Meet Lehigh County Commissioner Candidate: Kevin Ryan

Lehigh County Commissioner Race, District 5
(District 5 includes Salisbury Township, Emmaus, Macungie, Upper Milford, Lower Milford, Coopersburg, Upper Saucon Township and parts of Allentown.) 

Kevin Ryan 

Age: 54

Family: Wife, Lisa Ryan of Zionsville; son Matthew Ryan of Allentown; daughter Kelly Ryan, at West Chester University.

Political party affiliation: Republican

Tell us about your educational background:

B.S. Building Construction Technology – Pennsylvania State University 1981

Tell us about your professional/business background:

Self-employed structural engineering consultant in business since 1993

Why are you running for Lehigh County Commissioner?

I would like to use this election to convince the voters of Lehigh County to embrace limited government and individual sovereignty.  County government should take a supporting role in our lives by limiting itself to funding the courts and recording system, by preparing for emergencies through the emergency management system, by providing for common infrastructure, by providing limited assistance to the indigent and disabled.

What qualifies you to serve on the county board?

Political Author "Common Sense Too" Understand Natural Rights (can be read for free at www.kevin-ryan.com.) Lead Grassroots opposition to Game Preserve Amusement Park.

What do you see as the board's primary role and responsibilities?

I believe our county government should be limited to supporting the legal and court system and to a limited extent should provide minimum assistance to those who, through disability or infirmity, can not take care of themselves. An argument can be made for the county to provide utilities such as roads, bridges and storm drainage only when local government can not be expected to support a facility that is used more by users outside that local government then by those inside that local government. 

The county court and county prison are examples of legitimate limited county functions along with the supporting sheriffs office and recorder of deeds as examples. Redistributing quality of life is not a legitimate limited government role of the county. 

Tell us about three major challenges facing Lehigh County and how you would address them. (Please be as specific as possible):

1) I believe Lehigh County Government should focus on core functions only. I have drafted a mission statement that I would push for the board to adopt. Here is my draft:

VISION
Excellence in management of residents' tax dollars to enable individual growth and opportunity. 

MISSION 
To sustain our quality of life by providing cost effective judicial and civil services required in support of The Rule of Law and our Common Infrastructure. To administer Human Services in a limited manor providing for individual needs while respectfully honoring individual responsibility. 

VALUES
...We treat residents as customers
...We provide services at the pleasure of the Taxpayer
...Our success is built on the strength and dedication of all employees.

2) As part of focusing the county on core issues I would propose returning the county back from the home rule form of county government to the 3 commissioner form of government.  A strong county executive is more conducive to maximizing county government as this executive position is often a stepping stone to higher office and that strong politician needs to show new programs to the voters in his quest for higher office. The 3 commissioner form of government is more compatible with the limited government mission statement I have drafted above.

3) Why do we need two nursing homes? I would like to explore if one of the county facilities could be converted to a non-profit retirement authority similar to the Lehigh County Authority that provides utility services. This would reduce the exposure of the taxpayers. The current employees of Cedarbrook could form the board of this new authority. The county could retain the Bethlehem Cedarbrook as a safety net for our seniors.

How much are you spending to run? How is your campaign being funded?

Under $250 for the primary.  Funded from my own pocket.

What, if any, endorsements have you received?

My wife has given me the thumbs up so I know I am going to get at least two votes.

Do you use social media? If so, please provide links to your Facebook and Twitter.

I have my own website listed under my own name that I have converted over to a campaign site for this election. See www.kevin-ryan.com