Consuelo Isabel Villarreal-Reyes is the inventor of the popular "2x3" Math Game, which helps kids improve their multiplication skills. In an age of computers, it's a popular board game. Bethlehem school officials and some charter schools have begun to make purchases. Her math was good enough for Bethlehem's Zoning hearing Board at its Oct. 22 meeting. The board granted her a dimensional variance from the strict setbacks of the zoning ordinance so that she could put a roof over the rear patio of her property, located at 716 Broadway.

Though none of their neighbors protested, Al Bernotas did. He lives on Johnston Drive, located nearly five miles away, well beyond the 300 feet required for standing. He began to complain about adequate posting, but was stopped short by board member James Schantz.

"Do you live within 300 feet of the property?" Bernotas was asked.

"I don't know," he responded.

"Can you see this house from your house?" he was asked.

"I don't know. I haven't looked for it," he answered.

By a 4-0 vote, zoners By a 4-0 vote, zoners voted to exclude Bernotas.

"Thank you for your interest in this case, but you're excluded because you're nowhere near it," solicitor Eric Schoch told Bernotas.

But zoners recognized another citizen who has faithfully attended Zoning Hearing Board meetings for the past 10 years. Bill Guth, who walks to every meeting despite having a disability that makes it difficult to walk, was honored with a citation signed by all zoners. Guth stated he likes to attend zoning meetings because they provide the best insight about what's really happening.