Right now, we are in the middle of an important election cycle that might very well be the battle for the soul of a nation,. Incumbent Donald Trump, who is infected with the very disease he downplayed, is waging his typically ugly and mean-spirited campaign to retain power. In addition, we have a local Congressional race between Susan Wild and Lisa Scheller, to say nothing of several state house seats. Common sense would dictate that those considering local office next year would keep their powder dry until we at least know who won the current races. But that's not the way Matt Tuerk, an economic development guy rolls. He announced on Facebook yesterday that he's running for Mayor, and has Charlie Thiel as his campaign guru.
I heard Thiel's name mentioned quite a bit during the trial of disgraced Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski.
The last thing Allentown needs is a transplant from another area who promises to rejuvenate the city with someone who promises to create a city "truly open for business, creating jobs and bringing prosperity to every corner ... ."
Turek spent the past eight years with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. In that time, he could have helped create a city "truly open for business, creating jobs and bringing prosperity to every corner ... ." If he failed to do it when his sole job was economic development, he certainly will fail as a Mayor with considerably more to do.
Like digging Allentown out of the financial mess it's in.
No doubt there will be a plethora of pretenders and contenders. Only one of them can read a budget. Only one can put the Queen City back on a sound financial footing. Only one understands that Allentown has already had too many economic development types at the helm. Only one has created affordable housing without asking for a LERTA, TIF, KOZ, NIZ, CRIZ or any of the alphabet soup of handouts that government falls all over itself to provide to rich guys.
That person is Nat Hyman.
And he's actually from the City.
Expect an announcement. But expect it after the current election, so everyone can catch their breath.
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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Wednesday, October 07, 2020
12 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.
The guy is an Economic Development geek. They are all into rubbing elbows with the business class and giving money to those who don't need it. It is an insiders game an there are far to many of them. The gentile socialism of government and business is usually a loss for the average taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand Hyman is a real businessman and that is not necessarily a good thing in government. These guys are use to running the show and moving the pieces where they want. In the private sector where you run the show you can do what you want.. In the public sector he has unions, career and civil service and of course the legislature.. Bureaucracy is an ocean liner not a speedboat. Most of the business guys that get into government crash and burn. You tend to go all in when you love someone and you love Hyman, Tine will tell what happens. Unless he registers as A Democrat he will lose for sure despite you public relations work..
Black and Hispanic Ds hate Jews, which is perfectly acceptable in their new version of the party. The parties have perfectly flipped in this regard. Nat has no chance, which is terrible but true. He was slammed with blood lies the last time. The current atmosphere encourages it even more.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this guy but all of these economic development people are do nothing paper pushers. The first election was stolen from Hyman by Ray's sneaky write in campaign. But if this city misses a second chance to vote him in, it is doomed. He is clearly the most qualified candidate. I just hope you're right Bernie and he runs.
ReplyDeleteI do not live in Allentown so maybe it is unkind of me to enjoy the antics of the "candidates" that surface for office in Allentown. I know the Dems consider their party to be so "inclusive" but come on, please, do you really want to foster these folks who could be considered, at best, somewhat challenged?
ReplyDeleteHyman For Mayor!
ReplyDeleteIf Tuerk wins, Thiel will be his Managing Director.
ReplyDeleteSome tell me Thiel should have been indicted during the Pawlowski fiasco.
O'Connell is looking OK right now, but he won't run, his wife is very ill.
Watch out for Leonard Lightner.
Will be very interesting .
If Tuerk wins, Thiel will be his Managing Director.
ReplyDeleteSome tell me Thiel should have been indicted during the Pawlowski fiasco.
O'Connell is looking OK right now, but he won't run, his wife is very ill.
Watch out for Leonard Lightner.
Will be very interesting .
Guridy doesn't have a chance.
The city is $45 million in debt. Charlie Thiel and Ce Ce Gerlach ran the school district into the ground with millions in debt every year. Hyman is the only one who is capable of turning this sinking ship around. That kind of debt requires a smart businessperson who knows their finance. Gerlach, Siegel and the rest of their crew will tell the voters about all of the wonderful social programs they want to put into place but they have no idea how to pay for them. If anyone doesn't vote for Hyman they are morons. He's the only choice and a slam dunk winner.
ReplyDeleteCandidates:
ReplyDeleteDemocrats:
Tuerk
Gerlach
Siegel
Guridy
Lightner
Hendricks
Maclean
Palmer
Rosario
Ortiz
Hyman
O'Connell
HAVE FUN ????????????????
Democrats running:
ReplyDeleteTuerk, Gerlach, Siegel, Guridy, Lightner, Hendricks, Maclean, Palmer, Rosario, Ortiz, Hyman, O"Connell
HAVE FUN VOTERS.
If that's the ballot, I've got to vote for Hyman. All of the others combined don't have half of his knowledge or experience.
ReplyDeleteFor me , all this speculation about potential Allentown Mayoral candidates is just a spectator event for mw to watch ...I will be just an observer of the fray ... I wonder what voice will emerge in East Allentown to take up the mantel of leadership there now that Lou Herschman has died and I moved away. Bob Smith is still there but will he take the initiate to encourage East Siders to speak up on issues important to them and equally important to him ...
ReplyDelete