Why Mayor Donchez Got Into Politics

Last week, fellow troublemaker Steve Antalics sent me the news clipping you see above from the now extinct Bethlehem Globe Times, relating to the prosecution of Bethlehem's three top cops back in the '60s. What I failed to tell you is that a Bethlehem officer who assisted in that prosecution paid a heavy price. His name was Detective John J. Donchez. His son would later go into government as a result of what happened to his father. That son is Mayor Bob Donchez.

It's hard to be a good cop. It's even harder to be a good cop when surrounded by bad cops. Detective John Joseph Donchez, known as "JJ," was a good cop. I was still in high school at the time of these prosecutions, but remember fielding many calls from Donchez as well as John Yerk, who would later become Commissioner.

Donchez took this case and his work very seriously. He brought his son Bob to watch the trial and subsequent convictions. He would be demoted as a result of his work and insistence on doing the right thing. This bothered him so much he had a heart attack. A second heart attack, right around Christmas, would kill him and leave Bob without a father. 

My father paid a price, too, although he had no heart and had no reason to worry about a cardiac arrest. My Dad needed Bethlehem to win a tough re-election bid against Charlie Spaziani. He didn't get it. Spaz, to his credit, continued the prosecution after being elected. The convictions of Director of Public Safety Irvin L Good and Vice Squad Chief Detective Louis Maio were ultimately affirmed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

These charges infuriated Mayor H Gordon Payrow. After an all-night meeting with Bethlehem Republican leaders, he claimed my Dad, a Democrat, would be charged with false arrest. He also implied that the reason for these charges was because Payrow had snubbed my father's request for a job at Bethlehem Steel. "Why did word get back to me several weeks ago - get me a legal job at the Bethlehem Steel Corp. after Jan. 1 and I will take the heat off."

My father denied the accusation or any political motive.

"I have what? My God. This just leaves me speechless. I thought that Mayor Payrow's remarks up to now have been unfettered, but I never dreamed this man would stoop as low as this.

"This is absolutely untrue. It is a lie. He is sick, absolutely sick. This is absolutely disgusting. A man of his position getting involved in tactics of this kind is absolutely sickening."

No charges were ever filed against my father. Payrow was apparently unaware that the Steel already had, on several occasions, offered my Dad a job. He repeatedly said No. He was never a company man.

I never saw this exchange until Steve Antalics sent me these clippings. But I already despised Payrow for a different reason. When he was in office, Payrow invited a senior from Liberty and Freedom High School to be Mayor for a Day, while snubbing Bethlehem Catholic. I thought this was subtle prejudice. This was the subject of my first ever letter to the editor. I had no idea until late last week that there already was bad blood between my father and Payrow.

I've painted an ugly picture of Payrow, perhaps unfairly. Mayor Donchez tells me that one day, after this was over, Payrow came to the Donchez home and apologized. He claimed he had been listening to the wrong people. He begged Det. Donchez to take the Sergeant's exam again. He did and got his rank back. Payrow would later ask Det. Sgt Donchez to take the Captain's exam. Unfortunately, Donchez passed away.

Mayor Donchez told me that what happened to his father is what led to his interest in both government and politics. It's why he is basically a boy scout in comparison to other elected officials. He and another young fellow named John Morganelli got involved. John has always had a passion for politics. In Bob's case, he wanted to restore his father's good name.

Mission accomplished, Bob.

A Tale of Three Mayors and Their Campaign Finances

If you want to see what someone's really like, you need to follow the money. Daily newspapers have abdicated their roles as government watchdogs, but many of these reports are now available online. I have looked at the year-end campaign finance reports filed by the three Mayors. Here's what I learned. First, and this is no surprise, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski actively tries to keep the public and the feds in the dark. Second, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez remains all too willing to allow special interests to fund his campaigns. Third, and this was a surprise to me, I actually saw flashes of integrity in the campaign finance report filed by Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski $75,000 Transfer Is Illegal. - Fed Ed's year-end report demonstrates an utter disregard for the people he supposedly represents. He's diverted money he received to run for the US Senate and Governor to pay off lawyers representing him and possibly his wife in a federal political corruption investigation. He has also formed a new campaign committee to avoid disclosing contributions until election eve.

At the end of 2015, Fed Ed had about $100,000 in federal campaign funds as well as $83,000 in his state campaign treasury. At that time, he had already paid $80,000 to lawyers representing him in the criminal probe. This year, he spent another $170,425.45 for his criminal defense. To do this, he had to transfer $75,000 from his federal fund to his state fund. He also had to borrow $35,000.

Fed Ed has already spent $250,000 for criminal lawyers, and this is before he's even been indicted.

