Is Allentown Finally Ready For a Ray of Sunshine?

Dark clouds that have surrounded Allentown for the past two years are finally beginning to fade away. Disgraced Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski has finally resigned. Roger MacLean, a well-respected former Police Chief, is Interim Mayor. Starting this past weekend, there's an extra hour of daylight. So it's time to ask whether the Queen City is finally ready for a Ray of Sunshine. That Ray is Ray O'Connell, who just stepped down as Council President a few short weeks ago. City Council will be making its choice soon. You never know what will happen, but it appears that Ray has four votes. That's all he needs.

There is no shortage of people who would like to be Mayor, including some of the several thousand candidates who ran and lost. It's rumored that one of them, Siobhan Sam Bennett, has already called several Council members. I haven't reached out to her to confirm if this is true, but know she already burned her red campaign blazer.

The serious names I've heard are Ray, Roger MacLean, Nat Hyman and Charlie Thiel.

If Roger MacLean wanted this position, he'd be a formidable candidate. But what I've heard is that he has no interest. He did not run for the position, and is already happily employed as a detective for the Lehigh County District Attorney

Nat Hyman, who did run for the job and captured the second highest vote total, is smart, energetic, innovative and reportedly interested. But I suspect Council is wary of this Democrat turned Republican turned Democrat. Although party affiliation means nothing to me, it matters a lot to many elected politicians

Republican turned Democrat Charlie Thiel bugs me. Not because he is a Republican turned Democrat. Because he's full of himself. After having endured 12 years with one narcissist, it's completely foolish to bring in another.

Dan McCarthy, who was named Solicitor by Fed Ed but has not been confirmed, dragged City Council into an executive session last week. On a matter as important as the City's next Mayor, McCarthy wanted to talk about it in the back room.

Though no one asked him, he then proceeded to give a "plainly clear" legal opinion that elected members of City Council like MacLean or O'Connell are ineligible to hold appointed paid positions for a year after they leave office. There is nothing "plainly clear" about that provision at all.In fact, the previous Solicitor, Susan Wild, thought it was "plainly clear" that Council members could be appointed to vacancies left by elected officials. Unlike McCarthy, she was actually confirmed by Council. Council should follow the last real legal opinion it received.

What's "plainly clear" to me is that McCarthy's opinion has Fed Ed's fingerprints all over it. The last thing Fed Ed wants is to see someone from Council appointed to his old job. They called on him to resign, so he'd rather see a former city vendor and contributor like Charlie Thiel in there, who could be controlled by him and lobbyist Jennifer Mann.

It's also "plainly clear" to me that McCarthy's appointment by the now guilty Mayor should be rejected by Council. Fed Ed's successor should be chosen from the ranks of the Council who stood up to him.

This means Ray O'Connell.

Ray's main message? It's the same one he's had since he first ran for City Council. "We, as a City, are only as strong as the School District, and the School District is only as strong as the City."  He said our children and their growth are "vital components" to the City's success. He claimed that 17,000 students in Allentown, or 89%, are from low income families. This is exacerbated by a transient rate of 40%. He described children who attend all four middle schools in the course of one year. "That is unacceptable, totally unacceptable," he said.

Though he believes the school district has made strides, "the city government has failed. We cannot let this continue."

O'Connell believes that the best way for the City and school district to turn things around is through "school-based community revitalization." His plan is to develop areas around the schools and the quality of life for people in those neighborhoods.

"Neighborhoods created this City. East Side. West End. South Side. Northeast. They created this City."

The school district plans to open two schools in 2020. "We need to work with developers to ensure that these schools are built to a healthy standard of living,." he said. Corner groceries.Mentor programs."We would work with the school district to ensure these needs are met. ... We need to come together"

At a school-based community revitalization program in Baltimore, O'Connell noted that state reading standards went from 19% to 78% in five years.

"We can do it here. We do not have dumb children. We need to give them the resources.We need to be with them. We need to give the parents the resources. Every parent I met over the years - they want to do the best for their children. They love their children. They don't have the resources. We, the City and school district, need to bond to give them the resources"

He said that as important as the downtown revitalization is, "we cannot turn our backs" on the rest of the City. "We have to develop the South Side, East Side, Northeast."

"Too many children have not seen success. You grow and you learn from success."

