Politics & Government

Heintzelman Nominated to Fill Gaming Authority Seat

On Dec. 19, Hellertown Borough Council unanimously approved recommending borough businessman David Heintzelman to fill a seat on the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority board.

A prominent local businessman has been nominated by Hellertown Borough Council to fill the borough's seat on the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority board.

At council's Dec. 19 meeting, David Heintzelman was unanimously endorsed to complete the unexpired term of current gaming authority board member Stephanie Kovacs.

Heintzelman, who owns , is well known in the Saucon Valley for his involvement in civic and charitable endeavors, including his ongoing .

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kovacs, whose borough council term expires at the end of this year, is also stepping down from the nine-member gaming authority effective Dec. 31.

She abstained from voting on a motion to recommend Heintzelman to Northampton County Executive John Stoffa, which was approved 6-0.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If approved by Stoffa, Heintzelman's nomination will ultimately go before Northampton County Council for consideration.

The county gaming authority is responsible for the dispensation of millions of dollars in casino revenue to local municipalities, via a competitive grants process. The grants are intended to help local governments offset impact on quality of life issues such as traffic and crime; impacts created by the 2009 opening of the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem.

Before council voted on the motion to recommend Heintzelman, a question about his residency status was raised by councilman Richard Staffieri, who asked whether Heintzelman is a legal resident of Hellertown.

"Legally he has to live in Hellertown 51 percent of the time," Staffieri said.

Heintzelman told council that he is, in fact, a legal resident of Hellertown, and several council members verified his statement.

"His legal residence, and where he spends most of his time, is 326 Main Street," councilman Tom Rieger said to Staffieri.

Following the meeting, Heintzelman said he was motivated to seek the nomination out of his love for Hellertown and a desire to serve the community.

Kovacs, who was at her last meeting as a borough council member, was also thanked for her service on both council and the gaming authority.

Police Chief Robert Shupp was one of several officials who praised her dedication and advocacy on behalf of the Hellertown Police Department, which was for another year.

Earlier this month, .

Council members and the chief have stated that they hope to re-acquire grant funding for the officers' pay and benefits next year.


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