We're endorsing Byron Arner, Richard Beltz, Marianne Dwyer and Frank Tamburri for Lehighton School Board.

These four candidates would be excellent choices to replace the board members whose terms are expiring. They would work well with Hal Resh and Bill Hill to get the job done. We believe they have the same qualities and ideas as the present minority school board members.Their top priority is the students and wanting them to get a top-notch education while keeping them safe. Their second priority is the faculty and making sure needs are met to produce successful students. Their final priority is the taxpayer. Although taxes are a necessary evil, we all have an obligation to the youth of Lehighton. After all, they're our future, and we need to be there for them. It's a balancing act, looking out for what's needed for the students and staff and what's affordable for our residents.The candidates feel there's wasteful spending going on by wanting to build a new elementary campus. The average Joe is barely making ends meet and now the majority school board members want to burden the taxpayer with the bill after building a sports complex and an elementary campus. They do acknowledge renovations are desperately needed and must be done on the schools which were neglected over the years. Without a doubt our taxes will still go up, but not nearly as high as building a new campus.The most important concern is for the students and staffs' safety. All the youth of Lehighton will be educated within a one-block radius. This is very dangerous! If a disaster strikes such as fire, tornado, hurricane, where's a safe place? I'm sure the new campus won't have the foundation the old schools have which were designed as bomb shelters and will protect.Sincerely,Brenda and Gary Eckley and Betty WolfeLehighton