Which Seat Does Wesley Barrett Really Want?

By Jack Tobias

Emmaus Councilman Wesley Barrett is running for two seats in Tuesday's election -- his council seat and the District 5 seat on the Lehigh County commissioners.

If he wins both races, he has to pick one in which to serve. Which one?

"I would take the county seat," Barrett, a Democrat, told Patch in an email this week.

Four candidates, including Barrett, are seeking three council seats. If Barrett leaves his council seat for the county job, the fourth-place finisher in the council race would not automatically be picked for council.

Also, the council vacancy would be filled after Barrett left, the borough solicitor said.

"If a vacancy occurs in a council seat, it must be filled by the next council," solicitor Jeff Dimmich explained. "It cannot be filled in advance, and it can only be filled after the vacancy occurs."

Dimmich continued, "Normally, council would seek applicants for the vacant seat, although that is optional. Council would then vote on a replacement to fill that office for the term until the next municipal election [2015].

"If a tie results with votes on council, the matter is then decided by the vacancy board," Dimmich said.

Barrett points out that the person filling the council seat must be a Democrat, like him.

In next week's borough council race, Barrett is one of two incumbents; the other is Republican Brent Labenberg.

The other candidates are Roy Anders, who is running on both the Democratic and Republican tickets, and Democrat Trevor Schneck. The top three finishers win.

In the county contest, Barrett faces off with incumbent Republican Michael Schware.

Barrett gave the following explanation of why he would choose to fill the county seat over the borough council seat:

"The direction of the county is changing and I know my leadership at the county level will benefit all county residents, including those in Emmaus. Elections are legendarily unpredictable and I am eager to continue to serve our community in some capacity.

"This is the reason I have put my name on both ballots. I will still keep my businesses in Emmaus, I will still own a home in Emmaus and will continue to raise my family in Emmaus. Emmaus is a great town in every regard. It continues to be a better place to live every day and I want to remain a part of that."