Six candidates for Whitehall Township commissioner in the May 19 primary election took to the stage at a forum sponsored by the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce April 28 at the Zentz Community Room on the Fellowship Community campus.

Candidates Edwin L. Kutz Jr., Ann M. Freyman, Jeffrey L. Dutt, Philip J. Ginder, Phillips Armstrong and Dennis Hower addressed the large crowd.

Ginder, Armstrong and Hower presently serve on the board of commissioners.

There are four commissioner seats open on the ballot.

Ronald Sterner and Commissioner Clair Hunsberger were not present.

Elizabeth Martell, Chamber president, served as the program's moderator, and Rick Molchany was the timekeeper.

"I care about the township. I care about taxes," said Kutz, specifically citing issues relating to senior citizens, streets, public safety, open space and economic development. "Sometimes a new set of eyes are needed."

"I decided to run. It's time for a youthful voice," Freyman said.

As the township's deputy of the Emergency Management Agency, Freyman said she will make sure public safety matters are adequately funded.

"Whitehall is at the crossroads," Dutt said. "We need to become more prosperous."

Dutt stressed the need for a community center, noting voters in a referendum defeated it because of taxes. He said he would work with foundations that could finance such a project.

Ginder cited "honesty, integrity and hard work" as his strengths.

He spoke of the recent economic downturn when balancing the budget and weathering it by "tightening our belts."

"The thing I learned most in all my experiences is to listen to other people," Armstrong said. "We have taken the township a few steps in the future."

Armstrong said the new refuse collection system implemented this year is already demonstrating savings.

"We need to find ways to keep your taxes low," Hower said. "I'm passionate that government should be open and transparent."

Hower also noted he is pushing to have commissioners meetings available via webcast, which should occur shortly.

Questioned on the position of term limits, Kutz said, "I believe in term limits. I'll be frank with you, I really do."

Freyman agreed, stating, "I would be for term limits."

Dutt said term limits would provide "fresh voices." He said he is content with 12 years as the limit for a commissioner.

Armstrong concurred on capping a commissioner's tenure to three terms.

On economic development, Dutt mentioned the township is taking "good steps in the right direction," but he is troubled with businesses here in the township being left out.

Ginder explained the need for economic development because there are old factories and warehouses no longer operating.

"We can't let these buildings fall down," Ginder said.

Hower said the township now has in place an authority to deal with economic development.

"We've done a lot of these things with different plans," Hower said.

The other candidates agreed that economic development is a priority.

Open space, roads and public safety were also addressed at the forum.