“When you collaborate, you are efficient. I think this particular contract shows that,” said Lehigh County Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt about the board’s commitment to its five-year contract with Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania March 13.

The board later consented to the purchase of an upgraded HVAC germ reduction system for Lehigh County Jail.

Dutt said, “It’s important to have something like this, in an area where people are housed together, and to try and mitigate as many viruses and those types of things as possible.”

“Unfortunately, they’re in jail, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have a right to proper quality care while they’re in there,” added Commissioner April Reddick.

Chair Geoff Brace praising the work of the Police Athletic League, which he has been to experience firsthand with his son’s involvement playing basketball with the organization.

Brace noted the leadership Sherrif Hanna and his son, who are respectively chair and co-chair of PAL, in making this organization a success.

Praising the work of Allentown Police ‘s Community Outreach Officer Sgt. John Leanord and his fellow officers, Brace said, “No fewer than a dozen police officers, totally off-duty, giving their time coaching, mentoring, refereeing … All kinds of fun stuff going -on.”

Brace said this initiative and those involved, giving their time after school and Saturday mornings to work with these students, “that’s violence prevention right there.”

Reddick closed the discussion, building on Brace’s message of the importance of taking an active role in youth’s life.

Mentioning baseball season is about to start, she mentioned how many little leagues across the county are looking for volunteers.

“I encourage everybody, if you have free time, it is such a reward to volunteer your time,” Reddick said.

She added, “The reward of it is a good feeling. When that child is fifteen and they spot you in a supermarket and call you ‘coach’. That’s the reward of it. The reward of when you coach somebody and give them the courage and the strength to do better.”