Bethlehem Rose garden Farmers’ Market
Part of the Mt. Airy Neighborhood Association’s “continuing mission to strengthen our local community.”
——
The Great Southside Sale 2019
JUNE 1, 10 am-3:30 pm
East 4th and Buchanan Streets
South Bethlehem
Last year the sale raised over $20,000 . . . and 100% of the money raised supports youth programs, three nationally-recognized homework clubs, and school field trips for Southside children, all administered by the Community Service Office at Lehigh.
(8th in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Dana Grubb is a lifelong resident of the City of Bethlehem who worked 27 years for the City of Bethlehem in the department of community and economic development, as sealer of weights and measures, housing rehabilitation finance specialist, grants administrator, acting director of community and economic development, and deputy director of community development.
Gadfly:
I couldn’t attend because I had a concert to photograph last night, so I can only comment on the photos included in today’s news coverage. I agree with Peter that some of it looked gaudy. It seems overkill. I’m very tradition oriented, so I’d like to see some of the current decorations re-imagined with the use of newer technology and enhanced lighting. What I really liked was the use of red and green lighting on the Hill to Hill Bridge, and the truth be told, I wouldn’t mind seeing all 3 bridges lighted architecturally all year round, much like bridges elsewhere in the world. The 3D stars located at certain intersections looked interesting, yet the stars on the end of the Main Street ramp looked overwhelming. I think the use of projection lighting on buildings, such as at Comenius Hall at Moravian College, has some potential as well. Peter’s question about using city money (if it is public money) and staffing time is very valid in my opinion.
Dana
(The latest in a series of posts relating to the environment, Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan, and Bethlehem’s Environmental Advisory Council)
See “How Bethlehem Preserves Saucon Creek” in today’s Lehigh Valley Ramblings.
(7th in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Gadfly:
I only saw the images via an article on LehighValleyLive, and while I think some of the proposed designs are somewhat attractive, they don’t seem very imaginative or creative—and I’d describe some of them as almost gaudy.
They might have gotten much better results at a much lower cost by soliciting local ideas—including from students. At the end, I have to ask whether this is an appropriate use of city money & time.
Peter
(6th in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Gadfly:
I agree with Barbara — it was very festive and cheery. I particularly liked the proposed placement of oversized Bethlehem stars at Five Points and elsewhere. I was relieved to see that the iconic 4 advent candles were still featured, and I appreciated the designer’s attention to the original Christmas designs from the 20s and 30s.
Across the Fahy bridge, the design shows colored lights leading north and then switching to white lights as the lights cross the bridge. This is unfortunate and, as I said in my notes on the design, does not provide the unity that they planned for.
All in all though, a very nice design, sensitive to Bethlehem and the commercial value of the season to the city.
Judy
(5th in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
See this lehighlive.com article for a series of pictures of the proposed lighting scheme!
(20th in a series on Education and Charter Schools)
Last time Gadfly weighed in on charter schools was two months ago, reporting on a great meeting with Dr. Roy.
Where o’ where did those last two months go? Let him try to catch up a bit here.
First, let’s remember what triggered this information gathering: concern about the size of the charter school line in the BASD budget and thus the impact on our taxes. As reported several posts back in this thread: “Approximately 2100 BASD students attend charter schools (12 different ones but 50% at one particular charter school), about 13% of the total student population, at a cost of 29 million in charter tuition this year, which is roughly 10% of the budget.”
The BASD budget
Theresa O’Brien, “District in the black; no tax hike likely.” Bethlehem Press, May 21, 2019.
The good news. The tentative 2019-20 BASD budget “includes no increase in the tax millage for the first time in several years, and uses only $1.6 million from the general fund balance to make up a shortfall.”
Board member Dean Donaher commended those involved in the process for bringing in a zero-tax-increase budget without losing any programs and while “maintaining momentum” on strategic initiatives of achieving grade-level reading proficiency, delivering personalized learning and growth, and meeting students’ social and emotional needs.
Well, relative good news. If the charter school chunk were less, then there would be more money in the system for education needs and maybe no need to draw from the general fund balance. But at least looks like no tax increase. And, if I remember correctly, Dr. Roy said charter school attendance was leveling off.
Lehigh Valley Academy
Lehigh Valley Academy is the charter school to keep an eye on. 50% of the BASD students going to charter schools go to LVA. Several posts back in this series, Gadfly profiled LVA.
