Youth Wins In Elections

J. William Reynolds, 26, Joins Cunningham, Callahan as among city's youngest politicians

By Kurt Bresswein of The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM--J. William Reynolds has passed the first hurdle of running for office in his 20s: getting voters to take the city council candidate seriously.

That's according to the two men who a decade ago set the marks for youngest councilman and mayor in Bethlehem. Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham was 31 when he was elected mayor and current Mayor John Callahan was 27 when he was elected to council. Reynolds will be 26 this fall.

"I dealt with a lot when I ran for mayor, a lot of people think you're not old enough to do the job," Cunningham said Wednesday. "Not being immodest but I think we broke down some of those barriers."

Callahan said he'd be pleased to relinquish his record to Reynolds.

The mayor said he was extremely impressed with Reynolds' energy and drive. "I think he's going to be a great addition to council," he said. "I couldn't think of any better person to become the new youngest councilman in city history."

Democrats chose Reynolds along with incumbent councilmen Robert Donchez and Gordon Mowrer from a field of seven candidates to run for council in the Nov. 6 general election. Esther Lee was the lone candidate in the Republican primary.

Veterans of city politics said they were unsurprised by Reynolds' win. He was the second leading vote-getter in the council primary, with 2,306 votes trailing the 2,897 for Donchez, according to unofficial results. Mowrer earned 2,182 votes.

"I think the people of Bethlehem were saying, 'We want some young blood,'" Mowrer said. "They've been saying that all along. They said that when I ran for mayor (in 1969). I was only 33."

Reynolds on Wednesday thanked his supporters, his family and friends and -- for stressing the importance of door-to-door campaigning -- Bethlehem Democratic Committee Chairman Jack Burke.

"I was truly humbled by the level of support that I had and I look forward to what we can do in the city," he said.

As for the age issue, Reynolds pointed to the city's economic development boom -- particularly the $637 million casino complex coming to South Side -- as an equalizer between generations.

"My biggest concern at age 25 is the same concern that people in Bethlehem have at age 35, 55, 75 and so on: make sure the city maintains the fabric of the community. That's probably the biggest thing that I'm looking forward to, is being a part of that journey."

Reynolds' nomination came at the expense of incumbent Councilwoman Magdalena Szabo who, at 79, was seeking re-election. Council appointed her in 1998 to fill the seat Cunningham vacated to run for mayor.

"Maggie for many years has been a very good public servant as a neighborhood activist, her time on the school board and her time as a city councilperson," Callahan said. "We all appreciate her efforts and her commitment to the city. We can only thank her for a career of public service."

Szabo said she wants to stay involved in the community. "I'm not going to disappear, which proves that age doesn't make a damn bit of difference in what you do," she said It's up to you to do it."

Szabo placed fifth with 1,670 votes trailing Dana Grubb's 1,706 and the three nominees. Ron Heckman got 1,634 votes and Ismael Arcelay, 1,215.
 

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