D.O.B.:

www.doncunningham.org

EDUCATION: Shippensburg University – B.A. Journalism, Minor in Government (1987). Villanova University – M.A. Political Science (1991)

OCCUPATION: Lehigh County Executive (2005 to present)

QUALIFICATIONS: County Executive, Lehigh County (2005 to present); Secretary of General Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2003-2005); Mayor, City of Bethlehem (1997-2003); City Council, City of Bethlehem (1995-1997)

RESPONSE: As we manage through an economic downturn, it’s imperative to continue managing government in a fiscally responsible way while growing our community and preserving our quality of life. During the last four years, we’ve met that challenge by not raising taxes, cutting wasteful spending, doing more with less, attracting billions in economic growth, putting more police on the street, preserving 20,000 acres of farmland, fixing 22 bridges and delivering good services at a good price.

D.O.B.: 1961

EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University, 1983, B.A. Liberal Arts (Journalism); Palisades High School, 1979

OCCUPATION: Self-employed writer. Work appears regularly in The Washington Examiner, and on PJTV.com and periodically in The Weekly Standard and at PajamasMedia.com

QUALIFICATIONS: Five years as Executive Director of Victory Valley Camp, Zionsville, managing $400,000 budget, supervising employees, cutting costs, improving processes and transforming board of directors to Policy-Governance model. Founding Editor of Pennsylvania Business Central, a monthly journal covering commerce in an 11-county area. ///

RESPONSE: The looming threat of a county property tax increase as early as 2011: Spending has outstripped revenues annually by increasing amounts. Reserves will be gone by the end of 2010. I plan to make significant cuts in 2010 spending, implement zero-based budgeting for 2011, reject unfunded mandates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and seek opportunities to sell assets in order to bring the county budget into balance.

(Vote for One – 4 year Term)

(Boroughs of Coplay and Slatington; townships of Heidelberg, Lowhill, Lynn, North Whitehall, Washington,
Weisenberg and Whitehall 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12)

DEMOCRATIC

JEANNE MCNEILL

Whitehall Township

www.jeannemcneill.com

D.O.B.: 1960

EDUCATION: 1978 Freedom High School, CPI training 2009/CLIU 21, TOPPS training 2005-current.

OCCUPATION: Job Coach for Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, teaching job skills to special needs High School students.

QUALIFICATIONS: Working hand in hand with Lehigh County businesses for the purpose of teaching job skills to special needs High School students, maintaining working relationships and work on goals to obtain jobs for these students. Served on various boards in community over 20 years. PTO, PAWS Co-President, Treasurer, Church Deacons, Community activist. Fiscally conservative.

RESPONSE: As we are already aware, we are in a bad place economically. Government, businesses and working people are having a tough time making ends meet, or making budgets work. Things don’t look like they are going to be looking up anytime soon. We need to be fiscally responsible, but also be able to know that many key services cannot and should not be cut or it will end up costing taxpayers more in the long run.

REPUBLICAN

TOM CREIGHTON

Lynn Township

D.O.B.: 1968

EDUCATION: Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Widener University 1991 Chester, PA

OCCUPATION: Computer Network Engineer

QUALIFICATIONS: Lynn Township Supervisor, 6 years, Common Sense approaches to issues.

RESPONSE: Taxes - A vote for me provides a vote for a smaller/simpler government with lower taxes. One of my finest accomplishments at Lynn Township was to lower the taxes from 1.3 mills to the present rate of 1 mill, which is one of the lowest in the County. Given the opportunity, I will promise to champion every opportunity to lower our County taxes. You deserve a simple, efficient, transparent, County government.

http://MarcBasist.com

D.O.B.: 1958

EDUCATION: 1981 Boston University School of Management B.S.

OCCUPATION: Owner of Nat’l Health & Wellness Verification Ctr. and Consultant for Kistler

Tiffany Benefits.

QUALIFICATIONS: I understand how to successfully balance a budget and control expenses as a business owner in the private sector. Member of Rotary, Men of St. Thomas More, board of Lehigh Valley High School for the Performing Arts, Mentor-Lehigh Conference of Churches.

