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NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025
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Bath Borough Council From one trailer to thousands of smiles: Approves 2026 budget Justin Walker’s annual toy run turns 10 By SAVANNAH BROWN With no tax increase; For the past decade, Justin Walker has made it his mission to every child in the Lehigh Recognizes local volunteers ensure Valley receives a gift on Christmas morning. What started 10 years ago as a small idea to give back has blossomed into a beloved community tradition—the annual Toys for Tots Toy Run— organized entirely by Walker and his family. Walker, a Moore Township resident who every November and December, fills a FedEx trailer with boxes, toys and the steady hum of holiday spirit as he prepares for another season of collecting gifts for children in need. “I just love kids, and I wanted to find a way to give back and help them,” he explains. The toy run kicks off after Halloween and he drops donation Bath Borough Council President Frank Hesch presents boxes at numerous businesses a $400 check to Kyle Sargent and Jessica Starr for throughout the area. These local the Bath Allen Youth Club. businesses proudly host the boxes By SAVANNAH BROWN celebration. In recognition of as residents drop off new, unBath Borough Council met on their service, he presented a $200 Monday, Nov. 10, recognizing donation to Fire Police member local volunteers and emergency Chandler Biechy. personnel, receiving updates Hesch also acknowledged the By KERI LINDENMUTH from state police and adopting Bath Allen Youth Club for its onNorthampton Borough residents, the 2026 borough budget with going support of local recreation, council members and staff are fightno tax increase. presenting a $400 check to Kyle ing to save the Northampton MuniciCouncil President Frank Hesch Sargent. Sargent has volunteered pal Pool from closure. The pool, built opened the meeting by extend- as a softball umpire for the past in 1949, is one of the few remaining ing appreciation to the Bath Fire four years, helping organize the pools open in the Lehigh Valley folPolice for their work during the annual tournament in which lowing the closure of pools in nearby borough’s Old Home Weekend Continued on page 5 Catasauqua, Cementon and Fullerton. However, in order for the pool to open in 2026, nearly $95,000 in upgrades need to be made. “There comes a time where the big-ticket items come up,” said Assistant Borough Manager Jerry SerenUncontested races are not shown. For a complete list of election results, sits during a presentation to council visit www.norcopa.gov/election-result. on Nov. 6. Supreme Court Retention Court Those big-ticket items include Justice Christine Donohue (Vote for 1) a total remodel of the pool’s filter Yes 54,111 Stella Tsai, D 51,916 room, including the installation of No 32,643 Matt Wolford, R 36,210 a new roof, pump (last installed in Justice Kevin M. Dougherty Judge of the Court of Com- 2013), filter (from 1975), and pump Yes 54,064 monwealth Pleas control system. Serensits estimated No 32,487 (Vote for 1) the costs of labor and materials at $94,399.45. Justice David Wecht Jeremy Clark, D 53,101 “The borough has tried for a long Yes 53,533 James Fuller, R 35,293 time to keep up with maintenance,” No 32,729 County Executive he told council and residents in atJudge of the Superior Court (Vote for 1) tendance. Previous upgrades include (Vote for 1) Tara Zrinski, D 52,687 a new pavilion in 2020, a new slide Brandon Neuman, D 50,999 Tom Giovanni, R 35,993 in 2023, new diving boards, and, Maria Battista, R 35,840 County Council- At-large more recently, new paint. Daniel Wassmer, L 1,697 Despite these upgrades, the pool Judge of the Commonwealth Continued on page 12
wrapped toys, acting as satellite locations for the donations that he will later pick up. Every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Walker parks his big FedEx trailer at the Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company on Mountain View Drive, where donors stop by to fill it with toys. It’s hard to
miss—the trailer is usually surrounded by volunteers, laughter and the warm buzz of holiday excitement. From there, the real work begins. Toys pour in by the hundreds, and Walker carefully sorts each one by gender and age Continued on page 6
Future of Northampton pool in question
Northampton County Unofficial election results
has not shown a profit in 15 years. According to reports, the pool lost $90,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $60,000 in 2025. Prior to the 2020 pandemic and pool closure, the pool was losing an average of $10,000 to $20,000 per year. “It is depressing,” said Councilwoman Julia Kutzler. “That is a big expense for the average taxpayer. But it breaks my heart, because I spent a lot of hours there.” Councilwoman Kutzler’s sentiments were echoed by many in attendance. For residents and elected officials alike, the pool has become a summer staple and nostalgic reminder of childhood in the borough. “Back in the 60s, that’s where I learned to swim,” said Councilwoman Bonnie Almond. “Today, I take my grandkids there and they love it just as much as I did.” “It is one of the nicest pools in the Lehigh Valley,” said former councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. “That swimming pool brings joy to a lot of people. It also brings pride to a lot of people.” Funding for the pool (originally named the Northampton Memorial Pool) was raised by donations from local businesses and residents follow-
ing World War II, and constructed on land donated by the Atlas Cement Company. The 1950 Northampton Area High School yearbook was even dedicated to the pool. Resident Ron Newhard read a passage from the yearbook aloud to council. “This book is dedicated to a dream which at last came true,” the inscription reads. “After 35 years of planning, waiting, and forgetting, World War II finally gave us the needed incentive to make our dream a reality…[It is a] loving memorial for those boys who took our places in the fighting…We the students are proud of this fine memorial and the tribute it pays.” “I hope you will consider that this is a memorial, and you will treat it like that when you make your decision,” Newhard told council. Continued on page 9
84th Year, Issue No. 46 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700
November 22 & 23, 2025 Tickets $5.00 per day at the door • $6.00 in advance (Good Both Days)