The Issues

NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT

“Our neighborhoods are our most valuable asset as a community.  Since 2018, we have worked to create Northside 2027 - a comprehensive initiative designed to invest in our north side neighborhoods that surround William Penn and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools.  Working with the Bethlehem Area School District, Moravian College, residents, and small businesses, a master plan has been completed to design and implement significant improvement in these neighborhoods. The improvements are focused on issues related to housing, transportation, recreation, access to social services, and the vitality of our commercial corridors. NorthSide 2027 stands as an example of how we can build broad coalitions dedicated to investing in and further developing our neighborhoods. You can view our NorthSide 2027 plan here.”

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

“From my first days on City Council, I have worked to support Bethlehem’s commitment to protecting our environment and creating a more sustainable city.  I am proud to have proposed and led the creation of Bethlehem’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP). Utilizing the expertise of citizens, local environmental advocacy groups, our Environmental Advisory Council, and city employees, our CAP includes citywide energy reduction goals, legislative policy recommendations, and mitigation strategies for vulnerable areas of our city. Our CAP has also created a permanent structure of citizens and local environmental groups that will remain engaged and able to advocate for a more sustainable Bethlehem moving forward. Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan is available here.”

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

“We may not make steel anymore in our city. We do, however, manufacture innovative individuals and businesses who create jobs and bring economic vitality to our downtowns and neighborhoods. Our community has seen record levels of private economic investment over the past decade. In 2019 alone, almost $800 million was invested in public and private projects throughout the city. We cannot, however, slow down our economic redevelopment efforts.  Economic growth is the best way to assure jobs for our citizens, vibrancy in our neighborhoods, and prosperity for our City.  What can we do to keep revitalizing Bethlehem? 

•    Support Bethlehem’s local business community by continuing to invest in our successful small business development initiatives.

•    Consider the expansion of our current successful economic development programs that allow for tax incentives to encourage job and business growth. 

•    Continue to advocate for the expansion of state economic development programs that Bethlehem businesses have and continue to rely on to create jobs for our citizens.

FISCAL HEALTH

“While cities and other municipalities around us struggle to balance their budget, the City of Bethlehem has made great strides in improving it’s fiscal health.  Throughout Pennsylvania, Bethlehem’s financial position is second to none. We currently possess a bond rating of A+ with a stable outlook.  The improved bond rating is a reflection of both the city’s financial health and the hard work we have done as a community to help guarantee a bright economic future for Bethlehem.  Our success can be attributed to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and support of economic revitalization efforts throughout our city.  We must stay committed to these priorities if we are to maintain our strong financial position. Our latest independent financial audit can be accessed here.” 

OPEN, RESPONSIVE CITY GOVERNMENT

"I am proud to have proposed and created Open Bethlehem – our city’s first open data program.  Open data allows citizens access to data related to local government, our community, and our neighborhoods. People throughout the country, when given access to government collected data, have found innovative and creative uses for the data that improve their community.  Some applications of city open data initiatives include the tracking of budget revenue and projections, the efficiency of city services, health and code violations, police department statistics, and economic investment information.  Bethlehem’s open data program has the potential to transform the ways in which citizens are able to access and utilize public data in an effort to improve our community. Bethlehem’s Open Data portal can be viewed here.” 

ACCOUNTABILITY

“Locally and across the nation, economic development incentives have provided no shortage of controversy over the past several years. Supporters consider them a valuable tool to redevelop and revitalize areas that are in desperate need of investment. Detractors believe economic development programs too often represent corporate giveaways or are destructive of conditions that are worth preserving or fostering. I proposed and wrote our Financial Accountability Incentive Reporting (F.A.I.R.) law which tracks economic development incentive data as it relates to the City’s current economic development programs. Passed unanimously by City Council and implemented in 2018, F.A.I.R. helps to answer questions about the value of our incentive programs. F.A.I.R. also provides evidence and information for future discussions about economic development strategies. Bethlehem’s FAIR program can be viewed here.”

A COMMUNITY OF FAIRNESS AND EQUITY

“As a city, we must be dedicated to building a community centered on the ideals of equity and fairness. One of my proudest moments on City Council was when we voted to create the City’s Human Relations Commission (HRC). The HRC was created to guard against discrimination as it relates to housing, employment and public accommodations in Bethlehem. I have also worked to increase internet access for our residents, design city initiatives to be structured to include traditionally underrepresented communities, and guaranteed every resident has the same access to basic city services.”

ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES THAT MATTER TO BETHLEHEM RESIDENTS

“Our local government often relies on state and federal government support to accomplish many of our priorities and goals as a city. With that in mind, elected officials at the local level need to be strong advocates for issues that affect their communities.  With that in mind, I will continue to work with our state and federal officials on issues that are important to our citizens including raising the minimum wage, reforming our health care system, and increasing our investments in public education.”