Mayor Ed Pawlowski took some time for an exclusive interview with The Valley Ledger. The mayor is always out and about with the people of the Lehigh Valley and many times you hear wonderful stories about bumping into him at an event or a local grocery store. Mayor Pawlowski is approachable and he has done a lot of good for our great city. We wanted to get to know him as Ed Pawlowski and not just as the mayor of the third largest city in Pennsylvania.
Why did you decide to go into politics?
To make a difference…..
Winston Churchill said, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”
Did you have anyone that inspired you professionally?
There are many. First and foremost is Jesus Christ, I spend time each morning reading scripture and praying, reconnecting to who I am and who I want to be as a person, trying to follow the principles outlined in the Bible as a follower of Jesus. Others are folks like Lincoln, Martin Luther King, JFK, FDR, Churchill, and Gandhi… Those who stood up for what they believed and had the courage to act and make a difference in this world.
You have done so many good things for the City of Allentown. You are always out and about with the people. What motivates you every day?
I have a passion for Allentown. I love its people, I’m energized by its diversity and I’m excited by its potential.
I see it in the eyes of our children, in the voices our elders and in the determination of our residents who are working hard to make this a better place, a more vibrant city.
This is why I have given my all to serve this city for the last twelve years.
Is there something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I am really an introvert by nature, I love being around and helping people, but I also like to escape into solitude. I need to do this once a day to recharge.
Also I really actually do my own social media and answer posts directly, many think it’s my staff, but no it is me. I dedicate at least an hour each morning to post and interact with the public via social media platforms.
What Summer time events are you most looking forward to?
I love giving out ice pops at the concerts in West Park and I thoroughly Enjoy Blues, Brew and BBQ (BBQ and Blues, awesome combination).
I also really enjoy going to the shore with my family, helps us reconnect, lots of great memories.
Is there one event or change that happened in Allentown that are personally most proud that you have accomplished?
The rebirth of our downtown. After years of businesses and capital leaving this city, over a billion dollars in new investment and thousands of new jobs have come back to a city once considered a lost cause.
These projects have employed more than 900 local construction workers and thousands of new permanent jobs in the urban core.
Over 64% of the new jobs went to Allentown residents, many in the surrounding communities.
Unemployment dropped from 12% to 6% in two years…now lower than when I came into office 12 years ago.
This has brought hope back to a city that seemed to have lost its sense of hope for the future.
The logo for Allentown City without Limits is unique. Where did the idea manifest?
It was developed out of seeing the limitless potential in our city.
Creating Limitless Opportunity – where everyone gets the benefits of better jobs, better housing, and better quality of life.
Limitless Innovation – where 21 century businesses with cutting edge technology are proud to call Allentown their home.
Discovering our Limitless Potential- where neighbors care about neighbors; where diverse houses of faith partner together in unity; where businesses partner with residences to make Allentown a place to live and thrive.
This is what it means to be a city without limits.
Thank you Mr. Mayor and you have my vote! Keep doing all the great things you are doing!
Thank you,
Janel Spiegel
You can to Follow Mayor Pawlowski on Twitter @Ed_Pawlowski
Mayor Pawlowski’s Official Page https://edpawlowski.com/
The Official Site for Allentown, PA and more information regarding Mayor Pawlowski and the City of Allentown. http://www.allentownpa.gov/
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