area.
Not everyone wants to have wait service when they have lunch. Not everyone wants to go to a bar from lunch. Besides, the Easton Public Market is nice and caters more to what people want. Quick bites in a comfortable and safe environment. That's where I'd go to lunch if I worked down there.
Davis' point and his experience with Crayola and the Public Market is that they do not leave the food courts of Crayola to sally forth in the downtown. In fact, his point is the very opposite of what you suggest. He runs three businesses downtown and knows what he is talking about. You are anonymous and while you are certainly entitled to an opinion, I give it far less weight than I ascribe to someone who himself is invested.
"Besides, the Easton Public Market is nice and caters more to what people want. Quick bites in a comfortable and safe environment. That's where I'd go to lunch if I worked down there."
Publicly subsidized competition. Ain't America grand?
Ironically, I do know people who go to Easton and pay to park just bc they love the restaurants there.
Here's another one. And I have to say, paying for parking is the last thing I'm worried about. That's called life in a city. What I do I find difficult is FINDING parking and not having to walk too far. If an aquarium is built, guess what? I'll still go to Mesa, River Grille, Sogo, and other places just like I always have.
What does this mean: "Peg Ferraro pitched a $500,000 grant in 2005 hotel taxes to DaVinci" 2005? Good blog post Bernie - thanks for keeping us informed.
Davis' point and his experience with Crayola and the Public Market is that they do not leave the food courts of Crayola to sally forth in the downtown. In fact, his point is the very opposite of what you suggest. He runs three businesses downtown and knows what he is talking about. You are anonymous and while you are certainly entitled to an opinion, I give it far less weight than I ascribe to someone who himself is invested.
Obviously, a very fair point by Mr. Davis and you. However, parents with two toddlers are not going to Pearly Bakers. Its just going to happen. Thinking it would is silly. My point is to cultivate the business you already have and run the best business you can. Will the parents with kids drain these places of business? Highly doubtful.
I want to assure you that I am not an Easton resident, have no affiliation with any government entity, nor am a proponent of the aquarium idea. I'm just a guy who goes out to eat in Easton.
12:11, It was clear as written. They are 2005 hotel taxes. There are different kinds of hotel taxes from the ones used to fund new development. No one reading this would conclude she made the pitch in 2005. The word 2005 was used as an adjective.
Publicly subsidized competition. Ain't America grand?
It is my understanding that public funds were used to buy a vacant building. I applaud the revitalization of empty buildings. The businesses themselves are not getting that money, are they? They just get a nice building to rent space in.
Those are the types of places that will bring people like me into downtown, however, I understand the frustration that it has become more a food court and less of a market. Its odd, would a market bring the same foot traffic? When I go there, there are a LOT of people walking around it and I'm sure some venture out to other businesses. Perhaps keeping it open later?
Thanks for the clarification Bernie. Not everyone knows what 2005 hotel taxes are - at least I didn't. I got it now.
" However, parents with two toddlers are not going to Pearly Bakers."
True, but DaVinci intends to draw adults looking for a night of fun with alcohol, music and other events in the evening hours. It can do that, but we should not be subsidizing it to bankrupt private business.
"It is my understanding that public funds were used to buy a vacant building."
The purchase was made knowing that it would be a public market. No one had a problem with that, but it became a food court hurting other businesses.
Some public funds were used to bring back the State Theatre which draws "adults looking for a night of fun with alcohol, music and other events". Foot traffic is good no matter how you slice it. This isn't Northanpton or Freemansburg.
County wants to spend hotel taxes to benefit Easton. How bout this. Pay for a free shuttle service from the courthouse to downtown. Would enable courthouse employees, jurors, visiting attorneys to take advantage of downtown restaurants. Courthouse employees use to go downtown, but their lunch hour was cut. That makes a drive and finding parking impossible. Add to that the cost to park.
Wait a second! If the county does that, they are competing against the city monopoly on parking. People would park free at the courthouse and ride the free shuttle downtown. No money to the city for meters, tickets and garages. That would not be fair just like using public money to provide eating facilities.
12:32, the public subsidies to the state theatre actually help the local businesses. The state draws a crowd tgat dines before or after the show. DaVinci is looking to compete against all of them, including the State, and with public money. It is also sucking $ away from other worthy nonprofits. If it were up to me, i’d End this disaster now.
10:04 12/7/17. Then they won't be coming to Downtown Easton for the same excuses you just posted. Very intelligent. Can't walk two blocks once parked, yet you can walk a mall or Shopping center ? That is why the businesses in the downtown area need to work together, not piss and moan about a venue that will attract more people to the downtown area. Blinders on as usual with some on this forum. Marketing will increase their business and joining forces with others should help. Otherwise, many of these restaurants will fold soon enough. No reason to go to the downtown to pay for a high cost meal, pay for parking then leave before the hookers , bums and drug dealers appear. Unless this is the type of entertainment you seek. lol
To Bernie's comment about Panto AT 11:35 ON 12/7/17.
