Why is Grace Crampsie Smith Running For Bethlehem Mayor

Blogger's Note: This is what Grace Crampsie Smith, a member of Bethlehem City Council, told Lehigh Valley For All: 

I am running for Mayor of Bethlehem because I believe service to others and our community is truly what life is all about! My parents instilled in my 6 siblings and I the vital importance of civic duty and responsibility to others. Resultantly, all my siblings and I have been politically and civically active, and I devoted the last 40 plus years of my life to serving others.

Having grown up in poverty, and as a free lunch student, I know first hand the challenges many in our community face, and feel more than qualified and prepared to assure government funds are earmarked appropriately to help those in need!

Having worked in county government, I have the experience in supervising staff, budget management, and operations efficiency.

I am also running for mayor because several individuals and entities have asked me to run because they believe that based upon my performance as a council member, I will be a mayor that is needed in Bethlehem.

Finally, I am running for mayor because I want the community I’ve called home and where I raised my children to be the best it can be, and I have concerns about the imbalance in growth and disregard for preserving our rich history and neighborhoods in our great city.

My priorities as mayor are accessibility, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and efficiency.

I will be an accessible mayor, a mayor for all! For without input from those you serve, how can you ever know what the priorities truly need to be? I will have set times for community members to come and meet with me in city hall, and always welcome community interaction. I will assure residents can access the proper department/person within city hall as needed.

I will be transparent as a mayor in that I will be forthright and clear on projects and intentions.

Accountability to my community and fiscal accountability will be prioritized.

When issues are brought forth at council meetings by community members, I will assure someone from the city responds to them that night or the next day.

I will ensure no tax dollars are wasted at City Hall and institute essential policies and procedures, and ensure they are followed. I will restructure City Hall’s organizational structure to ensure efficiency, collaboration, and communication.

Rather than spend excessive tax dollars on outside consultants, I will collaborate and tap into the expertise of those within the community as appropriate.

Finally, I will ensure we prioritize and preserve that which makes Bethlehem special, while balancing progress with smart, socially responsible development.

Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds to Seek Re-Election

Blogger's Note:  Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds announced his plan to seek re-election last night at the Boyd. Below is his announcement, which includes an enviable record of 50 accomplishments over his first four years. 

BETHLEHEM, PA – J. William Reynolds has announced that he will be seeking re-election to another term as Mayor of Bethlehem. “Four years ago, I laid out a vision for our city’s future as I announced I was kicking off a campaign to earn your support to be our next Mayor. You placed your faith in that vision, and I am so grateful and proud of all that we have accomplished as a city since that day. I am humbly asking the people of Bethlehem for their support for a second term to continue the important progress we have made in creating an even more thriving, vibrant city – where neighborhoods are safe and filled with activity and possibility, where residents have economic opportunity and a sense of belonging, and where City Hall plans for the future and promotes sustainability, from its finances to its climate action initiatives. ”

Reynolds stated that he is proud of everything that his administration has accomplished over the past three years including

• Consistently being named as one of the best places to live in America

• Ranking as the safest city in Pennsylvania

• Receiving international recognition as the 26^th World Heritage Site in America

• Holding the strongest overall financial position in City history

• Making record levels of public investment in parks, trails, and streets

• Implementation of Bethlehem’s award-winning Climate Action Plan

• Maintaining a commitment to increasing opportunities for all residents

If re-elected, Reynolds stated that his priorities would include continuing to invest in Bethlehem’s public safety departments and building financial stability within City Hall as well as

• Working to increase housing attainability and affordability within Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley

• Implementing Bethlehem’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan

• Building a South Bethlehem Community Center

• Making streets safer by executing major roadway improvements and implementing a Complete Streets and bike infrastructure strategy

• Continuing to implement and execute Bethlehem’s climate action plan

• Continuing to build cooperative strategies with the Bethlehem Area School District

Reynolds Administration Accomplishments 2022-2024

City Finances:

1. City of Bethlehem focuses on economic sustainability

Source: The Morning Call

2. City of Bethlehem cuts debt by almost 50 percent since 2015

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

3. City of Bethlehem’s bond rating ranked #1 in Pennsylvania among most populated cities

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

4. City of Bethlehem maintains lowest Earned Income Tax percentage in Pennsylvania among most populated cities

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

5. City of Bethlehem saves millions by avoiding capital borrowings

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2024

6. City passes one billion in private investment since 2021

Source: WFMZ

Parks, Trails, and Street Infrastructure:

