STATE

Justice of the Supreme Court

Democrat: David Wecht, Kevin M. Dougherty, Christine Donohue

Republican: Judy Olsen, Mike George, Anne Covey

Independent Judicial Alliance: Paul Panepinto

Judge of the Superior Court

Democrat: Alice Beck Dubow

Republican: Emil Giordano

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

Democrat: Michael Wojcik

Republican: Paul Lalley

LOCAL ELECTION

We asked candidates we could reach this question: If elected, what is the first issue you would address?

LEHIGH COUNTY

Commissioner

Vote for 4

Democrat:

Dan Hartzell: “I will work to convince my colleagues on the board, whomever they may be, to move ahead with the county administration’s plans for renovations at Cedarbrook. The initial phase of these plans – renewal of the facility’s D wing – should have begun when first proposed more than a year ago and might now be nearing completion. Investing in the modernization of the utility systems in these structurally sound buildings, and altering the floor plans to eliminate the aging design in which four residents share a room, would improve Cedarbrook’s reimbursement rates and its overall financial performance, benefiting both Cedarbrook residents and county taxpayers.”

Joanne Jackson: “Having served on the Allentown School Board, my priority is community involvement, making sure the citizens have a voice. I will attend crime watch and community associations’ meetings to further outreach in the county in terms of what is of priority and needed by the residents. I will visit county staff and facilities. I want to hear from the regular folks in terms of how they see and understand the decisions that are made by the commissioners and to see the needs that they have in the operation of their jobs and facilities. I will assist in bridging the gap between partisan opinions on the board to provide the best results for the county.”

Bob Martin: “First, I’d look for the best way to get started on the renovations at the Cedarbrook Nursing Home. The current commissioners have been delaying this project for nearly two years and the residents there shouldn’t have to wait a day longer than necessary for the improvements to begin. I’d also reach out to the county government’s elected officials and department heads to make sure they know I want to work with them to find the most efficient ways to provide services to the residents of Lehigh County to enhance quality of life here in the long term.”

Hillary Smith: “My first priority, if I have the honor of being elected, is to change the political climate from one of working against each other to working together on behalf of the citizens of Lehigh County. The current board has proposed slashing our law enforcement budget, endangering the safety of our communities. They’ve talked about abandoning our seniors when they talk about selling Cedarbook. They disregard the needs of our most vulnerable children. I want a county government that enriches people’s lives and makes our communities a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Republican:

Amanda Holt: “I will continue to focus on serving the people and acting in their best interest, using my analytical skills and fresh perspective to review the budget and operations of the county. Government must live within its means while avoiding burdensome taxes. The current board has cut taxes, maintained services and ended with a surplus. By working collaboratively with the other commissioners, I will continue to improve accountability by reviewing contract processes and policies, increase transparency and efficiency through implementing paperless solutions and craft clear and measurable strategies for county services.

Victor Mazziotti: “If re-elected, I will continue to apply my skill and experience to help bring about a cost-effective Lehigh County government. I will remember that just like the average taxpayer, Lehigh County must find ways to do more with less. I ran for election in 2011 in response to a 16 percent tax increase. I have been fighting to reduce the county real estate tax rate, while maintaining needed county services. In the last four years, the county commissioners have reduced the county tax rate three times, without reducing county services, while maintaining a healthy rainy day fund balance.”

Marty Nothstein: “As a newly elected commissioner, I would first like to meet with the county department heads, administration and employees. It is important that I understand where they feel they are succeeding and struggling when providing county services. Then I will begin working with my fellow commissioners to continue the streak of tax cuts we’ve seen in Lehigh County. In the past three years, commissioners have passed two tax cuts and one tax rebate. There will likely be another tax cut this year. I will work to continue the tax cut streak that our citizens not only want, but need.”

Brad Osborne: “As chairman of the board of commissioners, I will continue my efforts to open up a productive working relationship with the executive. While Lehigh County is in good hands and the finances are healthy, we can accomplish more in terms of long-range planning and investments in the community if our two branches of government coordinated its efforts and moved forward together. Our victories can be shared accomplishments and credit, and everyone wins. This is what people expect of their elected officials, and rightfully so.”

Court of Common Pleas

Retention vote: Carol K. McGinley

County Controller

Democrat:

Thomas Slonaker: “(My first order of business will be) improving the necessary professionalism on a daily basis that requires the appropriate education and experience to effectively provide oversight of over $400 million of our tax dollars. I have advanced degrees in economics and finance. Further, I previously served as the Lehigh County controller, Whitehall Township treasurer, bank auditor and registered financial representative, and I am an enrolled agent licensed to practice before the IRS. This required professionalism, experience and education is currently lacking in the controller’s office and needs to be corrected. Compare my accomplishments to my opponent, and decide where your money is best protected.

Republican:

Glenn Eckhart: “I will continue to make a difference as the Lehigh County controller. I will continue to monitor the county expenses looking for waste, fraud and abuse. I will continue to oversee the restructuring of the controller’s office and will modernize processes and improve inefficiencies that will not only continue to save money, but also provide better services. I will continue to be the watch dog for the county pension system and make it more open and transparent.”