He clearly used the $75k transfer to his mayoral campaign to pay legal fees. This transfer was made on January 20, 2016. Four days before that, he wrote a massive check out (on January 16, 2016, which, coincidentally, is a Saturday) to Jack McMahon. And, the day before (Jan. 19th) and the day of (Jan 20th) the transfer, he writes checks for tens of thousands of dollars more.

He transferred this money from his federal to his state treasury because it is likely that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) would have prohibited the use of these funds to pay criminal lawyers.

Federal law prohibits the use of federal campaign funds for "personal use." This includes payment to criminal lawyers, although the FEC is willing to review a transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Rather than undergoing this review, Fed Ed  transferred the money to his state account, where he can pretty much do what he wants. In doing so, he appears to have violated federal law.

If he's unable to use federal funds for personal expenses,and then transfers these funds to a state account so he can pay off personal expenses, he is breaking the law. Upon complaint, the FEC could impose an administrative fine that doubles his illegal $75,000 transfer.

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez.-  Bob started off 2016 with $120,000, more than enough money to wage a Mayoral campaign against several challengers. Yet he still raised $39,000 in an off-election year. More than half of this money came from people who are already beneficiaries of the City's largesse, or are making money through the CRIZ or various other programs.

I know Bob is a man of integrity. I watched him dip his hands into his own pockets to feed a meter at events where he could easily have maintained he was on official business. He initiated a gift ban among city employees. He could set an example  for others to follow by refusing to raise money in an off-election year,or declining money from people who obviously want something, like Majestic developer Ed Roski. This was a missed opportunity.

John Stoffa, when he ran for re-election, refused to take money from anyone. Jim Hemstreet, when he ran for re-election, capped contributions at $35.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto.- I've been critical of Panto and tagged him for using sock puppets to discuss a host of issues on LehighValleyLive. In fact, one family has sued him for defaming them. But I was impressed by his year-end campaign finance report. Though he is an incumbent mayor with a procession of fawning sycophants and could easily have raised lots of money like his counterpart in Bethlehem, he resisted the temptation. He started off 2016 with $14,000 and raised no money. And what he spent mostly went to worthwhile causes like Notre Dame Green Pond. When he attended the National League of Cities, he would have been justified in charging the city for his attendance. But he instead used his campaign funds for what really was a governmental function.

Panto's campaign finance report does set an example for others to follow.Unfortunately, our dailies no longer follow the money until someone is under investigation. If they did a better job of scrutinizing campaignf finance, as they once did, there just might be fewer investigations.

A Story About Mayor Donchez

Mayor Bob Donchez at BSI and RHF Holiday Open House

On Friday afternoon, I was sent to cover the grand opening of some business on West Market Street. Everyone was dressed very nicely, while I looked like shit. But I was on my way to a basketball game, and did not ant to wear a tie and be mistaken for a coach.

I parked my car and started to make my way down the hill to this shindig, wondering if I'd be able get even one decent picture. As I was on my way down, I saw Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez parking his car on the other side of the street. Like me, he was distracted by the caws of what must have been a million crows at the nearby Moravian Cemetery.

Then he did something I consider pretty unusual for a Bethlehem Mayor. Instead of marching down the street, he fished into his pocket for some change so he could feed the meter. Turns out it was unnecessary because the party hosts had permits, but Donchez was putting money in anyway.

After watching this from across the street, i outed myself and said Hi.

When he arrived at the party, it turns out the hosts had people waiting outside and had a special spot ready for him. He quietly answered he found a spot up the street, acting as though he hadn't noticed them. I think it's likely he did, and next time I'll pull in.

Anyhoo, this is an honest guy. The son of a cop. He's not the kind of guy you'll see at the liquor store, with a city-owned vehicle, buying cases of booze that he then lugs off to his house in a Chevy Tahoe. He's not the kind of guy who justifies this flagrant abuse of public trust as the incidental personal use of a government vehicle. This is not the kind of guy who buys burner phones or who uses City funds to sweep his office for electronic bugs.

I think Bob is wrong about Martin Tower rezoning, bit do not for a second challenge his personal integrity.

In my view, he really should wait until developer Lew Ronca decides what he wants to do there. Merchants think that, too. They are upset that their voices were not heard. Perhaps Bob could have done a little more to reach out to what he had to know was a problem. But I think the main problem is the one-way dialogue at City Council meetings. It's a system bound to lead to communication breakdowns. In fact, it is those one-way dialogues that ultimately created the misperception about City meetings with Ronca.

Let me explain.

At the very first public hearing on October 6, both Mike Recchiuti and Willie Reynolds incorrectly stressed that this rezoning at Martin Tower was city-driven, not developer driven. Mike Recchiuti went so far as to say that he did not believe the developer came and requested this change.

