Holiday Cheer

Barking Over Parking

Here are some of same basic reasons that every city gives for
parking meters (or any limited parking enforcement):

1. Turnover. Ensure that people move their cars every 15
   minutes to 5 hours to allow other cars a chance to park (and shop the stores
   there.)
2. Social Engineering. Get people to use pubic transportation
   instead of their cars when shopping downtown.
3. Income. Generate money from the meters. The money from
   meters can be significant (especially when there are thousands of meters
   installed) however, cities really want people to overstay their parking limit so
   they can write parking tickets - this is where they make most of their money. In
   Portland a plain parking ticket is $16.00. Some place, like near PGE Park (a
   stadium) the basic parking ticket is $40.00!
4. Portland, in their transportation budget, expects 2.5% of
   it to be derived from citations. 2004 Budget was around $54 million dollars.
   Thus, around $1 million dollars is expected as income from parking citations
   alone.
5. To encourage people who work downtown NOT to drive their
   cars downtown to allow shoppers to park.
6. Cut down the need to build new roads to handle the traffic
   going downtown
7. Enable the handicap to park easily so they can
   shop

Why Parking Meters Should be
Outlawed http://www.taphilo.com/tom/parkingmeters.shtml

Last year (during our policy battles with the State Theatre) I was of the opinion that we should just raise the price of the city’s parking meters. I wanted the City Parking Garage locked down to freebies. And I wanted scofflaws, violators, and ne'er-do-wells ticketed. That was then.

Just a couple of weeks ago we were cornered with an eleventh hour budget proposal to increase parking meters 100% (from $.50/hour to $1.00/hour). My knee-jerk reaction was, “Hell Yeah! Make everyone share the costs.” Residents and business owners crowded City Council Chambers. People stood up and spoke out.

And what happened then...? Well... in Easton they say that my Grinch ears grew three sizes that day!

I heard some opponents to my opinion. No, I really heard some opponents to my opinion. I heard people give solid criticism to the hap-hazardness of the plan. I heard people offer viable alternatives. Here’s the thing… I actually “heard” what they were saying.

Suddenly, mine was not such a well thought out position. And, well, quite frankly; that’s because it was a position of emotion. My agenda is clear—Resident First. In my heart of hearts I believe that the people need to be advocated. When I approached the parking meter issue on adrenaline alone, anyone not for it was against the resident. That was a mistake. Upon future review (and hearing other people) I realized that the issue is not one of extremes.

Yes, the rates need to be increased. They need to be increased for two major reasons—fairness and revenue. Everyone must contribute to the well being of the city; not just now but always. We can not continue to operate the city on the backs of the resident/taxpayer. We discussed this in detail during the Amusement and Mechanical Devices Tax talks. Use-based fees are fair and necessary.

The rhetoric that parking meters are not revenue devices has been bounced around a lot lately. The problem is that the rhetoric is not entirely true. Firstly, it’s made up. Meters exist for whatever reason the owner chooses. The simple fact that revenue is generated from meters invalidates the stance. A more correct statement may be that parking meters don’t have to exist for the sole purpose of revenue generation.

Although it is sometimes disputed, Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, is generally credited with originating the parking meter. He filed for
a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" May 13, 1935. The patent,
#2,118,318, was issued May 24, 1938.

The world's first installed
parking meter was in Oklahoma City, on July 16, 1935. Mr. Magee had been
appointed to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce traffic committee, and was
assigned the task of solving the parking problems in downtown Oklahoma City.
Apparently, folks who worked in the area were parking on downtown streets,
staying all day, and leaving few spaces for shoppers and others who visited the
central business district.

Magee's solution was to install parking
meters, charge for the use of the parking spaces, and turn over those spaces
that would otherwise have been filled by all day parkers. In addition, the
parking meters would generate revenue for a growing city. It must have worked,
as the idea of metered parking eventually caught on worldwide. From that early
beginning, the use of parking meters by municipalities, colleges and
universities, and private parking facilities has increased to the point that
today, in the United States alone, there are an estimated five million parking
meters in use.

Based on this number, if every parking meter
collected only 25 cents per day, the gross revenues generated by parking meters
in the U.S. for one day would be a staggering 1.25 million dollars
($1,250,000).

Although Magee's mission was to solve parking
problems, it is evident from his patent application that generating revenue was
an important issue from the beginning. In the application, he stated that his
invention related to "meters for measuring the time of occupancy or use of
parking or other space, for the use of which it is desirous an incidental charge
be made upon a time basis."

The Parking Meter Page http://www.ionet.net/~luttrell/history.html

The real shame we have to bear is that we did not address this issue over months. One of the most sensible arguments to the increase I heard was that we lack a plan. And our lack of planning, NOT a couple of quarters, is the limiter in the proposal.

