Broker Jack Morse of Lehigh Showcase Properties and Flea Market Manager Mike Lipki, who represents the owner of the Flea Market at 270 Beth Stacey Blvd., tried to persuade the Lehigh Community Council Monday night to support the market’s ongoing outdoor expansion. During an emotional and lively discussion, Lipki refused to tell the Council who the true owner of the property is when asked multiple times by different members.
Edd Wiener asked Lipki about the multiple code and fire violations at the Flea Market, but he refused to talk about them.
Then Wiener, with the backing of the Council, told both Morse and Lipki that the Flea Market must be in compliance with all county and state rules before a letter of support could be granted. No one wants the Flea Market to close, Wiener said, but the Council wants the owner to do the right thing and follow the law.
Closer to the end of the meeting, Miles Smith called the Council members racists stating they were trying to close the Flea Market, which made for more discussions, and, in turn longtime resident and member of the Council Rick Anglickis tried to defuse the situation but Smith bolted out of the meeting calling Anglickis an ass. A majority of the market vendors are non-Caucasian.
Bill Nottling, a member of the Council stated that “this was one of the liveliest meetings we have had in years.”