Issues
Library Services
The numbers
Jan. 2022
Council voted 4-1 (deLeon No)
to donate $50,000 to Southern Lehigh Public Library. No additional services were expected or provided for that donation.
Jan. 2022 - Jan 2023
Council majority spent $108,411 on litigation related to library services.
Jan 2023
Council majority authorizes unlimited spending on litigation for library services while residents have NO HOME LIBRARY.
We pledge to work to reestablish a long-term agreement with Hellertown Area Library (HAL). Our Township is the largest municipality in the Lehigh Valley and one of the largest in the whole state that does not fund a home library.
Full library services at Hellertown Area Library formally ended on 12/31/22. Our Township residents are now reduced to purchasing a library card from HAL with limited services.
Lower Saucon residents lost their ability to use the library of their choice in 2023. The Council majority's decision to defund HAL eliminated this vital library service to all Lower Saucon residents.
The Council majority has wasted well over $100,000 in taxpayer money to reduce library services for residents while tearing our Saucon Valley community apart. We want to restore full library services so residents can go to the library of their choice. We pledge to work toward reestablishing a long-term agreement with HAL.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!
Resident Input
We will immediately enact a new public comment policy that honors your 1st amendment right to free speech.
Our policy will:
- Increase speaking time to 5 minutes
- Allow comments from all members of the public
- Foster respectful dialog between Council and meeting participants
- Include public comment after council discussion on each agenda item
- Provide for virtual participation
We will treat all residents with respect and courtesy.
Council represents the people and we welcome and encourage community involvement.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!
Community Relations
We will work to improve the relationship with our neighboring municipalities by reviving the Saucon Valley Partnership between Lower Saucon Township, Saucon Valley School District, and Hellertown Borough. We will work toward strengthening our relationships with regional, state, and federal elected officials to maximize the quality of life for the residents of Lower Saucon Township.
By reuniting the community we hope to restore the joint compost center agreement, streamline the process for purchasing pool passes, and restore partnering with Hellertown Borough for Saucon Valley community events.
Bringing Saucon Valley together again will maximize the quality of life for our residents.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!
Landfill Expansion
This is what will be destroyed.
We are opposed to rezoning Lower Saucon’s natural heritage areas for the landfill. The Council majority has turned its back on decades of council precedent preserving the sensitive natural resources of the hillside overlooking the Lehigh River in Lower Saucon.
As your new council majority, we will strive to protect the natural and historic beauty of Lower Saucon Township. We will do all we can to protect the sensitive environmental features of the 275 acres of the forest overlooking the Lehigh River. We believe keeping our natural resources supports strong property values and honors our unique heritage.
Do we want more of this?
Learn more about landfill expansion here.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!
Responsible
Development
We will work to revitalize our commercial areas and attract new businesses to Lower Saucon Township. We oppose rezoning areas of our township that do not have public sewer and water. Changes should be done with a great deal of thought, considering not only possible increased revenue but also the impact on the quality of life for residents.
Our tax base should be diverse enough to thrive in both good and bad times without overburdening the residential tax base. We will work to revitalize our commercial areas and attract new businesses to Lower Saucon Township.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!
Police and
First Responders
We support funding our police and volunteer fire company. We are grateful to be served by the many volunteers of Lower Saucon Fire Rescue 16 as well as a top-notch police force.
Congratulations to the Lower Saucon Township Police Department for successfully completing its 3rd re-accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association since first becoming accredited in November of 2013.
Congratulations to Lower Saucon Fire Rescue 16 for maintaining your Pro Board accreditation and the 2022 Guidestar Gold rating.
We are committed to ensuring that our first responders are equipped with all the training and resources needed to keep our community safe.
Vote for a new council majority – Vote for Saucon Valley Together!