William Gallagher is a candidate for the office of mayor of the borough of Palmerton.

Bill Gallagher served for over four years on both borough council and the planning commission. He was appointed mayor of Palmerton by borough council in September 2020.

As mayor he has the duty to preserve order in the borough and is responsible for enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations of the borough and for the direction and supervision of the police department.

As a councilman during the 2020 summer Black Lives Matter demonstrations, he worked with the Palmerton Police Department helping to plan activities to keep the peace. Prior to the BLM Friday evening sit-down demonstration Gallagher met with the counterdemonstrators along Delaware Avenue, avoiding potential confrontations.

He is a member of both Palmerton’s VFW and the American Legion (chaplain) and serves on the Honor Guard. He is also vice commander of Palmerton’s United Veterans Organization. Bill spoke at the 2016 Vietnam Wall’s exhibition in the borough park, the 2018 Carbon County Veteran’s Day Observance in Jim Thorpe, and was grand marshal and speaker of the Palmerton’s Memorial Day celebration in 2019.

A captain in the Army, he served in Vietnam as a company commander during the 1968 Viet Cong Tet Offensive. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership and the Vietnam Counteroffensive Ribbon with three Bronze Stars.

Gallagher has been active with Palmerton’s Meals on Wheels for over 12 years, delivering meals and serving on the board of directors as a member; vice president for four years; and president for four years.

Gallagher’s goal as mayor of Palmerton is to keep the borough a safe community and continue to maintain its “Nice Place to Live” reputation. He will work with Palmerton’s Chamber of Commerce providing his support so that we can maintain our well-respected downtown. In addition, using his experience on borough council and relationship with our borough manager, help to keep Palmerton a vibrant community.