Month: January 2020

The 2 W. Market case: no tempest in a teapot

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Barbara Diamond enjoys retirement as Lehigh University Director of Foundation Relations by engaging in various activities and organizations hopefully for the betterment of the community. Her particular interests at the moment are preventing gun violence, local government ethics reform, and Bethlehem Democratic Committee work.

Thank you Gadfly for reporting so extensively on 2 West Market St. Some people may wonder why this matters so much and see it as a tempest in a teapot. In fact this has a far-reaching impact that could adversely affect property owners in residentially zoned neighborhoods in the city. It is also about using the levers of government to dispense favorable treatment to a well-connected benefactor.

The simple facts are that the Marketer, as you call him, decided to move his business from the commercial district on Broad St to a house in the historic district. The ZHB declined a variance twice to do so but granted one not long after he made a substantial gift to build the mounted police stable. He commenced renovations knowing that litigation was ongoing and the ZHB’s favorable decision might be overturned — and it was, unanimously, by the Commonwealth Court.

Endeavoring to get his way nonetheless, he decided to get the city to alter its zoning ordinance so that his property would fit in. This was done by a tortured amendment to the corner store provision in such a way that he could operate his business in a residential neighborhood. No analysis was done by the city as required to determine how many other properties might be affected, and no property owners were notified before the city council approved it. Darlene Heller, Director of Planning and Zoning, acknowledged in a memo to the Bethlehem Planning Commission (BPC) that the amendment clearly benefits the business owner, and that the potential impacts on the city are unknown: “this amendment is specifically written to provide relief for one individual’s property, but there is no information about the overall number of properties that will be affected. . . . the end result of the amendment is unclear.” The BPC did not approve the amendment, but the city council did. With their favorable vote, Councilmen Waldron, Callahan, Martell, and Reynolds failed to abide by the intent of their zoning code to preserve residential neighborhoods throughout the city for the benefit of one special interest business promoted by the Mayor.

We are before the ZHB as part of the appeal process, but because of city politics we suspect that they will rule in favor of the Marketer. You only have to look at the table where the city’s attorney (who is paid by tax-payers) sits beside and confers with the marketer’s attorney to know the outcome.

Nevertheless we believe this is a fight worth the time, effort, and money. When individuals use their influence to get favorable treatment that materially has a detrimental impact on others in the community, it should be challenged.

Barbara

As always, Gadfly invites opposing views.

Bethlehem Moment: Lucy and Mary Packer, Asa Packer’s Daughters

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Bethlehem Moment 19
City Council
January 6, 2020

Johanna Brams
1727 Elm

Video
Audio

Bethlehem Moment: January 1, 1873

January 1873, 147 years ago.  Lucy Evelyn Packer Linderman is recovering from a serious horse and carriage accident on the ice-covered what is now Packer Avenue – just down the hill from Lehigh University, founded by her father Asa.

She, at 41, and her sister Mary Hannah Packer, at 34, are the two surviving female adults of Asa Packer’s seven children. Lucy

Lucy is considered beautiful and an image of her,  with her stylish clothes and carefully coiffed and braided hair, show a handsome woman, a leader of Bethlehem society, married to a doctor, Garrett Linderman, who showed up in the cholera epidemic some years before – and is now a Lieutenant in her father’s businesses

An image of young Mary, on the other hand, shows her as short, plump, with coke bottle Young Maryglasses and plainly dressed.  At 34 she would be considered a spinster, dedicated to serving her family’s needs.  A contemporary narrative says: “There were suitors . . . who were anxious for the hand of Miss Packer, but she stubbornly avoided all advances in that direction.”  Mary was known as somewhat of a recluse, as result of an accident and subsequent eye ailments that had led to her being blind in one eye, and with limited vision in the other.

Lucy survived the accident but dies later that year, in July, of pneumonia – contracted as she attempted rehabilitation in a spa in mountains to the north.

Asa, grief-stricken, builds Linderman Library in Lucy’s honor in 1875, and dies in 1879.

Within five years, by 1884,  all the remaining members of the Packer family – two brothers and Asa’s wife – also pass – and Mary Hannah Packer is the only surviving member of the family.

Mary may be reclusive and nearly blind, but she is not stupid.  A woman ahead of her time, she recognizes that she cannot inherit the fabulous Packer fortune – built on canal boats and what would become the Pennsylvania Railroad and Bethlehem Steel – in her chosen unmarried status.

In order to take advantage of the then recently passed Women’s Marriage Act – which guaranteed married women the right to inheritance – she enlists Charles Cummings, a former conductor on the railroad and a loyal family friend – to marry her.

She pays him 100,000 dollars – worth about 2 and a half million today — and has him sign one of the first pre-nuptual agreements in the state.

Charles and Mary never live together and are divorced in 1893.

Upon her marriage, Mary Hannah Packer Cummings, as the sole heir to the Packer fortune,  inherits 54 and a half million dollars – worth about 1.5 billion today.  She becomes the most wealthy woman in the country and second in wealth in the world – to only Queen Victoria.

She travels around the world 17 times.

She becomes a philanthropist and is considered a bit of a Bohemian, a patron of the arts, literature, and music.Older Mary

She builds Packer Church at Lehigh, and supports the university well and repeatedly over the years.

She also builds All Saints Episcopal Church down the hill from her house in Mauch Chaunk (now Jim Thorpe) in 1906.

Mary Hannah Packer Cummings died in 1912, the only member of her immediate family to see the 20th century.

There are many accounts of sightings of her ghost, still short and plump, plainly dressed and with coke-bottle glasses — as she wanders about – checking on the properties she built.

“He’s not providing us with evidence,” says the Zoning Hearing Board solicitor in the 2 W. Market case

94th in a series of posts on 2 W. Market St.

Here’s another interesting head-scratcher.

In the 2 W. Market case, what constitutes evidence?

Gadfly thinks you will find this 5 minutes of Steve Diamond’s testimony provocatively relevant to that question.