7. City of Bethlehem rebuilds Fairview Park

Source: Lehigh Valley News

Source: Youtube Video Summary

8. City of Bethlehem to rebuild Friendship Park in $1.5 million overhaul

Source: Lehigh Valley News

Source: Project Website

9. City of Bethlehem acquires last section of South Bethlehem Greenway to close critical regional trail gap

Source: WFMZ

10. City of Bethlehem awarded nearly $10 million to make major safety and pedestrian improvements to Broad Street

Source: WFMZ

11. City of Bethlehem increases street paving by nearly 50 percent in two years

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

12. City of Bethlehem opens Monocacy Way Trail connection

Source: Lehigh Valley Live

13. City of Bethlehem improves Saucon Park in south Bethlehem

Source: WFMZ

Public Safety:

14. City of Bethlehem Fire Department works with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 735 to fill vacancies quicker

Source: Lehigh Valley News

15. City of Bethlehem purchases new fire engines to update fleet

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2024

16. City of Bethlehem spends millions to update Bethlehem Police Department vehicle fleet

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

17. City of Bethlehem adds new paramedics for the first time since 2007

Source: WFMZ

18. City of Bethlehem expands Community Connections initiative that partners Bethlehem Police with Health Bureau employees

Source: Lehigh Valley News

19. City of Bethlehem partners with State of Pennsylvania to offer recruiting bonuses to new police officers

Source: Lehigh Valley News

Housing:

20. City of Bethlehem partners with Lehigh Valley Industrial Park to launch Gateway on 4th mixed-income housing development

Source: Lehigh Valley News

21. City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Housing Authority partner on planned transformation of Pembroke neighborhood

Source: Pembroke Choice Website

Source: Lehigh Valley News

22. City of Bethlehem releases Opening Doors - a comprehensive housing attainability and affordability strategy

Source: City of Bethlehem Website

23. City of Bethlehem partners with Lehigh Conference of Churches to create new housing

Source: City of Bethlehem City Council Memo

Community Development:

24. Patillas, Puerto Rico announced as City of Bethlehem’s sixth sister city

Source: WFMZ

Source: City of Bethlehem Video

25. City of Bethlehem becomes 26th American World Heritage Site

Source: Lehigh Valley News

26. Bethlehem named top 100 place to live in America three years in a row

Source: Livability.com

27. Bethlehem named one of the top 15 Christmas destinations in the world

Source: CNN

Sustainability:

28. City of Bethlehem launches Bethlehem Climate Challenge

Source: WFMZ

Source: City of Bethlehem Video

29. City of Bethlehem hires first Sustainability Manager

Source: Lehigh Valley News

30. City of Bethlehem implements Climate Action Plan

Source: Lehigh Valley News

Source: Event Video

31. City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Parking Authority partner to bring bike culture downtown with new Coalition for Appropriate Transportation retail space in Walnut Street Garage

Source: WFMZ

Source: City of Bethlehem Video

32. City of Bethlehem announces 2025 Bike Master Plan and Complete Streets Plan to make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists

Source: City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

Neighborhood Investment:

33. Northside Alive neighborhood revitalization initiative

Source: Project Website

34. SouthSide Tomorrow - a neighborhood investment partnership between Community Action Development Bethlehem and the City of Bethlehem

Source: Project Website

35. City completes South Bethlehem Community Center feasibility study

Source: Lehigh Valley News

36. City of Bethlehem launches We Build Bethlehem, a community investment strategy

Source: Project Website

37. City of Bethlehem establishes Community Recovery Fund to assist non-profits following Covid

Source: The Morning Call

38. City of Bethlehem launches Live in the Garden concert series

Source: Lehigh Valley Live

39. City of Bethlehem reopens Westside Pool

Source: The Morning Call

40. City of Bethlehem eyes Linden Street two way conversion to improve safety and cohesion of neighborhood

Source: WFMZ

Other Accomplishments:

41. City of Bethlehem hires first Director of Equity and Inclusion

Source: Lehigh Valley Live

42. Bethlehem joins Allentown and Easton to partner with Lehigh Valley Health Network on Blue Zones initiative

Source: Lehigh Valley Business

43. City of Bethlehem joins Three City Coalition with Allentown and Easton to tackle regional issues

Source: The Morning Call

44. City of Bethlehem modernizes special event permit process, shortens approval time

Source: City of Bethlehem Website

45. City of Bethlehem launches citywide equity plan

Source: Lehigh Valley News

46. City of Bethlehem brings back St. Patrick’s Day Parade in conjunction with Celtic Cultural Alliance

Source: The Morning Call

47. City of Bethlehem works with Artsquest to bring Musikfest back to Payrow Plaza in City Hall Complex

Source: Lehigh Valley Live

48. City of Bethlehem launches The Bethlehem Corner to tell community leaders’ stories

Source: City Of Bethlehem YouTube Channel

49. City of Bethlehem debuts new health van to provide neighborhood services

Source: The Morning Call

50. City of Bethlehem launches “Better Blocks for Bethlehem," a cross-departmental program to promote violence and injury prevention at the neighborhood level.

