Politics & Government

Boston Attack Halts Bethlehem Campaign for a Day

Mayoral candidate J. William Reynolds suspends campaign activities for one day 'out of respect' for families affected by marathon bombing.

 

Democratic mayoral candidate J. William Reynolds suspended all campaign activities for the day on Tuesday “out of respect” for all the families that were affected by the bombing of the Boston Marathon.

Laura Collins, Reynolds’ campaign manager, said Monday was an emotional day for Reynolds and his supporters. Two campaign volunteers ran in the marathon, Collins said. They came away unharmed but shaken, she said.

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Reynolds issued a statement about Boston in response to a media inquiry concerning a news conference held by his primary election opponent Bob Donchez.

Reynolds declined, instead offering the following statement:

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“Yesterday we suffered an American tragedy, one which cannot easily be pushed aside. Out of respect for every family and community that has been affected by this act of terror, I will not be making any political statements today and have suspended campaign activities for the entirety of the day.  All of the victims are in our thoughts and our prayers.”

Donchez outlined a 10-point plan to manage the city’s finances in his news conference at Payrow Plaza.

Among his ideas is to hire a volunteer “task force of financial and business experts from the public and private sectors to review all aspects of the city budget in order to streamline city operations.”

He also said he would try to implement a two-year budget planning process and work to limit employee travel and use of city-owned vehicles.

Reynolds and Donchez, both Democrats, are the only two candidates running for Bethlehem mayor.


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