Speakers have pointed out that we need coordinated actions when we address parking. Street parking costs need to compliment garage costs. Garage costs need to be less that ticket fines. Residents need evening exemptions. Overnight parking costs needs to compliment parking costs in destination cities like Philadelphia and Ney York City. Payment needs to be convienient, and taxicab loitering needs to be managed.

The answer is not “to fee or not to fee.” That would be catering to our emotional special interest. The answer is a coordinated, well-mapped parking master plan.

Maybe we need some authority over parking...?

City Council Meeting Audio 12/13/06

This meeting was dedicated to the interest item de jure—Parking meters. It was a short meet, but there was much traffic on the meters. Most of the speakers represented their business interests, but they; none the less; made some very pertinent arguements that were coupled with some very sensible solutions. There's a lot more to be said about the parking meter issue, and we will dedicate a post to it. The issue touches so many different buttons.

Stu Gallaher was made the City Business Administrator... again. And the attempt to fit former fire Chief Frank Chisesi into his post retirement golden parachute was stiffled by a few questions.The questions pretty much amounted to, "What is this job that he is so uniquely qualified for?" There will be more on that in the next meeting.

Here's the meeting AUDIO (8Mb 1 hour 6 minutes).

Crime Symposium Audio

The Crime Symposium went well. Our panelists were top-notched. We are already brainstorming our next community events. And as we get more experienced they will only become more useful and fulfilling sessions.

We thank everyone that attended, as well as our distinguished panel members and their organizations.

The audio recordings have been edited, and in keeping with EU’s mandate to extend the reach of public events they are ready for download/listening.

(To download the file to your computer right click on the link and choose “save as”)

Panel 1 - Judiciary
District Attorney: District Attorney John Morganelli
Magistrates: Justice Gay Elwell
County Judges: Judge Stephen G. Baratta
Symposium Introduction and Judiciary Panel Presentations (time 27:45 size 3Mb)
Judiciary Panel Question & Answer (time 26:35 size 3Mb)

Panel 2 – Community/Schools

Block Watch: Brian Otto, President
Weed & Seed: Nadine Loane
Alert Partnership: Mike Adams
School District: Dr. Pat Vulcano
Community/Schools Panel Presentations (time 48:36 size 5.7Mb)
Community/Schools Question & Answer (time 9:28 size 1Mb)

Panel 3 – Enforcement & Reporting
County 911: Richard Teasdale, Director
Lafayette College Public Safety: Hugh Harris, Director
Easton Police: Lieutenant John Remaley
Enforcement & Reporting Panel Presentations (time 34:34 size 4Mb)
Enforcement & Reporting Panel Question & Answer (time 34:34 size 4Mb)

Panel 4 – Gang Presentation
County Sheriff: Deputy Sheriff George Volpe
Gang Awareness Presentation (time 10:56 size 1.3Mb)

Easton Crime Symposium Itinerary

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The first Easton Crime Symposium is Saturday, December 9, 2006 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church on 4th & Ferry Sreets (across from the parking garage) in the basement Social Hall. The room is spacious.

If you or anyone you know would benefit from this forum please attend.

Crime Symposium Itinerary

Opening and explanation of the goals Terrance Hand

Panel 1 - Judiciary (1:00 to 1:30) Introduction of Guests: Dan Corpora

District Attorney: property seizures, crime deterrents
Magistrates: Penalty adjudication
County Judges: Rights and restrictions

Panel questions (1:30 to 2:00)

Panel 2 – Community/Schools (2:00 to 2:40) Introduction of Guests: Roger Ruggles

Block Watch: Effectiveness & starting a block watch
Weed & Seed: Tall team, block walks, sit outs
Alert Partnership: Drug prevention/intervention
School District: School Security

Panel questions (2:40 to 3:00)

Panel 3 – Enforcement & Reporting (3:00 to 3:30) Introduction of Guests: Mike Krill

County 911: Crime reporting
Lafayette Security: Campus safety
Easton Police: Property protection, community policing

Panel questions (3:30 to 4:00)

Panel 4 – Gang Presentation (4:00 to 5:30) Introduction of Guests: Terrance Hand
County Sheriff: Gang awareness

Panel questions (time dependent)

Closing Terrance Hand

Panel

Block Watch: Brian Otto, President
Weed & Seed: Nadine Loane
Alert Partnership: Mike Adams
School District: Dr. Pat Vulcano
County 911: Richard Teasdale, Director
Lafayette College Public Safety: Hugh Harris, Director
Easton Police: Lieutenant John Remaley
County Sheriff: Deputy Sheriff George Volpe
District Attorney: District Attorney John Morganelli
Magistrates: Justice Gay Elwell
County Judges: Judge Stephen G. Baratta

City Council Meeting Audio 12/05/06

It's budget season! And with the budget we get stress. The entire year's worth of fiscal lethargy finds us scrambling to find new stop-gap funding plans. Which means we get treated to the 'budget mantra', "We don't have a choice."