Strong neighborhoods plus strong schools equals a strong city."

You will see Ray O'Connell, Luiz Garcia and Daryl Hendricks at athletic events for these kids like summer basketball and high school games. There is a corps of adults who already are hard at work as mentors. People like Toomey Anderson and Glenn Klein, the most interesting man in the world.

Whoever is appointed faces a tough job because city finances are a mess  Fed Ed actually ignored his most important responsibility as Mayor - public safety. The police and fire departments need to have the equipment they need to keep you safe.

The person best suited to be Mayor is the one who should have won the primary - Ray O'Connell.

O'Connell Write-In Ensures a Fed Ed Victory

For the fourth time, Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski is the Democratic nominee for Allentown Mayor. Though he was under the storm clouds of a federal investigation into political corruption, four percent of the City's Democrats chose him. That was all he needed, thanks to a winner-take-all system of elections and a plethora of candidates who ran for the nomination. I was deeply disappointed to see Ray O'Connell, a man I deeply admire and one who understands Allentown, deprived of the nomination.  This process is about to repeat itself in the general election, even though Fed Ed is now under indictment on 54 counts of corruption charges.

Recent history may repeat itself because, once again, there are numerous candidates. This will enable Fed Ed to win with a plurality of the votes. Though he refused to raise the flag on Syrian Independence Day, he has suddenly become their best friend.  He also has made it a point to reach out to small churches on the east and south side that he previously ignored and will ignore again, once elected.

Nat Hyman is the Republican nominee. He is youthful, energetic, has a terrific sense of humor and is smart. His father was a well-respected physician, and he himself stayed in the Queen City and made it his business headquarters when everyone else was leaving for the 'burbs. The reason he decided to run for Mayor is because he felt he had no choice. Despite Fed Ed's protests that all is well, the City has some serious problems. The redevelopment has slowed. Morale among City workers is terrible. Fed Ed has allowed the Cedar Beach pool contract to get completely out of hand. He is still playing favorites,as evidenced by his removal of basketball rims at the behest of his campaign supporters.

But Hyman has two problems.

The first is that Allentown has become a one-party town. Though there is no Democratic or Republican way if filling a pothole or fixing a pool, Fed Ed has made sure that Democrats have a stranglehold on Allentown. He has viciously attacked Republicans seeking office. Ask Lou Hershman. The seeds of political corruption are still there

Hyman's second big problem is Ray O'Connell, who finished right behind Fed Ed in the Democratic primary.

If the race were just between Ray and Nat, I'd want Ray to win. He may be a bit older than Nat, but is just as energetic, smart and humorous. A former educator, he has great ideas about neighborhood schools. He is the biggest cheerleader that Allen and Dieruff students have,and they need cheerleaders badly. Ray also has experience in government, both on a city and school district level.

But the race is not between Nat and Ray, two men of honor.. This is a race between Nat and disgraced Fed Ed, with two independents thrown in for good measure. Ray has been deprived of a spot on the ballot, so he's waging a Quixotic write-in campaign, hoping that Allentown voters will take the time to type in his name.

Based on what I've seen of Allentown voters, I think Ray is spinning his wheels.

If all of his former opponents backed him, this might work. If the Democratic party opened his mouth and condemned Fed Ed, this might work. But that has not happened.

What's most likely is that, come election day, Ray will have taken away just enough votes from Nat Hyman to ensure a Fed Ed victory. Two men of integrity  will be brushed aside by a Chicago transplant who conducted electronic sweeps of his office,used burner phones and directed campaign donors like Ramzi Haddad to delete incriminating text messages.

There is still a scenario under which O'Connell can become Mayor. Assuming that Fed Ed is elected, he will be forced to resign when he pleads guilty. Under this scenario, Ray would be appointed Mayor, and would have the job until the next election in two years. But what if there is a trial that lasts several months? What good will that do the City?
       
Unlike some others, I had no problem with the crowded primary field. I also have no problem with a person who gets on the ballot as an indie or third-party candidate. Write-in campaigns are fine, too, but should be waged to win, not lose.

I really wish Ray would reconsider. What's best for Allentown is removing Fed Ed. If that means holding your nose and voting for a Republican, you can dump him in four years.      

