Lehigh County Dems Must De-Throne DA Jim Martin in 2011

[1/7/11 UpDate: the popular LVS blog post "Pole Dancing in the Theatre District" has been replaced w/ this even more popular post]

Crooked and incompetent Lehigh County DA Jim Martin has not faced a Democratic challenger since 1999.

Thanks to (hopefully awake now) asleep at the switch Lehigh County Democrats, Martin, a Republican, ran unopposed in 2003, and again in 2007.

It's high (hiccup) time for a change in 2011.

Here's why ...

* Power-mad King DA Jim Martin continuously sticks his big fat bulbous 'n boozy red-veined nose into matters he has no business meddling in, like the mayorship of Macungie. Our DA should have better things to do.

* Like for example reading his mail and preventing quadruple homicides.

* DA Martin routinely abuses the unchecked power of his office to victimize innocent citizens like Veronica Rohrer for grandstanding political gain, while curiously not being able to find enough evidence to charge PA's most prolific serial killer Charles Cullen with any crimes-- and whew, breathe easy there friend of Jimbo, St. Luke's Hospital, you've been spared mega millions in litigation from family members of patients murdered by Charles Cullen at St. Luke's Hospital and screw those victims' family members, eh Jim?

* Martin blows big cases and lets guilty killers walk free (or did Martin falsely charge 2 moreinnocent citizens in this case, it was one or the other, you decide), while shamefully dragging his feet on DUI homicide cases and re-victimizing already grieving families.

* A specialty of DA Martin's is wasting taxpayer time and money on petty, ego-driven power struggles with local judges he doesn't "own" through intimidation or campaign contributions (Martin receives money from contributors on an ongoing basis which he then passes along to judges and other politicos since he doesn't need the cash for his own campaigning because the Dems never oppose him).

* Recently, Jim Martin even enlisted the collusion of his GOP pal PA State Attorney General (and now Governor) Tom Corbett in attempting to advance totally trumped-up and phony criminal charges against a grieving father, yours truly, as vendetta for my having hogtied Martin's hands with public exposure and then quashing his efforts to fix the prosecution of my daughter Sheena's killer. Thankfully, my attorney and I outmaneuvered Governor Tom Corbett and DA Jim Martin's petty payback attempt.

* Along the way, and in arrogantly full view of the press and the public, DA (for now) Jim Martin rewards connected cronies from The Morning Call, the local monopoly "newspaper" that has shielded Martin from all criticism and scrutiny ever since his first (hiccup) stumble-bum day in office.

Don't expect to read about any of this in The Morning Call "newspaper" ...

or anywhere else in our local blogosphere.

Because everybody's either in the bag for Jim Martin, or scared shitless of him.

Lehigh County Democrats, too? We'll see, eh?

If they don't announce a Democratic candidate soon, we'll have our answer.

FULL DISCLOSURE

I have a very personal axe to grind w/ DA Jim Martin and The Morning Call "newspaper" and I grind it every chance I get. You can read about it here ...

ALLENTOWN: PART 3

and here ...

ALLENTOWN: PART 4

11/24/10 UpDate: This morning, The Morning Call "newspaper" online re-published, on its front page, their cheerleading news story on DA Jim Martin's re-election announcement that was already a week old. Obviously, the "newspaper" (which has always been a press release machine for Martin) is afraid and feeling the need to counter our efforts here at LVS (around 11:00am, they deleted it because of the mass email attention we drew to it). Game on.

Lehigh County Dems Must De-Throne DA Jim Martin in 2011

[1/7/11 UpDate: the popular LVS blog post "Pole Dancing in the Theatre District" has been replaced w/ this even more popular post]

Crooked and incompetent Lehigh County DA Jim Martin has not faced a Democratic challenger since 1999.

Thanks to (hopefully awake now) asleep at the switch Lehigh County Democrats, Martin, a Republican, ran unopposed in 2003, and again in 2007.

It's high (hiccup) time for a change in 2011.

Here's why ...

* Power-mad King DA Jim Martin continuously sticks his big fat bulbous 'n boozy red-veined nose into matters he has no business meddling in, like the mayorship of Macungie. Our DA should have better things to do.

