Iron Lady Explains Need For Ethical Inquiry in Allentown

The Iron Lady

Not long ago, The Morning Call's Bill White penned a petulant as opposed to pensive column defending his newspaper's subpar Allentown coverage as thorough and fair. "[M]isrepresentations" to the contrary were dismissed as "hogwash." Since that time, the paper has failed to write a word about Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's bungled quarterly senate expense report, which somehow missed about $38,000 in contributions, and has drawn a rare letter of inquiry from the FEC. Most recently, he himself has suggested that an Allentown City Council investigation into unethical behavior by its elected officials is a "bad idea." He's told Allentown's very own Iron Lady, Jeanette Eichenwald, to "butt out."

Here's what the Iron Lady says.

Dear Mr. White

In reference to your column dated 10/13/15, it is the responsibility of Allentown City Council according to the charter in section 210 to hold an investigation, open to the public and with subpoena power, if there is suspected unethical behavior by city elected officials. Obviously, it is the responsibility of the FBI to investigate illegal activity but it falls to City Council to investigate unethical behavior not rising to the status of illegality. This process is meant to provide the citizens of Allentown with good government.

It has come to the attention of city council members that city funds were allegedly spent to sweep the office of the mayor in a quest to locate hidden FBI listening devices; that taxpayer funds were allegedly used to purchase burner phones; that employees in City Hall were allegedly ordered to erase emails after the first FBI raid of City Hall, that employees were allegedly threatened with dismissal from their jobs if they did not respond to questioning by authorities in a manner deemed appropriate by the administration; that employees were allegedly ordered to participate in campaign activities during work hours and other alleged issues. I repeat, these issues are not under the auspices of the FBI investigation but do compromise the integrity of the government of the City of Allentown. It is a wrong assertion that investigating these issues will interfere with the FBI investigation.

If you do not take the time or have the interest to do your own thorough investigation into how this proposed inquiry differs from that of the FBI, rather than create a fiasco, butt out.

Jeanette Eichenwald

Jeanette is obviously correct. Her real problem is that she's the only member of that Council who is an independent thinker. Those rubber stamps aren't going to investigate themselves anymore than Bethlehem City officials will recognize that they are just as heavily involved in pay-to-play as those in Allentown.

Glazier Defends Eichenwald Reform Delay

Thanks to a bad back that occasionally flares up, I was unable to attend the Allentown City Council Committee that has decided to delay taking any action on Jeanette Eichenwald's bill to provide for more oversight over city contracts. Fortunately, activist Lou Schupe videotaped the lengthy hearing. The fireworks begin near the end, when Eichenwald confronts Jeff Glazier. He's the council member who unilaterally decided to delay her bill.

Eichenwald approached at the end of the meeting. She noted that once a bill has been introduced and seconded, it is customarily reviewed by a committee. But Glazier wants her reform measure reviewed by an "ad hoc" committee that includes citizens. She found it ironic that Glazier, who ordinarily wants nothing but silence from the public at meetings, would suddenly want to reach out. She indicated Council has had ample opportunity to research good government reforms in the six weeks since the FBI raid. "The citizens of Allentown are looking for good government, and it is the responsibility of members of City Council to do what is in their utmost capability to provide that. I am extraordinarily upset about this decision and I find it inappropriate and certainly not in the interest of good government."

Glazier defended his decision, calling himself a "most astute observer of things on Council." He stated that Eichenwald has herself delayed placing a gun bill that has been introduced by the administration.

"We were told by the law department, our own Solicitor, that we should not have that particular legislation here, that it would open us up to be sued.

Glazier then stated he wanted "to take a few moments" to understand the "ramifications of the bill" and then actually seemed to complain that the bill is too much like a similar contract oversight law in Bethlehem and that his agenda was too full that night.

Sticking to her guns, the Iron Lady accused Glazier of delaying the bill, calling it a "disservice to the citizens of Allentown."

In an exchange with reform activist Robert Trotner, Glazier stated he supports the bill.

Daryl Hendricks justified dragging his feet, and complained about "new legislation." He supports a delay of six to eight weeks and said it is "very unfair" to accuse him of being part of the problem because he was a cop.

The bill is scheduled for review on September 10.

Behind the Curtain, Allentown Burying Eichenwald Reform Measure

Robert Glazier, below the egg timer

Jeanette Eichenwald, who I like to call Allentown's very own Iron Lady, has opted against seeking a third term on City Council. But even in her last moments on Council, she is fighting hard for good government. She recently joined hands with Lehigh County Republican Vic Mazziotti to push a reform aimed at curbing pay-to-play. Prior to that, she proposed legislation that will give Council more oversight over how contracts are awarded. Though Julio Guridy has seconded the measure, Council members are trying to kill it in committee.

