2019 Primary election: Carbon Commissioners Gerhard and Nothstein seek re-election

Carbon County Commissioner Tom J. Gerhard, a resident of Packer Township, Weatherly is seeking his third term as County Commissioner. Serving in his eighth year, he has announced his candidacy for re-election on the Republican ticket.

Born and raised in his township, Gerhard is the son of Tom C. and Elizabeth (Kovalick) Gerhard, Weatherly. He is a 1974 graduate of Weatherly Area High School. Before being elected commissioner, Gerhard was a self-employed roofing contractor for Tom Gerhard & Sons Roofing for 32 years. He is also employed part-time by Motor Transportation Company, Hazleton, as a coach driver for nearly 19 years. He was a Packer Township Supervisor for 12 years, holding the position of chairman for seven.

Gerhard is a member of the Carbon County Extension Board, Prison Population Management Committee and Carbon County Safety Committee Chairman. He is a member of the Weatherly Hillclimb Association, Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association, Weatherly Area Community Library and Joe Andreuzzi Packer Township Community Park board. He is also a member of the Carbon County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

Gerhard is a member of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, serving on the Agricultural Committee.

Gerhard is proud of the fact that under his supervision of the maintenance department, the county has extremely reduced expenses by utilizing in-house employees. He was also instrumental in enhancing the security at all county-owned buildings to protect the county employees. The Carbon County Animal Shelter is one of a few in the state of Pennsylvania which is funded and supervised by the county commissioners.

Throughout the course of his tenure he has always aimed for transparency and clear communication between the commissioners and residents of Carbon County.

Commissioner Gerhard is married for 39 years to the former Sue Ann Raynock, and they are the parents of two daughters, Jennifer and Kathleen. They are also proud grandparents to their grandson, Connor Parker Arrowood. He is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Weatherly, where he serves as lector.

Gerhard will be running for re-election with Wayne E. Nothstein, Lehighton.

Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, serving his 20th year as commissioner, has announced his candidacy for re-election on the Republican ticket, seeking his sixth term as county commissioner.

Nothstein is a 1967 graduate of Lehighton Area High School and a 1981 graduate of Northampton Community College with an associate degree in applied science.

He was previously employed by BOC gases in Bethlehem for 23 years, belonging to Teamsters union 773, serving as shop steward for several years.

A Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Air Force for four years, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant, he is now a member of American Legion Post 314 and the Vietnam Last Man’s Club in Lehighton.

Nothstein is still an active volunteer firefighter with the Lehighton Fire Department for over 49 years, having served as fire chief for seven and a half years before resigning to become the emergency management coordinator for Carbon County. He also served as an EMT with Lehighton Ambulance. He is also a former scoutmaster of Troop 48 in Lehighton, as an Eagle Scout.

Nothstein is the son of the late Helen and Sherwood Nothstein. He is married to Donna (Weaver) Mertz. Together they have four children. Son Scott and his wife, Amy; daughter Melissa, wife of Richard Arieta; stepson Richard Mertz and wife Janet; stepdaughter Melissa, wife of Mark Smith; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Nothstein will be running for re-election with Tom J. Gerhard, son of former commissioner Tom C. Gerhard.