Emmaus resident, Nathan Brown, 35, announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination to the Board of Lehigh County Commissioners in District 5.

Brown has been married to his wife, Liz, for 12 years and has two daughters, Hailee and Bethany.

Brown's full-time employment is as a life safety equipment installer and project manager for government entities, commercial and industrial buildings.

As a proud community servant, Brown has served on Emmaus Borough Council for the past six years and is chair of Community Relations and Development.

He also acts as a member of the Borough of Emmaus's Public Safety and Public Works Committees. Additionally, Brown is the liaison between Emmaus Borough Council and the Emmaus Main Street Partners.

During his tenure on Emmaus Borough Council, Emmaus was named in the "Top 100 Places to Live" in the nation by Money magazine for two consecutive years. Grants were secured Brown believes allowed the town's livability to improve.

Brown takes pride in being involved in many aspects of his community and considers himself a true public servant. Never hesitating to "get his hands dirty," he enjoys getting out from behind the desk in order to get a better understanding of the issues he hears from the residents.

Just as Brown has represented Emmaus with pride and integrity, he looks forward to representing the communities that make up the 5th district: Allentown, Coopersburg, Macungie, Emmaus, Upper Saucon, Upper and Lower Milford and Salisbury.

Brown believes it is time Lehigh County's District 5 has true and humble leadership, one that listens and makes independent decisions without being influenced or pressured for the sake of political gain.

In his opinion, Brown believes he can work with the Board of Commissioners to improve the level of respect to the residents so the county can continue to be the best in the state.

Grants are essential to the livability of a community. It is critical that government money, funded by the residents' county, state and federal taxes, is returned to the taxpayers for direct reinvestment into their hometowns. Grant money is often used for improvements such as handicapped accessible entries on public streets, park improvements, and general quality of life.

If a nonprofit agency such as a church, hospital, or other community organization applies for and is awarded a grant, Brown believes it is a win for Lehigh County. Local officials are entrusted to be responsible and do the right thing with the grants.

Brown looks forward to meeting and working together with Lehigh County's department directors to continue to provide essential services. He believes in a healthy and balanced approach to the budget enhancing the ability to work together in a fiscally responsible way.

Brown appreciates your support by voting for him in the May 21 primary election.