While I was communing with nature in NorCo, Allentown restaurateur Don Ringer was getting tossed out an Allentown City Council meeting for daring to speak truth to power. My name was also taken in vain. I saw a video of the meeting over the weekend.
At the beginning of the meeting, Ringer approached the podium and said, "I cringe when I hear [Courtney] Robinson making statements about finances. I have three papers here that show Mr. Robinson doesn't pay his bills." He then detailed two instances in which Robinson was sued for back rent and another incident involving unpaid tickets.
I have previously written that Robinson's landlord sued him twice, in 2012 and 2014, for nonpayment of rent. He also pleaded guilty in 2013 to parking a junker on someone's private property, so I doubt he's very sensitive to quality of life issues in an urban environment.
What appears to have set Ringer off is his belief that Robinson lied to him. "You lied to me, Courtney!" he exclaimed. "You said that it was a misunderstanding with you and the parking authority. It was not a misunderstanding. Your car was booted because you had at least 2-3 parking violations against you or you didn't pay your bills. Is that true or false?"
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This was too much for Ringer He tried arguing from the back, but the po po hooked him. Don't know if they tazed him, but he's white so he's probably ok.
Everyone else was more responsible. They just barfed.
Robinson finished his soliloquy by piously pronouncing that his bummery has made him the great success he is today.
His finishing flourish? "This is not something new. Bernie O'Hare has been blasting me for this for three years."
And in any other community, no group of voters would allow Robinson to have any say in its money.
Morning Call reporter Emily Opilo tweeted that in all her years of covering the City, she never saw anyone booted. I've seen it happen to one wing nut who would demand an apology and then just stand there until his three minutes were up.
In some cases people are more and more whacky at meeti8ngs. It seems they feel it is an open forum to just go crazy. If they want pot debate at a meeting, run for the office.
ReplyDeleteRobinson is likely the worst person on council right now, and that's saying something for that bunch. So I don't disagree with anything Don Ringer said.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a lot of respect for Don Ringer, and appreciate his attendance at meetings.
That said, Courtesy of the Floor was not the time to bring this up. Don's been at enough meetings to know better.
People can disagree - strongly - about issues, but it should end there. This was personal, and the wrong venue for it.
It's an appropriate subject for a Letter to the Editor, political fliers, bottom-feeding blogs, etc. But not at a public meeting that's supposed to be discussing city business.
Where exactly did you see that Doe? She looks like she would be good eating. Archery season
ReplyDeletestarts Saturday and I could use some fresh meat.
The doe was one of several along the tatamy-palmer bike path, just below Penn Pump Park. She told me to tell Hokie Joe to go fuck himself.
ReplyDelete@6:43
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that Mr(s) Robinson is terrible, the worst person and the most clueless far and away is Ms. Mota. She brings absolutely nothing to the table, cannot put together a coherent sentence and is lacking the basic knowledge to perform her duties. At least Mr(s) Robinson is well spoken.
Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?
I appreciate Mr. Ringer bringing attention to the incompetence on City Council.Allentown needs more like Him
ReplyDelete9:21 -
ReplyDeleteI understand your point, but Mota seems less likely to actively do harm since, as you note, "she brings absolutely nothing to the table".
By contrast, Robinson brings failed ideas from other cities and actually seems far enough detached from reality that he believes that his policies are somehow good for the city. In my mind, that makes him much worse.
Certainly a fine line, with Affa and Guridy also in the hunt. While we've certainly had bad council members before, it's hard to remember when we've had this many serving at one time.
Artillery guys don’t exercise in the rain . Only Infantrymen will do , 0311 or 0331 . Marines never are under a embrella. .They just get rained on . . So I expect your not out exercising today.
ReplyDeleteHokie Joe is no doubt either Jerry Seyfried or Joe Z.
ReplyDeleteThat can't be! Hokie Joe is always insulting me and making fun of me. Jerry S has defended me on multiple occasions. Just last week, when I was ridiculed for not being fluent in multiple languages, he told my critics that I know French quite well,and has heard me say croissant and buffet many times. Joe Z is too busy walking
ReplyDelete"Artillery guys don’t exercise in the rain . Only Infantrymen will do , 0311 or 0331 . Marines never are under a embrella. .They just get rained on . . So I expect your not out exercising today
ReplyDeleteDid three miles today Peter, but at a gym. But in the artillery, we never let rain stop us. In my battery, we'd say, "If it ain't rainin,' we ain't trainin'." While out there, we were routinely sent to fetch Marines who got lost. Most of them would be crying, but would settle down after a few lullabies.
Marines, the boy scouts of the military. All uniform.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Bernie. Your right , today in the grunt units ,they will not mis an opportunity at Fort Benning ,Ga. with this bad weather approaching. They will train in bad weather intentionally. Camp LeJeune ,N.C.going to 2 nd phase of lock down today and MCRD at PI ,S.C. They moved recruits off post because of dangerous conditions in forecast. I’m bust n on you as I was alsoArmy artillery myself.
ReplyDeleteAlways remember the difference between Marines and Boy Scouts. The Scouts have adult leadership. The Marines evacuated Parris Island.Tuesday the S.C. Governor lifted the evacuation for Southern Coastal Counties
ReplyDeleteThe mission of MCRD is the installment of a thought process ,along with having each Marine grad know basic criticism. Boy Scouts are a great learning organization for younger males. One way or other coming from Marine boot camp or Army basic training ,notice the terminology is different., Marines know more and are in a greater physical condition without any question. I know because I’ve been both ,have you Anon9:53? Your assertion that the Marine Commander made some “ mis- judgements moving new recruits to GA. Is behind the curve. He moved the training site to continue a mission as they knew the risk at the time . Safety is a big deal . MCRD property is at sea level . Not 400 feet above like College Hilll. Marine command structure is required to do “ Risk assessment prior to ANY movement or operations. The place you work for ,does not do that. Good day .
ReplyDeleteSpent 8 weeks at P.I in 1967.Currently living in Garden City S.C.The weather forecast track is moving every few hours.Brooked a room in Georgetown but the track moved South
ReplyDeleteHead up to Pa., Southern man.
ReplyDeleteThey really rushed you through , Vienam War was tuneing up ,and I bet you sir were not drafted. Semper Fi.
ReplyDeleteI want to pay my respect s to your Southern man Bernie. He was in the Marine Corps when things were in chaos,and he served during a very dangerous period. You know him . I don’t Evan know his name . But , He is a hero. He is a mans man . My hat off to him . I would guess he walked into the recruiter s office and was not drafted. This would be a man that is an example of humble ,reserved and of honor. God bless him.
ReplyDeletePeter, You would like Southern Man, and he you.
ReplyDeleteWell Bernie, he saw more than me in his eara.. Men like him dwarf me. I admit it here ,being in I Corps in his day was an adventure every day in Vietnam . I was on vacation compared to him .
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