Borough Councilman Announces Re-Election Bid

Hellertown Borough councilman Thomas "Tom" Rieger has announced his campaign for re-election to his council seat.

"For the last three years I have fought to control costs on behalf of the taxpayers of Hellertown," he said.

Rieger is one of six candidates vying for four open seats this year.

In a press release about his campaign, Rieger talked about his experience at promoting transparency in local government:

"A key promise of my first campaign was to open up the Borough’s Government to its residents. Over the last three years I have built an interactive borough website so that residents can find important information and keep up to date with community events. This was done practically at no cost to the borough or its residents. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars having a company design and manage it, I learned how to build and manage it myself, because I feel elected officials have a duty to keep those who elected them informed."

Rieger said he has also been forward-thinking in his push for the borough to develop and utilize social media tools to help keep residents informed. In his press release he said he "developed one of the first local government social media pages in the Lehigh Valley."

"I monitor this along with the website and respond to questions or comments almost immediately," he added. "(Social media) is an important tool for small governments to get information to our residents."

Lastly, he emphasized his support for his physical improvements to borough infrastructure and public facilities. 

"I spearheaded the effort to create a seven-year Capital Spending Plan and Long-Term Capital Projects Plan to address deficiencies in public infrastructure and services for generations to come," he said. "Borough residents will see public infrastructure and park repairs take place throughout 2013 that will ensure our public bridges, buildings and parks will stand the test of time. Both plans are well under way as you now can see the work that is progressing on Borough Hall and Dimmick Park."

More information about Rieger—who works for both Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Saucon Valley School District—and his campaign is available at www.facebook.com/riegerforcouncil. He can be contacted via email at RiegerforCouncil@gmail.com or by phone at 484-767-6355.

"Please send your questions/thoughts or support," he wrote. "If you would like to place a (campaign) sign at your home or business please contact me via e-mail."