Allentown Human Relations Comm'n is Sorry

Yesterday, I told you that Allentown's Human Relations Commission snubbed Tony Phillips, the city's first black elected official, at a dinner earlier this week. You'll be pleased to know that Vice Chair Allyson Diane Hamm did send Tony an "apology" yesterday. She took a break from a Meet'nGreet with Mayor Ed to tell Tony he was introduced after he left, and that if he had stayed, he would know that and that he should have given them the courtesy of letting them snub him a little longer and he was too late and they are nonpartisan and it was a lovely evening anyway, so there.

She also asked him to pay for his dinners.

Who Won Last Night's Debate, Phillips or Pawlowski?

Channel 69's televised Allentown mayoral debate between challenger Tony Phillips and incumbent Edwin Pawlowski may be viewed here. Host Rob Vaughn certainly had his hands full, but was obviously prepared with some good questions.

Pawlowski tried to dominate the thirty minute session, but Phillips hit him hard on nearly everything, from Allentown's crime to the city's shaky finances to King Edwin's "pay to play" campaign finances.

I'd give Phillips the win, but had a poor opinion of Pawlowski before the debate ever started. My view is biased. What do you think?

Human Relation Comm'n Snubs Allentown's First Elected Black Official

Allentown's Human Relations Commission ostensibly exists to enforce the city's human relations ordinance and foster good will among among the diverse groups making up the Queen City. On Tuesday night, this group welcomed everyone, at least if you had $40 in your pocket, to their 32d annual awards dinner.

According to puff blog Allentown Good News, these are quite the soirees, a veritable "Who's Who of the Allentown community." Allentown big shot Joyce Marin is thoughtful enough to include a photo of last year's event, which captures her husband's nose magnificently. There may have been one or two black people among the Allentown elite, too, although I'm sure each was questioned carefully about how he was able to come up with $40.

One of the black people who decided to attend this dinner was Allentown City Council member Tony Phillips. He happens to be running for Mayor. He also happens to be Allentown's first ever elected black official.

Now you might think Tony will make a terrible Mayor. Some of you may even dislike him. But no matter how you feel, most of you will readily concede he knows a thing or two about discrimination. A product of the Projects, he experienced it as a child. Unfortunately, it continued during his entire tenure as an Allentown police officer.

Phillips' Personal Experience With Discrimination as Allentown Cop

For years, Tony put up with a superior officer who wore a swastika pin on his police uniform, made racist comments and decorated his desk with a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) photograph, along with a bust of Hitler and a Confederate flag. This boss cop gave fellow officers white supremacist literature, and directed his subordinates to focus on black criminals. Eventually promoted to Captain, his idea of a joke was to walk by Latino officers with a burning Puerto Rican flag. When in more serious moods, he suggested black officers with nice homes must be dealing drugs.

Now don't you worry. This police captain was finally brought to justice. His punishment for years of racial taunts?

Sensitivity training.

Tony thought that punishment was a tad on the light side, but when he dared express his objections, he himself became the focus of racial taunts. Car horns would be called "nigger knockers." A false complaint against Tony was manufactured so he would know "what it feels like" to be the target of an investigation. Officers refused to assist Phillips when he filed a false complaint prosecution, which did result in a conviction. Retaliation continued, with little things like blackened doll heads attached to the steering wheel of Tony's police cruiser.

Phillips eventually was forced to take Allentown to court, and slowly, things began to change. But as Phillips learned Tuesday night, his personal experience with discrimination means nothing to Allentown's Human Relations Commission.

Phillips Snubbed by Allentown Human Relations Comm'n

Given his personal experiences, this dinner obviously meant something to Tony. It might be viewed as a "Who's who" of Allentown's elite by poo-bahs like Joyce Marin, but to a black person who himself was victimized, it has emotional significance.

At what should have been an opportunity to welcome and support successful efforts celebrating equal opportunity and inclusion, Council member Phillips was snubbed. When he presented his $80 to Lehigh County Comm'r Gloria Hamm at the door, she just rolled her eyes, although she certainly took his money.

Once inside, Tony worked the room, walking around to shake some hands of some of the hundred or so people there, and then sat down.

That probably was a bad idea. You see, Allentown's Human Relations Commission is more like an arm of Pawlowski's re-election efforts than an organization interested in diversity. It's most recent appointee, Adrian Shanker, just happens to be King Edwin's field director. Gloria Hamm, the person who glared at Tony when he darkened the door, has publicly endorsed Hizzoner.

