Illick's Mill Chair: Dolan "Transparency" Email a Mistake

Andrew Bollinger, who chairs the Illick's Mill Board, has acknowledged that Karen Dolan's "transparency" emails were a mistake. "At our most recent board meeting, last night, we agreed that all future public correspondence would be reviewed and edited by the board prior to its release. More eyes, less haste."

He also indicated that Karen Dolan's last day as Executive Director is tomorrow. The Board voted to accept her resignation at a Sunday night meeting.

Dolan, a member of Bethlehem City Council, has come under fire for using her influence to ensure special treatment.

Most members of the Board, including Bollinger, are relatively new, and I have no desire to paint them or the Mill with Dolan's mismanagement.

Donchez, Reynolds Both Impress at Block Watch Meeting

Bob Donchez

No matter who you support for Bethlehem Mayor, you had to walk away impressed at last night's West Bethlehem Block Watch meeting with candidates Bob Donchez and Willie Reynolds. Both of them really looked good. Willie displayed a youthful energy and drive, while Bob exhibited his trademark laid back style.    I would say that Bob's style suits Bethlehem voters better, but they have shown they like young Mayors. One thing is very clear. Reynolds is in this to win, not just show.

For the most part, the two candidates agreed. They both oppose a single trash hauler. They both support zoned hauling. Naturally, they will both do whatever they can to avoid more tax hikes. They both would like to get more services or small donations from nonprofits.

Their biggest disagreement focused on Willie's proposal for districted Council seats. Willie points out that places like West Bethlehem have had no representation on City Council since 1995. He feels that district seats would make it cheaper to run, reducing the influence of money on politics. He also points out it would be more small d democratic.

Bob counters that districts are fine in larger municipalities, but not Bethlehem. He worries that "we would begin to pit district against district," and that parochialism would rear its ugly head. He argued that the real problem is more people need to run for office, pointing out that there are only 6 candidate seeking 4 seats.

Willie Reynolds

Both of them favor more transparency. Reynolds talked about "bringing City Hall to you" at various neighborhood committees. Donchez pointedly said that the books will be open to City Council and that he would have an "open door" policy as Mayor, setting aside days where people could walk in and talk to him without an appointment.

The only sour note of the night came when a woman in the audience told Donchez she was "very disturbed" by his negative flyer about Reynolds, quoting his "hot girlfriend" remark. Moderator Gus Loupos declared that topic off limits.

It was a contrast of youthful exuberance with genial experience with two well-qualified candidates.

Donchez and Reynolds will face each other again on May 2, 6:30 PM, Prosser Auditorium, Moravian College. Don Cunningham will moderate. He knows a little bit about being Mayor of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem's Blue Become Bottom-Feeding Bloggers!

Is the world upside down? We all can understand why someone like me is a bottom-feeding blogger. For one thing, I'm a drunk, my ticket to practice law was taken away and I manage to piss people off without even trying.

I'm a natural.

But the Bethlehem police? You got it. In an effort to improve communication with the public, the boys (and girls) in blue have started the Bethlehem Police blog, and are now posting event information, traffic alerts, crime alerts and suspect photos and video.

If you live in Bethlehem, this is something you'll want to check regularly.

There's a facebook page and twitter account, too!

I just hope they post nothing about "Summer hours."

Callahan Funding School Board Races

Is Mayor John Callahan funding any of the Bethlehem races? With the exception of Bob Donchez, who picked up $500 from Hizzoner, there's been no Callahan money to the other five City Council candidates this reporting period.

Callahan is more interested in funding the school board race, possibly so he can stack them school directors who like a Martin Tower TIF. He depleted his Congressional fund, and used that money give $1,000 each to school board candidates Sudantha Vidanage and Basilio Bonilla.