Former Top Cop Roger MacLean Announces Candidacy For Lehigh County Executive

(From Roger MacLean's Campaign) ALLENTOWN, PA — Former Allentown Police Chief and City Council President Roger MacLean, a lifelong Allentown resident and dedicated public servant, announced his candidacy for Lehigh County Executive, seeking the Republican nomination.

"Serving Allentown has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our county," said MacLean. "As Lehigh County Executive, I will leverage this experience to ensure effective governance and uphold the values that make our community strong." MacLean served 39 years with the Allentown Police Department, where he rose through the ranks from cadet to chief, managing a staff of over 200 officers and a $30 million budget. Following his retirement from the police force, he worked for the District Attorney’s Office at the James B. Martin Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center for ten years and served four years on Allentown City Council, including two as President. A proven fiscal conservative, MacLean has consistently fought to protect taxpayers. As a City Council member, he voted against a 26% tax increase and opposed the establishment of a stormwater fee.

MacLean is a staunch advocate for farmland preservation, recognizing the critical role agriculture plays in the county’s heritage and economy. He is committed to protecting farmland from overdevelopment and opposes the proliferation of unnecessary warehouses, noting the large, vacant facilities already sitting unused. Instead, MacLean supports thoughtful, strategic development aligned with the county’s long-term needs. “Lehigh County is at a pivotal moment,” MacLean added. “We must balance growth with preserving our community’s character and values. I’ve done that throughout my career, and I’ll continue that mission as County Executive.”

MacLean holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from DeSales University. A proud grandfather of two, with a third grandchild on the way, he attends Bethany United Methodist Church in Wescosville and remains deeply connected to the community.

"I am seeking the Republican nomination because I believe in time-tested conservative principles: responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, personal accountability, and common-sense solutions that foster growth while preserving our community’s unique character," said MacLean. "I’m ready to lead with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for the values that unite and strengthen Lehigh County."

Roger MacLean’s decades of public service, deep understanding of governance, and unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility make him uniquely qualified to serve as Lehigh County Executive. He invites the community to join his campaign to build a stronger, more prosperous county for generations to come.

Blogger's Note: MacLean joins Justin Simmons and Mike Welsh in seeking the Republican nod for Lehigh County Exec. The winner of that race will face Democrat Josh Siegel in November.

Republican Mike Welsh to Run for LC Exec

FROM MIKE WELSH CAMPAIGN (Allentown, PA) Today, Mike Welsh, a longtime Lehigh County resident and small business owner announced his candidacy for Lehigh County Executive.

“It’s an honor to step up to represent the County that I have had the privilege of calling home,” said Welsh. “Lehigh County has given me incredible opportunities — it’s where I’ve raised my family, run a small business, and served my community both in and out of office. Now, as our county grapples with new challenges and faces an uncertain future, it’s time for a steady hand and strong leadership.

“I know how to fight on behalf of residents and taxpayers. When I served as one of the few conservatives on the Allentown School Board, I fought against tax increases and wasteful spending while also working with both sides to get things done for students. And as a small business owner, I know the challenges that taxpayers and working families are facing in our county. I’m looking forward to fighting tax increases, supporting our local law enforcement, ending our status as a sanctuary county, and restoring common sense to the Lehigh County government.”

Welsh also highlighted another critical factor in this race: keeping Lehigh County out of the hands of out-of-touch, left-wing radicals.

“Make no mistake, Josh Siegel is an extremist, an opportunist, and a danger to the people of Lehigh County,” said Welsh. “This career politician has run for five offices in seven years, only ever completing a single two-year term in the process. In between running for office, he’s amassed a record of supporting a myriad of far left positions. He has supported over $100,000,000 million in new taxes on Lehigh County residents, sending social workers to respond to 911 calls, ‘decolonizing the education system,’ and defunding the police. Josh Siegel has no business running the government of Lehigh County.

Mike Welsh is originally from Paoli, Pennsylvania and is a 1985 graduate of DeSales University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Welsh has had a near 40 year career in insurance 21 years with Liberty Mutual Insurance in Allentown and for the last 11 years as owner of AC Thompson Insurance in Allentown.