Source: WFMZ

Tim Reilly's Wite-in Bid Fails in Easton Mayoral Contest

Easton firefighter Tim Reilly waged a last-minute write-in contest to capture the 100 votes needed to secure the Republican nomination in the Easton Mayoral primary. He fell short. 

Reilly only attracted 21 of the 149 write-in votes cast by Republicans. In fact, the leading write-in candidate on the Republican side of the ballot was Mayor Sal Panto, who pulled in 59 Republican votes. Peter Melan, another Democrat, bested Reilly with 22 write-ins. The remaining 47 votes are "not assigned." 

Panto secured the Democratic nomination last week by beating Peter Melan, 1,629 to 704. 

While these results are all unofficial, it appears that Panto is on his way to an unprecedented 7th term as Easton's Mayor. 

Panto has focused his efforts as Mayor on keeping Easton "clean and safe." Meanwhile, Allentown is a pigsty and is being forced to consider a city initiative that would keep police officers sidelined for 9-1-1 calls. 

Jones Mayoral Bid: "Building an Arena Cannot Save a City"

David Jones running for Mayor

When Lehigh County Comm'r David Jones announced his Allentown Mayoral plans yesterday outside of City Hall, he had company. Sure, about 20 friends and family members were on hand, but that's to be expected. Also just a few feet away was none other than Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. He was singing along in a few raga chaturangs, of all things, with a second crowd of about 50 people who were celebrating Indian Independence Day. Ravi Shankar, he ain't. He kept glancing over at Jones and I said, "Why don't you take a picture? It will last longer." So he did! But he was pretending to be interested in Indian heritage, so he was snapping pics of the ceremony, which seemed to involve every single one of that country's 1.25 billion people.

Pawlowski was really looking forward to saying a few words, but they kept passing him over. They must have heard about his power points. Even the police chief was called before Fed Ed.

In addition to Fed Ed, three Republicans came to watch Dave's announcement. Lehigh County GOP Mentat Dean Browning was there, along with Controller Glenn Eckhart (not exactly a Mentat) and Comm'r Mike Schware (thinks he's a mentat). "We're here to observe," explained Browning.

Instead of being frazzled by these distractions, Jones charged forward. He ignored Pawlowski and invited the GOP to join him. "There's room for Republicans," he joked.

Jones is a preacher. He's a Pastor at New Vision Church, but is an Old Time Religion speaker used to pausing for an occasional "Amen." But instead of that, he got periodic applause.

Fed Ed

"I'm running on behalf of those who heard the words and promises of progress, but haven't felt that progress in their own lives or in the parts of the city that they live in. I'm ready to fight to prove that progress includes every person in the City of Allentown. I'm running because the trust and confidence that city government works for everyone equally, has been broken, and our city desperately needs healing. I'm running because I believe that the cloud that has hovered over the City must be lifted, and the need for open, honest, transparent leadership has never been greater. I'm running because this is a crucial time in the City of Allentown."

While Fed Ed was a few feet away, looking for a tabla so he could demonstrate his percussion proficiency, Jones said that Allentown should build on all of its assets instead of looking for "silver bullet" solutions. Jones said that Allentown needs to improve all of its neighborhoods, "not just certain select areas."

"My principles are simple: integrity, honesty, transparency and collaboration with the people of Allentown."

Unlike Chicago transplant Fed Ed, Jones pointed out that he grew up on nearby Penn St and is a proud Dieruff Huskie. He grew up in the Cumberland Gardens Projects. That's where he met Karen, his wife of 31 years. Together, they raised five children.

"Allentown is my home," he flatly said.

In the meantime, Fed Ed pulled out a sitar and started plucking away.

These girls were all wired.

In addition to being a clergyman, Jones has over 20 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sector. As a veteran Lehigh County Commissioner with ten years of experience, he pointed out that he deals with $400 million budgets, which is four times the size of Allentown's. He noted Lehigh County maintains a $25 million cash reserve along with a pension fund that is nearly fully funded.

