ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong delivered a celebratory State of Lehigh County Address on Thursday, praising local leaders and government employees for preserving the region's quality of life.
Decked out in a custom Phillies jersey, Armstrong danced to the podium to Rolling Stone's "I'm Alright" before about 150 people at Coca-Cola Park.
- Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong delivered his annual state of the county address Thursday
- He credited other local official partners for the region's successes, including keeping the IronPigs in Allentown
- He announced new legislation that would create a $150 tax rebate for volunteer firefighters if passed
"I want people to know right from the beginning — after I catch my breath — that I'm not just going to sit and watch everybody else do the work," he said to laughs. "I'm going to continue to be as active as I've been for the last five years."
Much of his address highlighted his administration's accomplishments in the past year. The county has almost spent the last of its nearly $72 million of COVID relief funds, which assisted thousands of families and hundreds of businesses.
The county is also progressing with the upgrades to the new wing at Cedarbrook, the county-owned nursing home, he said. After years of delays, the new 240-bed extension is expected to be completed in 2024.
"And best of all, we saved the Pigs!"Phil Armstrong, Lehigh County executive
In the past few months, the county has preserved its 27,000th acre of farmland, which ranks third in the state. It's also nearing the grand opening of the renovated Historic Lehigh County Courthouse. Other infrastructure projects, including repairs to the Walnut Street Bridge in Slatington and the Wire Mill Bridge in Allentown, are also scheduled.
"And best of all, we saved the Pigs!" he shouted.
Lehigh County and other partners pooled their resources and assisted the IronPigs with making mandated upgrades to the stadium. Allentown City Council balked at delivering $1.5 million toward improvements to the ballpark, which is owned by Lehigh County, but the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce filled the funding gap.
Like in the case of the minor league team, many achievements were only possible because of a group effort. To illustrate his point, he recognized representatives of the chamber, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the Lehigh Valley Workforce Board and Discover Lehigh Valley for enriching the county.
"It's not the person in charge of the government saying, 'I did this. They did this, so I'd like to give them a round of applause," he said.
Armstrong did spell out other goals his administration is working toward. Next month, he and Commissioner Anthony Pineda will introduce legislation that grants certified volunteer firefighters in the county a $150 tax rebate.
The county will also enter a new pharmaceutical rebate program that he says will save the county $1.2 million annually, Armstrong said. That's on top of an existing program the county entered three years ago that's already saved millions, he said.
"The state of Lehigh County is damn good," he said.
