Gerard "Jerry" Palagonia and 107 of his supporters packed the Amore Italian Restaurant in Whitehall Jan. 7.

Palagonia, now serving his fourth term as a Whitehall Township Commissioner, organized the gathering to announce his candidacy for the office of Whitehall mayor.

"I am running because I understand how Whitehall government works and should work," said Palagonia.

Incumbent Edward D. Hozza Jr. is expected to seek reelection. Both men are Democrats, meaning the race would be won or lost in the primary May 19.

Palagonia outlined his five-point plan for running the township. His goals include creating jobs through economic development, increasing public safety, restoring fiscal responsibility, preserving open space and improving quality of life for Whitehall residents.

"We must develop the Lehigh Valley Dairy property and seek the CRIZ designation," he said to applause from the audience, which included Commissioners President Linda Snyder and Commissioner Clair Hunsberger.

CRIZ, or City Revitalization and Improvement Plan, is a state-funded grant program designed to spur growth, revive downtowns and create jobs by recycling vacant, desolate and blighted properties.

"Together we can build a better Whitehall that will stand tall in the Valley," Palagonia said.

He began his remarks by saying he believes in a lifestyle of service. He is a 28-year veteran of the Whitehall Township Police Department, he served for three years on the Whitehall Township Zoning Board and served in the Air Force in Vietnam, he said.

While serving as a police officer, he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Alvernia College. After his retirement from the police force, he taught law enforcement and security classes at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, and still serves on the LCTI Advisory Board.

In 1998, he was appointed to the Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board and, in 2001, was elected as a township commissioner.

He is a member of several community organizations including the Whitehall Lions Club, the American Legion and the Whitehall Senior Citizens Club. He has also served as a Little League coach for local youth teams.