* Like for example reading his mail and preventing quadruple homicides.

* DA Martin routinely abuses the unchecked power of his office to victimize innocent citizens like Veronica Rohrer for grandstanding political gain, while curiously not being able to find enough evidence to charge PA's most prolific serial killer Charles Cullen with any crimes-- and whew, breathe easy there friend of Jimbo, St. Luke's Hospital, you've been spared mega millions in litigation from family members of patients murdered by Charles Cullen at St. Luke's Hospital and screw those victims' family members, eh Jim?

* Martin blows big cases and lets guilty killers walk free (or did Martin falsely charge 2 moreinnocent citizens in this case, it was one or the other, you decide), while shamefully dragging his feet on DUI homicide cases and re-victimizing already grieving families.

* A specialty of DA Martin's is wasting taxpayer time and money on petty, ego-driven power struggles with local judges he doesn't "own" through intimidation or campaign contributions (Martin receives money from contributors on an ongoing basis which he then passes along to judges and other politicos since he doesn't need the cash for his own campaigning because the Dems never oppose him).

* Recently, Jim Martin even enlisted the collusion of his GOP pal PA State Attorney General (and now Governor) Tom Corbett in attempting to advance totally trumped-up and phony criminal charges against a grieving father, yours truly, as vendetta for my having hogtied Martin's hands with public exposure and then quashing his efforts to fix the prosecution of my daughter Sheena's killer. Thankfully, my attorney and I outmaneuvered Governor Tom Corbett and DA Jim Martin's petty payback attempt.

* Along the way, and in arrogantly full view of the press and the public, DA (for now) Jim Martin rewards connected cronies from The Morning Call, the local monopoly "newspaper" that has shielded Martin from all criticism and scrutiny ever since his first (hiccup) stumble-bum day in office.

Don't expect to read about any of this in The Morning Call "newspaper" ...

or anywhere else in our local blogosphere.

Because everybody's either in the bag for Jim Martin, or scared shitless of him.

Lehigh County Democrats, too? We'll see, eh?

If they don't announce a Democratic candidate soon, we'll have our answer.

FULL DISCLOSURE

I have a very personal axe to grind w/ DA Jim Martin and The Morning Call "newspaper" and I grind it every chance I get. You can read about it here ...

ALLENTOWN: PART 3

and here ...

ALLENTOWN: PART 4

11/24/10 UpDate: This morning, The Morning Call "newspaper" online re-published, on its front page, their cheerleading news story on DA Jim Martin's re-election announcement that was already a week old. Obviously, the "newspaper" (which has always been a press release machine for Martin) is afraid and feeling the need to counter our efforts here at LVS (around 11:00am, they deleted it because of the mass email attention we drew to it). Game on.

Greg Weaver Art Show at Hava Java!

Fellow blogger and Allentown historian Michael Molovinsky tells me that from 1972-1982 there was a cool art scene happening at Greg Weaver's studio in downtown Allentown. Weaver opened his doors to artists, performers, musicians, and all sorts of hipsters making the scene. There were lots of parties, man. That former hippie MM was there making movies and taking photos. Greg started this scene and was an inspiration to many local artists. Greg also had a band and he played guitar. The Allentown Art Museum has some of his work, and he had a sculpture in the Rose Garden. Weaver showed his work at the Allentown Art Museum, and at galleries in NYC and in the Lehigh Valley. Unfortunately Greg suffered from kidney disease and lost his sight in 1987, but he continued to paint until his death in 1994.

The collection of around 20 pieces at Hava Java is a good representation of the various styles of Weaver's work. There are several abstracted cow paintings, done in different media, some with heavy impasto (thick) paint and bright colors. There are no large scale paintings (and Weaver tended to work large scale) in this show due to the small space of the room. Some of his cow paintings remind me of French artist Dubuffet http://www.artchive.com/artchive/D/dubuffet/cow_with_subtile_nose.jpg.html There are mixed media paintings with tin foil and glitter and other found materials. Some of his abstract paintings without figures remind me of color field painting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Field

Weaver's fun and folksy subject matter of cows, ducks, and fisherman for example, crosses over into the realm of fine art, and this is what makes his work really special, and accessible to everyone. Here is the artist's statement:

"I see my painting as urban American folk art; that is, an art that comes from responding to the tensions of national urbanization. My art is a translation of cultural energy that I feel, into a language that speaks to those with no special knowledge of art, as well as to the knowledgeable. I like the visual intensity and commercialism of neon lights, television, billboards, postcards, comics, photographs, metallic and iridescent cars. I need the contradictions and paradoxes of modern American culture."

