Memorial Fund for Former ET Reporter Killed in Afghanistan

Chances are that if you read this blog, you also check out Josh Drobnyk's Pennsylvania Avenue, an insider's guide to Washington politics. Thanks to Josh, we know that a memorial fund has been established for former Express Times reporter Bill Cahir. Every penny donated will go to his family, which includes a pregnant wife expecting twins. Times are tough, but if you can scrape a few dollars together to help Cahir's widow, you'll know it goes to a good cause.

A Marine reservist, Cahir was recently killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. Drobnyk reports that Cahir will be posthumously awarded the Purple Cross.

Although rivals of a sort, covering the same beat for different newspapers, Drobnyk's reports about Cahir are a testament to him and his profession.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto: "No One is Trying to Hide Things From the Public"

On Monday, I published an email that's been widely circulating over the past several weeks, reporting that LA's Hoover Crips street gang has invaded Easton. I was unaware that Neighbors of Easton blogger Noel Jones had circulated her own email warning about gang activity. Amazingly, Easton's coppers told her to mind her own business. "[T]his type of misinformation hinders our law enforcement efforts dramatically because it causes paranoia within the residents."

Translation - telling the truth is bad for business.

I was surprised to learn That Easton Mayor Sal Panto had previously warned Jones about the email I published. "The [email] circulating from the Courthouse was scaring people."

Translation - telling the truth is bad for business.

We now know, thanks to Express Times reporter Michael Buck, that the email is generally accurate. Mayor Panto also clarifies his objections in a comment posted at Noel's blog.

"First and foremost no one is trying to hide things from the public. The email that Bernie O'Hare placed here was the email I referred to, saying it was alarmist. It was meant to encourage her fellow employees to be conscious of the activity if and when they left the juvenile center after hours. It went beyond that in that it did name a very fine business in the West Ward, one of the pioneers so to speak who built their business and rehabbed properties when no one was moving to the West Ward. It was untrue and it hurt their business to be associated with this gang."

Basically, Hizzoner is saying the email is bad for a specific business, which I redacted in my own post. He then goes on to try and contradict what the Easton police themselves confirm in the story written by Express Times reporter Michael Buck.

Mayor Panto, unlike his Allentown counterpart, has always been up front about Shadtown's crime problem. He's dealt with it honestly and proactively. His willingness to participate in blog discussions is refreshing. But it's a mistake to suppress information warning about a new gang in town. It led to an ET story that provides a little more perspective. It resulted in the mayor's own clarifying comment. Third, and most importantly, it informed the public.

Something wrong with that?

John Callahan's Got Legs and He Knows How to Use Them

Allentown's Cedar Creek Park has certainly been in the news of late, thanks in large part to all that controversy and poor communication over many of the changes planned by the Pawlowski administration. But everyone relaxed a bit on Sunday. It was "Pride in the Park" day, an annual celebration of the Lehigh Valley's gay community. A pilgrimage of politicians visits every year to speak and get teased.

This year, it seems that the LV gay community was rating the legs of different politicians who rose to speak. Walter Felton, who is running for magistrate in Allentown, got a 9. But Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan blew everyone away with an even 10. In fact, when Pride board member Rob Hopkins introduced Callahan, he said, "I know all three mayors, and John Callahan definitely has the best legs."

He's got legs and he knows how to use them.

In addition to showing them off to an appreciative audience, Callahan is using those legs to run away from the most important issue facing this country right now - health care reform.

Jake Towne, an independent congressional candidate, actually sent a detailed health care proposals to post on this blog and submitted an op-ed that was published in The Morning Call. Google reports 173,000 sources of information for incumbent Congressman Charlie Dent's positions on health care. Just last week, Congressman Dent stood outside Lehigh Valley Hospital's emergency room, advocating that physicians who provide life-saving emergency treatment, should be treated like good Samaritans. You might disagree with both Dent and Towne, but at least you know where they stand. But how about Congressional wannabe John Callahan?

He's got legs and he knows how to use them.

Does he support House Health Care bill HR 3200, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi is shoving down our throats? This is what The Morning Call's Scott Kraus reports: "Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, a Democrat who is expected to be Dent's opponent in 2010, would not say whether he supports the current legislation." Then why the hell is he running in the first place?

Congressman Charlie Dent’s campaign manager, Shawn Millan, is calling on Callahan to state clearly and definitively where he stands on this important issue as a service to the voters he wants to represent. “Callahan claimed that he wanted to challenge Charlie on the issues. Maybe he hasn’t read the papers lately, but health care is certainly THE issue on the minds of tens of thousands of people in the 15th District."

Actually, Shawn, Callahan does read the papers and must know that the Pelosi Pill is too bitter to most Americans. He also knows his goofy sales tax increase, targeted at low and middle income people, is making voters angry.

“John Callahan shouldn’t be allowed to get away with a ‘no comment’ on an issue this important to America,” Millan added.

“We’ll make it very easy for Mayor Callahan,” said Millan. “Yes or no, does he favor the Pelosi takeover of health care by the government outlined in HR 3200? And, yes or no, does he favor the so-called ‘public option’ which, in the words of Rep. Barney Frank, will lead to a single-payer system?

