Say It Isn't So, Percy!

Percy Dougherty is the chair of Lehigh County's highly regarded Board of Commissioners, arguably the best legislative body in the Lehigh Valley. A big reason for that is him. His affable style of bipartisan leadership makes Lehigh County as efficient as Northampton County Council is dysfunctional.

I had assumed that, with a Republican majority ensured and the admiration of Democratic colleagues, Dr. Dougherty would soldier on for another year. But I've received inside word late yesterday that Percy is tired of all the duties entailed, and may pass the baton on to someone else. I hope this is untrue or that he changes his mind. Nobody serving can equal him as facilitator. Percy recently emailed fellow commissioners with a job description, adding "I can tell you from experience that this is a time consuming position."

1. Chair the County Commissioners meetings twice a month in a fair and impartial manner.

2. Attend all committee meetings-the Chair is a member of all committees.

3. Serve on the Lehigh County Pension Board.
(a) Ordinance requires the Chair and one other Commissioner serve on the Board.
(b) Quarterly meetings (2/11, 5/13, 8/12 and 10/10), 8-11 AM.
(c) Periodic meetings to interview companies for inclusion in portfolio.

4. Perform staff evaluations.

5. Assign Commissioners to committees.

6. Assign Commissioners to non-profit boards.

7. Attend leadership meetings with the Administration twice monthly, or as required.

8. Chair the Bi-county Health Commission for 2010 (alternates between the two counties)
(a) Organizational meeting on second Monday of January.
(b) Meetings and interviews of candidates for Treasurer.
(c) Organizational meetings with Northampton County in summer.

9. Serve on the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
(a) Can only be the Chairperson and no alternate.
(b) Monthly Executive Committee Meetings, 7:30-10:00 AM on second Thursday of month.
(c) Serve on the Board and attend quarterly meetings
(d) Attend spring and fall Legislative Meetings.
(e) Other optional meetings, including Nomination Committee.

10. Serve on the Board of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation.
(a) Meets monthly on the third Thursday.
(b) Special meetings with the Mayor and site visits.

11. Serve on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
(a) Monthly meeting with the President Judge and officials of the judiciary
(b) Commissioner Raber represents the Chair this year.

12. Member, Lehigh County Affordable Housing Committee, Ordinance stipulates the Chair and one other Commissioner serve.

13. Member, Quality of Life Committee, Ordinance stipulates the Chair and two commissioners serve.

14. Be the point of contact between the Commissioners Office and:
(a) Municipal, State, and Federal governments,
(b) Administration, Judiciary and Row offices,
(c) County vendors
(d) The Public.

15. Be the point of contact between Lehigh County and other agencies through phone calls, emails, and correspondence, e.g.:
(a) County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
(b) National Association of Counties.
(c) Grant agencies.
(d) Federal and State agency review of programs.

16. Be available as the official representative of the County at public events.

17. Be available to answer questions from the press.

18. Prepare the annual Commissioners Office budget in consultation with the Clerk.

19. Review and complete paper work for expenditures, travel, training and special services in the Commissioners Office.