City 25-year-old Runs for Council

Three seats up for grabs. Candidate calls for more open government, increased police presence.

By Kurt Bresswein of The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM--A 25-year-old with nearly five years' government experience announced his candidacy Monday for city council.

J. William Reynolds, a Democrat, is the first to publicly announce plans to run in the May 15 Municipal Primary. Three council seats will be decided. Feb. 13 is the first day to circulate and file nominating petitions.

Reynolds laid out a four-plank platform before about 100 supporters at Bethlehem Brew Works' Steelgaarden. Atop his priorities is ensuring the city's community fabric does not change as a result of the casino-driven redevelopment of former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land on South Side.

"I do not believe that it will and I believe that I can help lead us through this extraordinary time," he said.

The Liberty High School and Moravian College graduate also said he would push for more police officers to man community policing substations, aid in the city's continued economic development and work to provide an "honest, open and responsive" city government.

Reynolds served as an intern in the office of state Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Lehigh/Northampton, and went on to work nearly four years as a legislative aide in Samuelson's Bethlehem office. Samuelson introduced Reynolds at Monday's announcement, whose audience included Mayor John Callahan.

At 26 by the time the Nov. 6 election rolls around, Reynolds would top Callahan as the youngest council member in the city's history.

Reynolds lives on Itaska Street on South Side. One of five children whose parents continue to live in Bethlehem, he is unmarried.

This year's council race will fill seats held by Councilmen Robert Donchez and Gordon Mowrer and Councilwoman Magdalena Szabo. All three are Democrats as are Callahan and the other four council members.

Donchez said he plans to announce his re-election bid this week. Mowrer said Monday he plans to announce his decision on running by Feb. 8. Szabo has not publicly commented on her plans.

Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at
kbresswein@express-times.com.