Meet LC Commissioner Candidate Geoff Brace

Geoff Brace, downtown revitalization guru, LC Comm'r candidate, you are definitely a wonk. Am I right?

Geoff: "You can call me a geek, Bernie. That's OK."

You applied for the position. I think you came in pretty well when it was open for appointment.

Geoff: "Yeah."

You grabbed quite a few votes that time from Republicans, and now you're running for the position, an at-large seat. Why should the voters select you as opposed to a very strong Republican team in what appears to be a Republican year?

Geoff: "When I talk to voters, I talk about two parts of why I think I'm a good candidate.

"The first is my passion for communities, and I'm not just talking about Allentown or Bethlehem., but our small twns, the farmlands, the suburbs. I'm passionate about our communities.

"I also talk a lot about fiscal responsibility and the fact that I manage, very hands on, a small nonprofit organization, watching every penny, squeezing every nickel that we possibly can.

"So I'll bring my passion, I'll bring my fiscal responsibility with me to the job as Lehigh County Comm'r".

Will you be an independent voice or will you be another vote for Executive Cunningham?

Geoff: "Anybody who knows me knows that I'm an independent-minded person. While the three other [Democrat] candidates and I agree on the importance of keeping Cedarbrook in Lehigh County hands because it's so effectively managed and because of the resurces it provides for LC taxpayers, we disagree on other issues.

"At the end of the day, I've always said a good idea is a good idea. I don't care if it's a Democratic idea or a Republican idea. If it's a good idea, it merits attention and I'll look for the good ideas.

How do you enjoy married life and living in downtown Allentown?

Geoff [laughing]: "My wife is a true saint. I'm laughing because Sarah [I hope that's his wife] has tolerated my weekends knocking on doors evenings, going to candidate forums, taking care of the dog we just adopted ... We're enjoying married life."

What kind of dog?

Geoff: "He's a Bichon miniature poodle mix, a little cottonball."

One of those little designer dogs.

Geoff: "Certainly not a designer dog. He's usually dirty. He's got leaves all over him. But he's a good dog."