Also as reported earlier, LVA is planning on a new building at substantial cost. This morning’s paper indicates that the proposed site of that building has now changed from what Gadfly reported earlier. LVA rents now, and owning its own building would be more economical. LVA will have to seek permission from both the Bethlehem Area and Saucon Valley school boards to change locations because it is a regional charter school.
Other charter schools
There seem to be no especial administrative or educational quality issues with the three Bethlehem charter schools — the kind that characterize many school districts and charter schools. But there are enough such issues in the Lehigh Valley to keep us continually conscious of a nagging bad side to charter schools. These are the kinds of things we don’t want happening here.
Innovative Arts, Catasauqua:
Catasauqua administrators painted the Innovative Arts Academy Charter School as a school that’s habitually failing students academically. Charter school administrators sought to portray the school as one where students in need of extra attention found solace and purpose while staff contended with a demographic of economically disadvantaged students with unexpected challenges.
Allentown School District:
A week after a deadlocked school board left the Allentown School District in budgetary limbo, a new attempt will be made Tuesday to borrow $10 million to avert a financial mess. . . . costs weighing on the district are charter school tuition.”
Ok, there’s a catch-up on some of the factual context. Gadfly will return shortly to catch up on some more substantive issues suggested by followers Dr. Roy, Karen Beck Pooley, and BASD Proud Parents.
High-five to all concerned for tending the budget nicely!
(4th in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Barbara Diamond enjoys retirement as Lehigh University Director of Foundation Relations by engaging in various activities and organizations hopefully for the betterment of the community. Her particular interests at the moment are preventing gun violence, local government ethics reform, and Bethlehem Democratic Committee work.
Dear Gadfly,
I walked over this afternoon to view the photo facsimiles of what the decorations would look like. The plan proposes unified decorations on the major gateways to the city (Rt. 378, New St Bridge, 5 Points, 4th Street) , Main Street, and a focus on Payrow Plaza. The proposed decorations have a consistent theme of garlands with multicolored lights and a central white star. There are different iterations of this along with trees wrapped in lights and the rotunda and library wrapped in lights and snowflakes projected on the plaza pavement and walls of the plaza buildings “painted” in projected light, along with the tree & creche.The design was very festive, and I can imagine that it would enhance downtown Bethlehem for the Christmas season as a destination benefiting our downtown merchants. Not sure what the cost is of all of this, so that is a different discussion. Interestingly, the design included some giant candles where the menorah usually is situated. I asked the designer, David Wiener, where they planned to put the menorah, and he said that no one had mentioned a menorah to him so he planned to follow-up with that.
Barbara
Thanks, Barbara. Hey, Judy, did you get to go? Your email is not working for me.
The Gadfly invites “local color” photos of this sort
beauty
in the wake
of that
horrific storm
Victoria R. Leister
(6th in a series of posts on Wind Creek Bethlehem)
Anna Smith is a life-long Southside resident and Director of the Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life in south Bethlehem by fostering economic opportunity, promoting community development, and empowering residents to actively participate in the decision-making process regarding the future of our diverse community
Gadfly:
Feelings on the water park aside, I think having a plan for the Number 2 Machine Shop was seen as important for gaining State and City support for the sale. But as today’s article in The Morning Call mentions, they only have $150 million of the $250 million available to commit to the project. I have a feeling the plans for the site are likely to change before long, now that the sale has been approved. . . . Unless there is someone sitting around with $100 million to invest in partial ownership of an indoor water park . . .
Anna
(5th in a series of posts on Wind Creek Bethlehem)
Gadfly needs help.
He feels a CAVE*** coming on.
He may need an intervention. Or an exorcism.
He felt the onset writing this post headline yesterday: “A step closer to the windfall from Wind Creek.”
He coo’d over the idea of a “windfall” there, and as he did he heard a faraway sound of nails or chalk screeching on a blackboard.
Windfall . . . dollar signs . . . big bucks . . . mucho dinero
“Windfall” temporarily blinded him.
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
Gadfly wants the money, but he doesn’t really want a waterpark.
Feels like a pact with the Devil.
Before he was struck from his horse like Paul on the road to Tarsis, Gadfly-to-be was just passively negative to the idea of a casino.
He thought of the Sesame Street game: “Which of these things doesn’t belong?” Religion, industry, gambling.
How does gambling fit with a lineage of piety and hard-work, of people fleeing from persecution and poverty, of contributions to spiritual and physical well-being?
What does gambling contribute to the good of mankind?
Rah, rah! Ok, Gadfly, get off the soapbox, get out of the pulpit.