The O'Connell Formula: Strong Neighborhood + Strong School = Strong City

Ray O'Connell at East Side Youth Center

There was quite a bit of activity yesterday in Allentown's crowded Mayoral race. It started with a Sam Bennett news conference. It ended with a Charlie Thiel wine-and-cheese fundraiser. I had conflicts for Sam's morning event. I was unable to afford Thiel's fundraiser, which is just as well because I am an alcoholic who happens to be allergic to all dairy products. But in the late afternoon, I had time for a Ray O'Connell rally at East Side Youth Center, attended by about 30 of his biggest supporters.

O'Connell, who is a youth sports enthusiast, was fittingly introduced by boxing announcer Mike Mittman. "He is one of us, a man of the people," said Mittman. "When he becomes Mayor, he is going to do what is best for you, the people of Allentown. He is going to do the right thing."

His main message? It's the same one he's had since he first ran for City Council. "We, as a City, are only as strong as the School District, and the School District is only as strong as the City."  He said our children and their growth are "vital components" to the City's success. He claimed that 17,000 students in Allentown, or 89%, are from low income families. This is exacerbated by a transient rate of 40%. He described children who attend all four middle schools in the course of one year. "That is unacceptable, totally unacceptable," he said.

Though he believes the school district has made strides, "the city government has failed. We cannot let this continue."

About 30 people attended O'Connell's presser

At a recent first time home buyer program  hosted by Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, O'Connell noted there were 55 participants. None of them was willing to buy a home in Allentown. Reason? The schools.

O'Connell believes that the best way for the City and school district to turn things around is through "school-based community revitalization."His plan is to develop areas around the schools and the quality of life for people in those neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods created this City. East Side. West End. South Side. Northeast. They created this City.

He noted that the school district plans to open two schools in 2020. "We need to work with developers to ensure that these schools are built to a healthy standard of living." Corner groceries.Mentor programs."We would work with the school district to ensure these needs are met. ... We need to come together"

At a school-based community revitalization program in Baltimore, O'Connell noted that state reading standards went from 19% to 78% in five years.

"We can do it here. We do not have dumb children. We need to give them the resources.We need to be with them. We need to give the parents the resources. Every parent I met over the years - they want to do the best for their children. They love their children. They don't have the resources. We, the City and school district, need to bond to give them the resources"

He said that as important as the downtown revitalization is, "we cannot turn our backs" on the rest of the City. "We have to develop the South Side, East Side, Northeast."

"Too many children have not seen success. You grow and you learn from success."

Strong neighborhoods plus strong schools equals a strong city."

Ray O'Connell Formally Enters Crowded Mayor's Race

Before a group of over 200 supporters crowded into Jack's Slice Restaurant at the Allentown Municipal Golf Course on Sunday afternoon, City Council President Ray O'Connell announced his candidacy for Mayor. His supporters included State Rep. Danny McNeill, all members of City Council and Controller Jeff Glazier. It included city watchdogs like Lou Hershman and Glenn Hunsicker. It included businessman like Joe Clark, Michael O'Brien, Don Ringer and Jeff Vaughan (father of basketball standouts Jay and Sam Vaughan). It included the Chamber's Miriam Huertas, along with community activist Ce-Ce Gerlach. In a city paralyzed by a federal political corruption investigation aimed at incumbent Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski, it was a remarkably refreshing event attended by people of very diverse backgrounds. O'Connell said he was "humbled" by the crowd, and thanked Frank's Slice for letting him use the restaurant to kick off his campaign while Danny McNeill joked that Fed Ed would send the fire marshal to close them down.

The two-term Council member, elected unanimously as Council President three times, is running to restore integrity to Allentown. He said he would "answer all questions from city residents," not just a special few. He also wants to bring community pride back to a city that people are "almost embarrassed" to call their home. He wants to improve the morale of city employees, which he said is at an "all-time low."

His priorities include public safety and a crackdown on those who violate quality of life issues like double parking, noise violations and littering.

He wants the city to "grow our own." This is no reference to urban gardening, but an attempt to garden future police officers, firefighters and EMTs from the ranks of seniors at William Allen, Dieruff and Central Catholic High Schools. He said that could be done through a co-op program where a student spends half a day in school and half a day in training.

