Molovinsky's Petty Ad Hominem

Bill White behind Hall of  Famer Jim Gregory

On April 8, Morning Call columnist Bill White alerted his readers that he's seeking his annual nominations for his Hall of Fame  He followed that up with a blog entry on April 10. In the process, he mentioned many, but not all, of his previous selections for this modern-day equivalent of the ducking stool.  This exposes them to community derision again. It really is a horrible thing to do. What bothers me most is that I never thought of it.

One of the people Bill neglected to mention is me. I was inducted a few years ago, though I had to share the honor with Dennis Pearson.

This disappointed blogger Michael Molovinsky. He apparently was looking forward to seeing me held up to scorn. When that failed to happen, he offered up several ridiculous conspiracy theories.

They involve the Keystone Press awards and a picture of Bill that I took of him sitting behind Jim Gregory at Charlie Dent's recent town hall. .Gregory, incidentally, is another Hall of Famer. Bill White neglected to mention him, too I'll leave it to Molovinsky to determine why. I'm sure he knows.

I have a theory of my own for this omission.

Bill forgot. He never said he was identifying every person upon whom he bestowed his dubious honor. But I'm sure he'll make up it now because he's an award-winning columnist, damn it.

And Molovinsky isn't. He has actually suggested himself as a replacement of Paul Carpenter as the local misanthrope, but has never learned to use proper punctuation or grammar.

His ad hominem at both White and me is a  petty and mean-spirited display by a jealous man.  He should stick to his attacks on women.  

Wehr's Dam Saved, Thanks to Efforts by Allentown Blogger

Thanks to the untiring efforts of people like Allentown Blogger Michael Molovinsky, South Whitehall Township's Wehr's Dam has been saved. At least for now. Probably the smartest move he made was to ask me to stay away. I had offered to bring cupcakes.

Molovinsky Shines in State House Debate (Updated)

This past Saturday morning, while most of you were doing your weekend chores and a lucky few got to sleep in, three candidates for the 183rd state house seat - a statewide office - were at a largely empty middle school in South Whitehall Township, debating before a small group of camp followers. It's a gerrymandered distict that includes municipalities like parts of South Whitehall and North Catty, which have little in common, in two different counties. This is the only chance voters had to see long-time incumbent Julie Harhart, a Republican who has been in office since 1995, defend her record against Democrat Terri Powell, a title agent hoping to ride gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf's coattails into office. It was the only opportunity for Independent Michael Molovinsky, a long-time community activist, to tell Powell and Harhart that both of their messages are wrong. Did they waste their time? In a democracy, the answer has to be No. And in this case, the candidates are lucky because, though the debate itself was sparsely attended, there was quite a bit of media coverage. The Morning Call, the weekly Press papers and hyper-local South Whitehall Observer were all present, along with yours truly. It was a fast hour.

Before telling you about the debate itself, I have to acknowledge the dedication of the Lehigh Valley League of Women Voters, I love to make fun of them, but without people like Beverly Hernandez or Joan Dean, there'd be no attempt to inform the voters at all. Newspapers are so concerned about being "objective" that they run from elections, only to return after it's all over to tell everyone how shitty their choices were. This lack of scrutiny is how we end up with people like Karen Dolan. It's also why people who have no ties to special interests, and who are unwilling or unable to spend the fortune required to tell their story, will never get elected.

It's why Michael Molovinsky has no shot. He has refused to curry favor with either of the major parties. He won't spend the money for the seven mailers he'd need to expect to have any hope at all. But to anyone who attended the debate, Michael Molovinsky was head and shoulders the best of the bunch.

He's by no means the nicest. That honor would have to go to the incumbent, Julie Harhart, whose basic decency stood out.during the debate. It's no mystery why she's been in office for ten terms.

Nor was he the best prepared. That distinction goes to Terri Powell, a powerful and confident candidate who came with reams of talking points and papers and recited bill numbers with the certainty of a Bingo caller. By contrast, Molovinsky even forgot his reading glasses.

But Molovinsky, combining his laconic style with a biting wit, was the best orator. His brief "Harriisburg is broken" opening, in which he states that no amount of money is "ever enough for Harrisburg", was still resonating after the other two gave longer openings that largely said nothing.

Charter Schools

Powell is neither for or against them, but stated they should be held to the same standard as public schools. Harhart stated that reform legislation has recently been enacted that will improve them. Molovinsky said they result in de facto segregation, especially in larger cities, and scoffed at schools financed by real estate developers who hire public relations experts to ram them through.