So, something had to be done with that wreck of a site, and, frankly, the casino has been barely a blip on Gadfly’s radar. He accepted it, hardly even notices it, thinks not much about it. It’s become part of “us” to him. And we have not become Sodom and Gomorrah.
But — now struck by lightning and converted to Gadfly — he feels uneasy about Wind Creek’s plans.
He recognizes that they seem to be good people. The plan designed seems to “fit in” architecturally. They aren’t chopping heads of employees, and, in fact, are bringing jobs — lots of them. Yes, yes.
Gadfly hears Mayor Donchez’s affirmations that the Wind Creek plans are people-oriented, community-oriented (Gadfly’s aphrodisiac word!), fun-oriented. Yes, yes.
And there will be a windfall. Visions of firetrucks, pedestrian bridges, and Rose Gardens dance in his head. Yes. yes.
But yet something sticks in Gadfly’s thin throat.
A waterpark in Machine Shop #2. A waterpark in South Bethlehem.
It just doesn’t “feel” right. (CAVERS suffer from this a lot.)
Gadfly’s not sure that he wants Bethlehem to be “the No. 1 resort destination in the Northeast.”
There, he’s said it.
Southside Bethlehem — a community of Stacks, Steeples, and (Water) Slides.
Gadfly guesses a good PR person will make something out of that.
Gadfly guesses he should get over this feeling.
Especially since there’s nothing to be done.
And especially since he has no constructive alternative.
And especially since he hears no one else whimpering.
Gadfly, maybe a true, lone CAVER on this one.
***CAVE: “citizen against virtually everything,” famously attributed to Councilman Callahan, recently self-described as “a gentle teddy-bear,” in a moment of impatience with citizen criticism.
Gadfly wonders if his funk is triggered by Lou James’s letter on the Southside.
from follower Kim Carrell-Smith:
Attached is info on the sale this year, from what we have to how it works. I didn’t include our latest find, the sweater shrug (pretty unspectacular, very basic) that had Barney’s tags, and the designer’s own tag still on it. The price: $650!! Amazing. You never know what treasures will be on the tables at the sale…
We also have other high end goods, but really its all about more basic things people need and want: great brand name clothes, loads (really a lot more) furniture, small appliances from lamps to kitchen to billions of fans (well, perhaps a small exaggeration). And really great quality rugs, plastic storage containers and drawers of every description; mountains of towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc; so many pots, pans, dishes, glasses, knickknacks and decor items, games, toys…I run out of breath describing it all!
100% of the proceeds go to fund programs and field trips for Southside kids, with some assistance to at least one other Community School in need. Broughal received bleachers this year thanks to the sale proceeds, and three schools were able to go on field trips with this funding!
So, really, great reasons to shop, and volunteer to help!
Kim
Full details at Gadfly’s previous post on the Great Southside Sale 2019!
Buyers needed: Kim says, “We need to sell it all in five and half hours!!”
Workers needed: volunteers, please sign up for shifts here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbzwhVJ_mQdcyrOXZRseeEdMWsMV6_zT6KVpbYhIxexZIelw/viewform
The Great Southside Sale 2019
The Great Southside Sale is an event with multiple, far-reaching effects:
And finally, there is the money we raise each year: $20,000+ in 2018, on over $100,000+ of goods (calculated at regular thrift shop prices)—ALL of which goes to fund field trips for Southside schools, three nationally-recognized afterschool homework clubs, and other programs for Southside school children.
What’s being sold at the 2019 sale?
This year we have way more furniture –gorgeous dining tables and chairs, dressers, desks, sofas, side tables and MORE—plus the usual mountains of beautiful clothes (many with tags still on!); household goods (from china to crystal, pots and pans to knick knacks!); over 100 rugs, SO many electronics, from Keurigs to fans to more; and toys, baby things of all kinds; sporting goods; and more! It’s going to be enormous, and we believe it should raise more than the average of $20,000 in five and a half hours, once again this year.
How does the sale work?
Organizations that benefit from the Lehigh Moveout Program (presale):
Organizations that benefit from the proceeds of The Great Southside Sale itself –over $20,000 last year:
How do they benefit?
Who helps to make this event possible?
It is all coordinated by Lehigh University’s amazing Community Service Office
With support from
Lehigh University’s
AND Community partners:
(66th in a series on Martin Tower)
Though Martin Tower is now an imploded heap of rubble and thus “old news,” Gadfly hastens to archive follower Al Wurth’s perspective so that it will be available to historians of this moment in Bethlehem history.
