Fleck Denies Involvement in Allentown's Water Deal

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Mike Fleck

On Friday, in a somewhat half-baked post, I told you that Mike Fleck has dived, head first, into Allentown's water and sewer deal. Since Fleck just happens to be Mayor Ed Pawlowski's campaign manager, I thought you should know.

Now I never confirmed any of this with the Fleckster, primarily because I never expected him to return a call. My relationship with Allentown's so-called elite is somewhat shaky.

But on Friday morning, Fleck called me!

He told me my story is wrong. This led me back to my original sources, and I'm inclined to agree.

As I told the Fleckster during another phone call on Sunday night, I do like to beat him up. But I like to beat him up with the truth. Some of my story from Friday is inaccurate, and this is a clarification.

What I Got Wrong:

1) Fleck's Involvement. - Fleck tells me he's had no contacts with anyone concerning Allentown's water and sewer lease. He claims that early in the process, he was contacted by an interested party to work as a consultant, but after discussing it with the Mayor, he decided to stay out of it. He adds this party never submitted a proposal.

2). Marcel Groen and National Development Council. - On Friday, I claimed that Groen represents National Development Council. But that's inaccurate. My sources contacted me later that day to tell me they had that wrong.

What I Got Right:

1) Marcel Groen does represent one of the bidders. I have heard two possibilities, but will wait until I am certain.

2) Fleck and Groen are friendly. According to Fleck,they still discuss politics and other matters, but have had no discussions concerning the water and sewer deal. Fleck denies knowing who Groen represents.

3) Groen's client, whoever it is, has the edge. According to what I hear, it's already a done deal. Those supposed public hearings are window dressing, as most so-called public hearings are with Pawlowski.

4) Fleck was involved in an insurance program for water and sewer ratepayers, but it was killed when the city decided to lease the facilities. It might be resurrected at some later date, but that will depend on whether the successful bidder already offers those kinds of warranties.