Marc Grammes held a kickoff rally at Vigilant Fire Company, Slatington, on Jan. 9 for a campaign for election to the 183rd District of the state House of Representatives.

Grammes told about his work with the Lehigh Valley Zoo and Leaser Lake as examples of his use of local resources to benefit people.He said he got involved with Save the Lehigh Valley Zoo during his time as a Lehigh County Commissioner. The county wanted to lease the zoo to outsiders but Grammes found a zoological group that has taken it over, made improvements and put it on a good financial footing.He was active in restoring Leaser Lake, which had been leaking for years. The repairs to the lake included the area around the lake and has hiking trails, handicapped accessibility for fishing, picnic tables and good restrooms.Glenn Eckhart, Lehigh County commissioner, said he had campaigned for himself last year but he was working harder on Grammes' campaign."We know he has gained a little more experience. He won't be the Harrisburg guy," said Eckhart, a comment that received cheers.Grammes said a better way to fund schools has to be found. There are no businesses in the district and so we have the highest taxes. There is a possibility of seniors losing homes due to property taxes. I know what my parents pay. We need a more equitable way. It's what I did as commissioner. There is nobody more for education than I am.Rick Wood said Grammes was an engineering graduate of the USMMA. The academy trained people for merchant shipping with a lot of science and engineering. Grammes could have joined the Navy as an ensign.Information is available at

www.electmarcgrammes.com and on Facebook at Elect Marc Grammes where he can be followed and liked.