Special Interests, Transparency

Harhart points to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, stating there are "no secrets". Powell pledged to decline large contributions from corporations. Molovinsky stated term limits would discourage a legislator from developing a rapport with special interests. He noted Harhart had pledged to seek only two or three terms, and now is on her tenth. He added she gets a lot of money from the medical industry. "That's because I chair the professional licensure committee," Harhart later explained. "I don't find that answer very reassuring," responded Molovisnky.

Crumbling Infrastructure

Powell noted Pennsylvania's infrastructure is ranked 49th in the nation, and she'd fix that problem by imposing a tax on Marcellus Shale and closing the Delaware loophole. Harhart stated that the recently enacted Transportation Bill, which she conceded she voted against, would bring in seven billion dollars for infrastructure improvements over the next five years. Molovinsky claimed this is a "political football" brought about by mismanagement by both parties. "One need only look at the Turnpike Commission" he observed, wondering what exactly they do.

Taxes on Seniors

Powell stated property taxes continue to rise because Republicans cut education funding, a point sharply disputed by Harhart. "We never cut education funding," she insisted, noting that schools did receive two years of stimulus funding from the federal government and were warned not to spend it on programs. Molovinsky continued to insist there are already enough taxes and revenue. He noted there are 73,000 state employees, and if they have the time to be sending porn emails to each other, perhaps there are too many of them.

Fracking Tax

Harhart supports an impact fee that goes to the municipalities that are impacted by fracking. Powel supports an 11% tax, the same as imposed in every other state that allows fracking. She noted that would raise $1 billion in revenue every year. "We are leaving billions of dollars on the table," she complained. Molovinsky, who supports a tax, noted impact fees only bring in $225 million per year, calling that a "drop in the bucket." He complained that a pipeline coming through the Lehigh Valley is going to degrade this area and we need a revenue tax to protect us from companies that "have more or less gone wild." He also is wary of the DEP and its ability to actually protect the community.

Clean Air, Water

Noting Allentown's recently abandoned plans to convert refuse into energy, Molovinsky noted the project had the blessing of the DEP. "What a Frankenstein mix!" he lamented, "So much for the DEP watching over fracking or anything else. We need to improve the process." He believes more oversight is needed. Powell agreed we have a right to clean air and water, as well as tourism and farming.

Harhart noted that the DEP has received funding to hire more people to provide oversight. She also pointed to recent studies showing that fracking has caused no water pollution.

Municipal bans on guns

Powell went off on a question about municipal bans on guns by stating there should be better checks on mentally unstable people. Noting the state legislation that prevents municipalities from banning guns in parks, she complained that even the KKK will be able to sue.

Harhart brought the argument back to earth, noting that the state law preempts municipalities from most gun issues/. This is because differing municipalities could contradict each other. They could , make the same conduct that is innocent in one municipality,criminal in the next.

Molovinsky stated these are "wedge" issues designed to appeal to panderers and emotion, and faulted both the NRA and gun control advocates for sensationalizing the issue.

Affordable Higher Education

Powell complained she is still paying her student loans and that the "system is a mess" and "we need to do something." Harhart noted there are numerous loans and grants available, "I don't have much interest in the question," noted Molovisnky, who pointed out that people who take these loans agree to pay them. He later noted that paying off a loan itself is educational.

Illegal Immigration

"We need reform," announced Powell, but Harhart noted this is really a federal issue. Molovinsky added that the last time he checked, Pa. is not a border state and wonders what people really mean. "Are we talking about immigration or expressing prejudice?" he asked.

Minimum Wage

All candidates support a hike in the minimum wage, but Harhart would do it incrementally. "You have to be very careful or it could be detrimental to the people you're trying to help," she warned.

When it was all over, LWV member Joan Dean gave this warning: "Your vote is your ticket that brings you to the table; because if you're not at the table, you're probably on the menu."  

Blogger's Note: Michael Molovinsky and I are friends ... I think.  He is also a fellow blogger. I am obviously rooting for him, and wish I could vote for him. Having said that, I do think the other two candidates should be proud of their performances and each had their strong points.

Updated 9:05 pm: The Morning Call's account of the debate notes Molovinsky's strong performance as well.

Molovinsky Starts Radio Campaign

Credit Michael Molovinsky Facebook page.
This is as close as he gets to a smile.

Blogger Independent state house candidate Michael Molovinsky, who's running for the state house seat held by incumbent Julie Harhart, is the first local candidate this election cycle to start running radio ads. They started airing last week on WAEB-AM.

Democrat Terri Powell, a title agent, is also running for this seat.