"John Callahan doesn’t get to hide behind his handlers at the DCCC on this issue. Let him tell the voters where he stands and let them decide from his position whether or not they think he belongs in Congress,” concludes Millan.

The problem is that, whenever Callahan opens his mouth, he hurts himself. In addition to promoting a regressive sales tax increase, he's claimed that the "quick infusion" of a federal stimulus package would eliminate any state budget crisis. I'll bet he wished he had that one back. So instead of speaking on the issues, he's running from them.

He's got legs, and he knows how to use them.

Update: A gaggle of union-led public insurance proponents rallied outside Congressman Dent's Bethlehem office yesterday, claiming there's no time to wait. Looks like they're protesting at the wrong office.

Easton Police Downplay Hoover Crip Presence

On Monday, I published an email that's been circulating over the past several weeks. It reports that LA's Hoover Crips street gang has found its way to Easton. Express Times reporter Michael Buck checked it out with Easton's finest. Lt. Scott Casterline admits that Hoover Crips have recently moved in Shadtown, but that's no reason to expect an imminent gang war. "We have seen (the Crips) playing basketball with the Bloods in city parks."

They must be friendly Crips.

The Disgruntled Bidder

Northampton County recently decided to have an outside firm assess Bethlehem's Sands Casino. Calling it "the most important decision in assessment that the county has ever made," Finance Director Vic Mazziotti recommended California firm HVS, which has experience appraising hundreds of casinos, to county council. They unanimously agreed, and the firm will be paid around $100,000 for this job. Sounds fairly straightforward, right? Unfortunately, there's another story, and it reveals a local businessman who used political contacts, instead of qualifications, to pressure county officials.

In competitive bidding, the low price usually wins. But for the casino appraisal, the county went the RFP (Request for Proposal) route. Cheaper is not always better, especially when professional services are involved. Proposals are opened at the same time and assigned to a committee, which evaluates and recommends an ideal vendor. County Council must accept this recommendation, and only then is the County Executive free to sign a contract. In this case, there were four proposals, and one of them came from Allentown appraiser John Ingram, who has absolutely no experience with casinos.

Purchasing Officer Kathryn Anderson tells me that, once a proposal is received, county officials adopt a "cone of silence" until the contract is awarded. This avoids undue influence by any one bidder, who may seek to get a leg up on other prospective vendors. But Ingram made a point of calling numerous county officials anyway. He actually met Northampton Controller Steve Baron, and made a point of mentioning his ties to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. In fact, in his proposal, Ingram lists Pawlowski as his first reference, including the mayor's personal cell phone number. The other three vendors list banks. Ingram also bragged that he was a member of King Edwin's blue ribbon panel. You know, that's the one that has failed to solve the Queen City's financial woes.

Ingram amazingly wanted the county to stop the RFP process and just award the contract to him.

Ingram did not stop with Controller Barron. He called Finance Director Vic Mazziotti, Purchasing Officer Kathryn Anderson and Director of Administration John Conklin. He even put the squeeze on Council member Charles Dertinger, reportedly calling him at least six times.

The committee making the recommendation in this case included Mazziotti, Anderson and Conklin. Council Prez Ann McHale, Assistant Solicitor Dave Backenstoe and Bethlehem official Mark Sivac also participated. After two meetings, HVS was their unanimous recommendation. The minutes are quite revealing.

"John Ingram continues calling our people about the job and downgrading HVS. John C[onklin] said we need to practice the cone of silence with vendors and Ingram should be told this is our policy and stop. John feels Ingram's proposal should be thrown out.

"Ann said Ingram does not have the insurance that is needed; therefore, the proposal does not meet the requirements. Ann also feels Ingram's proposal should be thrown out.

"Ann would like a local vendor, but everything with Ingram is too negative."

Ingram, when he learned he was rejected by the committee, actually asked County Executive John Stoffa to override their recommendation.

"According to Ann McHale and Charles Dercinger (sp?), the final decision has been made on who is going to be awarded the contract to appraise the Bethlehem Sands Casino---and they said it was made, this morning, in favor of HVS out of San Francisco---so much for the County saving money on valuation services! I didn't know that McHale was on the committee making the decision until yesterday, and I called her for the first time, early this afternoon. She was very unresponsive, except to tell me the final decision had been made, the public announcement would be made on Monday, and that she really didn't want to talk to me.

"I thought the final decision was yours to make, or do you just go along with whatever they decide to do? Anyway, if that is the final decision, I'm very disappointed, of course. If so, that will be the first, only and last RFP I'll ever respond to---who needs the wasted time? If you have the ability to override their decision, I'd still like the opportunity to work with the County on the appraisal."

Stoffa refused to go against his own committee, so Ingram threatened to complain to council and the press. They refused to be bullied. Dertinger and McHale, whom I've often criticized, resisted this undue influence.

In this case, what you know mattered a lot more than who you know.

Arlen Specter & Sunflower Seeds

Larry Kisslinger, veteran warhorse of numerous political battles on both sides of the aisle, must have one hell of a scrapbook. A very youthful Arlen Specter came to Bethlehem in 1985 to promote the Republican ticket, headed then by Larry's mayoral campaign. It also included council hopefuls like polka king Jolly Joe Timmer, who was then a youthful 187 years old and only a polka prince. Larry sent me the great pic you see here.