Hamm was also Master of Ceremonies at Tuesday night's little party. Of course, she was certain to introduce all the politicians in the crowd. She introduced Pat Browne, even though he wasn't there. She then introduced everyone who was running for reelection for City Council and everyone there who is currently on City Council - all except Tony.

Instead, she went on to introduce Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, who is a white as a polar bear and has none of the life experiences of a poor, black kid from the Projects. She handed the mike directly to Hizzoner so he could wax eloquently on a subject about which he knows nothing. You might expect that he'd have enough grace (he purports to be a minister, after all) to attempt to try to rectify the situation and at least mention Tony's presence. Instead, he did the opposite. He smirked at Tony. Then, exactly like a childish, immature brat, he ignored him.

Tony and his guest walked out. Later that evening, almost as an afterthought, someone mentioned that Tony had been there. That's very tolerant of them. Tony's campaign manager, his guest, tells me "For this particular agency whose job is predicated on diversity, inclusion, and respect for other people, their personal and partisan behavior was outrageous."

Pawlowski touts his Hall of Shame. Tuesday night, that distinction went to Allentown's Human Relations Commission and the Mayor got first prize!

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.

Phillips Has New Campaign Manager

Valley 610 reports that Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips has a new campaign manager, the impeccably qualified Frayda Kamber, a retired attorney who at one time worked for Allentown. I wonder if her middle name is "Delores."

Margarita Likes the Occasional Margarita

Susan B Anthony. Sacagawea. Eleanor Roosevelt. Now we can add another name to history's list of famous and fascinating women - Margarita Lopez. Selflessly disguising herself as Delores Rivera, she saved countless thousands of Allentown women from the clutches of Tony Phillips.

That's right. She disguised herself as an Internet hottie for you. And in case her online banter is insufficient evidence to ruin Tony Phillips' mayoral campaign, she told an obliging Morning Call that he very nearly assaulted her. Sure, she waited two months before bothering to report this supposed violence, and than waited another two frickin' years before complaining again. If she really wanted to warn Allentown women about evil Tony, why didn't she report this supposed fracas when it happened? Did Tony lock her up in a dungeon somewhere? Ir was she trying to squeeze some money out of the guy?

One thing that Margarita apparently forgot to tell the press is that she enjoys an occasional margarita. In 2001, she enrolled in Lehigh County's ARD program after being charged with drunk driving. She apparently plowed into a parked car and did some damage to Muhlenberg College property. In fact, she was even charged with criminal mischief, but prosecutors dropped that once she agreed to the first-time offenders' program. Tony must have stuck a funnel in her throat, poured down booze, and then forced her to damage property while he laughed maniacally. God, are you lucky that she dimed him.

She may have recently been here in the Lehigh Valley, by the way. On September 11, right around the time this story first broke, a car registered in her name was ticketed with a parking violation in Allentown. Was she pressuring Tony for money? I'm sure she was just checking out locations for her victory party. Now she's back in Margaritaville.

More Outrageous Claims About Tony Phillips

"The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones."

As Tony Trashers continue to dance on his grave, another woman has anonymously come forward with wild allegations about Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips.

I was a homeless street kid with a world of hurt and pain on my shoulders alone and scared no one to turn to im sitting on a bench on hamilton st when officer phillips approached me like a concerned parent and asks me why i was 18 and a girl on top of it when i told him of the horrible abuse i was suffering from by the hands of my own father he became more than just a beat cop he became my best friend that is his true character honesty compassion and respect as an adult nearly twenty years later i will never forget the hero he became to a scared and lonley girl thank you tony

When "Delores" made her anonymous smears, they quickly became front page stories. But the Poet is right. This abused child's hero will be quickly forgotten. People who quickly swallowed Delores' salacious story, will question every syllable of this anonymous tale.

Tony Phillips: In Memoriam

Today's very detailed Morning Call account - Phillips' Facebook chat mate revealed - tells us that a Tony Phillips' ex-girlfriend is the culprit who set out to undermine his candidacy. A woman scorned, and not the Pawlowski camp, managed to divert everyone's attention from a an unsafe city in fiscal crisis. Had her identity been known from the onset, I doubt this would ever have been a story. Private lives should remain private.

President Judge Alfred Williams, who presided over many a custody dispute in his day, once told me there are three sides to every domestic dispute - her side, his side and the truth. We've heard her side. We may hear his side. I doubt we'll ever hear the truth.

Being human, we love all those titillating details about Tony's relationship, even if we don't know for sure exactly what happened. We're shocked, just shocked, to learn that he had a stormy relationship that ended badly. Nobody questions the temptress who created a false identity and who outright lied to put Tony in a position where she could pounce on him.