In this year's 'backs against the wall' meetings the special interest item was parking meter fee increases, and the big-ticket item was the lease agreement of the waterworks. The 4 - 1 passing of the lease agreement was round one of what may turn into another ugly Easton fight. And the 'all-of-the-sudden' knee-jerk idea to raise parking meter rates was an excellent display of what happens when we waste the year not studying and planning for the budget. Some smart people got up and presented alternatives that could have been effective and feasible if we would have addressed them earlier.

The tension was high.

A resident mustered the courage to approach Council for help and was belayed by a rule that was not equally enforced. The uncomfortable session was culminated with the Mayor's loss of control as he lambasted a City fire fighter for a statement he made to Council as a citizen-taxpayer.

It was not our finest two hours.

Audio (1 hour 46 minutes 12 Mb)

City Council Meeting Audio 11/28/06

Today you get two... two... Two meetings in one!
Because it's budget season. I will not have all of the budget hearings this year. And for the first time in the same amount of time I missed a City Council meeting. It was a special session on November 15, 2006, it was combined with the Administration's budget proposal. Hey, its was bound to happen.

The format for the combined meetings is different this year. The Council meeting is held first and the budget workshops are after the adjournment. This effectively keeps the public out of the budget proceedures.

This meeting was a full house marathon for 2 reasons-- The water works lease was slated for vote, and the public safety budget session also occured. The fire and public works unions were well represented along with the police brass.

The water works discussion is a must-listen. The lease is such a large and important endeavor, and it requires as much scrutiny as we can muster. Because it has to be done right. AFSCME Local 447 was well represented by their parent organization District Council 33, but that did not keep some Council members from lambasting the District President for his promise of action if his membership gets unfair treatment. The vote was tabled until Tuesday, December 5, 2006; but as almost anyone involved will tell you-- it's already a done deal.

$252,700
The stress and confinement of budget time makes for some great deals in the City.

Council Meeting Audio (1 hour 51 mins 12.7Mb)

Budget Hearing Audio (1 hour 14 mins 8.4Mb)

City Council Meeting Audio 11/08/06

This Council meeting was dominated by the mythical Riverwalk project. And; wouldn’t you know it; three more immediate and very important issues slid by in the shadows. The first hour of the meeting was all Riverwalk and almost all against it. By the time the topic was exhausted so were we—the entire audience.

We were too exhausted to object to the final vote on the allocation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) being done without an itemized disbursement of the funds. (SECTION (a) #9 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Bill No.106, Allocations for the 2007 CDBG Funds) And guess what…? At least one item of contention was quietly funded.

We were too exhausted to ask what language was being changed in City consultation contracts. And thus we never noticed that the taxpayers protection was being ripped from the pages. The excluded language was noncompetitive hiring clauses that offered restitution to the city coffers if carpet-bagging consulting agencies snatched our employees.

We were too exhausted to notice City Council tip-toeing into agreement with the Suburban Water Authority. And obviously so were the members of AFSCME Local #447, because they were not in attendance to question the General Manager Mr. Roy White about the deal. If it weren’t for Councilwoman Vulcano asking questions to the interest of the city workers the entire audience would have missed the implications of their vote. (SECTION (a) #17 NEW BUSINESS: Bill No. 123, Approving a Lease and Operating Agreement between the City of Easton, and the Easton Suburban Water Authority.)

The word of the day:

obfuscate

The Audio 18.5(Mb). The meeting agenda 56(kb).

Your neighbors

Easton UnPlugged Audio Blog (Podcast) #10 (SEASON 2)

I do not know if this is worth the wait, but WE'RE BACK!

Bad Apple and House of Crayons are joined by the political color-queen Just Asking for an ear-splitting one hour and forty minute state of the city chat. The podcast starts with a recap of the last 6 months, and eventually gets into more current events. The big ticket topics are the business Administrator's ship-jumping and the Mayor first draft budget.

The show is long because we felt like we owed you something. Audio (11Mb)

Your neighbors

Easton Neighbors for Responsible Development

Save Easton's Academy Hill, Skyline, and Riverfront
Easton Neighbors for Responsible Development
Contact: Phyllis Johnson at (610) 923-0517 or Charles Klabunde at (610) 252-1938

Did you know that the proposed Intermodal/Riverwalk project—being rushed through City Hall right now—is a $25–40-million, taxpayer-subsidized development to be located on Larry Holmes Drive at Church Street, and it will:

Ø Be twice the height and bulk of the Eastonian (former Hotel Easton) and consist of a pre-cast concrete mega-structure covering half a city block—a building that belongs more in Las Vegas or Miami than Easton—with an open parking garage for cars and buses (visible to the street) and seven levels above that for 147 luxury condos and a few stores located in the parking structure and mostly invisible to pedestrians?

