From left, Lower Saucon Township Council candidates George Gress, Kristen Stauffer, Priscilla deLeon and Jason Banonis prepare to address attendees and answer questions at a Candidates Night forum presented Thursday at the Grist Mill Tavern Room in Hellertown. The event was organized by Saucon Source.
Although attendees were scarce at a forum for Lower Saucon Township Council candidates organized by Saucon Source and held at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill’s Tavern Room in Hellertown Thursday night, those who did attend it said they were grateful for the opportunity to hear from some of the candidates in their own words.
Of the seven candidates running for four seats on Lower Saucon Township Council this November, four participated in the event: Democratic incumbent Priscilla deLeon, Democratic incumbent George Gress, Democrat Kristen Stauffer and Republican Jason Banonis.
In addition to seeking a four-year term on council, Banonis is also on the ballot in a race for a two-year seat in which his opponent is Democrat and fellow political newcomer Atom Kallen. In the event Banonis should win both races, he will only be able to fill one seat. If necessary, whichever seat he does not accept will be filled by a council appointee who will be chosen in January.
Kallen as well as two other incumbent council members who are running to retain their seats–Republicans Sandra Yerger and Donna Louder–originally committed to participate in the forum but canceled shortly before the event was held.
Yerger submitted answers to several questions which Saucon Source publisher and the event’s moderator, Josh Popichak, gave all of the candidates in advance (see below). In her absence, and with permission to do so from the other candidates, Popichak read her answers for the benefit of those in attendance as well as anyone who watches the forum on YouTube.
The candidates who attended also were allotted several minutes of time in which they had an opportunity to introduce themselves, explain why they are running and outline their goals and/or achievements. At the conclusion of the 90-minute event, there was a brief question-and-answer period in which audience members had a chance to put questions directly to the candidates. Voters may ask other questions by emailing them (see below) or contacting them via their social media platform or a website, if available.
Saucon Source would like to extend our thanks to the Hellertown Historical Society for donating the use of the Tavern Room for this event as well as Reilly Entertainment Group, which donated the use of audio equipment. A planned Hellertown Borough Council Candidates Night that was scheduled to be held Thursday, Oct. 17 was canceled after one of the candidates had a death in his family. In lieu of that event, Saucon Source will publish the answers to the questions the Hellertown Borough Council candidates received in an upcoming article. As part of our ongoing commitment to educating and informing readers about the local elections whose outcomes will affect them, we will also publish a nonpartisan election guide prior to Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The questions each Lower Saucon Township candidate was asked were:
- What do you think is the biggest issue facing Lower Saucon Township today and how will you work to address it if you’re elected to council?
- What is your opinion regarding reopening the Meadows Road bridge, which has been closed to traffic for more than a year? Given the choice between preserving it or building a new span which option would you support and why?
- What do you think about the Rt. 378 corridor, and the number of businesses that are vacant on or near it? How do you think it can be revitalized and do you think the township needs to have a hand in making it a more attractive, both aesthetically and to potential businesses?
- If elected, in coming to a decision on something how will you balance your views with those of your constituents in a case where they are in conflict with each other?
For their answers as well as their opening statements, please watch our YouTube video of the event, which is linked in three parts below:
Click here for Part 1
Click here for Part 2
Click here for Part 3
Contact Information for Candidates
Jason Banonis: ja****************@pt*.net
Priscilla deLeon: de*************@pt*.net, Facebook campaign page
George Gress: Ge********@gm***.com, Facebook campaign page
Kristen Stauffer: KS***********@gm***.com
Photos
Attendance was sparse at the public event, which was advertised for several weeks in advance on Facebook and on SauconSource.com.
Lower Saucon Township councilwoman and current candidate Priscilla deLeon speaks at the Candidates Night forum held Thursday at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Tavern Room in Hellertown.
Attorney and Lower Saucon Township Council candidate Jason Banonis smiles during the Candidates Night forum held Thursday at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown.
Content strategist and Lower Saucon Township Council candidate Kristen Stauffer speaks at a Candidates Night forum held in Hellertown Thursday.
Lower Saucon Township councilman and current candidate George Gress speaks at a Candidates Night forum held at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown Thursday.
Filled seats were few and far between at the Lower Saucon Township Council Candidates Night forum held Thursday in Hellertown.
Saucon Source publisher and event moderator Josh Popichak speaks at the forum.