Part of Mr. Diamond’s testimony on the economic impact of a vague zoning amendment on the large investment he and others have put in their historic area properties is dismissed as speculative, and the bottom line in his testimony about the physical and financial stress generated by uncertainty is dismissed as providing no evidence, no facts.

Your own mental state is not a fact, not evidence.

Are you seeing the kind of personal and legal swamp you might have to wade through in order to protect your property, your neighborhood?

to be continued . . .

“I’m missing the point,” the ZHB solicitor says about the Mayor’s involvement in the 2 W. Market decision

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The Zoning Hearing Board meets on 2 W. Market again tonight. Might be the last time. One can hope that we will hear closing arguments.

So Gadfly is kind of rushing to come up to speed and to point out to you interesting elements from the December 11 meeting.

So let Gadfly start with the testimony of Bruce Haines for the neighbors. It will give you a stark understanding of the difference between public commentary at a City Council meeting meant to influence a Council decision and the quasi-legal format of the Zoning Hearing Board.

Simply stated, there are things you can say to Council that don’t “count” at an appeal hearing like this before the ZHB.

Let Gadfly ask you a question.

Do you think a Mayor’s position on an issue can have influence on his Planning Director and City Council members?

Gadfly would say yes. How about you?

Certainly this was an issue in the meetings on 2 W. Market before the Planning Commission and City Council. The Planning Director did not endorse/approve the Marketer proposal. The Mayor weighed in on the side of the Marketer — and did so late in the game. So neither the City Planning Director nor the City Planning Commission approved the Marketer petition. But the Mayor — who, of course, had no formal vote at any time — overrode his Planning Director, and his position favorable to the petition was well known to Council members, some of whom might be thought to be his allies, and the public. There was suspicion that the Mayor’s favorable position was a favor to a prominent financial contributor to the City and that the Mayor’s favorable position was a factor in Council’s approval.

Hmm, has Gadfly characterized that fairly?

So, Gadfly would say that in the mind of followers of the local proceedings the beliefs and actions of the Mayor were quite relevant to the passing of the Marketer petition.

But not so in front of ZHB.

Take 5 minutes and follow Mr. Haines sparring with the City attorney and the ZHB solicitor over the Mayor’s involvement.

You will hear that there is no relevance to what the Mayor felt, said, did. It doesn’t matter if the Mayor was for or against. You will hear that the Board doesn’t care if the Mayor endorsed or not. It doesn’t matter if the Mayor contradicted his Planning Director.

The ZHB solicitor ends this exchange by saying he’s “missing the point” of Mr. Haines’s recurring references to the Mayor’s role.

Really?

Makes Gadfly feel like a country rube.

But you will enjoy Mr. Haines braving the legal dragons.

to be continued . . .

Another way to look at Bethlehem as “the jewel of the Lehigh Valley”

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Gadfly has been thinking a lot about Bethlehem as the “jewel of the Lehigh Valley.”

That is the climactic phrase in Mayor Donchez’s annual op-ed on the state of things in our city published in the January 3 Morning Call.

The core of his metaphor is a series of achievements by the Mayor and his administration: financial stability, public safety improvements, recreation projects, a Climate Action Plan, and so forth.

All excellent accomplishments supportive of the jewel metaphor.

But for Gadfly, the Mayor’s examples don’t go far enough.

Those things are the jobs of the Mayor and the City staff. We expect them to do these things. And we value them for doing them so well. For we know that many City administrations do not.

But for Gadfly what contributes mightily to his feeling that Bethlehem is a jewel of a city is what he sees ordinary people do “for” the City unrelated to their jobs.

Gadfly’s examples are random and incomplete as he sits here this morning anxiously awaiting the president to speak on the Iran conflict.

But when Gadfly thinks of Bethlehem as a jewel of a City, he thinks mainly of such things as:

  • Touchstone Theater’s Festival UnBound
  • the work of a handful of women in Bethlehem Backyards for Wildlife
  • EAC member Brian Hillard delivering a report on electronic vehicles at the Bethlehem Parking Authority
  • ubiquitous Kathy Fox
  • indefatigable Stephen Antalics
  • the wonderful Bethlehem Momentors
  • the twenty-two enthusiastic but respectful candidate supporters at Monday’s Council meeting

This is a woefully inadequate list, hastily done. C’mon Mr. President, get to the microphones. But do you get what Gadfly means.

What has always impressed Gadfly is the high quality of the people who participate.

Not because of a job but more of something like a calling to perform service.

My list could go on and on. And you will have your own.

But I hope you catch my drift.

There are a lot of wonderful individual people who make Bethlehem “a jewel.”

And Gadfly tries to give them a place to shine.

Expert witness “untouched” believes the Gadfly

logo 92nd in a series of posts on 2 W. Market St. logo

So the neighbors’ expert witness Karen Beck Pooley made, as we saw last time, two conclusions about the text amendment relating to a business at 2 W. Market St. in a neighborhood zoned residential.

1) “The amendment didn’t clearly articulate the planning priorities set out in the Comprehensive Plan.”

Doing the course of the long series of meetings on this case that has generated 92 posts dating back before The Flood, Gadfly realized something about himself. He’s a “strict constructionist,” a “constitutionalist.” He saw the City Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning code as “constitutions” and wanted arguments to be based in them, to flow from them. He did not see that from the 2 W. Marketers.

2) “It was very unclear as to how the recommended adjustment would affect properties throughout the City.”

The Marketers presented a list of 8 properties that would be affected by their amendment, the City 142 properties. And there was no duplication! The lists had no properties in common! What the *!*!? To Gadfly, it was obviously unclear to what properties this amendment would apply. One wonders how the amendment could have passed the hurdles it did without clarity on this matter. Unbelievable.

Now it’s one thing to make such unchallenged public comments at City Council, quite another to face cross-examination by lawyers from the City and from the Marketers in the trial-like proceedings before the Zoning Hearing Board. Gadfly knows. He did not do particularly well under his cross-examination two meetings before. Ugh.