Much of the reason for that is Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller. The rest would be the Republicans who were watching Jones.

He acknowledged this partnership of Democrats and Republicans, too.

"I've been a uniter, working across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, to facilitate good, sensible government by bringing balanced solutions to the county's challenges."

Jones said the first thing he'd do as Mayor is commission a forensic audit. He added that he would focus on "the heart of the City. Building an arena cannot save a city. A city is its people. Her people make up the heartbeat and thriving pulse of the city."

After his announcement, Jones called on Fed Ed to resign.

"In my three campaigns, I have never received a formal endorsement from the Mayor, nor one campaign contribution. ... I have been standing on my own."

I wanted to stay and sell one of old cell phones to Fed Ed, but it was awful hot and he was busy patting down a woman in a sari, convinced that she was wired.

"I know there's a wire in there somewhere," he muttered.

Hozza Seeking Third Term as Whitehall's Mayor

FROM ED HOZZA CAMPAIGN: Last night, Whitehall Township Mayor Edward Hozza, Jr. announced his intention to run for re-election to the seat he has held since 2008.

“It has been my pleasure to serve the citizens of Whitehall over the last eight years,” said Mayor Hozza. “I look forward to building on my progress in bringing Whitehall into the 21st Century while also remembering our Township’s history.”

Hozza continues to work as Whitehall’s “full-time mayor” and hopes to work to improve the lives of its citizens every day in the future. He has successfully balanced seven budgets over his two terms as mayor When Mayor Hozza took office, the township was at its debt level in 33 years and the township has seen its debt level decrease to its lowest amount since 2003. At the same rate, Whitehall Township will have its planned lowest debt payment in 2017 due to Mayor Hozza’s focus on paying down the township’s debt. By implementing a non-essential personnel hiring freeze, bidding contracts into categories, and switching healthcare providers, Mayor Hozza has saved the residents of Whitehall Township over $5 million during one of the country’s worst economic periods. Whitehall has also stabilized its pension obligations at a level that reduces future liabilities and burdens on taxpayers, stabilizing the budget.

Mayor Hozza also continues to work towards a safer Whitehall for both its residents and visitors. He has begun to plan for future succession plans for the police department by approving the promotions of several officers and has approved technology upgrades to improve information sharing and make the department more efficient. He also reviewed the existing ten-year fire apparatus replacement schedule and expanded it to include every new apparatus for the next 23 years.

“Public safety has been and will continue to be one of my chief concerns over the next four years,” said Mayor Hozza. “I have already begun to study the feasibility of a new police station to replace our current aging one and have studied the possible legal ramifications of the prospect of mandating body cameras on our police officers.”

With Whitehall’s reliance on a strong commercial tax-base, Mayor Hozza has reenergized economic development in Whitehall over the last eight years and will do so moving forward. He resurrected the Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development authority to advocate for redevelopment in the township. His main focus has been the redevelopment of the former Lehigh Valley Dairy and Mayor Hozza continues to call for a tax incentive for developers to reuse the property. He plans on continuing to pursue a CRIZ designation for Whitehall along with a TIF and LERTA for the dairy property with other government entities in the township.

Mayor Hozza also sees Whitehall’s economy moving away from a sole reliance on retail to one focusing on other sectors like the healthcare industry. “With the aging population of both Whitehall and the country as a whole, the need for medical staffing over the next 30 years will skyrocket,” said Mayor Hozza. “I look forward to an announcement on the plans of Lehigh Valley Health Network on their intentions for their 143-acre property they own along MacArthur Road.”

Mayor Hozza demonstrated his dedication to open space preservation in Whitehall Township by working with federal, state, and county agencies to purchase the Prydun Farm, the first case of new open space in Whitehall Township since the implementation of its new strategic plan. Mayor Hozza also worked with the Ironton Rail Trail to complete the paving of the trail by the end of this year and helped to implement the construction of the D&L Trail through Whitehall.

Mayor Hozza is a member the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, which granted Whitehall Township its Transportation Public Safety Award last year for the State Route 145 Safety Improvement Project. Hozza is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association, the Pennsylvania League of Municipalities, and he and his wife, Denise, are active members of the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and are active members of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church

Blogger's Note: What is less than apparent in this news release is Hozza's great sense of humor. I sat next to him during meetings in which he had me rolling on the floor. He needs to be able to laugh because Whitehall is the fourth largest municipality in the Lehigh Valley. (The largest are Allentown, Bethlehem, Lower Macungie, Whitehall and Easton.)