Arlen tried, but failed, to win the day. Only council hopeful Otto Ehrsam survived the Democratic buzz saw. Ron Angle insists he was Timmer's political consultant that year.

Timmer's campaign imploded when he was caught handing out forty year old sunflower seed packages and expired movie passes while going door to door. "Those seeds are good for at least ten more years," he growled as one voter was rushed to the hospital to have his stomach pumped. These days, Timmer still throws those seeds to the kids during Halloween parades.

On the bright side, this is when Timmer also shared the secret of long life with Specter. The Senator now takes one of these sunflower seeds every morning for medicinal purposes. "It's like aspirin," he claims. True, it made his hair fall out once, but he and Timmer both expect to live several thousand more years.

Properties of Merit Broke

Remember Properties of Merit (POM)? In happier times, it raked in nearly all of its annual $351 thousand budget in state and other public money. Nearly 1/3 of that, $110 thousand, went right into executive director Sam Bennett's pocket. Of course, she helped set that salary herself. Hey, you think it's easy handing out garden rakes?

Sam is no longer with POM. She's in D.C. No, she was not elected to Congress. She now heads up yet another nonprofit that promotes women in politics.

Looks like she jumped ship just in time, too, because funding at POM has dried up. S I tried calling several times last week, left several messages, and no one has returned my calls, even when I pose as Ed Rendell. I've been told that its two staff members have been laid off and the office is closed. No money. Communities planning on a program this year are still wondering what has happened to their ballots.

So if you're expecting a golden garden rake, better pick one up at a yard sale.

Update: We're Still Kicking! Just got off the horn with John M. Krumenacker, President of POM's Board. He tells me that POM is currently experiencing a cash crunch, but it's temporary. He expects that the staff will return and is just putting the finishing touches on a contract for a new Executive Director.

LA Hoover Crip Gang Invading Easton

A disturbing email has been circulating for several weeks and has finally found its way to me. It's a warning from a Northampton County Probation Officer, although it is unofficial. If you live or work in Easton, it's cause for concern.

"I wanted to give everyone the heads up that I received information yesterday that the Hoover Crip Gang has moved into the Easton area. This is an original gang from Los Angeles. They are here for 1 of 2 reasons, the Easton drug trade is very lucrative right now or they are checking on the status of other sets in the area. They are putting a lot of pressure on the younger kids both physically and mentally to deal their drugs for them. In speaking with Wes Johnson - he believes that they have no plan on leaving as they can make A LOT OF MONEY HERE.

"I drove around Easton yesterday and found taggings of this gang along 6th and Pine Streets. The members are generally older - 18, 19, 20 years of age, wearing their pants below 'normal' with typically blue boxers and exhibiting orange flags (bandannas). Mike O and I saw 2 of them walking up Ferry Street on our way back from lunch yesterday.

"It should be noted that Easton was predominately Bloods who have controlled the area for the past few years. Some of these known Blood Members are running scared and have left the area since the Hoover's moved in. I did not find any Blood markings over the Crip tags which is a good thing - once they start tagging over - we can see an all out WAR.

"The Hoovers' typical initiation is either a drive by shooting or committing burglaries. They have been seen congregating outside of restaurant establishments, particularly [redacted] around 8 p.m. and later. Several of them were seen on Sunday during Heritage Day. They were sitting around the fountain in Center Square and finally moved when several police were in the area. They were wearing bright orange headbands (as if to say, HERE WE ARE).

"Although this gang was established in LA - the members that are migrating to Easton are typically from Orange, NJ and Newark, NJ. However, they are bringing with them the power and mentality of the Hoover Crips from LA - which is dangerous.

"I received information today that at least 2 were arrested on Walnut Street. They are usually scattered up Ferry and Walnut Street - a concerned person advised me to 'please be careful leaving work and stay away from Walnut Street, right below Ferry.' The group was out in full in Dutchtown Park yesterday. As of late, they don't really appear to have gone beyond 9th Street'.

Is this true?

I have contacted several people who have their fingers on Easton's pulse. They confirm that the Hoover Crip gang is definitely moving in, but that Easton's police are well aware of this development and are taking steps to keep things under control. One of those steps might have included informing the public.

Frey Fries Pawlowski in Cedar Creek Park Interrogation

It's safe to say there's no love lost between Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and Geza Frey, whose Down Low nightclub has been shut down as a result of a city-sought injunction. Not surprisingly, Geza has contributed $1,000 to Tony Phillips' mayoral campaign.

At Thursday night's city council session, Geza was eventually shut down again, but not before making clear that (1) the misinformation concerning Cedar Creek comes from the city itself; (2) Pawlowski's administration missed three opportunities to meet with the public; and (3) the Mayor attempted to get some local churches to play the race card. You can see the full video here, and below is a transcript of the last three minutes.

Frey: Why was noting mailed to the residents of the close proximity of the park until recently, now that that the project is ready to begin in a few weeks?

King Edwin: I'm sorry, what was your question?