Sounds a lot like Pop-Art to me, and that's my personal fave.

This is important and meaningful art. Please go see this show at Hava Java coffee shop on 19th St. in Allentown across from the Theatre. It will be up through July 31.

Greg Weaver Art Show at Hava Java!

Fellow blogger and Allentown historian Michael Molovinsky tells me that from 1972-1982 there was a cool art scene happening at Greg Weaver's studio in downtown Allentown. Weaver opened his doors to artists, performers, musicians, and all sorts of hipsters making the scene. There were lots of parties, man. That former hippie MM was there making movies and taking photos. Greg started this scene and was an inspiration to many local artists. Greg also had a band and he played guitar. The Allentown Art Museum has some of his work, and he had a sculpture in the Rose Garden. Weaver showed his work at the Allentown Art Museum, and at galleries in NYC and in the Lehigh Valley. Unfortunately Greg suffered from kidney disease and lost his sight in 1987, but he continued to paint until his death in 1994.

The collection of around 20 pieces at Hava Java is a good representation of the various styles of Weaver's work. There are several abstracted cow paintings, done in different media, some with heavy impasto (thick) paint and bright colors. There are no large scale paintings (and Weaver tended to work large scale) in this show due to the small space of the room. Some of his cow paintings remind me of French artist Dubuffet http://www.artchive.com/artchive/D/dubuffet/cow_with_subtile_nose.jpg.html There are mixed media paintings with tin foil and glitter and other found materials. Some of his abstract paintings without figures remind me of color field painting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Field

Weaver's fun and folksy subject matter of cows, ducks, and fisherman for example, crosses over into the realm of fine art, and this is what makes his work really special, and accessible to everyone. Here is the artist's statement:

"I see my painting as urban American folk art; that is, an art that comes from responding to the tensions of national urbanization. My art is a translation of cultural energy that I feel, into a language that speaks to those with no special knowledge of art, as well as to the knowledgeable. I like the visual intensity and commercialism of neon lights, television, billboards, postcards, comics, photographs, metallic and iridescent cars. I need the contradictions and paradoxes of modern American culture."

Sounds a lot like Pop-Art to me, and that's my personal fave.

This is important and meaningful art. Please go see this show at Hava Java coffee shop on 19th St. in Allentown across from the Theatre. It will be up through July 31.

TC= Tres Chic!

Well, bonjour ladies and gents! It looks like the popular TC Salon and Day Spa http://www.technicolorsalon.com/ will be moving into the vacant Shanty building on 19th St. This is good news, even though I was hoping for a nightclub/restaurant. No Autozone after all! There are many salons in the area, but this one will be much more fabulous because it will also have a bakery, a deli, and an art gallery. It will be a place to get pampered and indulge in sweet treats while viewing art work. Well, this is good news for our Chen-Arts group. Maybe TC owner Frank Shipman will be interested in showing local artists. And it's good news for the upscale businesses in the area. Since I am not one to indulge in extravagant and luxurious salon beauty treatments, I will go to TC for the sweets and art. And to see the vintage Hess's chandeliers which Shipman plans on keeping in the building. I guess I'm just TC= Tres Cheap. Or should I say thrifty? ;D

TC= Tres Chic!