He would take on out-of-town landlords who have blighted the city and who couldn't care less about the tenants.

He is well aware that, as goes the school district, so goes the City. "The city is only as strong as the school district, the school district is only as strong as the city."

Hw would strengthen the City's ethics ordinances, crediting Jeannette Eichenwald and Julio Guridy for their work on city contracts.

He would form a task force to review the City's park system, saying there should be neighborhood playgrounds. "A child at 5th and Liberty shouldn't have to go to Ott and Hamilton to go to a playground," he said. "The kids are our future. Old-timers like me will eventually go away. The kids are our future and we'll have to build upon the kids."

Though he's running as a Democrat, O'Connell said Republicans can write him in as well.

The race is a crowded field that includes Democrats Sam Bennett, David Jones, Charlie Thiel, Joshua Siegel and Nathan Woodring. The race also includes incumbent Fed Ed, who is in the race despite a looming federal indictment and a political corruption investigation that has already ensnared three former city officials, his campaign manager, and two businessmen who have admitted paying bribes in exchange for favorable action. They have all pleaded guilty and are currently scheduled for sentencing in late January and early February.

Prominent developer Nat Hyman has switched parties because he is so embarrassed by Pawlowski and is running as a Republican.

Is This Why Ray O'Connell Supports Pawlowski's Agenda?

Ray O'Connell is an affable enough fellow. He even was a bit independent. At his time last year, he and the Iron Lady of Allentown, Jeanette Eichenwald were the sole No votes on an unpopular waste to energy plant for one of Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's campaign donors. But that attitude has now changed, and he is on board completely with Pawlowski's so-called Rising Tide, where the rich get richer.

What happened?

About three or four months ago, O'Connell's son got a job with the City's IT department. Before that, he had been jobless for at least three years.

Now he can snoop employee emails for Hizzoner.

Did this hire affect O'Donnell's attitude when it comes to voting with Pawlwoski?  You betcha'. I'm sure Ray could offer an explanation for this nepotism, but he has not returned phone calls placed to him yesterday morning and evening.

See, he's already learning from Ed how NOT to be accountable or transparent.

Ray is currently running for re-election. I wonder whether he bothered informing potential voters that his son works for the City.

Phillips, Hershman & O'Connell Shine at NAACP Debate

Last night, the Allentown branch of the NAACP hosted a candidates' night for district justice, county commissioner, city council and mayoral candidates. I was told the event was somewhere around 4th & Union, so off I went, figuring I'd have no problem. I easily found Union and a gigantic, crowded parking lot. I parked my brother's truck and walked inside a crowded building with my flipcam in hand, rarin' to go.

Once inside, things got weird. Now I don't attend too many NAACP meetings, so I'm no expert on the subject, but I was always thought they attract a large number of black people. Well, instead of seeing Esther Lee or Al Sharpton, I saw a gaggle of little white girls in leotards, prancing all over the place, leaping in the air and doing flips and cartwheels. Their adoring parents noticed me and smiled. Then they saw my flipcam and started giving me the Evil Eye. I was inside the Parkettes gymnastics building. I bolted out of there before being forced to register under Megan's Law and walked across yet another street to find some Praise Be Jebus Zion Church, and that's where everyone was holed up.

Man, I had a feast. There were all kinds of cheeses, pepperoni, ham and cheese sandwiches, you name it. Everyone - at least sixty people - was scarfing it up. I stepped into the parking lot and cornered Mike D'Amore, when some cop pulled up and said he was looking for some fat guy who had just terrorized some poor little girls and their parents. That's when I figured it was time to go back inside, pointing at D'Amore on my way.

Last night's event included mini-judge candidates Walt Felton and Ron Manescu, Lehigh County Commissioner David Jones, five of the six city council hopefuls and Mayoral opponents Tony Phillips and Edwin Pawlowski. NAACP President Dan Bosket insisted he had called the Republican committee about this event three times, but never contacted the candidates themselves. Dr. Bob Romancheck, the Allentown Republican City Chair, said nobody had notified him and he had just found out about the event that day. For whatever reason, Bob Smith, who is running against Jones for Lehigh County Commissioner, knew nothing about the debate. He was called from the church, quickly threw on a suit and hightailed it down, but arrived too late to be heard.

