Latest news with #VanessaCampos
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Primary election 2025 results: Reading City Council
Voters in three Reading districts got a chance to pick nominees for spots on City Council during Tuesday's primary election, while voters citywide were able to cast ballots for their choice for City Council president. Here are the results of the contested races. All vote totals are incomplete and unofficial. Incumbents are denoted by an asterisk. Council President (Vote for one) Democrats *Donna Reed 967 Jaime Baez Jr. 961 Vanessa Campos 449 City Council District 1 (Vote for one) Democrats *Vanessa Campos 372 Denise Johnson City Council District 4 (Vote for one) Democrats Ray Baker 358 Emmanuel Rodriguez 126 City Council District 5 (Vote for one) Democrats *Rafael A. Nunez 215 Sheila Perez 203
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Primary election 2025: Here's who is running for Reading offices
Reading voters will get a chance to select candidates to serve in several City Council positions in the May 20 primary election. This year voters will cast ballots for candidates running for council president and three council district seats. The openings are in Districts 1, 4 and 5. The winners of the primary will face off in the November general election. Candidates for council president and the district seats will be elected to four-year terms. Incumbents are indicated by an asterisk. Here is who is running. Council President (Vote for one) Democrats *Donna Reed Jaime Baez Jr. Vanessa Campos Republican Evelyn W. Morrison City Council District 1 (Vote for one) Democrats *Vanessa Campos Denise Johnson City Council District 4 (Vote for one) Democrats Emmanuel Rodriguez Ray Baker Republican Gary D. Colby City Council District 5 (Vote for one) Democrats *Rafael A. Nunez Sheila Perez
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading's Dominicans mourn those killed in the nightclub disaster
The atmosphere was somber, yet hopeful, Tuesday night as members of Reading's Dominican community gathered at City Hall to mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of the more than 200 killed when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As of Monday, the death toll in the April 8 tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub had risen to 231. Another 200 or more were injured, according to Associated Press reports. 'I'd like to thank you all for being here and coming together as a community, united to support the mourning of the lost lives and the other victims that were affected,' said Councilwoman Vanessa Campos. Campos served as master of ceremonies for the memorial vigil, organized by the Dominican Association of Reading and held in Council Chambers due to the inclement weather. Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos speaks during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) About 200 area residents, many with Dominican ancestry, bowed their heads in a prayer led by the Rev. Andy Mercedes. They waved miniature Dominican flags and held battery-operated candles aloft as they joined Mercedes in singing the popular hymn Paz en la Tormenta, or Peace in the Storm. Participants also joined in spiritual songs led by musician George Garcia. Speakers at the event included Patricia Vazquez, president of the Dominican Association; Alexandra Peralta, a local community leader; Magisterial Judge Priscilla Campos; and state, county and city elected officials. Most spoke to the crowd in Spanish, without an interpreter. Reading Mayor Eddie Moran speaks during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Translating his speech to English, Mayor Eddie Moran, thanked the community for coming together in unity. 'Anybody that has heard of the loss of lives that occurred into the Dominican Republic, I think, will feel the pain,' the mayor said. 'You know, these are real lives that were lost, people who were dreamers, people who had history, people who have touched the hearts of many in the world.' Pastor Andy Mercedes sings 'Paz en la Tormenta' during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) About 18,575 people in Reading identify as Dominican, according to the 2020 U.S. census. This makes Reading one of the top 25 cities with large Dominican populations. With such a large number, Council President Donna Reed said, it is likely that some of those living in Reading lost relatives, friends or acquaintances. Mourners gather during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) 'I know many of you here must have personal stories about the awful tragedy that occurred,' Reed said, offering her condolences. 'We are all family; all one city.' It is particularly heartrending that such an immense tragedy occurred in the early days of spring, she said. It's a time for celebration, she said, when trees and flowers are blooming, the sun is warm and there is new hope all around. It is hard to comprehend such a staggering loss of lives, she said. But the community has come together to celebrate those lives with friendship, music and hope. Reed said she like to believe those killed in the tragedy are also celebrating in the heavens. 'Hopefully, we can in the midst all this terrible sorrow and sadness, think of the light, think of the rebirth,' she said. * during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * Mourners gather during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos speaks during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos speaks during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * Reading Mayor Eddie Moran speaks during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) * Pastor Andy Mercedes sings 'Paz en la Tormenta' during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Show Caption 1 of 7 during a vigil Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Reading City Council chambers in memory of those killed in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Expand
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reading City Council tables a $2.89 million grant for housing for shelter clients
City Council has deferred a decision on the allocation of funds for affordable housing for working adults and families currently living in shelters. Council voted 4-2 at a special meeting Tuesday to table a resolution that would allocate $2.89 million in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Act, or HOME-ARP, funds to Opportunity House for the acquisition of a property at 100 S. Fourth St. Councilmembers Vanessa Campos and Rafael Nunez cast the dissenting votes. Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. was absent. Council previously tabled action on the allocation and requested additional information at its regular meeting Feb. 10. The special meeting was scheduled for further discussion and possible action on the proposal. The city received $3.5 million in HOME-ARP money about three years ago, Jamar Kelly, city finance, deputy managing and acting community development director, said Wednesday. The funds administered by the federal office of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, are earmarked to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability. 