Allentown Pastor Slams Gentrification at Expense of Education

Rev. Gregory J Edwards

When he was in 8th grade, a guidance counselor first told Rev. Gregory Edwards to forget about college.He thanks her because those negative words inspired him to go on and graduate from Geneva College (B.S.), Drew University (Master of Divinity) and The New Brunswick Theological Seminary ( Doctor of Ministry in Public Policy). He is the founder and Senior Pastor at Resurrected Life Community Church in Allentown. He was the keynote speaker yesterday at the Bethlehem Elks' annual lunch, and took the opportunity to blast away at the gentrification going on in Allentown.

I'm absolutely concerned about the gentrification of our cities. It's happening in Allentown. Allentown now has the largest community development initiative in this state's history. It's happening in Allentown, where 125 acres have been set aside to gentrify and reclaim space that was owned by others that were indigenous here, prior to developers like J.B. Reilly, Zach and Mark Jaindl and Gregory and Lee Butz.

So we have to know that land is valuable. Land is valuable, property is valuable, God is not making any more earth. Through public policy and legislation written by [Senator] Pat Browne and made sacrosanct by Mayor Pawlowski, we have 125 acres that have been set aside, that have been gentrified. Those natives, folk who have been indigenous, going to work there, going to church there, worshiping, walking there, the barber shops, the bodegas, the nail salons, ordinary folk, have been and will continue to be displaced.

We gentrify because there is no talk with $6 billion, give or take, in economic development taking place downtown. There is no talk to do anything with the largest public entity in the Lehigh Valley, which is the Allentown School District. 

We've got 18,000 children, a graduation rate of about 60%, and only 19% of that 60% go on to college. Almost 90% of our children qualify for free or reduced lunch. Eighty or 90% of our children are determined to be "at risk" in terms of poverty. Ninety per cent of the children are children of color and really, if I wasn't a preacher I'd cuss right here, but really, nobody cares.

There seems to be a lack of outrage. We have churches everywhere. We have nonprofits everywhere. But there really seems to be a lack of consciousness on how important and how valuable our children's futures are when it comes to education. 

I firmly believe that one of our greatest civil liberties is public education.    

All of the state tax dollars that are funding Allentown's gentrification come at the expense of those 18,000 children, whether it is deficits in children healthcare funding or in state educational funding.

Properties of Merit: Garden Rakes For Elitists

If you're a member of the arrogant, elitist, self-proclaimed in-crowd, it's highly unlikely you read these ramblings. You're probably sipping a latte at the local Barnes and Noble, pretending to read Harper's. And you probably already know this anyway.

Just a few weeks ago, golden garden rakes were awarded by Sam Bennett's publicly-funded nonprofit, Properties of Merit, to the owners of deserving Easton properties. Upscale restaurants like Sette Luna and Phenom were competing for that coveted plaque. Coordinator Gary Bertsch, also King of the West Ward, thought it important that College Hill be included, although little community revitalization is needed there. Do folks there really need "the 'Tom Sawyer' power of cleaning up and getting others to join" in?

Maybe their privately-hired landscapers do, but not them.

This program is supposedly intended to give "citizens the opportunity to easily become stakeholders without requiring undue investment of time or money." But it's been perverted into a bunch of "I like me " awards for Lehigh Valley brahmins. In Bethlehem, the nominees include places like Ashley Development and Main Street Commons, both of which were publicly funded. But when I saw the heavily subsidized Allentown Brew Works listed, I headed immediately for the Cappy Crappy.

Dennis Lieb, an Easton activist involved in POM when it initially came to Easton, says this. "I saw the POM placards in the yards of $1 million dollar properties. I know that is not the intent. I also saw perfect examples of what kinds of properties should have been nominated that weren't. That's my take."