Frey: Why was nothing mailed to the residents that live right by the park until recently?

King Edwin: We had done an extensive planning process and it went out. We put out public ---

Frey: The first time I received any mailing was this week.

King Edwin: We apologize for that. It's not typical in the park process, but we try to engage the public the best way we possibly can. I've outlined for you all the things that we've done. It's not like it's hidden from anybody in any way, shape or form. We had two publicly publicized public meetings.

Frey: I've been to the last three meetings and I've seen nobody from the administration until now.

King Edwin: Well, let me address that. The last meeting was just a courtesy of the floor, I was on vacation. It's the first time I've taken vacation in ---

Frey: One of these meetings you were in the building.

King Edwin: Can I finish talking please?

Frey: Sure, sure!

King Edwin: One of the meetings I was on vacation. Greg was here for a certain portion of the meeting and then he had to go and watch his kids because his wife was out that particular evening. [Blogger's note: Actually, Weitzell had has daughters with him at the meeting in question, and left only once it became apparent the public would be allowed to speak.]

The meeting before that, we were told by city council, and President D'Amore and I had talked, that two of three council people were not going to be there and the committee did not constitute a quorum and thus the committee could not have met. Councilman Phillips, to my understanding, did the meeting anyways. I was in the building for an interview with Channel 69. I had a prior commitment. I left the building because of that prior commitment, so it wasn't like we were trying to avoid. Had we known that the meeting was actually going to be taking place, we would have had somebody there from the administration, to start answering some of these questions.

We have tried our very best to do what we can to get this information out to the general public. I think we've gone - quite honestly - above and beyond, in many cases. You look at other planning processes that we've had in the city, this plan has probably been out there longer, has gotten more scrutiny, has gotten more input, has ... uh, we've had it on the web site, it was in city hall right here for at least a year ...

Frey: I know, but the pictures keep changing.

King Edwin: No, the pictures don't keep changing. That's part of the ... the exact plan that was out out there, if you look at the plan itself, it says possible proposed, you know, skate park. Possible, proposed. It doesn't say it's gonna actually be part of the plan. It was just the initial vision. We took in comments on that vision. It hasn't changed since the very beginning. There's been no bait 'n switch here in any way, shape or form. We have tried to give the most detailed information that we possibly can to the general public.

Now, realizing that there were concerns by people who live around the park, we sent out that letter. We also made sure that we worked with council and Council President D'Amore and I had talked, we set up this special meeting specifically to go through this time and express to you - the residents - what exactly is

Now, realizing that there were concerns by people who live around the park, we sent out that letter. We also made sure that we worked with council and Council President D'Amore and I had talked, we set up this special meeting specifically to go through this time and express to residents what exactly is happening because, as you saw, there's a lot of misinformation ...

Frey: Well, that's the thing with misinformation I wanted to ask you about. There was a lot of misinformation given this past weekend and I wanted to ask you why did you reach out to the churches and ask them - tell them - this is a race issue and a discriminatory issue.

D'Amore: Hold on. Mr. Mayor, you can answer that if you want to, but your time is up, sir.

King Edwin: I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.

Eichenwald: A Teachable Moment

When Allentown council member Jeanette Eichenwald speaks, it's as though someone just threw open a window to let a fresh breeze soar through the room. I've seen her in action four times now, and she is one of very few local government officials who really believes in transparency.

To give you some perspective, just look at how some of her colleagues acted on Thursday night. As soon as Parks Director Greg Weitzel had finished his presentation, council members Julio Guridy and Davie Howells broke out the pom poms.

Julio Guridy immediately declared that Weitzel had answered his concerns about park security. And as Pawlowski had played the religion card, Guridy played the race card with this mean-spirited jab. "The park does not belong to just a few people." When the audience groaned, he snapped "I'd like to have a little respect from the public." Really? Then how about giving it?

Howells was even worse. Without having listened to a word from the public, he droned on with condescending comments like "Take Davie's word for it, this is not going to cause any trouble" and "If you trust in Davie Howells, trust in this plan." Davie, you lost in a primary. I think it's safe to say voters no longer trust you. Howells also had a nasty habit of turning his back on speakers, especially if they went over their allotted three minutes.

Eichenwald, in well-chosen words, put her finger on the problem, and this was after listening to the public. A link to her video is here, and this is some of what she said.

"To me, the issue is absolutely not at the playground. I look forward to bringing my children, my grandchildren, to play with all your children and grandchildren. I am sure it all adds to the enjoyment of living here. But I do think, recently on a national level we had a discussion about teachable moments, and on a local level, this, too is a teachable moment. It tells us the difficulty rises not from the issue, but from our lack of a dissemination of information in a timely and correct manner.

"When people are given the opportunity to ask questions, such as there are this evening, and are given the opportunity to have with us members of the administration, then the questions are answered and we can move forward.

"I'm still concerned about several issues - security, flooding, parking, safety, noise - and I hope that our administration will continue to disseminate information, to keep us informed and to make sure we are in receipt of as much information as possible.

"In knowledge there is power and in knowledge there is understanding. I look forward to continue to walk in the beauty of our parks, and I hope, Mr. Weitzel and administration, that you are willing to respond to the citizens at large as well as council and provide us with information. And I, too, look forward, whether it's by computer or in my hand, to have the construction plans and to follow them as they proceed along."