Ø Dwarf the surrounding historic neighborhood of restored homes, businesses, and attractions (including Easton’s oldest building—the Bachmann Public House, now closed and in limbo) and overshadow our beautiful skyline of church steeples and bell towers, completely blocking the irreplaceable views of both the Governor Wolf Building (formerly Easton High School) as well as the last remaining structure of Easton’s first public school, Easton Union Academy, on Academy Hill—Easton landmarks of civic pride and national significance for well over a century?

Ø Be exempt from paying taxes for the next four years (through 2010) while being subsidized by $14+ million of our tax dollars—in part a loan with payments due soon that threaten to bankrupt the City, contribute to an imminent 15% tax hike, and lead to the elimination of vital public safety positions and equipment for police officers and firefighters?

Ø Add far more than 500 cars and 35 diesel buses a day to this location as well as numerous delivery trucks and service vehicles (a loading dock and major entrance/exit for buses and cars is planned parallel to Church Street) that will cause traffic jams and a dangerous intersection—rated a "D" by PennDot (one step above an "F,” the worst rating)?

Ø Supply fewer than 100 new parking spaces for area residents, shoppers, visitors, and commuters at a cost to taxpayers of $140,000 each (at least 400 spaces will be permanently reserved for condo owners and building workers as well as current personnel of the Governor Wolf Building)—causing overflow of vehicles to residential streets?

Ø Cast deep morning shadows over nearby houses and afternoon shadows over Riverside Park; make adjacent houses less economically viable by taking their property, views, air, and light; turn the Governor Wolf Building into a white elephant without adequate parking and no views toward the river (only views of the back of the new building and passing buses and cars below); and take away most of the adjacent green spaces needed for street shade trees and other landscape plantings for sight and noise buffering required by law?

Ø Increase flooding downtown and downriver because it provides no mitigation for stormwater runoff or groundwater recharge, paves over the entire lot with impermeable asphalt and concrete surfaces, ignores U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regulations, and covers part of the former bed of Bushkill Creek, an area that is riddled with sinkholes?

Ø Have no possibility of future connection with inter-city trains or provision for other kinds of true "intermodal" transportation other than cars and buses—yet is being built just one block from the former Easton bus terminal and a few more blocks from the former freight rail station, either of which could be restored at a fraction of the cost?

Ø Eliminate the public sidewalk on Church Street (as well as street shade trees and landscaping) and erect a 13-foot-deep concrete balcony that overhangs the public sidewalk just 17 feet overhead—hiding the shops above and creating the perfect sheltered haven for criminal activity, gang "tagging," and vagrancy at the gateway to our City?

Ø Look to Easton taxpayers for even more public funding to improve Riverside Park access and provide additional parking in the park on Larry Holmes Drive for the building’s tenants and visitors?

Ø Set a precedent for more anything-goes, publicly subsidized development on both sides of our riverfront?

John Bry, an urban planning and economic development expert from Harrisburg, spoke in Easton recently and called such parking garages a multi-million dollar waste of taxpayer money that never pay for themselves nor generate economic activity. No one ever visited any city because of its great parking garages. This is not the way to build our economic future by mortgaging our assets and selling out the twin legacies of our historic skyline and public riverfront.

Action is needed now! Express your opinion at these upcoming meetings: Planning Board, Historic District Commission, and Shade Tree Commission (visit http://www.easton-pa.gov/ or telephone 610-250-6600 for details). Urge your neighbors to write Mayor Mitman (pbm@easton-pa.gov), members of City Council, County Executive Stoffa, your state representatives, and Governor Rendell, and tell them you want reasonable development in the City of Easton that preserves our heritage and environment and brings real economic benefits, affordable housing, and well-paying jobs to all our neighborhoods. Planning for the Intermodal/Riverwalk development project has already cost taxpayers one-half million dollars. If the condo market sinks any further, the developer will either cut and run or demand even more public funds—either way leaving us holding the bag. Our tax money is too precious to squander on subsidizing luxury condos and private parking.

Get the Facts on the Intermodal/Riverwalk Development Projectand Contact your Elected City, State, and Federal Representatives

Say “NO” to:
Ø A 15% property tax hike to finance $14 million for luxury condos and their private parking while eliminating public safety positions and equipment for police officers and firefighters

Ø Increased downtown and downriver flooding

Ø More dangerous concentrations of trucks, traffic, and congestion on our streets

Ø Obliterating the irreplaceable views and usefulness of the more than century-old Governor Wolf Building (former Easton High School) and its bell tower as well as the Easton Union Academy Building (Easton’s oldest extant public school structure)—local, state, and national monuments to public education

Ø Overshadowing our streets, homes, businesses, and parks with oversized development that violates the guidelines of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Easton’s own Historic District Commission for our downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Ø Ruining our distinctive and historic skyline that has been a source of civic pride and an attraction to visitors and new residents for over 200 years

Ø Taking public space, light, and air for private gain

Ø The most destructive development project in Easton since 1960s and 1970s “urban renewal” leveled our riverfront neighborhoods