He blames Bennett. "The real shame of her lack of commitment to the Easton POM program is that people here really don't understand what it's supposed to be about: Accomplishing the most with the least and encouraging a sense of pride in the neighborhoods of lower to middle income residents. This year's candidates were a group of high end businesses and expensive private homes, some of which are on the market for over a million dollars. This isn't supposed to be about how much you paid for your landscaping or helping rich people sell their inflated-priced houses. It is obvious the people here just don't get it. I arrived late to the awards event this year and the presentations had already begun. As I stood outside, looking through the window, I saw how many of the typical crowd of Easton's wannabes and self-important ass-kissers were in attendance. I turned around and went home."

This program is obviously a complete waste of government money.

Allentown City Council Candidates on Lanta's Hamilton Street Bus Service

The Morning Call's Paul Muschick has a wonderfully detailed account about Allentown city council candidates. And at Queen City Daily blog, he lists responses to four very specific questions. Here's one question that really matters to me.

Should the city take steps to restore the LANTA bus stops on Hamilton Street? Why or why not?

David Bausch: "There's still stops on Hamilton Street. It's just the transfers … It's not that far. It will be far if it's snowing. It's about a block and-a-half, a block-and-a-quarter … I think they should give it a chance, then change it if it doesn't work."

William Michael Donovan: "In my early career, I gained knowledge of public transportation because of studies and exposure to professionals in the field. I am not an expert, but I have some experience with these issues. While I do not have all the information that went into the Hamilton Street decision, I am extremely disappointed that LANTA removed bus routes off the city's major urban street without adequate consideration of the effect on various groups of merchants or citizens. I applaud the creation of an indoor/covered switching center, but do not believe that also warranted wholesale changes in routes and/or stops.

Two things come to mind if the major challenge actually was to solve congestion. First, change the sequence and timing of the lights. The design is not consistent with sound traffic flow. Vehicles moving west to east receive only a few seconds to pass through lights. I do not propose allowing high speeds along Hamilton -- just the ability to let traffic flow smoothly, say at 20-25 miles per hour. Second, spreading the stops a bit wider along Hamilton would help, too. Walking one block on the same street is far different from walking many blocks to new streets. In brief, my sense of the situation is that LANTA did not involve enough people to make a holistic, sensible decision that provided for a new central location while maintaining excellent service along critical routes.

I believe that if you bring the appropriate people to the table where ideas and concerns are expressed honestly and without censorship, we will create sound, productive decisions for the community. This has been true in other public challenges of this type where I have been involved. When the appropriate parties are not involved, we have disappointment, lack of trust, and a loss of community."

Jeanette Eichenwald: "Yes, the LANTA stops should be restored. The elimination of these stops causes great hardships to the handicapped who are entirely dependent on the transportation provided by buses to come into the city. Businesses located on the impacted corridor have been adversely affected by this change. The city administration needs to be receptive to the will of the people and voice strong concerns to LANTA."

Peter G. Schweyer: "As a board member of LANTA, I have spent quite a bit of time on this very question. I have spoken with economic development experts in the city and downtown businesses groups; I have discussed this with elected officials and folks from Lehigh Carbon Community College. Lastly, I discussed this with my colleagues on the LANTA board and staff members. After looking at this quite seriously, my answer is a simple no. People rely on LANTA to get them to and from work, doctor appointments, etc. on time. Traffic is the number one reason for bus delays - and Hamilton Street was one of the worst culprits. As such, by removing Hamilton Street from our routes, we have increased our reliability for downtown riders. This again is vital for our patrons, many of whom are Center City residents who travel to industrial parks for work.

There are other reasons as well. Buses on Hamilton Street inconvenienced passenger vehicle traffic, caused a possibly unsafe condition for pedestrians (because of the narrow streets) and increased idling times (and as such increased the amount of emissions our buses would release). Therefore, LANTA made the right decision to reroute bus traffic to Walnut and Linden Streets (one block north and south, respectively). With that said, I understand the merchants' concerns and would consider other measures to assist them. As I said in a recent LANTA committee meeting, I am open to adding more stops on the north-south streets and other measures to help offset the loss of foot traffic due to the removal of the stops."

