1. City Council approved the Five Points traffic plan at Tuesday's meeting with 5-1 vote. This is not a surprise. The only opposition it faced on council was Mike Schweder, who ended up voting for it, Jean Belinski, who voted against it, and Jay Leeson, who was absent from the meeting.
You can read about it here.
My take: Something needed to be done about the traffic in that area. This plan of one-way roads seems to be the best plan suggested. I am not sure why it will take from April 2009 through December 2009 to turn some roads from two-way to one-way, but that is the timetable.
2. The City Council Recreation Committee, which consists of council members Belinski, Schweder and William Reynolds, had meeting this week. They are changing the use permits for the city's little league teams to use the city's fields. The permits were all terminated in December, so the city could make changes. As you may recall, Lehigh Little League and the Bethlehem Blue Mountain League team were involved in a few tussles regarding the use of a field at the City's Monocacy fields. One of the proposed changes include the city collecting fees from teams to use fields, instead of the local little league. A little league will have use of the field for $1 per year. A team wanting to use the field would pay the City $150.00, who would give that money to the Little League to pay for maintenance and lights.
Another change, proposed by Reynolds, would be to have the organizations submit their financial statements to the city earlier. Currently little league and other organizations submit their financial statements by March 31st, the change would move that to the middle of February. The change would allow more time for the city to make sure the fees, collected by the City and given to the little leagues, are being properly spent once they get to the little league.
You can read more about it here.
My take: It is about time that City Council steps in a regulates these little leagues and the control they have over the public fields. These leagues were profiting from charging other teams huge fees to use the fields, and the little leagues get to use the fields for nothing. I will admit that the little leagues do maintenance and pay for the electricity for the fields, but the profits they were making were ridiculous.
3. Council Meetings will now begin at 7:00 pm, instead of 7:30 pm.
Showing posts with label City Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City Council. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Politics As Usual In Bethlehem
Last evening the City Finance Committee approved by a 2-1, to send Council President Michael Schweder's plan how to spend the casino host fee to full Council at their December 4th meeting. The finance committee consists of Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., Chairman, Jean Belinksi and Robert J. Donchez.
The Morning Call has an account here, and Express Times here.
Schweder's plan includes using 0ne-half the host fee of 8.7 million to cut property taxes, the other half would be used to hire 20 police officers, 10 firemen, 6 paramedics and 2 inspectors. The remaining money, estimated by Schweder at around 2 million, would be placed in a restricted fund only to be spent as authorized by Council.
The problems with Schweder's plan:
1. The City will not get the money until after the casino opens, estimated to be July, 2009, so how can he decide how to spend it now.
2. Schweder's numbers were not based on anything but his own imagination. He never spoke with the Department heads and never conducted a study. He arbitrarily chose the number of police, fire, paramedics and inspectors.
3. It is foolish for a City that is admittedly in debt and has to borrow from itself to pay bills, to cut property taxes. That is just asking for trouble down the road.
The real story:
Schweder is trying get his plan through council while he still has the votes to get it passed. Currently, Schweder has the four votes needed to pass the bill with Szabo, Leeson and Belinski. In January, William Reynolds joins council and voiced concerns over spending the money prematurely and using to cut taxes. He urged a wait and see approach that was similar to what Mowrer and Donchez said. They are not against cutting taxes but those decisions can not be made now.
As someone posted on the mcall.com forums, if Schweder is successful in getting his legislation passed, which he probably will be, he will force Callahan to veto it. Schweder does not have enough votes to override the veto, and by that time Reynolds will be on Council, so Schweder will not even have the votes to get the legislation passed again.
Then if Schweder decides to run for Mayor, he can attack Callahan for vetoing a tax cut resolution.
This whole mess is just some Dem on Dem Politics, and gets J. Michael Schweder into the DINO Club!
The Morning Call has an account here, and Express Times here.
Schweder's plan includes using 0ne-half the host fee of 8.7 million to cut property taxes, the other half would be used to hire 20 police officers, 10 firemen, 6 paramedics and 2 inspectors. The remaining money, estimated by Schweder at around 2 million, would be placed in a restricted fund only to be spent as authorized by Council.
The problems with Schweder's plan:
1. The City will not get the money until after the casino opens, estimated to be July, 2009, so how can he decide how to spend it now.
