BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE

Special to The Press

In a time where the average person rarely stays with the same job or with the same employer for even 10 years, Andrea Naugle is celebrating an important milestone: working 50 years for Lehigh County, doing something she loves.

On Sept. 28, commissioners honored Naugle’s years of service and impressive career.

Naugle, of Allentown, first started working for the county in 1973.

She has served as the first Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records since January, 2008. She oversees the Civil, Criminal, Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills Divisions.

Naugle is credited for streamlining these records.

Before her election as clerk of judicial records, Naugle was elected to three terms, beginning in 1995, as clerk of courts, overseeing the Civil and Criminal Divisions.

She became Clerk of the Courts in 1995, a position she would hold for three terms.

Commissioner Geoff Brace addressed Naugle.

“We are grateful for your unwavering commitment, your willingness to serve for so long, your ability to serve for so long, and your keen understanding and respect for the citizens of Lehigh County,” Brace said.

Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt also added kudos.

“Your dedication to the county and its employees is outstanding,” Dutt said to Naugle.

A visibly emotional Naugle explained what the recognition meant to her.

She began by reminding everyone about simple facts from the days when she first started with the county.

Richard Nixon was president, family income was $12,900 and a gallon a gas was 39 cents, she said.

“I’ve gone through a lot. I love it, Naugle said. “I love public service. So thank you very much.”

In other business, full board sponsorship was given to Bill 2022-36: authorizing subgrant funds for upgrades to Coca-Cola Park under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Brace made a point of stating that although there are a lot of community-based reasons to move forward with this bill, business reasons must be considered. If funding is not provided, the IronPigs could lose their affiliation with the Phillies.

That possibility would result in taxpayers paying for an empty stadium.

Second reading and consideration for the bill was set for Oct. 12, the same date the county budget was to receive its first reading.