Dear Easton Residents,
My name is Ken Greene, and I am running for Easton City Council in the May 16th Democratic Primary Election.
I want to tell you about who I am as a person, and why I am asking for your support as the best candidate to lead Easton into the future. This is my first run for elected office, but I have had a lifetime serving the public. I am a recently retired educator of 35 years. As a teacher, coach, and principal, I was proud to help guide so many young people toward becoming productive citizens. For the past thirteen years as a superintendent of schools, I led a diverse community designated as a high performing school district. We earned the highest graduation and college attendance rates in district history; were recognized for having the county's healthiest elementary and middle schools and best high school community service organization; and we reduced local tax levy increases to less than half of the previous decade, including multiple years with tax freezes or decreases.
I worked on broader issues as president of the state administrators association, served on statewide committees to manage and reopen during the covid pandemic, and helped lead a successful advocacy campaign for fair school funding. I continue to consult with school districts, mentor and teach aspiring school leaders, and facilitate professional learning around equity for all children.
My service is not only in education. My wife Diane and I have lived in Easton for fourteen years and were recently honored by the city as Volunteers of the Year. I am in my fourth year on the Easton Planning Commission and am a founding director of a local nonprofit, Friends of Easton PA. In my time on the Planning Commission, we have promoted a period of extraordinary growth across our city, and I am proud to serve as chairperson. Our work with Friends of Easton PA has raised funds to put lights in the Centre Square trees and on the South Side hill (note: our next project will be in West Ward). Our group has also contributed thousands of dollars to the Easton Ambassadors and Easton Block Watch.
I am supported in this race by a number of local leaders including Mayor Sal Panto who said, “I support Ken Greene for City Council. He has been a strong advocate for Easton, and he has the character, integrity, and intelligence to keep our city moving forward.” Councilman Roger Ruggles also noted, “I support Ken Greene in his run for City Council. Ken has contributed significantly to the city in many areas and he will make a valuable addition to City Council.”
With a proven track record of public service, I enter this race with the experience to continue to make Easton even better. I am ready to lead on day one to move Easton forward and continue our trajectory of strong growth and prosperity. Here are some of my priorities in running for City Council:
+Safe, clean, accessible. My dedicated work with Friends of Easton PA demonstrates my commitment to a safe, clean, accessible city. I fully support our public workers, and I am proud to be endorsed by Easton’s Fraternal Order of Police. Our Ambassadors are among our greatest assets, and I will advocate that we widen their coverage. And to be at our best, we need all of us to do our part. I will work with Block Watch, neighborhood associations, and other like-minded groups to organize residents to identify issues and solutions in their home areas. I will also promote transit improvements for bus riders, cyclists, car drivers, and pedestrians, so that the city becomes more interconnected than it has ever been.
+Growth and prosperity in all neighborhoods. We have experienced a renaissance particularly in Downtown, where continued success is essential to our vitality as a city. Now, I believe the City Council needs fresh, future focused leadership to take Easton from good to great in order to reach our highest potential. That means working hard to harness the opportunity to build upon the unique histories of each of Easton’s neighborhoods. I will work on housing solutions for residents of all income levels, because housing is a human right. I will promote business development in Downtown and in all of our commercial zones including on Northampton Street in West Ward; along St. John, Old Philadelphia, and Berwick Streets on South Side; and between Cattell and McCartney Streets on College Hill.
+A seat at the table for all residents. I love Easton because our city has an inclusive energy to it that is diverse, vibrant, and welcoming of everyone. I will represent the residents of every neighborhood and foster continued growth in voter registration and participation. I will support the public festivals and community gatherings that bring us together. I will insist upon greater transparency in our city government, so that citizens and business owners feel informed and heard. And I will meet with residents
regularly to ensure that we stay in touch with the real issues our people are experiencing every day.
I am asking for your support of my candidacy. Please feel free to reach out by email or social media and learn more about me. I am excited to speak with you further about our shared vision and priorities.
With your vote in the May 16 Democratic Primary Election, we can make Easton better together.
Sincerely,
Ken Greene