2. Schweder's numbers were not based on anything but his own imagination. He never spoke with the Department heads and never conducted a study. He arbitrarily chose the number of police, fire, paramedics and inspectors.
3. It is foolish for a City that is admittedly in debt and has to borrow from itself to pay bills, to cut property taxes. That is just asking for trouble down the road.
The real story:
Schweder is trying get his plan through council while he still has the votes to get it passed. Currently, Schweder has the four votes needed to pass the bill with Szabo, Leeson and Belinski. In January, William Reynolds joins council and voiced concerns over spending the money prematurely and using to cut taxes. He urged a wait and see approach that was similar to what Mowrer and Donchez said. They are not against cutting taxes but those decisions can not be made now.
As someone posted on the mcall.com forums, if Schweder is successful in getting his legislation passed, which he probably will be, he will force Callahan to veto it. Schweder does not have enough votes to override the veto, and by that time Reynolds will be on Council, so Schweder will not even have the votes to get the legislation passed again.
Then if Schweder decides to run for Mayor, he can attack Callahan for vetoing a tax cut resolution.
This whole mess is just some Dem on Dem Politics, and gets J. Michael Schweder into the DINO Club!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Post-Election Thoughts
Some Post-Election Thoughts:
The Bethlehem City Controller Race: Republican Meg Holland defeating Democrat Dave DiGiacinto may be the most shocking result. I thought Meg would lose. I am glad the voters looked at more than R and D behind their names and looked at the substance of the candidate. Once they did that, it was a clear choice. Some may try to spin this race as a referendum on the Old Guard losing their grip in Bethlehem. It may be, but I would not go that far yet. I think Schweder just picked the wrong guy to run for Controller.
The Bethlehem City Council Race: The voters gave Bob Donchez and Gordon Mowrer another term, which was a good thing. They are the most rational and steady individuals on council. J. William Reynolds joins them as the voters elected him to be the youngest councilman in the history of Bethlehem. Reynolds worked hard in the primary to unseat incumbent Maggie Szabo, which was another blow to the Old Guard in the City. Reynolds is the aide to popular State Rep. Steve Samuelson and we the voters can only hope that Reynolds will follow the example his boss has set. Note to Reynolds: We are watching young man, do not screw up!
Lehigh County Commissioners: The voters elected 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats. The Republicans will still hold control of the board. Andy Roman was the lone incumbent seeking to keep his seat and was re-elected. Fellow GOPer Dean Browning joins him. Gloria Hamm and Bill Leiner are the two Democrats who will join the board. While the Republicans maintain control, it is not as bad as it appears. Cunningham has been able to work with the Republicans in the past and I am sure that he will in the future.
Northampton County Council: Unfortunately for Joe Long, the Republicans gained a seat, which may be fortunate for the taxpayers. Voters rejected more of Tony Branco in the changed Council at large seat.
Northampton County Controller: Voter’s showed their desire of having a full-time Controller by narrowly electing Stephen Barron. Hopefully, Stephen lives up to the expectations. Time will tell if the County needs a full-time Controller, if it does hopefully the Charter can be changed to pay him like a full-timer.
Lehigh County Row Offices: Democrats sweep. No real surprises except in the Controller race where the incumbent Peter Shaffer lost to Tom Slonaker in a close one.
Local Judges: Barrata and Steinberg were retained in landslide votes. Republican Jim Anthony took third in the Lehigh County Judicial Race over Dan McCarthy. Personally, I thought McCarthy would win, since Anthony had previously lost when he ran a few years ago. Anthony joins fellow winners District Judge Michelle Varrichio, who gets a seat on the big bench, and Maria Dantos, who is already sitting on the big bench.
UPDATE: Slonaker has apparently lost his bid to unseat Shaffer as Lehigh County Controller. I relied on http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1-5clerk.6127061nov07,0,3412390.story for my information...but it is now wrong. The mcall.com has Shaffer with a 99 vote lead and wfmz.com has a 78 vote lead for Shaffer. I thought both men were well-qualified for the post and thought both would do a good job.
The Bethlehem City Controller Race: Republican Meg Holland defeating Democrat Dave DiGiacinto may be the most shocking result. I thought Meg would lose. I am glad the voters looked at more than R and D behind their names and looked at the substance of the candidate. Once they did that, it was a clear choice. Some may try to spin this race as a referendum on the Old Guard losing their grip in Bethlehem. It may be, but I would not go that far yet. I think Schweder just picked the wrong guy to run for Controller.
