Final Debate Of Allentown Budget

Matt Shelosky | WFMZ.com Reporter

Posted: 9:58 pm EST November 23, 2010Updated: 11:05 pm EST November 23, 2010

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- WEB EXCLUSIVE -- After a lengthy discussion last week, Allentown city officials debated the proposed 2011 budget one last time Wednesday night. The city is staring down the possibility of a four-tenths of 1 percent increase in the earned income tax (EIT) to cover the gap in next year's budget. The EIT is levied on salaries, wages, commissions and other compensation paid to employees in the city. For an employee making $50,000 per year, that would cost an additional $200 in taxes. The new EIT rate would be 1.4 percent. City Council members questioned City Finance Director Garret Strathearn about the decrease in available money in both the city's risk management and cash reserve funds and whether or not that would affect the city's bond rating. The available money for risk management in 2011 is $491,000. In 2007, the city had more than $6.7 million in the same fund. "We're trying to get to the bottom of this," said Council President Michael D'Amore. "Things that we as a council have been told over the years haven't always been right and now we're seeing even less money in these funds." According to D'Amore, the city borrowed $10 million in 2006 to help its bond rating and have money to use on capital projects. Strathearn said that despite the difficult economic times, the city is still doing well in the eyes of lenders. "We're in decent shape," said Strathearn. "Lenders look at whether or not you can pay your bills. And with a lot of these capital projects there aren't a whole lot of other alternatives than what we have here." Council members were more worried about the negative trend they're seeing in several funds. "When you look at most of these funds, the numbers continue to go down," said Councilman Mike Schlossberg. "While there are some that are going up, the majority are declining and we've lost nearly $7 million in the risk management fund. Not only does that hurt the fund, but wouldn't that hurt our rating as well?" Councilman Julio Guridy said the city currently has a bond rating of BBB+. "This is a fragile situation especially in light of the tough economic times," said Strathearn. "Based on other cities like Allentown, I'd have to say we're holding our own." Strathearn said that the city's outlook as reported by financial firms is currently neutral, down from a previous positive rating. He reiterated several times, however, that the city's rating did not go down. Allentown City Council has set the vote on its 2011 proposed and amended budget for Wednesday December 1 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. Copyright 2010 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Out Of The Darkness Walk In Allentown

Posted: 4:54 pm EDT October 10, 2010Updated: 6:48 pm EDT October 10, 2010

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- They walked to remember, and they walked to prevent. The Lehigh Parkway became a safe space Sunday to talk openly about a topic often taboo. Each step was a symbolic move away from the stigma surrounding suicide. "Great kid, great personality, loved to laugh, always smiling," said Robert Woolley of Wilson. The way Woolley describes his 19-year-old brother, Keith, makes it hard to believe Keith took his own life earlier this year. "I mean if you look back, maybe there were some things there, but subtle," Woolley added. The pictures of Andy Loiacano's son, Nathan, tell a story with another surprise ending. "He was 23, lost to suicide," said Loiacano. "Nathan had some issues with depression, anxieties, but we didn't see it coming," he added. Family members said it's tough to talk about such a tragedy, but it's necessary. "So that people who are struggling aren't afraid anymore to take that next step into getting treatments," said Beth Petrow of Nazareth. Just this year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention formed a chapter in the Lehigh Valley. Their goal is to capture the resources and support of today and make it accessible year-round. "It's for all age groups," said Loiacano. "It's for people who have lost someone to suicide. We're reaching out to schools and institutions, anywhere that we can," he added. For those who have been touched by suicide, they say hindsight is not 20/20, but they do have advice. "Probably my best advice to parents would be to listen to their children and to help them in any way they can," Loiacano said. "Friends might be the ones that can help the most opposed to the family because they talk more with friends than they do family and that's our case," added Woolley. In all cases, they say open lines of communication can save lives. Copyright 2010 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Cosmopolitan Restaurant Opens in Allentown

Posted: 6:35 pm EDT October 14, 2010

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A swanky, new fine dining restaurant has opened its doors in the heart of Allentown. The owners are hoping to set a new tone in their part of the city and they have a plan to make it happen! There's a baby grand piano for live dinner music, a bar, and fine linens on the the tables. The Cosmopolitan, at 6th and Hamilton in Allentown, also comes with a celebrity chef. And the owners say they have a plan to to serve up more than just fancy fare. Restaurants are restaurants are restaurants, said co-owner Kevin Lynn That's what Lynn used to think, until he met Myron Haydt and saw his vision. It is our home and we want to share it with everyone who's here, said co-owner Myron Haydt. The mission here is to turn this city around, said Lynn. They say they'll do it by giving people no excuse not to come downtown. People will drive by and say oh my goodness that's a beautiful building, said Lynn. All this elegance must come with a price tag, right? Nope. Take two items off the menu and it's 30 or below. The experience begins at the door with a doorman. There's a complimentary valet 7 days a week. Once inside you're greeted by a dining area, bar, and live music. The second floor is quite dining and the third and fourth floor are the ballroom. All topped with sparkling chandeliers. The upper floors are rooftop dining, said Myron. And what's a restaurant without food? At the Cosmopolitan it's provided by Celebrity Chef Bryan Sikora. His former restaurants have been cited as the most desirable reservation in the US and the hardest reservation to get in the US, said Lynn. He's truly an artist. From the kitchen to the decor they say it's all in the name of restoring a city that they love. We are meant to be a lightning rod by showing an example by bringing people back to downtown Allentown, said Lynn. Longtime Allentown residents will know the building that houses the Cosmopolitan is the same place Sal's Spaghetti House used to call home. The Cosmopolitan will be open 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday. Copyright 2010 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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