BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania has just four county executive titles, including Northampton and Lehigh counties.
So, what exactly do they do? This week on Political Pulse host Tom Shortell dives deeper into the role with Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong.
"You're at the top of the ladder," Armstrong said.
First, he said he meets with his cabinet weekly.
In terms of human services, Armstrong said that includes discussing topics ranging from parks and recreation management or costs of upgrades to the county jail.
"If there's an emergency at the jail on a Saturday at midnight, I'm on the phone," Armstrong said. "... So, all of these things, you're the guy that's running them, if you will."
Shortell noted that Armstrong is coming up on the end of his term — his final term, as he's limited from running again. Shortell asks Armstrong if he has any regrets or unfinished projects.
"I've been very fortunate that my board that I've been working with for the past eight years — and by the way, it's been a Republican and a Democratic board — but most of the time, it's been a board that says 'I don't care if you're an R or a D, it's what is really needed, what do we have to get done here?'
"And that is why I think Lehigh County and this whole area — Lehigh Valley — we work well with the municipalities."
What else is in the job description for county executive? Find out by watching the rest of this week's episode of Political Pulse by playing the module at the top of this article.