The People Speak to Pawlowski

Instead of posting actual video, which will slow this blog down, I'm providing links to specific concerns expressed by ten of the thirty-three speakers during Thursday's Allentown City Council meeting concerning Cedar Beach. Every person who spoke, both pro and con, was excellent. In fact, I'd like to rent a few of you for Northampton County Council.

* Was an Impact Study Done on the Neighborhood?

* Not Against Playground, Am Against Poor Information

* Joe Hilliard: There Will Be Costs

* Mother of Disabled Child Lauds Playground

* No Communication

* Cedar Creek Park Will Be Economic Benefit

* Michael Molovinsky: Size of Crowd Indicates People Not Informed

* Misinformation comes from Allentown itself. Those of you who brought your children and plastered them with stickers and signs, congratulations.

* Free Money Funds Cedar Creek Park Changes

* Disability Services Agency Lauds Changes at Cedar Creek Park

* Outraged that Neighbors of Park Knew So Little

* It's Not a Master Plan - It's Nothing!

Allentown Parks Director Details Cedar Creek Park Improvements

Parks Director Greg Weitzel considers his park plan something like the the English Constitution, a living document that can change as circumstances warrant. Below are segments of his detailed presentation to Allentown residents on Thursday night, which does answer many of the concerns.

I also have links to several video clips: Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five.

The Plan is a Living Document

"The Plan. We have four guiding principles in regards to this improvement project. One was highlighting and enhancing the park's unique features, including Cedar Creek, Muhlenberg lake and the Rose Garden. We also understood that we needed to provide a diverse variety of recreational opportunities to serve people of all ages, interests and abilities. We have protected and enhanced the natural resources of the site, as part of this project, and we wanted to provide trails for recreation and fitness throughout the park and beyond to nearby recreation sites. And lastly, consider and improve the park for special events.

"We started with a preliminary plan. We looked at our site opportunities and concerns and we came up with a Master Plan. I want to make this very clear. This is a vision, a living document that changes over time. ...

"While this idea of a skate park is proposed, we understand that there's other areas where a skate park may be built. ...

"This is a vision, this is an idea of what the park could be. It doesn't mean it will be the end result."

The Nitty Gritty

"So we have our Phase 1 plan and I've outlined what exactly we're doing as part of that plan. So here's a summary.

"We are replacing three deteriorated pedestrian bridges.

"We are replacing and renovating our picnic pavilion area.

"We are introducing a vegetative buffer along the Cedar Creek.

"We are expanding and enhancing our trail system.

"We are restoring and renovating the Rose and Old Fashioned Garden.

"We're installing a new playground.

"We're upgrading the existing parking lots.

"We're renovating four existing rest rooms and installing one new restroom.

"We're upgrading the electrical and lighting system.

"And we're going to introduce new signage and a link finding system.

"There will be a youth fitness trail and climbing boulders.

"There'll be a pavilion and family rest room. This will be very aesthetic with a decorative fence and stone pillars."

The Playground

"The playground is 19,900 square feet. The playground is less than half an acre. The park as a whole is 109 acres. I've done a lot of work in comparisons over the last several weeks. Our pool, for example, is 30,000 square feet. This playground will be slightly over the size of two basketball courts.

"We need to talk about this estimating the capacity of a playground. Research indicates that the greater number of square feet allotted per child, there's a corresponding decrease in the number of injuries. Seventy-five square feet is considered ideal, so that equals to about two hundred and sixty-five kids. Now do we anticipate 567 kids in this playground at one time? No. Will there be 200 plus kids in the playground? Most likely during July 4th, Mayfair, Sportsfest and maybe other special events.

"Now one of the other concerns we have is this is going to change the character of our park system. That when you're driving down Hamilton Street, this huge monstrosity of a playground is going to stand out right at you. So we did a comparison to show people from eye level on Hamilton Street exactly how the playground will look. You will see this will not be sticking out as people are concerned."

Parking

"Another factor in our renovation is upgrading our existing parking lots. We're going to refigure and restripe our existing lots. There are no new parking lots being proposed as part of this project. We can fit 120 spaces in the existing pool parking lot. We also have 60 overflow spots next to the basketball courts. We're going to have 24 spots north of the pool, which is often referred to as the bake oven grove. There'll be 45 spaces at the Rose Garden pavilion area and 50 at the park and rec office. That's equalling 299 spaces as a whole."

Flooding

"What's the city going to do to address this problem? The proposed improvements respect existing flood prone areas within the park. The new natural vegetation and flowers along Cedar Creek will help to reduce these flood impacts. Improving the park trails will lessen the damage to the trails and reduce the sediment reaching Cedar Creek and Lake Muhlenberg. ... No new facilities are proposed in the park's flood plain."

Increased Maintenance and Supervision

"We believe this investment in the park will promote increased appreciation and stewardship. ... [Audience starts laughing and even Weitzell starts to smile at this obvious bullshit burger, and Council Prez D'Amore chides them] ... The proposed improvements such as the natural vegetative buffer along the Cedar Creek will reduce long-term maintenance and improve the appearance of the park. City crews will continue to operate and maintain the park in a first class manner."