Not so with Beck Pooley. Gadfly invites you to sample the skill she showed under cross-examination. In Gadfly’s opinion the cross-examining attorneys succeeded only in giving her the opportunity to once again and more strongly state and elaborate her position.

In this following clip of cross-examination by the City attorney, note, for instance, how Beck Pooley avoids the attempt to make confusion about the amendment her problem. No, she says, it is not my confusion but the confusion of others that is clearly on the record, and as a specific example she cites again the lack of commonality in the property lists submitted by the City and by the marketers. Precisely one of her main points. To which the attorney can only say, “Ok.” In fact, he says it twice.

Note also what Gadfly would consider a crude lawyerly attempt to discredit Beck Pooley as an expert witness by testing her, by asking her the meaning of “text amendment”: “Do you understand what a text amendment is?” Rather than give a definition that the attorney could worry her over, Beck Pooley replies that’s it’s not her term but one used by others to describe the amendment in question — thus eluding a potential trap by avoiding the need to define it.

In this next clip from her cross-examination, Gadfly invites you to see Beck Pooley avoid similar traps set by the Marketer attorney in questions about the definitions of “spot zoning” and “non-conforming,” as well as her ability to avoid answering key questions “yes” or “no” as the attorney urges — rather, turning her answers into mini-lectures that effectively amplify her conclusions and show her grasp of the subject.

Thus, in Gadfly’s opinion, the cross-examination did not “touch” the two main conclusions in the testimony of the neighbors’ expert witness.

Now the testimony of other neighbor witnesses (with whom Gadfly followers will be familiar) the night of December 11 did not go as well for reasons that might surprise you.

to be continued . . .

Climate Action Plan: “This is a big deal”

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In a surprise addition to Monday’s City Council agenda — so surprising it occasioned a procedural question — City Council voted on and approved a contract with a firm to develop our Climate Action Plan.

An exuberant Councilman Reynolds, who — working with the Administration, the Environmental Advisory Council, and others — brought us to this moment, called the plan a “big deal.”

Which it certainly is!

Kudos all around.

Beautiful Reynolds’ words about the plan we love to hear:

  • City-wide energy reduction plan
  • Sustainability initiative
  • An Education piece
  • Connection to social justice
  • Discussion of pedestrian bridge
  • Discussion of Food Co-Op
  • Discussion of walkability

It’s Wednesday January 8, 2020. Do you know where your Climate Action Plan is?

Yes!

Who is Olga Negron? Part 1

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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?

Negron

————————-

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 . . .

Council election: Waldron, president; Colon, vice president!

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Elections are always exciting, and this one even more so because of the large turnout of residents to champion their candidate — the kind of public participation Gadfly lives for!

And the winners were Adam Waldron, returning as Council president, and Michael Colon as vice president.

Before the election Grace Crampsie Smith was sworn in for the first time as an elected Council member (she was appointed several months ago to fill Shawn Martell’s seat), as well as elected returnees Colon, Reynolds, and Van Wirt.

Gadfly will process and post some video of and commentary on the dramatic doin’s in the near future, but for now he recommends Sara Satullo’s article below to give you a sense of the significant issues and feelings at play in the election.

It’s a new year, new beginning for our City Council under the leadership of
Waldron and Colon!

Adam Waldron

Sara K. Satullo, “Given chance to select 1st Latina leader, Bethlehem City Council opts for status quo.” lehighvalleylive.com, January 7, 2020.

Despite a crowd of passionate supporters, Bethlehem City Council passed on a chance to appoint its first Latina council president, opting to continue under the leadership of President Adam Waldron.

Monday night’s council reorganization meeting — typically a routine affair — drew resident after resident urging the seven-member body to elect outgoing Council Vice President Olga Negron as council’s president for the next two years.

After two years as council president, Waldron — a father of four and local business owner — admitted he was unsure if he wanted another term, but ultimately decided he hoped to continue the council precedent of a president serving two terms after conversations with his colleagues and some trusted advisors.

Negron’s supporters flooded the podium to speak of her dedication to her community, her long resume of volunteerism and service on boards and her dedication to hearing from all of her constituents. Some spoke about how much it would mean for them to see a Latino, and a woman at that, leading their city’s government chambers. Dolores Caskey became council’s first female president in 1980.

Resident Mary Toulouse urged council to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, by selecting Negron to lead the elected council. “She is super qualified and I’m sure she would do an outstanding job,” Toulouse said.

Southside resident Kimberly Carrell Smith said Negron represents a new kind of leadership in Bethlehem that’s sorely needed. “She has such a quiet way of bringing people together, listening and doing her research,” Carrell Smith said.

It was an unusual show of support for an internal council leadership post. The council president’s primary duty is running the bi-monthly council meetings and coordinating with the city clerk’s office and members of council. The president receives $500 more a year than other council members. The vice president assumes the role when the president is absent.

Those in attendance Monday night ascribed the role with greater meaning.

“I think the time has come for leadership of women on city council and, I’ll even say, a female mayor of Bethlehem,” Councilwoman Dr. Paige Van Wirt said to applause.

Some expressed concerns that Waldron is not well-enough versed in Robert’s Rules of Order and has too “light of a gavel.” Council meetings in recent months have drawn on for hours, often featuring clashes amongst council members and controversy.

Resident Barbara Diamond said a change in leadership could be good for council as the lack of decorum lately has been concerning. “The council’s reputation is at stake,” she said.

Negron grew up attending rotary club meetings alongside her father, intrigued by Robert’s rules and she’s been drawn to leadership roles her entire life.

“Leadership is something that is part of my nature,” she said. “It is something I am very comfortable doing. .. You don’t have to say much in order to make a point. I think actions are much more powerful.”

While weighing a second run at the presidency, Waldron said he spoke to all council members and he did not receive significant negative feedback about how he runs meetings. He touted his efforts to get all council meetings live-streamed and posted to YouTube to make city hall more accessible to the public.

