Last week, I had the great experience to join South Side residents at the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner for one of the oldest and most venerable crime watch in the City: Mountainville 30. The head of this organization is none other than Ben Gress, who also doubles as the leader of Presidents’ Council for the City’s neighborhood watch groups.
The dinner and birthday celebration brought out civic leaders from across the City from every level of government along with a few other candidates for a variety of offices. But what was much more impressive was seeing nearly 100 residents eating, chatting, laughing and enjoying the simple pleasures of living in a community.
The best part about living in Allentown is just that: a sense of neighborhood and a sense of community. It’s having 100 neighbors get together for dinner on a Friday night instead of going their separate ways. The clear success is a testament to the good work that Ben does for his neighborhood and our City.
And these community events are citywide. Just this year, I visited block parties and community gatherings at Midway Manor (as posted below), the Old Town Neighborhood Watch/OAPA, 19th Street Theatre District, supported an Easter egg hunt in my neighborhood (Lil’ Lehigh Parkway), National Night Out at Steven’s Park and countless others. This does not include all of the block watches, union meetings and other community forums I have attended – these are just some of the neighborhood parties I’ve experienced.
The sense of community in Allentown is what has kept us afloat during our recent struggles, and it is one of the top reasons why we are rebounding now. I would like to publically thank Ben and all of our community leaders for their role in keeping Allentown together.
Congratulations Mountainville 30 on this impressive anniversary, and best wishes on 50 more years!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
LANTA
First a little background. Early this spring, I was asked by Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham to serve as a member of the LANTA Board of Directors. As someone who periodically rides LANTA buses and who has seen what quality public transportation can do to for a metropolitan region, I was quick to accept. I was unanimously approved by the Lehigh County Board of Directors and began serving in the early summer.
The timing was quite fortunate as LANTA was about ready to kick off a new era in public transportation in Lehigh County. As you no doubt are aware, the new Allentown Transportation Center (ATC) was close to completion. Through the prior decade (yes, this project took nearly 10 years to plan, fund and construct), LANTA worked with elected officials (including federal, state, county and municipal), the business community and most importantly our riders in designing the ATC and redesigning our routes.
The results have been nothing short of astounding. The ATC has helped us achieve our goals of 1) creating a convenient facility where people coming into Allentown or leaving the city can transfer buses, purchase tickets and park their vehicles (for park and ride purposes) in a clean and safe atmosphere; 2) reduce bus delays caused by traffic by rerouting routes, eliminating redundant stops and centralizing operations; and 3) serving as a “field HQ” for our drivers. According to both our riders and drivers, things have never been smoother.
Recently, the Morning Call noted the loss of business suffered by a few companies located between 7th and 8th Streets on Hamilton Street, who blame their decreasing revenue on LANTA’s decision to remove a bus stop on this road. Please realize that the biggest obstacle to buses arriving on time is traffic, and as someone who drives in Center City every day (remember, I work there), I can attest to the intense volume of traffic on Hamilton Street. Having buses travel on Hamilton Street caused major delays, inconvenienced passenger vehicle traffic, caused a possibly unsafe condition for pedestrians (because of how narrow the street is) and increased idling times (and as such increased the amount of emissions our buses would release). Therefore, the easiest decision LANTA had to make was to cut out a few blocks of Hamilton Street for our buses and reroute that traffic to Walnut and Linden Streets (one block north and south, respectively).
For the record, LANTA removed exactly ONE stop (yup, just one) in that section of Hamilton Street. What the Morning Call failed to mention is that we added three stops in the 700 Block of Walnut Street (just one block south), retained a stop in the Unit Hundred Block of North 8th Street and added a bunch at the ATC, just 2 blocks away.
However as a candidate and a truly concerned citizen, at a public LANTA committee meeting on Tuesday, I suggested that we discuss this situation with leaders from the Allentown Economic Development Corporation and Lehigh Carbon Community College to see if we can better address their needs. Our Executive Director, Armando Greco agreed to this, and we will proceed to discuss this topic with those interested parties.
Let me be clear: since the move off Hamilton Street has been extremely successful for our riders, I will not advocate for the reinstatement of the one stop on Hamilton Street. We will look at stops on the nearby North/South roads and other more creative options, but we must continue to operate in the best interest of our customers.
I am truly excited about the future for LANTA and by extension, the future of public transportation in the Lehigh Valley. Furthermore, I am proud to be a part of this important Authority. For more information, please check out our website at www.lantabus.com.
The timing was quite fortunate as LANTA was about ready to kick off a new era in public transportation in Lehigh County. As you no doubt are aware, the new Allentown Transportation Center (ATC) was close to completion. Through the prior decade (yes, this project took nearly 10 years to plan, fund and construct), LANTA worked with elected officials (including federal, state, county and municipal), the business community and most importantly our riders in designing the ATC and redesigning our routes.
