In a flamboyant multimedia show which included a marching band from Liberty HS, Mayor J. William Reynolds gave his first State of the City 2022 presentation at ArtsQuest April 7. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the sold-out event supported by a list of corporate sponsors.

Reynolds was accompanied on the stage by some of his staff, which gave graphic representation of his administration’s efforts to emphasize diversity through his inclusion of women and hiring people of differing ethnic and racial communities.

His presentation highlighted initiatives that will be the focus of his administration, but did not delve into details.

Appearing in a video projected to the audience of about 300 attendees at the gala breakfast meeting, Reynolds said, “Walking around this morning and talking to everyone just feeling that enthusiasm comes from our sense of opportunity. And we have opportunity in the City of Bethlehem. We do things as a team. That’s something I learned a long time ago.”

He said he wasn’t going to talk about problematic issues in the shadows or in whispers. “Were going to face them head-on.” He mentioned some of the issues the city faces: Affordable housing, homelessness, and how the city will recover from the pandemic.

He said his theme is working together and building a community for everyone.

Reynolds invited several members of his staff to speak; among them was the first female police chief in the Bethlehem Police Department.

Chief Michelle Kott said she wants to highlight the department’s work in delivering quality high-level service. She described some initiatives such as neighborhood outreach through officer foot and bike patrols, and working to “bridge the gap between law enforcement and social services” and the school district, which she said helps children exposed to violence to stay in school.

In March she implemented a new report management system that will better collect and analyze crime data.

Additionally, she said the fire department has new vehicles and has certified firefighters in large area search techniques.

Kott said part of the community outreach by the fire department re-introduced the use of “Sparky the Fire Dog” to help with fire safety, prevention education and community outreach.

The Bethlehem Emergency Medical Services is celebrating its fifth anniversary delivering quality services to the community. Kott said that included over 11,000 calls, for which personnel have been recognized for their care for cardiac patients and for providing advanced emergency care for children.