Now Alicia Karner, Bob Donchez or Darlene Heller could have easily refuted or clarified that statement. But they said nothing. In my opinion, they said nothing because Bethlehem City Council meetings have become far too formal. There's no real back-and-forth.

When my Right-to-Know later revealed that the City and Ronca had been exchanging love notes for six months, people understandably exploded. They felt they had been misled, and they had been misled. But I think this was unintentional. It's because of the system for delaing with public input, not the Council members or City officials.

Donchez told me that if he had to do it over, he'd do some things differently. This kind of one-way dialogue and formality during meetings is a prescription for the very distrust we now see. That has to change.

Though he often puts his foot in his mouth in his exchanges with merchants, Bryan Callahan seems to be one Council member who understands this is a problem. Maybe other Council members will soon start seeing it, too.

Donchez & Reynolds Have Healthy Warchests

Bob Donchez, Willie Reynolds and Mike Recchiuti at a debate four years ago

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez and Council President J. Willie Reynolds are both reporting healthy warchests. The major difference between the two is that Bob Donchez can keep his powder dry this year, unless he donates to some of the races. Reynolds, by contrast, s facing a re-election battle.

Donchez raised nearly $28,000 last year, and only spent $2,700. So he starts 2014 with a $96,077.86 campaign treasury.

It's good to be Mayor.

Reynolds did very well at raining money, too. He pulled in $21,125.00 over the past year, But he spent $5,037.03, leaving him with a treasury of $21,407.26. That's a nice starting point for this year's race.

Brong Cleared of Conflict Allegations

Late last month, when Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez ended a contract with Barnsdale Associates to accept debris from City-owned property after discovering that Business Administrator David Brong is part owner of the company. He also directed his Solicitor, Bill Leeson, to investigate whether Brong had any knowledge or role in this contract.

Brong told me he is one of six owners in Barnsdale Associates, which was started by his father-in-law in the '80s. He denied any involvement in their day-to-day business, which consist at this time of the operation of an old quarry once owned by Bethlehem Steel. That is their sole remaining asset. He also denied knowing about the contract.

Today, Mayor Donchez cleared Brong of any wrongdoing in these conflict of interest allegations after receipt of a 15-pager investigate report from Solicitor Leeson.

"I am pleased to hear the conclusion of this review. Mr. Brong brings a wealth of operations and budgeting knowledge to City Hall. I am glad to continue working with Dave in serving the citizens of the City of Bethlehem”, stated Donchez. The Mayor also noted that “I have used this opportunity to remind my department heads that my Administration will operate in a transparent manner, always putting the interest of our residents first.”

Donchez To Conduct Town Hall on West Side Next Week

On July 22, at 6 pm, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez will take the show on the road to the City's west side. He'll convene a town hall at the Church of the Manger, located at 1401 Greenview Drive. Prior to that, he'll be walking along Spring Street and within the Kaywin community. He brings his entire cabinet to these town halls as part of his effort to bring city government to the people.

In addition to regular town halls, Donchez has open office hours every second Monday. His office (610-865-7100) and home (610-868-4680) telephone numbers are out there for those who need to speak to him.

ZHB Chair Gus Loupos lives in that area, and I suggested code enforcement should really take a close look at his home. I think he disconnected his smoke detectors.

Updated 9:40, to correct date.

Donchez: We Need Your Involvement

Bob Donchez

Although three inches of April showers made it impossible for Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez to walk the streets, he still held his first Town Hall on April 30 at the Northampton Community College on the City's south side. Both the Mayor and his entire cabinet  listened to about 15 South Siders voice concerns over garbage, parking, snow removal, Lehigh students and Sands Casino vagrants. They also gave the City high marks for the greenway between 3rd and 4th Streets, which many use to commute, exercise, shop and go to school.

Donchez Wants Garbage Zones

Resident Jo Zavecz complained about garbage sitting in front of home for days at a time, in violation of local ordinances. Chief Housing Inspector Mike Palos that many Lehigh students do that when they leave campus in May. "It's amazing the stuff they leave behind." But Environmental Health Manager Jessica Lucas cautioned that, "for many South Side residents, there's no other place to go."

Jessica Lucas

Donchez announced he's working on a plan to deal with this problem with three or four different garbage zones for the City's estimated 22 private haulers. Garbage would be allowed outside on garbage day only.
He hopes to have it finished by year's end, after reviewing it with private haulers and Council members.

