What: Allentown Council Meeting
Date: August 4th, 2021
Several topics were discussed at Allentown’s August 4th council meeting, but of particular interest was a bill that would increase the adult members of Allentown’s youth council from five to eight. The youth council’s goal is to provide advice on issues related to youth, especially concerning violence and employment. It was originally proposed to have six youth members and five adult members, in addition to one non-voting adult member appointed by the police department.
The proposed increase in adult members drew concern from one Allentown youth who stated that adding more adults to the youth council would diminish the very voices it is supposed to represent. Councilmembers Joshua Siegel and Ce-Ce Gerlach also took issue with the bill. Siegel remarked on the irony of adults making decisions about the youth council without any input from the youth. Siegel was right to point this out as this bill flies in the face of basic democratic principles, especially given that council has yet to approve any youth applications for membership. Gerlach, agreeing with the critique, motioned to table the resolution. Only Council President Julio Guridy voted against Gerlach’s motion.
Also of importance is the next year’s budget. Mayor Ray O’Connell’s administration plans to present their budget proposal at an upcoming meeting (date to be determined). The proposed budget will show where the city is placing its priorities and which departments it values funding. While always important, this next budget is especially crucial this year due to the millions of dollars in federal funding allocated to the city from the American Rescue Plan. A meeting was already held concerning the regulation of these funds on July 28th and another meeting is planned for August.
Keeping an eye on the allocation of these funds will be crucial in the weeks and months ahead. The DSA believes that many social services are in need of funding and that new social services need to be provided. These include services concerning housing, employment, marginalized groups and healthcare. These are key services for public wellbeing and public safety that have often been ignored; instead, the overinflated police budget has gotten the lionshare of funding year after year.