Oct. 8, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
It’s time for the City of Bethlehem to step in and demand answers from the Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle that only exists (on paper) because of city support.
An earlier version of City Council voted to award the Boondoggle $105,000 that could have gone to some other city need. The city also administered a $2.9 million federal grant for the Boondoggle.
If the city gives me $105,000, I’ll be glad to answer questions about it.
I’m asking Mayor J. William Reynolds to act, and asking Bethlehem City Council to at the very least, ask the Co-Op to come in and answer questions at a public meeting.
That’s not asking too much, is it, of a group that has taken more than $3 milllion of taxpayers’ dollars and delivered nothing? The Boondoggle still hasn’t set an opening date and is coming up fast on four years past the first failed grand unveiling.
Look at it this way: City Council could have voted to give me $52,500, or half of what the Boondoggle received, instead of feeding the Co-Op money pit.
The City would be $52,500 ahead, and the Co-Op would still be what it is now: not open, and I’d have invested the $52,500 or just blown it all on travel.
We’d all be happy.
So if you know the mayor, or anybody on City Council, just ask them to do the right thing: investigate what’s gone on at the Co-Op. Check up on the use of taxpayers’ money.
Hold them accountable.
That’s the government’s job.
Here’s an email I sent today to City Council, Mayor Reynolds, Controller Yasso and others in City Hall:
*****************
Dear Council members, Controller, Mayor and others:
The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle only exists because of support from City Council and two mayors. It is a private entity, but one that has received most of its support from taxpayers, courtesy of the city, the state and federal government.
The city was the custodian for about $3 million of taxpayers’ dollars that were thrown into this black hole of goofy good intentions.
The City of Bethlehem should demand accountability, should demand to see the Boondoggle’s tax returns and records, and at the least, ask it to come before City Council to answer questions.
Here is my latest blog post on the Bethlehem Boondoggle, focusing on its failure again to set an opening date:
The Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle Still Hasn’t Set an Opening Date – Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Please at least ask it to appear before Council. That’s not asking too much, is it? They were glad to go to meetings earlier and marvel about the wonders of some Co-Op in Seattle. Now, let them explain what’s happened to the Boondoggle in Bethlehem.
This is not a political issue. It is an issue of public money and common sense.
City Council gave them $105,000, asking some questions about that “investment” is reasonable.
Thank you
Jeff Ward
Bethlehem resident
***************************
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 