I might be Tony's sole defender here in Blogistan. I'll agree he used bad judgment, whatever that means. But he'd by no means be the first person who exercised bad judgment in a relationship. Nobody is willing to acknowledge that obvious truth. Instead, he is now being shunned by the very party that nominated him, denied an opportunity to speak at the first ever LV Republican convention this past Sunday. "With friends like these ..."

Michael Molovinsky is a former mayoral candidate who was treated pretty badly in his own run. He might be expected to have a shred of compassion. Wrong. He instead questions Phillips' intelligence in a post entitled Stupid is as Stupid Does. What is that if not mean-spirited?

Blogger LVCI incredibly condemns Tony for getting caught. "By allowing himself to be exposed he demonstrated his inability to be discrete." I see. If LVCI prefers a mayor who can hide his transgressions, King Edwin is the man for him. Would you like a mayor who claims that the city is really, really safe as bullets whizz over your head? Do you really want someone who brags about restoring fiscal stability while laying off city workers? Actually, King Edwin has been caught himself, and on matters a little more relevant to our lives.

Over at LVPoliblog, VDSM - a woman - chides men who think "with parts of their anatomy other than their brain." Gee, that's certainly true, but doesn't "Delores" play a teensy little role in this soap opera, too? Didn't Eve tempt Adam?

I can think of several local elected officials who've been involved in relationships that have ended badly. Some have been accused of cheating and other dastardly private deeds. There may even be a few pick their noses and eat it. I have some pretty hard evidence on a current candidate for public office, married with children, begging a college student to hook up with him. Should I publis that? Is it open season on private lives? You tell me.

We're very willing to examine all the lurid details of Tony's private life, putting him in a no win situation and effectively ending his candidacy. We're equally unwilling to delve into private lives of other officials. Why is that? Could it be that Tony's race enters into our thinking? Are we so willing to pronounce Tony a "horn dog" because he is, after all, black? You tell me.

I realize this defense of Tony is both unpopular and futile, but there's little point to blogging if I'm unable to express minority views.

Update: In the comments to The Morning Call story, "Delores4u2" is now claiming she is HIV positive and, like Florence Nightingale, she is simply warning other women about the danger of unprotected sex with Tony. Alrighty.

Delores Strikes Again!

Last week, Allentown mayoral hopeful Tony Phillips may or may not have been damaged by the revelation that he - a single man - had a titillating online conversation with a "woman" named Delores. One thing is certain; he sure got a lot of free publicity. When details of this private, mostly banal, conversation were posted on the Internet by Delores, we all went a little nutz. The Morning Call published two front-page stories (here and here). It was also a top story on Channel 69.

Some people inside Tony's inner circle, like campaign manager Ken Matthews, ran like a rabbit being chased by my grandson's dog. After all, Ken goes to Life Church. LC Republican Chair Bill Platt also threw Tony under the bus, telling blogger Pam Varkony, "We can't force Tony Phillips out of the race".

Outside this inner sanctum, the views are less charitable. Morning Call columnist Bill White concludes Tony "behaved like an idiot." And Michael Molovinsky, who has humbly anointed himself the Queen City's "shadow mayor," questions Tony's intelligence.

Now that we've all had time to settle down and let the facts sink in, it appears that an as yet unidentified person deliberately set out to sabotage Tony's campaign. Shortly after this story erupted, "Delores" appeared on Craigslist as the "clean up woman," gloating over the damage she caused. And on Saturday night, while trolling Facebook for single politicians, "Delores" found time to post this "victory get together (allentown)" announcement.

"this is delores and i am inviting everyone who has read article on mcall about tp to join me in victory get together. this will be held after election in nov. press welcome and anyone who wants to know who delores is and why. looking for suggestion to where it should take place in allentown pa. any business who would like to spon. can email delores4u2@aol.com and those who will be attending. need to know how many are attending. thank you."

So who is Delores and what is her motive? That's the real story. Obviously, it could be someone inside the Pawloski camp, although that has been strongly denied. It could be a woman scorned. It could be someone inside the Allentown Police Department who is still angry at Tony's civil rights litigation from his time as a cop. You see, Tony was bothered by cops goose-stepping around headquarters with swastikas. He never saw the humor in cutting off a black baby doll's head and attaching it to the steering wheel on Tony's cruiser. Those rascals may be playing another joke. It could be some femme fatale who feels Tony failed to give her the attention she deserved. It could even be TrollVilla, who threatened as recently as last night to destroy local pols who talk to me. "[H]opefully they'll see our message about us calling out (and ruining politically, as best we can) any/all politicos who continue to yuk it up w/ O'Hare in the local blogosphere as if O'Hare is a credible source (or destination) for anything."

