February 27, 2017 – 6:38 pm
Bethlehem’s bond rating jumped a notch to A, a grade city officials hope will reduce the cost of a new borrowing for road, sewer and other projects.
The new rating, which signals to bond buyers the risk of the investment, reflects the city’s “improved budgetary performance” and better management, S&P Global Ratings agency says.
“We believe the city’s structurally balanced operations are a result of sustainable budget adjustments which have restored the available reserves to a strong level,” S&P said in its rationale.
S&P said it has a “positive outlook” for Bethlehem, saying the city has a “one-in-three chance” the rating can be upgraded again over the next two years if it sustains its financial position.
FULL STORY HERE
February 5, 2017 – 9:24 pm

Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez announced Friday that he will run for a second four-year term.
In making his case for re-election, Donchez said in his three-page announcement that he has built a record of working with City Council to keep the city’s streets safe and neighborhoods strong while attacking fiscal challenges.
In the next four years, Donchez said, he would work to complete the transition of the city’s 911 system to Northampton County, get more rundown buildings repaired, develop a master plan for the city parks, pave more streets, encourage more downtown business and whittle down projected city deficits.
“I believe that Bethlehem has made great progress under my administration,” said Donchez, a 66-year-old Democrat. “But, there is so much more to do to continue to keep moving our city forward.” Full Story Here.
(Source: The Morning Call)
October 7, 2014 – 8:04 pm
A very big thank you to our friends at Stefano’s Italian Restaurant of Bethlehem. They generously donated to the City of Bethlehem’s Mounted Patrol Unit.
Thank you very much.

Mayor Robert Donchez
Bethlehem City Democratic Committee 2013 Annual Picnic and Golf Tourney
Pig Roast at Starters Clubhouse, 400 Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017
August 10, 2013
$85 golf and Picnic, Morning Tee times TBA
$25 per person for picnic only, Picnic Starts at 3:00 Dinner served at 4:30, Speakers 5:30
Draft Beer and Soft Drinks Included. Vegetarian & Non-Pork Fare Available
Official Picnic Flyer Here: Download
Bethlehem City Council President Robert Donchez claimed the city’s top office Wednesday after his opponent in the mayoral primary, J. William Reynolds, called to concede after a nail-biting night of watching returns.
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Five-term Bethlehem City Councilman Robert Donchez clinched the Democratic nomination for mayor last week, all but assuring he will be the city’s 12th mayor barring write-in votes or a third-party candidate in the general election. He’ll be the first new mayor in Bethlehem in a decade. He is the subject of this week’s Q&A.
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