Three of the five commissioners on the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners are seeking re-election, running in the May 19 primary election to be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

On the ballot are: Commissioner Joanne Ackerman, Ward 5; Board of Commissioners' Vice President Debra Brinton, Ward 3 and Commissioner Robert Martucci, Jr., Ward 1. Their terms expire Jan. 1, 2016.

The terms of board of commissioners' President James A. Brown and Commissioner and President Pro-Tempore James Seagreaves expire Jan. 1, 2018.

Ackerman, a Republican, who served a one-half term of two years, and following a special election served four years, is seeking re-election to her first full four-year tem. She is unopposed on the ballot.

Ackerman, 69, who lives in the Green Acres area of the township, retired from pharmaceutical sales nine years ago.

Ackerman, who has lived in the township for 41 years, is the commissioners' representative to the Environmental Advisory Council.

Ackerman's husband, Maurice "Mo," retired from the Bethlehem Steel Corp. Homer Research Lab 18 years ago. They are the parents of Amy Ackerman Stephanides and Alec Ackerman. They have two grandchildren, Demetrius, 14, and Alexia, 12.

When asked to reflect on her tenure on the board, Ackerman said, "Whatever we do we've done as a board. I don't think that there's any one thing.

"I'm looking forward to the residents playing more of a role in the township so that we can do our best job. We need more residents to participate to tell us whether we are doing a good job or meeting their needs.

"I wish they would contact me, write me letters, to see if there's anything more I could do and give me some idea of the feeling that's going on out there."

Brinton, a Republican, is seeking a second full four-year term. She is unopposed on the ballot. Brinton, who lives in eastern Salisbury, represents the east side and west side.

Brinton, 63, who has lived in the township for 35 years, is retired from a communications company where she was a project manager for customer service. Prior to that she was a teachers' aide for Salisbury School District.

Her volunteer work includes: president, Harry S Truman PTA, 10 years; treasurer, Salisbury Youth Association, 15 years; Judge of Elections, 3.1 Voting District, for many years and Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Brinton's husband, Donald, retired as vice president of sales for a large manufacturing company. They are the parents of Christopher, David and Amy Brinton Bain. They have six grandchildren: Nathan, 16; Liam, 13; Samantha, 9; Grace, 3; Evelyn, 3, and James, seven months.

Said Brinton of her tenure, "The first years for me were a learning curve. I'm very happy to speak to residents when they call and I try to solve their problems if I can. I can't always get their exact answer, but I pride myself in responding.

"You can do things that are customer service-oriented, fiscally-responsible and overall good for the township.

"I just want to continue in any way I can to continue to make this a community that is a great place to live."

Martucci, a Democrat, served two years of an appointed term and is seeking a third full four-year term. He is unopposed on the ballot.

Martucci, 62, lives on the east side. He has been a partner in a commercial construction service business for 20 years.

Martucci coached Salisbury Youth Association and Catholic Youth Association basketball for 21 years, coached Salisbury Youth Association baseball for 12 years, was on the 250th Salisbury Township Anniversary Committee, is on the Lehigh County Career and Technical Institute carpentry program advisory committee and the Lehigh Carbon Community College construction and technology courses advisory committee.

Martucci, a township resident for 54 years, is married to Susan, who works part time for an insurance company. Martucci has a daughter, Megan, 16; a son, Brett, 40; and son, Mark, 43. He has five grandchildren, Brittney, 16; Cienna, 12; Imogen, 11; Evan, 7, and McGwire, 3.

In looking at his tenure, Martucci said, "I think what I've contributed to is helping to make Salisbury Township a comfortable place to live. We've tried to hold the line on taxes and maintain quality public services.

"I'm looking forward to working on some of the proposed park projects, to try to maintain open space and to work in conjunction with our police department to maintain public safety."

Salisbury commissioners serve four-year terms, elected in two staggered election cycles. Commissioners for Wards 1, 3, and 5 are elected during the same cycle, as are commissioners for Wards 2 and 4. This ensures the five commissioners will never be up for election during the same election cycle.