The Bethlehem City Council Race: The voters gave Bob Donchez and Gordon Mowrer another term, which was a good thing. They are the most rational and steady individuals on council. J. William Reynolds joins them as the voters elected him to be the youngest councilman in the history of Bethlehem. Reynolds worked hard in the primary to unseat incumbent Maggie Szabo, which was another blow to the Old Guard in the City. Reynolds is the aide to popular State Rep. Steve Samuelson and we the voters can only hope that Reynolds will follow the example his boss has set. Note to Reynolds: We are watching young man, do not screw up!
Lehigh County Commissioners: The voters elected 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats. The Republicans will still hold control of the board. Andy Roman was the lone incumbent seeking to keep his seat and was re-elected. Fellow GOPer Dean Browning joins him. Gloria Hamm and Bill Leiner are the two Democrats who will join the board. While the Republicans maintain control, it is not as bad as it appears. Cunningham has been able to work with the Republicans in the past and I am sure that he will in the future.
Northampton County Council: Unfortunately for Joe Long, the Republicans gained a seat, which may be fortunate for the taxpayers. Voters rejected more of Tony Branco in the changed Council at large seat.
Northampton County Controller: Voter’s showed their desire of having a full-time Controller by narrowly electing Stephen Barron. Hopefully, Stephen lives up to the expectations. Time will tell if the County needs a full-time Controller, if it does hopefully the Charter can be changed to pay him like a full-timer.
Lehigh County Row Offices: Democrats sweep. No real surprises except in the Controller race where the incumbent Peter Shaffer lost to Tom Slonaker in a close one.
Local Judges: Barrata and Steinberg were retained in landslide votes. Republican Jim Anthony took third in the Lehigh County Judicial Race over Dan McCarthy. Personally, I thought McCarthy would win, since Anthony had previously lost when he ran a few years ago. Anthony joins fellow winners District Judge Michelle Varrichio, who gets a seat on the big bench, and Maria Dantos, who is already sitting on the big bench.
UPDATE: Slonaker has apparently lost his bid to unseat Shaffer as Lehigh County Controller. I relied on http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1-5clerk.6127061nov07,0,3412390.story for my information...but it is now wrong. The mcall.com has Shaffer with a 99 vote lead and wfmz.com has a 78 vote lead for Shaffer. I thought both men were well-qualified for the post and thought both would do a good job.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
City Election Update
The fall election season is upon us, finally!
Voters in the City of Bethlehem will be electing a new council person and a new controller.
The City Council are as follows:
Democractic Ticket: Robert Donchez, J. William Reynolds and Gordon Mowrer
Republican Ticket: Esther Lee
Reynolds is the 26-year old legislative aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson. He pulled off his major victory in spring when he came in second in a crowded Democratic primary that included an incumbent councilwoman, a former councilman and a former county councilman.
Lee is the party hopping head of the local chapter of NAACP. She was a Democrat in the past and has been a Republican for the past few years. Earlier this summer she led the protest against the Ludacris performance at Musikfest. She was also a member of the Bethlehem Defense Fund, a group which unsuccessfully attempted to stop the Sands-Bethworks project.
Donchez, the recently retired Allen High School teacher and winner of the Democratic primary, will be running for his 4th term on Council. He has recently joined State Rep. Joe Brennan's office as a Legislative Aide.
Mowrer, who finished third in the primary, will be seeking his 2nd consective term, after previously serving as Mayor and on City Council in the 1960s and 1970s. He is currently a local Moravian minister and was a strong anti-casino voice on Council.
Analysis: Are there any Republicans in Bethlehem to vote for Esther Lee? I will go out on a limb here and predict that the Democrats sweep. Reynolds will become the youngest council person in Bethlehem history.
City Controller Race:
The City will have a new controller for the first in a long time. Wallace DeCrosta was the long time controller passed away last year. The remainder of his term was filled by Alan Blair, who was the assistant controller. I think people forget the importance of this position until something happens like it did in NorCo's Clerk of Courts office or with Marge Szulborski in Upper Macungie. People need to make informed decisions when voting a controller.