Welsh is a former Allentown School Board Director with a proven record of fighting for fiscal responsibility with a focus on providing the best outcomes for ASD Students. Welsh is the past board president of the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum and the Allentown Flag Day Association. Welsh has been active in the DeSales University Alumni for many years and is a member of the St Catharine of Siena Cathedral Choir in Allentown for over 30 years. Welsh resides in Allentown with his wife Nancy, also a 1985 graduate of DeSales University. They have 3 children and are proud to call Allentown home.

Blogger's Note: Welsh has a primary opponent, Justin Simmons. Now that Welsh has announced, Simmons should back out of this race.

Former State Rep. Justin Simmons to Run For Lehigh County Exec

Former State Rep. Justin Simmons announced yesterday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Lehigh County Exec. He probably will have company. Former Allentown City Council member Roger MacLean is reportedly also seeking the GOP nod. 

The winner of that race will take on State Rep. Joshua Siegel, who has previously announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. 

“I have a proven pro-taxpayer record of fighting for common-sense ideas and needed government reforms that I will bring to Lehigh County’s government.” Simmons explains.  “I’m a common-sense person.  I think County Government can do more with less.  This I can promise you…As your County Executive, I will never sign a budget that increases taxes, I will always support our law enforcement, and I will keep local zoning decisions where they belong…. with locally elected municipal officials.” 

After spending 5 years in the private sector and successfully overcoming health issues that his previous opponents used as political fodder against him because he missed some time to seek treatment for his health, Simmons is now determined more than ever to give Lehigh County residents a new pro-taxpayer voice they deserve.  

Who Will Be Top Dog in Lehigh and NorCo?

I'm gearing up for November's election, and will be creating informational pages on my left sidebar for the Allentown Mayoral, Lehigh and NorCo Executive, Lehigh and NorCo Comm'r and Council, and Allentown City Council races.

In connection with the creation of these pages, I am asking for your help. For each of these races, I'd like to pose up to ten questions for the candidates. For example, I'd like to ask Brown and the Republican incumbents on NorCo Council why they've run away from any of the ethical reforms sought by Hayden Phillips. I could ask many pointed questions like that, but think it's more fair to ask readers to present questions they'd like answered.

For now, let me introduce the top dogs in the Lehigh and NorCo Exec race, and please ask what questions you'd like both candidates to answer in each county. For example, a fair NorCo question might be one that asks the candidates about the new jail that Brown is planning.  

Lehigh County Executive:  chief executive officer and administrative official who executes and enforces all county ordinances and presents the financial plan and budget to County Commissioners  The term of office is four years, with an annual salary of $75,000. Incumbent Tom Muller has decided against seeking re-election.

Phillips Armstrong, Democrat
Facebook - Phillips Armstrong
Webpage - http://www.armstrong4executive.com/ (not live)
Employment - retired educator, Whitehall-Coplay School District
Gov't experience - Whitehall Tp Board of Comm'rs (appointed 2014, elected 2015)
Education - Kutztown University, M.Ed., 1971
Residence - Whitehall Township
Activities: looks like water skis

Brad Osborne, Republican 
Facebook - Brad Osborne, Osborne for Executive
Webpage - Osborne for Executive
Employment - retired as Plant Manager, GEO Specialty Chemicals
Gov't Experience -  So. Whitehall Tp Comm'r (2005-2012); Lehigh County Comm'r (2012-present).
Education - University of Virginia, B.S., Chemical Engineering
Residence -  So. Whitehall Tp
Activities: I'll fill you in.

NorCo Executive:  chief executive officer and administrative official who executes and enforces all county ordinances and presents the financial plan and budget to County Council  The term of office is four years, with an annual salary of $85,000.