Robert E. Smith Jr.: (his statement to Hamilton Street merchants) "I am shocked of the poor planning by the LANTA board and the total disregard for merchants, senior citizens and students that use LANTA transportation. Despite what the mayor says that this is not a city issue, any time a transportation change and elimination of bus stops that affect Allentown businesses, Allentown residents, this is a city issue. I, Robert E. Smith Jr., a candidate for Allentown City Council, and current elected school board member demand these bus stops be restored. City Council should have a member on the LANTA board, because current members are out of touch with the people of Allentown or just do not care about the merchants on Hamilton Street or people that are poor and are middle-class. We as a nation must conserve our oil supplies. We tell people not to drive, take buses when you can, and this city lets LANTA eliminate bus stops. We need leadership that represents all the people, not just politicians and wealthy elitists who want to keep those people off Hamilton Street. I thank the merchants for sticking it out downtown. I will help any way I can, God bless you all."

Allentown Spinmeisters: All is Well. Really!

Spin:

There are some neat businesses downtown that aren't hurting, and they don't necessarily cater to the elitist. How about the pizza place across the street from the community college? Great pizza, great sandwiches, always busy? Mish Mash seems to be surviving. Freeman's endures. Spooner's is great. The Loop did a great business until its owner stopped paying his bills. Solomon's is still worth the visit.

What do these businesses have in common? They work at it. They don't whine. And people come to them.

Truth:

I interviewed the shop owner-manager [at the pizza shop] and they are hurting.

Today, upon noticing the meeting flyer [at Mish Mash], I inquired as to her opinion. She, as all merchants have been severely impacted by these bus stop changes. Bus riders, the working poor, conducted their shopping on Hamilton Street; not only are the merchants losing their customer base, the passengers have lost their shopping choices.

While spinmeisters pretend all is well except for a few crybabies, Allentown blogger Michael Molovinsky reports that Allentown and/or LANTA officials have removed the covered bus stops just off of Hamilton St., on both north and south 8th St.

Hamilton Street Merchants and Riders Have Unlikely Ally - Transit Workers

On Tuesday, I emailed Armando Greco, executive director at LANTA. I'm concerned about his bus company's role in the shabby treatment of Allentown's Hamilton Street riders and merchants. I'm still waiting for Armando's reply.

But I've received another email that's much better. A group of LANTA employees has sided with Hamilton Street merchants and bus passengers. These transit workers are actually "happy to see that people have come together to stand up to LANTA and its administration."

But these workers also report some very specific, and serious, concerns about the "ethics of the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority." I'll tell you about that on Friday.

Allentown's Gentrification Plan Takes Away Both Buses and Parking

When I told you about the discriminatory gentrification going on in Allentown yesterday, I mentioned that the bus routing changes along Hamilton are actually the third strike against Hamilton's struggling, minority-owned businesses.

First, parking meter rates were doubled in 2005. Second, a public parking lot near these businesses was made exclusive to Allentown Brew Works' [ABW] patrons. Now that buses don't stop between 7th and 10th, that section of Hamilton Street has become empty. Only a few can park there, and pedestrian traffic has been eliminated.

My blog provoked this reaction.

I have been to ABW several times. I do not know of any parking lot that is exclusive for this establishment, aside from a tiny lot on the ABW property. There is a large public parking lot across the street; I have used it many times when doing business downtown, there was no indication that this lot is for ABW at all.

Bernie, I really think you need to spend some quality time in Allentown to understand the great things that are happening there.

Late yesterday, I spent some of that quality time in Allentown. I stopped at a business, En Vogue, located right next to this nonexistent parking lot.

Jimmie and Evie, who own and operate En Vogue on 12 South 8th Street, tell me there was a public and metered parking lot for at least thirty cars located next to their shop. That was a convenience to customers shopping at En Vogue and other stores along Hamilton Street.

