It never ceases to amaze how people will wait in line--sometimes for hours--to cast their vote in national elections. Yet come time to elect local officials only a fraction show up.
Things like streets, water, trash, policing property taxes, emergency services, parking, zoning and a who host of others that impact us directly all occur at the local level. Few ever will directly affected by what the scrum does in Washington, that's for certain. I can't tell you the number of complaints I heard about what goes on Washington and how people can't wait to vote them out. Yet little more then a handful ever turn out for local elections. Why is that?
People need to start asking themselves what ticks them off the most. I'd suggest making a list of the top five pet peeves they have. Nine out of tern times it something only local leaders can do something about. Then go out and vote for the candidates they feel will address them.
The Washington bunch aren't going to address property taxes, parking problems, who gets to build what where, how the parks look, how well streets are plowed/maintained or enact local ordnances specific to each municipality--to name a few.
So now get out there and vote ! Do something about these things..
One of my pet peeves is those who complain why I'm not out there hammering away at meetings. Here's how I feel. After being on countless committees frustrating myself where I once worked, I came to realize management stacked the deck. They already had a predetermined outcome they expected. Much is the same with how these politicians form their committees and commissions. Even if such a group were to oppose management (in this case elected officials) they always have the final say. In the past I've been subject to what happens when someone opposes those in power. I'm not going to repeat those same costly and emotionally draining mistakes on neither my family or myself again. Been there done that.
To those with greater courage--may you have greater resources and stamina then I to pursue your ideas. As for me--over the years I've concluded although I couldn't choose those unelected corporate management leaders, when it comes to local issues by electing political leaders I certainly can. By voting for those who seem to hold the same views is where I feel I can be most effective.
At this point in my life I'll just stick to this blog and voting in all the elections as my way of making my voice heard.
I must admit until this election I wasn't familiar with Eugene McDuffie. After doing some research he was my number one choice for city council. This was even before these videos surfaced which reinforced my determination to cast my vote for him.
UPDATE (05/15/2017) Why the hell did they remove these videos!!!?
I must state I'm no big fan of the local "Coffee Party", but their national objectives I do agree with. I also think the videos the local movement post on YouTube are of great service. That said...
Talking Points
It doesn't matter whether my choices have an "R" or "D" after their name. So too what's more important to me then their experience is the kind of person they are. The kind that have integrity and passion to serve. Certainly Eugene would be at the top of that list when it comes to city council.
The Mayor's Race I'm not going to jump on the bandwagon bashing Ed Pawlowski. What I will say he's had his turn and there's been a number of people who have dealt directly with him speaking negatively towards him. This great a number can't all be haters. So he has to go (nothing personal).
There's been some negative comments made toward Ray O'Connell. I'd like to address a few. Some accuse Ray's lack of opposition to the mayor in the past. First off I think Ray was new to city council and being a reasonable man tried to deal with the mayor less aggressively. As time passed as he had more experiences with how the mayor operates he became more frustrated. This reached a peak when he became President of city council enabling him to do more opposition to Pawlowski then before. As low key and reasonable as Ray is, it surprised me how vocal he could be when the mayor started turning ugly at the city council meeting at the budget hearings in 2016. It showed me Ray certainly is no shrinking violet when confronted. Ray also understands city residents' ASD property taxes are directly impacted by what decisions are made at the city level. He understands the city cannot succeed in it's goals if the schools are keeping future residents from moving here. Something the current mayor has all too often ignored.
City Council Under Allentown's charter, city council is relegated to the whims of the mayor. However strong voices can make a difference. That's why it's extremely important NOT to elect future puppets to council for the mayor. Eugene obviously wouldn't be one of them Neither is the very outspoken Daryl Hendricks who currently has a seat on council. Unlike in the past Julio has stepped up to the plate recently. I also favor Lou Hershman. I think he would be an asset. Even though sometimes he can be a pain in the ass, there isn't another man who spent more time and energy questioning some of the very things we also wondered when it came to things like the water deal, incinerator project and a whole host of other questionable decisions. Lou has shown (even not being on council) he spends more time then those who do.
