For more than three decades, my father John Schweyer was a blue-collar worker for the City of Allentown.

He started mowing grass for the parks department, spent years in water distribution and ultimately retired from the meter shop.

He provided a public service to our neighbors and was always proud of what he did.

Like most working-class families we had our struggles, but Dad’s job provided our family with a steady income.

Although he had no college degree, he was able to put a roof over our heads, send us to a doctor and guarantee a secure retirement for my mom after he passed away in 2001.

Many state employees – including tradesmen, nurses, social workers and even Wine & Spirit Store clerks – found their positions through the State Civil Service Commission.

These public servants were tested prior to getting their job ensuring that their hiring was based on merit and ability, not politics.

We had a testing center here in Allentown for many years and Lehigh Valley residents had ready access to these jobs.

Inexplicably, former Governor Tom Corbett decided to close the Allentown Civil Service Testing Center.

This horrible decision left Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton as the closest locations for Lehigh Valley job seekers.

Cities like Johnstown, Erie and Lock Haven kept their centers, but people from the Lehigh Valley are left without this important resource.

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg and I are fighting to reopen the Allentown Civil Service Job Center, and we are proud to have the support of key organizations like the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board.

Public service jobs are more than just a career – they support families and promote civic pride.

For many Americans, a career giving back to their community is an outstanding option, just like it was for my father.

We must preserve that option and create access for job seekers in the Lehigh Valley.

We must reopen the Allentown Civil Service Testing Center.

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Editor Note: Peter Schweyer, a Democrat is the state representative from the 22nd Legislative District.