IT'S NOT PANTO RIGHTING ABOUT A NOVEL IDEA AND EXPANDING BUSINESS DOWNTOWN. I'M A LIFE LONG EASTON RESIDENT THAT SAW WHAT URBAN RENEWAL TOOK FORM THIS TOWN WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD. BUSINESSES,THEATRES, OFFICES ECT.... NEED MORE THAN JUST A FEW NIGHT CLUBS AND BARS DOWNTOWN. NEED A REASON TO GO THERE FOR MORE THAN JUST ONE VENUE, BUT TO SPEND A DAY AND EVENING. THE "FISH BOWL" WON'T HURT THE BARS AND CLUBS.
12:32, the public subsidies to the state theatre actually help the local businesses. The state draws a crowd tgat dines before or after the show. DaVinci is looking to compete against all of them, including the State, and with public money. It is also sucking $ away from other worthy nonprofits. If it were up to me, i’d End this disaster now.
State serves alcohol and has events and galas all the time. The State's clientele eat out at restaurants. Aquarium watchers don't. The State patrons will still be there, business as usual.
God forbid someone has a hot dog cart down there.
"State serves alcohol and has events and galas all the time. The State's clientele eat out at restaurants. Aquarium watchers don't. The State patrons will still be there, business as usual."
You initially argued that the arguments against publicly subsidizing Da Vinci apply to the State. I demonstrated they do not bc the State actually draws visits to other businesses. Now you raise another red herring and claim that State Theatre patrons will still be there. No one said differently. I suggest at this point that you shed your pearls of wisdom at tonight's meeting.
It's not a Republican thing. Trying to get more ppl to visit Easton. Maybe if Pearly Bakers had better food and service they wouldn't be hurting financially
You initially argued that the arguments against publicly subsidizing Da Vinci apply to the State. I demonstrated they do not bc the State actually draws visits to other businesses. Now you raise another red herring and claim that State Theatre patrons will still be there. No one said differently. I suggest at this point that you shed your pearls of wisdom at tonight's meeting.
Sorry, not trying to be adversarial. There's no need to be curmudgeon-like at all times.
My initial thoughts were that the local businesses claim that the aquarium (which again I think is not a good use of tax dollars) would take away their business. I do not think it will. My second point was that public investment is sometimes a good thing. My State example was to counter your assertion that DaVinci was different in some way because they wrk server alcohol and host events.
Jonathan for Mayor...
Hotel tax in Easton to offset the cost=No Reason to stay in Easton unless you can ride with Sal Panto on a drug bust late at night. Another reason may be to have Mike Fleck and Sam Murray(Murad) light a peace candle !
None of the facts matter.
What you will witness tonight is a carefully-choreographed performance where Council will appear to take the public into consideration before voting on something that was decided behind closed doors.
DaVinci will turn out their people to make it appear that the fish tank has real and overwhelming support. The people who actually have their own skin in the game be swamped by the well-connected special interest group looking for public dollars.
And we all know this story ends the same, with this Executive/Council or the next.
Well Panto just axed the restaurant from Davinci, what will be the next talking point used to oppose this?
Remove the restaurant and it remains a mindless, extravagant, ill-conceived taxpayer funded boondoggle that if the late great Senator Proxmire was alive would certainly qualify for a Golden Fleece Award.
Think of the ease with which to campaign against anyone using tax dollars for this irrational boosterism: A Giant Fish Tank. In a flood plain. Pictures of Mc donalds across the street with water to the roof.
And the freaking price tag--for a tax-exempt property!!!! Where are the protectors of taxpayers? Conservatives? Republicans? Sensible Democrats? Progressive Democrats--the outrage of money for fish tanks when educational opportunities, job creation, affordable housing, low income senior housing and an expanding tax base to support increased demand for social services!!!! And u choose Fish over people?
And add this to the campaign. There are thousands of Senior Citizens in Northampton County on a waiting list for affordable senior housing. People in their twilight years or pretty fish in big tank. And the government-tourism-non industrial complex can find money for fish??????
Seniors Yes. Jobs Yes. Investment Yes. TAXPAYER FUNDED FISH TANKS=NO!
As a supporter of Mayor Panto, please this is your Waterloo. Napolean Panto and his taxpayer funded fish tank. There are better ways, Sal, much much better ideas....
They are building above the 500 year flood plain. One less talking point for you.
Terrific 500 year flood plain....Noah's Ark public policy. Interesting. All at taxpayer expense...property-tax exempt boondoggle. mindless boosterism. Fleecing the taxpayers for Fish. Taxpayers Soaked. Fish Win...Brilliant. The government-tourism-non-industrial complex needs to know there are better alternatives.
The owner of Pearly Bakers might want to address the steep decline in the quality of food.
Bernie, were are all the mellenias that this feeding frenzy was bringing only looks to me as children having children. One would think with all the money being spent there would be a viable population to off set the costs.
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