Month: May 2020

Gadfly asks the Mayor

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Good people:

My focus of concern is the public health aspect. I would guess you’d love questions that you could answer with a specific fact or a limited response, but please don’t fear to expand. I watch Cuomo, Levine, Maddow, etc., and try to sort things out but not always successfully.

1) Characterize the rate of case growth in Northampton County. Not just the number. But where are we on the curve? It looks like we are still ascending.

2) Characterize the growth in Bethlehem. At one meeting, the number was 325, a few days later 375 (big jump?), now 10-12 days later 576. Earlier 2 deaths, then 3, now 19. A big spike going on? Or nothing unusual.

3) Kristen is quoted in this morning’s paper as seeing an increase in long-term care facilities, and a concern about getting enough people tested. Expand.

4) 2/3’s of the cases statewide are in nursing homes and personal care facilities, how are we doing in that respect. How are we prioritizing attention to these hot spots? Troubling things at ManorCare reported in the paper a week or two ago.

5) I am not clear about our (City) relation to nursing homes and personal care facilities. Some are private. What role do we play? I heard the Mayor of Detroit last night talk about having everybody in facilities in his City tested. Sounded like he had power over such facilities and could go “in.” Do we? I think I heard Cuomo say that the state can go in if there’s a complaint. So I’m not sure about oversight here. A previous comment by you guys about facilitating contact with the state consultant sounded too hands-off. Is that true?

6) A lot of talk now about people carrying the virus before or without showing symptoms. What kind of testing is going on in nursing homes and personal care facilities. Waiting till they show symptoms?

7) I’ve been focusing so far on senior care places, but what about other congregant places? Our high rises? Our warehouses/our big work places?

8) On Maddow last night one of her points was that the Tyson meat-processing owners call the shots in the plants and do not have to follow any guidelines prescribed by the government, CDC, etc.? How about our Distribution Center? Who’s calling the shots there? Is worker safety being monitored?

Ha! 11:58. Noon deadline is on me!

Thanks, Ed

Coroneal report at Council last night

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Mayor Donchez (video min. 18:00):

  • 577 coronavirus cases/19 deaths
  • all city workers have masks
  • supply chain for city supplies good
  • 1 worker tested positive, now back to work (how good is that!)
  • almost everything functioning at 100%
  • yard waste open
  • recycling closed
  • Memorial Pool construction begun again
  • Golf course open and busy
  • decision of pool openings coming soon, waiting on guidelines from governor
  • tax extensions as announced before
  • Wind Creek kicking in $$$$
  • BPA back in normal operation, 18 furloughed workers
  • arrangements for housing homeless, 1 positive case
  • Small Business Relief Fund: $300,000 (150 awards of $2000), 188 applicants, chance of supplemental funds

Business Administrator Evans (video min. 23:12):

  • Income:
  • Real Estate Tax, Earned Income Tax, Casino = 62% of  budget
  • Fairly good shape there, though EIT will lag
  • very tentative = $4.5m loss of revenue
  • Expenses:
  • thorough review (detailed by Mr. Evans) = approx $1.6m reduction
  • Deficit:
  • $4.5m loss of income minus $1.6m cut in expenses = possible deficit c. $3m
  • How handle the deficit:
  • freeze 2021 budgets, ask depts. to cut 5-10%, give each dept. a $$$ amount

Bethlehem Moment: The Mayor of Main Street

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Bethlehem Moment 23Brown 3
City Council
May 5, 2020

Sharon A Brown
234 E. Goepp St.

video (start at min. 2:20)

Bethlehem Moment: January 1,1986

An Unknown History about the Only African American Business
in Historic Downtown Bethlehem

For years I have been annoyed when individuals reference the history of African Americans and their presence in Bethlehem and maybe innocently leave out the only individual of African descent to own a successful business and property on Main Street in Historic Downtown Bethlehem.  In this Bethlehem Moment, I want to talk about Steve Holloman, Sr., who was the owner of Topsy Turvy located at 528 Main Street. In fact, at one-point Steve was the proprietor of the gift shops at Hotel Bethlehem and the former Holiday Inn on 512.