Snow Removal

Craig Evans noted that many citizens were slow to remove cars from snow emergency routes. Donchez agreed, but noted this winter was the first time in many years that any snow emergencies had been declared at all. He indicated that the signage has faded in some areas and needs to be fixed. "For the most part, people were very cooperative. Unfortunately, we did tow some cars." Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said that about two dozen cars were towed during each of the City's two snow emergencies. Police Chief Mark DiLuzio also noted that they did issue a few dozen citations for snow covered sidewalks.

Mike Alkhal

Parking

Resident Ann Evans complained about meters on Packer Avenue, where there is no commercial traffic, which result in people parking in front of her home. While promising to look into these new meters, Donchez announced there is a "strong possibility" that two parking garages are coming to the South Side. One would be located next to Northampton Community College, with another planned nearer the Fahy Bridge.

Sands Casino vagrants

With a disturbing undertone of bias, some residents expressed worries about the mostly Chinese bus riders who use the greenway daily. One woman asked for a bigger police presence there, though it is already patrolled by mounted officers. South Side activist Roger Hudak asked police to make sure the skate park is locked at night, to guard against what he called the "Asian invasion."

Donchez Transparency

In addition to regular town halls, Donchez reminded everyone he has open office hours every second Monday. He also provided his office (610-865-7100) and home (610-868-4680) telephone numbers.

"We need your involvement," he said. "You are our eyes and ears."

Donchez Raises $67,000 to Counter Write-Ins

Bob Donchez has raised $67,680.80 in his Bethlehem Mayoral bid, leaving him with a $77,740.69 warchest for the waning days of the campaign. His contribution list is a Who's Who of potential City vendors. But it also packed with page after page of small contributions by City residents.

Though Donchez has no opponent who actually is on the ballot, he is still facing two write-in candidates.

One is Jim "Graterford" Gregory, a woman beater who is mounting a campaign from state prison. He's got the ex-con vote tied up.

The other write-in candidate is Todd Dietrich. The twitterati and insufferably smug Jonathan Geeting have rallied to Dietrich.

I don't know about Todd, but I'd rather have the ex-cons.

Move Over, Jim Gregory

I don't quite know how Jim "Graterford" Gregory is going to take this, but there's another write-in candidate for Bethlehem Mayor. His name is Todd Dietrich, and appears to be upset by the "disgracefully negative campaign" run by Bob Donchez in the primary, in which he bested Willie Reynolds. So he figured he might as well run himself, and announced via a news release from aptly named Blabbermouth Communications.

Though he claims to have won a pie-eating contest, this will be Dietrich's first venture into politics. An Independent since age 18, his Facebook page indicates he has attracted far left supporters like the unbearably smug Jonathan Geeting. Together, they will create Shangri La.

Except even Geeting is sure the dude will lose.

Dietrich has lived in Bethlehem for two years, and thinks that's long enough for him to know how to run the City.

No word on whether Dietrich, like Gregory, believes there's a vast conspiracy to keep people from finding the truth, involving Donchez, DA John Morganelli, Mayor John Callahan, the Bethlehem police, all the judges, the Vatican and Colonel Sanders.

This Thursday, you can ask him. He's hosting a Meet'n Greet at Tapas on Main from 5 – 8 PM.

Don't know if he's booked any air time on WGPA.

Bob Donchez Unable to Rest Easy

You might think Bethlehem Mayoral candidate Bob Donchez can rest easy. He overcame a powerful primary campaign mounted by J. Willie Reynolds. No Republican ran. The only independent in the race dropped out. But according to Morning Call columnist Bill White, the Jim Gregory machine is still hard at work on his write-in campaign, although Graterford State Correctional Institution must present some tactical problems. He's gonna' have a helluva' time scheduling a Meet 'n Greet.

Based on Bill's article, it appears that Gregory has learned nothing from his time in state prison. But if I were he, I'd stay there as long as possible because West Easton Wacko Tricia Mezzacappa has claimed in court papers that he is both her "boyfriend" and "significant other."

If he thinks he has problems now, wait 'till he gets out.

Donchez Race Closer Than It Should Have Been

With 89% of the vote tallied, Bob Donchez is on his way to victory in the Bethlehem Mayoral race. He has 52% of the vote to Reynold's 48%. This is closer than it should be.

Some might say it's because of Donchez' negative campaign. I'd say it's because opponent Willie Reynolds worked his ass off, and all along had Mayor John Callahan's support. Although WFMZ has not projected Bob as a winner just yet, DA John Morganelli has told Donchez supporters that, with all but one precinct in, Donchez is in the lead.

Donchez is the Better of Two Good Candidates For Bethlehem

Public safety is the core of Bob Donchez' campaign

As an outsider, the Bethlehem Mayoral race really surprised me. Willie Reynolds is an excellent candidate who has worked his ass off in this campaign, knocking on thousands of doors and energizing a group of enthusiastic volunteers. He is a leader. He deserves to be Mayor. Just not yet.

