Soon you will have the opportunity to choose the next mayor of this city, but first, I would like to share with you a concern that you should consider before making up your mind.

Earlier this year the City Council voted to put the Paradiso theater on the 10-year no tax KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) program. The owner, knowing that the property he had recently purchased was not the kind of property the KOZ was designed for, gave thousands of dollars to Dan Corpora and Michael Fleck to vote for his property to be added to the KOZ list.

Both Councilmen voted to exclude the Paradiso from all taxes for 10 years even though the newspapers and residents of this city exposed the payoffs. Keep in mind that Mr. Mitman was against adding the Paradiso property to the list.

My concern here is: If a young Dan Corpora can be influenced by a large campaign contribution, what will he do as he gets older and holds an important position such as mayor of the city of Easton?

If you want to step back in time to ugly politics, you will be happy with Dan Corpora. However, if you have been happy seeing the city grow beyond Allentown and Bethlehem in all categories, and you want to see it continue on that path, then you will probably vote for Phil Mitman who has been on the side of each positive change made in the city over the past 20 years.

It is the city's good fortune that he is running for mayor. Too often, voters must choose between two lackluster candidates. I have never seen a more qualified candidate emerge for public office in Easton.

David A. Clark

David A. Clark has been a player and an observer of Lehigh Valley politics for over 20 years.