Meet Lehigh County Commissioner Candidate: Scott Aquila

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

Candidate: Scott Aquila

Age: 41 

Family: Married to an amazing woman, Jennifer. Four Children 

Political Party Affiliation: Republican 

Tell us about your educational background: 

BA McDaniel College formerly Western Maryland College 

MPA Kutztown University 

Tell us about your professional/business background: 

I was raised in a family atmosphere of entrepreneurship and small business. This included Real Estate, property development and maintenance, construction and retail and service industry business. After College, I worked in the area of Compliance and Regulation in the Financial Industry where employment took me to NASD-R (Washington D.C.), Prudential Insurance and Securities (New York City), and SEI (Oaks, PA). This was followed by Compliance work with KidsPeace National Centers at their Corporate Headquarters. I currently work at Lehigh Carbon Community College as an Associate Dean responsible for Curriculum, Program development, Accreditation and other academic tasks for the college. 

Why are you running for Lehigh County Commissioner? 

I will work for the county taxpayer with a new set of eyes and ears, a fresh perspective and a positive attitude. I will work for the county taxpayers using my skills and abilities, learned through my education and professional experiences, to listen and communicate with those in the county on difficult decisions made from tough choices. I will work for the county taxpayers by being accountable for these decisions and being accessible-being the taxpayer’s voice, the taxpayer’s commissioner. 

What qualifies you to serve on the county board? 

I have served Lower Macungie Township in several volunteer positions from Public Safety Commission and Zoning Hearing Board to serving as Vice President of Lower Macungie Youth Association. Each of these opportunities have offered me the benefit of seeing issues and concerns from multiple perspectives as I worked with those involved to resolve or offer solutions to issues. Through my current position with Lehigh Carbon Community College, I serve in leadership roles on several academic and student life type committees, as well as, having the opportunity and benefit of working through community partnerships to being aware of issues and concerns that effect the Upper Macungie Township and South Whitehall area. 

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

To communicate and work with County Board members and the Executive for the taxpayers we serve. To represent the voice and concerns of District 2 county taxpayers in the Board’s discussions. To be transparent and open in this communication and to held accountable for my decision making. 

Tell us about three major challenges facing Lehigh County and how you would address them. 

Lehigh County families are struggling to make ends meet. I will work for families and senior citizens to help relieve the financial burdens in the form of enacting spending controls and holding county government accountable. Lehigh County has grown over the past two decades and it is always change to balance growth with quality of life standards, I will work to ensure that communication is open and transparent when it comes to these decisions and that all factual information is evaluated prior to me making a decision. Lehigh County can benefit from job growth and employment opportunities; I will work to seek out these opportunities by embracing and supporting atmosphere of entrepreneurship and small business growth in the County. 

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

I am fully involved in this campaign by going door to door on weekends and making phone calls during the week. I am thankful that concerned and interested taxpayers have afforded me some of their time to speak with them. Also, I have been blessed with great assistance from family, neighbors and friends a total team effort. The financial and more importantly the time surrendered by my family, friends, and neighbors to assist me – even the concerned and supportive taxpayer giving up a portion of their day are all priceless. 

What, if any endorsements have you received? 

Declined to answer 

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

Declined to answer