Being an audience member for some of the local political bloggers has occasionally left me out in the cheap seats. Sometimes my comments, compliments, and questions get ignored. I'd like to set the stage for a blog where good manners are encouraged and opposing points of view are welcome. You don't have to be on "my team" to be part of the discussion.
I live in Allentown. I'm concerned about some of the changes I see in my neighborhood and in the downtown. I live in a middle class neighborhood, but so many of the new stores (excuse me, boutiques and bistros) seem to cater only to the ultra-rich. I'm all for progress, but I think things might be changing too fast. For example, the pretty banners the city placed over the rusty old 15th St. bridge would have a lot more impact if the bridge was at least painted first. It's kinda like turd-polishing. More on turd-polishing later.
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22 comments:
Welcome, Dottie! I love your blog concept (much-needed locally!) and I look forward to exploring your P.O.V. and those of your commentors. All the best to you!
Thank-you anon! Sorry about the wacky time, I'll work on fixing my clock.
dottie, i couldn't agree more about the 15th st bridge, and also look forward to your observations.
MM, Thanks for commenting.
Brains AND Beauty, what a combo! Happy Blogging, Bloggin' Dottie!!
Bernie, I never felt ignored at your site. Thanks for commenting.
Most of the time my comments, compliments, and questions get ignored. I'd like to set the stage for a blog where good manners are encouraged and opposing points of view are welcome.
Gee, I'm sorry you feel you were ever ignored. I'm sorry if I am one of the guilty parties.
As far as encouraging good manners while welcoming different points of view, good luck with that.
I am glad to see you take the blogging plunge.
Bernie,
Why did you remove your original comment?
I think adults can agree to disagree without resorting to hateful comments or accusations. I think manners are important, and I would like to stress that. My six year old son knows when to say "thank-you."
At your ZZ Top(funny!) post The Curmudgeon said that NOBODY comments at MM's blog, and when I read that I thought wait a minute, I like to comment there, does that mean I am a nobody? Maybe he meant that no one from his team comments there, but he did not say that.
I am going to try to post once a week here. I tend to get too consumed with blogging and too fired up about certain issues. I don't want it to interfere with my family responsibilities. My house is a mess, and I have an active, demanding child to take care of!
Dottie,
I apologize if I overlooked you on MM's blog, but I consistently see zeroes by "comments" on his posts. Either way, congrats on your new blog. I promise to behave. Here.
:->)
Dottie,
I removed my original comment bc I did not like the way I had written it. I had to do it over. Sorry.
No mtter how hard you try, every blog experiences situations in which things are temporarily out of control. But i wish you luck on that civility thing.
Curmudgeon,
I'm going to remember that promise!
But thanks for inspiring my blog title.
Hi Dottie, I think you are going to do well with your own blog. I don't get over to Allentown anymore but when I was a child(1950's and 60's)my family went over there every saturday. We would stop at the shops on our way to the fantastic stock car races at Dorney Park... they were the best ever!!!
dottie, allow me to intrude and me set the record straight in regard to commenting on my blog; because i activated blogger moderation or approval, it significantly cut down the number of comments i receive, it appears people like the instant gratification of seeing their comment. casey's statement that i don't allow comments that disagree is not true, as he well knows. his "team" obliviously has made a collective decision to not comment on my blog, although they apparently read it. I have only ever rejected one comment, and it was overtly racist.
MM,
I understand about the comment moderation on your blog. I think it's ashame that "the team" has decided not to comment there because you cover some important issues.
River,
Thanks for commenting. Try not to insult any one here.
I will be posting about some things I miss in my neighborhood. Just a few years ago there was a cool art/music scene starting to evolve in the 19th St. area, but now it has been replaced with boutiques for the ultra-rich. They call that "progress." As an artist/musician I really miss that sense of community.
Dottie said.."River,
Thanks for commenting. Try not to insult any one here. " Hi Dottie. I have never insulted anyone. Perhaps we had a difference of opinion but it was never meant as an insult. I am very sorry if you took it that way. I did not mean any disagreement as an insult to anyone ever. Thank you.