“I have been criticized a bit for allowing people to speak too much. That’s a criticism I will take,” Waldron said. “I do have what is called a soft gavel. In my opportunity to limit speech, I have chosen repeatedly not to do that.”

Southside resident Seth Moglen thanked Waldron for his time as president, but urged council to select Negron — someone with institutional knowledge, an impressive resume and who is beloved to an extraordinary degree. “I ask you to take seriously what you’ve heard from your neighbors,” Moglen said.

Ultimately, Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith nominated Waldron for a second term and Van Wirt nominated Negron. Waldron won in a 4-3 vote with Negron, Councilman Bryan Callahan and Van Wirt backing Negron for the leadership role.

Councilman J. William Reynolds said both Waldron and Negron are great council people. While in the moment these discussions can seem so important, council titles pale in importance to the working relationships between council, the mayor and the public, he said. “The future of this city comes down to our ability to work together and establish relationships,” Reynolds said.

Negron declined another shot at vice president and nominated Van Wirt for the position while Callahan nominated Councilman Michael Colon for the role. The job was not on Colon’s radar, but he said he would be happy to serve.

While vice president may be a symbolic position, Van Wirt said she thinks there’s some real power in that symbolism when it’s been 40 years since there’s been a female council president and that’s not “for want of qualified candidates.” Council missed a real opportunity Monday night to select a president whose election would have meant a lot to people across the community — women, Southside residents and Puerto Ricans, Van Wirt said.

Nicole Radzievich, “Here’s who will lead Bethlehem City Council.” Morning Call, January 7, 2020.

Bethlehem City Councilman Adam Waldron, a small businessman who acknowledges he has a “soft gavel,” was narrowly re-elected by his colleagues Monday to serve another two years as council president over Councilwoman Olga Negron, a long-time community organizer whose supporters rallied around her at the meeting.

Twenty-two people urged City Council to choose Negron because of her decades of experience in building consensus. Some noted the symbolism of having a qualified Latina woman in the position on the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

But a majority of council decided to stay the course with Waldron, who has led council through thorny zoning and other policy issues over the last two years. Council has also faced criticism that there have been recent breakdowns in political decorum at meetings.

Waldron acknowledged that he has been faulted for allowing people speak too much and using a “soft gavel,” but he stands by his decisions not to limit speech. “I don’t think limiting ideas that you’re not in agreement with or are unpopular is a healthy dialogue,” he said. “I think you combat unpopular ideas with better ideas.” He said he has also championed more open government with his role in getting council meetings live-streamed.

Voting for Waldron were council members Michael Colon, Grace Crampsie Smith, J. William Reynolds and Waldron. Council members Negron, Paige Van Wirt and Bryan Callahan voted for Negron.

As council vice president and a member of various community board, Negron has the experience to manage decorum at council meetings, Diamond said. Negron has served on nonprofit boards and been appointed by two governors to serve on statewide task forces.

Diamond’s words of support for Negron were echoed for more than an hour by supporters ranging from Lehigh political scientist Al Wurth to Hotel Bethlehem managing partner Bruce Haines.

Negron thanked her supporters. “I’ve been told I’m the quiet one you don’t have to say much to make a point,” she said. “I think actions are much more powerful.”

Also Monday, Councilman Michael Colon was elected vice president over Councilwoman Paige Van Wirt. The vice president runs council meetings when the president is absent.

The neighbors’ expert witness is “taken aback” at the 2 W. Market text amendment

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So — trying to keep things simple for you — this controversy begins with the “corner-store ordinance” on the books as part of the revision of the City Comprehensive Plan and Zoning code revisions about a decade ago.

The purpose of the corner store ordinance was to permit those properties originally designed to have a first-floor store but which had been converted into living spaces over time to be used again as stores.

Once this particular architectural configuration (the punched-in corner entrance) is pointed out to you, you, like me, will see they are abundant throughout the City.  They are distinctive architecturally.

Gadfly could probably find 5-10 without any trouble within a half-hour walking radius of both his home and work place.

The thrust of the owners of 2 W. Market’s efforts, including the text amendment now under fire, is to make this below kind of building originally designed to be a home equate with those originally designed as a store — and to allow a business use there.

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If you put the four pictures together and played the Sesame Street “which one doesn’t belong” game, the young ‘uns wouldn’t strain. Yet Commission and Council members did.

At the December 11 Zoning Hearing Board meeting, the first witness  — an “expert witness” — for the neighbors was Gadfly follower Karen Beck Pooley.

What conclusions did expert witness Beck Pooley reach?

1) “The amendment didn’t clearly articulate the planning priorities set out in the Comprehensive Plan.”

2) “It was very unclear as to how the recommended adjustment would affect properties throughout the City.”

Where does thinking about zoning begin, according to expert witness Beck Pooley? The City Comprehensive Plan.

“The new Comprehensive Plan was updated in 2009. That’s where the community’s priorities, vision, how it wants to see properties used . . . what it’s overall priorities are for how the City’s going to function and how people are going to interact in different spaces throughout the City. That’s set out first, established by that Comprehensive Plan, and the zoning ordinance is the tool the City has to control the way development happens . . . to be in accordance with the priorities set out in that Plan.”

What did expert witness Beck Pooley see comparing the text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance?

“I was taken aback at how different it was from the original intent of the ordinance. . . . The previous ordinance clearly stemmed from the City contemplating mixed uses, thinking about how a variety of uses existed in neighborhoods, harkened back to historical uses of properties in those neighborhoods . . . . The amendment operated in a very different way to actually allow non-conforming uses to expand which is sort of the opposite of what the typical zoning ordinance does.”

Makes sense to Gadfly. Throughout the long controversy Gadfly wondered about the silence surrounding the Comprehensive Plan in the proposer’s arguments, a Plan that Gadfly began to think of as analogous to a constitution. How could the amendment be good if it is not in accord with the constitution, thought Gadfly.

