Zawarski Decides Against NorCo Exec Race

Bethlehem Township Commissioner Marty Zawarski, unhappy with the choices in the Northampton County Executive race, was mulling a run himself. He finally decided this weekend that he's not running.

Zawarski, a Republican, would be challenging Bangor Mayor John Brown, who filed his petitions on Friday and was bringing in more today.

As a Bethlehem Township Commissioner, Zawarski has been a pleasant surprise. He's a quiet member with something of an independent streak. He's a Lehigh grad, as is his daughter. Unfortunately, his son became a lawyer.

Last night, I learned that Zawarski was being courted to run by NorCo GOP Boss Robert Kerr, even though Kerr had previously pledged his support to Brown. Kerr even offered that he would o out and get the 250 signatures himself, according to what i'm told, but I'm unable to confirm this yet.

Who's More Evil, Developers or Bloggers?

In 2006 and 2007, the Zawarskis poured $13,350 into Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski's campaign coffers, and King Edwin smoothed the way for the "The Townes at Trexler Square," a KOZ project that makes these properties virtually tax free. So when I heard that Martin Zawarski is running against incumbent Arthur Murphy for Bethlehem Township Commissioner, I couldn't resist asking whether he was now trying to cut out the middleman and buy his office directly. Instead of jumping down my throat, as I fully expected, Zawarski and I exchanged 9 emails on Friday and Saturday. He must be pretty evil because I ended up liking him.

I won't get into his defense of the KOZ. He thinks my view is one-sided, and maybe it is, but we can save that debate for another day. But why is he running? He told me it's to make Bethlehem Township

"... a friendlier municipality. One that serves the people. I walk into Forks Township or Palmer Township or the City of Bethlehem and can walk into anyone’s office and have a cup of coffee and they will smile and shake my hand. Bethlehem Township – I nor other people get that feeling. But there are so many issues that BT [Bethlehem Township] needs to correct and work on. And we do need change. And we need business people on the Board of Commissioners that know how to run a business in tough times. I like Arthur- he works for Steve Selvaggio, and at one time Steve did a lot of work for my home building company. But it isn’t about Arthur and his position. It is about what I can do to make Bethlehem Township a better place to live and work."

He admits that "developers have been labeled the bad guys," although bottom-feeding bloggers like me are much worse. But Zawarski asks who "is better prepared to take on this job? I am someone who has been through the toughest economic times in our lives and survived through these times. Who has the vast experience on the board that I have?"

Zawarski, married to Cheryl, is a LU grad and his daughter is expected to earn her degree there this Spring. Unfortunately, despite his prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, his son Zachary became a lawyer.

Zawarski and Murphy are both Republicans. I'd like to know how both stand on contributions to Bethlehem's library. Murphy seems to think libraries have outgrown their usefulness.