City Council at its regular meeting Monday selected Councilwoman Vanessa Campos as its new vice president.
Campos represents District 1, which includes the city’s southwest neighborhoods of Wyomissing Park, Millmont, Oakbrook and areas south of Penn Street.
She was appointed on a 5-2 vote, with Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. and Councilwoman Melissa Ventura voting for Baez.
Campos was nominated by Councilman O. Christopher Miller and Baez was nominated by Ventura during a process reflecting differing views and ending with pledges of collaboration and unity.
Miller said he based his nomination on his confidence in Campos’ ability to reflect council as a whole when acting as a representative of the body or speaking publicly.
Addressing council before the roll call, Campos said she was honored by the nomination and did not feel the need to lobby her colleagues.
“I trust the will of the body, regardless of their choice,” she said.
Vanessa Campos
A longtime city resident, Campos spent more than a decade working in the Reading School District as an educator and leader before joining council.
She is a graduate of Reading Area Community College and Kutztown University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude and her master’s degree magna cum laude. She serves as an adjunct instructor for English-language learners at RACC and also works as a licensed real estate agent.
Calling herself a proud Latina whose family immigrated from the Dominican Republic, Campos said she has used her educational and professional experience to benefit Reading and will continue to collaborate with council and the administration to move the city forward.
In a statement Tuesday, she said the vice presidency does not change her core responsibilities as a district councilor but adds a broader leadership role. She described teamwork as central to her approach, emphasizing the importance of considering various viewpoints in council’s decision-making processes.
“It’s not about me in isolation,” she said. “It is all about that teamwork and inclusion that I think are very important to me as a leader in this role.”
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. (Courtesy of Jaime Baez Jr.)
During the public comment before the vote, several residents spoke in English and Spanish in support of Baez, praising his community involvement and leadership style.
Addressing council before the vote, Baez emphasized what he described as his active approach to leadership.
“I don’t believe leadership is about waiting your turn or waiting to feel comfortable,” he said. “I believe it’s about showing up and doing the work.”
He cited legislation he has introduced, community meetings he organized during his first year on council and outreach efforts to colleagues as evidence of that approach.
Ventura said her nomination was based on Baez’s leadership and energy and her belief that he would work with colleagues regardless of differences.
Before casting one of the votes for Campos, Councilman Raymond E. Baker said the decision was difficult and cautioned against framing the discussion around vote totals from past elections.
“We need to represent the city as a whole,” he said, stressing that council represents Democrats, Republicans, independents and residents who do not vote.
Baker described both nominees as wholly qualified and said council cohesion is more important than who holds the title.
City clerk
Later in the meeting, council unanimously reappointed Linda Kelleher as city clerk for a two-year term. Kelleher has served in the role since January 1996.
Baker praised Kelleher’s longevity and experience, saying he was once told that two people run the city, the mayor in office and Linda Kelleher.
“Mayors have come and gone, and Linda Kelleher is still here,” he said, noting no disrespect to the current administration was intended.
Reed praised Kelleher as a good administrator and citizen, describing her as a steady presence who consistently provides guidance and administrative support.
Though they haven’t always agreed, Reed said she has relied on Kelleher’s knowledge and counsel.
“Her institutional knowledge supersedes virtually anyone in City Hall,” Reed said, noting Kelleher has also assembled a knowledgeable staff that is responsive to council. “She certainly has my support.”