Michael Colon is in! (10)

(10th in a series of posts on candidates for election)

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Bethlehem City Councilman Michael G. Colón

Today I’d like to officially announce in the May primary I will be seeking reelection to my seat on Bethlehem City Council. Serving the citizens of Bethlehem has been a rewarding and humbling honor since I took office in 2016. An honor I value as one of the highest forms of service to the community. The next three months I’ll continue to be out in the community, in our neighborhoods answering what questions I can for the citizens of Bethlehem while asking for another four years as their representative on Council.

Bethlehem is currently in the middle of major transition as we merge our own existing 911 center with the Northampton County 911 center. As chair of the city council public safety committee, a former county 911 dispatcher, current county employee, and citizen of Bethlehem I find myself in a unique position to provide oversight and feedback during the transition. Moving ahead I also look forward to using the public safety committee to continue following how Bethlehem is handling the on-going opioid epidemic which sadly no community is immune from. During the summer of 2018 we were able to bring representatives from state, county, and city levels of government to a committee meeting for a comprehensive outlook on how we’re addressing this problem. In the face of local and regional competition I will work to grow Bethlehem’s economy as we continue to bring in new jobs, support small business, and revitalize our city. Lastly, I will continue to stay involved in our community listening to the feedback from all corners of Bethlehem. My community involvement includes volunteering with Marvine Elementary School, Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, and the Downtown Bethlehem Association in various roles to support their mission of building a better Bethlehem.

In my next term I will continue to work with all members of council to continue moving Bethlehem in a positive direction. In recent years Bethlehem has seen a steady decrease in serious crimes, three recent bond rating increases, and numerous initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for our residents. I love calling Bethlehem my hometown and want to continue making it an ideal place for families and business for years to come.

A reminder that the new candidates for Council thus far are Grace Crampsie Smith, Will Carpenter, Carol Chamberlain Ritter, and David Saltzer. Other incumbents running are J. William Reynolds and Paige Van Wirt. Incumbent Shawn Martell is not running.