The LVPoliblog has tried to establish lines of communication with Delores. Me, too. In an email from "Delores" today, she hints she may meet me. We'll see. If we do meet, I have to scrounge up a wizar'd robe and hat somewhere. I told her I'm a Druid. I had a long chat with her today. It went something like this.

Delores: Hi
Councilman Ron: hello
Councilman Bernie: who is this?
Delores: just a someone?
Councilman Ron: A someone I know?
Delores: nope
Councilman Ron: Then why the hell are you bothering me?
Delores: well sorrrrrry
Delores: I just wanted to chat with you
Councilman Ron: why?
Delores: nevermind your an jerk
Councilman Ron: Hey wait a minute
Delores: yes?
Councilman Ron: look I'm sorry. I'm just a little paranoid
Delores: paranoid?
Councilman Ron: yes
Delores: of what?
Delores: me?
Councilman Ron: No. I'm in hiding.
Delores: LOL
Councilman Ron: Don't fucking laugh at me!
Councilman Ron: This shit is serious!
Delores: What are you hiding from?
Councilman Ron: The cops.
Delores: gimme a fucking break
Councilman Ron: I'm serious.
Delores: I don't get it
Councilman Ron: The cops are after me.
Delores: For what?
Councilman Ron: I'm wanted in three states
Delores: For???
Councilman Ron: It's kind of embarrasing.
Councilman Ron: I had sex with a turkey.
Councilman Ron: Hello?

Stoffa Involved in Sex Scandal

It breaks my heart to bring you this story, but I'm a citizen journalist, damn it. Keep this away from your children.

Just two days ago, we were all shocked to learn that Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips chatted with a fake person who pretended to be married. On the heels of that stunning revelation comes the shocker that Northampton County Executive John Stoffa has actually had sex ... at least twice.

I first got suspicious when I noticed he has two children. His son, Jeff, looks just like him, too. So late yesterday afternoon, I confronted the Exec, who is trying to cobble together a budget.

At first, he tried to play cute.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Well, as most of you know, I'm relentless and saw right through his charade. Oh, he tried to deny it, but I broke him.

"How do you explain the two kids, Stoffa?"

It turns out that not only did he have sex, but the little pervert actually enjoyed it. He even told me he's not the only elected official who likes a good time. It's a frickin' conspiracy.

Now I agree that Tony Phillips should withdraw from the mayoral campaign and be shot or electrocuted because, after an hour of temptation, he engaged in sexual banter with a woman. But that's nothing compared to Stoffa, who actually did the dirty deed. And to think I supported him. I feel so ... violated.

String 'im up.

Next week, I'll be telling you about Ron Angle's sick attraction to parakeets.

(Thanks for the photo).

Tony Phillips Will Stay in Allentown Mayor Race

I met Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips last night at Yocco's Hot Dog Shop on Airport Road, thinking I could treat him to a "long n hard" hot dog, a Delores special. Unfortunately, he stopped eating beef and pork years ago to keep his weight under control, so I gobbled down the dogs I had ordered for him.

"Can I offer you a tossed salad?" I suggested. After spending a day answering calls and emails concerning a private online chat, he was still able to laugh. What's more, he's still in the race and tells me he intends to win his bid against well-funded incumbent Edwin Pawlowski.

It's been a tough few days. His $700 per week (yes, that's $700) campaign manager suddenly quit. And on Monday night, he had to reassure nervous Allentown Republicans who wondered whether they should withdraw their support. Yesterday, he endured all sorts of public criticism for a conversation he had every right to assume was private.

Tony provided me with a few additional details about "Delores." There were actually two online chats. They occurred on August 28th and 29th. Before he actually chatted with her, she had sent him several suggestive messages.

It's now pretty clear that, all along, Delores' goal has been to undermine Phillips. She admits as much at Craigslist, with a "goal completed" taunt. There is no evidence that anyone from the Pawlowski camp has anything to do with "Delores," and Tony himself acknowledges that.

Will the publication of this private conversation hurt Tony's campaign? It has turned off some, but galvanized others, and may have created some sympathy for him. It might have the added benefit of creating some interest in the real issues facing distressed Allentown. It's broke yet desperately needs more police officers. Businesses are leaving. There is no transparency.

Varkony: "Delores" Just Won't Go Away

"How I love the kisses of Delores
Aye-aye-aye Delores
Not Marie or Emily or Doris
Only my Delores"

I called an Allentown politico early this evening. He answered the phone, "Hello! This is Delores." She's on everyone's mind.