Funding

"Phase 1 being funded through $1.8 million from grants provided by the Harry C. Trexler Trust, the Pa DCNR and the Lehigh County Green Future Fund. No city tax dollars will be used to complete any of the above-mentioned renovations and also, it's very important to understand this funding is project specific and cannot be used for other city parks or operational expenses."

Incremental Ongoing Costs

"The city anticipates no new costs as a result of these renovations. In fact, we believe the maintenance will decrease. Proposed improvements such as the renovation of the trails will reduce our long-term maintenance and improve the appearance of the park."

Disabilities

"It is estimated that over four thousand children in Lehigh County have a disability."

Why Not Make All Parks Handicapped-Accessible?

"Obviously, we would love to make all of our parks completely accessible and we'll work towards that effort."

What do you mean by destination park?

"This is a term used across the country. We want all our parks to be destinations."

Noisy Games at Playground

"Yes, the playground will have NEOS and it does have some noises, but we can adjust the volume and even turn it off if we want to."

Playground and Park Security

"We have the police reserves and the Allentown Police Department and we also hope the parents of these children will protect them. [Crowd starts mumbling again]. We have maintenance monitoring the park seven days a week. We just had an accident at the pool a couple of weeks ago and it took them less than four minutes to arrive on site."

Allentown Details Cedar Beach Communication Efforts

Allentown Parks Director Greg Weitzel last night detailed an admittedly exhaustive effort at outreach by city officials. But what he and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski still fail to grasp is that they created most of the misinformation themselves by publishing a plan that had been changed and, in some cases, discontinued. That created lots of confusion, which continued well into last night. Moreover, Weitzell acknowledges that no effort was made to notify residents who actually live near the park and would be most affected by changes. No study was conducted to determine the impact of these renovations in their neighborhoods. Yet, Pawlowski later claimed that the city went "above and beyond" in its efforts to supply notice.

"Number one, it's the city's most heavily used park in our system. The park infrastructure has deteriorated, like the rest rooms and the pavilions. The park is also not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. And the Cedar Creek and Lake Muhlenberg ecological health is in dire need of attention.

"I want to walk through quickly a summary of the park planning process. In June 2007, we started a master plan ... . We set goals, we did field work and site analysis, we did key person interviews, public meetings, a cost analysis, and we came up with a final development plan. We did the typical flyers and postcards, we encouraged as many people as we could to get out and get involved in this process. We distributed these to more than forty media outlets, we posted the flyers in the park, in city hall, we put it on our web site and in various locations around the city. We mailed postcards to over 300 individuals and organizations, asking them to come out and get involved in the project.

"Our project team met with over forty key persons and conducted over forty key person interviews. More than twenty different organizations submitted comments or held meetings with the project team. Numerous comments were received via walk-in, email and phone.

"At every presentation I conducted, as well as the mayor, this plan was displayed. We also had an extensive open public comment period. We also put the plan in Adventure Allentown last Fall, the Cedar Creek Parkway Master Plan and Phase 1 Renovation was in the centerfold. We distributed this city-wide through the Morning Call. We sent it home to over 14,500 students, and it was placed in over fifty locations, including parks, libraries and county offices.

...

"We also (with the cooperation of DCNR, the Pa. Recreation Park Society and PSU) conducted a park survey, a pre-renovation survey. There is a need to evaluate the impact of park renovations and park visitor behaviors and physical activity. We surveyed over 400 park visitors and we hope to do a post-renovation survey once we're done with Phase 1 construction.

"We also created a Rediscovery of the Park brochure to help get the word out even more.

"We underwent an exstensive approval process. Our approval process with city council was lengthy. It involves various meetings on our capital project improvements. The Director and myself attended over ten city council meetings and committee meetings. We created a city-wide parks capital improvements plan with the leadership of city council. All of these passed unanimously.

"We also had to undergo an extensive environmental impact and permitting process. Where there is stormwater or wetlands studies, sedimentation and erosion control, or what's called a MPEDS permit. It's one of the most extensive permits you have to get for any construction. We also have to get a DEP joint permit that pertains to the federal Clean Water Act. Innovative storm water management is one of the keys to this proposal. We're using what is today's best management practices. We're creating a subsurface infiltration bed, which is really a stormwater retention underneath the playground. We're not going to be piping water into the Cedar Creek."

Former ET Newsman Killed in Afghanistan

When he worked for the Express Times, Bill Cahir would occasionally send me links to his breaking stories about what was going on in Washington, D.C., especially if it concerned LV Congressman Charlie Dent. He answered every email I sent him, too, giving both encouragement and insights.

I am deeply saddened to learn that Bill was killed killed recently while serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. Editor Joe Owens, a hard=nosed newsman not exactly known for his compliments, called Cahir an "American hero."