In the debate at the LV Senior Center last week, Pawlowski dominated. But last night, Tony Phillips finally came out of his shell before a friendly crowd and hit hard, challenging every assertion made by Hizzoner. He pointed out that the Pawlowski regime has brought Allentown five businesses, but there are 42 empty storefronts along Hamilton Street. He noted 60 murders since Pawlowski was coronated, and 25 of these remain unsolved. "Nobody cares," Phillips said, "because the victims look mostly like you and me. If this had happened in the west end, we'd have martial law."

He scoffed at Pawlowski's Weed n' Seed program. "He's real good at the weeds, but that's the easy part. What about the seed? Where are the jobs? Do you have one? Do you? Where is the economic development in the first and sixth ward? There's no jobs in this community for you. You are being left behind while he stands around and polishes his spin."

Phillips' message resonated with this evangelistic crowd, which erupted in applause several times, accompanied by a few "Amens." Lady MacBeth, Pawlowski's wife, scowled as Phillips hammered away.

Their biggest difference relates to public safety. Hizzoner recited statistics showing crime is down in this ward and that, but Phillips had a more visceral approach, obviously developed during his 22 years as a cop. When the Mayor bragged about hiring 75 new cops, Phillips retorted that Pawlowski was merely replacing the cops that had retuired thanks to his incompetence. He pointed to the high incidence of rape and robbery, as well as murder, and asked whether people really feel safe.

Phillips also hit hard on Pawlowski's incestuous relationship with campaign donors.. He claimed Pawlowski just got a $14 million grant to spruce up his own neighborhood, and will be using one of his campaign contributors to deconvert homes at $100 thousand a pop. "You don't see that between 3rd and 4th, do you?"He also pointed out that Pawlowski secured $2.5 million for a "billionaire, not a millionaire," to clean up a city brownfield. This beneficiary of government largesse is yet another Pawlowski contributor.

Phillips even tagged Pawlowski on the credit he takes for the LV IronPigs, which the Mayor tried to do again last night. "It's in Allentown, but belongs to Lehigh County. Lehigh County built that, not him."

As Phillips swung away, two young Pawlowski goons came into the back of the room and began making some types of gestures, trying to confuse the challenger. Tony stopped in the middle of a sentence, looked right at them both and asked, "Do you have a problem?" They stopped, but hustled to the front of the room right before Pawloski's final remarks, stinking of booze and tobacco. These stormtroopers tried to lead a thunderous cavalcade of applause, but it was too late. Pawlowski was totally demolished.

This largely minority crowd also loved Lou Hershman and Ray O'Connell. Hershman, as usual, pulled no punches. "City council has become a lapdog to the Mayor. When it's time to make hard choices, they're not there. They get their marching orders from the Mayor and just march along. Put a watchdog on City Council, not a lap dog." O'Connell, who has a terrific sense of humor that immediately puts everyone at ease, said he's an "independent thinker." "I'm not going to belly up and roll over for someone."

In the Allentown races, the clear win goes to Tony Phillips, Lou Hershman and Ray O'Connell.

David Jones gave perhaps one of the best speeches I've ever heard from a county candidate, which I was able to capture on video and will share with you below. I also have Ron Manescu and Walter Felton on my flipcam, and will be bringing you verbatim transcripts of their remarks.

I'd love to give you video of the mayoral and city council candidates, too, but was shut down, thanks largely to city council candidate Julio Guridy. He does not want you to see how poorly heresponds to questions. Oh yeah, I've been ordered not to write about him, too. I'll tell you about that in the post below.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ray O'Connell

D.O.B.: 1949
EDUCATION: BS – Kutztown State University, 1971; M Ed – Lehigh University, 1977
OCCUPATION: Retired
QUALIFICATIONS: Public School Employee/Administrator – 1972 to 2007 (35 years); Allentown resident for 33 years; Member of Allentown Recreation & Allentown Human Relations Commission

LV Rambings Posts

Allentown's Three Blind Mice

Other Sources

Queen City Daily: Meet Ray O'Connell

Allentown City Council Race Shaping Up - Schlossberg, O'Connell & Hershman?