Generally Speaking... The NIZ was a state funded project having little anything to do with what was done at city hall. It would have happened no matter who was in city office. Shiny buildings and whatever new jobs are taking place are not the result of city hall. Crime, status of the fire department, improving poverty and restoring housing are all distinctly separate from the new development taking place within the NIZ areas. Voters must ask themselves what did city hall do to make streets safer, the schools better or has our city housing stock improved?
Allentown needs a change. Police are overburdened. So are the schools (financial and otherwise). We need people like Eugene on council and Ray who understands the interrelationships and how important it is to bring everyone to the table. Is there anyone who can truthfully say Allentown doesn't need to make a drastic change in leadership?
Not that it matters to most people what I think but if Allentown voters reelect this mayor and reject all the candidates I mentioned I will never speak of this again. Others have given up on Allentown. I don't want to do that. However I'm not one to endlessly drain my energies on such as a fool's errand. Come on Allentown, don't disappoint me. Not this time!
"The estimated 103 judicial vacancies that President Obama is expected to hand over to Trump in the Jan. 20 transition of power is nearly double the 54 openings Obama found eight years ago following George W. Bush’s presidency... Confirmation of Obama’s judicial nominees slowed to a crawl after Republicans took control of the Senate in 2015... Twenty-five of Obama’s court nominees were pending on the Senate floor, after having been approved out of the committee with bipartisan support, but did not get a vote before the Senate"
A QUICK COMMENT: Good job McConnell. To the victor goes the spoils. Forget about the good of the country. Party 1st !!
"University officials announced Tuesday that they pulled the fraternity’s university recognition through May 31, 2021, as a result of the investigation."
A QUICK COMMENT: Sounds like a bunch of future leaders in Washington to me.
"The flight attendants treated me like I had committed a crime, stating they would be filing a report, calling in the hazmat team to clean the entire row (let me mention there was no mess involved) and told me I would need to talk with the pilot after the flight!” [she] wrote on Facebook."
A QUICK COMMENT: Other then that, how was the trip?
" The White House declared the meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to be closed press, meaning that reporters couldn’t attend and cover independently. But one outlet did get in: TASS, a Russian state media organization... On MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell expressed disbelief over the White House giving Russian state-run media access to a meeting that was closed to U.S. press."
A QUICK COMMENT: This is how strong leaders operate in certain countries. Putting democracy aside--Donald's on a path of his own when it comes to the press. Calm down. Nothing to see here. Stand down. Everything's just fine
The Mood I Find Myself In
Enough already. We have five cable news channels, network late night shows and "Saturday Night Live" all doing about the same schtick. I suppose I could be called out for doing the same thing with this post, but sometimes it's pretty hard for me to ignore. However it's my intention to do fewer focusing on this kind of stuff. If I be accused of failing in my mission to do less of them in the past--let it be known my intentions are to do less of them in the coming days.
What's happening right now in politics are in complete opposite to the things I believe in. Regular visitors to this blog already understand this. Therefore there's no sense dwelling on them unendingly (like it would matter anyway). There's enough negativity in the world I don't see a point in adding to it Hence I intend to lighten up a bit in the coming days.
One other thing I have on my mind is the lack of response this blog gets in comments. I'm of the mind I want them, but not really. I post something here and a few days later on other blogs they post on the same issue and get a whole bunch of comments. Most which would only serve to piss me off anyway. So I suppose I should consider it a blessing. Obviously I'm not good at dealing with people.
Some might say if I need a friend, get a dog.
Actually I prefer cats.
They only eat, shit, sleep and never answer when you call.
Unfortunately the operator of that blog (Ron Beitler a Lower Macungie Commissioner) only allows comments for registered users of FaceBook. Since I refuse to join FaceBook I will respond here instead..
"Secretary Tillerson sent a message to oppressed people everywhere: Don’t look to the United States for hope. Our values make us sympathetic to your plight, and, when it’s convenient, we might officially express that sympathy. But we make policy to serve our interests, which are not related to our values. So, if you happen to be in the way of our forging relationships with your oppressors that could serve our security and economic interests, good luck to you. You’re on your own....
We have long believed moral concerns must be an essential part of our foreign policy, not a departure from it. "
I urge people to read the entire OP-ED piece. Thank God there are some like Senator John McCain still left in congress to remind us of what we should stand for.