After its formal introduction last week, Eichenwald's reform was forwarded to Jeff Glazier's Budget and Finance Committee. But he refuses to conduct a hearing. This is completely contrary to what happens after a bill is introduced and seconded. Here's the run down, as it appears in an email chain that is public record.

Eichenwald to Clerk Mike Hanlon: "Did you forget to include in the Budget and Finance Agenda a discussion of the legislation to amend the manner in which service contracts are awarded introduced by Jeanette Eichenwald and Julio Guridy?"

Hanlon to Eichenwald: "Jeff did not want it on this agenda."

Allentown's Iron Lady

Eichenwald To President Ray O'Connell and Council: "Ray, The fact that Jeff Glazier has unilaterally decided that the contract bill is not on the Budget and Finance Committee agenda is absolutely disgusting and a disservice to the citizens of Allentown. It is customary procedure that once a legislation is seconded and assigned to committee, that legislation is placed on the committee agenda for the next meeting which in this case is August 26th. Jeff certainly has the right to vote against this legislation, but he does not have the right to stifle discussion on it. If Jeff does not want this legislation to be on the agenda of his committee, then Ray, as the president of the city council, has the right to assign it to a different committee.

Ray, as president of city council I expect you to enforce the customary procedure and avoid the need of my going to the public.

O'Connell to Eichenwald: "Jeff is the chairperson of Budget and Finance and has asked that it be not on this agenda due to the fact that he wants to form an ad hoc committee made up of council members and community members to do research on the topic and look at how other places handle this topic. With that being stated I support his decision and it will get on the council agenda in the VERY near future. I would respectfully ask that you support this endeavor.This is very important legislation going forth. Thank you.

Eichenwald to O'Connell and Council: "Here we go again. The plan that you and Jeff put forward is a delay tactic. The motion will be delayed again and again with the excuse that the Budget and Finance Committee is too busy reviewing next year's budget. Nothing that you have proposed obviates the fact that the legislation should be included in this month's agenda. You either want city council to have greater input in the awarding of contracts or you wish to continue the procedure that has led to an FBI investigation placing a dark cloud over the city. I and the citizens of Allentown will not be silenced by this disgusting ploy. There is absolutely no reason not to begin the discussion on this important issue NOW!! You can vote against the motion; you can create myriad ad hoc committees to discuss and research the motion; you can even hire consultants to study the motion, but it must be introduced NOW!!

Updated 1:10 pm: O'Connell denies desire to let bill die. His exact words: "There is no way shape or form that I want to kill this bill. This bill is certainly needed in Allentown.Jeff Glazier is the chair of Budget and Finance and asked me and others on the committee that he wants to form an ad hoc committee made up of council members and community members to get more insight and input concerning the bill. He would be looking at other cities,municipalities to gain the best practices available.

"I support that decision. I will not let this drag on for a long time. I would surely like to see something introduced and
voted on no later than the end of September. This is too important of legislation to rush it.

"Thank you for listening.'

Eichenwald Joins Mazziotti's Pay-to-Play Push Back

Jeanette Eichenwald and Vic Mazziotti

Earlier this week, I told you that Commissioner Vic Mazziotti is introducing a pay-to-play ban in Lehigh County. He introduced his legislation on Wednesday night, and is "confident" that it will pass. With some luck, it might even spread. Jeanette Eichenwald, an Allentown City Council member whom I like to call the Iron Lady because of her firm resolve, read over Mazziotti's outline, liked what she saw and intends to introduce it in Allentown. She was in Lehigh County's audience on Wednesday when Mazziotti made his pitch. And Vic will be sitting with the unwashed masses when Eichenwald presents this ban to Pawlowski's Puppets next week.

Democrat Eichenwald and Republican Mazziotti stood together yesterday outside the Lehigh County government center, to discuss their proposal. From a few floors above, I was sure Executive Tom Muller might drop a few water balloons, especially since I was there. But he spared us. For all I know, he might even agree with this proposal.

Mazziotti stated that, in reaction to what appears to be an intensive federal pay-to-play practices, he has been approached by many members of the public who are "sick," "amazed" and "distraught." He explained that they "look for elected officials to respond. They're tired of hearing crickets." Hence his legislation.

For her part, Eichenwald stated she is "honored" to be part of a solution "that transcends party affiliation." Se called it a Win, Win, Win. Vendors would win because they no longer will fell obligated to make contributions as a cost of doing business. Citizens will win because they will see better goods and services. Elected officials will win because they can concentrate on good government.

Of course, this law can be avoided by funneling money to a few PACs and letting them make the contributions. Mazziotti agreed, but added, "There's a way around just about every law out there."

Both Eichenwald and Mazziotti would like to see a statewide solution, but Mazziotti stated that people want action now. Eichenwald stressed that the ban being proposed survived a court challenge in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court  They both argued that doing nothing is no longer an option.

