Joe Flickinger is seeking election to Lehighton Borough Council, with a “Common Sense Approach for a Better Lehighton.”

A 2001 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Flickinger said he has always looked out for the residents and visitors of the borough and has been involved in its various emergency services since 2001.

Flickinger enjoys working to create a better community, and strives to build community strength with the various businesses, residents and civic groups.

Flickinger previously served on borough council for nine years prior to having to step away due to employment obligations.

Flickinger held the chairperson of the streets, buildings, and codes committee, and the co-chair of the power and light committee as well as the finance and administration committee.

Flickinger proposed that economic development be incorporated into a committee to reflect the vital importance decisions made impact our business community.

While on these committees he was active on the planning committees for both the new fire station, and Power & Light building as well as other large projects and acquisitions.

He also held the position of president pro-tem. His actions echo his stance on proper future planning and budgeting, instead of unnecessary wasteful spending.

In 2012, Flickinger was also awarded the Firefighter of the Year Awards from the Lehighton VFW Post 256, and Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314. Two years later, in 2014, Flickinger was appointed as the borough emergency management coordinator and has obtained various advanced accreditations through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and other academic institutions.

In an effort to build safety awareness in the community, Flickinger began working with various agencies and community groups to install over 800 smoke detectors in Lehighton area homes.

For this program, he was awarded the 2016 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Red Cross Pocono Mountains Chapter.

As a borough representative, Flickinger emphasized the importance of serving the community with steadfast dedication and integrity.