At its Dec. 7, 2022, meeting, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners discussed accountability, public trust and transparency within the framework of a specific contract approving a professional services agreement with Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services Inc., which was up for final vote.

The 5-3 vote approved the agreement, with Commissioner Dave Harrington, a lawyer and chairman of the courts and corrections committee, abstaining to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

The concern was how to ensure the provider in the contract is held accountable for its work regarding data, expectations set out in the contract and if public funds are being used properly.

Before the vote, Commissioner Dan Hartzell touched upon the quality of data collected for contracts in general.

Using culture and race as an example, Hartzell said there are more and more people of mixed race and some either don’t know how to identify themselves in the categories presented or choose not to answer. Hartzell said his opinion was this plays a role in data collected.

He did vote in favor of the resolution.

Commissioner Bob Elbich, who voted against the resolution, addressed his concerns of accountability and clear expectations on such contracts to Lehigh County District Court Administrator Kerry R. Turtzo before the vote.

“If there were someone to sue on a basis of disbar impact, whom would they sue? Would they sue the company? Would they sue the county? Or would they sue the court?” Elbich asked.

“A lawsuit would start by naming everyone, and then, entities get ruled out,” Turtzo responded. “I don’t know the answer to that question.”

The lack of obtaining proper data from a provider is an ongoing concern for Elbich.

He stated the importance of obtaining proper data from providers during budget discussions, making it clear it is a way to clearly judge if contract expectations are met.

“There is no mechanism to get more data from Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services,” Elbich said, regarding this particular contract. “There is no format that meets the state laws to evaluate the system. That’s why I’m asking these questions because it’s frustrating the heck out of me. Again, there are no checks and balances.”

In reference to contracts with the courts, Chairman Geoff Brace explained in Pennsylvania, courts function almost autonomously from the other branches in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“In day-to-day operations of the courts, the courts function without the constraints established by the general assembly and the executive branch,” Brace said.

Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt spoke of the accountability to the public on votes such as this.

“We all do our homework,” Dutt said. “We all go through a process on which we vote.”

The Dec. 14, 2022, county meeting was a somber affair with Elbich, who served as a firefighter with New Tripoli Volunteer Fire Company, reminding everyone of the importance of thanking our firefighters, police forces and EMS when they are alive.

Dressed in his firefighter uniform, Elbich led everyone in a moment of silence, honoring fallen firefighters Marvin Gruber and First Assistant Chief Zach Paris, who died Dec. 7, 2022, while battling a blaze in West Penn Township.

“To my mind, the English language still has not come up with the words to truly comfort those who have lost a dear one prematurely and a hero, so I’m not going to try and do that. I can’t succeed at that,” Elbich said.

He said that while he did not know these men personally, they are all part of the same group, so they are all family.

“When a volunteer firefighter shows up for a call and straps on that air pack and runs toward a hazardous event on a highway or a fully involved structure, that’s a hero,” Elbich said.

Speaking on the events following the deaths of Gruber and Paris, Elbich spoke about the incredible outpouring of support throughout the Lehigh Valley. He spoke about his participation in the 26-mile procession and what it meant to see members of the different communities take part, including families as far as Schuylkill County.

“I did not have dry eyes the entire 26 miles. It was a difficult trip, but I want to thank all those who showed up as we drove through New Tripoli,” Elbich said. “It was an awesome experience of the community recognizing the premature loss of these people.”