Mazziotti, a sometimes fire-breathing conservative, quoted from John F. Kennedy. "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality." Kennedy was referring to Dante's Inferno, in which Dante passes by a group of dead souls meandering outside the gates of Hell. They are barred from entering either heaven or Hell because they never chose sides, making them distasteful to both God and Satan.

Mike Schware, a Lehigh County Commissioner like Mazziotti, appears to have taken a side.

Ron Beitler, a Lower Macungie Commissioner who I finally had the privilege to meet, was also at the news conference. He is considering similar legislation in his Township.

This legislation has also made its east of Route 33 and is being considered by several members of NorCo Council. There are even some members of the business community who are considering a pledge to curtail the amounts of money currently being poured into political coffers.

But some refuse to take sides. Despite an invitation from Eichenwald, no other member of Allentown City Council attended the news conference. Are they the lost souls mentioned by Virgil?

And he to me: "This miserable way
is taken by the sorry souls of those
who lived without disgrace and without praise.
They now commingle with the coward angels,
the company of those who were not rebels
nor faithful to their God, but stood apart.
The heavens, that their beauty not be lessened,
have cast them out, nor will deep Hell receive them -
even the wicked cannot glory in them."

Updated 10 am: Hozza also takes aim at pay to play, as reported in The Whitehall-Coplay Press. The Morning Call reports what could only be called tepid support from Pawlowski's Puppets. One member, Daryl Hendricks, ridiculously suggests it could interfere with the federal investigation.

The Iron Lady Endorses Bell, Velez, Todd and Donovan

She's the Iron Lady of Allentown politics. A Democrat, she looks a bit like argaret Thatcher. Her politics are completely different, but Jeannette Eichenwald has the same steely resolve. She has been the sole voice on Allentown City Council to speak for open government and transparency. She is the sole small "d" Democrat. And at a news conference yesterday, she made it clear that she supports Carmen Bell, Kim Velez and Alfonso Todd in this year's race. She also supports Michael Donovan, who is running for Mayor as an Independent.

Here's why.

"They truly represent the ideals of democratic government. There should be discussion, opportunity for the citizens of Allentown to be part of this very crucial decision. It is their water. It is our water that is presently under consideration for being leased for close to five decades. Every opportunity that we had to allow for real citizen input beyond just merely a discussion at some of the meetings. First, we wanted to create a committee, and that was denied by the other members of City Council. We tried that twice. To have the discussion on the ballot of the water leasing; twice denied by other members of City Council.

"We need a City Council that will have open discussion, free discourse, for only in that way will we best serve the citizens of Allentown."

Eichenwald: A Teachable Moment

When Allentown council member Jeanette Eichenwald speaks, it's as though someone just threw open a window to let a fresh breeze soar through the room. I've seen her in action four times now, and she is one of very few local government officials who really believes in transparency.

To give you some perspective, just look at how some of her colleagues acted on Thursday night. As soon as Parks Director Greg Weitzel had finished his presentation, council members Julio Guridy and Davie Howells broke out the pom poms.

Julio Guridy immediately declared that Weitzel had answered his concerns about park security. And as Pawlowski had played the religion card, Guridy played the race card with this mean-spirited jab. "The park does not belong to just a few people." When the audience groaned, he snapped "I'd like to have a little respect from the public." Really? Then how about giving it?

Howells was even worse. Without having listened to a word from the public, he droned on with condescending comments like "Take Davie's word for it, this is not going to cause any trouble" and "If you trust in Davie Howells, trust in this plan." Davie, you lost in a primary. I think it's safe to say voters no longer trust you. Howells also had a nasty habit of turning his back on speakers, especially if they went over their allotted three minutes.

Eichenwald, in well-chosen words, put her finger on the problem, and this was after listening to the public. A link to her video is here, and this is some of what she said.

"To me, the issue is absolutely not at the playground. I look forward to bringing my children, my grandchildren, to play with all your children and grandchildren. I am sure it all adds to the enjoyment of living here. But I do think, recently on a national level we had a discussion about teachable moments, and on a local level, this, too is a teachable moment. It tells us the difficulty rises not from the issue, but from our lack of a dissemination of information in a timely and correct manner.

"When people are given the opportunity to ask questions, such as there are this evening, and are given the opportunity to have with us members of the administration, then the questions are answered and we can move forward.

"I'm still concerned about several issues - security, flooding, parking, safety, noise - and I hope that our administration will continue to disseminate information, to keep us informed and to make sure we are in receipt of as much information as possible.

"In knowledge there is power and in knowledge there is understanding. I look forward to continue to walk in the beauty of our parks, and I hope, Mr. Weitzel and administration, that you are willing to respond to the citizens at large as well as council and provide us with information. And I, too, look forward, whether it's by computer or in my hand, to have the construction plans and to follow them as they proceed along."