Lamont McClure, Democrat
Facebook - McClure4Exec
Webpage -http://www.lamontmcclure.com/
Employment - Peter Angelos law offices
Gov't Experience - Appointed to NorCo Council in  2006, elected in 2007 and again in 2011. Served ten years.
Education - Wilkes University, B.A., 1992 and Duquesne University, J.D., 1995
Residence: Bethlehem Township
Activities: Active as a baseball and basketball coach in youth sports

John Brown, Republican (incumbent)
Facebook - John Brown and John Brown, NorCo Executive
Webpage - Could only locate his webpage for state auditor general, http://www.johnbrownforpa.com/
Employment - county executive
Government Experience - Bangor Mayor (2009-2013); NorCo Exec (2014-present)
Education - Notre Dame
Residence: Bangor
Activities: golf

LC Exec: Dent Endorses Osborne; Baker and Heydt Pick Eckhart

As the Republican primary for Lehigh County Executive begins to unfold, the endorsement have begun. Glenn Eckhart has picked up endorsements from former Allentown Mayor Bill Heydt and former Lehigh County Exec Jane Baker. Brad Osborne has received a rare primary endorsement from Congressman Charlie Dent.

Bill Heydt on Eckhart: “Glenn has served the taxpayer’s of Lehigh County faithfully. He worked hard to reform pensions in Lehigh County, saving the taxpayers millions of dollars.”

Jane Baker on Eckhart: "[E]xperience matters, we need to be electing people who can make tough decisions when it matters most. I know Glenn is that individual with just the right executive experience.”

Dent's endorsement of Osborne is more detailed.

Charlie Dent Endorsement by BernieOHare on Scribd

Glenn Eckhart To Run For LC Exec

Glenn waits for Moe and Larry

Lehigh County Controller Glenn Eckhart will be announcing his candidacy for Lehigh County Executive tonight at Big Woodys' Sports Bar (1841 South 4th At, Allentown Pa 18103). The event runs from 4:30 - 8:30 pm, with pizza and soda on Eckhart.

"Republicans, democrats and independents welcome," he states. "Formal announcement will be at 7 pm. I hope you can share this time with me."

Eckhart is a conservative Republican currently serving his second term as Lehigh County's Controller. In the primary, he will face Lehigh County Comm'r Brad Osborne, who announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination in late January.

I am unaware what w=either candidate plans to accomplish if elected, but will certainly tell you about their platforms as soon as I get them.

According to incumbent Executive Tom Muller, Phillips Armstrong will be seeking the Democratic nod. Armstrong is a Whitehall Commissioner and a retired teacher.

Despite the lure of free food, I will miss Eckhart's announcement to cover a Hanover Township meeting tonight.

Browning Wants to Debate Ott

Dean Browning and Scott Ott, the two Republican candidates for Lehigh County Exec, will tape a WFMZ’s “Business Matters” program with Tony Iannelli today. That half hourt show will air April 1 on Channel 69. But Browning would like a few more bites at the apple, and has challenged Ott to four additional debates over the remaining eight-plus weeks of their primary campaign..

“Serving as Lehigh County Executive is an important job and the decisions made by the next County Executive will have a direct impact on the lives of every resident who calls our county home,” said Browning. “I am eager to compare my qualifications as a businessman with more than thirty years of private sector business and financial experience versus Commissioner Ott’s background as an author and online media personality. There is no doubt that Scott is a talented political pundit, but I am confident that my qualifications are far better suited to manage and reform a county with 2,000 employees and a $360 million budget. County Executive should not be a position for on-the-job-training.”

Browning suggested the two campaigns sit down and hammer out a schedule for the debates that included agreement on formats, moderators, locations and dates. Browning also said his campaign was willing to split the cost with Ott’s for promoting the debates to voters.

“I hope Commissioner Ott will accept this challenge and spare Lehigh County voters from a campaign of empty rhetoric and bumper sticker-ready slogans that won’t solve the economic and fiscal challenges facing Lehigh County,” said Browning. “Since Commissioner Ott took office the 16% property tax cut that was the basis of his 2011 campaign has never materialized; he pushed through an ill-timed reassessment that is about to jack up local, county and school taxes on tens of thousands of residents and small businesses; and our county deficit is on the rise again with no plan in place to balance the county budget without raising taxes. I look forward to a spirited series of debates on these issues and more and am I hopeful Commissioner Ott will work with me to make them happen.”

