- Six candidates are running for four four-year seats on the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners
- Democrats Jeffery J. Warren, an incumbent, and Ken Snyder won slots on both the Democratic and Republican tickets
- Others on the Democratic ticket are incumbent Randy Artiyeh and Victor Nassar; filling out the Republican ticket are Elizabeth Fox and LoriAnn Fehnel
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — As voters in Whitehall Township prepare for the Nov. 7 general election, conversation is heating up among the six candidates for four open seats for four-year terms.
Candidates have gone as far as to accuse each other of creating fake Facebook accounts to support or criticize political posts.
Yet all say they're civil with their opponents, some even say they are friendly.
Democrats Jeffery J. Warren, an incumbent, and Ken Snyder won slots on both the Democratic and Republican tickets.
Others on the Democratic ticket are incumbent Randy Artiyeh and Victor Nassar; filling out the Republican ticket are Elizabeth Fox and LoriAnn Fehnel.
Here's a look at each of the candidates and what they stand for:
Victor Nassar
Nassar's LinkedIn profile says he's an account executive for Dun & Bradhurst, specializing in negotiation.
His online work history also lists him as a founder of Greater Lehigh Valley Homes & Investment, and he is a licensed Realtor, according to the National Association of Realtors.
He did not respond to requests for comment and does not appear to have a campaign website.
Jeff Warren
Warren said he has a renewed passion for some of the projects on which he's worked during his time on the board.
Those include Whitehall Parkway Pavilion, for which he said he was proud to have been involved in securing grants.
"What I look for is a sustainable community where we have a tax base that supports the operations of the township, yet maintains the quality of life that the residents or neighbors that move to Whitehall have come to expect."Jeff Warren, Democratic candidate in the Whitehall Comissioners election
"What I look for is a sustainable community where we have a tax base that supports the operations of the township, yet maintains the quality of life that the residents or neighbors that move to Whitehall have come to expect," Warren said.
Warren is a geologist and geophysicist, and has spent 29 years with the firm Leidos.
He's a member of the Rotary Club, involved with the Historical Society, and Environmental Advisory Council.
He's past president of Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority, and said that during his time on that board, he was instrumental in getting funds from the state budget that he said led to a $1.5 million grant toward Whitehall's police station.
He said key issues in his platform are transparency, public safety and prudent tax dollar spending.
During his time on the board of commissioners, he said, he initiated efforts to mandate an annual audit for the office of the treasurer.
Randy Atiyeh
Atiyeh lost to Michael Dee in the primaries, but Dee withdrew from the election because of a residence move that put his address outside of the township limits.
So the Democratic party chose Atiyeh, who had gotten the next-largest vote tally.
"I am incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue serving Whitehall Township. Having grown up in this community, I am deeply committed to giving back and ensuring that it remains a wonderful place for all residents, including my own children."Randy Atiyeh (D), Whitehall Board of Comissioners candidate
Atiyeh is athletic director at William Allen High School in Allentown, where he also fills in as the dean of students and assistant principal.
He said he's feeling great after being put back on the ballot, and feels good about the election.
"Having grown up in this community, I am deeply committed to giving back and ensuring that it remains a wonderful place for all residents, including my own children," he said.
His said he has a passion for public health and recreation initiatives.
"I have a genuine passion for recreation, health and wellness," Atiyeh said. "I have already initiated efforts to develop a comprehensive recreation plan in partnership with the township, with the aim of advancing our recreational facilities, playgrounds and programs.
"I am committed to seeing this plan through and continuing to work toward its implementation."
Ken Snyder
Snyder is president of Spectrum Real Estate, and said he has lived in Whitehall for 64 years. He and his wife are both graduates of Whitehall High School, and he has eight grandchildren, all of whom, he said, will go through Whitehall-Coplay school system.
Efforts to reach Snyder for comment were unsuccessful, but in an interview during the May primary campaign, he said he has big plans for the township.
"There was a time when Whitehall was the envy of all the other communities in the Lehigh Valley," he said.
"If you travel throughout the Lehigh Valley you can see there are other communities that are surpassing us with regards to recreation, housing, shopping facilities, and community amenities.
"I am hopeful that as your commissioner I can help to improve this situation."
He is on the boards of Whitehall Library, Whitehall Ambulance Corp. and Chamber of Commerce, where he is a past president. He has been on the township Planning Commission and Comprehensive Recreation Committee.
His platform includes more staff for emergency services, fixing up public pools and effective tax spending.
Elizabeth Fox
Fox is a newcomer to politics, but said she has been active in the community for a long time.
She's involved in several military societies in Whitehall, such as Friends of the Tomcat and VFW — in which she got involved through her father, a Vietnam veteran.
"We need fresh new faces. We need to get rid of the 'good old boys' within the Township — break the good old boy network and really hold everyone accountable."Elizabeth Fox (R), Whitehall Board of Comissioners candidate
She has strong opinions about the current board of commissioners, who she has jokingly referred to as the "good old boys"
"We need fresh new faces," she said. "We need to get rid of the 'good old boys' within the township — break the good old boy network and really hold everyone accountable."
Fox said she has a renewed interest in emergency services. She said her son this is because her son is set to graduate from a firefighter academy soon.
She was president of Egypt Memorial Park, and a board member, as well as a lifetime member of the VFW, through her father, a Vietnam War veteran.
She's a graduate of Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, New Jersey and is a senior admin/assistant account, as well as a notary, for Lehigh County.
She has lived in Whitehall for 18 years with her husband of 20 years.
LoriAnn Fehnel
Fehnel is a third-time candidate. She's also running for a seat on Whitehall-Coplay School Board.
She readily admits she is not one to mince words. She speaks as a member of the public at commissioners meetings, as well as on Facebook.
"Honestly, I am the type of person who will go directly into a meeting and bring things to [the board's] attention, and say, 'you know, this needs to be on the public record', and I will speak my mind. Sometimes I come across as, some might say aggressive, but really, I'm just more passionate about how much I care about this community."LoriAnn Fehnel (R) Whitehall Board of Comissioners candidate
"I consider this a unique feature," she said. "Most people might consider it a bad feature, but I look at it like this: We need people who are outspoken, [who are] going to be a voice for the people."
Fehnel said she views it as her responsibility to speak up sometimes.
"Honestly, I am the type of person who will go directly into a meeting and bring things to [the board's] attention, and say, 'You know, this needs to be on the public record,' and I will speak my mind.
"Sometimes I come across as, some might say aggressive, but really, I'm just more passionate about how much I care about this community."
Fehnel said she started doing that even more after feeling like her perspectives were dismissed by township government.