According to a typically excellent post from Pam Varkony, "Delores" (or an impersonator) has gone from Facebook and Get Satisfaction to a "clean up" woman at Craigslist. She anonymously asks those who've played the role of the "other woman," whether with Allentown mayoral candidate Tony Phillips or anyone else, to contact her.

Tony Phillips: Lookin' For Love in All the Wrong Places

A few weeks ago, during a Northampton County Council meeting, John Stoffa wisely said that a little knowledge is dangerous. This weekend, I was downright lethal. Let me tell you why.

On Friday, I got word that Ken Matthews, who was managing Tony Phillips' Allentown mayoral campaign, had suddenly called it a day. I tried contacting him, but all I had was one of his rather cryptic emails. He's not talking, at least not yet. While wondering about that, I received news that Tony had been caught, red-handed, trolling the Internet on his Facebook page, seeking sexual favors from women.

Ah ha!

Suddenly, the pieces game together. Tony Phillips is a sex maniac, and Ken Matthews must have left in righteous indignation. I immediately visited Tony's Facebook page, but the site has been scrubbed. All I could see were innocuous exchanges, which even included props for joining some group called Keep Sex Offenders Off Of Facebook.

Today, I digged for the dirt like the bottom feeder you all know and love. Sure, I'm no King Edwin fan, but I sure as hell don't want to see Allentown ruled by some pimp daddy who uses the city web page to solicit his victims.

Last night, after scouring the Internet, I finally got the goods. Sure, it's been deleted, but with a cache search, it popped up. What I found is exactly one Facebook conversation between Tony, a single guy, and some unhappily married woman from North Carolina. Someone with access to Tony's Facebook page plastered it on Get Satisfaction, a community powered customer service group, where it was just as promptly removed as inappropriate.

What a disappointment!

Instead of all kinds of salacious talk, this conversation reveals a rather lonely single guy who has spent a lot of time on the campaign trail without female companionship. Yes, the woman says "mmmmmmmmm" an awful lot. Yes, it ends with a rather strange discussion of scuba gear and tossed salad, but hey, it could have been worse. It could have been gerbils, which always enter into my private conversations. This was no sex-crazed maniac, just some guy who expresses concerns about even speaking to a married woman and who is initially so prudish he's called a virgin.

Most importantly, he thought his conversation was private.

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
didn't you say this was visible to others

9:22pmDelores
only if u write on the wall

y

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
wanted to b clear

9:22pmDelores

u got something to hide

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

So if this private conversation is so innocent, why link to it and invade his privacy? Because I'm a miserable bastard. Until I saw it, I had assumed the worst. I was expecting inflatable dolls, cheerleader outfits and leather boots. But it's a real let down, especially from someone rumored to be such a womanizer. Even I could do better. But if I left this conversation to your imagination, many of you might think the worst, too.

Some of you are probably shocked, just shocked, that Tony Phillips would dare speak to a woman. He's running for Mayor, not Pope. You might also argue that, regardless of Tony's innocuous behavior, a mayoral candidate should know better than to engage in a conversation like that online. He's running for Mayor, not IT Director.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have an online date.

Update: In today's Morning Call account, a portion of Tony's exchange is excerpted. I do that, too. To provide some context, I decided to include the entire conversation, from beginning to end. Now remember, this conversation was placed on the Internet by someone who claims to be the female participant. She asks this question: "is this the kind o man we want to mayor for Allentown? 1st he had a woman at the park n now he is tryin to pick women uo on facebook. Shame on Tony Phillips." That seems a little odd.

wazup

9:20pmDelores
hey

9:21pmCouncilman Tony
just checking to see if you were on

9:21pmDelores
hey sexy

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
didn't you say this was visible to others

9:22pmDelores
only if u write on the wall

y

9:22pmCouncilman Tony
wanted to b clear

9:22pmDelores

u got something to hide

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

9:23pmDelores
r u married?

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
no

9:23pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmm

9:23pmCouncilman Tony
u noticed that immediately

9:24pmDelores
sure did

9:24pmCouncilman Tony
sharp eye

9:24pmDelores
read up on u but nothing about family

9:24pmCouncilman Tony
never to sure about net

9:25pmDelores
what do u mean

9:25pmCouncilman Tony
there is more to the story

9:25pmDelores
talk to me

9:26pmCouncilman Tony
not sure what is accessible

i like a direct medium of communication

9:27pmDelores
well since u r runnin 4 mayor i figure u would be married w a family n so on

9:27pmCouncilman Tony
well not sure what to say

9:28pmDelores
the truth

9:28pmCouncilman Tony
what truth

9:28pmDelores
tell me about urself

r u single?