But after ABW opened, the meters were removed. The lot suddenly became a private lot for ABW management, chefs and VIPs. When Jimmie tried parking there, he was warned his car would be towed unless moved. I took a picture of this lot yesterday around 6 PM. As you can see, the lot is only about one third full. Couldn't ABW share a few spots with the public?

In addition to removing this public parking lot, Allentown also removed two metered parking places in front of ABW along Hamilton Street. You can see a picture of that open space on the right side of this blog.

When all is said and done, about thirty-two public parking places have been removed. This accommodates one publicly funded business in a KOZ at the expenses of thirty-eight hard-working, and mostly minority, merchants.

If this is not discriminatory gentrification, then what is it?

Before leaving Allentown, I also dropped in on Bibi Hazra, who operates the Loco Dollar Store. She has yet to hear a word from anyone in the city or at LANTA. It was the end of the day and she was running her register. Her gross sales yesterday amounted to $250. With a profit margin around 10%, that's not a good day for her.

Hamilton Street Merchants Being Thrown Under the Bus

"He's our father. He's the father of our house. He's supposed to take care of us. If he doesn't take care of his children, who can he take care of?"

Those are the words used Friday night by Bibi Hazra, who operates the Loco Dollar Store in downtown Allentown. Her words were directed at Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. He won't lift a finger to help minority-owned businesses, yet fawns all over chain restaurants. Bibi has been in Allentown the last seven years, and speaks with pride about the nominations her store has received for three years running, as one of the best stores in Allentown.

Bibi is one of many local businesses that are suffering, thanks to the decision to remove bus service along Hamilton Street, between 7th and 10th. About seven of these Hamilton Street businesses made their concerns known last Friday at a meeting of Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA), conducted at nearby St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Most of these entrepreneurs have been in Allentown for the past fifteen to thirty years. Business losses vary. One sneaker store owner told me his sales had dropped thirty per cent, while the owner of a ladies' wear boutique tells me that losses are at sixty-five percent. Businesses have also been forced to lay people off. Some are looking for second jobs.

LANTA's refusal to stop anywhere between 7th and 10th is actually the third strike against these merchants. First, parking meter rates were doubled in 2005. Second, a public parking lot near these businesses was made exclusive to Allentown Brew Works' patrons. Now that buses don't stop between 7th and 10th, that section of Hamilton Street has become empty. Only a few can park there, and pedestrian traffic has been eliminated.

In addition to these merchants, the LANTA changes have affected elderly riders on fixed incomes, who simply cannot carry the large bags from their many small purchases. BiBi spoke of many of her elderly customers, who will make many small purchases one day every month at her store. Now they can't carry their bags of toothpaste and soap to the bus.

As bad as things are, what is worse is that bus passengers and merchants alike were blind-sided. Many stood at stops waiting for buses that never came. Many of the thirty-eight complaining small businesses knew nothing until benches at bus stops were being removed.

Although no notice of these changes was given to the people most drastically affected, Allentown is telling everyone about its "Dancing in the Streets" celebration this Friday on the 800 block of Hamilton. "We are celebrating to welcome the Allentown Brew Works, PennDOT and all the other new businesses that are in downtown Allentown." Guess what? There will be free parking for everyone after 5 PM.

Whoopee!

German and ethnic foods and booze will be supplied by Allentown Brew Works, Franklin Hill Vineyard, Spooner’s, Zion United Church of Christ and many other Allentown restaurants. But festgoers won't be served any ethnic foods from the House of Chen. Although only a half block away, they were snubbed.

A minority owner of a nearby store started to complain on Friday night, "The rich get richer and the poor -," and then he suddenly stopped mid sentence, as if sadly realizing for the first time that he is now referring to himself.

Mike Schware, Allentown controller candidate, quietly listened to everyone, but eventually had to speak out. "These are viable businesses. These are the people who stuck it out over the tough years and now they're being thrown under the bus."

