January 8, 2008

Donchez Resumes Presidency of City Council

Members pick the Democrat to succeed Schweder as leader.

By Nicole Radzievich of the Morning Call

With a swift pound of the gavel Monday, Robert Donchez ended Bethlehem City Council's first meeting of the year and assumed the role as council president.

His colleagues voted unanimously to appoint him as their parliamentary leader. As president, Donchez will appoint council members to committees in which ordinances are studied, rule on points of order and run the council meetings.

Donchez, a Democrat, promised to continue the professionalism and decorum that has become a hallmark of City Council meetings.

''There will be times when we agree, and there will be times when we disagree,'' Donchez said. ''But it is our responsibility to do what is best for the citizens of Bethlehem.

Donchez credited Councilman Michael Schweder, a Democrat who had been president since 2003, with leading the city through some difficult times, including the debate on whether gambling should come to the city.

Donchez last held the position of president 1998-2001. He is a legislative aide for state Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Northampton, and is a retired teacher.

During his 12 years on council, Donchez has kept a focus on public safety. He had supported increasing the number of paramedics to 24, initiated legislation requiring all buildings taller than 75 feet to have automatic sprinklers, lobbied for money to get police soft-body armor and supported the hiring of a new fire inspector last year.

A longtime student of Bethlehem politics, Donchez is a past chairman of the city Democratic Party, and past member of the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board and Bethlehem's Recreation Commission.

Last year, he was chairman of council's Public Safety Committee.

Councilman Joseph Leeson Jr., who nominated Donchez, described Donchez as a person who has had a ''fair and balanced hand,'' not only as a councilman, but during his career as an Allentown teacher.

''The person whom I will nominate possesses one of the qualities that any citizen seeks on a public official, and that quality is integrity,'' Leeson said.

Also at the reorganization meeting, J. William Reynolds, the youngest city councilman, took the oath of office along with Gordon Mowrer and Donchez, who were both re-elected in November.

The late Councilwoman Magdalena Szabo, who died just before her term ended in December, was honored with a citation.

Meg Holland, a Republican, the first woman elected controller, was sworn in.

Kaija L. Farber, a Democrat, was sworn in as city treasurer.

The elected officials were sworn in by Northampton County Judge Stephen G. Baratta.





 

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