Executive Candidates Go On Attack

The three men who want to be Northampton County Executive touted their records—and attacked each others'—at their third debate Thursday night.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, county Councilman Lamont McClure and former Executive Glenn Reibman are all seeking the Democratic nomination for executive in the May 21 primary.

When they met Thursday—at an event sponsored by the Lehigh Valley League of Women Voters of Northampton County—the three candidates presented mostly similar platforms, stressing increased economic development and a need to keep the county nursing home Gracedale county owned.

And they all said their past elected history is what makes them the right choice to become the county's next executive.

"It's a very simple platform. I offer you my experience," said Reibman, who served as executive from 1998 to 2005. During that time, his administration "made investments in all four corners of the county."

McClure began with his work to keep Gracedale from being sold.

“I want to finish that job," he said. "I want to make sure Gracedale stays county owned. And I’m the only candidate that has demonstrated that level of commitment."

And Callahan said the revitalization that happened in Bethlehem—he pointed to more than 5,000 jobs being created during his tenure—can happen all over the county.

“It’s not a time to step backwards. It’s time for a new generation of leadership," he said.

For 90 minutes, the three executive hopefuls answered questions about Gracedale, economic development and transportation. They also got questions from each other, which led to some of the debate's livelier moments.

Reibman asked Callahan to reconcile the job creation number he mentioned with the rise in Bethlehem's unemployment during his tenure.

“While you were at the Bridge Commission in your patronage job, something happened called the Great Recession," Callahan responded, referring to Reibman's former position with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

McClure attacked Callahan's record as mayor, accusing him of "inept management" of city funds.

“The kind of leadership you’ll bring is borrow a lot of money and raise taxes," McClure told Callahan.

He also asked Callahan to pledge not to raise county taxes. (McClure himself has made the same pledge.)

Callahan declined, saying that it was "irresponsible and pandering."

The three candidates will hold a final debate next week at DeSales University. The winner of the primary will face Republican John Brown in the fall. Brown, the mayor of Bangor, has no primary opposition.