Gordon Mowrer
American politician, businessman and ordained pastor / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gordon Brown Mowrer (February 9, 1936 – July 19, 2016) was an American politician, businessman, and ordained pastor of the Moravian Church, who served as the mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1978, and again as interim mayor in 1987. Mowrer, who was 36-years old when he took office for his first term in 1974, became the youngest mayor in Bethlehem's history at the time.[1][2] Mowrer's record as the city's youngest mayor held until Mayor Don Cunningham was sworn in 1998 at the age of 31.[2]
Mayor Gordon Mowrer | |
---|---|
6th Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | |
In office 1974–1978 | |
Preceded by | H. Gordon Payrow, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Paul Marcincin |
Interim Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | |
In office January 5, 1987 – 1987 | |
Preceded by | Paul Marcincin |
Succeeded by | Kenneth Smith |
Personal details | |
Born | (1936-02-09)February 9, 1936 |
Died | July 19, 2016(2016-07-19) (aged 80) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Mary Thaeler |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Dickinson College |
Nicknamed "Main Street Mayor", Mowrer is credited with the preservation of Bethlehem's historic downtown business district, which has now become a major tourist attraction for the city.[1][2] During the 1970s, Mowrer eschewed the trend of demolishing older commercial buildings in favor of preserving Bethlehem's older structures.[1] More recently, Mowrer, who returned to the Bethlehem city council in the 2000s, opposed the opening of a casino in Bethlehem following the legalization of slot machines by the government of Pennsylvania.[1] Despite Mowrer's opposition, the casino was approved and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened in 2009.[1]