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Council Member Biographies

City Council is the legislative body of Bethlehem city government. The council is composed of seven members, who are elected to four-year terms. All council seats are determined by citywide elections; there are no districted council positions. Following are brief biographies of the city's council members.

Jean Belinski
Member of council 1998 to present.
Occupation: Former elementary school teacher, Diocese of Allentown.
Education: Ss. Simon and Jude Elementary, 1948; Bethlehem Catholic High School, 1952; Northampton Community College, 1982.
Council Activities: Chair of parks/public property committee; member of finance and public works committees.
Community Activities: Member of alumni board of directors and political action committee of Northampton Community College; Bethlehem Catholic High School Alumni Association; Bucks County Historical Society; and Holy Family Manor Auxiliary. Volunteer with the City of Bethlehem's Catholic Youth Organization. One-act-play director for Ss. Simon and Jude and Holy Infancy elementary schools for 30 years. Inducted in 1999 into Bethlehem Catholic High School's distinguished graduates hall of fame.

John B. Callahan
Member of council 1998 to present.
Occupation: institutional health care representative, Pfizer Inc.
Education: Moravian College, B.S. in biology, cum laude.
Council Activities: Chair of public works committee; member of parks/public property and community development committees. Member of board of directors, Bethlehem Area Public Library; member of Vacant Property Review Board.

James A. Delgrosso
Member of council 1982 to present.
Occupation: drivers' education teacher, Liberty High School, Bethlehem, 1965 to present.
Education: Liberty High School, 1961; B.S. in education, Kutztown University, 1965; graduate studies at Penn State and Temple universities.
Council activities: President of council 1990-1993, 1996-1997; chair of finance committee; member of public safety and public works committees. Community activities: Board member, Bethlehem Area Public Library, 1982-1988, 1995; member, Historic Bethlehem Partnership, 1992-present.
Professional associations: Bethlehem Education Association, Pennsylvania Education Association, National Education Association.

Robert J. Donchez
Member of council 1996 to present.
Occupation: Teacher, Allentown School District, social studies, 1972 to present.
Education: Liberty High School, 1968; Kutztown State University, B.S. in comprehensive social studies and political science; 1972; graduate courses, Kutztown State University, Wilkes University, and Allentown College; master's degree equivalent, 1991.
Council activities: President 1998 to present. Chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee, 1996-1998. Community activities: Member of Southside Neighborhood Center (1990-1999), Bethlehem Tourism Authority (1991-96); Northampton County Drug & Alcohol Commission (1990-95); Bethlehem Receation Commission (1990-93); Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board (1983-88); Northampton County Election Board (1983-88); Bethlehem Area Housing Development Corporation (1982-84); Bethlehem Housing Authority (1978-1982).
Professional associations: Allentown Education Association, Pennsylvania Education Association, National Education Association.

James S. Gregory
Council member 1996 to present.
Occupation: Youth counselor, Northampton County Youth Advocate.
Education: Lehigh County Community College, associate in arts degree in criminal justice administration; Kutztown University, B.S. in public administration.
Council activities: Chair of public safety committee; member of finance and human resources/environment committees.
Community activities: Hellertown Borough council member, 1984-86; past president and spokesperson, Lower Saucon Township Police Association; member, Northampton County Labor Council; former Chairperson of Bethlehem Democratic City Committee.

J. Michael Schweder
Council member 1998 to present.
Occupation: Director, state government relations, AT&T
Education: Liberty High School, 1967; Lycoming College, B.A. in political science, 1971; University of Michigan, executive program in business, 1987.
Council activities: Chair of community development committee; member of public safety and human resources/environment committees.
Community activities: Member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1974-1980; board member, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation; chair, Liberty High School Alumni Association; vice chair, Lycoming College Alumni Association.

Magdalena F. Szabo
Council member 1998 to present.
Occupation: Retired, administrative assistant to president, corporate secretary, and director of Bethlehem Contracting Company; employed with company 1954 to 1993.
Education: Liberty High School, 1945; Bethlehem Business School.
Council activities: Chair of human resources/environment committee; member of community development and parks/public property committees.
Community activities: Chair, Mayor's South Side Task Force, 1996-98; member, steering committee, Project IMPACT, Lehigh University; member, Downtown Business Association; member, Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce; former member, Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority; member, steering committee, Touchstone Theater's 1999 Steel Festival; director, Bethlehem Area School District, 1977-83, 1985.