Republicans Waging Panto Write-in Campaign

A few years ago, I was with my grandson when his eyes suddenly rolled into the back of his head and he was out. He suffers from epilepsy and had several seizures before this one, but this was the first time it happened in front of me.

I was a mess.

Easton police and firemen probably saved my grandson's life. Not only did they stabilize him, but they arranged for a helicopter transport to LV Hospital.

One of those firemen was Mike Krill, who is running against Sal Panto for Easton Mayor. He was very reassuring and professional, and I'll always remember Mike kindly.

Under any other circumstances, I'd happily support him in a Mayoral bid. But not against Sal Panto, who rescued Easton from its own seizure as calmly and as professionally as Mike did with my grandson. His "clean and safe" mantra was no idle campaign promise, and Easton is much healthier now than it's been at any time within the last ten years.

Like my grandson.

I've heard Republicans are waging a write-in campaign for Sal, and I hope it succeeds so that Hizzoner can devote his full attention to running the City and Mike can continue saving lives.

Sal Panto's Kick-Off Speech: Clean & Safe

In his "State of the County" address last week, Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham stressed the importance of public safety. "Public safety is the prerequisite to all other activities. You cannot have a healthy community, create jobs or improve the quality of life unless people are safe and justice prevails." No matter how many tax incentives you give to lure a restaurant to Allentown, it's wasted money if people are still getting shot a block away.

When Sal Panto ran for Mayor four years ago, he kept it simple - Clean & Safe. After his election, he followed through by increasing the size of the police force from 52 to 63, starting a city-wide street cleaning program and adding code enforcement officers. Easton's crime rate dropped nearly 8 per cent last year, while Bethlehem saw crime go up 6 per cent.

Last Thursday, Panto kicked off his re-election campaign at the Grand Eastonian. He's seeking a second term because "there is still so much to do." I thought he might run unopposed, but Easton fire fighter Mike Krill, a Republican, is circulating petitions.

Below is Sal's Kick-Off Speech.
Sal Panto's Kick-Off Speech