Republicans Percy H. Dougherty and Scott Aquila, and Democrat Susan Ellis Wild are candidates for the District 2 seat on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

The District 2 commissioner represents voters in the borough of Alburtis, and Lower Macungie, South Whitehall and Upper Macungie townships.

What is the most important issue in this election and why?

Percy H. Dougherty

Dougherty, a resident of Shepherd Hills, Lower Macungie Township, is a retired Kutztown University professor.

He has a Ph.D. in physical geography and geology from Boston University with a specialization in water resources and limestone landforms

"The most important issue in the upcoming election is county spending and controlling taxes. If spending increases, our taxes go up; but, if we are more efficient, our taxes stay stable or can even decrease.

This year we cut $3.5 million from the budget, and even gave our residents a $3 million tax cut. That is not enough because income from property taxes is greater than our projected expenses for the future. Property taxes are the major source of income for the County, which I believe is an unfair burden for the residential property owner.

Through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, I have been working for tax reform so we can lessen the burden on property owners.

Another way to keep taxes low is to trim budget line items. This cannot be across the board cuts because that can destroy valuable programs. Surgical cuts, rather than broad cuts, are better because they are less disruptive to programs and personnel. Enhanced efficiency can also save money by combining government functions; e.g., we saved $500,000 a year by combining the Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, and the Recorder of Deeds offices.

We can also encourage intergovernmental cooperation between the County and municipalities so that we can share expenses and reach an economy of scale. The Green Futures Fund is a good example of County and municipalities developing park land for their mutual benefit at a lesser expense than either can do on their own. Regional efforts can also make government more efficient; e.g., the Regional Information and Intelligence Center and the Central Booking Center are making law enforcement more efficient and more cost effective.

Budget cutting alone is not the answer because too many cuts will decrease our ability to provide valuable and necessary services.

We must also increase income by attracting new employers and encouraging development that will pay property taxes. That is why the county economic development efforts are important and programs like the Keystone Opportunity Zones (PPL Building, Butz Building, and Olympus), Tax Increment Financing (New Smithville Complex and the Proposed Hamilton Crossings), and other incentives are necessary.

In order to attract new industry and development, we must continue to have the great quality of life that is a hallmark of the Lehigh Valley, plus we must continue to improve our transportation system and market the airport as a regional asset.

The county is involved in many activities and it takes time to understand the complex interactions between the many agencies. That is why it is important to elect commissioners who have the knowledge and experience that can be used to make the programs run more efficiently.

I have the experience, and, as a retired university professor, I have the time that is required for the job.

Scott Aquila

The most important issue is working for the taxpayers to make sure that struggling families and senior citizens in our district receive some relief.

District 2 has had the same representation since 1993. It is time for a change. It is time for a new set of eyes, a new set of ears, fresh perspective generating ideas, thinking and making decisions on ways to innovate, communicate and offer solutions to county issues.

I will work for the taxpayer to cut taxes. I will work for the taxpayer to enact spending controls at the county level. I will work for the taxpayer to hold County government accountable. I will work for the taxpayer to be their commissioner and their voice.

Susan Ellis Wild

A South Whitehall resident, Wild graduated with honors from George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC., in 1982, and has been a lawyer in the Lehigh Valley since then.

She is a board-certified civil trial advocate, and was elected by her peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

She is a past president of the Bar Association of Lehigh County and a past president of Women Lawyers of the Lehigh Valley.

For many years, she was active in parent-teacher organizations in the Parkland School District.

She is also a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

"Given the challenges we face from budgeting to smart growth to how best to tackle the water-sewer issue it is clear that we cannot let unbridled ideology overtake common sense," she said in her election announcement. "We must work diligently to view, analyze and act on issues facing the county through the prism of what's best for each and every one of our residents."

Wild says to make a difference in the lives of its citizenry, county government must be efficiently managed and transparent in its actions.

The candidate says she is committed to putting her stellar management and negotiation skills to good use serving the residents of District 2.

"Lehigh County is where my children were born and raised, and where I have established my professional and personal life," Wild said. "I have lived here longer than I have ever lived anywhere, and this will always be my home.

"I fully believe we must continue to provide a good education for future generations, that we must support smart growth that minimizes sprawl and that we must invest smartly in our crumbling infrastructure.

"As commissioner of District 2, I will be committed to making our community an even better place to live than it is now."