Allentown Water Lease: Councilman Has Failing Memory

History is repeating itself

Allentown City Council denies residents
a chance to speak on water lease
WFMZ

"Later Guridy elaborated: “When we introduce an ordinance or a resolution, we don’t discuss it; we send it to a committee.”...

When Fegley said council did not follow proper procedure, Guridy said council has been following the same procedure “for as long as I can remember. For the 12 years I’ve been here, that has been the rule.” But City Clerk Michael Hanlon told Fegley: “It’s a tradition, not a rule.”"
See here's the thing... I don't care where one stands on this. Whether one is in favor or opposed. What I do care about are the facts. One is entitled to their opinions, but they are not entitled to changing the facts that history proves otherwise.

While I no longer have the post up, on May 15, 2011 I posted:"At Allentown city council's meeting this Wednesday, May 18, 2011 council is expected to hear it's first reading of R28. While council is not expected to take action, it will be council's first reading concerning Allentown's future $80+ million arena"Here is what still remains posted on Allentown City Council's Website14. RESOLUTIONS ON FIRST READING:
R 28 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Allentown Authorizing the Preparation and Submission of Declarations of Taking and Related Documentation pursuant to the Eminent Domain....Here is what was posted for Allentown's Council Meeting Last Night (Wednesday, April 3, 2013)14. RESOLUTIONS ON FIRST READING:
R 12 Approves[sic] Lease.
Authorizes the Administration to Enter into an Agreement for a Lease Concession to operate and provide water and sewer service for the City of AllentownAs one can plainly see, both of the council agendas list these actions as first readings. However back on May 18th, 2011, despite it being advertised as "RESOLUTIONS ON FIRST READING" city council went ahead and voted 6-1 to proceed with eminent domain. It was NOT "sent to committee". It was instead approved by council's vote. Of this there can be no dispute.

Therefore when Guridy says, "we don’t discuss it; we send it to a committee... council has been following the same procedure for as long as I can remember. For the 12 years I’ve been here, that has been the rule." it is either attributable to selective memory, bad memory or a flat out lie.

It also stands to reason council could have just as easily taken the same action last night (on it's 1st reading) as they did back on May 18th, 2011 regarding eminent domain. Even if the water opponents were allowed to speak last night, history clearly demonstrates this group would not have influenced council any more then did store owners at that time.