The City of Whitehall?

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.







Posted on August 9, 2013, in About RenewLV, Education, Housing, Municipal Government, Neighborhoods, Regions, State Policy, Trends, Urbanism. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.

  1. Many township supervisors, borough council members, and public officials are disinclined to seriously consider consolidation or merger, at least partly because it would result in a loss of power or control, possibly even the loss of a job.

    How about an article or series that lays out the reasons how it would benefit them and why they should actively search for ways to make consolidation work?

    Of course, when issue like this are brought up in public hearings, we run into the all-too-familiar process of a lack of public awareness, incomplete or misleading information given to the public & community-based organizations, hearings at inconvenient times & places, superficial coverage by the media, and hearings where the conclusion is often virtually pre-determined. There is little or no real engagement of the public or their ideas, and if this isn’t done, the process is little more than an academic exercise.

    Envision LV made some dramatic advances in public engagement, with meetings in multiple locations, often with food and/or child care. Even this effort, though, has suffered from lack of effective outreach & inadequate time to explore issues that are complex and interdependent.

    What can RenewLV do to raise awareness of these issues in all areas of the population, generate effective outreach, and make sure that the pros & cons of consolidation are thoroughly explored and considered?

  2. Great points, Peter! We’ll look into your suggestions for a new blogpost, especially as Whitehall continues in this process.

    Unfortunately, EnvisionLV is tied to a brief 3 year timeline outlined in the Sustainable Communities Grant from US HUD. We hope to see public meetings on the Whitehall municipal change and discussions on a potential merger. They are very early in the process, but the consolidation would be an effort supported by Renew Lehigh Valley and we could take advantage of our media outlets to provide information.

  3. It is quite remarkable that Coplay has a police department while Lower Macungie Township takes advantage of the PA taxpayer.

    According to wiki, In 1867 Whitehall was apportioned from North and South Whitehall. Two years later, Coplay was incorporated, removing the 0.6 sq miles from Whitehall. Whitehall surrounds Coplay. Coplay and Whitehall also share a common sewer Authority and both communities recently passed referendums to support their libraries. Once folks can overcome their grip on days past, a merger could be a win-win for both communities. If a merger would happen, it would be best to initially maintain existing staff and then where efficiencies can be gain, changes could occur through attrition. I suspect each municipality could benefit from the energy and talent pool they have.

    For over 145 years, the villages of Stiles, Egypt, Cementon, Hockendaqua, Fullerton, Mickley, and West Catasauqua have survived and maintained their own identities and neighborly pride. I am sure Coplay could maintain its identity and community pride just like the other villages of Whitehall.

    I suspect the Commonwealth could provide incentives to convince communities to merge. Maybe it could build and equip a police department or maybe share the balance of pension obligations so financial obligation are equal upon merger.

    Envision provided a significant amount of seed money to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. I wonder if HUD would provide Envision an extension and fund such an initiative (merger and/or reclassification). Both initiives are in the spirt of sustainablity. It would be a great pilot project.

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