Pawlowski to Move Forward With Cedar Creek Park Improvements

On my way up the hill to Allentown City Council yesterday, I knew it was going to be a long night. At the top of the hill, right outside city hall, people had signs advocating a playground at Cedar Beach Park and condemning opposition as racist. And once I walked inside, there were little girls in pretty dresses everywhere. Lisa Pawlowski's Children Crusade was in full operation. In a letter and on her Facebook page, Lisa had previously instructed her disciples to bring signs and kids because they "play well for any media." Last night, they obeyed. As I moved through the crowd to find a seat in the front, a very attractive woman walked up and introduced herself. "Hi Bernie. I'm Lady MacBeth."

Uh oh. Fortunately, she was very nice.

The place was packed by the time the meeting got underway. I stopped counting at 140. People stood in the rear and along the walls at the side of the room. One of Allentown's finest was on hand in case anyone went berserk. And that was a distinct possibility because the place was full of politicos and bloggers. There were even a few dogs in the building, who were either guide dogs or there to demand a bark park. Pawlowski campaign manager Mike Fleck was there, looking as befuddled as ever, and so was LC Dem Chair Rich Daugherty. All three of Allentown's Republicans showed up, too.

You see, this has become a political issue that has probably cost Hizzoner a few votes. King Edwin can screw around with budgets. He can accept excessive donations form city vendors and workers. He can let crime run rampant in Allentown. He can even lay off thirty-nine workers. But, as I've come to realize, you don't mess lightly with Allentown's parks. And if you do tinker, you better let everyone know exactly what you're doing. That's where King Edwin screwed up. He and Parks Director Greg Weitzel misled the community about what was happening, and Allentown residents are rightfully upset.

Last night, the Parks Director described exactly what the city has planned for the Cedar Creek Park. That was followed by some questions and comments from the public. By my count, fourteen people advocated full speed ahead while nineteen people urged caution. Not a single soul objected to the concept of a playground for differently-abled children.

Because the city has still failed to produce its latest plan and supporting construction documents, Councilman Michael Donovan asked the mayor to delay further construction at Cedar Creek Park for another six days, when the next City Council meeting is scheduled. Council members Jeanette Eichenwald and Tony Phillips joined that request. But Council members Julio Guridy, Peter Schweyer and Davie Howells felt Hizzoner had already done enough, and Pawlowski explained there were open holes in the ground that might present a liability issue. He did promise to post the latest plan and construction documents. He also tried to claim that he had already given everyone ample notice of his intentions, without bothering to pint out that the information was all wrong. He did end up apologizing to one Cedar Creek neighbor who was never told anything.

Despite the concerns expressed by a majority of last night's speakers at last night's four hour meeting, King Edwin's jackhammers will replace the sounds of woodpeckers at Cedar Creek Park today.

The best one-liner of the night was delivered by Council member Davie Howells as the clock ticked towards ten o'clock. "My mind can only absorb as much as my rear end can endure."

I did take a lot of video and will upload and post links over the weekend. I will also transcribe the Psrk Firector's presentation and a fiery exchange between Geza Frey and Mayor Pawlowski.

Update: I will be posting the Park Director's presentation, word for word, and links to videos of several of the citizens who voiced concerns. The Morning Call has a detailed news account, Molovinsky brands City Council as a rubber stamp and LVCI laments we still have no final plan.

State Budget Impasse Now Hurting Our Children

Community Services for Children provides early education services for children from low-income families. Yesterday, President Jane Ervin sent this letter, which is self-explanatory.

As a result of the state failing to pass the early education portion of its 2009-2010 budget, Community Services for Children (CSC) must delay opening 12 of our 39 classrooms serving 233 preschoolers from poor families in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. These are among the most vulnerable children in the area!

CSC is forced to furlough 42 employees and reduce hours of an additional 88 employees between mid August and September 18th, representing between 10% and 20% reduction in pay for the period. About 46% of CSC's 280-person workforce is affected.

If the budget impasse remains unchanged by early September, we will need to reassess options to take more dramatic action, potentially affecting more children, families and staff.

In addition, the state has not reimbursed CSC for services already rendered in two other programs we operate: Child Care Information Services of Lehigh County and Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Keystone STARS program. The lack of payment has forced CSC to secure a $5 million line of credit, which will require a high interest repayment.

I am asking you to let your state representative and senator know that saving a penny now will cost a pound later. We can't afford to balance the budget on the backs of poor children who need quality early education now. As you know, children entering school unprepared all too often remain behind!

Please ask your representtaive/senator to resume negotiations and support early education at last year's levels.

To find your state representative and contact information, go to http://www.legis.state.pa.us.

Thank you for your help!

LC Comm'r Chair Dougherty Blasts State Budget Impasse

Gloria Hamm has oxygen tubes running up her nose, and Sterling Raber's arm is in a sling after breaking his collarbone last week. They both had pretty good excuses to take a summer's night off, but they were still present at last night's fifty-minute meeting of Lehigh County Commissioners. After listening to a spirited address by Chairman Percy Dougherty, they may be preparing for war against ineffectual legislators in the land of midnight payraises.

One of the items considered was a proposed grant of about $100 thousand to an alphabet soup of nonprofits for participation in Lehigh County's "MORE for Children" program. As explained by sponsor Dan McCarthy, this is a program administered through the school districts, for field trips to places like Lehigh Valley Zoo and Allentown Art Museum. Hotel tax, and not real estate revenue, is used to fund this grant.

