The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners meeting Sept. 10 featured much discussion about the recent drug charges against Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi. Beginning with a prepared statement, Cole-Borghi announced his innocence and indicated he has not yet been told why he is being charged. Despite this, he lost his job, has been “publicly humiliated and had [his] good name – which [he] has spent decades earning – destroyed without due process or explanation,” Cole-Borghi attested.

He denied selling drugs to anyone and insists he will prove his innocence, all while continuing to support the community by serving on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

Several commissioners, as well as citizens – both in person and virtual – took the opportunity to comment on the allegations.

Commissioner Jon Irons voiced his support of Cole-Borghi’s decision to remain on the board, stating he feels this mass incarceration event is a representation of the failed war on drugs.

“As a mother of black boys,” Commissioner April Riddick said, “enough is enough. Nobody of color in a melting pot in Lehigh County should have to go through this.”

Citizens commented on what they believe to be this unfair, unjust and politically-charged situation. Ed Angelo classified the treatment of Cole-Borghi as a “character assassination” and summarized the lack of due process and single mentioning of Cole-Borghi’s name in the charges as an “irresponsible release of all these allegations.”

Several others vocalized their support, expressing their gratitude toward Cole-Borghi’s service and representation of the collective voices in West Bethlehem.

Mike O’Hare, a member of the county’s board of elections, took to the podium to provide an update regarding the ballot approval for the upcoming November election. Just after doing so, he stated while Cole-Borghi is in fact innocent until proven guilty and the loss of his job is regrettable, he would ask for Cole-Borghi to consider resigning. O’Hare is concerned this will affect the business of the commissioners and inevitably work to “drag [the] cohesiveness down.”

Commissioner Geoff Brace introduced a motion to accept revised committee assignments through the balance of 2025. Given Cole-Borghi’s position on the courts and corrections committee, Brace justified the revision on account of the “close interaction with the district attorney’s office and Court of Common Pleas.”

On a high level, Brace said he has “full confidence that this board will be able to engage in legislative process with continued guidance from the department of law to fulfill [their] duties to the residents of Lehigh County.”

When asked for comments from the commissioners on the proposed motion, Commissioner Antonio Pineda summarized that while they don’t have the authority to remove a fellow commissioner from the board, he thinks Cole-Borghi should resign. Pineda stated Cole-Borghi is facing serious charges and “even the appearance of them is a problem.” Rather than accept the motion, he feels Cole-Borghi should be removed from all of his committees.

Commissioner Dan Hartzell said he doesn’t want to change anything, and would support an all or nothing approach.

Irons echoed Hartzell’s comments and thoughts considering committee assignments.

Commissioner Ron Beitler considers himself a constitutional conservative, agreeing it would be inconsistent for him to serve on one committee and not on the other.

When Brace initiated the roll call vote, the motion failed. After Cole-Borghi recused himself of the vote, only three of the remaining eight commissioners voted to accept the committee changes proposed by the motion. The “ayes” included Commissioners Sheila Alvarado, Jeffrey Dutt and Brace.

Moving forward with the regularly scheduled agenda items for the evening, three reappointments and two appointments to the human relations commission were confirmed.

Three bills received their second readings and were unanimously approved by all commissioners. These included the change of use of subgrant funds previously allocated to the Slatington borough under the Community Development Block Grant Program. Also approved was a temporary construction easement and a grading and drainage easement agreement with Whitehall Township to allow the township to rehabilitate the Belmont Glen Swale. Lastly, Section 704 of the administrative code was approved to be amended, allowing individuals serving terms on the human relations commission to continue to serve until their replacement is named should they wish to.

Two bills received their first reading, including one which seeks to approve the donation of the Walnut Street Bridge plaque to the Slatington History Preservation Committee. Another bill seeks to approve a lease agreement with the City Center Investment Corporation for 104 parking spaces in the Fifth and Walnut streets lot for county employees.

During the chair’s review, the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners proposed two resolutions. The first was a resolution to recognize the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department on their achievement. The Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department is one of only 56 fire departments throughout the commonwealth reaching 75% recognition through the participating department program.

Several of the commissioners commented positively and voiced their gratitude for their partnerships. Beitler said that with only 56 out of 2,100 departments across the state, the Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department is in “rarefied air.” There was no opposition and the resolution carried.

The second resolution sought to declare September 2025 as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in Lehigh County.

County Coroner Dan Buglio brought awareness to the 988 service and stated the intention of this for September is twofold, not only to honor lives lost, but also to “reduce the stigma and provide hope to those struggling.”

Nearing the conclusion of the meeting, Brace made a point to mention state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, responded to the letter some of the commissioners sent regarding the concerns over the state budget.

According to Brace, Miller thanked the commissioners for the correspondence and stated he is ready and willing to return to Harrisburg with the goal of continued budget discussions.

Dutt also reviewed the 2026 budget hearing schedule, reminding all the next budget meeting was scheduled 6 p.m. Sept. 15.

The next Lehigh County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24.