Senseless violence in Allentown, PA is becoming more prevalent and common place than many would like to believe. Even those who moved here from the metropolitan areas like NJ, NYC, and Philly are shaking their heads and saying they could have stayed put in their original locations if they knew they would be enduring THIS again. We have decided to take a stand and invite others to join us! It's NOT political or religious, it's about WE, the PEOPLE! Let's join together, network, and try to develop some real-life resolutions /strategies that will save our communities and prevent future tragedies....
VISIONS OF LIFE NEWSLETTER - FIGHT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS, ARLICIA INGRAM , and ALFONSO TODD AND ASSOCIATES present "A MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS"
The purpose of this event is to highlight the confusion, chaos, and trauma that is overtaking the CITY OF ALLENTOWN and beyond...
We are encouraging the public to come and attend this event so that we can demonstrate unification and cultivate conversation, networking, and ideas of resolution/resolve.
Individuals, groups, and organizations will meet at 12:00 noon at 333 HAMILTON STREET (CATCH 22 NIGHT CLUB) and walk on the sidewalk, in an orderly fashion, to ALLENTOWN CITY HALL. There will be brief speeches and homage paid to those who are or have suffered due to homelessness and violence.
Afterwards, the public is invited to the offices of ALFONSO TODD AND ASSOCIATES at 1101 HAMILTON STREET, 3rd FL for refreshments!
For more information about participation, volunteering, or sponsorship, contact 484.619.6541 / alfonsotodd36@msn.com
In Loving Memory of Devon aka DAZE DYSH, TY SMOOTH, BLEEKO, JJ aka White Boy, Curk, Dudda, Andy Rojas and EVERYONE else who has been lost due to senseless violence,,,,,
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A MESSAGE FROM AN ALLENTOWN RESIDENT TRANSMITTED INTO THE BLOGOSPHERE...
(This was an actual response I gave on a popular blog in the Lehigh Valley entitled, LEHIGH VALLEY RAMBLINGS. It was founded by Bernie 'O Hare and always has great topics and investigative reporting)
"ACTUALLY, "FDAA and FRIENDS", (anonymous opinionated bloggers with opinions) the blogosphere DOES have alot more power than YOU believe or you wouldn't be posting comments in as many relevant locations as possible. I am not like Bernie O' Hare of the blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings, because in my mind, it really doesn't matter who you are because your propaganda is becoming more and more transparent. I really kinda feel bad for all the "powers that be" involved because although the arena WILL be built and projects WILL be completed, reputations ARE tarnished and trust HAS been lost. In the beginning FDAA led the rallying call and recruited others into thinking this arena project was the savior for A-town, now I see less enthusiastic posts. In fact, many have become silent; maybe they are having second thoughts? It's funny, because for something that is supposed to be for the good of the CITY, it definitely is leaving a bad taste in alot of people's mouths. Whether paid or unpaid "FDAA and Friends", you all are entitled to your opinion and continue to preach how we are just crazy bloggers who hate progress and want that old A-town back, when in fact, with developing sinkholes, deadly gas explosions, shootings, business loss, small town politics, and poverty, we would just be glad to have a DECENT A-town to live in..."
Alfonso Todd
www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
"ACTUALLY, "FDAA and FRIENDS", (anonymous opinionated bloggers with opinions) the blogosphere DOES have alot more power than YOU believe or you wouldn't be posting comments in as many relevant locations as possible. I am not like Bernie O' Hare of the blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings, because in my mind, it really doesn't matter who you are because your propaganda is becoming more and more transparent. I really kinda feel bad for all the "powers that be" involved because although the arena WILL be built and projects WILL be completed, reputations ARE tarnished and trust HAS been lost. In the beginning FDAA led the rallying call and recruited others into thinking this arena project was the savior for A-town, now I see less enthusiastic posts. In fact, many have become silent; maybe they are having second thoughts? It's funny, because for something that is supposed to be for the good of the CITY, it definitely is leaving a bad taste in alot of people's mouths. Whether paid or unpaid "FDAA and Friends", you all are entitled to your opinion and continue to preach how we are just crazy bloggers who hate progress and want that old A-town back, when in fact, with developing sinkholes, deadly gas explosions, shootings, business loss, small town politics, and poverty, we would just be glad to have a DECENT A-town to live in..."
Alfonso Todd
www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 26, 2012
"NO VASELINE" - HERE'S WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT YOU....
