Five open seats sought

Ron Heckman

Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Northampton County Council in the spring primary election on the Democratic ticket.

County government is a predominately service-based level of government.  It is responsible for providing several services.  Council must do that job with professionalism and in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  Council must also do their homework and ask tough questions. My extensive experience in both the legislative and executive branches of county government has provided me with the knowledge to ask these questions.

During my tenure as Director of Human Services for Northampton County, I utilized my thirty years of experience in the private and public sectors to manage the county’s largest department. As Manager of Regional Partnerships for Lehigh County, I worked with local municipalities on ways to maximize governmental efficiency and lower cost.

My record has been one of providing the most effective county government possible for the least amount of taxpayer dollars.  During my two terms as councilman, I never voted for a tax increase.  I voted to eliminate the personal property tax and reduce the county’s real estate tax burden.  I also sponsored the county’s first farmland preservation resolution.

As your County Councilman, I am determined to focus much of my energy on the needs of the Department of Human Services.  We must ensure that the county’s nursing home, Gracedale, is properly maintained and supported. We also must ensure that services vital to our most vulnerable citizens are protected and delivered efficiently.  Our citizens demand that we maintain the county’s structures including our bridges, buildings and parks that they have paid for with their tax dollars.  To not do so will cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.  We must also work with the courts to curb the high cost of prisoner recidivism.

I want to serve the citizens of this county because this is my home.  I learned traditions and values while growing up in Moore Township that have served me well in life. I would like to give back what I can in service to a county that has provided such great quality of life for all of us.  I will again put my experience to work for the citizens of Northampton County.

Glenn A. Geissinger 

Glenn A. Geissinger, currently of Plainfield Township, PA, has announced that he is seeking a position on the Northampton County Council. Mr. Geissinger will be seeking nomination as a member of the Republican Party during the May primary election.

Mr. Geissinger is a successful area business owner with a common sense approach to the issues the county faces. He and his wife, Julia, have both grown up and lived most of their lives in the Lehigh Valley. Glenn is an Army veteran who began working as a busboy at 14 for a local restaurant. After graduating Whitehall High School, Glenn attended Lehigh University and Moravian College. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and over 20 years experience in building, running, and assisting businesses of all sizes. Glenn has a broad range of experience that will allow him to assist the residents of Northampton County during these difficult economic times.

Glenn is an active member of his church, sitting as a councilor on its board for Northeastern PA and also serving his local congregation as a Cub Scout den leader. He has given to the community through countless hours of volunteer service, to include serving local arts councils and on non-profit boards.

Glenn and Julia have two children, Sarah and Noah who both attend school in the Pen Argyl School District

For more information, visit http://www.GeissingerforCouncil.org (coming soon!)

Hayden Phillips

Hayden Phillips announces his candidacy for Northampton County Council as a Republican.  He is seeking election to one of the five “at large” council seats that will be contested during the 2013 election cycle.

A political newcomer, this is Mr. Phillips first run for elected office.   He holds an undergraduate degree from Mansfield State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Lehigh University.  He has spent his career in the information technology industry, for the last twenty years in area of project and program management.  He has expertise in managing large, global projects and organizations.   He is an adjunct instructor at Pennsylvania State University – Lehigh Valley, teaching courses in Project Management.  He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  Upon discharge from active duty, he continued his service and established a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, serving in both key staff and command positions, including battalion commander.  Mr. Phillips retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Colonel.

Mr. Phillips feels his training and experience will be a real asset in influencing the county’s budget process and monitoring its overall fiscal responsibility.  Also, in his experience in business,  he has mastered group facilitation, group dynamics and consensus building, skills he feels are important to county council members as they work on council as a team.

Mr. Phillips and his wife Zulma reside in Lower Nazareth Township, PA.  Married for 30 years, they are the parents of two adult children.