As much as I like Willie, I like Bob Donchez even more. You would not know it from his campaign, which was unnecessarily negative. But in every other way, he symbolizes everything that is right about the Christmas City. On Council, and while governing, he has been a consummate gentleman who looks for the good in other people. I like his strong emphasis on public safety, which in my opinion, should always be a Mayor's first priority. I also appreciate his realistic understanding of City finances. Even Mayor Callahan has stated that Bethlehem still faces a few tough years, thanks primarily to a massive pension payment and growing health costs. Bethlehem may be in the middle of an "economic renaissance," as Willie insists, but its financial situation is still precarious.

Willie has matured and has grown more and more independent during his time on City Council. But I question whether he has the same commitment to public safety as Bob. He also appears to pander, or put more kindly, is taking his case to certain special interest groups. He refused to vote for a much-needed tax hike. He reached out to the LGBT community in a news conference, not because it is a particularly burning City issue, but because the gay community votes and, more importantly, give lots of money to favored candidates. Part of Willie's Winning Our Neighborhood program is an appeal to the anti-fracking element. Though that issue is only remotely connected to Bethlehem, it will attract environmentalists, who also vote and make contributions.

Willie is certainly in better touch with the young urbanista and twitterati than Bob. But Bob has the rest of Bethlehem wrapped up. I do think Reynolds represents Bethlehem's future.

Reynolds Campaign Outraises Donchez

Bethlehem Mayoral candidate Willie Reynolds has filed his primary pre-election report, and has raised $57,447.16 during the period between January 1 and May 6. This eclipses the $55,839.76 raised by frontrunner Bob Donchez. Much of this - $12,910 - is in the form of small donations of $250 or less.

This recent surge of contributions going Reynolds' way is evidence that momentum is on his side.

Donchez' strength has always been his affability, his "do no harm" approach. But in this campaign, he uncharacteristically and inexplicably went on the attack, and in more than the two mailers claimed. This strategy appears to have backfired, at least if the finance reports are any indication.

It also does not help that Donchez is using a political consultant who was just convicted in 2010 for filing fraudulent campaign expense reports and submitting deceptive invoices to clients.

I prefer Bob's moderate style to Willie, whom I think needs more seasoning. But in this campaign, it is Donchez who has acted brashly.

Bob Donchez Using Convicted Criminal as Campaign Consultant

Primary pre-election campaign finance reports, due tomorrow, are starting to trickle in. Bethlehem Mayoral candidate Bob Donchez, who has filed his report early, reveals that he is using disgraced political consultant Tom Severson.

In 2010, Severson pleaded guilty to fling fraudulent campaign expense reports and submitting deceptive invoices to clients, in a rare prosecution by the state Attorney General. Prior to that, his mudslinging was well-known throughout the Lehigh Valley.

For the period between January and May, Donchez raised $55,839.76 in addition to $111,792.11 already in his treasury. He spent $117,016.65, leaving him with $50,615.22 for the waning days of the campaign.

According to his report, he paid Severson $5,300 on March 4 for "consulting." He has also paid Mike Fleck $6,000.

The Donchez campaign has been criticized for negative attacks at his opponent, fellow City Council member Willie Reynolds. At one recent West Bethlehem block watch, a citizen told Donchez she is "very disturbed" by what at that time was just one negative flyer. After a second attack mailer, Council member Karen Dolan publicly berated Donchez. "Why would Bob trade his personal image to denigrate a colleague using dirty tricks, misleading images, and un-truths as cover?, she asked.

Donchez' use of Severson appears to answer that question.

The report includes nine pages of small contributions from numerous Bethlehem citizens, indicating Dnchez has widespread grass roots support. But there's the usual array of developers and contractors, from Boyle Ventures to Joe Topper, who find it's good business to make these donations for whatever reason.

Donchez biggest contribution - $5,800 - is an in-kind contribution from the Bethlehem law firm of Broughal and DeVito. They supplied the food and drinks for a cocktail reception.

Something tells me they weren't drinking orange juice.

Donchez Denies Fear Monger Charges Leveled by Reynolds

At a Monday news conference, Mayoral candidate Willie Reynolds accused opponent Bob Donchez of "fear mongering" with respect to the state of City finances. I asked Bob about this at a news conference yesterday.

"My response to that is the record speaks for itself. Number one, we had a total fund negative balance of over $14 million, based on the audit report two years ago. Number two, we had transfers done without the approval of Council, to balance the general fund. Three, we've taken money from the water and sewer fund to balance the general fund. Four, we have one time revenue sources [last year was the sale of a parking lot] to balance the general fund.

