Macungie Council Interviews Candidates to Fill Vacancy

Members of Macungie's Borough Council convened an hour earlier than usual May 2 to interview four candidates for the seat left vacant when member Linden Miller resigned at the April 18 meeting.

Of the four, three of the interested residents, Christopher Becker, Debra Cope and Gregory Hutchinson,  are candidates in the May primary and are seeking four-year terms that begin Jan. 1, 2012.

The fourth candidate, Kimberly Sherr, was seeking only to fill Miller's seat until a candidate can be elected in November. A candidate who will run in the November election only will serve out the two-year balance of Miller's remaining term.

The four listed their credentials, education and job experience and answered questions including what they thought was the biggest challenge the borough is facing.

Council did not vote on Miller's successor because they have a bit of time before they're required by law to fill it, and only three members of council President Guy Ramsey, David Boyko and Robert Bogert -- were present for the interviews.

A fourth council member, Jean Nagle, joined the beginning of the meeting after the interviews to provide a quorum.

The first item of meeting business was the release of the 2010 Quality of Life Survey.

Taken and processed by Annmarie Cordner of Kutztown University, the survey was sent to 316 residents chosen randomly from the per capita tax list. Thirty-two percent -- or 101 surveys -- were returned and deemed an adequate response.

However, the results were a bit skewed, Cordner said, since 80 percent of the respondents fell into the 45 and older age group. This age group represents only 39 percent of the borough's population. the median age of survey respondents was 60, she said.

It said:

* Ninety-six percent of the residents who answered said rated the quality of life in Macungie as good or excellent.

* Residents are satisfied overall with the job the borough is doing to provide services.

* Police fire and EMS were the most important spending issues for residents.

* Many respondents rated the mayor's performance as poor.

* Reaction to Borough Council was generally good, but some felt it should be better.

* Respondents rated the Police Department favorably, but some said police in Macungie were unfriendly.

"Based on comments provided by respondents, a primary explanation for these findings lies in the controversy between the mayor and police department and the Council's inability to broker a resolution," it said.

In other matters:

* Council reminded residents that there is a vacancy on the borough Planning Commission.

* Council voted unanimously to switch to Washington Gas and Electric as its electricity provider for the next 23 months from PPL at a savings of more than $3,300.

* Council voted unanimously to fund an $800 annual subscription for a software program for the Macungie Fire Department.

* Council unanimously approved the purchase of a paver and likewise approved its financing through First Niagra Bank.