Five candidates seek the Democratic nomination for three seats on Bethlehem City Council. They all filed the required Pre-Primary campaign finance report at the elections office on Friday. Only one report bothers me. Brian Callahan was impressive in a City Council debate, but will he be representing ordinary Bethlehem citizens or the special interests backing him?
Callahan came into this race with $3,256.15. He raised $13,200, fare more than the other four Democrats. This includes $5,000 from trade unions, which is expected. What troubles me are the numerous contributions from developers and lobbyists. He accepted $500 donations from M. Arif Fazil (D'Huy Engineering) , realtor Doug Kelly, developer Dave Ronca, developer Joe Posh, real estate maven Louis Intile, former police chief Mark DiLuzio and developer Dennis Benner. His largest individual contributor, developer Abe Atiyeh, gave him $1,000. There's also smaller contributions by lobbyist Jenn Mann ($100), hotelier Bruce Haines ($250) and State Senator Lisa Boscola ($250).
Callahan would certainly be an effective check on an overreaching Mayor, but his coziness with these special interests are worrisome.
Callahan told me he is a Kennedy Democrat who believes in economic development along with social awareness. He told me every one of these developers are the same people who helped him get winter coats for impoverished students at middle school.
Council President Mike Colon raised $3,150. This included a $500 donation from former Mayor Bob Donchez and former NorCo Exec Glenn Reibman.
Political consultant Celeste Dee, who incidentally is Callahan's campaign treasurer, raised $6,000. She donated $5,000 to her own campaign.
Communications specialist Colleen Laird raised $3,650, mostly from friends and family. She was favored with a $250 donation from former Mayor Bob Donchez.
Realtor Ricky Butler formed co committee and spent $1,360 out of his own pocket for palm cards, window signs and campaign material.
What about the Republicans. Devin Brunges and Tom Ginther are seeking their party's nomination and Jim Follweiler is waging a write-in campaign. They have no need to worry about money until after the primary. Brunges has set aside $120 and Ginther has spent $691.12. As a write-in, Follweiler has no obligation to disclose finances, although he tells meit is under $250.
Updated 10:06 am
13 comments:
Callahan is like the Kennedy running for president, whack job!
Callahan has always had traditional democrat union support & developer support as he is a pro job creator candidate. He seems to be the only one that understands that bringing good paying businesses to Bethlehem is one of the most effective ways to address “affordable housing”. The other way is to build more housing which he supports.
The Mayor & his administration are far left wing democrats that believe everything is solved by Government & spending our money. In the short run that money came as a windfall from Biden overreach but long term it will have to come from us as citizens of this city. It is not sustainable & Callahan & Butler are the only dems that offer a check & balance.
Some of those guys who are funding Callahan are funding him because he will be a check on a mayor who has screwed them. Reynolds has thin skin and has punished those who complained about his actions with regard to the churches. Like telling developers and real estate folks not to bid against the city because nothing would be approved if they win, or those who have deals with Lehigh that have been put on hold because of Lehigh's involvement.
Reynolds is not only thin skinned but very vindictive with no ability to compromise to build relationships. He is a school teacher who is used to lecturing to his “subjects”.
The contributions toward the Callahan campaign do raise serious issues but the fact that he will provide "outspoken" demands on transparency on issues that council seems to enjoy discussing behind closed doors much to outweigh, in my estimation, the contributions concern. Also, council has 6 votes to neutralize and counterbalance any Callahan vote favoring development. It appears to me that of all present existing council members and those who might be elected do not appear to have the same quality of Callahan's penchant for transparency and his ability to force open discussion on important issues. Transparency is a necessary tool to supply data for the public to discuss issues at council meetings. For this reason Callahan should get the vote for nomination in spite of his flaws.
Reynolds - Bethlehemites - look in the mirror and you will see the fool that elected the fool
Bethlehem related: Who is funding School Board candidate Cindy O'Brien? I see her signs everywhere on public property and received 2 mailers. It seems excessive in a school board race for a job that pay nothing. I assume she is funded by that Paul Martino I read about in the Mcall. But I can't find anything out about her finances.
BernieOHare to 2:13, if I have time I’ll look. But it is unfair to look at her spending without looking at everyone running. Ion top of that I don’t do school boards.
B Callahan for Mayor
Callahan is the least transparent council member in my memory. The only reason he became ‘transparent’ is his tactics backfired and he and Reynolds fell out. He was the worst back-office dealer ever. Calling everyone else insider- as the loser kid who had to sit outside the sandbox - puts him even further out in douche territory. Just because Reynolds has serious flaws, does not mean that Callahan is the person to rectify those flaws.
I attend council meetings as often as I can. I didn't always agree with Callahans tone when he was on Council, but I always agreed with what he had to say.He chastised his fellow council members for working out everything in the back rooms and phone calls and wanted to debate the issues in front of the public in Council chambers. You can't argue with that!
4:55 pm: If not Callahan, then whom? Right now, Reynolds has a council he easily controls. I would like at least one member who will knock him down a few pegs. I can’t stand Reynolds and 11:52 am hit the nail on the head. I’ll add condescending twerp to that assessment, though.
I think Butler is a good choice as he appears to be sound thinking logical businessman that does not appear tied to Willie coattail like Laird & Dee.
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