The candidates for Bethlehem Controller are:
Democrat David Digiacinto, a former member of the Bethlehem Authority; and
Republican Meg Holland, who owns Meg Holland & Associates, a local accounting company.
I admittedly know little about either candidate. Ms. Holland's resume is quite impressive, though.
I think I will need to pass on the analyis of this race until I can look at each candidate more closely. Look for a post in the future.
Voters in the City of Bethlehem will be electing a new council person and a new controller.
The City Council are as follows:
Democractic Ticket: Robert Donchez, J. William Reynolds and Gordon Mowrer
Republican Ticket: Esther Lee
Reynolds is the 26-year old legislative aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson. He pulled off his major victory in spring when he came in second in a crowded Democratic primary that included an incumbent councilwoman, a former councilman and a former county councilman.
Lee is the party hopping head of the local chapter of NAACP. She was a Democrat in the past and has been a Republican for the past few years. Earlier this summer she led the protest against the Ludacris performance at Musikfest. She was also a member of the Bethlehem Defense Fund, a group which unsuccessfully attempted to stop the Sands-Bethworks project.
Donchez, the recently retired Allen High School teacher and winner of the Democratic primary, will be running for his 4th term on Council. He has recently joined State Rep. Joe Brennan's office as a Legislative Aide.
Mowrer, who finished third in the primary, will be seeking his 2nd consective term, after previously serving as Mayor and on City Council in the 1960s and 1970s. He is currently a local Moravian minister and was a strong anti-casino voice on Council.
Analysis: Are there any Republicans in Bethlehem to vote for Esther Lee? I will go out on a limb here and predict that the Democrats sweep. Reynolds will become the youngest council person in Bethlehem history.
City Controller Race:
The City will have a new controller for the first in a long time. Wallace DeCrosta was the long time controller passed away last year. The remainder of his term was filled by Alan Blair, who was the assistant controller. I think people forget the importance of this position until something happens like it did in NorCo's Clerk of Courts office or with Marge Szulborski in Upper Macungie. People need to make informed decisions when voting a controller.
The candidates for Bethlehem Controller are:
Democrat David Digiacinto, a former member of the Bethlehem Authority; and
Republican Meg Holland, who owns Meg Holland & Associates, a local accounting company.
I admittedly know little about either candidate. Ms. Holland's resume is quite impressive, though.
I think I will need to pass on the analyis of this race until I can look at each candidate more closely. Look for a post in the future.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
City and Moravian Dispute Land Ownership
Bethlehem City Council and Moravian College officials will hope to settle an on-going dispute over ownership of a parcel of land where the college hopes to build new dorms at tonight's City Council meeting. The agenda is here.
The land is situated north of Lehigh St., west of City Hall, south of Church St. and east of Main St. It is currently home to the Moravian College Band Shell and is the former Kuntsplatz site during Musikfest.
Moravian wants to tear down the band shell and build a dorm there.
Councilman Joseph Leeson has other ideas. He correctly believes that a deed is erroneously recorded in the Northampton County recorder of deeds office and that the City actually owns the land. City Solicitor Chris Spandoni and Moravian Attorney Bill Matz agree.
The Express-Times has the rest of the story here.
Here is my take:
First, I enjoy seeing open green space in downtown Bethlehem. I hope that the City does in fact own the land and decides not to sell it or transfer it to Moravian.
Second, Moravian has had a history of being greedy with respect to the land in question, and even forced Musikfest off the land. So I am glad that they had a wrinkle in their plan.
Third, I do not want a dorm in downtown Bethlehem. I think it would eventually ruin the uniqueness of the downtown area.
Fourth, I believe most of the deeds for downtown Bethlehem go back to two or three deeds, which are handwritten grants of land from the Moravian Church. So I can easily believe that something is recorded erroneously. ( I am sure Bernie O'Hare can comment on the deed issue.)
Finally, I applaud City Councilman Leeson for his efforts to find out the true ownership of the land and not to just hand it over to Moravian College. If they want it, make 'em earn it.
Blogger's Note: Reports of my demise have greatly been exagerreted. Sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been on vacation and had to deal with Musikfest for 10 days.
The land is situated north of Lehigh St., west of City Hall, south of Church St. and east of Main St. It is currently home to the Moravian College Band Shell and is the former Kuntsplatz site during Musikfest.
Moravian wants to tear down the band shell and build a dorm there.