When Steve shares his story, he recalls riding through Bethlehem on a business trip from Philadelphia. He was enamored by the beautiful historic majesty of the city and thought “this would be a good place to move and start a business.” Steve began looking for a property in downtown Bethlehem to purchase and encountered roadblocks. Steve persisted and connected with a realtor who worked with him to find the current location he has now owned for the last thirty years. Steve recalls he met numerous setbacks by the City of Bethlehem and others who didn’t want a Black man to own a property that included rental apartments in downtown Bethlehem nor open a business.

In 1986 Topsy Turvy was birthed and opened at 528 Main Street. Topsy Turvy was an eclectic gift shop that featured an array of gifts and artwork. You could find handcrafted jewelry, Moravian stars and leather game boards; vintage posters, Bethlehem tee shirts, hats, unique antiques and furniture, and so much more! Brown 1

A signature event for Steve was Musikfest. Every year, he would have a booth in front of his store and sold his exclusive music-themed tee shirts. This was one of the most popular items that people sought to purchase. Each year, a new design was featured. In fact, to this day you can spot a tee shirt that someone is wearing and know it was purchased at Topsy Turvy.

Steve was known as the mayor of Main Street because of his outgoing personality and welcoming disposition. On a beautiful day, there would be Steve immersed in conversations and laughter while sitting on the bench with friends like Dr. John, Tony the Englishman, Adrian who owned Adrian’s, and countless others who stopped by “to shoot the breeze” and listen to wonderful music that serenaded everyone as they entered Topsy Turvy or walked by.  You might hear Frank Sinatra, Keb-Mo, Carol King, Sting, Al Jarreau, Baka Beyond, Jimmy Lawrence the late Bethlehem jazz singer and so many others.

In 2005, Steve had an epiphany to create the secret garden in the back of his building. He worked tirelessly to create a sacred space that exuded peace and love. The creation led to a beautiful garden and pond with a stage for entertainment. The secret garden became a popular venue on Friday evenings for one of the first drum circles in Bethlehem.  This venue would also become a meditation spot for customers and people who worked downtown.

What made Steve successful was his “spirit.” No matter who you were, Steve made you feel special.  There was the young man who stopped by faithfully every day who dealt with several ability issues, and Steve always took time to talk to him. And the poet whose poetry is in the Library of Congress with her walker in hand who would bring her poetry for Steve to read. And the countless college students who stopped by for a word of encouragement. Yes, Topsy Turvy was a special place!

Many of Steve’s customers were regulars from the Pocono’s, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Philadelphia, and, of course, Bethlehem.  One of the keys to success is “kindness” in action.  It was nothing for Steve to share his special “hot tea with spices” with our community police officers who patrolled Main Street or the customer who came in on a cold wintery day.  The other special ingredient is the ambience of the space. Steve’s creative genius was seen through the creative design of his store and the vibrant colors he used to decorate with.  His window displays and flowers he planted in front of his store drew attention to the passer-by. It became the photo-op spot for television news folks and couples wanting a beautiful background.

Steve won awards for the care and attention he gave to his property. In 2012, Steve retired his business because of health issues.  Topsy Turvy was a dream come true for Steve. He worked hard and withstood with dignity the prejudice he experienced as a Black man. In a world where you are judged by the color of your skin, Steve Holloman defied all the stereotypes cast upon him as a business owner. It is with love and gratitude that I write this story about Steve and the beauty and love he brought to all those who connected with Topsy Turvy. Ashae’

“Without a shared history, we are not a true community.”

Reminder: Ask the Mayor II — submit questions by noon today (Wednesday)

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Pretty quick turn-around time to get our questions in. Gadfly will be asking for some clarifications on health-related matters, you might be interested in business or budget or other things. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity.

The Mayor and Business Administrator Evans reviewed info last night at Council. Gadfly will post on that later, but you can consult the video yourself in the meantime at YouTube “City of Bethlehem Council.”

PRESS RELEASE: May 4, 2020
Mayor Bob Donchez and Department Heads will respond to written questions submitted by the public on Thursday, May 7, 2020. The video response will be able to be viewed on the City’s website at http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov and other social media sites at noon on Friday May 8, 2020. The public can submit questions through email at askthemayor@bethlehem-pa.gov until noon May 6, 2020.

An invitation to local artists

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Life has kind of slowed down for the Gadfly in the coronavirus days.