And, yes, the range, the impact of this amendment tailored to one property on other properties was never, never settled, so how could one vote for its passage?

Are you with me?

Seems a good start for the neighbors challenging the amendment.

Let’s see where the argument goes.

IMPORTANT ELECTION INFO FOR COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT! DON’T MISS!

info thanks to Stephen Antalics, truly Gadfly #1

IMPORTANT ELECTION INFO FOR COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT!

If you are going to speak about the Council elections tonight — for instance, to favor or endorse a particular candidate for office — you MUST do it in the first public comment space in the first meeting:

Public Comment.  (on any subject not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit)

——-

Explanation:

There are two meetings back-to-back tonight.

The first meeting is an “Old Council” meeting. It will adjourn when completed, and then there will immediately be a “reorganizational meeting” for “new council” in which there will be a swearing-in ceremony and nomination and election of officers.

Public comment in the “new council” meeting doesn’t come till after the elections.

So if you want to favor or endorse a particular candidate, you cannot wait for the second meeting, the “reorganizational meeting” for “new council.” The vote will have already happened before the time for public comment.

If you want to favor or endorse a particular candidate, you must do it during the first public comment space (on any subject not being voted on this evening) at the first meeting, the meeting for “old council.”

Got it?!

Gearing up for 2 W. Market again

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We are coming up on another in the long march of meetings by the Zoning Hearing Board on the 2 W. Market case.

Note that this is the 90th post on this subject. See “2 W. Market” under Topics on the Gadfly sidebar.

Not a case for the faint-hearted.

But fighting for your neighborhood, as Gadfly always says, is a good thing.

Gadfly does not expect his followers to remember all the details, especially because of the long gaps between action on the case.

Nor does he expect his followers to have the overflowing nerdiness to be as engaged in the argument of the case as he is.

Gadfly loves this stuff. Gadfly loves a good argument.

Some followers will remember that, after painstaking consideration of the case presented by both sides (charts, lists, audio, video), Gadfly sided with the neighbors who were protesting the right of the owners to run a business out of their 2 W. Market property in a zoned residential neighborhood.

Gadfly came to feel that the decisions to approve the business running through City committees up to and through City Council were egregiously wrong-headed.

And the Court has agreed when the neighbors appeal to higher authority.

But the owners of 2 W. Market are not faint-hearted either. In the latest phase of this struggle, they proposed a text amendment to the zoning code to allow their business, and that amendment was approved by the City, again rather astonishingly to Gadfly.

Now the neighbors are appealing again. That’s where we are.

The neighbors have the means and the will to continue to fight what they see is a commercial incursion into a neighborhood that is bent on maintaining its residential nature — allowing us to see full chapters of judicial processes.

The beauty for Gadfly in the fact that this phase of the case is moving so slowly is that it is easy to focus on each stage of argument and think along with it.

That’s what Gadfly is inviting you to do.

The 2 W. Market case is important because it is about the control of and the quality of life in a neighborhood. And we all live in neighborhoods.

But the case is also engaging as we think along with the contestants. Playing lawyer is an intellectually fun thing to do.

And maybe most of all the case is compelling because it has produced wonderful models of thoughtful residents fighting City Hall. Such as the examples of Paige Van Wirt and Martin Romeril as portrayed in Gadfly’s previous posts.

We all have to be ready to play those roles if our time comes.

So Gadfly invites you to hang with him for the next few posts as he thinks through the December 11 meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board on 2 W. Market St. in preparation for the January meeting on the horizon.

Good development news

Here are two articles about noteworthy improvements around town that accumulated in Gadfly’s newsbag while he was behind the moon for a couple weeks.

(Did you notice Gadfly’s absence?) (Tip o’ the hat to those who did!)

The golf course:

Nicole Radzievich, “Course correction: How Bethlehem turned around its cash-strapped golf course in one year.” Morning Call, December 26, 2019.

Remember that 1-2 years ago there was serious talk about the future or non-future of the City golf course. Gadfly remembers Business Administrator Evans and Councilman Callahan keeping the faith,  and taking the lead, and the hiring of manager Larry Kelchner seemed a major turning point.

During recent budget hearings even prior skeptics had turned into believers.

Remember especially the worry about cutting down trees? We were asked to trust Mr. Kelchner. And to Gadfly’s eye, the tree work has left the course looking smart as he drives by.

There was another article in the paper yesterday about changes in management and improvements in the restaurant at the course.

That “recreation row” on Illick’s Mill is surely beautiful. Councilman Callahan asked again at the last Council meeting about moving the Recycling operation out of that stretch of good road — sounds like a good idea.

The Flatiron building:

Ryan Kneller, “Bethlehem’s newest brewery, featuring a rooftop beer garden, nearing completion at former parking deck.” Morning Call, December 26, 2019.

Remember the scary parking garage there across from Ahart’s on the Southside?  Looked like a haven for rapists and rodents.

Big change in the works.

Gadfly remembers being very excited at a Planning meeting where designs were laid out.

Though he wonders how many Brewing companies the world can sustain.

Feels like main attention has been focused east on 3rd and 4th streets. Could this mean something’s starting to cook westward?

Bethlehem treasure LEPOCO on 4th St. on the other side of the Flatiron is — last Gadfly heard — losing its lease — so what’s going on in this area?

That business strip on Broadway heading toward Wyandotte and then around the corner on Wyandotte going toward Hill-to-Hill could use a bit of brightening.

Gadfly’s often been grinchy in these pages about “developments,” but he feels pretty good about these two doin’s.

Quick further thought — Gadfly sees exterior work being done on a building on Brodhead near 3rd, across from Comfort Suites — another nice and needed development.

