Two Bethlehem City Councilman have announced their re-elections bids.
Councilman Eric Evans (left) and Councilman Bryan Callahan (right).Contributed photos
Councilman Eric Evans announced Sunday he is running for his third term on council while Councilman Bryan Callahan said Monday that he is seeking his second.
Four council seats are up for grabs in 2017.
Councilwoman Olga Negron-Dipini has said she plans to run again. Council Vice President Adam Waldron is also up for re-election, but has not said if he plans to seek another term.
“It’s been an honor to serve on council,” Evans, who lives in the northeast section of the city, said in a news release. “I have worked hard to make a positive impact on the city, and I’m excited to campaign for the opportunity to continue serving Bethlehem.”
Evans, who teaches American history at East Hills Middle School, was first elected to council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013. He’s a former council president and has chaired the pubic safety and parks and public property committees.
Callahan, who lives in Center City, said in a press release that he chose to run on a simple platform: keep Bethlehem growing, keep taxes low and maintain clean and safe neighborhoods. He feels he has delivered on this promise, but there’s more work to do.
“Living in the heart of the downtown has allowed me to experience the vibrancy of our city from a unique point of view. Bethlehem really is a special place,” Callahan, a Freedom High School teacher, said. “Our Main Street is bustling and is the envy of many. We have a great city but we cannot afford to become complacent.”
Bethlehem is seeing significant economic development right now, adding to its vibrant downtown and commercial areas, Evans said.
“At the same time, our housing stock and park system offers many options, making Bethlehem a wonderful place to live, work, and play,” Evans, who is married and has two sons, said. “I love living in Bethlehem and want to protect that quality of life for future generations.”
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Callahan touted his focus on the city’s finances, noting he was the only person to vote against the 2016 property tax increase. During the 2017 budget process, Callahan pushed for a tax decrease, but did not succeed. Council passed a zero tax hike spending plan.
“I supported additional transparency efforts on the way we spend your tax dollars and ways to reduce and streamline our city government,” he said.
To keep taxes low, Callahan supports economic development to grow Bethlehem’s tax base and ensure a strong future. He pointed to his support for a new Bethlehem Parking Authority garage in South Bethlehem to support the new Dennis Benner project and Third and New streets.
“I am confident that continued private investment in South Bethlehem will follow once the garage is complete,” Callahan said. “We need to do more of this throughout the city.”
He vowed to keep pushing for redevelopment of former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land, Martin Tower and infill development throughout the city.
Callahan pointed to his support for various initiatives, such as the revamped blighted property ordinance, which he said protects Bethlehem’s strong neighborhoods.
A widower and father of two, Callahan said he is quite proud of his involvement in creating the city’s first Italian festival as a tribute to his late wife. He is the brother of former city Mayor John Callahan.
Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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