A look back: Dec. 18, 1979

Members of the Lehighton Area Chamber of Commerce have voted not to change the name of the organization. Ballots were counted during a meeting last night, with 38 votes against the name change and 26 in favor.

The arguments in favor of the name change were presented by attorney William Schwab, board chairman, who felt regionalization of the chamber would result in obtaining grants and would be the only possible way the chamber’s full-time office could remain open.

Opposing views were offered by Ronald Gower, who argued the change would not generate the funds necessary to keep the office open and that regionalization would deprive the Lehighton area of present projects the chamber undertakes.