Ice crystals on concrete, December 19, 2019

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Alison ice crystals

Original artwork by Sigurðr Fáfnisbani Steele*

The eclectic and erudite and sustainability-oriented Alison Steele is a Bethlehem native, whose Radical Moderate blog Gadfly has often recommended to you. Recently is an interesting post on Christmas cards and their environmental impact. Curious followers are invited to google Sigurðr.

Southside magistrate has difficulty dispensing equitable justice in marijuana cases

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Nicole Radzievich, “District judge questions how Bethlehem treats minor marijuana offenses.” Morning Call, December 16, 2019.

We thought that the difficulty with decriminalizing uses of small amounts of marijuana in Bethlehem would come because of our bi-county status.

Because of the different views of the respective District Attorneys, marijuana use in Lehigh County Bethlehem would remain a criminal offense whereas in Northampton County Bethlehem it might only be a summary defense at the discretion of the arresting officer.

Different legal jeopardy on two sides of the same Bethlehem street, as it were.

Gadfly has not heard problems or complaints about this anomaly, however.

But the disparity is of another kind — unregarded, though probably easily enough foreseen, when the legislation was discussed.

In the following letter, Southside magistrate Nancy Matos Gonzalez points out that Southside residents are penalized much more severely than Lehigh students for the same marijuana offense.

Lehigh generally charges students under the city ordinance with a summary offense on the order of a traffic ticket. But city officers, with discretion to file either a summary or a criminal charge, choose the criminal charges against Southside residents 3+ times more than Lehigh police do against Lehigh students.

The disparity is so great, says Matos Gonzalez, “that the differing policy practices between the two agencies has, in my professional opinion, brought forth a situation which constricts my ability to dispense equitable justice.”

In short, it would appear that the Lehigh students are getting a break that Southside residents aren’t from our well-intentioned legislation to decriminalize use of small amounts of marijuana.

By a big margin.

Sensitive to the “vastly differing” demographics “between both communities” unarguably based “on race, ethnicity, and economic levels,” Matos Gonzalez asks how this disparity can be justified.

The differential financial burden of a criminal charge is severe, as Matos Gonzalez documents, but the part of the decriminalizing legislation rationale that Gadfly remembers most vividly from City Council discussion as well as the horror stories at the local public hearing held by Lieutenant Governor Fetterman was the “residual sanction of a resulting permanent criminal record” for using a small amount of marijuana.

By and large, Lehigh students are being spared that career impediment.

Hmmm.

Gadfly remembers vigorous public comments last year at Council meetings by Jeff Riedy, Executive Director of Lehigh Valley NORML and would welcome hearing from him again on this situation.

And also some expanded remarks on marijuana enforcement by the Chief beyond what he said about drugs in Bethlehem during the recent budget hearings (the last few minutes of this video).

The question would seem to be whether enforcement practice by Bethlehem police is undercutting the intent of the legislation and whether that enforcement practice is different on the Southside than in other parts of the City.

A tip o’ the hat to Magistrate Matos Gonzalez for calling attention to a possible “systemic issue” that should be addressed.

Gadfly always recommends going to the primary source. The magistrate’s full letter is printed below.

Dear Chief DiLuzio,

I recently received your letter referencing my previous discussions with both yourself and Mayor Donchez. To be clear, I initiated contact to voice my concern regarding a noted potential for disparity in sanctions, permanent records, and financial cost for Individuals prosecuted for small amount of marijuana. This noted potential for disparity is solely based upon which one of the two police departments operating within this district prosecutes the case. Further, expressed that the differing policy practices between the two agencies has, in my professional opinion, brought forth a situation which constricts my ability to dispense equitable justice.

As you are aware, Bethlehem Police and Lehigh University Police both operate in South Bethlehem. Understandably, as independent agencies, each has its own Standard Operating Procedures. I am fully cognizant it is not my role, practice, nor desire to critique those procedures. I do, though, unabashedly feel compelled to illuminate what is potentially an undetected consequential result of policy implementation and absolutely believe it is my role to speak out to systemic matters affecting my rulings and sworn oath to uphold justice.

As the presiding Magisterial District Judge in this district, I offer the following summary of happenings since the enactment of the law up until the date of meeting with the Mayor on September 26, 2019. These are the pertinent factors relating to these case filings on which I base my concerns:

  • Lehlgh University PD has by general policy and practice filed the local summary ordinance in the Small Amount cases, which decriminalizes the possession of marijuana.
  • Bethlehem PD policy allows for “Officer discretion to use ordinance, state law or both. By practice, the Bethlehem Police officers have, in this district alone, filed the criminal grading of Poss of a Small Amount at a rate” of 3.25 times more often than the ordinance offense. Additionally, for cases that a Bethlehem Police officer has filed a Poss of Drug Paraphernalia charge related to Marijuana, the officer is 7 times more likely to file the criminal Poss of Small Amount charge.
  • Defendants who are charged with a city ordinance of Poss of a Small Amount of Marijuana are ordered to pay a set fine and cost amount of $116.25 for a first offense and a maximum set fine and cost of $241.25 for up to a offense within one calendar year.
  • Defendants who plead guilty to the criminal charge of Poss of a Small Amount of Marijuana can be ordered to pay fine and cost of up to $1073.75 and up to 30 days incarceration.
  • In an effort to balance the scales for parties prosecuted for the criminal charge rather than the summary offense, I, by practice, set the fine at $1.00 minimal amount. Unfortunately, once the cost for criminal processing fees are attached the total minimal amount due is $574.75. These parties are subject to cost almost 5 times higher than the summary cost and they are subject to a potentially more serious residual sanction of a resulting permanent criminal record.
  • Unfortunately, there are many individuals who wish to plead guilty to the charge at the Preliminary Hearing but do not have the means to post the $574.?5 fine and cost assessment. The district court does not supervise fine and cost collection of criminal cases and those parties, more often than not, waive their preliminary hearings, often by necessity to have time to raise some funds. In the interim months awaiting their case, they are subject to bail and with the potential for supervision with specified conditions. Once their case comes to resolution, they are subject to a significant increase in cost at the higher court level.
  • For the defendants who do not dispute the merits of the case but are interested in preserving their record, they often chose to waive their Preliminary Hearing to the higher court and seal: the ARD program. They are then subject to the assessment of bail with potential conditions, often subject to further cost to hire legal counsel to maneuver through the process of the higher court application process; face even more significant court cost at the higher level; and may be Subject to probationary Supervision.