The results have been nothing short of astounding. The ATC has helped us achieve our goals of 1) creating a convenient facility where people coming into Allentown or leaving the city can transfer buses, purchase tickets and park their vehicles (for park and ride purposes) in a clean and safe atmosphere; 2) reduce bus delays caused by traffic by rerouting routes, eliminating redundant stops and centralizing operations; and 3) serving as a “field HQ” for our drivers. According to both our riders and drivers, things have never been smoother.
Recently, the Morning Call noted the loss of business suffered by a few companies located between 7th and 8th Streets on Hamilton Street, who blame their decreasing revenue on LANTA’s decision to remove a bus stop on this road. Please realize that the biggest obstacle to buses arriving on time is traffic, and as someone who drives in Center City every day (remember, I work there), I can attest to the intense volume of traffic on Hamilton Street. Having buses travel on Hamilton Street caused major delays, inconvenienced passenger vehicle traffic, caused a possibly unsafe condition for pedestrians (because of how narrow the street is) and increased idling times (and as such increased the amount of emissions our buses would release). Therefore, the easiest decision LANTA had to make was to cut out a few blocks of Hamilton Street for our buses and reroute that traffic to Walnut and Linden Streets (one block north and south, respectively).
For the record, LANTA removed exactly ONE stop (yup, just one) in that section of Hamilton Street. What the Morning Call failed to mention is that we added three stops in the 700 Block of Walnut Street (just one block south), retained a stop in the Unit Hundred Block of North 8th Street and added a bunch at the ATC, just 2 blocks away.
However as a candidate and a truly concerned citizen, at a public LANTA committee meeting on Tuesday, I suggested that we discuss this situation with leaders from the Allentown Economic Development Corporation and Lehigh Carbon Community College to see if we can better address their needs. Our Executive Director, Armando Greco agreed to this, and we will proceed to discuss this topic with those interested parties.
Let me be clear: since the move off Hamilton Street has been extremely successful for our riders, I will not advocate for the reinstatement of the one stop on Hamilton Street. We will look at stops on the nearby North/South roads and other more creative options, but we must continue to operate in the best interest of our customers.
I am truly excited about the future for LANTA and by extension, the future of public transportation in the Lehigh Valley. Furthermore, I am proud to be a part of this important Authority. For more information, please check out our website at www.lantabus.com.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Youth Organizations
I have made mention on numerous occasions that I have coached baseball for Mountainville Memorial Youth Association for four out of the last five years now. During that time, some things have been consistent: 1) Kids are better athletes now then when I played, but worse "ball players"; 2) I still can't beat East Side Memorial; and 3) Organizations are churning out great kids.
I am really concerned, however, about the financial and organizational state of our youth associations. Year in and and year out, there are organizations that lack of proper and safe equipment, simply do not enough kids and who fail to pay their city dues in a timely fashion.
As a result, the athletic leagues suffer.
I have sat through meetings of youth organizations where they debate the merits of candy sales vs. hoagie sales for their fundraising efforts. This is all well and good, but at the end of the day, things have gotten quite expensive: one good bats costs $100; baseballs range between $25 and $75/dozen. As such, better fundraising and revenue-raising activities need to be explored.
To that end, I believe that the City should sponsor training seminars geared towards fundraising, accounting practices and organizational structure that will help ensure that these vital organizations are run in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
I have spoken with Kevin Easterling, the new Director of Recreation and the members of A-Youth (the umbrella organization for these groups) about the this topic and have received a lot of support for this plan. Furthermore, I have begun to identify funding sources to pay for this event. If we strengthen the youth organizations, we will make great strides in improving our City.
I am really concerned, however, about the financial and organizational state of our youth associations. Year in and and year out, there are organizations that lack of proper and safe equipment, simply do not enough kids and who fail to pay their city dues in a timely fashion.
As a result, the athletic leagues suffer.
I have sat through meetings of youth organizations where they debate the merits of candy sales vs. hoagie sales for their fundraising efforts. This is all well and good, but at the end of the day, things have gotten quite expensive: one good bats costs $100; baseballs range between $25 and $75/dozen. As such, better fundraising and revenue-raising activities need to be explored.
To that end, I believe that the City should sponsor training seminars geared towards fundraising, accounting practices and organizational structure that will help ensure that these vital organizations are run in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
I have spoken with Kevin Easterling, the new Director of Recreation and the members of A-Youth (the umbrella organization for these groups) about the this topic and have received a lot of support for this plan. Furthermore, I have begun to identify funding sources to pay for this event. If we strengthen the youth organizations, we will make great strides in improving our City.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Quick Hits
Wow, it has been wayyyyy too long since I last posted. What I'd like to do now is put a few things down that I have seen/done over the last month or so. I promise that I will add something policy/issue related within a week...
