Election 2013

Browning Concedes, Ott Wins GOP Nod for Lehigh County Executive

Republican Dean Browning concedes defeat to Scott Ott for their party's nomination for Lehigh County executive in Tuesday's primary, according to unofficial vote tallies.

Republican Scott Ott apparently beat challenger Dean Browning for the GOP nomination for Lehigh County Executive, according to unofficial tallies. Ott, a Lehigh County commissioner, will now face the apparent Democratic nominee, Tom Muller, who was named acting county executive last week, in the November general election. Browning, of South Whitehall, conceded the race about 10 p.m. at a gathering at the Buckeye Tavern in Macungie. He had been trying to make a political comeback after having been ousted as a county commissioner two years ago. He campaigned hard, airing TV commercials and emailing campaign messages. According to tallies reported on wfmz.com, Ott, of Lower Macungie, had 5,688 votes with 83 percent of the precincts reporting…

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Election 2013

Browning, Ott Battle for Lehigh County GOP Vote

Political foes Scott Ott and Dean Browning seek the Republican Party nomination for Lehigh County Executive in the May 21 primary.

Two political foes—Scott Ott and Dean Browning—are seeking the Republican Party nomination for Lehigh County Executive in the May 21 primary. Ott, 51, of Lower Macungie, is currently a Lehigh County commissioner. He is co-host of a current events talk show for PJTV, a conservative online network.  Browning, 57, of South Whitehall, is former Lehigh County commissioner and board chairman. He is executive vice president, finance and administration, and chief financial officer at New World Aviation. Patch sent a questionnaire to Ott and Browning and is posting the replies in their entirety. Click on the name of the candidate to read his information, including educational and family background as well as each candidate's vision for the county …

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Election 2013

Meet Lehigh County Executive Candidate: Scott Ott

Republican Scott Ott is one of two candidates seeking his party's nomination for Lehigh County Executive in the May 21 primary.

LEHIGH COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE Candidate: SCOTT OTT Age: 51  Family: Married to Stephanie, the director of children's ministry at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church. Four children ages 14-24 years, two boys and two girls.  Political party affiliation: Republican    Tell us about your educational background: High School, Palisades in Bucks County BA in Journalism from Penn State University    Tell us about your professional/business background: I'm professional writer and co-host of a current events talk show for PJTV. Author of three books of political satire. I researched, wrote and hosted a 20-part video (non-satirical) series on the making of the U.S. Constitution ('Freedom's Charter' for PJTV). For five years, I served as Executive …

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Election 2013

Scott Ott Will Run Again for County Executive

After a narrow miss in 2009, Scott Ott runs again for Lehigh County's top job.

Scott Ott, 51, a fiscally conservative Republican, told supporters and friends on Jan 24 that he will again run Lehigh County Commissioner in the fall. Ott is making his second attempt for the county's top job which narrowly eluded him in 2009 when, as an unknown, he came within 900 votes of beating seasoned Democratic politico Don Cunningham. He is currently a Lehigh County Commissioner, a position to which he was elected in 2011. “I am running for Lehigh County executive because I want to make our local government more accountable to the taxpayers who fund it and more effective for the people it serves.” Ott said in a written announcement. “I have spent my time on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners fighting for reforms that reduced…

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Lehigh County Homeowners to Get Tax Cut and Credit in 2013

Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell's budget compromise stands when a veto override falls short.

  The average homeowner in Lehigh County will pay $44 less in taxes in 2013 than they do this year, under a county budget that includes both a tax cut next year and a tax credit. Under the budget, county spending will be cut by $3.5 million next year, taxes reduced by $3 million and tax credits given that amount to $3.5 million, said Tom Muller, the county's director of administration. The spending and tax cuts are the result of a lengthy budget process that resulted in Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell offering a compromise budget that withstood a possible veto override Wednesday night by Lehigh County Commissioners. Muller said the average tax bill, for a home valued at $178,000, will be reduced to $670 from $714. Those with homes …

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