Lehigh County's Tom Muller to Run For Exec

Tom Muller with his wife, MJ

After freezing my ass off at the Callahan announcement, I treked over to Emmaus for another Executive announcement. Outside. In the frickin' triangle. But it was worth it. Lehigh County Director of Administration Tom Muller shocked everyone with the announcement that he'll be running for Lehigh County Executive. And he'll be doing it as a Democrat. He switched parties a year ago.

He chose the triangle for his announcement because that's where the so-called "reform" team of County Commissioners wanted to send $209,000 in CDBG funds back to the federal government.

"I'm running for Lehigh County Exec because I'm not running for Congress. I'm running to serve the people of Lehigh County.

"I've heard an awful lot of talk over the last year over why we can't take this money (referring to Emmaus Green Future fund grant money) from the government because we have a national debt or we owe China money. I think the job of County Executive is to serve everybody in the County, to work for you, to bring as much of our money that we send to Washington back here rather than to say, 'No thank you, I don't want it because you've got a national debt problem.'

"We have - they happen to be Republican - but we have two very solid people who are down there representing us right now. Actually three if you count Mr. Casey. But we've got Charlie Dent, we've got Pat Toomey. I know them both very well. Their job is to solve things like national debt. That's not what I think we have to do in the County, and unfortunately, we've come close to turning down some money."

Muller referred to what Lehigh County's ultra-conservative block of Commissioners do as "cliffsmanship."

"It's a word I've made up. It's an interesting game. What happens is you invent an unnecessary cliff that wasn't there, then you dance around the edge for weeks at a time, holding things hostage, and then you find some very lame reason as why you can back away from the cliff without falling off, ... and then you declare that you did something wonderful, that somehow you did your job and were diligent ... . That's nonsense. That's the kind of nonsense I think belongs in Washington. It doesn't belong in Le- t doesn't belong in Washington, either. It certainly doesn't belong in Lehigh County. That's not what everyone out there wants. I think they want straight talk ... ."

Surprisingly, businessman Muller stated that one of his focuses as Exec would be to get at-risk kids out of that category and on the straight and narrow by working with community leaders and schools. "It's a lot easier to build strong children than repair broken adults," he said, claiming he has heard that phrase.

Muller's announcement was attended by Lehigh County Democratic leaders Bar Johnston and Rick Dougherty, Allentown mayor Edwin Pawlowski, Democratic Commissioner candidates Geoff Brace, David Jones and Wes Barret. His wife, MJ, was also with him.

When Muller saw me, he called me the "pseudo press," as he likes to call me. I called him the "pseudo Exec."

I told him I was already half-frozen after Callahan's announcement at Gracedale, and that if he went longer than five minutes, I'd be voting for Scott Ott. He went six. Bastard! I live in Northampton County.

In an attempt to warm up, I tried shaking hands with Pawlowsi. My hand immediately turned to ice while Fleck stole my wallet.

Assuming that Muller has no primary opponent, he will face the winner of the Republican primary battle between Scott Ott and Dean Browning. Scott Ott is part of the "reform" team about which Muller complained. Muller refers to Browning as a gentleman.


Text of Muller's Announcement:

My name is Tom Muller, and I am a Democrat running for Lehigh County Executive.

My wife and I moved to the Lehigh Valley twenty-three years ago. What we found was a close-knit community where common sense prevailed and we’ve built our life here with two wonderful kids. My extraordinary wife, MJ, is deeply immersed in the Valley—running the St. Thomas More School kitchen, where she feeds 600 people each day, and getting a women’s shelter she launched last year through its first year and well-funded for the future. Our son is a freshman at Wake Forest University and our 6th grader, Joy, has us on the field hockey or soccer sidelines most weekends. We have a very full life in the Lehigh Valley.

I’m running for Lehigh County Executive because I believe in this community. I believe in our businesses. I believe in our law enforcement community. I believe that it is the place of government to keep our communities safe and to create the kind of environment in which businesses and families can thrive.

I am not particularly concerned with partisan labels. I’m concerned with results. I have worn many hats in my lifetime. I have worked in the private sector, and I have worked in the public sector. I’ve been a union member and chief negotiator for management teams negotiating fair contracts with unions. I have been a Republican and I have worked in a Democratic administration for seven years.