Pastor Dick Bauman, who facilitated the meeting, noted that "we're experiencing the very opposite of what people are expecting with the rebuilding of Allentown. . . . This is working against the dream of a better community."

The next meeting to discuss what only can be called a discriminatory gentrification will be held on Thursday, October 18, 7 PM, at Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12 St.(between Turner and Chew Sts.) City and county council candidates are being invited, and will be asked what they can do to help.

Allentown's Shame: Gentrification at Expense of Minority-Owned Business

In a report published yesterday by The Morning Call's fearless road warrior, Dan Hartzell, LANTA makes clear it has no intention of restoring eliminated bus stops along Hamilton Street. Board member Steve Schmitt insensitively scoffs at merchants who have lost business. "They wanted something to complain about, basically." Board member-Jenn Mann employee-city council wannabe Pete Schweyer disingenuously claims that business has picked up at the 100 block of Seventh. Finally, Mayor Ed Pawlowski keeps repeating the same "It's not a city issue" mantra his administration has been chanting at me and Lázaro Fuentes.

All three statements are demonstrably false. Merchants have suffered. There is no business increase at the 100 block of Seventh Street. And the removal of these stops is very much a city issue - it's part of a discriminatory gentrification aimed at keeping the riff raff away from the coveted Butz Corporate Center, PPL Building and Plaza and Allentown Brew Works. All three buildings just happen to be located between Seventh and Tenth Streets, exactly where the buses no longer run.

It is a city issue.

The concept of a new transportation hub in downtown Allentown extends back to 2001, and went into design phase in early 2005. In October 2005, when Governor Rendell forked over $1.25 million for the intermodal project, it was "to help revitalize the downtown, making it more attractive to private businesses investment and boosting the quality of life for residents." In October 2006, as this new center was being built, Mayor Pawlowski bragged that it was an "important link in efforts to revitalize the Allentown downtown area."

From Pawlowski himself, we know this is a city issue. These changes were made to help renew Allentown. And according to an anonymous comment by a person who claims to be a Butz Corporate Center tenant, a leasing agent told him in October 2006 that all the "riff raff" will be off Hamilton. "Indeed, it is part of the deal to capitulate to the big biz folks being lobbied to move into the downtown. No taxes for years. Christmas lights in front of their building, exclusively."

Further evidence that Allentown is currying favor with the business bigwigs can be found in this year's "Dancing in the Streets Octoberfest," a Friday afternoon block party along the 800 block of Hamilton Street, at the front door stop of downtown Allentown's corporate giants. People will eat German food and dance under the noses of thirty-eight suffering Malaysian, Korean, Indian, Arab and Guyanese merchants.

They may as well be dancing on their graves.

But business has picked up elsewhere, hasn't it?

One of LANTA's board members, Peter Schweyer, wears a number of other hats. He's also a legislative aide to state rep. Jenn Mann. Remember her? She's the sweetheart who miraculously secured a $10,000 grant for Parkland's ice hockey program, a real worthy cause. And guess what? Peter is running for Allentown city council. He must be very busy, too, because he just hates waiting in the "intense volume of traffic on Hamilton Street." Naturally, he loves the elimination of bus stops on and near Hamilton Street. If that results in "loss of business suffered by a few companies located between 7th and 8th Streets," that's fine with him. Besides, according to Schweyer, business has really picked up on the 100 block of Seventh Street.

That's my point. The intention is to steer the smaller, and minority-owned businesses, away from the aristocrats on Hamilton. Moreover, you don't justify the destruction of existing minority-owned businesses, by claiming that some business somewhere else will profit. Finally, Schweyer's claim is simply unbelievable. According to Michael Molovinsky, "There is only 1 store in that block, one half block away and on the other side, on the far corner of Turner st. That block is the worst in Allentown, 95% vacant."