For the sake of transparency, I will state my motive in addressing my concerns is not based on a philosophical stance regarding how Marijuana cases should be prosecuted. Undoubtedly, the approach towards the prosecution of Marijuana cases is in a transitional time period on the national, state, county, and city level. I am also aware that has complicated circumstances specific to the City of Bethlehem, which lies within two differing counties. My motive is purely to strive for an equal playing field for all who appear before this District Court. Right now, that does not currently exist and the result is polarizing. To be as frank as possible, if you are arrested for the charge at hand by Lehigh University, which is a long standing prestigious academic institution, you will likely, by far, be subject to less sanctions, court supervision, and permanent effects than if you are a citizen in the same circumstance from the city streets charged within the same Magisterial District that is all contained within a one square mile radius. I ask how that can be justified. I will not ignore that the demographics between both communities are unarguably vastly differing based on race, ethnicity, and economic levels. Therefore, I stand by my comment made earlier that there is a systemic issue to address here, of which I do not wish to be complicit. I remain hopeful this writing will prompt a closer look at the circumstances at hand and potential for disparity, particularly with the order “Officer discretion to use ordinance, state law or both.”

Sincerely,

Nancy Matos Gonzalez

Olga Negron: “an intimate grasp of the challenges facing our city”

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Dear Gadfly:

I encourage Bethlehem residents to attend the special meeting of Bethlehem City Council tomorrow, Monday Jan.6, at 7pm at City Hall Rotunda — at which members of Council will elect their new President.

Councilwoman Olga Negron has indicated her willingness to take on the time-consuming and important job of Council President – and, in my view, Olga would be outstanding in this role.   Olga has been a resident of Bethlehem for decades, raised her family on the South Side, and has been a tireless champion for working people in our city.   She has an extraordinary record of public service, having held leadership positions (as executive director, professional staff or board member) at the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Public Library, Levitt Pavilion/Steel Stacks, Allentown Weed and Seed, La Ola Radio, CUNA, Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, the staff of State Rep Steve Samuelson … and the list goes on and on.

Olga Negron has the seniority to assume this role, having now served for two years as Vice President of Council.  She would bring to the Council Presidency an intimate grasp of the challenges facing our city.   She deserves our support and will represent us well.

Whatever your views on the candidates may be, please attend Monday night’s meeting to express them, so that the whole of City Council can hold them in mind as they choose their next President.

Seth Moglen
Bethlehem resident

Mayor Donchez: “Bethlehem will remain the jewel of the Lehigh Valley”

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Gadfly thinks plenty to smile about here . . .

Robert Donchez,”Bethlehem’s future ‘is as bright as the star on South Mountain’.” Morning Call, January 3. 2020.

Christmas, in Bethlehem, is a wonderful time to reflect on the past year.

As the lights from the tree reflect on the windows of the library and City Hall, I can’t help but reflect on all we have accomplished together this past year with the support of City Council and the controller’s office. The decisions we make today, or fail to make, will determine the future of our city for generations to come.

I am excited about the incredible development that awaits Bethlehem as we enter a new decade with purpose and optimism.

Through fiscal discipline and hard work on the part of my administration, I am proud to say that the city has an A+ stable credit rating from S&P, and our financial outlook is bright. Because of our improved financial position, we have been able to invest more in our infrastructure and emergency services. In 2019 the city spent $1 million on street paving, and plans to do the same in 2020.

In addition, my administration will continue to focus on public safety, keeping Bethlehem one of the safest cities of its size in the commonwealth. All police vehicles in 2019 were fully equipped with dash cams, and police officers with body cams. The city purchased a new emergency medical services vehicle, a new aerial and a pumper for the fire department.

The city’s strong financial position has also allowed us to focus on some long-deferred recreation projects, such as Memorial Pool, the municipal golf course and Friendship Park. With the benefit of state funding, Memorial Pool is being rebuilt and is scheduled to open this summer. The golf course is being returned to profitability. Renovations include a new irrigation system and improved bunkers. In addition, Friendship Park saw the installation of new playground equipment as part of the Northside 2027 Initiative.

In 2019, we saw the completion of many new projects on the South Side including: Gateway at Greenway Commons, a 600-car garage on New Street, the redevelopment of the former Ice House at Fourth and Adams streets, the construction of Lehigh University’s SouthSide Commons, and the first new market-rate apartments on East Third Street with street level retail. In 2020 we anticipate the construction of a second apartment complex with retail and an additional garage next to Northampton Community College.

Wind Creek Casino is proposing a new hotel and the possibility of a water and adventure park in the former Machine Shop Number 2 Building. As the year progresses, we look forward to seeing plans for the former sites of the Steel General Office Building and Martin Tower.

Technology has touched every aspect of our day-to-day lives. The city revamped its website, making it more user friendly and informative. The new site allows for real-time updates by various departments to provide current and relevant information. City Council meetings are now live-streamed on our website and the city’s YouTube channel. To assist residents and visitors who want to report nonemergency issues, the city created the new Bethlehem Service Center. In order to report nonemergency issues call 610-865-7000, email bethlehemservicecenter@bethlehem-pa.gov, or download the new BSC App.

With the start of the new decade comes new obligations. As the year begins, we will tackle the 2020 Census and continue implementing our Climate Action Plan. It’s very important for residents to participate in the 2020 census because it will determine how much money the city receives from the federal government over the next 10 years. Through the Climate Action Plan, the city will look for ways to further reduce our carbon footprint, increase sustainability and become more energy efficient.