District Attorney

Democrat/Republican: Jim Martin

Sheriff

Democrat:

Ed Zucal: “My first order of business will be to meet with the upper brass in the office. I will concentrate on learning the various duties of each of the individuals within the office.

As stated in my original plan, I will meet with each and every employee within the office. I will be asking them to provide me with ideas they think could change or improve the office for the better. I will stress the importance we will be a team and we will work together to make it the best sheriff’s office in the country - place where everyone will want to come to work and give 100 percent.”

Republican:

Joe Hanna: “I will conduct an overall assessment of operations to include personnel duties and deployment, resource allocation, and safety measures and make changes where needed. I will also examine the current training programs in the areas of active shooter, crisis negotiations and enhanced first aid. In addition, I will conduct a comprehensive review in the service of process of civil papers, writs, PFA orders, and all warrants to determine current efficiency and safety. I will review existing written policies, standard operating procedures, and hiring and promotion practices to determine how they align with current best practices and will add and adjust accordingly. I will conduct a needs assessment for future capital projects while exploring alternative funding sources to lessen the burden on the Lehigh County taxpayer.”

Clerk of Judicial Records

Democrat/Republican: Andrea Naugle

Coroner

Democrat/Republican: Scott M. Grim

FOUNTAIN HILL

Borough Council

Vote for 3

Democrat: Annmarie Jordan, Douglas D. Trotter Jr., Norman E. Blatt Jr.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Court of Common Pleas

Judge (vacant seat)

Democrat:

Samuel P. Murray: “To effectively dispense justice fairly, impartially and efficiently to all who would come before me, and to continue doing so throughout my tenure.”

Republican:

Victor Scomillio: “The first thing I would accomplish is to institute veterans court services in our court. These services would help non-violent, veteran offenders struggling with addiction and mental illness by diverting them to specialized veteran’s court services and would help find a treatment program for them. The specialized veterans services would be offered in the new Drug and Mental Health Courts in our Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. We may never be able to repay our veterans for their sacrifice but we can show them how much we appreciate all they have done. If elected, I would assist our current judges with the administration of justice in a fair and impartial manner to protect our communities.”

Court of Common Pleas

Retention vote: Paula Roscioli

Retention vote: Anthony S.Beltrami

County Council District I

Bethlehem, Hanover Twp., Hellertown

Democrat: Ken Kraft

County Council District III

Freemansburg

Democrat: Lori Vargo Heffner

“I’d hit the ground running and make sure Gracedale is protected. And we really need to pay attention to the budget and what Executive John Brown’s team is up to. I’m not sure they’re as transparent as they need to be, and I want to make him more accountable.”

Republican: John Cusick

County Controller

Democrat:

Stephen J. Barron Jr.: “I would accomplish several of the things that I have a proven track record of performing. I will continue to save million with the audits my office has conducted, I will fight to make sure Gracedale is operating as best as it can for the citizens of the county never allowing it to be sold and I will remain a watchdog over the county executive as I did during the administration of John Stoffa and now John Brown.”

Republican: Hayden Phillips

District Attorney

Democrat: John M. Morganelli

District Magistrates

District 03-2-01

Democrat/Republican:

Roy Manwaring

District 03-2-03

Democrat/Republican:

Patricia Broscius

District 03-2-04

Democrat/Republican:

David Tidd

District 03-2-10

Democrat/Republican:

Nancy Matos Gonzales

BETHLEHEM AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Director-at-large

Vote for 3

Democrat: Dean M. Donaher, Thomas Thomasik III

Karen Beck Pooley: “The first thing I would try to accomplish as a member of Bethlehem Area School District’s School Board is to reach out to teachers, administrators, parents, and neighbors – about their concerns and priorities for our schools. I am also looking forward to supporting several efforts I am already involved with as a parent in the district. The most notable of these is BASD’s new Excellence through Equity initiative, which seeks to guarantee all students equitable access to the resources they need to succeed in school, so that family income, race or ethnicity do not predict academic achievement.”

Republican: Dean M. Donaher, Thomas Thomasik III, Dan Treffinger

Region II

Vote for 1

Democrat/Republican: Craig Neiman

Region III

Vote for 1

Democrat/Republican: Eugene McKeon

BETHLEHEM CITY

Constable-W14

Democrat: James P. Doyle

Republican: Scott J. Hough

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP

Commissioner- at-large

Democrat: Malissa K. Davis

Republican: D. Martin Zawarski

Commissioner – W3

Democrat: Kim Jenkins

Republican: Phil Barnard

FREEMANSBURG

Constable

Democrat: Frank Gergar

Republican: Jose D. Garcia

Borough Council

Vote for 4

Democrat: Justin J. LaBar, Homer G. Lorrah, Jim Smith, David Sauders

HELLERTOWN

Borough Council

4 year term

Vote for 3

Democrat: Herb Payung Jr., Earl Hill, PhilipWeber

Republican: Herb Payung Jr.

Borough Council

2 year term

Vote for 1

Democrat: Earl Hill

HANOVER TOWNSHIP

Supervisor

Republican: Michael Prendeville

SAUCON VALLEY

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Vote for 5

Democrat/Republican: Michael J. Karabin, Susan Baxter, Linda Leewright, Mark W. Sivak, Bryan Eichfeld