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Preview: GOP Bethlehem Township County Commissioner

By Caroline Johnston, Contributing Writer

GOP candidates in the Lehigh and Northampton Counties are preparing for a close primary election race for all 3 township commissioner seats.  At competition are 6 Republicans facing off for 3 primary positions.

The focus and scope of issues addressed by all GOP candidates vary; however, there is a stress amongst all candidates to adjust and better the Lehigh and Northampton Counties even under the current economic conditions.  The candidates have a strong grasp on the stresses that have fallen on those in their communities; therefore, the motives of each candidate involve fostering an economy that will aid taxpayers through continued development.

The top campaign issue of discussion here is the budget surplus of 5.4 million dollars from the 2010 Lehigh County budget that was discovered three weeks ago.  Residents of Lehigh County are upset at this recent discovery since these funds could have lessened the 16% tax increase that the county experienced this year.  If the surplus money is applied to the 2011 Lehigh County budget, residents could see a 10% tax decrease.  The Lehigh County budget proposal will be placed before the commissioners by August 31st, and the Northampton County budget will be placed before commissioners by October 1st.

Two incumbents will be running in the Bethlehem Township Commissioner race.  Incumbent, Arthur J. Murphy will be running for his current position, as Commissioner-at-Large; incumbent Thomas Nolan will attempt to be reelected to his current seat as the 4-year commissioner of the First Ward.  Both incumbents will continue in pursuit of their current goals for the county.

Incumbent Arthur J. Murphy, the CFO of Selvaggio Plumbing, has served as a Township Commissioner for 8 years, as well as the Township Zoning Hearing Board.  If reelected, Murphy hopes to continue to control expenses by keeping taxes low.  He stresses that the county has not been too hard on developers; he hopes to keep these same developers in conjunction with the established municipal ordinances.  Murphy also states that he hopes to bring new revenues into the township in order to stop the rising property taxes the township faces.

Developer Martin Zawarski is challenging Murphy for commissioner-at-large.  Zawarski, a native of the Lehigh Valley and graduate of Lehigh University, has been a partner and developer with Nic Zawarski and Sons since 1979.  He says that his close relationship and experience that comes as a result of his profession allows him to see the many faces of the current economic crisis.  If elected as commissioner-at-large, Zawarski will encourage local development and focus on township expenses, since he worries that township revenues fall below the townships operating costs.

At competition for the First Ward Commissioner seat are incumbent Thomas Nolan and Architecture Furst owner, Robert Furst.   Thomas Nolan has serviced Bethlehem Township for 32 years as Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, President of Freedom PTO/Choir Associations, President of TR Council of Governments, Trustee of Bethlehem Education Foundation and Gaming Authority.  Nolan stresses that as Commissioner of the First Ward, the Commissioner must protect residents from tax increases.  He believes that the townships strict hold on developers is acceptable since the township has the best interests of the residents at heart. He hopes to bring improvements to highways and the protection of the First Ward residents.

Architect, Robert Furst is challenging Republican Thomas Nolan to become the Commissioner of the First Ward.  If elected as commissioner, Furst hopes to match township needs with developer’s needs, since he feels that in current economic conditions it is extremely important to make smart developments.  Furst stresses, “Developers and business owners are the lifeblood to have the township run well.”

“It can’t be run on the back of taxpayers.” He hopes to find a relationship between respecting taxpayers limits, and finding solutions to the current economic climate through smart developments.

Current Commissioner, Jerry Batcha, is not seeking the Third Ward Commissioner’s seat. To replace Batcha will be either Harold Powell or his opponent Phil Barnard.  Powell, the Vice President of Fritch Inc., has served on the Township Planning Commission Board for 2 years and has been a resident of Bethlehem Township for 36 years.  He hopes to find continued growth for the township, through private and commercial properties, which he hopes will help limit tax increases for residents.

The opponent of Powell is Phil Barnard, a Plant Manager of Bay Insulation of PA where he has served as Plant Manager for 16 years.  His main concern as Commissioner will be creating growth through businesses, which will help improve the employment rate.  Another important issue for Barnard is controlling the traffic on William Penn Highway, a similar issue for other candidates.

The Bethlehem Township GOP primary election finds one of its most important issues being the current economic climate, similar to the entire state of Pennsylvania.  After the primary on May 17th, it will be necessary for candidates to decide how they will attempt to fix the current issues that face the township of Bethlehem.

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