David A. Saltzer, resident of South Bethlehem, announced Feb. 5 he is joining the race for Bethlehem City Council. Saltzer, a registered Democrat, has been a longtime advocate for city support of first responders, as well as investment in the city’s working class.

“I’ve grown up in this beautiful city, and I had the privilege of serving as a Bethlehem City Firefighter for 15 years. Since I was a teenager, I’ve held multiple jobs at one time to make ends meet, and I want to represent the hard working people of Bethlehem,” Saltzer says.

An outspoken supporter of the Bethlehem Fire Department, Saltzer served the city until suffering a catastrophic knee injury in 2015 while fighting an active fire. He retired in 2017, but is still searching for ways to help the city he loves so much. During his tenure with the Bethlehem Fire Department he served as president of the Bethlehem Firefighters IAFF Local 735 Union for over seven years, and secretary for previous six years.

Saltzer is a strong advocate for city support for Bethlehem’s firefighters, police and paramedics. “These men and women put their lives on the line daily, and cutting funding for personnel and infrastructure for first responders is unsafe. We do these jobs because we are called to help people, and in order to do that we need to be funded for success.”

He has also held positions, many simultaneously, with Lehigh County as a 911 acting supervisor and telecommunicator, as an Upper Saucon EMT, as well as an emergency dispatcher for Medevac at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“Since I was young, I’ve felt a strong drive to help people. That’s what I find fulfilling, and serving on city council is another way I can do that. Bethlehem is a historic steel city, made up of hard working people, and I want to be a voice for these hard workers. I feel like I can represent them because I’m just like them. I’d feel so honored to be able to do that,” Saltzer said.

His softer side displays a deep love for animals, and he currently serves as volunteer grant writer, treasurer and fundraising coordinator for Aunt Helen’s Cat’s In Need, a local 501(c)3 cat rescue. He’s also the proud dog-dad to three: Chevy and Cloie, both shih tzus, and Sophie, a husky. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, avidly supporting Yankees baseball and Eagles football, and spending time with his five nephews and one niece.

Supporters can follow Saltzer on his facebook page www.facebook/saltzerforcobcouncil.