In an email late last night, Schweyer tells me, "Your argument that LANTA and the City of Allentown are somehow advocating the destruction of minority owned businesses is not only spurious, but laughable and frankly quite bizarre."

I'm not laughing. Regardless of intent, that's certainly what has happened. I don't see how any other conclusion is possible. And it may very well be intentional. Elimination of these stops will certainly remove the "riff raff" near the Butz Corporate Center, PPL Building and Plaza and Allentown Brew Works.

Minority-owned businesses just like to complain.

The prize for most insensitive statement concerning this discriminatory gentrification, clearly goes to LANTA board member Steve Schmitt. He claims people like Jenny Lim are just looking for a reason to complain.

He should talk to her. I did. She speaks in a soft, unassuming and accented voice. But don't let that fool you. She is also coldly logical, knows she's been wronged and is trying desperately to save her business.

Jenny Chen Lim, manager of the House of Chen restaurant at 732 W. Hamilton, is the driving force behind the thirty-eight merchants who have petitioned Allentown and LANTA to reconsider their removal of bus stops between 7th and 10th Streets. A second, and similar, petition, has been signed by 1,800 bus passengers. She tells me her business is down about 30%. Could be worse. The Dollar Store next to her has lost 75% of its customers. It can't last much longer.

In addition to these businesses, Lim stressed that many elderly and low-income passengers have been hurt by this change. "An elderly woman just can't carry bags that far."

When I spoke to Jenny yesterday. I wanted to know how Allentown and LANTA have reacted to her petitions, which were presented on September 27. No one has contacted her. She called LANTA's operations manager, but he's ignored her. So has the city. In fact, the city has told Bibi Hazra, who operates the Loco Dollar Store to quit calling. They don't want to hear it, and keep telling her it's a transportation issue.

A Ray of Hope on Friday

Lim, despite her courage and determination, is no activist. She's just a restaurant manager, trying to make an honest living. Fortunately, Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA) has offered to help. There will be a meeting on Friday, 6 PM, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 36 South Eighth Street, Allentown, PA. I intend to be there. These folks have many ways to get the attention of LANTA and the city. City council candidates like Schweyer, who spout off without even meeting these people, should pay the price in November. In fact, all council candidates should be polled for their position on this issue.

Pawlowski Thumbs Nose at Allentown's Minority Population

Yesterday, I told you that Lázaro Fuentes, who chairs the Lehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has expressed his concern to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski over the discriminatory impact of LANTA's bus stop relocation. "Your help in this matter would be appreciated."

Here's Mayor Pawlowski's helpful reply, in its entirety. "I don’t have any control over buses or routes. You need to talk to LANTA and the two counties who appoint people to the LANTA board."

Amazingly, Allentown's mayor is now claiming he has no control over what LANTA buses do in his own city. That is simply unbelievable. Pawlowski clearly ducked Mr. Fuentes' request for help, and actually tried to divert some of the blame to Northampton and Lehigh Counties.

Lázaro has just expressed his appreciation to Mayor Ed. "Thanks Ed. I was simply looking for your support on this given that it affects the residents and businesses in your city. But I am sure that you have other, more important, things to busy yourself with. Thanks anyway."

Nearly a quarter of Allentown's population is Hispanic or Latino. Allentown's minority businesses are obviously incensed by the discriminatory bus stop relocation. Others, justified or not, are angry at the decision to fine a police officer $25 for an accident that tragically killed a five year old minority child.

The way Pawlowski has shrugged his shoulders at this problem demonstrates, quite clearly, that he has little regard for Allentown's already large, and growing, minority population.

This attitude is shared with Allentown city council candidate Pete Schweyer, another phony progressive who actually encourages this discriminatory gentrification. I'll tell you about him tomorrow.

A-town Official: Discriminatory Gentrification Just a "Transportation Issue"

"It's a transportation issue." That appears to be the party line. That was the stock answer I got to nearly every question I asked yesterday.