Say “YES” to:
Ø “Green architecture” that is environmentally sound and meets stormwater runoff and groundwater recharge standards of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Ø A pedestrian and bicycle friendly downtown for residents, shoppers, and visitors

Ø Following federal, state, and local guidelines and laws for historic preservation, street shade trees, and landscape buffering

Ø Keeping the Governor Wolf Building and the Easton Union Academy Building as public assets and landmarks of public education and civic pride

Ø Preserving our heritage, skyline, and riverfront

Ø Public hearings and discussion as well as appeals to the Zoning and Planning Boards with, balanced, complete, and accurate information

Ø Investigative reporting by our local newspapers and other news media

Ø Renovating our existing housing stock and pursuing economic development and job creation for all neighborhoods in our City

Ø Seeking creative alternatives for this historically and environmentally sensitive site

Ø Transferring the $14 million in public funding to another location more suited for this development and allowing for true intermodal public transportation, including rail connections

Ø Smart growth and development that includes informed, comprehensive planning and land use

Editor's Note: Although we are not confident in the success of a bus depot beneath luxury condominiums, our lack of confidence is for different reasons than the Easton Neighbors for Responsible Development. As we've mentioned bus stations are not desireable places. And with things being the way they are in Easton it is not reasonable to assume that we will be able keep a bus station clean and safe. We have predicted that the intermodel project will never come to fruition-- it's brochureware. What we are destined to get from this pitch parade is over 100 fewer employees in the city and another very large, very empty building. -HoC

Easton Dressed #2

I’m not the oldest Eastonian. Easton has only hosted me for just over 20 years. I am a transplant (not to be confused with a carpet bagger—I consider Easton my home, not some place of opportunity). And while my history here is relatively short, I do have memories of places and things that just aren’t anymore.

I remember Woolworth’s off of the Circle, bowling down at Heritage Lanes, and Frinzi’s when they had good food. And I fondly remember and solemnly miss the service and quality from Mr. Lenny Albaneese.

To those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to do business at 1217 Washington Street, I offer my apologies. 1217 Washington Street was the address of Giacomo’s Italian Specialty. And the doors of this fine neighborhood establishment closed for-good on Sunday, October 15, 2006. I apologize because if I was more aware I would have been able to advise you to stop by this neighborhood institution. I also would have been able to visit Mrs. Famularo in the store one more time and grab up some of her pepper shooters and the world’s best cannolis.

All is not lost. You can still get her pepper shooters and the world’s best cannolis. You may even be able to meet Mrs. Fumularo. You’re just going to have to do it at Giacomo's on the Hill at 700 Cattell Street.

The store on the Hill is one of my favorite places in the city too. It’s run by Mr. Giacomo and Mrs. Gina Fumularo’s sons Sal and Mario.

I feel bad, because I took the store for granted; like we do so many things in Easton. I thought Giacomo’s would be there whenever I chose to go and now it’s not.

I will visit Sal and Mario a lot more, because I don’t go to Giacomo’s enough.

Your neighbor

City Council Meeting Audio 10/25/06

The Mayor’s office presented their first stab at the 2007 budget. And, as expected, it was chock-full of financial increases with significant reductions in service. Council members reserved their comments on the proposal, but some residents spoke out.

The quick and dirty on the Mayor’s proposal is a 3 mil (16%) tax increase; double the parking meter fees; cut 5 public works employees, 3 police, and 2 fire; only open Eddyside pool for a short season, and increase garbage fees while allowing less garbage at the curb.

The meeting was just over 2 hours long. Audio 14.7Mb

Meet the New Boss...

Hello Neighbors,

Got a little historical reading assignment for us. Click the link to read how our mayor and his top aide presented the City's financial status to the press, residents, and the police arbitration board back in April of 1981.

My personal favorite is when he stated that "...the city would be bankrupt in four or five years" and then went on to say, "I may have overstated the case because we were in arbitration."

The more things stay the same, the more they stay the same.

(Click on image for file)

Top Ten Mitman Administration Re-election Slogans

10. Look at how good things are!

9. Don't you worry your pretty little head about issues.

8. Offering you the best consultants that money can buy.

7. We'll give you real economic development even if we have to ignore every resident in the City to do it.

6. Let us show you just how much we DON'T know!

5. I lived in the West Ward for a few days.

4. We won't address any problem until we absolutely have to.

3. I won't pay any fee, fine, or tax that I expect you to pay.

2. We guarantee that we will fill each City director's position (at least) twice.

1. We promise you less service and higher taxes.

City Council Meeting Audio 10/11/06

My apologies neighbors, I forgot to post last week’s City Council meeting.

The meeting was started with the second of two Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearings. There were public comments concerning the proposed distribution of the CDBG funds vis-à-vis charity organizations and the City. There was discussion over whether it was necessary to purchase a vehicle for the Fire Department that was to be used mainly for Public Works.

The pre meeting public comments were dominated by trash talk. Recycling and the new contract were issues. The contract with Raritan Valley got a positive vote. A lawyer from one of the competing garbage companies made statements questioning Raritan’s bond solvency.

