by Daveda Gruber
There’s a lady running for the 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania and her name is Lisa Scheller.
Scheller was born the granddaughter of immigrants. Her family founded Silberline Manufacturing Co., which is one of the region’s premier manufacturers. They produce an ingredient which is key in paints and coatings.
Following the death of her brother, Scheller took the helm and is currently chairman and president of the business.
She is also serving as a member of the executive committee of the Aluminum Association of America, which is the leading advocacy group in that industry.
It is the only certified women-owned business of its kind in the world.
The company has global headquarters north of the Lehigh Valley and employs more than six hundred people spanning three continents. One hundred and sixty people from the company work here in Pennsylvania.
Recently, Silberline opened a new manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania that makes state of the art and environmentally friendly, sustainable products for the coatings industry.
Lisa knows first-hand how red tape and radical proposals like the Green New Deal perplex local businesses and families.
When, in 2011, Scheller was alarmed by a Lehigh County tax increase, she ran on a reform message and was elected to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.
She served as board chair for two years and was successful in leading efforts to cut taxes every year.
Scheller is a well known conservative fighter who advocated for spending restraint, lower taxes, job creation and an end to special-interest giveaways.
She worked to reduce property taxes and streamline government operations as a commissioner all the while keeping a close and skeptical eye on new spending.
She recalled, “Four years in a row there was either a reduction in the millage rate, a rebate, or both. And it was always a fight.”
The Board of Commissioners reasserted its control over contract negotiations with the county’s public sector unions under the leadership of Scheller.
She made certain that it was no longer in the hands of a single county executive to shape contracts.
This was an important step toward making government more accountable to the taxpayers who support it. It also reduced political pressure on the county’s negotiator.
Also, notably, Scheller led a drive for increased government transparency. With bipartisan support, she played an important role in opening a Board of Commissioner committee meetings to the press and public.
Scheller knows how to deal across party lines. She’s done it. In this time in our country and in Pennsylvania that type of leadership is essential.
Sheller has a passion for creating opportunities for others. She has provided substantial support to many charitable causes. These include educational and environmental organizations that positively impact our community and the world.
She has sponsored an array of scholarship programs over the decades. Most recently, she announced a scholarship enabling Lehigh County high school students to receive an associate’s degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Scheller had to fight what was happening in her personal life. When she was a young woman, she reclaimed herself from the grip of drug and alcohol addiction. Her addiction, she says, brought her to the depths of personal despair. It was from that despair she climbed to become substance-free.
She also became a leader in efforts to bring the same healing to others.
She said, “What I discovered was that rock bottom is a solid foundation to build on.”
With an opioid epidemic lurking all around her, Scheller decided to go public with her own story.
After remaining clean and sober for 36 years, she publicly shared her story in an effort to raise awareness to those afflicted with addiction.
It can happen to anyone and recovery is possible to anyone who embraces it.
Sheller didn’t stop there. She founded Hope & Coffee, a coffee shop and meeting place that seeks to bring persons recovering from alcohol and drug dependency back into the job market.
She continues to help people by reaching out and showing by personal experience that it can be done.
Scheller is the mother of two grown children. She resides in Allentown. Her hobbies include hiking and cycling throughout the region. She also enjoys cooking and photography.
I live in Pennsylvania and want what is best for my state. Vote Scheller into office.
You can make a contribution to Scheller’s campaign by clicking on the link below.
