Bethlehem, PA
Ok, I have to admit something right off. Despite the few hundred interviews I have done in over the past 3 years, I was very nervous for some reason. Even though I prepared for this one instead of the usual improvisation, I still blanked when entering the room. It almost felt like studying hard for test and then forgetting everything when you look at the paper. This his had nothing to do with Mayor Donchez. He was very polite, friendly and patient. I want to thank Mayor Robert Donchez and his staff for their time.
Quick Intro
Editor's Note: Honestly, in all the people I have interviewed, I was seriously nervous. I have no idea why. When I walked into the conference room, I blanked. Like when you studied for the important test. Looked at the questions and could not remember anything. So much for keeping my cool and being professional! The interview is unedited and straight through
Not just buildings, but people...
"Michael Phoenix, founder of A Valley and Beyond. Thank You, Mayor Donchez for your time. I realize your schedule is very busy. You do an excellent job on the city (Bethlehem)."
Mayor Donchez: Thank You.
Editor's Note: (Screwed up right off / skipping ahead)
"I want to talk about how Bethlehem does things, in contradiction to a lot of cities, putting up buildings and trying to attract a lot of money. Whereas, a lot of things Bethlehem does, it is for everyone. Bethlehem is probably the festival capitol of the East Coast (smiling). How important is that to the city economically. I know the city relies a lot on tourism."
Mayor Donchez: Right. One person you should talk to in addition to me, our director of Community and Economic Developement, Alicia Karner. Festivals and events are important to the city. Obviously, the main one is Musikfest, it's 10 days and 1 million people. Celtic Fest is 3 days and close to 300,00 people. We are a city of festivals and special events. It's great, there are economic benefits to our restaurants and retail, in many times, it will bring people back to the city.
In the area of economic developement, that is very important. The fact that we are able to showcase our city. Runners world and many, many different events that we have. Hopefully, if they are coming for the first time, will bring them back a second and third time.
"In addition, you mentioned Musikfest. Which is by far the largest. (Again, slight screw up). There is also a lot of smaller festivals. One of my favorites, found a favorite local band for the first time, is Harvest Fest. The smaller festivals also draw a large crowd."
Mayor Donchez: Sure. We have festivals almost every weekend. I think we average over 100 per year. ("WOW"). Festivals like the Strawberry Festival or Harvest Fest. All of them, whether small or large, are important to the city. Because there is an economic spin off to retail and restaurants. Hopefully, it is an attraction, like I said before, to bring people back a second and third time.
Editor's Note: Ok, repetitive on my part. Like I said, I was very nervous.
"In addition to festivals, Bethlehem has 2 colleges, that are almost right next to each other."
Mayor Donchez: We actually have 4 colleges. ("I do apologize."). We have Lehigh, Moravian, Northampton Community College. We have, on Broad Street, East Stroudsburg University.
"Going to the economic side. I know some students stay over during the summer. Along with the festivals, how important is that to the economic development of Bethlehem? Sometimes, college students have the money and sometimes they do not.
Mayor Donchez: The students are very, very important. Not just the students, but also the faculty. One of the things we have been working very hard on, over the last year and a half, to try and get Lehigh students off campus. To shop on the South Side and to the North Side. We are seeing some success in that area.
Moravian College has the loop that goes through our downtown on the North Side. East Stroudsburg is located right in the heart of downtown. Having the students visit your retail and restaurants is very, very important.
Editor's Note: completely blanked here for a few seconds.
"Between the festivals and students, that is pretty much a large part of the economy of Bethlehem. But, I have also noticed, Bethlehem is starting to attract jobs in the areas of manufacturing on 412 going to Hellertown. I believe there is an art school going up on the South Side?"
If you have read / checked out other articles, I have to leave it on a cliff hanger! Do not worry, part 2 and 3 will keep you interested. I am also an author, natural reflex!
Mayor Donchez: Thank You.
Editor's Note: (Screwed up right off / skipping ahead)
"I want to talk about how Bethlehem does things, in contradiction to a lot of cities, putting up buildings and trying to attract a lot of money. Whereas, a lot of things Bethlehem does, it is for everyone. Bethlehem is probably the festival capitol of the East Coast (smiling). How important is that to the city economically. I know the city relies a lot on tourism."
Mayor Donchez: Right. One person you should talk to in addition to me, our director of Community and Economic Developement, Alicia Karner. Festivals and events are important to the city. Obviously, the main one is Musikfest, it's 10 days and 1 million people. Celtic Fest is 3 days and close to 300,00 people. We are a city of festivals and special events. It's great, there are economic benefits to our restaurants and retail, in many times, it will bring people back to the city.
In the area of economic developement, that is very important. The fact that we are able to showcase our city. Runners world and many, many different events that we have. Hopefully, if they are coming for the first time, will bring them back a second and third time.
"In addition, you mentioned Musikfest. Which is by far the largest. (Again, slight screw up). There is also a lot of smaller festivals. One of my favorites, found a favorite local band for the first time, is Harvest Fest. The smaller festivals also draw a large crowd."
Mayor Donchez: Sure. We have festivals almost every weekend. I think we average over 100 per year. ("WOW"). Festivals like the Strawberry Festival or Harvest Fest. All of them, whether small or large, are important to the city. Because there is an economic spin off to retail and restaurants. Hopefully, it is an attraction, like I said before, to bring people back a second and third time.
Editor's Note: Ok, repetitive on my part. Like I said, I was very nervous.
"In addition to festivals, Bethlehem has 2 colleges, that are almost right next to each other."
Mayor Donchez: We actually have 4 colleges. ("I do apologize."). We have Lehigh, Moravian, Northampton Community College. We have, on Broad Street, East Stroudsburg University.
"Going to the economic side. I know some students stay over during the summer. Along with the festivals, how important is that to the economic development of Bethlehem? Sometimes, college students have the money and sometimes they do not.
Mayor Donchez: The students are very, very important. Not just the students, but also the faculty. One of the things we have been working very hard on, over the last year and a half, to try and get Lehigh students off campus. To shop on the South Side and to the North Side. We are seeing some success in that area.
Moravian College has the loop that goes through our downtown on the North Side. East Stroudsburg is located right in the heart of downtown. Having the students visit your retail and restaurants is very, very important.
Editor's Note: completely blanked here for a few seconds.
"Between the festivals and students, that is pretty much a large part of the economy of Bethlehem. But, I have also noticed, Bethlehem is starting to attract jobs in the areas of manufacturing on 412 going to Hellertown. I believe there is an art school going up on the South Side?"
If you have read / checked out other articles, I have to leave it on a cliff hanger! Do not worry, part 2 and 3 will keep you interested. I am also an author, natural reflex!