Meet Lehigh County Commissioner Candidate: Percy Dougherty

Lehigh County Commissioner Race, District 2
(District 2 includes South Whitehall, Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie and Alburtis.) 

Candidate: Percy H. Dougherty, Ph.D.

Age: 70

Family:  Wife of 46 years, Anne Zinn Dougherty; son Thomas and wife Susan of Harrison, OH; son Robert and wife Robin of Alburtis, PA; grandsons Aidan and Sam of Alburtis, PA

Political party affiliation: life-long Republican 

Tell us about your educational background:

 BS, West Chester University, Biology and Geography

MEd, West Chester University, Geography

PhD, Boston University, Physical Geography and Geology

National Foundation Post Doctorate Fellow, University of Delaware, Water Budget Microclimatology

National Foundation Post Doctorate Fellow, University of California Santa Barbara, Remote Sensing and Satellite Imagery Processing

Tell us about your professional/business background:

 Chester County Planning Commission, West Chester, PA-Planner

West Chester University-Assistant Professor

College of New Jersey-Assistant Professor

City University of New York-Assistant Professor

University of Cincinnati-Assistant Professor

Guest professor at Ohio University and University of Kentucky           

Kutztown University-Professor (23 yrs.) and now Professor Emeritus

Why are you running for Lehigh County Commissioner?

I am running for County Commissioner because I want to share my expertise and life experiences for the benefit of the community.  It has always been my philosophy to give back to the community, which is why I serve as a member on many community organizations (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Wildlands Conservancy, Allentown Symphony, Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania Sinfonia, Lehigh County Senior Citizens, and Lehigh County Conservation District).  As a retired professor, I have the time to spend on a very time intensive job which a person employed full time cannot.  In addition, I am not using this position as a springboard to a higher elected position.  I am running to represent the residents of District 2.

What qualifies you to serve on the county board?

I have been so blessed to have had a great professional career in education as a university professor and taught classes on water resources, environmental studies, mapping science, and planning.  It is only natural that I want to use my educational background, knowledge, and experience for the good of the community. 

As an example, my insistence that the County adopt a Geographical Information System led to a savings of $5 million in the recent reassessment, and my planning background is important to my involvement to the County planning commission.  I have been involved in non-profit groups because I believe in making our community a better place to live. 

I also have the government experience of five terms as County Commissioner and know county government well.  In fact, I was elected President of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania showing that County Commissioners around the State have a high opinion of my knowledge and leadership ability.  That leadership ability also resulted in my being elected chairman of the Lehigh County Commissioners an unprecedented six times, and chairman of the Shepherd Hills Homeowners Association, the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.  Professional I was president of the Middle States Geographers and program chair for two national conventions. 

Lastly, but more importantly, I have been an effective County Commissioner and I have sponsored many bills that have improved the County, decreased spending, and cut taxes.  Instead of talking about what I will do, I can stand on a record of proven results.

What do you see as the board's primary role and responsibilities?

The primary role of the Board is to serve the residents of Lehigh County and make it a better place to live.  This is accomplished by overseeing the budget and making sure our money is spent efficiently, while providing those services which are mandated by the federal and state governments.  In addition, quality of life services are also important to make this a better place to live for children, senior citizens, and all residents. Each board member must act independently and for the best interest of his or her district constituents.  There is no room for ideologically based voting or voting by being a member of a bloc.  There is no Republican or Democrat way to run a county because the items we address are of local importance and must be voted upon based on the merits of each piece of legislation.  The Board is also charged by the Home Rule Charter as being the check and balance or "watchdog" on the County Executive.

Tell us about three major challenges facing Lehigh County and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

1. County Spending and Controlling Taxes.  The most important issue in the upcoming election is county spending and controlling taxes.  If spending increases, our taxes go up; but, if we are more efficient, our taxes stay stable or can even decrease.  This year we cut $3.5 million from the budget, and even gave our residents a $3 million tax cut.  That is not enough because income from property taxes is less than our projected expenses for the future.  Property taxes are the major source of income for the County, which I believe is an unfair burden for the residential property owner.  Through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, I have been working for tax reform so we can lessen the burden on property owners.  Another way to keep taxes low is to trim budget line items.  This cannot be across the board cuts because that can destroy valuable programs.  Surgical cuts, rather than broad cuts, are better because they are less disruptive to programs and personnel. 

2. Enhanced efficiency can also  save money by combining government  functions; e.g., we saved $500,000 a year by combining the Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, and the Recorder of Deeds offices.  We can also encourage intergovernmental cooperation between the County and municipalities so that we can share expenses and reach an economy of scale.  The Green Futures Fund is a good example of County and municipalities developing park land for their mutual benefit at a lesser expense than either can do on their own.  Regional efforts can also make government more efficient; e.g., the Regional Information and Intelligence Center and the Central Booking Center are making law enforcement more efficient and more cost effective.  I have been a staunch advocate for all of these money saving ideas and will continue to support similar programs in the future.

3. Economic development.  Budget cutting alone is not the answer because too many cuts will decrease our ability to provide valuable and necessary services.  We must also increase income by attracting new employers and encouraging development that will pay property taxes.  That is why the County economic development efforts are important and programs like the Keystone Opportunity Zones (PPL Building, Butz Building, and Olympus), Tax Increment Financing (New Smithville Complex and the Proposed Hamilton Crossings), and other incentives are necessary.  In order to attract new industry and development, we must continue to have the great quality of life that is a hallmark of the Lehigh Valley, plus we must continue to improve our transportation system and market the airport as a regional asset.  More jobs and a broader tax base will keep the economy moving and keep tax rates stable.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?

As a candidate, I filed a form to not spend more than $250.  Most spending on the campaign is through the Committee to Elect Percy Dougherty.  Their expenditures will be posted on the Lehigh County website.

What, if any, endorsements have you received?

Lt. Governor James Cawley

District Attorney James Martin

Lower Macungie Commissioner Ron Eichenberg (Chairman)

Lower Macungie Commissioner Roger Reis

Lower Macungie Commissioner James Lancsek.

Upper Macungie Supervisors Edward Earley (Chairman)

Upper Macungie Supervisor Kathy Rader

Upper Macungie Supervisor Samir "Sam" Ashmar

South Whitehall Commissioners Christina "Tori" Morgan

South Whitehall Commissioners Thomas Johns

Lower Macungie Township Citizens for Change

Long list of sponsors for a May 17 event available on request

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter.

 No social media, but the web site is votefordougherty.org.