RESPONSE: During these tough economic times, we need leaders that understand the detrimental effect high taxes have on each of us. My opponent, who has been in office for 20 years, was the Chairman of the County Commissioners in 2002 that approved the 70% tax increase!!! I will bring fresh ideas and solutions (not more sound bites) to the problems we are facing so that this situation does not negatively affect our lives again.

OCCUPATION: Retired Professor, Kutztown University; Chairman, Lehigh County Commissioners

QUALIFICATIONS: County Commissioner 16 years/Chair 6 years; Past Chair: Lower Macungie Planning, Lehigh Valley Planning, Pennsylvania County Commissioners; Board: LV Economic Development Corporation, National Association of Counties Environment Committee, Wildlands Conservancy, Allentown Symphony, Allentown Art Museum.

RESPONSE: The major issue is re-election of an incumbent with experience, leadership, and proven results, compared to a challenger with no experience in county government. I will continue to promote economic development through smart growth and environmentally sound principles, champion property tax reform, continue the development of the bi-county health department, protect services for the elderly, encourage intergovernmental cooperation to keep taxes low, support quality of life issues, preserve farmland, and retain open space.

(Vote for One – 4 Year Term)

(Allentown 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18;
townships of South Whitehall 2, 4 & 5, Whitehall 1, 3)

DEMOCRATIC

DANIEL K. McCARTHY

Daniel K. McCarthy

http://danmccarthy.com

Allentown

D.O.B.: 1948

EDUCATION: 1966, William Allen H.S.; 1970 University of Texas-El Paso, B.A.; 1974, University of Houston Law School- Law Degree

OCCUPATION: Attorney at Law and Lehigh County Commissioner

QUALIFICATIONS: 2 Term Lehigh County Commissioner, District 4; Solicitor for Various Municipalities and Authorities; Chairman, Allentown Zoning Hearing Board.

RESPONSE: The challenge is to deliver vital services and protections to the citizens of Lehigh County while keeping the costs for those services as low as possible for those citizens of Lehigh County who pay for them. I was instrumental in downsizing three major county departments into one generating significant financial savings. I have the experience to keep the county operating efficiently and I will continue to make that experience work for the county’s taxpayers.

REPUBLICAN

MIKE WELSH

Allentown

D.O.B.: 1962

EDUCATION: 1985, DeSales University, B.A. Business Management

OCCUPATION: Insurance Agent

QUALIFICATIONS: Second attempt to win public office. In 2008, ran against Jennifer Mann for State Representative

RESPONSE: County government needs to live within its means. I believe we need to address out of control spending and work to reduce property taxes.

www.hillarykwiatek.com

D.O.B.: 1967

EDUCATION: 1995, Western Kentucky University, M.A. 1990, Queens College, CUNY, B.A.

OCCUPATION: Freelance Writer

QUALIFICATIONS: Non-profit fundraiser and manager, over 12 years. Bethlehem City and Lehigh County Democratic Committee Person, 4 years. Active community volunteer: Odyssey of the Mind Coach, Park Cleanup Captain, pro-bono granwriting, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School Education Foundation Board Member

RESPONSE: Even in difficult economic times, we must hold fast to a positive long-term vision of safe streets, revitalized cities, environmental stewardship, quality infrastructure and care for citizens in need. We should not give in to a short-sighted strategy of across-the-board budget slashing that will leave us with crumbling bridges and higher crime. Through careful financial management and smart economic development we will emerge from the recession a safer, stronger and greener county.

www.glenneckhart.com

D.O.B.: 1967

EDUCATION: 1985, Salisbury H.S.

OCCUPATION: Service Manager-Scotts Lawn Service; Lehigh County Commissioner-District 5

QUALIFICATIONS: Salisbury Township School Board member 2 years; Salisbury Township First Ward Commissioner 6 years, Lehigh County Commissioner District 5, 4 years; Salisbury Youth Association Basketball Director 3 years

RESPONSE: County Spending – We need to continue to look for new ways to streamline county government and reduce the growing fixed spending increases to the rate of inflation or lower. Taxes – Continue county budget deficits will lead to higher property taxes. I voted against the 2009 budget that was in the red by $12,300,000. Core County Functions of Government – Say No to expansion of new programs outside the core focus of county government.

REPUBLICAN