(The latest in a series of posts on City government)
Morning Call photo
Smith is on the verge! Let’s welcome her. If you browse through “candidates for election” under Topics on the Gadfly sidebar, you will find abundant statements by her. One of Gadfly’s goals is to help you know your Councilpersons.
Democrat Grace Crampsie Smith, who is running unopposed this fall for Bethlehem City Council, will be sworn into her seat on council early.
She was unanimously picked Tuesday by City Council to fill out the final four months of the term of freshman Councilman Shawn Martell, a Democrat who resigned this month for personal reasons. She is unopposed on the November ballot for a two-year term, which would start in January.
Smith is expected to be sworn into office next month.
After Tuesday’s vote, Smith said in an interview that she was honored and humbled by the support she received during the campaign and by council’s appointment. She said she appreciated the ability to join council in time to be part of vetting Mayor Robert Donchez’s budget proposal for next year.
Smith, a school counselor, holds a master’s degree in education and school counseling from Lehigh University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and social welfare from Bloomsburg University.
She was a member of the adjunct faculty at Lehigh Carbon Community College and also worked as an addictions counselor and coordinator of community and early intervention services for the office of Lehigh County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. She completed the Bethlehem Police Citizens Academy. And has participated in several political groups including the Northampton County Democratic Committee, Lehigh Valley Democratic Progressive Coalition, Lehigh Valley ROAR and Lehigh Valley for All.
