Bethlehem City Council to Meet Twice Tonight; Two Members Leave, Two New Ones Come In

Jan. 5, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Tonight will be twice as nice at Town Hall. Twice the fun for the same low price (it’s free)!

Bethlehem City Council will hold two meetings tonight, as it says farewell to two members and brings in two new ones.

Grace Crampsie Smith and Kiera Wilhelm will complete their terms at the first meeting. At the second, newcomers Justin Amann and Jo Daniels will be sworn in, along with Rachel Leon and Hillary Kwiatek, who were elected again.

All City Council members are Democrats, and the next council will also be a 7-0 Democrat sweep.

During the second meeting, City Council will pick its president, currently Michael Colon. City Controller George Yasso will also be sworn in.

Otherwise the agenda looks pretty dull, but in the City of Bethlehem, discussion of history, small-town drama, debate over the Middle East, or just one’s strongly felt personal feelings may erupt during public discussion at any time.

Stand by!

Meeting one begins at Town Hall at 7 p.m. tonight, Monday, Jan. 5, moving up a day from the usual Tuesday gathering because of the swearings-in. Swearing ins?

Meeting Two will follow Meeting One.

Here is the agenda, and a link to watch the meeting online.