Nathan Brown to Run for Lehigh County Commissioner

Emmaus Borough Councilman Nathan Brown announced his candidacy for Lehigh County Commissioner recently.

Nathan Brown, 35, recently added his name to the list of candidates for Lehigh County Commissioner, District 5. Brown, a Republican, is an Emmaus Borough Councilman and works as a life safety equipment installer and project manager for government entities, commercial and industrial buildings. Brown has served on Emmaus council for the past six years and is currently chair of the Community Relations and Development Committee. He also serves as the liaison between Emmaus Borough Council and the Emmaus Main Street Partners. In a prepared statement announcing his candidacy, Brown said he considers himself to be a “true public servant” who never hesitates to “get his hands dirty.” He enjoys getting out from behind his desk in order to get a …

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Wes Barrett Announces Bid for Lehigh County Commissioner

Emmaus Borough Councilman Wesley Barrett formally announced his candidacy for Lehigh County Commissioner, District 5, on the steps of the Wesley Works Building in Emmaus Wednesday.

Emmaus businessman Wesley Barrett, 32, has formally announced his bid for Lehigh County Commissioner, District 5. Barrett, a Democrat, is an Emmaus Borough Councilman and also owns and operates the Emmaus-based Wesley Works businesses: Wesley Works Real Estate, Wesley Works Photography Studio and Wesley Works Entertainment. He is an Emmaus High School graduate ('99) and a graduate of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Barrett was first elected to Emmaus Borough Council in 2005 at the age of 25. During his tenure on the council, Barrett has served on nine separate working committees, according to a prepared statement announcing his candidacy. He lists among his major accomplishments: his role in improving public safety by getting more …

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Election 2013

Scott Ott Will Run Again for County Executive

After a narrow miss in 2009, Scott Ott runs again for Lehigh County's top job.

Scott Ott, 51, a fiscally conservative Republican, told supporters and friends on Jan 24 that he will again run Lehigh County Commissioner in the fall. Ott is making his second attempt for the county's top job which narrowly eluded him in 2009 when, as an unknown, he came within 900 votes of beating seasoned Democratic politico Don Cunningham. He is currently a Lehigh County Commissioner, a position to which he was elected in 2011. “I am running for Lehigh County executive because I want to make our local government more accountable to the taxpayers who fund it and more effective for the people it serves.” Ott said in a written announcement. “I have spent my time on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners fighting for reforms that reduced…

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Candidate for Lehigh County Commissioner Withdraws

Dan Paschke withdraws his candidacy for a Lehigh County Commissioner seat, on the eve of the appointment, and throws support behind Mike Schware.

Tonight, when Lehigh County appoints a new commissioner to the seat vacated by Glenn Eckhart, there will be one less name to consider. Early this morning Dan Paschke, who works as a community outreach specialist for Representative Justin Simmons (R-131), withdrew his candidacy when he learned the search committee recommended someone else for the position. "I've been contemplating this decision since last night. While I believe I'm still the best candidate [for the open commissioner seat], I respect the committee's decision," said Paschke. Paschke's withdrawal comes on the heels of recent reports that the committee appointed to recommend a new commissioner will endorse Mike Schware for the position. Eckhart vacated the seat when he took …

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Candidates Meet at Women's Club Forum

Hopefuls for County Commissioner at large, Controller, Judge, Emmaus Borough Council and East Penn School Board tell about themselves and their platforms.

There was no debate, though there was some contention as the Emmaus Women's Club hosted a meet and greet Oct. 24 to put some faces to the yard-sign names, and to let the community know their candidates' views. County Commissioner-at-large candidates Gloria Hamm, Vic Mazzioti, Brad Osborne, Dennis Pearson, Lisa Scheller and Geoff Brace presented their backgrounds and their aspirations. All but Hamm -- an incumbent who voted for it -- scorned last year's 16 percent tax hike. Hamm is in favor of instituting a bi-county health bureau while the others spoke more of budget analysis and belt-tightening. Controller incumbent Tom Slonaker, a former Whitehall Township Supervisor, said he has encouraged more transparency in the county's financial …

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