Laird, Colon and Callahan Win Bethlehem City Council Seats

Political newcomer Colleen Laird won the most votes in the race for the Democratic nomination to three seats on Bethlehem City Council. She attracted 3,784 supporters, followed by incumbent Michael Colon (3,352) and former Council member Bryan Callahan (2,441).

Following the winning candidates were Celeste Dee (2,391) and Ricky Butler (2,391). 

Two Republicans - Devin Brunges and Tom Ginther - ran unopposed. James Follweiler waged a write-in campaign for the thrid Republican spot. Whether he was successful will be determined when the votes are formally canvassed. 

Is That Budweiser Vegan?

Bethlehem City Council member Michael Colón (with an ó, damn it!) volunteers every year at Veg Fest, and most beers are vegan friendly. But they are not alcoholic friendly. So I ate a delicious falafel wrap and washed it down with ice-cold lemonade at Victoria Lahoud's Lebanese Street Food truck.

"I didn't ask to be Lebanese; I was born lucky," she says.

I eat enough falafel and hummus that I'm hoping to be named an honorary Lebanese.

Colón For Bethlehem City Council: Get a Load of This!

Most of the pols who seek your vote will tell you how much they are interested in municipal government, but it's pretty much pure bullshit. Unless they are the center of attention, you'll rarely see them at a public meeting. Michael Colón, who frequently attends Bethlehem's City Council, is an exception to that rule. He unsuccessfully sought appointments to two vacancies on Council over the past year. Now, he will take his case directly to the voters and is asking you to elect him.

A PSU grad, Colón is currently the Coordinator for Volunteer Services at Gracedale, the County-owned nursing home. He has worked as a 911 dispatcher and also did a stint at Bethlehem's Health Bureau. I don't want to know what he did there.

He's a Democrat, too, which certainly is a plus in the Christmas City. He also has ties to Bethlehem's Hispanic community and is a member of the city's Human Relations Commission, whatever that is.

Unfortunately for Michael, several colón cleansers have announced or will do so soon. If he's not careful, he'll fall behind.