Wurth’s moving comments at the Nitschmann public meeting (where he was rudely interrupted from the head table) got the most vigorous applause of the night.
Here’s Wurth’s excellent essay, a version of which appeared as an op-ed just before the demolition.
What is the advantage to the community of “imploding” Martin Tower?
In a few days, on Sunday May 19, Bethlehem residents will have a surprise on our way to church. The spectacle is the announced “implosion” of the iconic Martin Tower, the former headquarters of the steel company known round the world by the name of its birthplace — Bethlehem. However, it won’t be terrorists who have carried out the assault but rather our local officials and people we call “developers” who have led us to do it to ourselves.
The building will fall on itself after being broken apart with explosive charges and will release a cloud of dust that will spread over the city (and Nitschmann school across the road), and travel for miles in an ever-larger pattern to the Southeast, if prevailing winds are in place—aimed initially toward the most densely populated parts of town – the near West Side, downtown, the historic districts and the South Side—and toward South Mountain, which will likely contain even more of the dust in city.
Actually, we did not vote for any plan to destroy the Martin Tower; it was not a decision made by the people. It would never have been supported by a referendum, but we never had a vote. It was instead enabled, ambiguously, in a 6-1 rezoning vote (promoted by Mayor Donchez), by city council in December 2015, that effectively removed protection of Martin Tower as a historic structure. Only three of the members of City Council who approved that rezoning remain on council, Councilors Callahan, Reynolds, and Waldron; the lone dissenter, Kathy Reuscher, and the others, including City Business Manager Eric Evans, are no longer on council.
The insensitivity of the city leaders to the history and the uniqueness of the structure should not be surprising. Abandonment and destruction of old structures in “historic” Bethlehem has lately been common. Indeed, good advice for preserving property would be: Don’t get on the National Register of Historic Places—like the old Broughal School, or even be designated historic, like the 2nd Avenue Armory, because you end up in the cross-hairs of the absentee out-of-town speculators that call themselves developers.
So, three years later, it should be no surprise that the unique and historic structure, the tallest building in the Lehigh Valley, would be scheduled for demolition by “implosion” at the same time that cities around the world are seeing a boom in distinctive tall structures. I recently visited Durham NC, where one was just completed, and condominiums on the upper floors are listed at $1 million. Rather than take advantage of the unparalleled views (much better than Durham’s) from our own tallest building (that used to be reserved for the steel execs), our leaders’ choice apparently has been to destroy both the uniqueness and the historical character of Martin Tower in favor of suburban-style “generica” developments made up of low-rise structures on acres of parking lots—mirroring the shopping centers across the street.
Bethlehem doesn’t have to settle for this plan, and certainly citizens should not face the risks of the “implosion demolition.” The original rationale for demolition, that the Tower was too plagued by old construction materials like asbestos, no longer applies. Fortunately, the negative characteristics of the old building have been removed by the developer; only the historic significance and the unique character of the building remain. With its costly and dangerous asbestos removed, it is what Bethlehem Steel made it to be—the skyscraper company’s skyscraper—a hometown tribute to the builder of world-class bridges and buildings.
Instead of completing the destruction, why not retrofit the remaining steel structure with new cover skin with solar panels, add state of the art efficiency, insulation, and daylighting, and other modern technologies, and remodel the old monument in a 21st century form? The solar exposure (for PV panels and daylighting) is unmatched as the building is not shaded from any direction—another distinctive characteristic of its monumental status.
The mayor and council and other state and local officials (who have been conspicuously silent) can work together to find a better and much safer plan. Place a moratorium on any demolition to get clear comparisons of cost and risk of the slow but steady (job creating) piece-by-piece demolition alternative, compared to the quick and dirty implosion. These estimates have not been provided to the public. Meanwhile, seek initiatives from other builders who could contract with the current owners for the structure’s skeleton and shell to be turned into multi-use and multi-level residential, and commercial area, like so many similar developments in other communities.
The complaints from the absentee owners about how long it will take can hardly be considered serious given the years of inactivity that the location has endured. The owners will still have their special tax breaks from the CRIZ–that they can apply to the project and the surrounding property. Make no mistake, citizens are paying for the destruction of Martin Tower not just in the destructive pollution and loss of our history; our leaders are actually giving special tax breaks to the wreckers.
The old obstacles to reuse have been removed; why destroy the core and its historic and structural integrity—and make citizens hide from the pollution? How many communities would deliberately destroy their historic tallest building? Bethlehem officials, and the developers, can do better.
