Primary challenge likely for Allentown Mayor

[Freddie Stubbs]

Belletieri's plan to seek nod a sign some Dems question Afflerbach.

By Scott Kraus
Of The Morning Call

Longtime Allentown restaurateur Louis T. Belletieri will stir the city's political pot in 2005 by challenging incumbent Mayor Roy Afflerbach in the Democratic primary in the spring.

Belletieri, 57, who lives at 1615 W. Greenleaf St. in Allentown, plans a formal announcement after the Nov. 2 election.

His family's restaurant has been at 12th and Chew streets in Allentown since 1958, and under Belletieri's management and the name Louie's since 1986.

''I just don't feel anybody is doing the job and right now I feel a businessman and somebody who has real Allentown blood in them should step up to the bat,'' said Belletieri, who grew up in the city but lived briefly in South Whitehall Township before 2002.

more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5louaug11,0,5117543.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed