Meet Lehigh County Commissioner Candidate: Michael Schware

Lehigh County Commissioner Race, District 5

Candidate: Michael P. (Mike) Schware

Age: 47

Family: Married with 2 children; Wife – Kristy, Daughters Lucy (11) and Daphne (5) 

Political party affiliation: Republican

Tell us about your educational background:                 

Graduated from Central Catholic High School (1983);

B.S. – Accounting from Penn State University (Dec. 1990) 

Tell us about your professional/business background:          

I enlisted in the US Army in 1983 and ultimately served on a Special Forces (Green Beret) A-Team.  I’ve been a Certified Public Accountant since 1991 and am the owner of my own tax and accounting firm since 2005. 

Why are you running for Lehigh County Commissioner?                  

I sought and won the appointment for the position in 2012 because I was upset with the property tax increases of 2004 and 2011.  My goal as Commissioner is to serve all taxpayers – Republican, Democrat or Independent – by using my accounting background to find wasteful spending and return those savings to the taxpayers in the form of a property tax cut. 

That’s not just idle campaign rhetoric.  Last year we were able to cut spending by $3.5 million and cut the millage rate by $3 million.  That’s a step in the right direction to be sure, but there is still more that needs to be done.

What qualifies you to serve on the county board?                  

I’m currently serving in the position now and have a proven record of tax-cutting, not tax-hiking like some of my opponents.  I work hard and do my homework on the issues that come before the Board.  I’m not afraid to ask questions, and like to seek out and listen to all sides of an argument before making a decision. 

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

The Board’s primary roles and responsibilities are to develop policies for the Administration to follow in the day-to-day operation of County Government and set the limits on County spending. 

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

Major challenges are budget, spending and taxes – they’re obviously all related.  Recent years have been tough on taxpayers, particularly working families and senior citizens.   County government has been spending more than it takes in and this has resulted in massive property tax hikes – 70% in 2004 and 16% in 2011.  That needs to be reversed, yet the Administration told us last year that we should expect another tax hike in the 2015 budget, if not earlier.  

That can’t happen, and taxpayers need people in office who will fight for them.  Instead of talking about tax hikes, we need to focus on ways of rolling prior tax hikes back.  Last year, we managed to cut both spending and property taxes, but we need to do more. 

I already deal with numbers every day in my job as a Certified Public Accountant.  My record is tax-cutting, not tax-hiking.  That combination is what makes me the best candidate for the job.  

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

The funding for my campaign comes from those who are able to write a check to get our message out, in whatever amount they are comfortable with, but support also comes in many forms in addition to financial contributions.

My campaign is being supported by many people from all walks of life who believe that county government can and must do better.  I have volunteers helping me campaign door-to-door, make phone calls and put out yard signs.  These include everyone from college students to senior citizens. 

What, if any, endorsements have you received? 

I’ve been endorsed by US Congressman Charlie Dent, Citizens Against Higher Taxes, County Controller (and former District 5 Commissioner) Glenn Eckhart, and County Commissioner (and County Executive candidate) Scott Ott.

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

I don’t currently use social media, but those wishing to reach my campaign by e-mail can do so at SchwareForCommissioner@gmail.com.