"So it's not a term to use - I think that's totally inapprop... - this is the record. Those are the facts.

"I think when you look at the cost of the pensions, when you look at the increase in medical benefits, the rate of growth there is way ahead of the growth of our new businesses coming in to to industrial parks.

"These are the facts. I think any Mayor, whether it's myself or Mr. Reynolds, is going to have to look at fiscal issues, front and center. It's important for us to be honest with the voters.

"We also borrowed money to pay the bills and we put more debt on the taxpayers.

"That's the reality of the situation and the public needs to know that.

***

"We didn't grow our way out of our financial situation. We actually borrowed our way out of our financial situation."

In addition to painting a realistic picture of Bethlehem finances, where there have been improvements over the last two years, Donchez also addressed charges that he's running a dirty campaign. In one mailer designed to convey the impression that Willie is immature, he used an old photo of Willie, along with Willie's now famous "hot girlfriend" remark.

Donchez acknowledged that he is running a "spirited" campaign, but pointed out that he has about ten mailers and all the rest of them are positive pieces. "I have a record. Mr. Reynolds has a record. I stand by my mailers," Donchez said, noting that they are "compare and contrast" pieces.

Calling the "fear monger" charge a "harsh term", Donchez also bristled at the suggestion that he is an "insider," noting Reynolds' close connection to Mayor Callahan.

But he also noted that at 8 PM on election day, "the politics ends."

Reynolds: Donchez "Fear Mongering" About Bethlehem Finances

Willie Reynolds inside the belly of the Pi

Last December, when Bethlehem City Council adopted a 7% tax hike, both Willie Reynolds and Bob Donchez agreed it was the "most difficult budget" that each had ever faced as members of Council. Reynolds added, "It's only going to get more difficult." Now that both Donchez and Reynolds are running for Mayor, Reynolds claims that Bethlehem is a "strong city," thanks in no small measure to the way it has managed finances. At a news conference yesterday afternoon, he claimed that Donchez paints a "sad picture of our financial situation." He then accused him of "fear mongering."

I'd accuse him of being realistic. This year,pensions will cost Bethlehem $11.1 million. To put that in perspective, it's 55% higher than it was the year before. To put that in even greater perspective, that one payment completely gobbles the $9.4 million casino host fee. And this high payment will be made each of the next five years.

In addition to pensions, health costs have increased 60.9% since 2004, even though the workforce is at its lowest level in thirty years.

Reynolds' news conference was at a technology center, the Pi Center for Innovation, located atop the Cantelmi Hardware store on E. 4th Street. This 8,000 sq. ft facility is leased from Cantelmi by the Bethlehem Economic Development Corp. A conference room, conversation rooms, lounge, kitchenette and even an ADA‐accessible shower are shared by a number of post-incubator businesses. Tenants are attracted to this site because it is in a state‐designated Enterprise Zone and a Keystone Innovation Zone.

They like the tax breaks.

According to Reynolds, there should be more places like them. "We need more Pis," he said, though he's rather slender.

Claiming that Bethlehem is in the midst of an "economic renaissance," Reynolds claimed that more economic development is the solution to Bethlehem's fiscal stability. "Economic development is the most important thing," he said.

What about public safety? I asked. Isn't that important, too?

That's a given, responded Reynolds. He agreed that questions about safety are what he hears most often from voters as he knocks on doors. So I guess economic development is the most important thing after public safety, which is the most important thing.

Historically, Bethlehem has shied away from KOZ properties, which exempts business owners from almost all state and local taxes. But Reynolds stated yesterday that Bethlehem should consider all economic development tools, even a mini-NIZ that is under consideration in some municipalities. He claimed the City needs this to remain "competitive" with other municipalities.

Reynolds also stated that he'd try to bring more efficiency into City government.. He claimed that replacing street lights with LED lights could reduce the cost of energy consumption. He also talking about centralized accounts payable and receivable, and making online payment of tax bills a reality.

Reynolds was confronted about the propriety of partisan political activity inside a publicly funded office.  Frankly, the space is rented to BEDCO, which in turn rents to private tenants. They do get tax breaks, but are private businesses. I don't know the answer to that one.

All in all, I'd say that the Reynolds' "fear mongering" crack is a bit over the top. But since Donchez took a cheap shot himself with a mailer that included Willie's middle school picture, I'd say they're even.

Is Willie Reynolds Pushing Too Hard For LGBT Rights?

