Latest in a series of posts on city government 
The newspaper articles on last night’s City Council election say that twenty-two residents flooded the podium to support Olga Negron’s (unsuccessful) candidacy for Council president.
Yep, Gadfly saw it. Gadfly attests. No fake news there.
Who is Olga Negron?
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Olga Negrón
WORKING EXPERIENCE
2016-Present Councilwoman, City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA Make and approve ordinances, appropriations and budget. Represent the community at large. 2017-Elected Vice President by councilmembers.
2016-Present Community Liaison, HGSK Law Firm, Allentown, PA Serve as a connection to the community for the law firm developing relationships in the Lehigh Valley. Complete new clients’ intakes as necessary and serve as interpreter. Serve as a connection to community resources need it to support firms clients as well as community at large. Participate in community outreach activities representing HGSK.
2014-2015 Adult Services Technician, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem, PA Coordinate all services for adults fulfilling community needs including the homebound program, ESL and computer classes. Coordinate volunteers for the homebound delivery. Translate all library materials into Spanish. Represent BAPL at community events and meeting as need it. Support library staff with all librarian duties including opening and closing the library. Order all library Spanish material. Keeping a good relationship with adult patrons in order to better understand community needs.
2014 General Sales Manager, La Ola Radio, Allentown, PA Serviced existing accounts, obtained orders, and established new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call on existing or potential sales outlets and other trade factors. Maintained professional and technical knowledge by reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies. Provided historical records by maintaining records on area and customer sales. Created commercial script, recorded voice, served as on-air interpreter as need it.
2012-2014 Legislative Assistant, State Representative Steve Samuelson, House of Representative, PA Provided a variety of administrative and legislative services and coordinated workload accordingly including members’ calendar/scheduling. Maintained a constituent contact database and spreadsheet files. Processed state related forms, and other constituent-related materials. Created and maintained relationships with local businesses and local, county and federal government officials. Represented the Member at events in the district.
2011 Executive Director, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, Bethlehem, PA Provided support to and worked closely with the Board of Directors to ensure strong fiscal health, sustain positive community relations, and increase overall visibility. Managed all communications including marketing, public relations and social media. Cultivated community relationships and developed strategic partnerships with local organizations. Served as public face of the organization, clearly articulating its mission, programs and positive impact on the community. Recruited, trained and coordinated volunteers. Be present every night during show, welcomed and presented artist and responsible for auditing collections after every show.
2009-2011 Executive Director, Hispanic Center, Bethlehem, PA Supervised all program coordinators. Worked closely with the Board of Directors to ensure strong fiscal health, sustain positive community relations, and increase overall visibility.
Developed and managed annual budget and executed annual fundraising plan, including identifying foundations and government funding sources; executing grant proposals. Managed all communications including marketing and public relations. Cultivated community relationships and developed strategic partnerships with local organizations. Served as public face of the organization, clearly articulating its mission, programs and positive impact on the community.
2003-2009 Neighborhood Coordinator, City of Allentown Weed & Seed Initiative, Allentown, PA Coordinated trainings, meetings and organizing work of community leaders. Enhanced residents’ capacity to utilize effective problem solving strategies to address community needs. Ensured residents’ and small business owners’ voices were heard through the revitalization efforts by building relationships, teaching empowerment and engaging them in the process. Promoted approaches to enhance effective and culturally relevant, prevention, intervention, treatment and effective neighborhood restoration and economic development efforts. Supported Site Coordinator with grant writing and monthly reports. Prepared and administrated mini-grants, including administering the spending when and the required follow-up reporting. Conducted public speaking events and presentations about program and created letters, flyers, brochures, newsletters, reports and facilitated trainings and meetings in both English and Spanish.
2002-2003 Community Organizer, CUNA, Allentown, PA Created and provided leadership development training to pastors and lay leaders on a Faith Based Community Organizing Structure, using as a model a national organization PICO (Pacific Institute for Community organizing). Work with people of different ages, religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Translate all letters, flyers, brochures, trainings into Spanish language. Organized and supported leaders to run community meetings.
