Ex-School Board Member Running for County Council

A Bethlehem resident and former Nazareth Area School Board member is running for Northampton County Council.

Deb Hunter, who spent 10 years on the school board beginning in 1991, is running as a Democrat and seeking one of five “at large” council seats in the 2013 election, according to www.votedebhunter.com.

Hunter lists the following challenges facing Northampton County:

• Infrastructure needs including bridges, Gracedale, county jail and administrative buildings.

• Declining funding streams at the state and federal levels to the county.

• Maintaining a robust open-space and farm preservation commitment.

• Attracting business and industry to the county that will increase and sustain economic development.

• Maintaining a vigorous human services department that serves our most vulnerable citizens.

Hunter's Background:

• Hunter, a social studies teacher in the Northampton Area School District, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Moravian College.

• In 1991 she began serving on the Nazareth School Board and held that seat for 10 years. She served as president and vice president.

• She served on the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority.

• Hunter is currently serving on the Bethlehem Human Relations Commission.

• Hunter is a recent graduate of the newly created Citizens Academy for Northampton County.

Hunter is married with three adult sons.

Hayden Phillips, a Lower Nazareth Township resident, also recently announced his intent to run for county council. Phillips is running as a Republican. He was interviewed for a Nazareth Area School Board seat after the sudden death of longtime board member Thomas Maher in late November 2011.