Let me tell you a little bit about my brother. He has the brains, while I'm just another pretty face. He can take a car apart and put it back together, while I still haven't figured out how to pop the hood. He goes to church twice a week, while I don't go at all, figuring he has me covered. His religious convictions tell him that same sex relationships are immoral, while I have no convictions at all and don't mind if three guys and one parakeet want to go to space mountain. I know my brother, who lives in Bethlehem, would be opposed to Mayoral candidate Willie Reynolds' stands on marriage equality and same sex benefits. I have reservations myself, although for different reasons.

At a news conference last week that I unfortunately missed, Willie Reynolds chose to make "equal rights for our LGBT brothers and sisters" a major theme of his campaign. He pledged that, as Mayor, he would insist on "diversity training for City employees, particularly our public safety personnel." Same sex domestic partners "would be provided with the same health care benefits as all other city employees." Finally, he vowed he would perform no marriages at all until he could do so for same sex as well as heterosexual couples.

Although Willie's stand should just about lock up the gay vote (and they contribute), this is not exactly what I would call a high priority in a City afflicted by a revenue-sucking pension crisis. In fact, as gay employees add their domestic partners for health benefits and pensions, this can only make that problem worse. It will cost the City money at a time when it should be trying to trim costs.

If Willie had proposed benefits for prospective city workers in same sex relationships, this pill would be easier (and cheaper) to swallow. Those pension agreements are much more reasonable, thanks to negotiations by the Callahan administration. But under Willie's plan, he will add significantly to the City's pension crisis.

I could understand diversity training, so long as it can be done at no municipal expense. But why did Willie add that public safety personnel need it more than most? I would think police officers and firefighters, who see same sex unions night and day, could probably give Willie some diversity training.

Another point, and I one I find unnecessarily divisive, is Willie's pledge to refuse to perform any marriages at all until he can marry same sex couples. That is insulting to numerous innocent heterosexual couples who have nothing to do with the state's marriage laws. It is also insulting to many people like my brother, who for religious reasons, are offended by same sex couples. Who's to say my brother is wrong? Willie Reynolds? LGBT activist Adrian Shanker?

Worst of all is that, in the name of political correctness, Willie is diminishing the sanctity of the special relationship between man and woman. That is the only relationship that can actually produce new life. It deserves a special place and name for that if for no other reason. No same sex couple can produce children. To call their union a marriage diminishes the miracle of new life that is often produced by a real marriage. My objection here is mostly definitional. I would agree that same sex partners should have the same rights (and obligations) as heterosexual couples, but the union of man and woman deserves its own special word in our lexicon.

Willie is a progressive candidate with many good ideas, including district seats on City Council. Same sex couples certainly should have the same rights and protections as everyone else. But in a City with many other real problems, this should be a back burner item that needs to be approached with a little more sensitivity than Willie has displayed. You can't just force people to accept gay rights. You need to persuade them. And that takes time, not mandatory diversity training for cops.

I know I have several gay readers. Please tell me if you thing I'm wrong. It would not be the first time.

Bob Donchez Unveils Plan For Fiscal Responsibility

Bob Donchez 

As people darted in and out of the Bethlehem Public Library, Mayoral candidate Bob Donchez unveiled a ten-point plan to address City finances during a news conference late yesterday morning. This includes reducing the number of take-home vehicles to less than a dozen. Donchez said he's even consider using his own car if he can still get liability coverage from his insurance carrier. "I would have to set the example," he said. "The Mayor sets the example."

Does he have a secret union-bustin' plan, as claimed by Johnathan Schadenfreude in a recent blog entry? In a word, No. Donchez has no plan to privatize city services. What he does plan to do is replace some grant-funded positions with contract workers, which will enable him to reduce legacy costs like pensions. Some City staff, like the Fair Labor Compliance Officer, is a contract worker.


Donchez likens his budget proposals to "families who brown-bag it instead of eating out" or who "rent videos instead of going to the movies."

Below is an abbreviated version of his 10-point proposal:

1. Assemble a taskforce of financial and business experts from the public and private sectors to review all aspects of the city budget.

2. Protect or improve the city’s bond rating by scheduling only necessary projects, and only after the most economical financing is in place to pay for them.

3. Reduce employee use of city vehicles for commuting.

4. Implement alternative methods of budgeting in order to save money, such as performance-based or zero-based methods.

5. Convert city positions that are funded with grant monies to service contract positions, thereby eliminating additional budget costs and legacy pension costs.

6. Limit the use of outside consultants and rely more on in-house expertise.

7. Initiation of a two-year budget planning process so that the administration and City Council can better plan how limited resources can be allocated longer term.

8. Periodic review of revenue and expenditures with City Council's Finance Committee.

9. Build a “rainy day” fund, which would give the City more flexibility to meet fluctuating cash flow demands and/or unforeseen emergency needs.