One of the most exciting new developments planned for 2020/2021 revitalizes a piece of Bethlehem’s past forged over 100 years ago — the Bethlehem Steel Turn and Grind Shop — a building formerly used to improve the steel-making process. A $1.5 million contribution by Air Products to ArtsQuest will breathe new life into this historic building, transforming it into a 26,000-square-foot contemporary arts facility that will complement SteelStacks.

With new developments continuing throughout the city, the next decade is destined to be exciting for our residents. As we move forward, the future is as bright as the star on South Mountain, and Bethlehem will remain the jewel of the Lehigh Valley.

Olga Negron “the most qualified for the leadership role”

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Barbara Diamond enjoys retirement as Lehigh University Director of Foundation Relations by engaging in various activities and organizations hopefully for the betterment of the community. Her particular interests at the moment are preventing gun violence, local government ethics reform, and Bethlehem Democratic Committee work.

Steven Diamond, DO, MBA is a Medical Examiner of Hunterdon County, NJ, and a forensic pathologist. He is a board member of multiple international start-up companies and is the Medical Director of clinical trials laboratories.

Gadfly:

[The following sent to City Council.]

I write on behalf of Steve and myself to strongly support Councilwoman Negron for president of city council. Her tenure as Vice President for two years plus her lengthy experience in public service on community boards and her strong support by voters in recent elections makes her the most qualified for the leadership role. Additionally, she has been recognized with many and prestigious awards for her abilities as a leader. On the council she has been a thoughtful and independent voice for the people of Bethlehem and a champion of good government. I hope you will support her for President.

Barbara

Olga Negron: capable, devoted, proper demeanor

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Dana Grubb is a lifelong resident of the City of Bethlehem who worked 27 years for the City of Bethlehem in the department of community and economic development, as sealer of weights and measures, housing rehabilitation finance specialist, grants administrator, acting director of community and economic development, and deputy director of community development.

Gadfly,

The women have arrived, and it is time for one of them to become the next City Council President. Councilwoman Olga Negron has served the past two years as Vice President while some behaviors on this important elected body devolved. The status quo is no longer acceptable. Olga Negron is quite capable, devoted to Bethlehem, and has the proper demeanor to lead and run City Council meetings. So, it’s time to do the right thing and elect her as President, which I’m sure has a few male members quaking in their boots! Dolores Caskey, the first and only female Council President, would certainly agree.

Dana

Clarification regarding election of City Council president Monday night

Hmmm.

Gadfly has received notification from a member of Council that the term for president is two years, not one, so that now-prez Waldron is eligible for re-appointment tomorrow night.

Rule 2 in the Rules of Council states:

RULE 2.The President shall call the meetings to order. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall be the presiding officer or, if there is no quorum, Council shall adjourn to another date. The President and the Vice President shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. (Resolution 15,291 –passed 4/1/08)

“Term” is not defined there. Gadfly assumed it was one year.  The online archive does not have the April 1, 2008, minutes referred to in the Rule, so Gadfly could not check to see if “term” is defined there. But one would have to certainly suppose that Council members know what they are talking about.

That puts President Waldron — the incumbent — back in the mix Monday night.

AWaldron

Does that change your thinking?

Election of new Council president at City Council meeting tomorrow night, Monday [note change of day], January 6, 7PM, Town Hall

Our next City Council meeting — the “face” of Bethlehem City government — occurs tomorrow night Monday, January 6, Town Hall, at 7PM.

Note: Monday meeting not Tuesday this one time in the year.

These meetings are video-recorded and can be viewed LIVE or later at your convenience on the City’s website after the meeting at https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Calendar.

The YouTube channel for live or archive viewing is “City of Bethlehem Council.”

Find the Council agenda and documents here: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Calendar/Meetings/2020/City-Council-Meeting/50

Note also that there are two meetings in succession here Monday night. In one, Council reorganizes, swears in the “new” members, and elects a president for the coming year. Council rules state, “The President and the Vice President shall serve no more than two consecutive terms” (rule 2). President Waldron has served in 2018 and 2019, so he is due to be released from that bondage.

Gadfly followers know that a stated part of his mission has been to familiarize you with your elected officials so that you are an informed voter.

Now, you can’t vote for Council president and vice president, but you can  (and should!) formally express your preference in at least 2 ways:

  • Either write to individual Council members or write the City Clerk Robert Vidoni and ask that your email be distributed to each Council member. Email contact info for both options are on the Gadfly sidebar.
  • Come to the meeting and express your preference during public comment.

This is an important decision. Gadfly thinks of the City Council meeting as the “face” of Bethlehem City government.

The Council president is the face of that face. Being Council president is a big deal. It’s a big honor. It’s a big responsibility. The president must be a high quality person, one we can be proud of. He or she is a premier representative of the City.

The City operates under a “strong Mayor” form of government in which Council approves legislation, budget, and appointments. Council is top of the food chain but the Administration does the work, so cooperation is key.

The Council president must be able to work with the Mayor and the Administration for the good of the City, but the separation of power in this form of government is meaningful and essential, and, perhaps most importantly, the Council president must be an independent voice and force as well when necessary.

The president must also foster the kind of working relationships that enable Council to move forward on positive measures for the City.

Who are you thinking?

Gadfly will do some winnowing.

Waldron is out per the rules as Gadfly reads them. As a rookie, Grace Crampsie Smith is out unless there is some massive stalemate. Her time will come.

Gadfly is going to venture that Bryan Callahan is out. He has been perceived a divisive figure by four members of Council.

For Gadfly, that leaves Councilpersons Colon, Negron, Reynolds, and Van Wirt.

Pertinent additional factual information in terms of Council experience might be that Negron is current Vice President of Council and Reynolds is a prior president.

Gadfly invites your commentary, your choices, your weighing of skills and qualities, your thought processes relevant to this important decision. Think it out. Talk it out.

And, as always, as long as he has flutter in his wings, Gadfly urges attending City Council live or virtually — one way or the other.

Participate. Be informed.