But I will always bear in mind that this is the people’s government. It’s “Your” Lehigh County. This government is here to provide what’s required for you, what you need and what you believe the County can provide best of what you want.

My time in the private and public sectors has taught me that total quality of life is most critical. It’s what makes Lehigh County attractive to businesses. It’s what makes this an ideal place to raise a family.
Good quality of life starts with a first-rate public safety and justice system, but it also extends to providing services to those in need and providing the kinds of recreational, entertainment and developmental opportunities that can only exist in a safe community.

I also believe that it’s important to balance quality of life, public safety and the delivery of services with a "right-sized" government operation focused on efficiency and effectiveness. I believe that government exists to serve its residents and I believe that it’s important to spend our taxpayers’ money wisely.

I don’t believe that we should simply gut government and slash spending just because some politician or team of politicians made an uninformed but convincing campaign promise. There is always room for improvement in any operation and Lehigh County government is no exception, but I believe that government has a job to do, and we must fund it appropriately in order for it to perform those functions.

I believe in straight talk. I don’t like empty promises, and you won’t hear any from me. I plan to proactively seek input from Lehigh County’s taxpayers. I won’t just assume that I know what’s best or that there’s only one side to an issue just because I won an election.

I will not turn away your tax dollars when the Federal government tries to return them to us in the form of grants and programs. I’m running for Lehigh County Executive, not Congress. We send some very talented elected officials to Washington to deal with big issues such as the national debt. If I can get some of your tax dollars back from Washington or Harrisburg to apply to Lehigh County’s needs, I’ll do it.

But getting those funds is not where my responsibility should end. We need to ensure that those funds are being applied effectively and efficiently, which means a greater focus on outcomes and being more demanding with the service providers.

We still have more to do on the public safety front but there are other key issues that I believe need to be addressed in the coming term. They include overhauling our outdated senior center concept, partnering to bring the number of recreational venues in line with the demand and working with community leaders, schools and groups to get “at risk” kids on the right track and keep others from becoming “at risk”. As I heard someone say not too long ago, “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults,”--- and it’s a lot less costly to the taxpayers.

You may be wondering why I’ve chosen to launch my campaign at this location—Triangle Park in Emmaus—on this brisk winter afternoon and what credentials I have to be County Executive.

I chose this location because it has a strong link to what I believe is a disturbing trend by a bloc of our Lehigh County Commissioners who have become adept at what I call “Washington cliffsmanship”—creating an unnecessary “cliff,” dancing along the edge until the last minute, finding a lame way to avert the fall and then declaring that they’ve done something good.

Triangle Park was supported in part by Green Future funds from the County and it was budgeted Green Future funds for another Emmaus project and projects for five other municipalities that those commissioners recently held hostage for two months. They have also balked at approving pass-through CDBG funds.

CDBG funding has been applied to provide mandated curb cuts throughout downtown Emmaus that otherwise would have been an additional cost to the citizens.

The need to end this “cliffsmanship” and the focus on political philosophy is what has encouraged me to run for County Executive and I know it’s what has inspired Wes Barrett to run for Commissioner in this district. Save the political philosophy for Washington; this is Lehigh County and here our citizens want and need action, not debate.

As for my credentials, I’ll give you the short version. A more detailed version will be posted on my website when I get it launched.

I have 40 years of experience in the private sector, including very senior positions in large companies, including President and Chief Operating Officer for Binney & Smith—now Crayola. I’ve also owned small businesses, served on numerous boards and for the past 7 years I’ve been Director of Administration for this county, during which time the County’s bond rating has been raised twice, the infrastructure has been significantly upgraded and we have moved to the top of the class in public safety advancements. I also teach at Cedar Crest College, Chair the Easton Hospital Board that I’ve been on for over 20 years and serve as ViceChairman of the Board of Directors for the Lehigh County Authority.

Lehigh County government is a large business—over $350 million in size and with over 2,000 employees—and I’ll proudly put my credentials for managing it up against any other candidate.

My bottom line is simple. I want to work for the citizens of Lehigh County on Lehigh County issues and needs and without “Washington cliffsmanship” and political philosophy. I believe I have the qualifications needed to do that job for you and hope you’ll agree with me at the voting booth.