Well, bonjour ladies and gents! It looks like the popular TC Salon and Day Spa http://www.technicolorsalon.com/ will be moving into the vacant Shanty building on 19th St. This is good news, even though I was hoping for a nightclub/restaurant. No Autozone after all! There are many salons in the area, but this one will be much more fabulous because it will also have a bakery, a deli, and an art gallery. It will be a place to get pampered and indulge in sweet treats while viewing art work. Well, this is good news for our Chen-Arts group. Maybe TC owner Frank Shipman will be interested in showing local artists. And it's good news for the upscale businesses in the area. Since I am not one to indulge in extravagant and luxurious salon beauty treatments, I will go to TC for the sweets and art. And to see the vintage Hess's chandeliers which Shipman plans on keeping in the building. I guess I'm just TC= Tres Cheap. Or should I say thrifty? ;D

Autozzzone Update

Today my blogger friend Michael Molovinsky on Allentown writes about Autozone and makes a good point about the issue of property rights. See http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com/2008/06/autozone-political-victim.html, but I thought since I got so many (65) comments on this issue that I should post an update.

To be honest, I'm a little tired of Autozone, and the MC is now covering it, since they discovered it is a hot topic. I wrote about it because it is in my neighborhood and I have an interest in the stores/restaurants in the area. Apparently the Zoning Hearing Board denied AZ's request for bigger signs. Also I read in the MC article http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5zoners.6473524jun24,0,5668302.story that it might be against the zoning law to have people repairing cars on-site. So I guess they are starting to find some loopholes here, to keep AZ out, but I still believe the city dropped the ball and should have done something sooner.

Here's a stand-out anonymous comment from last week's post:

"The bottom line? The Mayor and his army of well paid staff gave lip service to the kool-aid drinkers in this area and then did absolutely nothing to prevent this type of use in the district. A zoning amendment could have been adopted easily."

If anyone knows anything about zoning amendments, please let me know. In the MC's coverage they don't deal with the question of possible incompetence by the city and the neighborhood group who put up banners declaring this area an arts and theatre district. How about some accountability? Where's that watchdog reporter?

Autozzzone Update

Today my blogger friend Michael Molovinsky on Allentown writes about Autozone and makes a good point about the issue of property rights. See http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com/2008/06/autozone-political-victim.html, but I thought since I got so many (65) comments on this issue that I should post an update.

To be honest, I'm a little tired of Autozone, and the MC is now covering it, since they discovered it is a hot topic. I wrote about it because it is in my neighborhood and I have an interest in the stores/restaurants in the area. Apparently the Zoning Hearing Board denied AZ's request for bigger signs. Also I read in the MC article http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5zoners.6473524jun24,0,5668302.story that it might be against the zoning law to have people repairing cars on-site. So I guess they are starting to find some loopholes here, to keep AZ out, but I still believe the city dropped the ball and should have done something sooner.

Here's a stand-out anonymous comment from last week's post:

"The bottom line? The Mayor and his army of well paid staff gave lip service to the kool-aid drinkers in this area and then did absolutely nothing to prevent this type of use in the district. A zoning amendment could have been adopted easily."

If anyone knows anything about zoning amendments, please let me know. In the MC's coverage they don't deal with the question of possible incompetence by the city and the neighborhood group who put up banners declaring this area an arts and theatre district. How about some accountability? Where's that watchdog reporter?

The A-team is mobilized!

For those of you concerned about AutoZone moving in to the "19th St. Theatre District", here's a letter from the mayor telling us what we can do. My question is why did the neighborhood group hang banners declaring the area a theatre and arts district if it is not zoned as such? While I am opposed to AutoZone, by law they are permitted to locate at the former Shanty, and unfortunately it is too late to change the zoning.

To All Concerned:

Thank you for your interest and concern for the development of the 19th street corridor. I share your desire and passion to not see the former Shanty restaurant turned into an Auto Zone. This is an entirely inappropriate use of this site and will the destroy the character and integrity of this blossoming business district.

Over the course of the last several years the ownership of the property has changed several times, The property is now in the hands of a third party who is extremely anxious to sell the property to the first buyer, not necessarily to the most appropriate or compatible buyer for this neighborhood.

Over the course of the last month we have tried desperately to identify and recruit another restaurateur to this property. Such efforts have to date resulted in several tours of the location by potential restaurateurs but no offers have emerged to date. We continue to try to secure a new restaurant for this location and have mobilized the city's entire economic development team for this said purpose.