9:29pmCouncilman Tony
i think i start with the truth with no to ur question

9:29pmDelores
o

omg

so u play

9:29pmCouncilman Tony
can

9:30pmDelores
u can

would u travel to play

9:30pmCouncilman Tony
yes, where?

to talk......

9:31pmDelores
nc

9:31pmCouncilman Tony
i have family there, where?

9:32pmDelores
willin

9:32pmCouncilman Tony
provide another medium of communication if u can

9:33pmDelores
excuz me

9:33pmCouncilman Tony
where is willin exactly in nc

9:34pmDelores
willington

9:34pmCouncilman Tony
a more direct form of communication if u can or like

about an hour south of Kinston

9:34pmDelores
i married too

yes

9:34pmCouncilman Tony
u r married?

9:35pmDelores
yes

9:35pmCouncilman Tony
y r u playing

9:35pmDelores
y r u playin

9:35pmCouncilman Tony
single

dangerous game

9:36pmDelores
thought u said yes that u r married

really

9:36pmCouncilman Tony
no

when asked I said NO

9:36pmDelores
u mean when i asked

9:36pmCouncilman Tony
yes

9:36pmDelores
lol

9:37pmCouncilman Tony
what

9:37pmDelores
hav u ever been married?

9:37pmCouncilman Tony
yes

9:37pmDelores
hav u ever cheated?

9:38pmCouncilman Tony
is that where u r, about cheating

9:39pmDelores
u did not answer my quest.?

9:39pmCouncilman Tony
?????

9:39pmDelores
do u do that alot?

9:39pmCouncilman Tony
no

to ur question

what do i do alot

9:40pmDelores
all men cheat

9:41pmCouncilman Tony
i guess all the men u know

9:41pmDelores
hav u ever dated a latin woman before?

9:41pmCouncilman Tony
all this is flattering but u r not available

yes i have dated several and they r etched i my memory

9:42pmDelores
i could make myself avail. in a quickness

really

u couldn't handle this one.lol

u scared

hello

9:44pmCouncilman Tony
how so AVAILABLE in a qiuckness explain

9:45pmDelores
well, this ahole doesn't deserve me

need to move on

9:47pmDelores
r u there

9:47pmCouncilman Tony
ok what this mean

9:48pmDelores
well, u know that u had no clue who i was wheen i rquested u

u liked mine pic n me u

9:49pmCouncilman Tony
what does that mean

9:49pmDelores
u came back online to chat

9:49pmCouncilman Tony
thanks for requesting me i never left the chat

9:50pmDelores
what did u8 want to chat about?

politics

9:50pmCouncilman Tony
that was a nice pic of u workout much

9:50pmDelores
yes

i compete

2nd place twice

9:51pmCouncilman Tony
compete awesome

9:52pmDelores
how fit r u?

i read that u teach

my husband does too

9:53pmCouncilman Tony
former athlete wrestler, body weight appropriate to height

9:53pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmm

9:53pmCouncilman Tony
still maintain tone

9:54pmDelores
i bet

9:54pmCouncilman Tony
what's with ur relationship

9:54pmDelores
he is verbally abusive

calls me all kinds of names

when does a wman say enough

9:55pmCouncilman Tony
sounds like u r comfortable and he provides but sounds like he adventures out

9:55pmDelores
u think

9:55pmCouncilman Tony
sorry he is abusive

just reading into ur cheating comments

9:56pmDelores
k

poeple cheat for a reason

9:56pmCouncilman Tony
hey if you have a cell can u call me

do u think he is cheating or that where u want to go

no response

9:58pmDelores
i hav no clue w him. i used to love him

now i am wonderin how to get out

9:58pmCouncilman Tony
so what kind of ans to the second part of the question

just make up ur mind and do it.

do u work

9:59pmDelores
wish it was that easy

no

only me to do is compete when he ssays so

r u there

10:00pmCouncilman Tony
he's controling

10:00pmDelores
right now he is sleepin

u could say that

10:01pmCouncilman Tony
what r u looking for

10:01pmDelores
lookin for?

10:02pmCouncilman Tony
yeah looking for

10:02pmDelores
in a relationship?

10:03pmCouncilman Tony
ok then r u looking for a sounding board

10:04pmDelores
i do not understand

bigmike is ur friend

comedian

10:04pmCouncilman Tony
no on this conversation and chat session

what don't u understand

yes

yes

10:05pmDelores
he wants to be my friend

is my pic on ur wall?

