ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - Allentown City Council is considering a change in city policy that would require employees to resign in order to run for elected office.
Councilman Ed Zucal told fellow council members he thought Bill 72 included elected officials, when it referenced employees. In other words, a council member who wanted to run for mayor would have to step down.
"The last time I looked at my check that I got from council duties, it was from the city of Allentown," Zucal said during Monday night's council meeting.
But Solicitor Matthew Kloiber says that's not the case.
"It’s an appointed position or a worker," he said of those affected. "If you were an elected official, just in the charter, I think the way it uses the language, you're not an employee for purposes of what you're eligible to run for."
The proposed changes come just before a year in which city voters will vote for city mayor. Several people have plans to or are considering a run, including some who serve on council now.
If passed as is, one person who wouldn't be able to run for mayor without resigning -- but who is considering a campaign -- is Deputy Mayor Leonard Lightner. "It's another thing I would really have to sit down and spend time and think about. If I were to consider it, do I resign, do I stay?" said Lightner, adding he has yet to decide.
Some questioned the timing of the bill. A majority of council members said Monday they feel the issue should be a referendum question on the ballot.
Council did not act on the bill. Members decided to table action until a later date.