Allentown \u2013 Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel on Friday unveiled a wide-ranging report outlining his administration\u2019s strategies for tackling the most critical issues facing residents.<\/p>\n
The transition report was compiled by a committee of 34 volunteers who examined the county\u2019s approaches to human services, housing, economic development, labor relations and public safety.<\/p>\n
The report envisions the county as a leader in uniting disparate agencies and municipal governments and leaving behind piecemeal approaches to problem-solving. Shared planning, cost-sharing and pooled resources are the best approach to regional, interconnected issues, the report notes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe era of city and county looking past each other is done,\u201d said Siegel, who campaigned on the idea that county government \u2013 traditionally seen as a caretaker of state and federal funding – can exercise far greater in\ufb02uence on the common good.<\/p>\n
The committee – chaired by Jim Irwin of the Lehigh Valley Labor Council and Samantha Pearson, Lehigh County\u2019s director of community and economic development – included representatives from businesses, nonpro\ufb01ts, development, labor, law enforcement and other \ufb01elds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis report re\ufb02ects the fact that this administration is not a caretaker administration,\u201d Siegel said. \u201cThis is an aspirational administration with ambition, energy and vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the goals outlined in the report:<\/p>\n
residents, and aligns development with infrastructure, housing, workforce, and quality-of-life needs.<\/p>\n
Siegel said the new, county-led approach is critical as turmoil at the federal and state levels, exempli\ufb01ed by the massive funding cuts from the Trump administration and a months-long state budget impasse that held up critical funding for county programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo maintain the status quo is a disservice,\u201d Siegel said. \u201cTo do nothing more than the bare minimum is a disservice.\u201d<\/p>\n
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