I had called Mike Moore, Allentown's communications director, about LANTA's elimination of three bus stops along Hamilton Street. Downtown merchants, many of whom are minority-owned businesses, have suffered. Allentown's gentrification plan seems like little more than a civilized ethnic cleansing. A petition signed by 1,800 bus passengers and merchants asks LANTA and Allentown to restore the eliminated stops. House of Chen manager Jenny Lim explains. "[A] lot of merchants are hurting, sales have been dropped and especially some of the people have been laid off from a couple of the stores already."

So I have some questions for Allentown.

1) Are Allentown officials aware that this bus stop change has had a dramatic effect on small, locally owned, businesses? - "It's a transportation issue. Nothing was done to affect the businesses. We're trying to improve transportation."

2) Are you telling me that Allentown and LANTA would plan the elimination of three bus stops and a new transportation center without considering the impact it would have on local businesses? - "It's a transportation issue. Nothing was done to affect the businesses. We're trying to improve transportation."

3) Are you doing anything right now to help the businesses that have been hurt by this move? - "It's a transportation issue. Nothing was done to affect the businesses. We're trying to improve transportation."

And so on.

At one point, Moore told me bus passengers won't have to stand in the cold anymore to wait for their bus.

Whoopee!

Now they can walk six blocks.

Finally, Moore just admitted he doesn't know what the hell the city is doing, if anything, to help the people it screwed. After all, it's just a transportation issue.

Allentown's Discriminatory Gentrification Attempt

Last week, after I told you the truth about Allentown's crime rate, blogger Damien Brown dropped his pom poms for a moment to email this request. "I am politely asking you to stop engaging in, and entertaining, the anti-Allentown rhetoric against my city and neighborhood that has appeared on your blog in recent hours. This kind of non-sense has proven to be more damaging to our city than any violent crime, fiscal policy, or lack of leadership that Allentown has experienced in the past."

Looks like this "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" cheerleader is going to have to send an email to The Morning Call, too. That paper just published a letter to the editor from the House of Chen, one of the businesses that has suffered, thanks to the removal of Allentown bus stops along Hamilton.

Our livelihoods are threatened by the financial losses that to date have reached 15 percent to 30 percent, and it worsens with each passing day. Many of our patrons are non-white, and some have suggested that the route changes discriminate against both seller and buyer. We are cognizant of the city's apparent plans to gentrify its center. However, we await a routing adjustment that will restore convenience to all of us who are the lifeblood of the city.

Is Bethlehem Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Before the decision to award a gambling license to Bethworks, there was no real gentrification in south side Bethlehem. Its rentals were similar to rates elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley. But the "imminent slots-and-lofts redevelopment" will certainly change that picture, along with the demographic make up of Bethlehem's south side. It's the new apartheid, bippy. Bethlehem, the Christmas City, will certainly morph into Bethlehem, the White Christmas City. Jersey transplants will be insulated from the Lehigh Valley's riff raff by tinseltowns like The Promenade Shops at Upper Saucon.

Bethlehem is delighted at the inevitable increased tax revenues. But forgotten are the poor, mostly Hispanic, who have little political or economic clout. I don't see any effort to expand affordable housing for those who will be displaced. They'll be nudged aside for latte-sipping yuppies, a process that occurs regularly in several U.S. cities.

So just as the original Bethlehem had no room for Jesus, neither does its Pennsylvania namesake.

Is Bethlehem Getting a Little Too Uppity?

Riverport. Gambling. Musikfest. Is Bethlehem getting just a little too snooty? That's what Patty Metzgar says in a recent letter to The Morning Call.

There is a new word in Bethlehem and it isn't "Grease." The word is "upscale," and I am sick of hearing it. We have "upscale" developments, malls, restaurants, shops, groceries and just about anything else.