But until then, here's the quick hits:
But until then, here's the quick hits:
- The Great Allentown Fair was awesome. I don't particularly agree with the increase in the admission price, but was very cool nonetheless. I spent quite a bit of time there talking to residents and visitors to the City about what they want to see. No surprise, crime was a popular topic, but many folks mentioned that they have no problem spending time and money in the City so long as they had a reason to. The Brewworks has been a huge shot in the arm and people are really excited about the Iron Pigs. Oh, and this was the first Fair for Sarah (our daughter).
- I spoke at a meeting of the A-Youth Organization - they are the umbrella organization for the youth associations in the City (Mountainville, UT, WEYC, ESYC, etc). I will post more about my support for these programs in the near future, but in a nutshell, I came away impressed with the organization's willingness to try new things to support our youth programs.
- Congratulations to Tara of Mayfair (full disclosure - I am a Member of the Mayfair Board of Directors) on running a wonderful program with a troop from Cirque de Solei. On very short notice, she helped pull together a really, really impressive program with these fantastic performers at the Allentown Art's Park.
- Wearing 2 hats (COS to Rep. Mann and Member of the LANTA Board of Directors), I was at the dedication of the new LANTA/Parking Authority Bus Terminal at 6th and Linden Street. I firmly believe that parking and mass transportation are two of the most overlooked aspects of urban revitalization, and I am proud to have played a (very small) roll in helping improve both conditions in Center City. If you haven't seen this new building, you should go to Symphony Hall to see a show and park in the new deck.
Check back in a few days. I'll be talking further about A-Youth and sports in the City.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Congratulations - Midway Manor!
On Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to swing by Midway Manor for the start of their 50th Anniversary Celebration. The neighborhood association, headed by the tireless Linda Shaytar, put together a great festival complete with games, prizes and of course, a moon bounce (no, I did not go in the moon bounce)!
There are very few neighborhoods (in or out of the city) who would have taken this much pride in their community and its association. Midway Manor has got it right: there is a real sense of community, a real desire to look out for each other and a real sense of pride.
The neighborhood organization has a stunning track record of success ranging from their movie series in the park and cooking demonstrations to their good work to keep crime off the streets and efforts to eliminate the trucking terminal. By organizing and fighting the good fight, they have maintained the Manor as a true gem in our City.
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary and best wishes on another 50 more successful years!
There are very few neighborhoods (in or out of the city) who would have taken this much pride in their community and its association. Midway Manor has got it right: there is a real sense of community, a real desire to look out for each other and a real sense of pride.
The neighborhood organization has a stunning track record of success ranging from their movie series in the park and cooking demonstrations to their good work to keep crime off the streets and efforts to eliminate the trucking terminal. By organizing and fighting the good fight, they have maintained the Manor as a true gem in our City.
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary and best wishes on another 50 more successful years!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Administrative Change Notice
I just modified this blog to allow for anyone to post a comment, not just people who are registered users. Of course, my goal is to provide an open and honest dialogue for any interested person, not just those who have signed up.
Hopefully, this change will allow more people to participate. I'm new to this blogging stuff, but learning as I go...Thanks for visiting!
Hopefully, this change will allow more people to participate. I'm new to this blogging stuff, but learning as I go...Thanks for visiting!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Quality of Life
Last Saturday in my official capacity as Representative Jennifer Mann's Chief of Staff, I had the distinct pleasure to tour the Union and West End Cemetery for their Four Days in April/Salute to the Allentown Infantry event. Now, I grew up in Center City, mostly across from this facility and I never knew we had a Congressional Medal of Honor winner laid to rest there. Nor did I know about the "Four Days in April" where the Allentown Gaurd went to Washington DC to help protect the Capitol Building in the first hours and weeks of the Civil War.
With that being said, I must say that events like this (which happen across the city and cover every imaginable topic) are what make Allentown a wonderful place to live. We have a true sense of community, an unique history and people dedicated to preserving our herritage.
I know that this is a quick post that doesn't address any "big issue" like crime or finances, but I have wanted to talk about community events that do not get a lot of publicity for a while, and thought that this was a good opportunity to do so.
A quick congratulations to Everette Carr and the other good folks involved in this important organization. For more information about the Union and West End Cemetery, you may want to check out Mr. Carr's blog at: http://union-westend-cemetery.blogspot.com/.
Thanks for visiting!
With that being said, I must say that events like this (which happen across the city and cover every imaginable topic) are what make Allentown a wonderful place to live. We have a true sense of community, an unique history and people dedicated to preserving our herritage.
I know that this is a quick post that doesn't address any "big issue" like crime or finances, but I have wanted to talk about community events that do not get a lot of publicity for a while, and thought that this was a good opportunity to do so.
A quick congratulations to Everette Carr and the other good folks involved in this important organization. For more information about the Union and West End Cemetery, you may want to check out Mr. Carr's blog at: http://union-westend-cemetery.blogspot.com/.
Thanks for visiting!
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