Editor’s Note: An important election for four open seats (with 3-year terms) on the Board of Trustees for the Society Hill community in Lower Saucon Township will be held Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at the annual community meeting at The Meadows, 1770 Meadows Road, Hellertown. Below are biographical statements issued by the candidates, originally published in the Society Hill newsletter. A “Meet the Candidates” night was held at the Society Hill Clubhouse June 16.
BETH CANNON
My name is Beth Cannon, and I live on Mansfield Street. I have been an owner since 2003, and I am also a Full-Time Real Estate Associate Broker for CENTURY 21 Pinnacle. Since my ownership, I have brokered MANY transactions here in our neighborhood, having successfully represented buyers and sellers as well as tenants and landlords. My goal has been and always will be to assist in keeping our property values moving forward with positive growth. Three years ago, I decided to run for the Board of Trustees because I had many concerns about the spending of association money and day-to-day operations. Believe me, it hasn’t been the easiest three years as I vote with my head and not with the popular decision. As a guardian of your money, you can know for sure that I don’t take my responsibility lightly. My promise to you is that I will always represent your best interests instead of my own. That is what a fiduciary relationship is, and that is the very essence of my professional career. I look forward to continuing serving Society Hill at Saucon Valley for another three years, and I commit to continue making positive changes that will benefit every homeowner.
PAULI CONNELLY
My name is Pauli Connelly and I own a home on Pine Court. While I am still a homeowner, I reside elsewhere. I absolutely love the fact that I am able to stay connected through the new methods of communication such as our residential website. I am interested in becoming a member of the Society Hill board once again. Previously I had served four years, helping to make not only business decisions but also voting in favor of services to benefit our residents such as the shredding truck and the removal of large objects which still benefit residents today. What I have seen recently in the way of maintenance assures me that the current Board has been making some solid business decisions. I understand that it is a tough job that requires not only seeing the immediate needs but also looking ahead to the longevity of our community. We need to ensure that Society Hill remains an aesthetically pleasing, safe and enjoyable place to live for years to come. I bring to the table not only my past experience from serving on the Society Hill Board, but I also serve currently on my church council. On a daily basis, my full-time employment as a project manager keeps me well-versed on positive communication and problem solving. My job on a regular basis is all about keeping everyone’s best interest in mind, and that is exactly what I’d like to do for the residents of Society Hill.
MAXINE DIMAGGIO
My name is Maxine DiMaggio. I have resided on Mattis Street since July 2005. My decision to run for Board Trustee is based on my belief that I have to do my part as a member of the community. I have served on the board since 2011. For 28 years I taught at the middle school and high school level, was an Adult High School advisor and was Coordinator of Home Instruction for the Plainfield, N.J., school district. Also, I was the full-time president of the Plainfield Education Association (1000+ members) for four years. Having served on several boards, I have had experience in problem solving and critical decision making, so I can be a positive influence, if elected. This past year I was involved in the update of the Residence Handbook.
BILL FARINA
My name is Bill Farina. I am 34 years old, single and have been a resident of Society Hill since 2013 when I purchased a home on Willings Lane. I grew up in northeast Philadelphia and Harleysville. My parents, Kathleen and Bill, live in Harleysville, where my mother raised three children as a homemaker and my father has recently retired. I have two younger sisters who both work. Katie is an Assistant Professor of Criminology and Sara is a mobile family therapist. While I have only lived here a short time, I have taken the opportunity to learn about my community and my neighbors. I am currently enrolled in the Teaching, Learning and Technology Doctoral Program in Lehigh University’s College of Education. I have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and also work as an adjunct chemistry lab instructor at DeSales University. I have work experience in business management, corporate communications and product manufacturing/plant support. After attending recent board meetings, I have become interested in the management of the community. I would like to see improved transparency and communication between the Board and the community. The community and our neighbors represent our greatest asset and I’d be honored to serve as your representative on the board.
GEORGIA GAIDULA
My name is Georgia Gaidula. I’ve lived on Mattis Street for 25 years and am retired after working 22 years for Guardian Life Insurance Company in both the Bethlehem and New York City home office. While at Guardian, I held various positions related to staff management, departmental budgets and interaction with Guardian offices throughout the country. I was responsible for the Business Continuity Plan for 100 employees in the company’s Broker/Dealer. Many years ago, I was a member of the Covenants Committee and would like to see that committee reinstated, as I feel it was effective in handling many issues within our community. This past year I worked with Mike Harden, Maxine DiMaggio and another homeowner to update the Residents’ Handbook. This handbook should be updated at least annually to keep residents advised of any changes brought about by board decisions. My past business experience along with a strong desire to see Society Hill continue as a community that residents are proud of would make me an effective representative for all residents and owners.
LYNDA R. MALONEY
My name is Lynda R. Maloney and I live on Pine Court. It’s time for a change in leadership at Society Hill. In 1994 I moved into a beautiful townhouse in the Society Hill community with stunning views of the Lehigh Valley hills, well-kept gardens and manicured lawns. For the past few years, there has been a severe decline in the quality of care and maintenance of Society Hill’s buildings and roadways. Recently we became aware of the Board’s lack of leadership and fiscal responsibility–specifically the no-bid contracts that were handed out. Our community deserves answers. We need a strong leader to ask the tough questions and make positive change. I am a lifetime native of Bethlehem, a graduate of Moravian College and an active member of our community. I am now gratefully retired, but I have extensive professional experience working with public and private organizations of all sizes including Xerox Corporation, Willow Green/Traditions of America, Sands Casino and many successful entrepreneurial endeavors. As the Major Accounts Manager at Xerox Corporation, I created competitive public bids, negotiated contracts and drove new sales for clients including many major hospitals and state and local governments in the Tri-State area. During my tenure as District Sales Manager for Shred-It Corporation, I developed a market for this international company’s mobile shredding business, driving it to the number one provider in the U.S. My role as Sales Office Manager for Traditions of America’s 50+ development in Northampton, Willow Green, provided a wealth of experience in the real estate industry. In this position, I scheduled closings, worked with title companies, contractors, current and future homeowners as well as finance companies to ensure the smooth transition of ownership. My professional and personal experiences make me well-qualified to lead the Society Hill Executive Board. I will work hard to improve the services and amenities provided to this community, create a more open and honest forum with home-owners and safeguard our maintenance fund through sound fiscal practices and transparency. Most importantly I value the community’s concerns and genuinely wants to make a positive change for all of us.
CHRISTINE SLIFER
My name is Christine Slifer and I live on Mattis Street. I am running for a position on the board. I have been a property owner and resident of Society Hill since 2011. In my professional career, I have over 10 years’ experience in marketing, product management and project management roles. I’ve created and managed budgets, negotiated contracts and managed vendors, and oversaw the completion of several large scale projects. This experience translates well into the skill set required of a board member. I recently left the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom to a beautiful baby girl. Being at home means I have a presence in the neighborhood and the time necessary for the commitment of a board position. As a member of the board, my focus would be the interest of the residents. Board transparency, financial discipline and the community would be my priorities. Society Hill is a great neighborhood, and I want to help make it the best that it can be. I truly feel that this community is in need of, and is ready for new leadership on the board to bring a fresh perspective on our daily operations and management. I would like to be a part of that change. Thank you for your consideration.
