Name: Douglas (Doug) Reichley
Job Description: State Representative and Attorney
How long have you been involved with local politics?
"I started working on other people's campaigns starting in 1987 for various positions in the county...
"However, my first interaction with politics was probably listening to stories from my father who worked in Republican politics in Schuylkill County, and my mother who worked in Democrat politics in Philadelphia. So I had the benefit of learning about both types of political shenanigans."
What is your inspiration for doing what you do?
"I know it sounds corny, but I truly enjoy helping other people...It is very easy to be cynical and think everyone in politics is corrupt, but I never get tired of watching the Frank Capra classic 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' because I believe that movie still has resonance today."
What's your favorite part of your job?
Finding out we were able to help someone get the assistance they needed from some person, agency, government office or community organization.
What are the top three governmental issues you are dealing with at this time?
- Controlling government spending
- Fostering a better climate for jobs
- Improving the delivery of services by government, whether it is the Department of Transportation, the local school district or in a township
What are your political aspirations at this time, and what drives you to pursue them?
"I have an immense amount of enjoyment serving the people of my legislative district as their State Representative, but I was approached about taking on a new challenge. So I am running for the vacant position to be a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas here in Lehigh County."
"A lot of people have asked me why I am running for this position, and it is pretty simple. The judgeship would bring the legal part of my professional life full circle (I was an attorney for 15 years before my election to the State House). But even more important, my children are 14 and 11, and the judgeship would allow me to be home more often for them."
What do you love most about Emmaus and Upper Milford?
- Small town life
- Seeing folks you know in the grocery store
- Being able to picture a place or a person mentioned in a news article because you know or are familiar with that person
- Emmaus Community Park and pool on a summer Sunday afternoon
- Halloween parades in Vera Cruz and Emmaus
Tell us what you like to do in your free time.
"What I would like to do and what I actually accomplish are two different things.
"Yard work, improving my golf game, and household repairs are my top 'to do' list things. But mostly I just like hanging out with my kids Jonathan and Jillian when time allows."
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"It is brave to be involved."
Tell us one thing about yourself that others might not know.
"I try to embarrass my kids in public by dancing."
Doug Reichley is serving his fourth term as state representative of the 134th Legislative District, which includes Emmaus and Upper Milford Township.
Good Luck Doug!!!