"The real story is that none of the merchants were ever told that they could use taxes to purchase a new building, after being displaced by the city. The use of sales tax, 6% of their gross sales, could have been used for debt service on a new Hamilton Street location. To my knowledge, none of the affected merchants, will have a new retail store on Hamilton Street, or will have any benefit from the NIZ. They had asked for a meeting with the city for help, which was attended by The Morning Call, and were never told that the NIZ lever could be used by private property owners. They asked for a meeting with Senator Brown, and were never told about options which could have helped them save their businesses. The explanation by Browne and the Administration that this information was available if they had asked the proper questions, is unacceptable. FACTS ON THE GROUND INDICATE THAT THE LAW WAS APPLIED IN A SELECTIVE FASHION, TO FASHIONABLE PEOPLE." - MOLOVINSKY ON ALLENTOWN / www.molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com
"Under a law passed in 2009 and amended in 2011, a 130-acre downtown Neighborhood Improvement Zone was established in Allentown, to defray construction costs for a hockey arena and other improvements. But what was largely unknown, until a recent Morning Call report, was that even earned income taxes owed to other municipalities like Bethlehem and Hanover Township, can now be diverted to help support projects in the Queen City. Many local township and borough officials had no idea this would happen, and are disturbed that this could lead to revenue shortfalls in heir own budgets.' - LEHIGH VALLEY RAMBLINGS / www.lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com
"A year ago, Nilda Ventura and her husband, Radhames, took a chance on opening a tiny Dominican restaurant near Seventh and Linden streets. Allentown's downtown hockey arena, these days plowing ahead across the street amid the dust of demolition, was barely a rumor. Now, just as their Sabroso Restaurant has begun to catch on, Ventura is worried that private developer City Center Investment Corp. — which has been buying up land around the arena, including her restaurant, for future development — is trying to push her aside. With four years remaining on a five-year lease, she's been ordered to leave because she mailed her rent check three days after it was due.
Because she rents outside the arena property, she does not qualify for government-funded relocation aid. J.B. Reilly, the developer behind City Center, said his company is merely enforcing the terms of the commercial lease with Ventura it inherited when it purchased her property in November. Reilly signed a Jan. 10 letter telling Ventura she had to "vacate the property immediately."
He said his approach in such situations is to be reasonable, but remaking downtown Allentown will require existing businesses to relocate. Ventura mailed her rent check for $725 to City Center on Jan. 4, after the Jan. 1 due date. A representative of City Center had come by on Jan. 2 to pick up the check, and she wasn't there, she said, because she wasn't expecting him. Her previous landlord, she said, came on the 5th of each month. Artist renderings of the city's gleaming future show the Venturas' restaurant, formerly Paul's Gyros, being displaced by a sprawling convention hall, where a dilapidated row of low-end retail stores now stands.
- The Morning Call - www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-arena-nearby-property-20120125,0,403567.story?page=1
Ms. Patrice Sidoione of The "ALL THAT SALON", formerly in Allentown, PA but forced out "for the good of the arena", predicted this chaos months ago. It started with the closing of the thriving businesses between 6th and 7th Streets and now it has reached beyond the borders and is in the pockets of the surrounding municipalities...
Yes, it's about to get hectic, but I have one question? Why did it take other surrounding locations to be affected for the situation to become a widespread travesty or cause an uproar? THINK ABOUT IT!
"Under a law passed in 2009 and amended in 2011, a 130-acre downtown Neighborhood Improvement Zone was established in Allentown, to defray construction costs for a hockey arena and other improvements. But what was largely unknown, until a recent Morning Call report, was that even earned income taxes owed to other municipalities like Bethlehem and Hanover Township, can now be diverted to help support projects in the Queen City. Many local township and borough officials had no idea this would happen, and are disturbed that this could lead to revenue shortfalls in heir own budgets.' - LEHIGH VALLEY RAMBLINGS / www.lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com
"A year ago, Nilda Ventura and her husband, Radhames, took a chance on opening a tiny Dominican restaurant near Seventh and Linden streets. Allentown's downtown hockey arena, these days plowing ahead across the street amid the dust of demolition, was barely a rumor. Now, just as their Sabroso Restaurant has begun to catch on, Ventura is worried that private developer City Center Investment Corp. — which has been buying up land around the arena, including her restaurant, for future development — is trying to push her aside. With four years remaining on a five-year lease, she's been ordered to leave because she mailed her rent check three days after it was due.
Because she rents outside the arena property, she does not qualify for government-funded relocation aid. J.B. Reilly, the developer behind City Center, said his company is merely enforcing the terms of the commercial lease with Ventura it inherited when it purchased her property in November. Reilly signed a Jan. 10 letter telling Ventura she had to "vacate the property immediately."
He said his approach in such situations is to be reasonable, but remaking downtown Allentown will require existing businesses to relocate. Ventura mailed her rent check for $725 to City Center on Jan. 4, after the Jan. 1 due date. A representative of City Center had come by on Jan. 2 to pick up the check, and she wasn't there, she said, because she wasn't expecting him. Her previous landlord, she said, came on the 5th of each month. Artist renderings of the city's gleaming future show the Venturas' restaurant, formerly Paul's Gyros, being displaced by a sprawling convention hall, where a dilapidated row of low-end retail stores now stands.
- The Morning Call - www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-arena-nearby-property-20120125,0,403567.story?page=1
Ms. Patrice Sidoione of The "ALL THAT SALON", formerly in Allentown, PA but forced out "for the good of the arena", predicted this chaos months ago. It started with the closing of the thriving businesses between 6th and 7th Streets and now it has reached beyond the borders and is in the pockets of the surrounding municipalities...
Yes, it's about to get hectic, but I have one question? Why did it take other surrounding locations to be affected for the situation to become a widespread travesty or cause an uproar? THINK ABOUT IT!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
"PROLOGUE: JUMPING INTO THE FRAY" or "ALFONSO TODD: What I have DONE, am DOING, and will continue to DO...."
