As the
next mayor, I look forward to leading the restoration of our civic pride. It is
necessary, however, in the meantime to minimize the damage Afflerbach and the
current administration can inflict upon Allentown.
(July
19, 2006) A sniveling editorial on July 16 decries Hazleton for its
reaction against its rising crime rate, stating the problem is related to a
spurt in population, not changes in demographics. But, Allentown's population
reached 100,000 by 1928. While its population today is only 6 percent higher,
the crime rate has gone off the charts.
The Morning Call and Mayor Ed Pawlowski would ignore reality for political
correctness. It's wonderful that The Morning Call does not wish to offend any
new immigrant, but I believe existing residents also deseerve a sense of
security.
(October 19, 2005) In July of 2004, The Morning Call proposed that the Democrats and Republicans cooperate to agree on one "fusion candidate" for mayor of Allentown. Like a magician, the newspaper continues to manipulate the voters' choices for the election. I have been excluded from their debate because I refused to pay for a poll documenting my level of support. As the only paper they should be promoting democracy, not suppressing it.
(September 1, 2005) Allentown has once again been made a victim by the Parking Authority. After investing millions of dollars to promote shopping on Hamilton St., the taxpayers and merchants are socked with the doubling of the meter rates and fines. In an act of arrogant defiance, the Authority calmly claimed the increase was favored by the merchants, while in reality over 85% are adamantly opposed. The time has come for the Parking Authority to be held accountable to the citizens of Allentown.
(July 30, 2005) The perfect storm for crime has intensified over Allentown. In addition to the hot weather and thousands of bad actors, the long awaited police contract now being ratified encourages mass early retirement. There are neither new recruits in the pipeline, or funds to pay overtime, which will result in the lowest staffing level in years. The public is invited to a meeting Sept. 1, at 7:00 PM at the Faith Baptist Church, 219 N. 12th St. to discuss this problem or anything else which they find annoying.
(April 18, 2005) Candidate Bill Heydt and some neighborhood activists now want city conducted mandatory home sales inspections. This service is provided currently by the private sector at reasonable rates. Our politicians and bureaucrats are hopelessly confused about what should be the proper mission of local government. City Hall and our taxes need not grow to meet and match every ordinance found elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Steel Widow wants to sell her house on Grant St. after living there for 50 years. The house has the original 60 amp. service. Before she leaves for Cedarbrook, Heydt would have her spend thousands rewiring the house so some low-income transient with a grant for a down payment can get a low-interest mortgage through one of Allentown's MANY agencies competing to turn this town into POVERTYVILLE. It's time for a new concept: Respect for the long-term homeowner and his property rights.
(March 27, 2005) Allentown and its Housing Authority is about to embark on a total reconstruction of our public housing project. While most of us live in row houses built around the turn of the last century, our bureaucrats have decided public housing from the Roosevelt era is just too old. Ed Pawlowski laments that the current housing project is a "pocket of poverty." I believe he and the bureaucrats have helped make the entire downtown a pocket of despair for the middle class taxpayer. The last thing Allentown needs is a modern showcase new project attracting more needy to our challenged city.
Despite Afflerbach threatening to lay off 15 fireman and 10 police, he proposes to spend $200,000.00 to hire 3 trash inspectors who will issue $25.00 fines to property owners. Our city is currently infested with thousands of uncouth people who litter as they go. Our professional bureaucrats are too politically correct to differentiate between those who do the littering and those who pay the taxes.
In response to the deficit created by his former unmanaged police chief Kuhn, Afflerbach negotiated new contracts with short term gains, and long term pain. The issue is not what police and firemen deserve, but what the taxpayers can afford, a reality lost on Afflerbach.
Allentown must stop creating slogans which are then used to justify endless projects. 7th St. "Gateway to Allentown", and the new one, "Arts Walk and District" are meaningless moneypits. For an affluent city it may be urban planning, for us it is simply squandering valuable resources.
Martin Velasquez, only after the city's financial disaster became public knowledge, resigned as deputy mayor. He voted for every one of Afflerbach's' proposals for 28 months. Sorry Marty, you cut bait too late.
Currently there is a proposal to construct over 80 homes on vacant parking lots. The lots are in tax free zones and will have multiple negative effects upon the current tax payers. The increased density will impact our overcrowded schools and result in higher taxes.
Afflerbach's stubbornness to back the Agere ballpark site even contradicts his own goals of reusing the union blvd. location and having a destination for American parkway. The possible contribution from the county and Agere sponsorship negate his excuse. Can we still convince Rendell to give us $12 million while our mayor balks? He's like a child who angrily takes the ball home with him, so nobody else can play.
This year's Community Development Block Grant application continues to be an insurance policy, it insures the poverty magnet continues. No less than 30 social agencies are scheduled to receive more than 1.5 million dollars