Molovinsky is running another campaign to save Wehr Dam, which might matter more than the political race. The Wildlands is on a crusade tear down every dam it sees with grant money. This is the subject of recent Morning Call feature story.

Molovinsky Makes It Official

Photo courtesy of Michael Molovinsky

Michael Molovinsky formally announced his candidacy yesterday for State Representative. Although I was unable to attend his announcement at Wehr's Dam, he has forwarded his remarks. He also tells me he is very close to have the requisite signatures needed to achieve ballot access.

I am formally announcing my candidacy as an independent for State Representative, in the 183rd District. Harrisburg is broken. It doesn't matter if Republicans or Democrats are in charge, it's broke either way. Both sides are paralyzed, pushing yesterday's ideas, and pandering to special interests. One revenue stream after another; Lotteries, casinos, fracking, it's never enough for Harrisburg. There is enough revenue, there are enough taxes, what they need are new priorities, ethics and integrity.

I'm an independent, long time advocate, who wants to bring my tenacity to work in Harrisburg, for the residents of the 183rd, and the entire Lehigh Valley. Because it's not enough to just campaign, and there's an effort under way to demolish Wehr Dam, I will do everything I can to save it. Children and their parents should be able to continue to enjoy the magic and history of the Covered Bridge Park.

My campaign can be followed on Mr. Molovinsky Goes To Harrisburg, an open facebook page.

MIchael Molovinsky

Molovinsky to Run Against Harhart For State Rep

Molovinsky at Allentown City Council

If you ever want to run for public office, the last thing you should do is start a blog. Everything you say can and will be used against you. If you're anything like me, you'll give opponents plenty of ammo, too. Yet blogger Michael Molovinsky, who is both uglier and nastier than I, woke up yesterday morning and decided to run for State representative. He's running in the 183rd against Julie Harhart, who already has Republican opponent Marc Grammes and Democrat Terri Powell.

"We are victimized by ingrained partisan politics, always putting special interests ahead of that of the citizen. We keep adding new revenue streams; lottery, casino, fracking, but never providing the homeowner with the promised tax relief. I have established a facebook page, Molovinsky For State Representative, which will be dedicated to the campaign."

Personally, I could never be a politician. I view them as prey.

Molovinsky Speaks to Sam Bennett

Newspapers generally shy away from coverage of political races especially when they're three years away. Besides, in urban growth regimes like Allentown, democracy is pretty much dead. But Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky, who prefers opinion pieces, did a fairly balanced interview with possible Allentown mayoral candidate Siobhan Sam Bennett yesterday. He even took notes.

It's very well done, and I recommend anyone from Allentown to give it a read.

The Artistry of JCC Hoops

I wish my grandson was playing back in '93, when Michael Molovinsky was photographing the Allentown Jewish Community Center in action. He would do a much better job than I.

A minimalist, Michael will only publish one of three photographs he shared with me. I begged him to post them all, but that's not his style. His photos reveal the intensity and athleticism of the ball players. They also reveal Michael as a very gifted photographer. He's right up there with Dana Grubb and a few of the photographers I see from time to time, working for the dailies. To me, their work is art.

Pooley & Panto Tag Team Molovinsky

It was a rough weekend for blogger Michael Molovisnky. He was tag-teamed.

First, Jefferson Pooley's Allentown Afterthoughts nails MM for a post aimed at “brandnew comers” who “don’t even speak English,” i.e. Latinos. Although stopping short of calling Molovinsky a racist, Pooley concludes that Michael is fanning the flames with "nativist pandering." Molovinsky is a miserable bastard, almost as rotten as me, but he's certainly no racist. No one who knows him would consider him a "nativist." Geez, his family is from Transylvania.

So Pooley's jeremiad failed.

But Easton Mayor Sal Panto knocked Molovinsky out of the ring. Let me describe what has happened. MM, by his own admission, has been taking cheap shots at Hizzoner since he was elected. I suspect, but do not know, that some of this is because Panto is a Democrat.

Whatever his reason, Molovinsky has convinced himself that a new bus terminal in Easton will spell disaster for merchants along Northampton Street. Kinda' like what happened on Allentown's Hamilton Street. But what Molovinsky fails to realize is that Panto's whole focus as Mayor has been to attract more people to Easton sidewalks, even those with more limited incomes. Unlike what happened in Allentown, nobody is trying to sweep poor people under the rug.

Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski hid from Hamilton Street merchants, but Panto will speak to anyone. This is what he told Molovinsky, after noting some of the differences between what happened in Allentown and what is proposed in Easton.

