BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE

Special to The Press

“Discrimination has no place in the Lehigh Valley and you are now the guardians of that,” Lehigh County Commissioner Geoff Brace said to the newly appointed members of the Human Relations Commission on July 24.

Commissioners approved creation of this commission on Feb. 14 to hear cases from residents about cases of discrimination.

Angelo Baio, Amy C. Beck, Andrew R. Gildner and Christopher G. Raad were appointed to terms ending July 31, 2027.

JoAnna Z. Armstrong, Anthony Branco, Michael Blichar Jr. and Joyce K. Moore were appointed to terms ending July 31, 2026.

Liz Bradbury, Luis A. Perez Jr., Paschall “Pas” Simpson, Guillermo Lopez and Anthony Swartz were appointed to terms ending July 31, 2025.

Not every appointee received unanimous approval.

Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt explained those who had “a different philosophy” than him on what the board should be would not get his vote.

Commissioner Ron Beitler voiced his desire to have an attorney appointed to provide the legal perspective on issues brought to the commission’s attention.

Commissioners Sheila Alvarado and April Riddick both expressed their desire to see future commission members reflect more diversity citing the changes in demographics of county residents.

“You have to have that mixture on the board for the board to be successful,” Riddick said.

As follow-up to the July 10 meeting, Jonathan Strauss of Urban Place Apartments faced questions from the board about the proposed development plans for a parcel of land on Seventh Street.

Strauss confirmed initial plans are for a three-story apartment building, with between 30-35 apartments.

“We are placing an emphasis on three bedroom apartments,” he said. “This project will serve on the very low end approximately 50 individuals in downtown Allentown.

“And on the very high end, it could serve up to 96 if all potential beds are maximized.”

Issues such as zoning with the City of Allentown still need to be finalized.

Riddick, who had raised concerns about affordable housing for families within the context of this project, was satisfied with the more detailed information for this development from Strauss.

She emphasized the importance of having such projects where families are brought together and “not segregating them because of the income they have.”