Op Ed submitted by Prof. Al Wurth, Bethlehem resident and (imperiled) neighbor of Martin.
(4th in a series of posts on Wind Creek Bethlehem)
(65th in a series on Martin Tower)
Bob Bilheimer is General Manager of the Industrial Archives & Library here in Bethlehem and was the General Manager of Public Affairs at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he was responsible for corporate communications.
Bob prepared these press releases on Ed Martin for publication before the demolition.
Gadfly got behind in his journalistic endeavors, however, and apologizes to Bob for not posting them at a more timely moment.
Edmund F. Martin – The Man Behind the Tower – IAL News Release – May 15, 2019
Edmund F. Martin & Bethlehem Steel Timeline
(2nd in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Stephen Antalics is Gadfly #1.
Gadfly:
There are two versions of history, the revised and the real. The original Christmas lights were not about the holiday. The holiday was a powerful vehicle used by Vernon Melhado and Mrs Grace to try to unite both of the mutually antagonistic sides of the city. It was a device for social unification aided by the holiday celebration. Bethlehem is now “The Christmas City,” the city of brotherly love. The holiday became the vehicle. Equal lighting on both sides of the river, a symbol of unity. The only white lights were in the Moravian building windows on Church St. and the large composite trees located at the roundabout at the end of the Hill to Hill bridge. (There was no 378 then). The new lighting system MUST preserve that original intent of the lights reflecting a unified city and with the Lehigh River not again becoming the Social Iron Curtain of Bethlehem!!
Stephen
(the latest in a series of posts on Neighborhoods)
photos from followers Kim Carrell-Smith and Carolina A. Hernandez
You know “community” is aphrodisiac for Gadfly!
Last year the sale raised over $20,000 . . . and 100% of the money raised supports youth programs, three nationally-recognized homework clubs, and school field trips for Southside children, all administered by the Community Service Office at Lehigh.
Full details at Gadfly’s previous post on the Great Southside Sale 2019!
Volunteers are needed!
Please sign up for shifts here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbzwhVJ_mQdcyrOXZRseeEdMWsMV6_zT6KVpbYhIxexZIelw/viewform
(the latest in a series of posts on Neighborhoods)
At City Council May 22, Louis James, President of the South Bethlehem Historical Society, presented this polite but forceful letter to the Mayor and City Council in a likewise polite but forceful manner.
What’s going on here?
And will President James’s letter be answered?
Let’s chew on this.
(4th in a series of posts on Wind Creek Casino)
Dana Grubb is a lifelong resident of the City of Bethlehem who worked 27 years for the City of Bethlehem in the department of community and economic development, as sealer of weights and measures, housing rehabilitation finance specialist, grants administrator, acting director of community and economic development, and deputy director of community development.
Gadfly:
I believe [the Casino Transfer Tax] will be far less than the City has estimated. Other business people agree with me. The deed transfer tax is only paid on the value of the real estate, not on the value of the business. The $1.3 billion purchase price is based in large part on the value that the current Sands has for earnings. I believe that the City should have budgeted much more conservatively because of this.
What would I do with this money? First, I’d give 1/2 mill back to the taxpayers, because the so-called Hirko Tax (1/2 mill) continues to be collected by the City despite the financing that paid that settlement being paid off in, I believe, 2015. Secondly, I’d take $500,000 to $1 million and place it in a “Rainy Day” fund so that the City would have a reserve. This should have been done from the start with the casino host fee. Had the City put just $250,000 aside annually, they’d be approaching a $2.5 million reserve.
Just like the casino host fee, this potential windfall for Bethlehem residents has been “spent” before it was ever received.
How sad for us.
Dana
(3rd in a series of posts on Wind Creek Casino)
Today is a BIG day. Approval of the Sands sale is expected. The Mayor announced last Council meeting that he, Alicia Karner, and Eric Evans are traveling to Harrisburg for the BIG meeting. Probably entering the turnpike as I write. Wind Creek has already announced BIG plans for a Water Park and etcetera and etcetera (see below). And the City coffers are lusting for a BIG windfall.
Here’s how that last part goes, as reported here on Gadfly March 15: “See the City 2019 budget p. 278. See the column for “Casino Transfer Tax.” The City estimated revenue from the CTT at $5,995,000. But that was just an estimate for budgeting purposes. It may have little relation to reality. The actual amount is not known at this time. And could be significantly less. What would you do with the extra money, however much it is? In that column, you will find a list of specific proposed expenditures agreed upon by the City and Council based on the budgeted figure. If the actual CTT income is less that $5,995,000, the City and Council will negotiate again, using that list as a basis, on how to allocate the actual amount. Everybody will have different favorites on that list, but Gadfly knows that many followers will be pulling for the $50,000 that would be earmarked for the Rose Garden and the $40,000 for the pedestrian bridge study. Of course, these projects would be competing against such items as a fire truck!”
