After announcing only a few months ago the formation of a financial advisory group to help the city run more efficiently, Mayor Bob Donchez told media June 12 he has assembled a citizen group to speak for the city's small businesses.

The Mayor's Business Advisory Committee is made up of 16 volunteer members whose best interest is served by keeping city hall abreast of what's working and what needs to change for the success of small businesses in Bethlehem.

Donchez said that as part of making the city's economic development a priority, he is trying to create the best environment for businesses to open and grow. To do so, he said he wants input from a broad range of establishments from throughout the city. "I have chosen representation from businesses in all neighborhoods of the city, every industry from retail to research, and all generations from startups to franchises.

"By opening lines of communication with the business community, I will be better able to gauge the local economic climate, understand the needs of our businesses, and maximize the impact of the city's economic development zones," Donchez said.

"We want to balance our retail and restaurants … our downtowns. I think what's extremely important is the city's relationship to the merchants, to the businesses in all parts of town. I think we've all got to work together. We will not always agree but we need good communication and dialog."

He said the committee will help bridge how the city and businesses interact with each other and organizations such as the Parking Authority, the Downtown Bethlehem Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He said he also hopes it will help streamline the permit process, confront signage issues and organize downtown events. Donchez said, "During the campaign I spoke with many business owners and they felt that sometimes there was a little bit of a disconnect between business and the city. And that's one of the goals I wanted to do."

Donchez said many decisions, such as when meetings would take place and exactly what form the committee's advice would take, were still to be decided. In fact, those in attendance adjourned with the mayor to his third-floor conference room immediately after the press conference to begin the discussion.

The committee members, representing merchants, restaurants and utilities, are: Neville Gardner, Donegal Square; Diane Holt, Apollo Grill; Dina Hall, Backdoor Bakeshop; Lynn Cunningham, Chamber; Bruce Haines, Hotel Bethlehem; Dana DeVito, Moravian Book Store; Tim Brion, State Farm; Luke Cunningham, West Side Hammer; Evelyn Beckman, Ambré Studio; Mike Albarell, Albarell Electric; Tony Mauser, Fritch Fuel; Shannon Patrick, Puppy Palace; Domenic Lombardo, Mint & Parlour; Sally Handlon, Handlon Business Resources; Tom Stine, Viddler at Pi; and Andy Po, HomeBase skate shop.