As one of the few people brave enough to try to participate in helping improve downtown Allentown - and putting my money where my mouth is by moving right smack in the middle of Center City - I have to take issue with the idea of it being "too much to fast" downtown. When I moved to Allentown in spring of 2006, there was NO reason to go to Center City. Now we at least have the Brew Works and Johnny Manana's. But things have to change quickly to convince more middle-class people to spend time or move downtown. While I enjoy the progress that has been made, there is much to be done. It's not like these new businesses are pushing out old delicatessens, ethnic food stores, and eclectic art galleries - they're more often than not going into empty store fronts.
When the bus stop was removed from 8th & Hamilton, many local business complained that they lost their clientele - of course these businesses were junk stores and pawn shops - not the sort of places we want in Center City! Of course they got their bus stop back.
Revitalization takes money, and, like it or not, that money doesn't come from pawn shops and dime stores. It comes from middle-class and young professionals finding good reasons to go downtown, instead of to the malls in the suburbs. Allentown is blessed in that it has quite a few parking garages and lots to encourage those who don't live downtown to come see what it has to offer. But if they come to the Brew Works and see the figurative tumbleweeds blowing through downtown after 5pm, with ugly metal gates covering the closed storefronts, they probably won't see much reason to return - unless they're beer enthusiasts.
If only Allentown had leadership like Harrisburg - a city whose downtown fall far further, and far earlier, than Allentown's. Yet Harrisburg has a highly vibrant nightlife downtown.
My lease runs up in May, and if Allentown doesn't show signs of continuing the improvement downtown, I can't say that I'll stay. It's a shame, because its location, a mere 65 miles from Philadelphia, and less than 100 miles from New York City is ideal, but most weekends I'd prefer to stay local - and as much as I enjoy the Brew Works, I've got to see more improvement before I'd ever commit to buying a house in Allentown.
It's also worth noting that wherever indie/art types go, money follows. It's been happening in cities all over the country for years - young artists move into an area, it creates a buzz, which encourages like-minded people to move in. Eventually it encourages people who may not be artists, but like to associate with that sort of crowd to move in as well. This tends to bring money to an area. When the neighborhood gentrifies, the artists and other trendsetters move on.
How do you think Hoboken went from an national punchline to a thriving community?
As far as the revitalization goes I am a life long allentown resident, born and raised. I'm twenty, I lived on Law St in 1987 and as the older people died out a new less desirable element moved in and THAT is why you see so many houses boarded up.
The bus stop being taken out at 8th and hamilton was a blessing. Ever notice the gang tagging going on down town? It's been covered up, that is except for that oh so charming "spics suck cock" that adorns my building (unfortuently it hasn't been sand blasted off yet, that costs money you know!) you can get rid of the evidence but if you don't get rid of the problem you can't make things nicer. You have a point with the bridge but as far as the rest of it, no go. This is business, if you can't take the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen.
Joe,
One of those "junk stores" was Mish Mash Boutique, which is now going out of business due to the lack of foot traffic, due to the bus route changes. This unique boutique was exactly the kind of business that should be downtown.
I think crime needs to be addressed first so people feel safe and will go downtown. THEN I think the artsy types would want to move in, but I don't know too many who could afford the new lofts. I said I think things are happening too fast because if the mayor, the police chief and the DA worked together on crime and putting more police officers on the streets, not just cameras, first, or painting bridges before hanging banners, there would be something more meaningful to celebrate. Also, did they take the time to research how the bus route changes could have a negative impact on some citizens? I enjoy the Brew Works, but I also enjoy The House of Chen, which has been hurt by the bus route changes.
I agree with Joe Latshaw
his observations about Indie/artist types are correct
The downtown is not ripe for the Middle class to move into it.
They
normally are not as courageous as the Artist community.
So, The best way to transform the Downtown of Allentown is to make it a Artist Town, that gives Artist Economical incentives to rent and or own space above the store fronts
Give the Landlords breaks if they Have AIR (Artist in Residence )
Actors,fine artist, poets ,dancers, musicans would use the spaces and
in turn create a climate for others to investigate.
I like Joe Latshaws observations about Harrisburg and other cities who use the arts
Here is a Question,
who is in charge of the "look" of the storefronts in the Hamilton street area.
Perhaps a Store Front which does not have a "Riot Gate" could help improve the image of Downtown.
The Heavy Steel Riot Gates also add to the dispair of Hamilton street
Lets start with a face lift of the Store Fronts
presently there.
"Mr Mayor, Tear down those Gates."~
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