Bethlehem City Elected Officials - Bethlehem City Democratic Committee

MAYOR

After serving for eight years on the Bethlehem City Council, J. William Reynolds was elected the City’s 14th Mayor in 2021 (Term Ending: 2025). In his Mayor Reynolds’ first year, his Administration has focused on initiatives related to housing affordability, sustainability, pandemic recovery, and economic development throughout Bethlehem.

Reynolds has also served as a member of the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Board of Directors, Calypso Elementary School’s Leadership Team, and VIA’s Hall of Fame and All-Star Basketball Classic Selection Committee. He is currently the Treasurer for the Alumni Board of Moravian College as well as serving on the Finance Committee of the Bethlehem Food Co-Op. William’s Facebook Page.

CITY COUNCIL

Michael G. Colón (Term Ending: 2024) is President of Bethlehem City Council (2022-2024), chairman of the city’s Human Relation Commission, an alternate on the City’s Civil Service Board, a volunteer at the Bethlehem Visitors Center, a volunteer at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, a graduate of the Bethlehem Citizen’s Academy and a volunteer at the Society of Volunteer Administrators of the Lehigh Valley where he is currently Treasurer.

Colón is a volunteer coordinator at Gracedale Nursing Home and had worked as a 911 operator at Northampton County Dispatch. He said those experiences have prepared him as a city councilman so he could help “keep Bethlehem on course for a bright future” and promised “to work tirelessly to represent all citizens of this great city.”

Michael’s Facebook page.

Grace Crampsie Smith (Term Ending: 2026) is Bethlehem City Council Vice-President (2022-2024), Chairperson of Public Works Committee, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Liaison.

A school counselor at Easton Area High School, Crampsie Smith also serves with the Northampton Co. Democratic Committee (Precinct Committee Person); Northampton County Council of Democratic Women; Bethlehem Area Democratic Committee; Lehigh Valley Democratic Progressive Committee; Lehigh Valley ROAR; Lehigh Valley 4 All; and is a graduate of the Bethlehem Police Citizens Academy.

Grace’s Facebook page.

A Black woman with shoulder-length hair wearing a zebra-print blouse in front of a light brown wall. Dr. Wandalyn Enix (Term Ending: 2024) is Bethlehem’s first Black City Councilmember and serves as Chair of the Finance Committee and Bethlehem Authority Liaison. Enix taught social studies in the Bethlehem Area School District at Broughal Jr. High school, Liberty High School, and Nitschmann Jr. High School before becoming a professor at Montclair State University.

(Ed. note: We are not aware of a website or Facebook page for Dr. Enix)

Hillary Kwiatek (Term Ending: 2026) is Chair of Parks and Recreation Committee, Redevelopment , and Authority and Blighted Property Review Committee Liaison; Bethlehem Housing Authority Liaison. An employee of Lehigh University, Kwiatek has served the City through various organizations including: Friends of Bethlehem Area Public Library (Secretary 2014-2015, President 2015-2017); Bethlehem City Democratic Committee (2005-Present, Secretary 2018-2020); and KaBoom Playground Build Captain (2010).

Hillay’s Facebook page.

A Brown woman with dark curly hair wearing glasses, standing in front of a map and holding a campaign sign that says "Rachel Leon" Rachel Leon (Term Ending 2026) is Chair of Public Safety Committee and Library Board Liaison. Born and raised in South Bethlehem, Leon graduated from the City’s Freedom High School and served in the United States Navy for 10 years.

Rachel’s Facebook page.

A white woman with long blonde hair wearing glasses, a blue shirt and black blazer Dr. Paige Van Wirt (Term Ending: 2024) is Chairperson of Community Development Committee and Parking Authority Liaison.

Dr. Van Wirt’s Facebook page.

A white woman with short blonde hair leaning out a window holding a white coffee cup. She is wearing glasses and a blue long-sleeved shirt. Kiera Wilhelm (Term Ending: 2026) is Chair of Human Resources and Environment Committee and Environmental Advisory Council Liaison.

Wilhelm works as a Grants and Communications Specialist for Lehigh University and currently serves Bethlehem through various organizations including: YWCA Bethlehem Development/Marketing Committee; IceHouse Performing Arts Collaborative Steering Committee; The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Development/Marketing Committee; Any Given Child Bethlehem Marketing Committee; and Touchstone Theatre Fundraising/Marketing Volunteer.

Kiera’s Facebook page.

CITY CONTROLLER

George Yasso (serving since 2015)

The Office of the Controller is an autonomous office of City government headed by the City Controller, an independently elected official. The services of this office include financial and operational audits and investigations in order to identify and deter waste and fraud. In addition, the office reviews policies and procedures and analyzes financial information in order to recommend revenue enhancements and cost savings to the Administration and/or City Council.