Commissioner Jerry Palagonia, a former Township police officer, is also running.

Bangor Spent $7,000 on "Leadership" Course For Departing Mayor

Bangor Mayor John Brown accepted $6,950 in taxpayer funds from Borough Council last year to attend a week-long "Executive Integral Leadership" course at Notre Dame University, where his son was a student.  This tuition included his room and board, although he paid his own travel expenses. So basically, he was paid approximately seven times his $1,000 annual salary to help him be a better County Executive. It certainly won't help him be a better Mayor, because he's not seeking re-election.

Since Brown has no intention of remaining with the Borough, I asked him whether he feels obligated to return the money spent on his training. "No," was his one word reply.

I also asked whether it is appropriate to seek seven times his annual salary to attend some course (and visit his son) when he's now running for County Executive. "If I thought it was inappropriate, I wouldn't have asked."

He tells me that he's learned that "one of the challenges in government is leadership."

I could have told him that for a quarter.

Brown admitted receiving an email from me some months ago and acknowledged he never bothered to respond to it. I've heard from others that he has a poor opinion of the press and an even poorer opinion of bloggers.

Now he has a reason for that opinion.

Is this the best Republicans can do? Seriously. From Tricia Mezzacappa, who was circulating her petition at Wal-Mart on Saturday night, to this?

Obama Organizer To Run Reynolds' Campaign

Laura Collins

Are there any idealists left? If there are, would you ever expect to see them running a political campaign? Those who put in long and hard hours on political campaigns are true believers. But only a few retain their ideals. One of them is Laura Collins, who is working for Willie Reynolds' Mayoral campaign in Bethlehem.

Even though I'm a bottom-feeding blogger whose idea of a good time is looking through Willie Reynolds' garbage cans, Laura met me last week at Panera Bread.

"You do know I'm a stalker, don't you?" I asked her.

She just laughed at me.

A little nervously.

Laura is a Bethlehem-area product. Freedom High School. Villanova. Taught English in Argentina and Uganda. But during last year's presidential race, she was a field organizer in the Bethlehem area for the Obama campaign.

Laura met Willie Reynolds during that campaign, and he spent a lot of his time volunteering, going door to door. She said Willie would show up, even when the office was empty.

With the campaign over, Laura was preparing for another trip overseas when the phone rang. Willie asked her to work his Mayoral race, and she agreed.

"I found her to be a tireless campaigner who understands the important issues facing Bethlehem," explained Willie. "In 2012, President Obama won 66 percent of the vote in Bethlehem and Laura’s work in our neighborhoods was a big part of that.”

Ironically, Laura used that same language to describe Willie. She stayed because he is committed and willing to work.

"He's everywhere," she told me.

I know. Maybe he should start a blog, too.

I told Laura that Willie's opponent, Bob Donchez, is admired and respected in Bethlehem. I think even the Pope is preparing to endorse him. She agreed. She thinks Willie works hard and has good ideas and is the best person to move Bethlehem forward. She told me the campaign will be based on his ideas, not slurs.

She's an idealist. You can even see it in her eyes. It's very refreshing for a bottom-feeder like me.

Obviously, Willie's commitment to Obama is what inspired her. I had to ask. Were there any other Bethlehem politicians out there, knocking on doors for Obama?

Two. One of them is State Rep. Steve Samuelson, who would stop by if he had time to kill. Another is Mayor John Callahan, who would come to an empty office and work the phones, sometimes bringing his daughter with him.

Who's the Mayor?

I know you recognize the Mayor on the right. But how many of you recognize the Mayor on the left? Hint: He likes to tell me he's Italian.

First right answer gets lunch on me. Raimen noodles.

QCD: Tony Phillips' Campaign Finance Report is Late

Back in 2007, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski paid a $270 fine - the maximum - for filing his campaign finance reports late. Incredibly, he tried to pay that fine from his campaign funds, but Lehigh County Voting Registrar Stacy Sterner insisted he dip into his own pocket. Pawlowski has continued to stumble along, filing a bogus report late last year that falsely claimed he had no donors at all.

Allentown Mayoral candidate Tony Phillips has rightly condemned Pawlowski's bogus campaign finance reports, noting in addition that over 70% of Hizzoner's money comes from outside Allentown. But as Jarrett Renshaw observes at Queen City Daily, "Tony Phillips has failed his first test to live up to his own standards." He failed to file his own campaign finance report on Friday, and is being assessed a daily fine for that oversight.