I first met Mike Schlossberg about two summers ago for lunch in Hellertown. At that time, he was helping small business development there on behalf of the Greater LV Chamber of Commerce. Passionate, optimistic and energetic, he has another unusual quality for a twenty-five year old - the ability to listen. These skills are badly needed in urban centers like Allentown, where Mike announced his candidacy for city council last night at the Brew Works.

Because I'm a moron who was busy paying my phone bill, I was unable to attend Mike's official announcement. But he sent me his statement, in which he unabashedly declares, "I am a progressive. I firmly believe that the role of government should be to expand dreams, not create nightmares." He then details a pragmatic, nuts and bolts, approach to Allentown's problems. But I have a few questions.

Allentown's Crime Problem

"The biggest challenge still facing our city is crime. And let me be crystal clear here: We need more police. As an Allentown City Councilman, I will make it my mission to hire additional officers to aid in the fight against crime. I will work to ensure that our city’s fine policemen and women are given the best in technology and the most effective training. I also fully support the new Community Policing plan as an innovative way of increasing police presence. How many of us have had someone say that they are afraid of Allentown: they are afraid of shopping on 7th street, of exploring the arts on 5th or 19th or of walking down Hamilton Street or Union Boulevard? No one should be afraid of buying a home in West Park or Midway Manor. No one should fear walking in Center City or the South Side. I know we must fight this false perception, and I know that the best way to do this is to put more officers on the streets."

Mike, if this is just a "false perception," why does Allentown need more police? Either there is a crime problem or there is not. You don't hire police to fight ghosts.

City Finances

"I would be remiss if I didn’t mention city finances in light of these tough economic times. First, let me pledge that I will do everything in my power to avoid tax increases. City residents and businesses are already overtaxed, and I fully understand the stifling effect that further tax hikes will have on our community. In order to avoid this, Allentown must be more careful with its resources than ever before. I believe we can save money in a variety of ways, including working with other governments on joint purchasing agreements, expanding our grant seeking efforts and controlling energy costs. But, more than anything else, Allentown City Council must understand that we are not spending our money; we are spending the money of our fellow residents."

According to an analysis by Morning Call reporter Jarrett Renshaw, $8.1 million of the city's $14 million surplus is actually borrowed money that must be paid back. And Allentown's residents will be paying interest, too. Fiscally responsible? Just a tad deceptive?

Business Attraction/Retention

"We must also strive to continue to attract and retain business. Allentown has recruited over $400 million in new development in the past three years, including Coca Cola Park, the Butz building, and the beautiful Allentown Brew Works in which we are standing. We must continue to bring in more businesses, and if I am elected to City Council I will continue to use every available resource in the recruitment of similar projects. That being said, the city should do more to help the already existing small businesses that make up the core of our community. We need to provide them with information on marketing and promotional tools, how to properly utilize technology and what grant and loan programs are available to them. This will help these businesses to continue to succeed and thrive during these tough times."

Mike, if a business like the House of Chen, which has operated in Allentown for thirty years, calls with a problem about bus routing changes that damage their business, don't you think city officials owe this existing small business the courtesy of a return call? Would you agree that Mayor Pawlowski really dropped the ball here? His failure to respond killed a number of Hamilton Street businesses.

Open Government

"We must also continue to develop our community and provide a more open government. We need to work closely with our crime watch groups that provide invaluable information and stability to the city. If possible, I would like to see the city hire staff that worked exclusively with these groups to help them grow and prosper. We must also work to enhance our website and internet communications in order to better inform Allentown residents. We also can and should make City Council meetings available over the internet, bringing access to government into every living room in the city."

Allentown is the only LV community whose Internet communications have gone backwards. How hard is this? Doesn't this reflect a disdain for the common man, the one who can't afford to make $1,000 donations to the Pawlowski campaign?

You can read biographical information about Mike here. I hope to be able to sit down and get answers to some of these questions, as well as Mike's views on Allentown's systematic (and mandatory) inspections of low-income home owners.

Four seats are up in this year's city council election. Since three incumbents will probably seek reelection and win, this race may very well be for the one open position that has resulted from Tony Phillips' decision to run for mayor. Retired Allentown School District Administrator Ray O'Connell is also reported to have announced his candidacy yesterday. Veteran Lou Hershman, who spent 24 years as Controller and another 8 years on City Council, may also be interested in making a comeback. He's been spotted jogging the streets of Allentown at 5 AM every morning.