John J. Wieczorek to seek state office

Mahoning Township resident John J. Wieczorek has announced that he intends to seek the Democratic nomination to the 122nd legislative district office currently held by of state representative Keith McCall.

Wieczorek was born and raised in Summit Hill. He graduated from Summit Hill High School and worked at Bethlehem Steel. While working full-time, he attended Moravian College, earning a degree in Economics.

At Bethlehem steel, he progressed from an entry-level position to supervisory positions in various departments, industrial engineering, transportation services and the plant utilities division.

"Each promotion entailed greater levels of responsibility. With the demise of the steel industry, and particularly Bethlehem Steel, I was forced into premature retirement."

After leaving Bethlehem Steel, he worked with a small consulting firm and then with a local manufacturing firm.

"My decision to seek the Democratic nomination is based largely in part to inquiries that I have received from ordinary citizens. Additionally, I have made my own inquiries and have received encouragement and support.

Wieczorek served for a term on the Saucon Valley School Board; one year as president of the Bethlehem Area Vo-tech; selection on PSBA legislative and policy committee; chairman of the Mahoning Township supervisors; selection and chair of the Lehighton Area School District Tax Committee; member of the Act 32 Carbon County Tax Collection Committee and member of the Blue Mountain Home Health Care Advisory Board.

He is married and has two grown children and three grandchildren.

"I believe that my background, experience and my personal life experiences have prepared me for the position that I seek, state Rep. 122nd District. I have first-hand experience with making tough decisions. My personal experience provides me (with) first-hand understanding of the reality of losing a job and instantly losing accrued benefits. It is not a pleasant experience to observe mature men and women receiving notice that, through no fault of their own, their means of providing for a family was gone. I can relate to those same circumstances"

"The difficult financial status of Pennsylvania will require many tough decisions. I believe my background and experiences have prepared me for greater responsibility. The thrust of my efforts will be to stop and reverse the downward spiral of the middle class. We need to protect and preserve the jobs that we have, and create an environment to attract family-sustaining jobs."

"Recently, the Governor presented his budget for fiscal year 2010-2011. Included were additional streams of revenue. The alternate revenue streams are not totally new, but will be needed in some combination to meet future needs and avoid the typical and significant tax increases."

The typical taxes, such as the increased state income tax, will have the greatest impact on the middle class at a time when it is the least desirable or affordable."

"I look foward to serving the people of Carbon County as the next representative of the 122nd Legislative District."