10. Limit travel to conferences and meetings to what is required to maintain professional certifications and credentials.

Donchez' opponent, J. Willie Reynolds had no immediate reaction to Donchez' fiscal plan. He suspended his campaign yesterday to reflect on the Boston Massacre, which he called an "American tragedy."

Willie Reynolds Does Some Trash Talkin'

Bethlehem Mayoral Candidate J. William Reynolds and Bob Donchez both appear to be on the same page with respect to a single trash hauler. They're both opposed, which is also the stance they have taken with Mayor John Callahan's most recent proposal.

In my view, they're both wrong.  But they're the ones running.

Since this campaign began, I have been walking through neighborhoods in every corner of our city. Every day I hear from residents about the issues in Bethlehem that concern them the most. One of the most important of these has been City Hall’s recent discussions about our trash removal system.

As part of my Winning Our Neighborhoods initiative, I promised to be a Mayor that listens and leads on the issues that matter most to our citizens. For this reason, I know that it is critical to address this issue head on and provide residents with a clear understanding of my position.

I am committed to the private hauler system that provides Bethlehem with an effective service that many people have known their whole lives. As Mayor, I will work with the private haulers to ensure that we can continue to provide residents with a high quality service.

While knocking on doors over the past couple of months, some residents have raised concerns about certain aspects of our trash removal system in the city of Bethlehem. I believe there are some common sense steps we can take to address some of these neighborhood concerns that will improve upon the current system of trash pick-up.

By exploring a zoned hauling system, by which private haulers continue to stay in business and serve their customers, we can find ways to improve the system.

By breaking the city down in to zones in which neighborhoods would have a specific day for garbage pick-up, it will be easier to keep our neighborhoods clean and identify residents who are non-compliant.

Additionally, we must work with each neighborhood to address their specific realities. We know that there are unique needs in different corners of the city, and the neighborhood committees of my Winning our Neighborhood initiative will provide the perfect platform for finding workable solutions for each.

We also must increase efforts to enforce our municipal waste ordinances. We must make further headway into cleaning up our streets that currently have problems with trash violations. In cities across the country (including Allentown), alternative methods of enforcing trash cleanup are utilized with much success. Many of these programs provide a combination of education and enforcement with field officers who issue warnings, tickets and citations for non-compliance. Programs such as these are worthy of additional review and consideration to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of such a program for our City.

By combining the continuation of private hauling with these additional improvements that make sense for Bethlehem, we can achieve the best possible outcomes for residents of the City of Bethlehem.

Dolan Blasts Donchez "Hot Girlfriend" Campaign Mailer

Earlier this week, I complained that Bethlehem Mayoral candidates Bob Donchez and J. Willie Reynolds were just being too damn nice to each other. Finally, the gloves have come off. A little. And City Council member Karen Dolan is calling Fowl. Let me give you the back story.

Donchez has sent out a negative mailer about Willie, asking whether he's too young to lead. It includes an old picture of Willie, one I've used myself.

Since I've used it, it must be unfair.

It does make Willie look a bit like a little league ball player. It also includes Willie's famous response, after being told he had done poorly in an informal citizen evaluation of meeting performance.

“I’m sure I’ll lose lots of sleep tonight next to my hot girlfriend,” Willie said after the meeting, when told he had been given a "D".

This quotation is supposed to make Willie look like an asshole. But that's when I started to like him. I think Bob Donchez is the better candidate, but let me say that it takes a lot of maturity to sit still during a Council meeting and listen patiently as person after person heaps abuse on you. I could never do it. Reynolds and Donchez have both been the target of a lot of criticism, some of it very unkind and very unfair, from people who should know better. They both did a pretty good job of shutting up their critics last time they ran for City Council, and were able to talk freely during a debate.

City Council member Karen Dolan, who is running for re-election herself and appears to be supporting Willie, is hot as hell about that mailer. "I am infuriated right now over a vicious and inaccurate mailer I got from Bethlehem Mayoral candidate Bob Donchez attacking fellow Mayoral candidate J. William Reynolds," she says. "The photo of Willy is ten years old, the out-of-context quote is five years old, and the intent is pure "smear." Bob wants people to believe he's a "nice guy." This mailer is why so many people are disgusted with politics."

Someone has tried to defend this negative mailer with a "Willie started it" argument. But Bethlehem political guru John Blankstein observes that the Donchez piece had to have been planned well in advance, and I'm inclined to agree.

Is Willie's relative youth an issue? Yes, but in a City known for electing young mayors, not much.

Is the mailer "vicious and inaccurate"? Not by my admittedly low standards.