Although Dougherty supports this "very important" initiative, he notes that "[i]t doesn't appear like there's going to be speedy conclusion" to Harrisburg's state budget gridlock. He claimed everyone, from Governor Rendell to legislators from both parties, are at fault.

"This is probably the largest pending disaster that I have seen for the County since I have been a County Commissioner." Having just returned from a CCAP conference, he then explained how other counties are preparing.

"Some of the counties are already putting into effect programs where they're cutting back on staffing, where they're starting to cut programs, and for want of a better term, they're putting into effect triage types of systems. So by a certain date, if we do not have a budget, they are going to start to cut programs, and these are programs that most of us consider absolutely necessary. ... We are going to have to look at this very carefully if there's not a budget solution soon."

Commissioners throughout the counties are even thinking "that if the legislators don't come up with a solution, that county commissioners from every county declare that they're going to run against the elected officials in Harrisburg so that we can get something done. It's getting nasty out there."

You can see Dougherty's video here. Careful! It's hot!

Meanwhile, over in the People's Republic of Northampton County, where County Exec John Stoffa runs around flipping off light switches, Finance Chair Lamont McClure has no worries. He's conducted just four budget meetings this year, half the usual number for previous years.

Lehigh County: We Don't Need No Steenkin' Special Election

Last Thursday, Northampton County Council unanimously adopted a resolution asking Lt. Governor and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati to reverse himself on scheduling a special election in the 24th Senatorial District on September 29th. It would be much cheaper to simply wait 35 days and conduct the special election along with the general.

It was Lehigh County's turn last night. After a contentious committee hearing, which I unfortunately missed, everyone went along with Glenn (Commissioner No) Eckhart's proposal. A Republican, Eckhart deserves some credit for taking on the heavyweights within his own party.

Eckhart had an unlikely ally last night - his opponent in this November's election. Softspoken Democrat Hillary Kwiatek told Commissioners "I'm in perfect agreement with Commissioner Eckhart on this. It's inappropriate to have a special election 35 days before a scheduled general election. It's a waste of taxpayer dollars."

Chairman Percy Dougherty was a little more blunt, calling the decision "idiotic." After the resolution was adopted, Eckhart claimed it would most likely end up in Scarnati's trash can. That's s probably where Northampton County's resolution has already been carefully filed.

I hope they used recycled paper.

Dent Takes Aim at Emergency Care Worker Shortage

LV Congressman Charlie Dent, along with Tennessee Democrat Bart Gordon, has previously introduced legislation designed to address the growing shortage of physicians and specialists willing to work in emergency rooms as hospital staff or as on-call providers.

Yesterday, standing outside the Emergency Room at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, Congressman Dent noted that current House legislation on health care ignores the issue of medical liability reform, and stressed the urgent need for Congress to act on this issue.

Emergency physicians and on-call specialists perform lifesaving feats everyday, often requiring quick, life-and-death decisions based on minimal information. But it's inherently risky because emergency and trauma patients are often sicker, have more serious complications and usually have no pre-existing relationship with the treating physician. Unfortunately, the high risk of being sued and the increased professional liability costs, which are far higher than for those who do not provide such care, have limited the availability of many emergency physicians and on-call specialists.

Under federal law, public access to emergency medical care must be provided, regardless of ability to pay. Dent's legislation provides emergency room doctors and on-call specialists with medical liability protection. The goal is to ensure that emergency medical care will be available when and where it is needed.

“The medical liability environment is creating a crisis in access to emergency care for all Americans, the insured and uninsured alike,” Congressman Dent said. “As Congress considers proposals to reform health care access in this country, it is essential that we focus on ensuring that quality health care is available."

“I believe there are certain, specific issues that must be addressed whether we pass a major overhaul or not,” Congressman Dent continued, calling his proposal a “common-sense reform."

Congressman Dent was joined by LVHN Emergency Department Director Dr. Richard Mackenzie and by Dr. Alex Rosenau, LVHN staff physician and board member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, which represents 27,000 emergency physicians nationwide. Dr. Rosenau noted that the liability issue is particularly daunting to younger doctors, and presents a barrier to doctors who might otherwise enter the essential community service of providing emergency care.

Cunningham on Track With Lehigh County Bridge Repairs

We tend to take them for granted. But imagine the horror we would feel if a bridge collapsed from under us. Just two years ago, that's exactly what happened on a Minnesota Interstate bridge, leaving thirteen people dead.

But believe it or not, the Keystone State has the largest number of structurally deficient bridges in the whole dang country. More than one out of every four bridges has problems. There's a pleasant thought for you next time you roll over the Hill to Hill bridge!

Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham has re-opened four bridges since taking office in 2006. By the end of this year, major repairs will be completed or underway on 17 others, more than one-third of the county’s 47 bridges.

Today, seven humongous support beams (152-foot long, 106-ton) will be plunged into the murky depths as the $6.5 million Linden Street bridge project nears completion in December. You can join Cunningham and watch these beams being hoisted by two 500-ton cranes at 4 PM today.

Cunningham has vowed to throw the last of these beams into place all by himself. "It's just like a caber toss," he tells me.