Councilman Joseph Leeson has other ideas. He correctly believes that a deed is erroneously recorded in the Northampton County recorder of deeds office and that the City actually owns the land. City Solicitor Chris Spandoni and Moravian Attorney Bill Matz agree.
The Express-Times has the rest of the story here.
Here is my take:
First, I enjoy seeing open green space in downtown Bethlehem. I hope that the City does in fact own the land and decides not to sell it or transfer it to Moravian.
Second, Moravian has had a history of being greedy with respect to the land in question, and even forced Musikfest off the land. So I am glad that they had a wrinkle in their plan.
Third, I do not want a dorm in downtown Bethlehem. I think it would eventually ruin the uniqueness of the downtown area.
Fourth, I believe most of the deeds for downtown Bethlehem go back to two or three deeds, which are handwritten grants of land from the Moravian Church. So I can easily believe that something is recorded erroneously. ( I am sure Bernie O'Hare can comment on the deed issue.)
Finally, I applaud City Councilman Leeson for his efforts to find out the true ownership of the land and not to just hand it over to Moravian College. If they want it, make 'em earn it.
Blogger's Note: Reports of my demise have greatly been exagerreted. Sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been on vacation and had to deal with Musikfest for 10 days.
Monday, July 30, 2007
City Council Meeting Reminder
Just a reminder to those 8 people who attend City Council meetings (Dana Grubb and friends I am looking in your direction) that the first Council meeting of August has been rescheduled for tomorrow evening at the usual time and place. Council did not want their crowds to have to worry about parking next week with Musikfest going on.
It is a hot agenda, too. Those amendments to SALDO will have that placed packed.
It is a hot agenda, too. Those amendments to SALDO will have that placed packed.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Lehigh Little League Not Being Good Sports, Again!
At Tuesday's Bethlehem City Council Meeting, Council was addressed by Shawn Bogert, an announcer from the Bethlehem Cardinals, an adults baseball team in the Blue Mountain League. Mr. Bogert wanted council to enforce its lease with Lehigh Little League. Apparently Lehigh Little League President Eugene Ashner and Bogert were in a pushing match on Sunday at the field over the use of the PA system.
Councilwoman Karen Dolan stated that she had recieved numerous complaints about Lehigh Little League and it not allowing other teams to use the leased fields.
The Morning Call and Express Times each have account of the meeting.
Dolan continued that she was not even sure if Lehigh Little League was a non-profit organization. A check of the PA Department of States records indicate it is a registered non-profit organization. The record can be viewed here.
Dolan's error aside. I agree with her that something needs to be done with Lehigh Little League.
I have a problem with a non-profit making money off of city public property when it is in violation of the lease. I especially have a problem when that non-profit is a little league with the majority of its members being residents of Hanover Township, Northampton County. This league is so connected with Hanover Township that it had a parade to honor one of its teams in Hanover Township.
It is time for the City to terminate its lease with Lehigh Little League and take back control of the fields.
Councilwoman Karen Dolan stated that she had recieved numerous complaints about Lehigh Little League and it not allowing other teams to use the leased fields.
The Morning Call and Express Times each have account of the meeting.
Dolan continued that she was not even sure if Lehigh Little League was a non-profit organization. A check of the PA Department of States records indicate it is a registered non-profit organization. The record can be viewed here.
Dolan's error aside. I agree with her that something needs to be done with Lehigh Little League.
I have a problem with a non-profit making money off of city public property when it is in violation of the lease. I especially have a problem when that non-profit is a little league with the majority of its members being residents of Hanover Township, Northampton County. This league is so connected with Hanover Township that it had a parade to honor one of its teams in Hanover Township.
It is time for the City to terminate its lease with Lehigh Little League and take back control of the fields.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Second Vote On New Recreation Fee Set for Tuesday
Bethlehem City Council is set to vote on the second reading of the Recreation Fee Ordinance on Tuesday evening at Town Hall. Council previously voted 5-0 in favor of the ordinance, which increases the current recreation fees that developers pay when building in the city as much at 650%.
Why it is good- With the development of the Steel on the horizon and other residential developments in the works, developers will be paying a fee that will ensure that parks and recreation facilities in the City will be maintained and expanded upon.
