I am posting this blog post about the $35 million credit line the city of Allentown has taken out to help build the hockey arena in downtown Allentown. I have concerns on what the city is doing to build this hockey arena and personally do not agree with them building one.

According to the city they still don't know exactly how much it will cost to build the hockey arena which is one of the concerns of mine. They are moving forward with building the arena but don't know how much it will cost? Sounds like poor planning to me. They should know the figures before they go ahead with a project so big. Would you have a contractor build you a deck for your house without knowing how much it will cost or would you have your kitchen remodeled without knowing how much it would cost first? The answer is of course no because it is just not logical. Well that's what the city administration is basically doing.

They have already bought some of the properties at 7th and Hamilton St. and are threatening other property owners with eminent domain if they don't sell their properties to the city. According to Mayor Ed Pawlowski the 8,500 seat arena for the minor league Phantoms will help transform Allentown's struggling downtown but who will pay for this arena in the long run? The answer to that question is quite simple. We will pay for it, the tax payers.

The bottom line is the city administration does not care what we think. They are going to build this arena no matter what. The city is in debt as it is but can take loans out to build this arena. I personally feel all this money could go to better things. There are plenty of roads in Allentown that need repair. Bridges that need repair and nothing is being done. Bigger police force to handle the crime in the city. The city could use the money for more important improvements but would rather focus on building a hockey arena.

Another issue I have with them building the hockey arena is the location. As most of you know the area of 7th & Hamilton isn't the best location when it comes down to traffic. Traffic in the area can already be a problem so I can see this arena making traffic even worse. Crime is also another issue for this area. As you can see from my news incident posts that there is more crime in center city then anywhere else in the city.

What are your concerns or thoughts about what the city is doing to build this hockey arena? Do you agree or disagree with the way the city is handling the project? Post your comments below.

I am posting this blog post regarding Parkway Blvd between Ott Street & Cedar Crest Blvd in the city of Allentown. The posted speed limit on this road is 25 MPH. It use to be 35 MPH at one time but not that long ago was changed to 25 MPH by the city due to residents that live in the area complaints about vehicles speeding on the street.

I travel this street just about every day on my way home from work and constantly see people going more then 25-30 MPH in the morning hours. I think one of the most important reasons why the city decided to change the speed limit was because of the Rose Gardens. It was getting dangerous for people trying to cross the street to the Rose Gardens and daily there are people walking or jogging in the area. The fastest I will drive down the street is 30 MPH for safety reasons and because it is the law. However there are alot of people that are going too fast down this road. Also another thing that bugs me is people will ride my bumper just because I am not going fast enough for them even though I am going the speed limit.

Just down the road on Parkway Blvd/West Linden Street between Ott Street & 20th Street the speed limit is also 25 MPH but constantly do I see people speeding as well where Cedar Beach Park is. Not only do people speed down this street but I had people pass me on the opposite lane just because I wasn't going fast enough for them I suppose.

I was wondering what are your thoughts and comments on this particular road? Do you think the speed limit is too low? or Do you think there needs to be more speed enforcement by law enforcement in the area?

This blog is about the Lehigh Valley Musikfest that was from August 5th to August 14th in Bethlehem,Pa. Some of the venues that were at Musikfest are:

-Sands Steel Stage at PNC Plaza
-Americaplatz at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
-Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
-Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
-Air Products Town Square
& more.

I personally didn't go to Musikfest this year. I went once a few years back and didn't care for it but I want your feedback on the festival. Did you go? If so Did you like it? What were your favorite attractions at Musikfest? Post your comments and feedback about this years 2011 Musikfest. If you didn't go you can post why.

This blog post is about the Allentown's new Iphone application. The city recently unveiled a new application for the Iphone. Below is the article about the application on the city's website. http://www.allentownpa.gov

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski showed off the city’s brand new iPhone® app today. Pawlowski was joined by City Councilman Mike Schlossberg to demonstrate the new technology at a news conference late this morning in City Council Chambers.

Apps work much like user-installed software on a computer and allow the phone to perform specific tasks that the user wants or needs. All iPhone® apps must be downloaded directly from the Apple® iTunes® store. It is available only for the iPhone® or iPad. Optimally it should be used on an iPhone®. The content of the city’s app has been approved by Apple®.

Pawlowski said, “The hope is that through the City of Allentown app, it will be easier for citizens to interact with government, and for city government to reach out to our residents.”

The city iPhone® app includes tabs that open to the latest city news releases, events across the city, city government contact information and information on available parking locations and city attractions.

The “contact” serves a dual purpose. First, the link enables citizens to quickly direct a message to appropriate city departments, local elected officials, boards and/or commissions. It also allows constituents to do more than file complaints; it has categories for compliments, opinions and questions. Second, constituents needing a telephone number for a specific city department can look-up those numbers on the spot for things like permits, inspections and the health bureau. In today’s environment of quick access to information, the city is able to keep its constituency informed and engaged. This form of communications facilitates dialogue between the city and the constituency it serves. Constituents now can immediately initiate a comment on an issue of concern.

“This is a fantastic tool that can be of great assistance to our residents and thousands of visitors,” said Pawlowski. “You can do things like check out the next performance at Symphony Hall and you can send the location of a bad pothole to the Streets Bureau. The possibilities for further expansion are without limits.”

"Using technology isn't an option for cities and communities; it’s a necessity,” said City Councilman Mike Schlossberg. “This app will allow residents to better communicate with their government and allow city officials to better serve the people we are so privileged to represent."

The free City of Allentown App was created by the city’s IT Department from free AppMakr software.

What are your comments on the application if your currently using it? If not do you plan on using the application in the near future? Also do you think the application is going to improve communication between city residents and city administration?

I personally do not own an Iphone so I wont be able to try this application out. They are supposedly working on one for the Android which is the phone I do own. If they release an application for the Android I will try it.

Last night I heard a few calls on the scanner for a bat in the house. I always wondered when APD gets these calls what do they do? Do they chase the bat throughout the house and when they get to it how do they get it out? I personally think these calls are a waste of police resources and time. There's more important things the cops could be doing then going to someone's house to deal with a bat.

This is post number one for ridiculous calls our police force gets called to on a daily basis. What are your thoughts and comments?