It doesn't matter what all of the "positive people" say regarding the arena, NIZ, and the re-building of A-town, I moved here from Miami over 10 years ago and have been involved with City Hall and the people of A-town directly. Bernie, Molovinsky, other bloggers, and all of the elected officials, including the Mayor, know me and can testify to the fact that I was labeled an activist for years because I created events and opportunities and CHOSE to champion "the people" of Allentown who are the real resource and who are the ONLY answer and way to turn this ailing city around. I have heard words like "renaissance", "new beginnings", "diversity", etc every time a new project or idea was hatched. The "powers that be" were always preaching "blue skies and butterflies" when in fact, Allentown is a VERY urban area. GENTRIFICATION may seem to be the answer for those who imagine a Bethlehem-like locale in Center City, but the reality is that even with the mini-book that FUTURE wrote he/she is only HOPING those plans come together. There's no guarantee; there never is, but I am truly hoping there is a PLAN B, C, or D, for we Allentownians who, actually, live here, because in, reality, we deserve better than what we have received, thus far. How can our own elected officials treat us as shabbily as they are and expect us to NOT be discouraged. (And then have the nerve to say it's our fault for NOT being as involved as we should) People can preach all they want about attracting more "upper class" and "higher income" people to dwell among us "undesirables" but the reality is that you can't push ANYONE out and believe it or not, WE see the value in Allentown even if the ones you desire to actually dwell in this location don't; that's why WE'RE here... So, you can break this paragraph down, FUTURE and all of the other "ANONYMOUS" people, and respond, but the truth is "the powers that be" are trying to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and in doing so creating a new slogan for A-town which will be recited by all of the surrounding municipalities: "It's becoming the city that we love to hate."
Sunday, January 22, 2012
ALLENTOWN, PA - THE CITY YOU LOVE TO HATE ? PART 1
I have been silent for quite a few years now. In fact, I have almost become apathetic, unfortunately. Well, I guess before I go on, you would have to know who I am and what I speak of....
My name is Alfonso Todd and I moved to the Lehigh Valley about 10 years ago. I saw a world of possibilities. I was fresh off the road as a healthcare consultant and trying to decide if I would ever return to my hometown of Miami, FL or not. (I was tired of never-ending drama there, believe it or not). I was ambitious, idealistic, and full of plans and dreams. In time, I became involved with the City of Allentown, PA and grew to appreciate the people, the community, and the way of life. In fact, I created several opportunities for myself that, simultaneously, enhanced the city itself. I created a STOP THE VIOLENCE event that assisted the city in communicating with the residents regarding the accidental death of Daviay Legrand http://azstarnet.com/news/national/article_cf6ad6af-e84a-511b-bc22-39474b3374dc.html ; several blogs: LEHIGH VALLEY FLAVOR - www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com, URBAN RENEWAL - www.urbanrenewal.piczo.com; produced internet programming: 5 MINUTES OF FLAVOR - (is on YOUTUBE, search GROWNSEXYSOBER); and created several annual community events: http://www.alfonsotodd.com/events . People always GOOGLE me and see all the projects I have produced/created for the community of Allentown and ask why I am not in a higher position or involved with the City? It's my fault really; I refused to submit to the confusion and chose to be with "the people".
I guess the real problem is that I didn't like playing "the game". You know, the one where you have to be involved with the right affiliations, the right groups/organizations, and be in the right meetings. I won't lie, I did attempt to run in those "circles" only to almost, figuratively and literally, starve to death. (TO BE CONTINUED)
My name is Alfonso Todd and I moved to the Lehigh Valley about 10 years ago. I saw a world of possibilities. I was fresh off the road as a healthcare consultant and trying to decide if I would ever return to my hometown of Miami, FL or not. (I was tired of never-ending drama there, believe it or not). I was ambitious, idealistic, and full of plans and dreams. In time, I became involved with the City of Allentown, PA and grew to appreciate the people, the community, and the way of life. In fact, I created several opportunities for myself that, simultaneously, enhanced the city itself. I created a STOP THE VIOLENCE event that assisted the city in communicating with the residents regarding the accidental death of Daviay Legrand http://azstarnet.com/news/national/article_cf6ad6af-e84a-511b-bc22-39474b3374dc.html ; several blogs: LEHIGH VALLEY FLAVOR - www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com, URBAN RENEWAL - www.urbanrenewal.piczo.com; produced internet programming: 5 MINUTES OF FLAVOR - (is on YOUTUBE, search GROWNSEXYSOBER); and created several annual community events: http://www.alfonsotodd.com/events . People always GOOGLE me and see all the projects I have produced/created for the community of Allentown and ask why I am not in a higher position or involved with the City? It's my fault really; I refused to submit to the confusion and chose to be with "the people".
I guess the real problem is that I didn't like playing "the game". You know, the one where you have to be involved with the right affiliations, the right groups/organizations, and be in the right meetings. I won't lie, I did attempt to run in those "circles" only to almost, figuratively and literally, starve to death. (TO BE CONTINUED)
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