Nazareth Area School Board candidates Jacob Allen and Lorin Bradley back on ballot in general election despite primary loss

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

After losing in the May primary election, Nazareth Area High School graduate Jacob Allen and the board’s current president, Lorin Bradley, didn’t give up on their chances for a spot on the November ballot.

Allen and Bradley lost in the May primary election to incumbent Kenneth N. Butz Jr. and newcomer Chris Miller.


However, both have found a way back on the general election ballot with the help of the resignation of former board member John Marino.

Marino in June had moved out of Region 1, which includes Bushkill Township, Tatamy and a portion of west Palmer Township.


Allen was the only person to submit a “letter of interest” to the school board to seek Marino's seat. He then was appointed by the board and is serving until Nov. 30.

The seat now has gone on the ballot for the remaining two years of Marino’s term. Allen is on the Democratic ticket and Bradley earned the nomination from the Northampton County Republican Committee.

Allen, 19, of Bushkill Township and a Northampton Community College freshman, said despite his youth he is qualified to stay on the board.

He began attending nearly every board meeting when he was a high school freshman and became interested in running when the board in 2008 voted to raise property taxes 9.72 percent. Allen is running on a platform of identifying unnecessary spending and cutting it.

“My time on the board thus far has been an enjoyable experience. I feel I contribute to the district with my knowledge and background related to all pertinent issues,” Allen said Friday. “I would like to continue serving on the board to provide our students and community the best balance of education and financial responsibility.”

Bradley, 47, of Bushkill Township, a four-year school board member, had said the best quality education comes from providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership and insight.

If elected, Bradley said his key goal is to help search for a new superintendent. Victor Lesky, the district’s current superintendent, announced he will retire in July. The board hopes to name his successor by December.

“We’ll need to develop plans for a seamless transition and continue to achieve positive results in providing quality education for children of the district,” Bradley said.

He said once a successor is named, the board will work with the new candidate to meet with administrators at all six schools to achieve future goals.

“We’ll need to make this individual fully aware and set expectations,” Bradley said.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/10/nazareth_school_board_candidat.html