Reynolds Wants Another Term on Bethlehem City Council

BETHLEHEM, PA – Bethlehem City Council President J. William Reynolds has announced that he will be seeking re-election to City Council in 2015.
“Our community has made great strides in rebuilding itself after the closing of Bethlehem Steel. I am proud of everything we have accomplished during my time on City Council but more work remains. That is why I am running for re-election”.

Reynolds lists these accomplishments during his time on City Council:

• Supporting economic development projects that have led to over $2 billion dollars in economic development including the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ), Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program (LERTA), and Tax Incremental Financing zone (TIF) (1)
• Working with colleagues on City Council to cut over $6 million dollars from the City Budget (2)
• Helping to create Bethlehem’s Human Relations Commission in an effort to protect all Bethlehem residents from discrimination in employment, housing, schools and public accommodations (3)
• Protecting Bethlehem’s drinking water by supporting the conservation of 22,000 acres of land in the City’s watershed (4,5)
• Supporting successful City efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the City by 30 percent through the implementation of initiatives associated with the standards set forth by the City of Bethlehem’s Climate Protection Agreement (6)
• Being accessible to Bethlehem citizens and attending weekly community meetings in an effort to help improve the efficiency of city services 
• Being a vocal advocate for state legislation supporting marriage equality, environmental protection, and increased funding for the Bethlehem Area School District

If re-elected, Reynolds stated that he would continue to develop targeted policies to support:

• Economic redevelopment and revitalization efforts throughout the city of Bethlehem
• Public safety efforts in every neighborhood and area of the city of Bethlehem
• Programs to improve the efficient and cost effective delivery of City services
• Initiatives to maintain and enhance the high quality of life in the city of Bethlehem including increasing inspection and code enforcement
• Accessibility and transparency of city government by attending community and neighborhood meetings

Reynolds' official announcement will be on Thursday February 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Bethlehem Brew Works (bottom floor) located at 569 Main Street in Bethlehem.

For more information on the campaign, please check out www.jwilliamreynolds.org.

Sources (supplied by Reynolds):
1 – http://articles.mcall.com/2013-11-19/news/mc-bethlehem-criz-application-20131118_1_bethlehem-steel-criz-neighborhood-improvement-zone
2 - https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/citycouncil/meetings/archive/2010/Backup/122110/index.html
3 - http://articles.mcall.com/2011-06-21/news/mc-bethlehem-city-council-anti-discri20110621_1_orientation-and-gender-identity-discrimination-sexual-orientation
4 - http://articles.mcall.com/2008-08-22/news/4173473_1_wildlands-conservancy-nature-conservancy-open-space
5 - https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/citycouncil/meetings/archive/2010/Minutes/2010-10-19.html
6 – http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2013/10/bethlehem_streetlights_upgrade.html

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.