He was also the IAFF Local 735 President.
Four Bethlehem City Council are up for grabs this year. They are currently held by Michael G. Colón (Gracedale Admissions Coordinator), Shawn M. Martell (Nazareth High School teacher), J. William "Willie" Reynolds (William Allen High School teacher) and Dr. Paige Van Wirt (physician). Martell has decided against seeking a second term while Reynolds seeks re-election. Dr. Van Wirt, a Council appointee, has yet to announce. Colón has offered no announcement, either.
Aside from Saltzer, there's two other newcomers. Grace Crampsie Smith, an Easton Area High School counselor, is running. So is motivational speaker Carol S Ritter.
So far, there could be as many as six people running for four seats.
Obviously, Saltzer would be a voice for first responders and offer Council members a different perspective. But what I like is that he would also be a voice for the often forgotten blue collar workers. In his announcement, he admits to having worked several jobs at a time to help make ends meet. That's an experience shared by many Bethlehem residents.
"Bethlehem is a historic steel city, made up of hard working people, and I want to be a voice for these hard workers," he said. "I feel like I can represent them because I’m just like them. I’d feel so honored to be able to do that.”
One negative. He's a Yankees' fan.
Willie is a sure thing, anyone who thinks otherwise does not know Bethlehem. Van Wirt probably safe, she is a tireless self-promoter and has a big posse. The other two seats are up for grabs. I would say Olga has an advantage over Colon but you never know.
ReplyDelete"He was also the IAFF Local 735 President."
ReplyDeleteAnd????
Seems like a good guy. Not all retired ffs are garbage!
ReplyDeleteBernie, while there are 4 seats up this year for Bethlehem City Council, they are not all at-large four-year terms. 3 of them are for four-year terms and 1 is a two-year term to fill the balance of Eric Evans' term.
ReplyDeleteSo far Reynolds has announced for re-election to his 4-year seat. Ritter and Saltzer have announced for 4-year seats. Colon is apparently running to retain his 4-year seat. Van Wirt has apparently decided to run for a 4-year seat after being appointed to fill Eric Evans' seat.
Grace Crampsie is running for the 2-year seat. Rumor has it Basilio Bonilla is running for the 2-year seat.
My guess: Reynolds, Ritter and Van Wirt win four-year seats. Grace Crampsie wins the 2-year seat.
3:37, Olga Negron’s seatbis not up.
ReplyDeleteReynolds, Van Wirt, Colon and probably Crampsie.
ReplyDeleteI predict Democrats will have a good year in Bethlehem this year.
ReplyDeleteI think in order of votes it will be:
ReplyDeleteReynolds, Ritter , Van Wirt
Reynolds has his voters still. Ritter is really well liked in the City. A couple months ago I'd say Van Wirt was number two but she is increasingly showing how far left she is. She will slightly get by Colon.
I think Grace will win the two year seat.
Here comes the tax increase when this guy tries to bring back minimum manning for the fire department. OT will be through the roof!
ReplyDeleteYikes a union head & motivational speaker on the same ticket!! Lord help us all.
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ReplyDeleteMight be a great guy and worthy of admiration for his service as a fire fighter, but the last thing any city like Allentown or Bethlehem needs is a retired former public union president on the City Council. Just look at what the suckers in Allentown got with retired school teacher/union rep Audrey Mathison on the Board of ASD. She is over there handing out $100,000 jobs like candy and allowing action to be taken on matters not advertised on the ASD School Board agendas.
ReplyDeleteDonny flaccid you can keep pushing Ritter but she won't win.
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