BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Incumbent J. William Reynolds, a Democrat, on Wednesday was sworn in for a second four-year term as mayor of Bethlehem.
In a ceremony at Bethlehem Town Hall — surrounded by loved ones, former mayors and officials from the city and around the region — Reynolds said he couldn’t speak for what America would look like as a country in, say, a decade from now.
But he spoke confidently on his administration’s work to come locally, saying City Hall will keep present and future generations in mind.
“We’re going to have more parks, we’re going to have the community center, we’re going to invest in education, we’re going to build trust.”
Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“I have no doubt about what’s going to happen over the next four years,” Reynolds said. “We’re going to have more parks, we’re going to have the community center, we’re going to invest in education, we’re going to build trust.
“We’re going to continue to attract great people to work in this place.
“We’re going to continue to value the idea that our work extends beyond us.”
‘What make[s] this city run’
Reynolds touted his administration’s work of the past four years, including progress toward roadway and other infrastructure upgrades.
Also, a 10-year park improvements master plan, and the completion of studies on housing stability in the city and feasibility of a proposed South Bethlehem Community Center.
Related work will continue over the next four years, Reynolds said, as the administration also will be focused on, among many things, building that community center, making city streets safer and more accessible and continuing collaboration with Bethlehem Area School District.
“No matter what department or bureau you’re in, your service, your kindness, your belief in a new vision and new paths forward are what make this city run.”
Janine Santoro, Bethlehem director of equity and inclusion, speaking to city staff, past and present
Janine Santoro, city director of equity and inclusion and one of Reynolds’ staff members, said the work of multiple administrations and others in City Hall, past and current, has compounded into Bethlehem’s success as seen today.
For example, she said that work led to an official World Heritage designation honoring the city’s Moravian history, and Bethlehem’s formalization of its now-sixth sister-city relationship, with Patillas, Puerto Rico.
“No matter what department or bureau you’re in, your service, your kindness, your belief in a new vision and new paths forward are what make this city run,” Santoro said.
‘Continued clarity and transparency’
City Council President Rachel Leon, who was elected in 2022, said of her time alongside Reynolds over the years: “We’ve had the ability to agree with discernment and to disagree with grace and integrity.”
“So I expect the same going forward in the next four years,” Leon said.
“I’m extremely confident in his ability to lead the city, and in these times, whether certain or uncertain, I think Bethlehem’s future is very bright.”
“We’ve had the ability to agree with discernment and to disagree with grace and integrity. So I expect the same going forward in the next four years.”
Bethlehem City Council President Rachel Leon, speaking on her time serving alongside Reynolds over the years
She said the city’s elected officials, City Council and Reynolds alike, should strive for “continued clarity and transparency” with its constituency in the years ahead.
“That’s not a reflection of the fact that I think that is not the case; I think we have come a very long way,” Leon said.
“And I continue to look forward to pushing toward that as a continued goal on all parts.
“I think that community engagement has proven to be something that has been a priority, and I would like to continue to see that at the center of all decisions that are being made.”
City Councilperson Justin Amann, one of the panel’s two newest members, told LehighValleyNews.com after the ceremony that he looked forward to working with Reynolds and the administration.
“Our job is to be here to support that work and challenge that work when it needs to happen,” Amann said.
Will Oliver
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LehighValleyNews.com
Incumbent J. William Reynolds, a Democrat, alongside his wife, Dr. Natalie Bieber, addresses the crowd after taking his oath of office for his second four-year term as mayor of Bethlehem on Jan. 14. 2026.
‘Creating a beloved community’
In prayer Wednesday, the Rev. Janel Rice, senior pastor of Central Moravian Church, said Bethlehem should remember the call from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially ahead of the federal holiday on Monday named in his memory, in that “we honor to work and live toward creating a beloved community.”
“May we be resilient to lift each other up when times are difficult and to celebrate when times are joyful.”
Rev. Janel Rice, senior pastor of Central Moravian Church
“May we be resilient to lift each other up when times are difficult and to celebrate when times are joyful,” Rice said.
Reynolds in 2007 was the youngest person in Bethlehem history to be elected to City Council, where he served three terms, including four years as its president.
In the mayoral primary election this past May, Reynolds easily secured the Democratic nomination over then-City Councilperson Grace Crampsie Smith.
He ran unopposed in November to win another term as the city’s 14th mayor.
Reynolds is the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, a nonprofit that “strengthens and empowers effective local government through advocacy, education and support for our members,” according to its website.
He’s also chairperson of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council.
Reynolds graduated magna cum laude from Moravian University with a degree in political science.
He lives in North Bethlehem with his wife, Dr. Natalie Bieber, and their son, Leo.