Otto Slozer Remains a big Name in Emmaus Elections

Editor's Note: This article is the first in a four-part series covering the Emmaus Borough Council and East Penn School Board races, which will be decided through the Nov. 8 general election.

• “McCarthyism alive and well in Emmaus.”
• “Slozer appoints himself head of police committee.’’
• “Republicans take Emmaus Council seats. Ex-member Otto Slozer earns fewest votes in balloting.”

It’s been eight years since Otto Slozer lost his last Emmaus council election, obtaining 860 votes compared to 1,812 for the top vote-getter, incumbent Susan Schmidt.

But no one in Emmaus since then has caused such a commotion for headline writers.

At least one local columnist put him in a Hall of Fame with the likes of the late Anna Tropiano of Allentown and Ron Angle of the Slate Belt.

Now 63, Slozer has been out of public office 13 years.

And he does dabble in politics as board chairman of the Lehigh Valley Commentator,  a conservative newspaper in Emmaus. But he never expected to become a target in the 2011 elections for Emmaus Borough Council and East Penn School Board taking place Nov. 8.

Nonetheless, the , saying they were recruited by the former councilman. They both have political ads in the recent Commentator.

“Let’s not do this again. STOP OTTO,’’ the headlines said on the Web site. A disclosure statement on the Web site said it was paid by Citizens for Strong Communities, a political action committee run by Patrick Slatery, a Lower Macungie Democrat who has not been available for comment.

Slozer, who said he considered a suit over the Web site, recently agreed to an interview to explain his viewpoint.

“As a private citizen, I should not be in the public eye,” he said. “I am not running for public office."

Since his retirement, he said he has been enjoying life with family and friends. He has lived in Emmaus for 38 years.

He lashed out at those promoted by Slatery in the Web site, the team of Nathan Brown, Lee Ann Gilbert, Brian Holzhafer and Jeff Shubzda running for council.

“I think it is a sad situation when the incumbent council members have chosen not to run on their record or even present their views on the issues,” he said. “Instead they are deflecting away from their record and running against someone who is NOT RUNNING and has not been in office for 13 years.

“They are bringing up issues that are 13 to 20 years old. This should speak volumes to clear-thinking citizens.’’

Slozer said he’s accustomed to taking hits, even now.

“Mr. Slattery’s PAC has turned this into a very dirty campaign,” he said. “I said publicly over eight years ago that I would not run again in Emmaus council. I am a man of my word.’’