In regards to zoning. Auto Zone is currently before the zoning board for a sign variance. The city administration has written a letter in opposition to the variance. Unfortunately, our zoning and other laws currently permits such commercial uses on this site. We are working to modify our zoning ordinances, but under state law this property would be grand fathered under our old code. The bottom line is that if they want to go there, the City cannot legally stop an Auto Zone from occupying the former Shanty restaurant property.

While our options for denying this use is limited, you can help us by doing the following:

Contact Auto Zone corporate either by phone or email to voice your concern about placing an Auto Zone in this area and the need for such an entity to respect the neighbors and preserve the integrity and feel of the neighborhood. Below is contact information for the company.

· Primary Investor Relations Contact

Tel: 901.495.7185
Fax: 901.495.8374
Email: investor.relations@autozone.com

Specific Contacts

William C. Rhodes - Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Harry L. Goldsmith, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Lisa R. Kranc - Senior Vice President, Marketing
James A. Shea - Executive Vice President-Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain

Mailing Address for aforementioned individuals:

123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Primary Corporate Telephone to reach aforementioned individuals:

Tel: (901) 495-6500
Fax: (901) 495.8374


2. Write a letter to the zoning hearing board and request they not approve the sign varience in order to keep the integrity of the neighborhood.

Send letters to:
Allentown Zoning Board
Bureau of Zoning, 4th Floor
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101

3. Plan on attending the next hearing date is Monday, June 23, 2008. My understanding is that there will be no testimony heard, but your presence will speak volumes.

Thank you again for your interest and concern, by working together we will make Allentown a great place to live, work, play and SHOP.
Ed Pawlowski
Mayor

The A-team is mobilized!

For those of you concerned about AutoZone moving in to the "19th St. Theatre District", here's a letter from the mayor telling us what we can do. My question is why did the neighborhood group hang banners declaring the area a theatre and arts district if it is not zoned as such? While I am opposed to AutoZone, by law they are permitted to locate at the former Shanty, and unfortunately it is too late to change the zoning.

To All Concerned:

Thank you for your interest and concern for the development of the 19th street corridor. I share your desire and passion to not see the former Shanty restaurant turned into an Auto Zone. This is an entirely inappropriate use of this site and will the destroy the character and integrity of this blossoming business district.

Over the course of the last several years the ownership of the property has changed several times, The property is now in the hands of a third party who is extremely anxious to sell the property to the first buyer, not necessarily to the most appropriate or compatible buyer for this neighborhood.

Over the course of the last month we have tried desperately to identify and recruit another restaurateur to this property. Such efforts have to date resulted in several tours of the location by potential restaurateurs but no offers have emerged to date. We continue to try to secure a new restaurant for this location and have mobilized the city's entire economic development team for this said purpose.

In regards to zoning. Auto Zone is currently before the zoning board for a sign variance. The city administration has written a letter in opposition to the variance. Unfortunately, our zoning and other laws currently permits such commercial uses on this site. We are working to modify our zoning ordinances, but under state law this property would be grand fathered under our old code. The bottom line is that if they want to go there, the City cannot legally stop an Auto Zone from occupying the former Shanty restaurant property.

While our options for denying this use is limited, you can help us by doing the following:

Contact Auto Zone corporate either by phone or email to voice your concern about placing an Auto Zone in this area and the need for such an entity to respect the neighbors and preserve the integrity and feel of the neighborhood. Below is contact information for the company.

· Primary Investor Relations Contact

Tel: 901.495.7185
Fax: 901.495.8374
Email: investor.relations@autozone.com

Specific Contacts

William C. Rhodes - Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Harry L. Goldsmith, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Lisa R. Kranc - Senior Vice President, Marketing
James A. Shea - Executive Vice President-Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain

Mailing Address for aforementioned individuals:

123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

Primary Corporate Telephone to reach aforementioned individuals:

Tel: (901) 495-6500
Fax: (901) 495.8374


2. Write a letter to the zoning hearing board and request they not approve the sign varience in order to keep the integrity of the neighborhood.

