Part two

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong addressed attendees at his Feb. 20 State of the County Address, held at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown. Armstrong lauded having a clean audit every year, maintaining a $25 million stabilization fund and no tax increases during his administration.

He also described improvements and investment in the 911 Emergency Call Center and the emergency management plan.

Armstrong said $572 million from the American Rescue Plan funding went to programs such as public health initiatives, small business and nonprofits and to support local governments. Other American Rescue Plan money went to social and justice equity programs.

He recognized Lehigh County as the regional leader for hazardous mitigation control and for work on bridges, including Coplay-Northampton Bridge, Wire Mill Bridge, Walnut Street Bridge, Geiger Covered Bridge and Cementon-Northampton Bridge.

Armstrong highlighted work to complete the trail extensions in Catasauqua and from Hamilton Street in Allentown to Race Street in Whitehall and the Trexler Nature Preserve master site plan.

He said Lehigh County is in the final stages of the Jordan Greenway Trail project, is creating a plan for the Lockridge Furnace renovation and has a plan to upgrade the Saylor Kilns in Coplay. He said a plan has been created to upgrade Cedar Beach Park West and to resurface the track at the Velodrome.

The new mountain bike trail at Trexler Nature Preserve was completed on time and on budget. A plan was also completed to mitigate invasive plants.

Also on Armstrong’s list of accomplishments was the completion of the historic Lehigh County Courthouse (circa 1812) for nearly $15 million.

Armstrong said $4.5 million was slated to upgrade Coca-Cola Park and that upgrades were made to two “comfort cottages” to house children in need of a safe home. He said the farm preservation program achieved a new milestone by having 28,000 acres of farmland in the program.

The county was credited by Armstrong as having “the first-ever Lehigh Valley equity housing audit.”

He mentioned other projects, such as investments in zoning and planning for “effective and smart development” and investing in freight analysis to create a “road map for effective transportation grid planning.”

Also getting county investments are environmental issues such as climate equity, police training, municipal fire training facilities for Whitehall, Emmaus and Allentown.

He said the county has initiated an Aging and Behavioral Health Task Force, initiated a shared housing program and revitalized the Elder Abuse Task Force. He added Lehigh County is screening for human trafficking.

Armstrong said Lehigh County Mental Health has added services to help police officers when they encounter citizens with mental health issues.

He discussed alcohol and drug abuse and described programs to help families who have members with drug and alcohol problems.

Lastly, Armstrong praised the county’s Department of Law and said it prepared 286 resolutions and 203 bills for the board of commissioners. He gave other statistics to illustrate the extent of work the Department of Law provides in various areas, such as human services contracts, county agreements, farm preservation contracts, orphans court proceedings, assessment appeals, right-to-know requests, bail hearings, sheriff’s sales of property and representing the county in 140 legal actions to include election litigation.

Armstrong also credited the department with drafting a human relations ordinance.