Why it is bad- Council rushed this ordinance to the agenda at its last meeting, so that the changes in the fees would include the Martin Tower Redevelopment. Since it was rushed, the council failed to get public input on the new ordinance, and even failed to consult the Bethlehem Recreation Commission.
While I understand the need for the fee change, I am disappointed that Council failed to get public input before voting on the ordinance.
Why it is good- With the development of the Steel on the horizon and other residential developments in the works, developers will be paying a fee that will ensure that parks and recreation facilities in the City will be maintained and expanded upon.
Why it is bad- Council rushed this ordinance to the agenda at its last meeting, so that the changes in the fees would include the Martin Tower Redevelopment. Since it was rushed, the council failed to get public input on the new ordinance, and even failed to consult the Bethlehem Recreation Commission.
While I understand the need for the fee change, I am disappointed that Council failed to get public input before voting on the ordinance.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Bethlehem's Political Landscape
The City of Bethlehem's poltical landscape is interesting, to say the least. All elected officials in the city goverment are Democrats. That would make one think that the city government runs smoothly and politics in the city is boring. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
The City Council is comprised of Jean Belinski, Karen D. Dolan, Robert J. Donchez, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., Esq, Gordon B. Mowrer, J. Michael Schweder and Magdalena F. Szabo. Mr. Schweder is the President of City Council. Ms. Szabo recently lost a bid for re-election, and will be replaced on City Council by J. William Reynolds in January 2008. (Blogger's Note: Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer will have to run against Esther Lee, a republican, in November 2007. However this blogger feels that Ms. Lee has no chance, due to the registration edge that the Dems hold in the city.)
The Mayor is John Callahan.
There are two factions among the elected Democrats, those who side with Mayor Callahan and those who side with Mr. Schweder. Ms. Belinski and Mr. Leeson have consistently sided with Mr. Schweder on key issues. Ms. Dolan has consistently been supportive of the Mayor's agenda. Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer have also been supportive of the Mayor's agenda but have been independant on some key issues. Ms. Szabo has supported Mr. Schweder's agenda, but was very supportive of the BethWorks project and the casino gaming.
The last election showcases this division. Mr. Callahan supported Mr. Donchez, Mr. Mowrer and Ron Heckman in the election. Mr. Schweder supported Ms. Szabo, Mr. Donchez and Dana Grubb. The other candidates were Mr. Reynolds and Ismael Arcelay. The order of finish was Mr. Donchez, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Mowrer, Mr. Grubb, Ms. Szabo, Mr. Heckman and Mr. Arcelay.
It is unknown where Mr. Reynolds, an aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson, stands. He seems to be in the middle, with a slight lean to the Callahan faction.
Who needs Republicans with Democrats like this?
The City Council is comprised of Jean Belinski, Karen D. Dolan, Robert J. Donchez, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., Esq, Gordon B. Mowrer, J. Michael Schweder and Magdalena F. Szabo. Mr. Schweder is the President of City Council. Ms. Szabo recently lost a bid for re-election, and will be replaced on City Council by J. William Reynolds in January 2008. (Blogger's Note: Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer will have to run against Esther Lee, a republican, in November 2007. However this blogger feels that Ms. Lee has no chance, due to the registration edge that the Dems hold in the city.)
The Mayor is John Callahan.
There are two factions among the elected Democrats, those who side with Mayor Callahan and those who side with Mr. Schweder. Ms. Belinski and Mr. Leeson have consistently sided with Mr. Schweder on key issues. Ms. Dolan has consistently been supportive of the Mayor's agenda. Mr. Donchez and Mr. Mowrer have also been supportive of the Mayor's agenda but have been independant on some key issues. Ms. Szabo has supported Mr. Schweder's agenda, but was very supportive of the BethWorks project and the casino gaming.
The last election showcases this division. Mr. Callahan supported Mr. Donchez, Mr. Mowrer and Ron Heckman in the election. Mr. Schweder supported Ms. Szabo, Mr. Donchez and Dana Grubb. The other candidates were Mr. Reynolds and Ismael Arcelay. The order of finish was Mr. Donchez, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Mowrer, Mr. Grubb, Ms. Szabo, Mr. Heckman and Mr. Arcelay.
It is unknown where Mr. Reynolds, an aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson, stands. He seems to be in the middle, with a slight lean to the Callahan faction.
Who needs Republicans with Democrats like this?
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