10:05pmCouncilman Tony
hey r u seeking something other than conversation

yes ur pic is on my wall

10:06pmDelores
a friend

plz take off

10:06pmCouncilman Tony
cool

10:06pmDelores
all ur friends wants to be my friend

10:06pmCouncilman Tony
if u want me to do so

10:06pmDelores
plz

10:07pmCouncilman Tony
do u think it is because of how u look

10:07pmDelores
i hav no clue

10:07pmCouncilman Tony
don't friend them if they r men for the apparent reason

10:07pmDelores
what do u think?

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
as i said before it is awesome

10:08pmDelores
k

ty

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
ty????

10:08pmDelores
thank u 4 the complement

10:08pmCouncilman Tony
what was that ty

10:09pmDelores
thank you

u must not chat much

virgen

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

i like

10:09pmCouncilman Tony
hey friend i am flatter but u must be clear as to ur intentions

u got me

10:10pmDelores
to be ur friend

10:10pmCouncilman Tony
r u still chatting with me

10:10pmDelores
yes

10:11pmCouncilman Tony
k

10:11pmDelores
so u want to be my friend?

10:11pmCouncilman Tony
u r a pleasure to chat with

that a good start

10:11pmDelores
ty

u too

10:12pmCouncilman Tony
u were very forward and now u r in reserve mode

that's ok

i will remove u from my wall now

10:13pmDelores
i told u about my relationship. u haven't told me about u

ever been married?

10:14pmCouncilman Tony
can i save it there is not much to tell. it went south and two adults went their seperate ways

I told u i had been married but u missed it

10:14pmDelores
what happen

10:15pmCouncilman Tony
no blame history book closed

10:15pmDelores
wow

10:15pmCouncilman Tony
some people cut their losses and move on

10:15pmDelores
i feel like a fool

losses

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
u got do what have too

10:16pmDelores
so u r datin

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
no campaigning

10:16pmDelores
no play

10:16pmCouncilman Tony
none

10:16pmDelores
u too ine

fine

come on

10:17pmCouncilman Tony
NONE at all

10:17pmDelores
what a waste

10:17pmCouncilman Tony
don't think about play

where r u going with this

10:18pmDelores
u must be a strong man

10:18pmCouncilman Tony
i do my best

10:18pmDelores
just small talk

10:18pmCouncilman Tony
i hear u

i need focus

u playing

be honest

10:19pmDelores
playin w wht

what

a man

10:19pmCouncilman Tony
yes

10:20pmDelores
this is the 1st time i ever chatted w a man online.

hav not yet played.

10:20pmCouncilman Tony
seeking a playmate

10:20pmDelores
nah

i do fine w myself

lol

i dj alote

10:21pmCouncilman Tony
dj as in music

10:21pmDelores
lol

no

on myself

hello

10:22pmCouncilman Tony
i got it

10:22pmDelores
lol

10:22pmCouncilman Tony
u go girl

haha

10:22pmDelores
lol

u like

10:23pmCouncilman Tony
yesssss

10:23pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmm

me too

10:24pmCouncilman Tony
just got a visual

omg

10:24pmDelores
i guess u could call me a freak

here too

10:25pmCouncilman Tony
long or short moments

u freak

10:25pmDelores
o baby, long n hard

10:25pmCouncilman Tony
now

10:26pmDelores
o yes

10:26pmCouncilman Tony
too much for me

omg

wtf

10:26pmDelores
come on i know u can hang

wtf

10:27pmCouncilman Tony
moisture pasture

10:27pmDelores
yes

we hav been chattin for awhile

10:27pmCouncilman Tony
can only wish i was a digit

10:27pmDelores
do u like salad

10:28pmCouncilman Tony
u r correct

10:28pmDelores
ur salad toss

10:28pmCouncilman Tony
yes like a rabbit

very much so

10:28pmDelores
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

10:29pmCouncilman Tony
u would have to dig me out of the rabbit hole by my ears

scuba gear required

Tony Phillips Campaign Manager Resigns

In a message both short and sweet, Ken Matthews tells me he's resigned as campaign manager to Allentown mayoral candidate Tony Phillips. "I am no longer Tony Phillips campaign manager or associated with his campaign."

There is much more to this story, and you'll get it by the end of the week.

Tony Phillips Comes Out Swinging

And they're off!

Allentown City Council member Tony Phillips is running for Mayor Edwin Pawlowski's job this Fall. For months, people all over Allentown have been asking the same question. "Where's Tony? He'll never win if he doesn't campaign." Late last week, I learned that Tony has actually been going door to door for months, matching Pawlowski's pay to play money with shoe leather. I caught up with campaign manager Ken Matthews, who told me to expect to see Phillips yard signs sprouting with the chrysanthemums and sunflowers, as Summer fades into Autumn.