During the final public comment session at the end of the meeting a Council member answered a residents cry for enforcement and assistance with criminal activity and loitering by (once again—different Council member) suggesting the resident look into starting a block watch. Good answer! Thanks for the help and wisdom. The most unusual, entertaining, and ironic public comment was made by a “Super American” from Bethlehem Township who approached the podium wearing a sleeveless Minutemen tee-shirt that read, “Americans defending Americans”. His issue was immigration and he pointed out the workers working on the Sweet Shop while talking about unsafe working environments.







The meeting is 2 hours and nine minutes. Audio (14.7Mb)

Easton Dressed #1

It’s been a while since I cataloged anything that I love, or for that matter even enjoy, about Easton. More and more people’s first criticism of me is that I only complain. And while that criticism is not the complete and correct assessment of me, it is valid; because I do exercise my right to complain frequently.

I make it a rule to mix problem solving in with any problem I point out. And BA and I have stated time and time again that we believe press conferences are the proper venues for relishing and praising, while Council meetings are the most important venue to find and fix problems.

That being said, I have to agree with my critics, people need to see and hear about Easton’s best. While I will still contest that this type of recognition should not overshadow issue resolution at City Council meetings, I think we at EU need to concede more space towards promotion of the place we love—Easton, Pennsylvania.

I’m sure at least one of the two of you reading this is wondering what brought on this change of heart. Well, to put it simply—lunch. I would guess that seventy five to ninety percent of my week is spent in the City. I live here; I work here, my wife works here, and my daughter goes to school here. I, naturally, eat; drink; shop; and recreate within the city limits a whole lot.

Last week I had to purchase a gift for an Easton charity event. We decided that a $50.00 gift certificate from one of the City’s restaurants was appropriate. So, I chose Sette Luna. I decided to make my trip a two-for-one and took care of the day’s lunch.

This turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly pleasant meals I have had in a while. I pride myself on my lack of pretense, and I am not very easily impressed. At Sette Luna I needed to be neither pretentious nor easily impressed. That was because I was in a place that “just does it right”. The food excelled in every way—“just enough” and uniquely appetizing. My meal started with their calamari which was served in a very tasty peppery-flavored tomato sauce. The sauce is so good that you instinctively use the aromatic house-made bread to sop it dry. I followed that up with one of the restaurants signature Panini sandwiches, The Eastonian. The sandwich was by no means a “gut buster”, but the owners must possess some secret sating formula, because it was” just right”. It was made up of the “just right” mix of Italian meats, cheese, and some greens with a small cucumber-tomato salad that helped each bite of the sandwich taste like a first bite.

The service only made things better as it was pleasant and subtly detailed. The room did not make me feel like a stranger in Easton, and it gave a comforting ambiance for touring visitors. I have eaten at Sette Luna a couple of times prior to this visit. Each of those times with company, and I had not the slightest hesitation at eating there alone (As a matter of fact, I had lunch there by myself three days later). The music was not obnoxious, and it did not make me feel either unrefined or unhip. They did things “right”. The servers are polite, accessible, and not in your face. I was most impressed as I witnessed an owner casually bus a table as if it were no big deal. They get it—“just right”.

While not easily impressed; I was easily impressed with the service provided by our neighbors at Sette Luna. And if I were pressed for an improvement criticism, I would ask for a children’s’ menu (the Little House of Crayons doesn't dig spices).

I love Easton, as well as many of you. So, from now on I will regularly pimp some of our goods, greats, and bests. That is, of course, in between working towards our mission.

To provide a clean, crime-free, and safe environment with competitive services
that allows residents to enjoy a high quality of life, while providing commerce
an environment to thrive.

Sette Luna
219 Ferry StreetEaston, PA 18042
610-253-8888
Mon. - Tues.: 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wed. - Thurs.: 11:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Fri.: 11:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Sat.: noon - 10:30 p.m.
Sun.: 4 - 9 p.m.

Good Comments Deserve Comment

LatinTeacher said...
You have answered my query. I agree in some ways. I think that having a city run water authority will bring in more money to the city (via water leases) and have the added benefit of removing some overhead and liability that the current system does not provide. I am not sure, though I fear some flaming may arise from this comment, why having the union is necessarily a good thing. I understand that unions help protect workers and help to negotiate when employers are being unfair. However, there comes a time when the union becomes a blind protector - fighting for things that seem dubitable at best. The city workers in this case would get to keep their jobs, as you state. But the new water authority, as a separate entity, would be allowed to create new hiring practices or keep it union or try some. The cry of privatization prevents the real issue from being heard.

First off let me just say, Latin Teacher I have read your profile, and I would like to welcome you to our great city. I, like you, am a transplant (Philly native), not to be confused with a carpet bagger.

