James Delgrosso
Encyclopedia
James A. Delgrosso was an American
politician
. He served as a longtime city councilman from 1982 until 2003, as well as the Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
, from 2003 until 2004.
in education
from Kutztown University. He completed his master's degree
at Penn State University and Temple University
.
Delgrosso's family credited his interest in politics and public service to his father, Albert "Prince" Delgrosso. Albert Delgrosso had unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat on the Bethlehem City Council.
in Bethlehem from 1965 to 2003.
Delgrosso was known as a "fiscal
watchdog" during his years as a member of the Bethlehem City Council. He often thoroughly scrutinized the city budgets. During his time in office, Delgrosso presided over some of the most tumultuous recent years in modern Bethlehem history. While in office, Bethlehem Steel
, the city's largest source of tax revenue
and largest employer, filed for bankruptcy
in 2001 and closed most of its local facilities.
In 1996, fully five years before Bethlehem Steel's bankruptcy, Delgrosso cast a deciding vote to rezone all of Bethlehem Steel's land located in the city's South Side. The city council vote rezoned the industrial Bethlehem Steel plant, allowing the city or developers to build just about anything in the area, except for landfills and prisons. The rezoning allowed for the opening of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, which opened on the land in 2009. The Bethlehem Commerce Center, which was estimated to cost $1 billion dollars to construct, also opened with new businesses on the eastern tract of rezoned land during Delgrosso's lifetime.
, who left office to became the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services
under Governor Ed Rendell
. Delgrooso declared his intention to seek a full term as mayor and actively campaigned while in office. However, he lost in the Democratic mayoral primary election
in 2003 to John B. Callahan
. The primary election between Delgrosso and Callahan was described as "close and contentious" by The Express-Times
.
Delgrosso retired from city government in December 2003 and was succeeded by Mayor John B. Callahan
, who took office on January 5, 2004.
Delgrosso died of leukemia
on October 8, 2009, at the age of 66. he had been diagnosed with the disease in July 2009. Delgrosso, a resident of Bethlehem's Northeast, was survived by his wife, Debbie; son, Jim Delgrosso Jr.; daughter, Lisa, and two grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served as a longtime city councilman from 1982 until 2003, as well as the Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, from 2003 until 2004.
Early life
Delgrosso received his bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from Kutztown University. He completed his master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
at Penn State University and Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
Delgrosso's family credited his interest in politics and public service to his father, Albert "Prince" Delgrosso. Albert Delgrosso had unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat on the Bethlehem City Council.
Educator
He taught driver's education at Liberty High SchoolLiberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
For schools with similar names, see Liberty High School.Liberty High School is a public high school located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the United States....
in Bethlehem from 1965 to 2003.
Bethlehem City Council
Delgrosso was elected in the Bethlehem City Council in 1981 and took office in 1982. He served as the chairman of the city council's Finance Committee for twelve years while in office. Delgrosso became the President of the city council on two separate occasions from 1990-1993, and from 1996 until 1997.Delgrosso was known as a "fiscal
Fiscal policy
In economics and political science, fiscal policy is the use of government expenditure and revenue collection to influence the economy....
watchdog" during his years as a member of the Bethlehem City Council. He often thoroughly scrutinized the city budgets. During his time in office, Delgrosso presided over some of the most tumultuous recent years in modern Bethlehem history. While in office, Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
, the city's largest source of tax revenue
Tax revenue
Tax revenue is the income that is gained by governments through taxation.Just as there are different types of tax, the form in which tax revenue is collected also differs; furthermore, the agency that collects the tax may not be part of central government, but may be an alternative third-party...
and largest employer, filed for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
in 2001 and closed most of its local facilities.
In 1996, fully five years before Bethlehem Steel's bankruptcy, Delgrosso cast a deciding vote to rezone all of Bethlehem Steel's land located in the city's South Side. The city council vote rezoned the industrial Bethlehem Steel plant, allowing the city or developers to build just about anything in the area, except for landfills and prisons. The rezoning allowed for the opening of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, which opened on the land in 2009. The Bethlehem Commerce Center, which was estimated to cost $1 billion dollars to construct, also opened with new businesses on the eastern tract of rezoned land during Delgrosso's lifetime.
Mayor of Bethlehem
James Delgrosso became the Mayor of Bethlehem on March 12, 2003, following the resignation of his predecessor, former Mayor Don CunninghamDon Cunningham
Donald "Don" Cunningham is the current Chief Executive of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He is also the a former Secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, as well as Mayor and Councilman of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A Democrat, Cunningham was also a rumored candidate for Governor...
, who left office to became the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services
Pennsylvania Department of General Services
The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is an agency of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that is responsible for the purchasing of goods and services for the state government. The DGS also "maintains and protects" buildings owned by the state government...
under Governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
. Delgrooso declared his intention to seek a full term as mayor and actively campaigned while in office. However, he lost in the Democratic mayoral primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
in 2003 to John B. Callahan
John B. Callahan
John B. Callahan is the mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the Democratic nominee in an unsuccessful 2010 bid for United States Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.-Early life, education and career:...
. The primary election between Delgrosso and Callahan was described as "close and contentious" by The Express-Times
The Express-Times
The Express-Times is a daily newspaper published in Easton, Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on local news. It has won awards in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.-Ownership:...
.
Delgrosso retired from city government in December 2003 and was succeeded by Mayor John B. Callahan
John B. Callahan
John B. Callahan is the mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the Democratic nominee in an unsuccessful 2010 bid for United States Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.-Early life, education and career:...
, who took office on January 5, 2004.
Community work and later life
Additionally, Delgrosso served on the boards of directors of several local organizations, including the Historic Bethlehem Partnership, the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation and the Bethlehem Area Public Library.Delgrosso died of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
on October 8, 2009, at the age of 66. he had been diagnosed with the disease in July 2009. Delgrosso, a resident of Bethlehem's Northeast, was survived by his wife, Debbie; son, Jim Delgrosso Jr.; daughter, Lisa, and two grandchildren.