The Arena Authority Board Nominations
Greetings:
The Morning Call published today the proposed membership of the Arena Authority Board.
Below is the list along with my initial thoughts about each selection if I know the individual.
Jennifer Mann. This selection disappoints me. Perhaps she wishes to remain involved. However, it simply does not look good. To me incestuous given her involvement from the beginning. I suspect her appointment will leave people wondering what is next. If she wanted to be close to the project and have influence, I suspect she could have found a very independent and skilled person.
Attorney Seymour Traub. A good choice. A good man, whom I trust very much. Fair, balanced, and smart.
Alan Jennings, executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley. I suspect this selection was in response to my adamant request that a member or two understand community development. Alan obviously has respect in the community development field. Nonetheless, he is always the “goto” guy that the establishment wants when they want to say, “oh yes, we have someone involved with those skills.” Someday, this community will need others who bring the same passion and skills to the table.
Nelson A. Diaz. I do not know this gentleman. I believe he is a real estate broker in the city and an owner of many apartment homes in the city.
Gregory N. Dudkin, of PPL Electric Utilities Do not know.
William H. Grube, a trustee of the Allentown Art Museum Strongly connected to the community establishment. Has made a strong financial commitment to many valuable community projects.
Donald W. Snyder, president of Lehigh Carbon Community College and a former state representative . LCCC makes a
major investment in technology education within the NIZ using NIZ financing, I will be happy.
Pedro L. Torres, Jr. Mortgage Broker (or at least that is what the a Google Search provides). I do not know the person. Both he and Diaz, I am sure are at the request of Julio Guridy and me that members of the Latino community receive nominations
Diane Scott, former Allentown schools superintendent. Readers know my thoughts about the Allentown School District. I have not heard good reports about Ms. Scott. I met her once in a social situation.
One final thought on the EIT issue. The law has been out there for sometime, and the goal has always been to rely on state tax funds to finance the bonds not local funds of any category. I have always been clear that those funds were involved. Unfortunately, the Mayor handled it in his usual poor way.
I will say, however, even though I’m sure many suburbanites will disagree with me. A successful development project like this, done well, would be fantastic for the Valley. I know how I would have managed the communication. Unfortunately, most people think that I am too considerate of others. That does not often sit well with the establishment. Just the way I am. Remember that public policy is supposed to help a large contingent of a community, not the select few.
Bottom line? Since I do not know who else was considered (I certainly was not asked), I will accept that there are several people on the board who I hope will keep the residents of Allentown in mind when making a decision.
Best regards,
Michael