'When the city received the award, we had to go through a community engagement process,' Kelly said. As part of that process, Kelly said, some of the money was set aside for support services and workforce development programs for the city's unhoused population. The remaining $2.9 million, he said, was allocated for affordable housing as part of an action plan council approved in 2022. Only one organization, Opportunity House, which operates a shelter at 430 N. Second St., responded to the city's request for proposals, Kelly said. Modesto Fiume, executive director of the nonprofit, said the organization looked at three other properties before agreeing to buy the 20-unit apartment building on South Fourth Street from Dream Ventures PA II LLC, an entity of the Brooklyn development company, Heights Advisors. Council previously approved plans for the building with the understanding it would become market-rate apartments, Councilman O. Christopher Miller said. He and some other council members expressed concerns about removing the building from the tax roll should it be bought by the nonprofit. The Brooklyn entity also has plans for apartment projects at 601 Penn St. and the former Central Catholic High School building on Hill Road. Reading City Council will not appeal zoning board's decision to allow apartments in former school Opportunity House has a lease with the developer for the temporary operation of an emergency shelter in a former convent building on Eckert Avenue. Opportunity House to reopen temporary shelter in former convent in Reading Fiume said the South Fourth Street building would have 20 one- and two-bedroom units that could be rented to those below the median income level who have been stuck living in the shelter because they cannot afford market rates for rentals. The targeted tenants would include those working at low-paying jobs and others, such as the elderly or disabled who receive Social Security income or disability insurance. Miller and Councilwomen Melissa Ventura and Vanessa Campos said they were unaware of the project until the resolution was presented last week. Council only received supplemental documents and information a few hours before the meeting Tuesday, they said, not enough time to thoroughly review it. 'I would appreciate in the future for some of us who have full-time jobs to have a little bit more lead time to be able to review,' Miller said. 'I felt I was being inundated four hours before the meeting, and there was just no way that I could read everything to prepare for tonight.' Miller also raised concerns about the safety of the property. City Solicitor Fred Lachat said the building was deemed safe and received a certificate of occupancy from the city's building inspector. Kelly said he needed to defend the city staff involved with the project. 'I get the concern about the timing, that's very legitimate,' he said, 'but casting blanket aspersions on all of our code and building officials can't stand without some pushback.' Council members also asked for more involvement in this and other projects using public funding. Kelly said obtaining council's approval for the project is not a HUD requirement but is needed due to a condition council placed in its 2022 approval of the HOME-ARP action plan. Some council members also had concerns about the appraisal process and called for an independent appraisal, something Lachat and Jack Gombach, city managing director, said would be an unnecessary expense for the city. After initially refusing to disclose the appraised value of the property in a public meeting, Fiume, at the urging of Councilman Wesley Butler and others, said the building was appraised by a Lehigh Valley area appraiser at $3.3 million. After discussing the proposal for more than an hour, council voted 5-1 to amend the motion to approve the allocation with the condition an independent appraisal is done by the city. Campos voted against the amendment. Following approval of the amendment, council voted to table the resolution. Council is expected to vote on the resolution at its Feb. 24 meeting.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos announces bid for council presidency
Reading City Councilwoman Vanessa Campos has announced her candidacy for City Council president. Campos, 38, represents council District 1. Vanessa Campos She was elected in 2023 to complete the remaining two years of the term vacated when Brianna Tyson resigned. Campos will enter the May 20 primary on the Democratic ticket. Campos is the second person to announce a primary bid for the president's seat, which is elected at-large. Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. also will be running as a Democrat for the post. Campos, a licensed real estate agent and former teacher, holds a master of education degree. 'My goal is to promote the vitality of a city where we can invest, enjoy and live,' Campos said. As a city councilor, Campos said, her mission is to strengthen the legislative body through proactive approaches in local government policies. To help fulfill her role, she noted, she completed voluntary courses in local government and budget. During her time on council, Campos said, she has aimed to unite stakeholders using coordinated efforts to prioritize the city's financial stability and growth. If elected council president, she said, she would continue those efforts along with enhancing council operations by using modern practices that reinforce efficiency and accessibility. Campos said she has the proven leadership skills needed to drive progress in the city. She is member of Reading's Recreation Commission, Redevelopment Authority, and Nominations and Appointments Committee. She has worked toward securing strong relationships with the city's departments, officials and other boards, commissions and authorities, she said, and maintains open communication with constituents. She also works with state and federal legislators. Coordinating city efforts and aligning them with the initiatives of state and federal legislators is essential in moving the city forward, she said. 'We have to make sure that we're taking guidance from those that are involved and that are in these seats,' she said, 'and have those conversations, so that we're working together coherently, instead of working divided.' Coordinated efforts among city departments, boards and authorities also are key to the city's progress, she said. 'I think coordinated efforts are huge in avoiding more bumps in the road when we're trying to create a push for progress in the city,' she said. A former teacher, Campos served the Reading School District for more than a decade as an educator, reading specialist, department head, committee chair, literacy coach and intern supervisor. As a department head, she piloted a new program helping Reading's middle schools achieve academic growth and meet district goals. Campos said she demonstrates her volunteer spirit by serving a catechist teacher at her local church, and her civic duty as an executive board member of the Berks County Democratic Committee and the Greater Reading PAC. She decided to run for council president, Campos said, because she is confident she has the leadership experience, strengths and qualities required for the role. Campos also said she could remain open-minded and nonbiased while performing the functions of the office, which include presiding over council meetings and maintaining order. 'There needs to someone without an agenda,' she said. 'I think that's important, and that's a character that I bring as well.' Meet the candidate Candidate: Vanessa Campos, 38, Reading Position sought: Reading City Council President Background: Campos represents council District 1. She is a licensed real estate agent and is a former Reading School District teacher and department head. She holds a master of education degree. Term: Four years. Compensation: The council president is paid an annual salary of $6,875.