Jon Harris, “Sands Bethlehem casino sale up for state approval today.” Morning Call, May 29, 2019.
Urgent message from Kim Carrell-Smith and Carolina Hernandez:
The Great Southside Sale 2019 is coming up THIS SATURDAY, and we are in desperate need of at least 50 more volunteers. Would you have time to help for a shift or two? The sale proceeds provide field trips to Southside schools, support three nationally recognized Homework Clubs, and many other youth programs and projects. At the bottom of this message is some info on what the sale does for our community.
DETAILS:
The Great Southside Sale 2019
JUNE 1, 10 am-3:30 pm
East 4th and Buchanan Streets
South Bethlehem
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS:
Shifts when we need the most volunteers are setup from 7:30-9:30 am, and 9-11:30 am when the work is most intense. However, we would be happy to have you join us ANY time, all day long.
Please sign up for shifts here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbzwhVJ_mQdcyrOXZRseeEdMWsMV6_zT6KVpbYhIxexZIelw/viewform
Thanks for considering our plea, and for sharing this with your friends, co-workers, communities of faith, clubs, neighbors, etc.
Please help us find willing hands for this fun, rewarding day!
Best regards,
Kim Carrell-Smith and Carolina Hernandez, Assistant Dean and Director, Community Service Office, Co-Directors of The Great Southside Sale
————–
WHAT IS THE GREAT SOUTHSIDE SALE AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The huge sale is mostly comprised of Lehigh Moveout donations from students as they pack up to leave at the end of the year; the results are
Volunteers include high school and college students, Lehigh faculty, staff and administration, and MANY community members, from teachers to principals, ministers to storekeepers, parents to CEOs. Join us!
Last year the sale raised over $20,000 on great reusable items that stayed out of the waste stream. Most things are priced between 25 cents and a few dollars, which allows everyone to buy great quality goods with dignity, and 100% of the money raised supports youth programs, three nationally-recognized homework clubs, and school field trips for Southside children, all administered by the Community Service Office at Lehigh.
This sale builds community in many ways; come meet new folks, do a good deed, and have a blast!
You know Gadfly is all over activities that build community!
(1st in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
So we know how important the Christmas season is for the City — for a number of reasons.
And the Mayor has employed a consultant to present recommendations for lighting and decoration.
The follow-up to April’s meeting is an open-house this Thursday 5-7 in Town Hall.
See this announcement below that went up on the City web site on Friday.
Now Gadfly is not really a “Christmas-person” — he’s been known to be a bit grinchy.
Nor is he adept at or attuned to matters of style and decoration. (You’ve seen the way he dresses.)
But, given the importance of the decorations to the City and wide interest among the citizenry, Gadfly would appreciate followers who are “in” to these matters attending the open-house and reporting back to us.
We could use several perspectives. What say?
RENDERINGS OF SUGGESTED IMPROVMENTS TO CHRISTMAS DÉCOR ON DISPLAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 FROM 5:00-7:00 PM CITY OF BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL The City of Bethlehem will have the proposed improvements to the City’s Christmas lighting and décor on display for the public to view on May 30 from 5:00-7:00 PM. These renderings are a result of the public meeting held in April and the various stakeholder meetings held with David Weiner Lighting Design, LLC, the consultant for the project. “The City relies on a robust Christmas season to support our small businesses and to provide a terrific experience for our residents”, said Mayor Robert J. Donchez. “The enhancement of our décor program is a necessary step in making sure Bethlehem remains a destination for the holiday season.” The public is invited to stop by the open-house format anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 PM in Town Hall at 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem.
(15th in a series of posts on Memorial Day)
(3rd in a series of posts on Christmas lights)
Gadfly:
Agree with Steve. The all white scheme on the north with colored lights on the SS may have been well intended, several people have interpreted it as having a racial overtone. (north side=white only; SouthSide=colored). This alone is enough reason to return to the original intent, with white-only on the Moravian buildings, festive colored lights everywhere else.
And someone needs to rethink the desirability of spending hundreds of hours of time & many $$ attaching trees to all those light poles — especially plastic trees!
Peter Crownfield
(Can anybody go to that open-house Thursday 5-7 at Town Hall and report to us?)