Two candidates, Democrat Joseph J. Marx Jr. and Republican Tina Jo Koren, are seeking the position of Whitehall Township mayor. This is a four-year term.

The candidates were asked to respond to the following question in 100 words or less:

What do you believe is the most important issue among Whitehall Township voters?

DEMOCRAT JOSEPH J. MARX JR.

Fire department: My first official act will be to change leadership, improve morale and increase volunteerism. It is not a funding problem, but a leadership and volunteer problem.

Cementon pool: In collaboration with our public works director, recreation director and administration, we will repair the pool in-house for material costs only and get the pool open for summer 2024.

Lehigh Valley Dairy: With the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority, state representatives and senator, I will address the blight issue and get it back on tax rolls.

I am the only candidate with the knowledge and experience to solve these problems.

REPUBLICAN TINA JO KOREN

Trust in leadership and getting value from tax dollars. Whitehall’s leaders have recently made statements claiming that our township tax hasn’t increased 36% from 2019 to today. Simple math proves otherwise. And while taxes have skyrocketed, what have residents actually gotten? This tax increase paid for a $17 million municipal building that was promoted to improve emergency services. Whitehall then cut fire services. Pools remain closed. Roadways are still unsafe.

As Whitehall’s tax collector, I see the waste firsthand. It’s time we prioritize spending toward things residents care about and be truthful about our spending in the process.