Send letters to:
Allentown Zoning Board
Bureau of Zoning, 4th Floor
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101

3. Plan on attending the next hearing date is Monday, June 23, 2008. My understanding is that there will be no testimony heard, but your presence will speak volumes.

Thank you again for your interest and concern, by working together we will make Allentown a great place to live, work, play and SHOP.
Ed Pawlowski
Mayor

Fellini and Fenders

Scott Armstrong at the Allentown Commentator message board has posted some info regarding the vacant Shanty Restaurant, once a popular nightspot, restaurant, and venue for local bands in "The 19th St. Theatre District." According to Scott, the iconic Shanty on "La strada 19th" will become Les Auto Parts Centre. Is this really a done deal? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheAllentownCommentator/message/9895

If it is true, how tres' chic for our upscale boutique and theatre distreect! But those new banners that mark the area may have to be changed to say "Theatre and Auto District." Hey folks, drop your car off for an oil, lube and filter while taking in a foreign film at the historic 19th St. Theatre. We specialize in foreign cars. The city can market this as "Fellini and Fenders." It's so European. I must commend the city for this multicultural and surrealistic vision. This really does show the importance of the arts in Allentown's Renaissance. Or, maybe I'm just dreaming too. Nothing really makes sense to me anymore. C'est la vie!

Fellini and Fenders

Scott Armstrong at the Allentown Commentator message board has posted some info regarding the vacant Shanty Restaurant, once a popular nightspot, restaurant, and venue for local bands in "The 19th St. Theatre District." According to Scott, the iconic Shanty on "La strada 19th" will become Les Auto Parts Centre. Is this really a done deal? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheAllentownCommentator/message/9895

If it is true, how tres' chic for our upscale boutique and theatre distreect! But those new banners that mark the area may have to be changed to say "Theatre and Auto District." Hey folks, drop your car off for an oil, lube and filter while taking in a foreign film at the historic 19th St. Theatre. We specialize in foreign cars. The city can market this as "Fellini and Fenders." It's so European. I must commend the city for this multicultural and surrealistic vision. This really does show the importance of the arts in Allentown's Renaissance. Or, maybe I'm just dreaming too. Nothing really makes sense to me anymore. C'est la vie!

Local Corner Market Returns!

I just drove by the newly re-modeled Hersh's Market on 19th St. and it sure looks fab.(sorry for the lame photo) The grand opening will be this Friday, May 30th. Since I am a nostalgia freak I truly believe that sometimes you have to look back to move forward, even though I have been told by an anonymous commenter, "times change, sweetheart." Well, poo-poo on you sweetheart, have fun at Wegman's, and make sure to go on a Saturday! ; D

If you click on photo it will enlarge and you can read their hours posted on the window. I am glad they will be open till 7pm on weekdays, and open on Sundays. The sign painted on the side of the building looks very nostalgic. Somebody seems to care about preserving this old-fashioned corner market. There was even a bench in front of the store yesterday, and some plants. I hope it's not too upscale. I was hoping to see more chrome, I think the black trim is kinda dark, but the lighting fixtures inside are really neat. Maybe that hippie-cynic Molovinsky will even like it. Nah, Mikey won't like it.

Local Corner Market Returns!

I just drove by the newly re-modeled Hersh's Market on 19th St. and it sure looks fab.(sorry for the lame photo) The grand opening will be this Friday, May 30th. Since I am a nostalgia freak I truly believe that sometimes you have to look back to move forward, even though I have been told by an anonymous commenter, "times change, sweetheart." Well, poo-poo on you sweetheart, have fun at Wegman's, and make sure to go on a Saturday! ; D

If you click on photo it will enlarge and you can read their hours posted on the window. I am glad they will be open till 7pm on weekdays, and open on Sundays. The sign painted on the side of the building looks very nostalgic. Somebody seems to care about preserving this old-fashioned corner market. There was even a bench in front of the store yesterday, and some plants. I hope it's not too upscale. I was hoping to see more chrome, I think the black trim is kinda dark, but the lighting fixtures inside are really neat. Maybe that hippie-cynic Molovinsky will even like it. Nah, Mikey won't like it.