Gross Unanimously Confirmed as Allentown's New Solicitor

At a special meeting of Allentown City Council last night, Attorney John F "Jack" Gross was unanimously confirmed as Allentown's Solicitor. He succeeds Matt Kloiber, who has resigned to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. 

Mayor Matt Tuerk told Council he was very thankful for the services that Kloiber provided, After Kloiber informed him in early May that he would be stepping down, he approached Gross as one of the first lawyers he got to know after moving to the Queen City. He said he was "incredibly pleased and honored" that Gross would consider this new role. He called the Solicitor an "incredibly important position." He said every decision he makes is first vetted by the legal department.  

Though Gross' salary was originally set at $50,000, there was a possibility that the actual amount paid could be much higher, depending on billable hours. The parties agreed to an annual payment of $70,000, with the understanding that it would be capped at that amount. 

Tuerk said Gross would be paid annually, with no benefits. 

Gross is the grandson of John "Jack" Gross and great-grandson of Malcolm Gross, both of whom served as Mayors of Allentown. He said he considered the nomination "an honor."

Council member Cynthia Mota told Gross, "I like the fact that you went to Allentown Schools." He graduated from William Allen High School. "I went to Dieruff," joked Council President Daryl Hendricks. 

Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach asked whether Gross donated to any members of City Council and was told he had not.

Council member Santo Napoli, who has been represented by Gross, called him a person of  "the highest integrity." 

Gross is the managing partner at Allentown's Gross McGinley law firm. 

In other business, Nadeem Eli Shahzad was unanimously confirmed as Human Resources Director with an annual salary of $128,000.

Mayor Matt Tuerk told City Council that he advertised for the position twice, and received no qualified applicants. He had to use a search firm. He said public sector experience is "critically important." Shahzad's interest in Human Resources is in "serving people," said the Mayor. He will have to update an employee handbook that has needed one since 2009 and change a culture in which employees are disrespected. 

"Human Resources is one of the most important functions we have," said Shahzad. He called Allentown's 800 employees "ambassadors" for the city. He is a Pakistani immigrant who came her with $200. He has two Master's degrees from Villanova and Long Island University. He worked for Nassau County and several other public entities for 10 years, and has also worked in the private sector. He is also an adjunct professor. 

He told Council member Ed Zucal that he currently lives in New Jersey, but if confirmed, will establish residence in Allentown. 

Council member Candida Affa told Shahzad that he wears many hats, but HR Director is a demanding position. "My major responsibility is where my paycheck comes from," said Shahzad.