Allentown Afterthoughts

Thorough election number-crunching from Chris Casey at the Lehigh Valley Political Blog:

Here is the troubling equation for Democrats: A complacency that comes with a countywide registration edge of more than 30,000 voters(X), PLUS voter turnout that approached ten percent less than Republicans (Y), PLUS a lack of loyalty to candidates of their registered party (Z) EQUALS continued losses at the POLLS (LOSING). Here it is X+Y+Z= LOSING.

The Call give front-page love yesterday to a shameless publicity stunt for Mayfair that it’s co-sponsoring.

Its tack is to cover the story with jaded “It has become a reality TV society” irony.

“Think ‘Survivor’ in a compact,’” is writer Matt Assad’s cutesy sum-up.

How does the paper handle its co-sponsorship? More irony dodge:

yes, in the interest of full disclosure, we’re part of this

No amount of self-distancing parody changes this fact: the Call gave shameless publicity to a shameless publicity stunt.

On its front page.

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Fascinating, detailed piece from American Conservative on Hispanic crime rates. The takeaway: they are no higher–at least in terms of national averages–than Anglo crime numbers, contrary to popular perception. (Apparent disparities disappear when adjusted for average age; the Latino population is younger, so numbers look higher.) Lessons here for Allentown and the anti-Latino whisper campaign.

Not yet. But I fear it’s going to be a long summer, as O’Hare covers his normally sharp critical eye to shill for Charlie Dent, our GOP congressman. O’Hare usually calls them as he sees them–unless he’s thrown his support behind a public figure. Then he becomes, in effect, a campaign aide—passing along press releases and attacking his favorite’s opponents. There’s nothing wrong with opinionated blogging, and O’Hare’s great at it. But I get the impression that he suspends his judgment—even on issues he cares about, like pay to play—when one of the O’Hare elect is involved.

Case in point: Silence on Charlie Dent’s Air Products cash-for-earmark story. If it were anyone but Dent, no one in the Valley blogosphere—no one—doubts that O’Hare would be all over it.

UPDATE: O’Hare and I debate the post in the comments.

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Andrew Kleiner of Remember on the in-progress Cedar Beach renovations:

It would appear that the philosophy adopted by the parks department at this phase of construction is one of slash and burn. The park is simply torn up, end to end, in a mess that will end with a black topped path that flies in the face of the recommendations of the 2006 Master Plan for Parks and Recreation as well as the current guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Both of which discourage to the point of warning, the implementation of “non permeable” surfaces in parks. These particular developments are personally disheartening and frustrating to see. Being a vocal supporter of the Cedar Beach renovation plans last summer has left me here with egg on my face. I never signed up for the destruction that is occurring.

Like Kleiner, I support the overall plan. Still, his post has me worried.

The New York Times on Charlie Dent’s Air Products cash-for-earmark exchange:

Dent obtained the $750,000 earmark for Pennsylvania-based Air Products & Chemicals Inc., money that is intended for development of ceramic membranes “which can be integrated into a state-of-the-art gasification system,” Dent said in his earmark request letter. “This versatile technology also enables the capture of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and can be applied in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner to a broad list of energy sources, including coal, natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, biomaterials, and waste materials,” Dent wrote. The $14,250 in contributions that Air Products & Chemicals Inc. has given Dent through its political action committee make it his top contributor this election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Thanks to the recent Citizens United decision, Air Products will be permitted to spend unlimited amounts on Dent’s re-election.

On this one, it might take a while for Bernie O’Hare of LV Ramblings to register his usual (and justified) outrage over pay-to-play shenanigans.

Via LV Independent.

Speaking of “Retail Watch,” exciting news in today’s column about Bar Cibi opening at the charming-in-theory Fairgrounds Hotel space at 17th and Liberty. The new Italian restaurant/bar is the creation of David Maiatico, of Pastificio fame:

Maiatico added new carpet, paint and some polishing of the place, but he kept much of the Victorian decor — wood accents, chandeliers and antique gold-framed mirrors.

Can’t wait to try.

I like the Morning Call’s Tyrone Richardson and his oddly addictive “Retail Watch” column and blog. Still, I get the impression–it’s a tonal thing–that he’s giddy when a big national chain store opens. He often writes as a cheerleader for readers hoping to lure some big box farm-squatter. To me, the big national retailers are an eyesore at best–set as they nearly always are in soul-destroying strip malls. There’s the effect on downtown retail too, but that’s an old predictable story.

I realize that most don’t share my big-box anti-chain-ism, Richardson included. That’s fine. But the Call’s “Retail Watch” should at least cover small, independent stores, especially in the Valley’s three cities. Case in point: a “Retail Watch” post from March 9 announces a new chain bike shop in the Airport Center. Still no mention, in RW nor elsewhere in the Call, of Madera Bicycle—the family-owned jewel on 7th and Linden Streets in downtown Allentown. Madera’s been open since July.

In fairness to Richardson, he has covered some local, independent restaurant openings. I just wish he’d get giddy about them too.

Stephen C. Antalics Jr. on South Bethlehem and its struggle with snootier north:

The citywide uniform Christmas lighting scheme of 1937, designed to promote unity between the two antagonistic communities, was later revised to white lights north of the river and colored to the south. White depicted the Moravian tradition of the white candle signaling the coming of Christ while colored represented the various ethnic origins of the South Side.

Nice history piece.

The Call’s Arlene Martinez in a recent Valley 610 post on ballooning teacher pension costs:

It’s difficult to imagine what’s going to happen if something doesn’t change. The Catasauqua Area School Board plans to pass a resolution at its Monday night meeting urging the state legislature to pass pension reforms. I’ve attached it here. This is just one district, and Catasauqua’s a pretty small one. But look at what the increases are going cost the people in just three towns in Pennsylvania.But look at what the increases are going cost the people in just three towns in Pennsylvania.

For the record, I think she’s right about pension reform. Still, it’s startling to see such full-throttled advocacy from a working journalist.