Harry J. Barron of South Tamaqua, a West Penn Township resident for 74 years, has announced his candidacy for West Penn Township Supervisor. A active member of the Republican Party, Barron is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was educated in Tamaqua area schools.

The candidate served on the Schuylkill County Planning and Zoning Commission for five terms and served on the commission to build the Schuytlkill County Animal Shelter. A former director of the Tamaqua Building and Loan Association, he co-founded the Pennsylvania Auto and Truck Salvage Association and was the founder of te Eastern Pennsylvania Hot Line Association, a service between auto parts yards locating hard to find parts. Barron served as president of A and B Auto Parts Inc. and A and B Auto Auction Inc.A member of the National American Legion, he has also served as an officer for the Hamburg, Coaldale and Quakake posts.Former Governor Milton Shapp, in one of his first appointments, named Barron to the position of equipment supervisor for PennDOT District 5, placing him in charge of the drivers and equipment operators inspecting rental equipment, Sring and Fall inspections, as well as equipment to be repaired or scrapped in the counties of Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill.Barron is centering his campaign on a pledge to not raise taxes and to rewrite the zoning and code enforcement book to meet the needs of West Penn Township residents. This includes 1.5 acres in all zones for homes; allow accessory buildings for homeowners needs, not based on living space; building setbacks made uniform for all zones, with the exception of developments; allow parcels in two or more deed descriptions to qualify as one parcel when owned by same person(s).