Secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public's effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society. Those aren't my words. They're contained in the
state Sunshine Act. But Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and his bobbleheads on Allentown City Council have pretty much thumbed their noses at any attempt at transparency, both with respect to a controversial special tax zone for rich gazillionaires as well as their most recent scheme to unload their water system. Because the Lehigh County Authority's high bid on the Allentown water deal is probably the
best solution to a very bad situation, the general feeling is that the public would go back to sleep, as they have done for most of King Edwin's reign. But that's not happening. At last night's City Council meeting, local Brew Pub owner Richard Fegley nearly led a revolt after being denied the basic right to speak, which is also guaranteed by the Queen City's own
Home Rule Charter.
Because I believe democracy is dead in Allentown, I've stopped going to their sham meetings.But there may be hope.
Fegley posted video of his altercation, in which City Council was unable to provide any excuse for muzzling him other than "tradition".
"You guys cheated, you broke the rules," asserted Fegley.
He and several others wanted to address the water lease at the beginning of the meeting, but Council Prez Julio Guridy shut them down, asserting they had to wait until whenever it came up on the agenda. Fegley argued this "tradition" is contrary to the Home Rule Charter, which he called the City's Constitution. It provides,
The Council must provide reasonable opportunity for interested citizens and taxpayers to address the Council on matters of general or special concern. Citizens' right to be heard shall be the first order of business at all public meetings and before a vote on any Council business. The public shall be granted the opportunity to comment at Council meetings without time limitations, except when the Council President, imposes a reasonable time limitation deemed necessary. Council members, by a vote of a majority plus one (1), may override the Council president's time limitation.
"You guys are trying to stop the voice of the public," Fegley charged, as the room burst into applause and cheers. "Where is this proper government? ... This is all about stopping the public from talking about anything that has to do with this water lease."
Eventually, a police officer showed up to cart Fegley away.
"I am not breaking the law," Fegley stated. "I am speaking up as a citizen of Allentown." Eventually, the officer was asked to stand down, and he did.
Fegley is unwilling to go gentle into that good night. He rages, rages against the dying of the light.
It's a good thing he owns a bar because he certainly needed a drink.
Ben Franklin would be proud.
