Four positions for Bethlehem Cty Council are up for grabs this year. They are the seats currently held by Michael G. Colón (Gracedale Admissions Coordinator), Shawn M. Martell (Nazareth High School teacher), J. William Reynolds (William Allen High School teacher) and Dr. Paige Van Wirt (physician). Presumably, they are all running. Dr. Van Wirt was appointed to Council, but the rest were elected. Willie is the longest-serving member, having first been elected in 2008.
These candidates are going to have some competition. Grace Crampsie Smith, a highly regarded school counselor at Easton Area High School has decided to run. I have seen her at my grandson's high school basketball games. She came with my grandson'e sister, who is also a school counselor at Easton. She tells me that everyone refers to Smith as "Amazing Grace."
From her announcement, I can tell you the following:
* She is a Democrat and longtime Bethlehem resident (28 years).
* Her dad was police chief in Clarks Summit and her mother was a nurse. "They taught me early the importance of discipline and compassion.”
* She has three children in law school, medical school and college.
* She is a "smart growth" advocate, although what that means seems to different for every person.Here's what it means to her. "It is important to maintain a balance between preserving the city's past , honoring the people and businesses that built this city and achieving progress in our diverse community. Bethlehem is a city that has never been stagnant but has constantly re-invented itself in the arts, education, and business while never losing sight of its heritage.”
* She is highly educated, having a masters degree in education and school counseling from Lehigh University and a bachelors degree in sociology and social welfare from Bloomsburg University.
* She said it is crucial for City Council members to know the jobs of city employees and the challenges they face for the overall efficiency of city operations. Perhaps she can find out why Department heads Alicia Karner and Darlene Heller forced Suzanne Borzak, the City's popular and helpful zoning officer, to resign.
* She completed the Bethlehem Police Citizens Academy to get a better understanding of the Police Department.
* She is a politically active and progressive member of the Bethlehem City Democratic Committee (Precinct 14-1), Northampton County Democratic Committee, Lehigh Valley Democratic Progressive Coalition, Lehigh Valley ROAR and Lehigh Valley 4 ALL (who agree with them).
* She has been a volunteer with Ryan’s Tree for Grieving Children, Musikfest, OLPH School, LV Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the American Heart Association.
* She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
From speaking to her, I can tell you she has a sense of humor.
16 comments:
Shawn Martell is not seeking reelection to Bethlehem City Council.
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-martell-20190103-story,amp.html
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2019/01/bethlehem-councilman-opting-to-not-seek-re-election.html?outputType=amp
What Rs are running? Hahahaha.
She sounds like a great candidate. Social elitist Van Wirt needs to go!
As your commentator above noted, Martell is not running for re-election.
Van Wirt has reportedly decided to run for a 4-year seat, rather than run to finish the term of Eric Evans in the special election. Van Wirt was appointed to fill Evans' seat until the end of 2019 and a special election will be held this year to fill the remainder of his term which expires at end of 2021.
Reynolds and Colon are running for re-election to their 4-year terms.
While her announcement does not indicate which seat she is seeking, I understand Grace is running in the special election for the 2-year seat.
Basilio Bonilla is also reportedly running for the 2-year term. Rumors of at least 2 other candidates also exist.
Republicans stay out of the cities that democrats have destruction designs upon for personal gain. Want to see urban decay just go visit any and all inner cities across America and you too will see democrats dillusionZ progressive regreation hard at work, positively.
anon 1:21, Careful the singularity is listening. A saucer is com9ong for you.
Anonymous
Anonymous said...
Republicans stay out of the cities that democrats have destruction designs upon for personal gain. Want to see urban decay just go visit any and all inner cities across America and you too will see democrats dillusionZ progressive regreation hard at work, positively.
January 23, 2019 at 1:21 PM
How this works, see, is that commenters like this apparently have no job but spend 10-12 hours a day finding threads that have even the slightest of connections to national politics and then saying drastic things about Democrats. It's so fresh and original!
Yea, just like flying saucers are comming for you. I dont know but my lead lined tinfoil cap is impermeable to the democratic dysfunctional tools dispersed upon the flakka zombies imported as positive progression.
Damm how did that z get in there, it must have been the English professor in this damm gagetz grammar corrections. hahaha
Wasn't MLK a Republican and we just celebrated his birthday on Monday, he is rolling over in his grave seeing his life long work being twisted.
Clark Summit is where the disgraced Attorney General ,but good looking head ,but now in prison, KANE was from . They have a Crispy Cream store there,and lots of traffic. .
Certainly Bethlehem and coming along Easton are becoming more interesting and stimulating. Naysayers should be cheering on the hubs of their communities rather than tearing them down.
The beautiful Amazing Grace will be one of the many to help Roe vs Wade be overturned and than we will be taking a historical look at the changing of the DSM's classification of the known dynamics that prey off the inner city dwellers and the children that go missing? Hell them type of things are in public service locally with CPS Lehigh county and Northampton county, God Bless Grace!
"The beautiful Amazing Grace will be one of the many to help Roe vs Wade be overturned..."
Wow, the Bethlehem City Council sure has a lot of power!
Amazing Grace! That's what I call my dog and if she is as honest as my Gracie she will be an asset to Bethlehem.
All this Bullshit are from people who like her talk to some who know the other side.....not so impressive......
Go to Mississippi and Appalachia to see what the Republicans have done for them.
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