I agree with your "blind protector" statement, and if that were the case I would be the first to fight it. But that is not the case with any of the citys 3 labor unions. Let me restate something I posted to the tag board a couple of days ago:

OK one more blurb about Unions. I did not mean to imply that all unions are doing good for the people. Because some have been divisive in their stinginess and have run prices through the roof and industries out of the country. Some have been too obstinate to promote changes in their industry's business model (B. Steel) and let their futures fade away. IN EASTON, the 3 bargaining units/unions we have are still on the useful side of the labor continuum. They protect against short cuts and unfair practices. BUT WE MUST TAKE HEED OF THIS, when our unions are no longer filled with people that have a vested interest in Easton's financial well being, we stand the chance of being fleeced (food for thought). Make Easton more livable, and employ a good number of residents. posted 4 Oct 06, 06:42 PM

You make the assumption that the city has hiring practice issues related to the water plant and the workers represented by AFSCME Local 447. That is not the case. Yes, the City does have hiring practice issues, just none related to this topic.

The current administration champions shortcuts to financial solvency. Every solution to any problem we have experienced has involved cutting or selling off assets. There are council members onboard with this philosophy too; Council President Vulcano has stated to me more than once that the City is not in the real estate business. That has been the guiding thought process behind the selling of a considerable amount of City owned property. The Mayor's office is working to cut employees/benefits. Their issue is that a overwhelming majority of the City's funds are spent on employees. We say, "No shit, Sherlock!" And here we come again to one of EU's major points-- Easton is A CITY. The purpose of city government is to return tax dollars to residents in the form of ESSENTIAL SERVICES. And this is where our disconnect is with the City leaders.

Mind you, this issue is not one of us complaining without offering solutions. We offer the same solutions over and over. We need to generate revenue, modernize, and enforce. The city is owed in excess of one million dollars in unpaid water bills. The number was $1.6 million a year ago. This is the elephant in the room. We don't enforce any ordnances that can drive revenue. BA has been lobbying for years to get the fire department to recover funds from insurance companies. The Bussiness Adminstrator's reasoning for not wanting to accept credit card bill paying was that the "City would have to pay a percentage". We gave away free parking for a week days after closing a swimming pool and cutting 3 fire fighters, 3 police officers, and 3-5 public works employees. And we fought for two years to convince the other four council members that then Councilman Mike Fleck's idea to reinstitute the Amusement and Mechanical Devices Tax was a good financial decision (too bad we screwed that up too-- $252,700). Close the pools, cut police, cut fire, cut public works, lease the water plant, sell the trash trucks, HIRE CONSULTANTS.

No Latin Teacher, the issue is not organized labor. The issue is essential services. We do NOT get what we pay for.

Thanks for the comments,

Your neighbors

A Challenge to All of Us

Tag Board Tension

It is my suggestion to all here in the EUniverse to reread and absorb Our Neighbors’ last post entitled The EU Manifesto. After nearly 8 weeks of unscheduled hiatus, I am back reading the tag board and am not amused. Not because the writers don’t have a right to state their endless complaints, but because they offer no solutions. If we here in the EUniverse are going to change things we have to offer up a pound of wisdom every now and then-- Concrete, viable solutions. When we go to City Council meetings are we offering resolutions to the problems for which we complain? I’m Just Asking.

On the street, I am told that EU is a bunch of people talking about nothing. Well folks, this isn’t Seinfeld. The masses can’t get past the tag board before they click onto their next order of business. If we as a group are going to go on and on, let’s give the readers real statistics from real sources, then solutions that the Council can use. We can be a forum for endless ranting or a forum for change. What’s it going to be folks?

I’m Just Asking.

Answers to your "Comments" questions

On Monday, October 2, 2006 two questions were put to us via the "Comments" links after posts.

The first from LatinTeacher asks, "So, do you agree with the Union position or with the proposal?"

This comment was posted to the August 23 Council meeting post. We assume that the question is refering to the proposed "water lease".

Our answer is niether (totally). We like something in between. We see no reason why the city should cease to employ the 20 or so water employees in their current jobs. Their jobs will still exist in the same capacities under Surburban Water. And since we keep hearing how this is in no way a privatization, because the Authority is a City agency, it makes a lot of sense to share the responsibility and keep an active grasp on our asset-- The water plant.

The union employees in both water and sewage have been managed by outside agencies for years. So, an arguement that management other that the City's over the City's employees is moot.

Making those employees choose between working at their trained positions or leaving the union is union busting as an aside. For the Administration it is a back door win-win. If they remain in the bargaining unit the workforce will allow positions to exist until attrition eliminates them, or if they keep their jobs the staffing immediatly disapears from the City. Well, what does that leave us the taxpayer with... A depleted bargaining unit (AFSCME Local 447) that can no longer stand up for the safety and fairness of working people. Translation, fewer and fewer people to maintain our parks, streets, City vehicles, and monitor codes. Not a win for my house. WE NEED THE WORKERS OF AFSCME LOCAL 447, AND WE NEED MORE THAN WE HAVE NOW. Our basic City services are failing or have failed.