1996-2002 Outreach Specialist/Family Advocate, Community Services for Children Inc, Allentown, PA Recruited and enrolled families for programs. Developed relationships with community agencies for referrals. Organized, created and conducted outreach activities and facilitated training experiences and parent meetings. Worked with parents and families from a diverse background. I was responsible for data entry of all enrollment information; created and translated letters, flyers, monthly newsletters and brochures.
EDUCATION
2008 Logic Model and Strategic Planning Certificate, (4 days), CCD, Dallas, TX
2006 Leadership Training Certificate, (6 months), The Pennsylvania Prison Society
2005 Grant Proposal Writing Certificate, (2 days), NeighborWorks Training Institute 2004-2005 Leadership Development Certificate (2 yrs), Institute for Leadership Education, Advancement & Development (I-LEAD) April,
2004 Community Organizing Certificate, (2 days), NeighborWorks Training Institute
2002 & 2003 Community Organizing Certificate, (7 days), PICO, Oakland, CA & Staten Island, NY 1
998 Diversity Train the Trainer Certificate, (5 days), National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), Washington, DC
1994-1996 Associate Degree, Marketing, Austin Community College, Austin, Texas 1992-1994 Commercial Art, Austin Community College, Austin, Texas
1989-1992 Commercial Art, Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, FL
1985-1987 Humanities, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
2018-Present Member, Governor Advisory Council on Library, Appointed by Gov. Wolf 2016-Present Board Member (Chair), Hispanic Chamber, Bethlehem, PA
2010-Present Board Member, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Appointed by City Council 2017-2018 Board Member, New Bethany Ministries, Bethlehem, PA
2017-2018 Member Pastoral Council, Holy Infancy Church, Bethlehem, PA
2008-2017 Board Member (Past President), Community Action Committee LV, Bethlehem, PA
2016-2017 Board Member, Casa Guadalupe Center, Allentown, PA
2012-2015 Member, Bethlehem Planning Commission, Appointed by former Mayor Callahan
2010-2015 Member, Rotary International, Bethlehem, PA 2008-2015 Member, Vision 2020, Bethlehem, PA
2008-2012 Member, Mayor’s Southside Task Force, Bethlehem, PA
2007-2009 Host & Director of Our Community TV Show, Latin Unlimited TV, Allentown, PA
2005-2010 Board Member, Community Action Development Corporation Bethlehem 2005-2009 Member, Community Revitalization and Crime Prevention Advisory Committee- Appointed by former Governor Rendell, Harrisburg, PA
2004-2008 Board Member (Past Secretary), Alliance for Building Communities, Allentown, PA
2004-2008 Board Member, Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, PA 2003-2011 Member, Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition, Philadelphia, PA
2002-2010 Board Member (Past-President), Puerto Rican Cultural Coalition, Bethlehem, PA
HONORS AND AWARDS
2019 Take the Lead Award in Public Service, Girls Scout of Eastern PA
2018 Outstanding Public Servant, YWCA, Bethlehem, PA
2017 Woman of Influence Community Achievement Award, Lehigh Valley Business, PA 2015 Elected to Bethlehem City Council, Bethlehem, PA
2015 Leadership Award, Strive Inc. Allentown, PA
2014 Government Service, Latinos Moving Forward, Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA 2013 Legendary Locals of Bethlehem, Book by Karen M. Samuels, Bethlehem, PA
2011 Lehigh Valley Woman, Lehigh Valley Magazine, Bethlehem, PA
2008 Hispanic Pride (Orgullo Hispano), Univision 65, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Judge Philadelphia Puerto Rican Day Parade, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Latino Leadership Award, Lehigh Valley Latino Magazine, Allentown, PA
2007 Personaje Ñ, WFMZ 69, Allentown, PA
2006 Coordinator of the Year, PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Harrisburg, PA 2006 Allentown Human Relations Award Recipient, Allentown, PA
2006 Personaje Ñ, WFMZ 69, Allentown, PA
2001 Caring for the Community Award, Community Services for Children, Allentown, PA 1999 Bright Star Award, Community Services for Children, Allentown, PA
1996 Presidential Award for Academic Excellence & Community Involvement, AC
to be continued . . .
Has Ms. Negron been vetted for any potential ethics or conflict violations as per her employment with a private law firm that boasts her elected office as a City of Bethlehem Council member?
Has she been cleared?
Thank you.
A public official cannot use their office to benefit themselves or their private interests.
Is that a correct statement?