Allentown Keeps Its Three City Council Incumbents

Allentown Democrats have voted to keep incumbent Council members Ce-Ce Gerlach, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa around for another four years.  They were the top vote getters in a field of seven candidates. Gerlach led all candidates with 2,765 votes, followed by Napoli (2,270) and Affa (1,921)

The winning candidates were followed by Luis Acevedo (1,725), Sarina Torres (1,585), Rodney Bushe (1,335) and Tino Babayan (1,101). 

I'm a bit shocked that a person who dropped an underage runaway at a tent city, where he was sexually propositioned, would be the top vote getter. But that's me.

Source: Lehigh County Election Results

Candida Affa Seeks Seat on Allentown City Council

FROM CANDIDA AFFA: - Candida Affa, a successful businesswoman with a long record of community service, announced today that she is running for Allentown City Council.

“I’m excited and proud of all the progress that has been made to inject new life into downtown Allentown,” Affa said. “But there is still more work to be done. I would like to help the city to keep moving forward.”

Affa might be best known as the owner of Candida’s Bar in Old Allentown, but her volunteerism has shown a commitment to the Allentown community for decades.

Affa was one of the founders of FACT of the Lehigh Valley when it formed in 1986. Fighting AIDS Continuously Together has since raised more than $2 million to support individuals and families affected by HIV.

Affa has also started programs that teach children how to keep their neighborhood clean and rewards neighborhood children for bringing home good report cards.

Affa currently serves as vice chairman of the Allentown Parking Authority Board of Directors and is also a member of the city’s Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals and the Blighted Property Review Board.

Union Agent Seeks Re-election to Allentown City Council

Allentown City Councilman Joe Davis, first elected four years ago, is seeking a second term. A former union bricklayer who now works as n agent in five different counties, Joe is urban growth regime cheerleader. He supports Republican J.B. Reilly and all the tax cuts because it means temporary jobs for his boys. But once the last brick is laid, what's he gonna' tell his boys? This union support is myopic, which will become more obvious once the NIZ dream starts turning into a nightmare.

“The city is undergoing a major restoration and revival and we need to continue this momentum to bring more family-sustaining jobs into Allentown,” Davis said. “I believe in Allentown and I want to help sustain the effort."

“I am accessible," he claims. "I encourage residents to bring their issues to me. I want to continue to serve the residents of this great city in any way that I can."

He may be sincere. I hope he is. But I have a problem with him if he is serving city residents from the City/ANIZDA box at the PPL Center.

Born in Bethlehem, Davis has lived in Allentown for 32 years with his wife Yolanda. They have two daughters, Adrianne and Serena, both of whom are graduates of Dieruff High School.

He was also a Properties of Merit Cheerleader.

Though he claims to be accessible, I am reluctant to release his contact information without permission.

Glazier Asks Voters to Elect Him to Allentown City Council

Jeff Glazier should understand the needs and concerns of small business owners better than most. His family has owned and operated the prestigious Glazier's Furniture Store, located on Hamilton Street, for the past century. Jeff is the third generation owner. He issued a news release yesterday to indicate he's running for Allentown City Council.

Glazier states he's running for re-election, but if truth be told, he's never been elected to this office. He's been appointed twice, If elected, it  will be the first time his appointment comes from the voters.

But he's no stranger to electoral politics. He served for three terms on Alentown's School Board, including a stint as President.

In addition to being an appointed City Council member, Jeff is also a member of the Planning Commission. This is inappropriate. A Planning Commission is an advisory body to City Council. When it is composed of members who also sit on City Council, it makes little sense to call it advisory.

Glazier, in my view, is part of the Lehigh Valley Urban Growth Regime, and has pretty much been a rubber stamp for Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. On the other hand, he is transparent and has never failed to answer an email. Though I'm suspicious, I'd like to hear him explain how he differs from the City Administration.

He is also well-suited to City service, having both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Public Administration from PSU.

Updated 9:10 am to correct a factual error in the story as originally published.