The jobs are filled, and the workers are organized... Let them stay that way. It really does protect the City.

The next question is from r.moshki and r.moshki asks, "How do you plan to carry out your "mission"? "

We work EVERYDAY to accomplish our mission. BA, our contributers, and I concentrate on being involved and helping others to be involved. Our continual participation in City Council is to set an example to other residents. People need to know that those meetings are a real resource to accomplishing better living in Easton. Our stalwart presensence is also an example of strengths of persistence-- people need to see that sometimes it takes a bit more that just popping in on one meeting to get results.

We communicate and encourage communication through editorials. We stand up against bad policy, abuses of ethics, blight, and crime; and we stand beside our neighbors when they do the same. We actively participate in worthwhile community events, and we spread the word to help the events flourish.

In short we are active good neighbors.

PS

As I write this we are planning a EU community summit that we want to be a City crime symposium. So stay tuned.

Thanks for the questions.

We look forward to being a good neighbor to you soon!

Your neighbors

The EU Manifesto

A whole lot of people do not really get what we here at Easton UnDressed are trying to accomplish. So let me “lay it bare”. I am the House of Crayons or HOC, my partner here is Badapple or BA. We started this blog on October 17, 2005. When I said the words, “Let’s start a blog”—I had never actually laid eyes on a web log (blog). I Googled the word “blog” and selected Google’s Blogger client as the home for our blog. A few hours later EU was live.

We chose our psuedo-anonymity for a few reasons. At first, we were not sure what we would write; and we needed a shield. But as the mission was taking shape our pen names served totally different purposes. The first was to emphasize the message over the messengers-- we did not want EU to be about us two; we wanted it to be about us 26,000. And the last by-product of our secret identities was (and is) the pure entertainment value-- It is an EU hobby; trying to figure out who is who.

When we began EU the issue de jure was the City’s proposal to let the State Theatre slide on its final two years of a one million dollar loan from the taxpayers of Easton. That balance has become our mantra $252,700.00. You can read all about that tragedy here.

The first blog post was pretty much a rant. And over the next few weeks we started to mold the EUniverse. Our intent was (and still is) to create an interactive information clearinghouse on all things and issues Easton. In those first weeks we piled on the content. We did top 10 lists, posted comics, added pictures, and ran polls. But the two most effective pieces of content we added were, without a doubt, audio files (public meetings and our podcast) and the infamous tag board.

Let me start with the tag board…
The tag board is an application that is actually not a part of the blog. The board we currently use is the third tag board we’ve used. The first was free crap, the second-- conveniently named Tag Board --was only slightly more reliable, and the third has been a charm at $2.00/month the cbox tag board has been stalwart.
Now, we have discovered that; for the most part; the tag board has served as the blog’s gatekeeper. Some people are so challenged by the reverse scrolling and automatic updating that they give up on EU before delving into any other content we offer. Others are drugged by the almost-instant gratification of the tag board. Now, some of the latter group overindulges in the tag board when they discover it. Our researchers are unsure of how their overindulgence effects their long term participation in the EUniverse. But our third subset; the instant gratifiers in-moderation; are what we’ve come to consider "the tone". "The tone" of the tag board is an indicator of a few things. 1) Current events 2) Interesting topicality and 3) Blog posts.
We never—actually, I never intended for the tag board to dominate the blog like it does. I’m not so sure about my partner BA (Queen of the Chat) though. But it is what it is.

The most entertaining aspect of the EUniverse is Easton UnPlugged; our podcast. In this, BA and I relax with refreshments and friends while we discuss the current Eastonian issues. We record and syndicate/podcast our sessions as a regular feature. The podcasts have been on hold for the summer months, but we are gearing up for a more robust season 2. Stay tuned!

The meat and potatoes of Easton UnDressed is the blog posts. We have worked extremely hard to make our posts items of truth. We cite our information meticulously, and we post the cited documents and recordings. Our recordings are what really set us apart from other blogs. We have built a useful library of press conferences and public meetings, and our uninterrupted string of City Council meetings is the jewel of our collection.

That’s the blog… Easton UnDressed, EU, the EUniverse in a nut shell. Those are our tools, and our manifesto really begins here…

What we are, what we are about… BA and I are patriots; Eastonian patriots. We, along with a core group of fellow Epatriots, have dedicated ourselves to maintaining and protecting our home, Easton. We promote the very basic principles of “clean and safe”. Clean and safe streets along with ethical and secure governing. We use the pneumonic “iIA!” (interest, Ideas, ACTION!) to direct our efforts. We are activists, pundits, and good neighbors. Our focus is simple and direct for a reason; we mean to accomplish our mission.


Our Mission

To provide a clean, crime-free, and safe environment with competitive services that allows residents to enjoy a high quality of life, while providing commerce an environment to thrive.

Your neighbors