Ray O'Connell: Allentown's Point Guard

I've been watching the Allentown Mayoral interviews online. The process began Tuesday night. I was very impressed by Nat Hyman. He has prospered as an entrepreneur in an economically depressed city, which says something about him. He also explained what it's like to deal with ruthless big city developers. "I can tell you those people eat their young," he stressed. But he was speaking to politicians. They eat their young, too, as Hyman is beginning to discover. He won't get a vote, but I hope he stays interested. He was easily the strongest candidate that night.

Last night, it was Ray O'Connell's turn. He explained his long career at Allentown Schools, which extended from 1972 to 2007.  He talked about his eight years on City Council, with his last three as President. He summed things up with this sentence: "Serving the people of Allentown has been my life's work,"

His first priority as Mayor would be to restore "trust and confidence in city government." He also discussed the symbiotic relationship between the school district and the city, which he would address through neighborhood development. "A thriving city is made up of good neighborhoods," he said. He would develop after school programs at the schools and develop programs to keep the kids busy in the summer.

He would push a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program to persuade the city's tax exempt nonprofits to assist the city with cash or services. He noted Erie receives $2.8 million per year this way.

Calling city workers "the lifeline of the city, " O'Connell would expand the merit system so that employees receive raises based on merit, not whether they agree with him. He noted interestingly that Allentown is conducting a pay study right now. He would add a community day for workers and their families to let them know they are appreciated.

He praised the NIZ as a "wonderful boon for the the city. ... That's the core, a wonderful core." But he said much more economic and community development is needed in all the city's neighborhoods.

Courtney Robinson tried to make an issue out of Dan McCarthy's opinion that a former City Council member is ineligible to serve in another elected role for a year after he leaves office. McCarthy has been appointed Solicitor but was never confirmed.  Robinson requested this opinion so he could pave the way for Charlie Thiel, as his master Jenn Mann has commanded. But O'Connell submitted another opinion from Attorney Rick Orloski. He concludes a City Council member has a constitutional right to seek appointment to elected office.

Robinson brayed about how this opinion has torn the City apart. The only ones who seem to be concerned by an obviously political hot job are the Mann Mob. They're upset that it failed.

"That's past," said O'Connell. "That was yesterday. This is today. I look people in the eye. We will move on."

Daryl Hendricks noted that the Police Chief slot has been a "revolving door." O'Connell ruled out the usual "national search" reply and said he believes in "growing your own."  He said he might look outside the department, but there is a lot of talent right here in the Lehigh Valley. 

Will he run for the job? "I can't give you an answer right now,."he said, noting he is 68 years young. He did acknowledge that he has a competitive spirit that he developed in his youth as a point guard who dealt with bigger players. .

I can think of no person better suited to make the transition from floor general of a basketball court to Allentown's point guard.

But if Jay Vaughan applies, I'm with him.