Update, No Admission! `No Pepper For You!’ ** No, I Am Not Invited to the Bethlehem Boondoggle’s Annual Meeting

Oct. 6, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Earlier today, I received an email from a person affiliated with the Bethlehem Co-Op containing a link to tonight’s meeting. It’s not working. I’m not going to keep trying.

Perhaps it was too good to be true? Anyway, I’m relieved. No more nonsense about “food deserts” and “food insecurity” while they still haven’t opened their yuppie store at 250 E. Broad St., in an affluent part of Bethlehem.

It may be that the Grand Poobahs of the Bethlehem Boondoggle never wanted me to listen, and that the contact was unofficial and the link incorrect.

The truth is, if the Boondoggle’s board did anything right, it would be almost disappointing. So far they have been a disaster, spending money, borrowing money, not delivering.

Let’s not forget, taxpayers put up $3.1 million for a group that repeatedly makes false promises. That’s $3,100,000. Your money, our money.

I have done my part by pointing out how the city fawned on this group, gave it money and then paid no attention as the opening date got pushed back … and back … and back ….

State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Bethlehem) helped secure $100,000 for them, the city gave them $105,000 (federal money that could have been used on something else) and the federal government gave them $2.9 million. Outrageous. That last grant was directed here by Susan Wild, former Representative for Pennsylvania’s 7th District.

I’m watching baseball. The Phillies might lose but at least they are trying.

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