It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to serve Coplay with this column.

First, I want to thank Al Recker for his many years as a journalist and the help he provided me over the years, particularly when I was the Coplay mayor.

I was born and raised in Coplay, and the former St. Peter Roman Catholic School provided my elementary education. A 1971 graduate of Whitehall High School, I then went on to graduate with two degrees from Northampton Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Moravian College and a master’s degree from St. Francis University. I then attended Eastern New Mexico University, pursuing a BSN.

After a 27-year career in industry at the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation, I transitioned to a career as a registered nurse with board certification as a mental health/psychiatric registered nurse.

My formative years were spent in Coplay. I played baseball for Coplay Sports and CYO basketball for St. Peter’s. I spent many summers as a kid in the former Coplay Playground summer program and the basketball program under the leadership of John Churetta.

Coplay’s impact drew me toward public service as a volunteer and elected officer.

I spent many years, and continue to do so today, as a volunteer in many different organizations. An interest in politics and government since my teen years, I was elected to Coplay Borough Council in 1995, Coplay mayor in 1997, Lehigh County commissioner at-large in 2007 and now as school director for Whitehall-Coplay School District.

I have six children and six grandchildren and am married to Cynthia (Sterner) Leiner. We also have a beautiful dog who was born in Coplay - Lexi Lee.

To have an announcement or something to share in this column, please submit it via email at billleiner@aol.com or text message at 610-751-2745.

I look forward to working with you to inform and make Coplay a safer, better community.