None of the usual City Hall intrigues to cover.

No meetings to attend. (He misses the Parking Authority get-togethers. Sigh.)

Sometimes not much to do but watch his beard spread almost as fast as the virus.

But empty space has given him time to think.

He would like to do more to cover, to support, to promote, to publish the arts in Bethlehem.

Not the so-called big stuff — you know, ArtsQuest and all that. They are well taken care of.

But the “local arts,” the “resident arts community” — the home-grown!

Of which there is a substantial amount.

And which ever needs nourishing.

This was always part of the original conception of the Gadfly blog in the notion of “local color” pieces (a term borrowed from an American 19th century literary movement: works written in a region, about a region, that are recognizably regional, that, in effect, could be written nowhere else).

From the Gadfly About page: Local Color: original creative work with recognizably local Bethlehem subjects or connections — art, poems, mini-essays, vignettes, photographs, songs — that help us see or think about our town and townspeople in interesting ways.

Creative work by Bethlehem artists and, especially, about Bethlehem itself.

Followers know Gadfly’s orgasmic coverage of the Touchstone Festival and the H. D. celebration.

And you’ve watched him poach Dana Grubb’s treasures and gratefully receive Ron Yoshida’s perambulating perceptions.

But Gadfly would like to take this opportunity to beat the drum more forcefully.

Gadfly would like to publish original work of various sorts.

Gadfly would also like to publish pieces about resident art.

He’s not thinking so much as announcements of events — Facebook is good for that — though he will do so.

He’s thinking more of blog-length pieces that help us understand the art and artists and analyses or reviews of works or events. Thought-pieces.

Some followers are connected to the local resident arts community — please pass the word!

Some of you — perhaps with a bit more time on your hands these days — have something you would shyly and secretly want to share — Gadfly can offer the opportunity for a first-time publication.

Gadfly himself has put some things out there (for instance, “First day of school” and “The Downsizing Decision (nearing 80)”) and survived!

(Hmm, Gadfly rather likes his line “where excuses mate, and even the dust has weight” in the poem.)

So please let the word go forth that Gadfly invites creative work and posts about creative work!

Ask the Mayor II — submit questions by tomorrow (Wednesday) noon

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PRESS RELEASE: May 4, 2020
Mayor Bob Donchez and Department Heads will respond to written questions submitted by the public on Thursday, May 7, 2020. The video response will be able to be viewed on the City’s website at http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov and other social media sites at noon on Friday May 8, 2020. The public can submit questions through email at askthemayor@bethlehem-pa.gov until noon May 6, 2020.

Bethlehem City Council meeting tonight, Tuesday, May 5

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Note new process for public comment!

Our next City Council meeting — the “face” of Bethlehem City government — occurs tonight Tuesday, May 5 at 7PM.

The meeting is closed to the public, of course, because of the coronavirus.

The meeting can be viewed LIVE or later at your convenience on the City’s website after the meeting at https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Calendar.

The YouTube channel for live or archive viewing is “City of Bethlehem Council.”

Note well: there is a new process for public comment. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity offered.

Find the Council agenda and supporting documents here.

Gadfly assumes we’ll be brought up to date on the coronavirus situation.

Councilman Reynolds will introduce the following resolution: “Attached is a proposed resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the United States Congress to investigate the business practices of food delivery apps that threaten the economic survival of independently owned local restaurants and food service establishments during the COVID-19 crisis. The resolution also encourages the Mayor and his Administration to investigate food delivery app business practices in the City of Bethlehem.”

Councilman Reynolds will also report on the Communication Survey done last year. See reports here. You might want to look at the executive summary — perhaps the most interesting finding is the digital divide in the City.

And there’s always the unexpected.

As long as he has flutter in his wings, Gadfly urges “attending” City Council.

Participate. Be informed.

Public Comment Instructions for City Council’s Virtual Meeting 5/5/20

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PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS –
MAY 5, 2020 BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Council has revised the public comment procedure for next Tuesday’s meeting.

If you “sign-up” by Tuesday at 2PM, you will be called on the phone during the comment period to speak your piece.

If you don’t sign up and still want to speak, you can call in after the others are done.

Tip o’ the hat to Council for streamlining the process and fostering our right to speak.

Check out the link above for full instructions.