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. The candidates explained what they believe is the most important issue in this election and why?

Percy 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 there 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.

"Lehigh County faces a number of challenges that we must address.

"Our most important issue is how to maintain our quality of life, education and open spaces, while still accommodating population growth and economic development.

"We must continue to provide a good education for future generations, as well as a social safety net for our seniors, while supporting smart growth that minimizes sprawl.

"We must invest wisely in our crumbling infrastructure. We must attract employers who pay their workers a living wage, rather than those whose employees require county assistance to make ends meet.

"We are fortunate to have wonderful parks, farmland, good schools, and excellent health care facilities, all of which are attractive to new residents and companies.

'The challenge will be to keep those assets intact, while allowing change and expansion. This can only be accomplished by very careful strategic planning.

"We need leaders who are willing to work hard and put the needs of their constituents ahead of their own personal beliefs, and who understand that holding public office is about serving the citizens, not playing ideological games with vital county services and projects.

"We should not accept elected officials who refuse to listen, consider, adapt, and modify their positions to account for the vast array of options that exist to solve the challenges that confront us."