"Now let's talk about how we help these few businesses -- I invite you to come to Easton and make some purchases. You see the whole mission here is to put more feet on the street. That's what our merchants need the most -- a clean and safe business district. We in Easton have a tough time ridding ourselves of this perception that there is crime in our city and our downtown. That is simply not true and with more and more people experiencing our town restaurants and shops they are now realizing that it is just a perception.

"I also invite you to talk to the people, not just me. Talk to the 310,000 visitors last year to the Crayola and Canal Museums. Talk to the 110,000 patrons of the State Theatre (who come to town at night).

"And look for the new projects this year. You will be amazed.

"The urban cores are thriving with art, culture, entertainment and tourists. They appreciate what we have. They even envy what we have. Unfortunately it is easier to sell our cities value to outsiders than to native Lehigh Valley residents.

"I will again invite you to meet face to face. You speak a lot about me on blogs but A) you have never met me; B) you have not accepted my invitations and C) you still want to keep spreading accusations and rumors when you have been given the facts."

Molovinsky mentions this on his blog, but has yet to take Mayor Panto up on his suggestion that they meet face to face. That tells me all I need to know.

Mayor Sal, if MM does eventually make an appointment, it will be after sundown. Make sure you wear a few cloves of garlic around your neck.

Can Allentown's Lowly Citizens Stop Cedar Beach Plan?

Blogger Michael Molovinsky seems to think so. A little-used section of Allentown's Home Rule Charter (Section 11.10-1010) allows 35 registered city voters to petition for placement of one item on the agenda. After a two-day review, the item must be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled meeting of city council.

According to Molovinsky, such an agenda item has been presented to the clerk, and in time for Wednesday night's meeting. The question presented is this: "That the Department of Parks and Recreation shall immediately suspend all implementation of the so named Cedar Creek Plan until which time City Council re-examines certain aspects of that plan and the public is allotted more input."

Although Molovinsky is demanding that the public be provided more input, he has mysteriously disabled comments on this most recent entry.

Molovinsky Bashed for Complimenting Deceased Friend

We're miles apart politically. For example, I think Don Cunningham would be a great governor. But this little bastard has the nerve to call him "easy smile boy." Jealous, I suppose. Despite these differences, Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky is my friend. He cares about people, whether they are minority merchants on Hamilton Street or low-income homeowners forced to undergo systematic home inspections.

Like me, Molovinsky is a product of the 60's and was clearly a big part of Allentown's counter-culture movement. I search titles with a woman who was friendly with Michael in those days. She tells me he was the funniest person she knew. A Lehigh Valley Woody Allen, it's no surprise Molovinsky became friendly with a person he calls a "one man art machine," Gregg Weaver. As Michael tells it, Weaver inspired a generation of young artists. Molovinsky also knew Gregg's wife Fran, and took their wedding picture. He knew her for thirty-eight years.

When Fran died suddenly and unexpectedly, Michael mentioned it to me. It certainly bothers him that both Gregg, a victim of diabetes, and Fran are now gone. At the Chen Arts blog, he reminisces a little at her passing.

"around 1980 fran worked at bethlehem steel. she was a very statuesque woman, and we joked that her presence there was a safety hazard for the men. during this time she produced an amazing series of very large paintings (6X10 ft.) on the open hearth and other aspects of bethlehem steel. these paintings projected enormous energy and were exhibited at kutztown university."

Michael was paying his compliments to a friend. She was the wife of another friend. He paints her as an attractive woman with enough artistic talent to have her work showcased at a local university.

To add to his grief, Michael's story has now been slammed by the Villas , branded as "sexist remarks about a Chen member who died tragically recently. You have no class whatsoever Mike or brains." They add it is "absolutely shameful that Allentown Mayoral Hopeful Mike "3%" Molovinsky is leeringly fixated on a tragically deceased person's 'statuesque' figure. Juyst [sic] incredible. Does he realize it's not 1960 anymore? He's disgusting." "MM is a sexist pig. To attempt to pay tribute to a woman's legacy by invoking memories of her 'shapely figure' (another definition of statuesque) is worse than insensitive, it's telling a lot about the source. But that's the way it is when you live in Memory Lane. Stuck in the '60s."

Obviously, there's nothing even remotely sexist about Michael's compliment. Of all people, I would think the Villas would respect Michael's loss. They instead exploit Fran's death to attempt to alienate Molovinsky from whatever is left of Allentown's art community. In doing so, they just continue to diminish themselves.

They also hurt Michael. In their sick world, that's a bonus.

Yesterday morning, when Fran Weaver was laid to rest in a Lehigh County potter's field, Molovinsky was there to pay his final respects. The Villas were nowhere to be found. But they have a good excuse. They were busy trashing someone on their blog.

