Bethlehem's newest member of City Council, Cathy Reuscher, is a New Jersey native who was educated in Pittsburgh and at the University of Buffalo. Since 2008, she has lived in Bethlehem's Southside and is City Council's sole representative south of the Lehigh River. She is a co-founder of the Bethlehem Food Co-op, and is Mid-Atlantic policy associate for the Appalachian Mountain Club.

QWhere you surprised by the appointment?

AA little bit. There were 11 very competent candidates up there. I wouldn't be surprised if they had picked any one of them.

QWhy did you seek the appointment?

AI love the city. I chose to live here and have been here since '08. I love the people. I do have experience that I think is relevant to City Council.

QName one thing you'd like to get done in the next two years?

AI'd like to dust off the Jeff Speck walkability report and implement some of its recommendations. [This report was prepared for the city in 2009].

QIs the Southside improving?

AYeah. Things are picking up and improving on the Southside. The perception is improving, too. There are some incredible small businesses. People just need to give it a chance.

QWhat about the poverty there?

APart of those things are out of our hands. But this is where walkability comes into play. If you have to drive to your job, it's going to be a major impediment for many people with no car.

QWill you run in two years?

AI'm not sure. I'll have to see how I feel two years from now.