Yesterday, his campaign blog also fired an opening salvo with these questions:

Are you safer than you were four years ago?

Are there more jobs in the city of Allentown than there were four years ago?

Has the Riverfront project even started yet (the one Mayor Pawlowski held 3 press conferences about) ?

Why are so many businesses leaving the city ? ... and what's the total so far?

Why does Ed Pawlowski keep saying serious crime is down ?

Why does the Mayor Pawlowski say he created a surplus ?

Do Ed Pawlowski's Campaign donors get special treatment or has Ed's Chicago Political model just become the new Allentown model?

Let the games begin!

Phillips Tags Pawlowski Over Allentown Crime

Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips blasted away at Allentown's crime problem in a WFMZ (Channel 69) interview yesterday. King Edwin, wearing no glasses or tie, refused to be interviewed at the TV station, where he would have to meet Phillips face-to-face. Hizzoner claims crime is down, but Phillips - a former cop -points to an alarming increase in violent crimes like rape and robbery.

Sneering at Pawlowski's crackdown on graffiti, Phillips asks, "Would you rather have your garage spray painted or have someone come and knock you out and take your wallet?"

Phillips' solution to Allentown's crime? More boots on the ground. Cops. Pawlowski's solution to Allentown's crime is to pretend it does not exist. "Nothing to see here. Move along."

QCD: Tony Phillips' Campaign Finance Report is Late

Back in 2007, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski paid a $270 fine - the maximum - for filing his campaign finance reports late. Incredibly, he tried to pay that fine from his campaign funds, but Lehigh County Voting Registrar Stacy Sterner insisted he dip into his own pocket. Pawlowski has continued to stumble along, filing a bogus report late last year that falsely claimed he had no donors at all.

Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips has rightly condemned Pawlowski's bogus campaign finance reports, noting in addition that over 70% of Hizzoner's money comes from outside Allentown. But as Jarrett Renshaw observes at Queen City Daily, "Tony Phillips has failed his first test to live up to his own standards." He failed to file his own campaign finance report on Friday, and is being assessed a daily fine for that oversight.

Tony Phillips on YouTube

It's important that you serve the public and not that the public serves you."

King Phillips?

For the past year or so, I've often referred to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski as King Edwin of Renaissance Square, a dig at his silly name for a portion of the Queen City as well as his own autocratic antics.

Now, thanks to Queen City Daily, I've learned that Allentown Mayoral hopeful Tony Phillips has an outfit called King Phillips Enterprises. Before you start thinking that Tony has delusions of grandeur, too, let me tell you it's a lawn cutting service.

Now all we need is someone to play Prince Albert in the can.

Tony Phillips Warned Council Bobbleheads About Revenue Shortfalls

It's hard to read Sunday's Jarrett Renshaw/Darryl Isherwood exposee of Allentown's troubled financial waters without feeling a deep sense of disappointment in the bobbleheads who sometimes refer to themselves as Allentown City Council. Despite being provided with monthly financial statements showing that revenue was way below projections, six out of seven council members rubber-stamped a bogus budget they knew was based on inflated revenue projections.
After all, it's an election year.

One council member voted against that budget - Tony Phillips. Now you might say his vote was politically motivated, too. But the reason Tony opposed this budget is precisely because he knew those revenue projections are fairy tales. Here's a copy of a memo that Tony circulated to fellow council members on November 18.

"As discussed last night, attached is an Excel spreadsheet* that analyzes selected budgeted revenues and expenses from the 2009 City of Allentown Proposed Budget.

"My analysis of budgeted revenues estimates the proposed budget is overstating revenues by $2,076,462 comprised of items where revenues is overstated by $3,143,129 and items where revenues are understated by $1,066,667 (Account #s 5215 and 7116).

"My analysis of budgeted expenses estimates the proposed budget is understating expenses by $2,151,888 comprised of items where total expenses are overstated by $1,126,433 by including theoretical net understatements of certain special expenses (Pension Expense, Capital Fund Contributions & Reserve for Encumbrances) by $3,278,321. I backed out the theoretical understatements at the end of the expense spreadsheet to arrive at the 'working number' of a net expense understatement of $2,151,888.

"The net result of the two separate analyses of revenues & expenses leads me to estimate that the 2009 Proposed Budget includes a net understatement of a deficit of $4,228,350. Combined with the 'published' deficit of $1,793,568 yields a total estimated 'real' deficit of $6,012,918."

* The spreadsheet can be examined here. He tells me it was prepared by a CPA, not him.

Tony, the person snarked on his own blog as in need of "elocution lessons" (Hint, Hint), is the one person on Council who had it right.