I'm 54 and have lived here all my life. I worked a short time at an "upscale" shop before it was called that. Every day, customers would buy merchandise that was marked up 20 percent to 30 percent from its original price. They were more than happy to pay because the store catered to a more affluent clientele.

Will shoppers need to take an IQ exam at the door? Will mentally challenged individuals be turned away? I guess you need an advanced education to select fruits and vegetables.

But Patty's "evil twin" expresses another view in a hilarious online comment.

There is a new word in Bethlehem and it isn't "Grease." The word is "downscale," and I am sick of hearing it. We have "downscale" developments, malls, restaurants, shops, groceries and just about anything else. Subsidized housing, welfare, inner city slumlords and huge downscale immigration pressures from the more pricey areas to the east, namely Newark and NYC. Downscale too often equals "up crime".

I'm 51 and have lived here all my life. I worked a short time at an "downscale" shop before it was called that (Walmarts, The Dollar Store, etc.) Every day, customers would buy merchandise that was brought in from China and took away jobs from the very locals who were buying there in a twisted sort of Catch 22 in the marketplace. They were more than happy to pay a lot less because the store catered to a more downscale clientele who, by virtue of shopping there, vote everyday that they want China to keep manufacturing and selling us their cheaper goods while they buy the jobs right out from under themselves.

What really pushed this whole "downscale" mentality over the edge was an article I remember from a few months back about Walmart Greeters, which said it's downscale store is for the "welfare-educated," and "well-trodden in society's evil business world" shopper.

Will shoppers need to take an IQ exam at the door? Will mentally superior individuals be turned away? I guess you don't need an advanced education to select the lowest prices since your job to produce those very goods is no longer here on our shores.

Actually, I think Patty has a point. But it applies pretty much to the entire Lehigh Valley, which is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for Jersey and NYC commuters. Last night provided the latest example of our gentrification. I went to a new restaurant in downtown Nazareth, where I paid $16.65 for frickin' meatloaf. And I listened to a couple that moved here five years ago from Jersey decry the rapid loss of our open space.

I bet the meatloaf in Joisey is cheaper.

Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton's "Low Income" Areas

Ever travel through Lehigh Valley's slums? Don't kid yourself. We have pockets of poverty everywhere. I pass through one on my way to Easton's courthouse. If I'm on a bike, it's up close and personal.

But for a young kid, life in a slum may be no worse than in the gentrified Riverport. Yesterday, I saw a young boy running down a street near Easton's courthouse with a Halloween mask covering his face. No costume. Just a simple pumpkin mask. He was having the time of his life. He didn't know he was poor. His spirit hasn't been crushed. When he took off his mask, he had the most beautiful smile, one that warms the heart. But how long will that last? I notice the smile decreases as the age increases. The older kids don't smile.

Lehigh Valley slums claimed another life last week, a young man in Allentown who shot a cop and then blew his brains out. He was once a young boy, and perhaps he once had a great smile, too.

"The children of the Ghetto possess all the qualities which make for noble manhood and womanhood; but the Ghetto itself, like an infuriated tigress turning on its young, turns upon and destroys all these qualities, blots out the light and laughter, and moulds those it does not kill into sodden and forlorn creatures, uncouth, degraded and wretched below the beasts of the field ... In such conditions, the outlook for children is hopeless. They die like flies and those that survive, survive because they possess excessive vitality and a capacity of adaptation to the degradation with which they are surrounded."

Jack London's words are as true today as they were in the early 1900's.

Slots & Lofts: The Gentrification of Bethlehem's South Side

Jeff Pooley, publisher of Old Fairgrounds and assistant professor of media and communication at Muhlenberg College, has written a provocative op-ed for The Philadelphia Inquirer about the gentrification of Bethlehem's south side. The Bethlehem Steel industrial site will soon be "a haven for yuppies with lattes, making over Bethlehem's fragile South Side neighborhood in the McMansion-and-strip-mall image of the suburbs surrounding the city." This just may "smother the city's organic, arts-driven renaissance."