Where's Nepon?

Hey folks. I haven't disappeared. I am back at work since the election. I am dealing with the reality that not many people came out to vote and Pawlowski did a better job (though not a very good one, obviously good enough)at motivating people to vote. So after the dismal turnout, I picked up where I left off. You can still read my opinion pieces in The Morning Call's Sounding Board.

I feel ok about the run. I am not sure I feel as well about the City's future. Stay tuned for some news about to break that may shock you. I am still getting my facts backed up before going public.

Meanwhile, the SEIU, the City's employee union, voted down the Mayor's offer at a recast of the contracted raises coming. The threat that was supposed to guarantee the passage was that there would be layoffs. The employees are all holding their breath. I feel somewhat secure, as I am in a protected class from my claim for back wages due. Also, it would look mean spirited to fire me after my challenge in the Primary. Wouldn't look good for the Mayor. Might get people voting for his opponent. But it wouldn't be the first time he shot himself in the foot.

I just keep wondering why the Mayor didn't take my advice almost two years ago and save a quarter million dollars in Public Works by modernizing the surveying. The cost would have paid back in less than a year and been saving mega bucks every year, while simultaneously improving our accuracy and workflow speed. It didn't seem important to him then. Might be important now.

Did you know that a member of his blue-ribbon committee is heading an organization on the brink of financial ruin. It is a non-profit that eliminated it fund-raiser in a cost saving move. Where could that be headed? Hope the blue-ribbon folks come up with better ideas than that to help the city.

If you think the rebuilding of the parks as recreation destinations is a bad idea, wait until you hear the next move. Hint? How many trees make a forest?

More Bad News for Downtown Allentown

In the vicinity of the Fabulous Renaissance Plaza at 9th and Hamilton, we have two more victims of the renaissance. Spooner's Cafe on Hamilton, and the new Crave Lounge have both closed, apparently unable to make a profit from the rebirth-ed downtown of the Pawlowski Administration. How will Pawlowski spin this one? They went the way of the New York Floral, so it is good news for the city, making way for new business in the blossoming metropolis?

Now I need to find a new place for lunch, as these were my favorites.

What is left downtown? No one knows, because everyone has abandoned the place. I predict PPL is the next to go, when their free ride on taxes goes away.

There is a Pawlowski sponsored Arts Organization (is that a contradiction in terms?)trying to start up on the other side of 9th. Of course, not in the Arts Walk area. No arts orgs want to go there. Even the City has given up on the concept after spending boku bucks to create it.

Read who is responsible for the illegal negative robo calls against a fellow democrat. QCD Blog outed the culprits, Allentown Fair's resident cop, and Pawlowski's sidekick and perennial supporter, Rob Hopkins.

My response:
This is just another demonstration of the contempt Pawlowski and his machine have for the public.

Vote for Dick Nepon. That is one way to put an end to these guys that think they can control your city and your politics. You are being denied access to information and fed lies. If that is what you want, then vote for Pawlowski. He must be at the heart of this. Follow the money. Pawlowski is the only one who has any. Don't wait until it is too late, vote Pawlowski out tomorrow.

I have 'tickets' for the victory celebration, at Spooner's restaurant at 921 Hamilton Street. I believe it is somewhat insulting to be saying "here you are about to vote, and you don't know who to vote for" so I just want to invite people to the party.

You can hand these out before the election in your neighborhood, or hand them out at the place you vote. I have a list of places where the vote is high if you want to be somewhere else. Let me know where and when I can get you these 'tickets'. email me

The polls open Tuesday at 7 AM and close at 8 PM. Any time you can spend greeting people and handing out invitations is great.

I can get you an official poll watcher certificate which allows you to enter the polling place to inspect the voter record. It not only allows you to see how many people have voted, but it also allows you to go in and sit down, assist people with voter issues, and most important, it allows you to use the bathroom. It is also a neat memento. Let me know if you want one.

Also, of course, you are invited to the party. It begins when the polls close at 8, and will offer some snacks and coffee.

Thanks again for your help and support. It has been my pleasure meeting all of you. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Crime down?

Do you know anyone, beside the Mayor, who feels that crime has decreased? Any police who believe it?

If the numbers have gone down it is because people have stopped reporting crime since it doesn't get addressed, or investigated or solved, unless it is high profile. All you get is a report number for your insurance carrier. As if everyone was insured.

I can guarantee you that the perception of crime has not decreased. Everywhere I go people are looking for help lowering the crime rate. The Mayor claims that there are no gangs, but is happy to get funds to combat them.

The other reason crime might be down is because people are scared to go out. Downtown is empty. Even Pawlowski says you need three elements to have crime, a victim, opportunity and a criminal. We have plenty of the later, but are lacking in the former. Perhaps that is the Pawlowski Plan - if every one moves out, the rate will go down some more.

Let me know if you think that the crime rate has decreased, and you feel safer this year than last year.

PAwlowski's most successful development

Why does Pawlowski keep asking for more money? His campaign fund is already his most successful economic development.

WFMZ will be a poor replacement for real news

After spending a lot of time attacking me for an old resume that I never used to get a job or to run for Mayor, WFMZ gave me very little coverage for my campaign announcement, and then stopped running it. They have yet to cover any of my charges about Pawlowski's misrepresentations as outlined on my FACEBOOK page and BLOG.

With the loss of real news coverage from The Morning Call, I was hoping that WFMZ might become a source for real journalism, but it appears to be only interested in 'gotchya' journalism.

There are real issues I have addressed, but the news has decided that you don't need to know them.