Photo Credit: Michael Molovinsky

Molovinsky: Allentown Pushing Hamilton Street Merchants Out

In Allentown, many small businesses have security gates that merchants roll down over their storefronts when they close shop at the end of the day. Blogger Michael Molovinsky, in a nice piece of investigative journalism, tells us Allentown is now giving Hamilton Street merchants ninety days to replace solid gates with mesh, which will cost between two and seven thousand dollars. Ostensibly, this makes it easier to spot fires, but it also makes it easier for potential thieves to break windows and pry open locks.

What's really interesting is that this code is being selectively enforced against Hamilton Street merchants while those on 7th Street get a pass. Why? Is this Allentown's way of pushing those businesses out?

Allentown Mayor Pawlowski & Friends: Dancin' in the Streets!

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Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski , City Council VP Tony Phillips and blogger Michael Molovinsky share the love. I never knew they could dance so well!

Molovinsky the Filmmaker

That bastard, Michael Molovinsky, has been playing with all of us. He portrays himself as some stuffy conservative curmudgeon, but he's really a closet hippie.

Want proof? Check out his touching tribute to Allentown artist Gregg Weaver, a film he made back around '72. If you're a boomer like me, the music and images will bring back memories of a wild time in our nation's history - one we're unlikely ever to see again. His film itself is art.

Palestine in the U.S.S.R.?

Michael Molovinsky tonight posts a link to the story of a Jewish Autonomous Region established by the Soviet Union in 1934. It's fascinating stuff, and Michael tells me he himself only discovered this project last year.

Molovinsky Hits BNN's Top Twenty

Molovinsky on Allentown is a pithy, hyper-local, blog that pretty much confines itself to Allentown and its city government. A critic of myopic government, author Michael Molovinsky has endured many slings and arrows from more established local bloggers. Some have reputedly encouraged, back channel, a boycott of his blog.

Try as they might, this effort to muzzle Molovinsky has failed. He joined BNN's ranks very recently, and is amazingly rated 13th most influential political blog in Pa. That's pretty good for a dude who only rarely strays from Allentown. Our ideologies are completely different. In fact, we completely disagree about a number of things, including the best choice for the vacancy on Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners. But Mike has taught me one thing, if nothing else. Conservatives do care about the less fortunate among us. He demonstrated that pretty clearly with his riveting LANTA posts.

Congrats, Mike!

Mike Molovinsky Wary About LANTA Improvements

After months of ignoring Allentown's suffering Hamilton Street merchants, mass transit provider LANTA finally responded on November 16, with a circulator bus that runs from its new transportation station and along Hamilton Street. Earlier this week, it also announced plans for additional stops on 7th & 8th Streets, close to their intersection with Hamilton Street. I don't know whether this will reunite Hamilton Street merchants with their customer base, but it certainly can't hurt.

Lanta is now being criticized for pandering to the "scumbag lobby." Some don't like seeing "minority areas" or what they call Hooker Central. But it's OK to run a Silverline Express, every half hour, to Victoria's Secret at the LV Mall.

I'm part of that scumbag lobby. State Senator Pat Browne, whose office is located among these mostly minority merchants, has advocated for them, too. But the chief scumbag, by far, is Michael Molovinsky. He believes the only answer that works is the restoration of a transfer station. Here's what he has to say.

You may have read my recent post concerning Lanta on Molovinsky on Allentown. Unless Lanta includes new stops to Allentown's east side, the predicament merchants face will have little improvement. Today a Lanta representative told me this latest change is the extent of their concessions to the merchants. They will not consider restoring even one transfer stop back near Hamilton Street or restoring stops going to Hanover Ave.

This is ironic. Lanta's new Transfer Station was created to help finance a new parking deck for the parking authority. But that authority was created to facilitate shopping in Allentown.

Lanta, Allentown Parking Authority and the City of Allentown are more interested in their agenda to "Move Allentown Forward" and the success of the new parking deck, than they are in the success of this "set of merchants." Unless Lanta is willing to make the necessary concessions to insure that the merchants survive, the Allentown Transfer Station must close. I ask all people from all communities who are fed up to again join me at the Lanta Board Meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 12 noon, 1060 Lehigh St. Allentown.

Mike must know that no one will support closing the Allentown Transfer Station. He'll lose a few scumbags if he insists on that approach. As for me, I'm delighted LANTA has responded at all. It's making a genuine effort to help downtown shop owners. Mike may be right about a transfer station, but it's a tad premature to condemn routing changes before they even occur.

I'll be talking to Hamilton Street merchants this weekend. They know.