Matthew Croslis was appointed Lehigh County Executive by the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners at its June 12 meeting.

Croslis, an attorney, will serve out the remainder of Don Cunningham's term, which expires at the end of this year. Cunningham was initially replaced by Bill Hansell, who stepped down in May due to failing health. Hansell died June 4 after a battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Board President Lisa Scheller held a moment of silence for Hansell before the vote.

"This is a grave loss for our county," Scheller said. "[Hansell] is a man who dedicated his life to public service and his county."

Croslis was up against Lehigh County Commissioner Daniel McCarthy. Commissioners voted 5-3 in favor of Croslis. Republican commissioners Scheller, Scott Ott, Michael Schware, Thomas Creighton and Vic Mazziotti voted for Croslis. Moderate Republicans Percy Dougherty and Brad Osborne voted for McCarthy, as did Democrat David Jones. McCarthy abstained from voting.

Before the vote Jones urged his colleagues to vote for McCarthy, who was the only candidate the public had elected.

"There's only one of the candidates who has had the support of the electorate," Jones said. "Citizens of Lehigh County have said on three separate occasions that 'we support and give our voice and representation to Daniel McCarthy for Board of Commissioners.' I feel that it would be a disrespect to the voters if we don't carry that voice that they gave into our decision to put someone into the highest office in the county."

Osborne added Mc-Carthy's experience in county politics would be beneficial.

"Commissioner McCarthy has been through a lot of the issues over the past 12 years, including the budget, and will be able to give the perspective, experience and guidance through that process in a way that I believe will help the citizens of Lehigh County," Osborne said.

Schware thanked both candidates for putting their names forward for consideration and joked that despite both men being lawyers he couldn't find anything bad to say about either one.

Croslis said he is ready to start work as executive.

"I'm going to look tomorrow to see how quickly I can get sworn in," Croslis said. "I understand everyone's concerns and I'm going to try to jump right in and do my best."

Croslis was also one of the candidates to replace Cunningham last year. He had previously run for county executive in 2001, but lost to Jane Ervin. He is also a former assistant county solicitor and served on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for seven years.

Editor's Note: Allentown attorney Matt Croslis was sworn in as Lehigh County Executive by President Judge McGinley June 13 in a private ceremony attended only by family. County Executive Croslis was appointed by the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners June 13 to fill the remaining term of former County Executive Don Cunningham and the late Bill Hansell. His swearing in marks the beginning of his tenure that will last through the end of the year.