Sept. 3, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Priscilla deLeon has resigned from Lower Saucon Township Council effective Sept. 15, after 38 years in office.
deLeon did not give a reason for leaving office in a statement on Facebook. She is in the midst of her tenth four-year term. Her first term started in 1988.
During her decades in office, deLeon, a Democrat, said she has exercised oversight over the Bethlehem Landfill (which is in the township), sought to protect groundwater and worked to preserved historic sites.
She is a graduate of Bangor High School and the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. She worked for more than 20 years as a radiologic technologist. She moved to the township’s Steel City neighborhood in 1985.
After nearly four decades in her office, she’s earned the chance to have the final say. Here’s her statement:
It has been an honor to serve the residents of Lower Saucon Township for the past 38 years.
Since 1988, I have exercised sustained oversight of landfill regulatory matters, including review of host-community agreements, amendments, DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) submissions, operational changes, and compliance obligations.
I have advanced critical environmental protections through support of groundwater monitoring requirements, long-term environmental impact evaluations, and measures designed to safeguard public health.
I have worked to preserve historic and rural resources by advocating for responsible land-use decisions and protection of the Township’s heritage assets.
I have strengthened the Township’s fiscal management practices through consistent budget oversight, capital planning review, and long-term financial stability measures.
I have contributed to key policy and ordinance development affecting zoning, land use, and municipal operations.
Throughout this period, I have ensured — without exception — that the intererests of Lower Saucon Township residents remained front and foremost in all deliberations.
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When I returned to local reporting after being away for 25 years, Council Vice President deLeon was one of the few people around from my last stint.
In Lower Saucon, it’s the end of an era.
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Below, a biography of deLeon from the township website:
Priscilla deLeon has been a resident of Lower Saucon Township since 1985 and is currently serving her tenth consecutive four-year term on Township Council—a record of 37 years of dedicated public service.
A graduate of Bangor Area High School and the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, she worked for over 20 years as a radiologic technologist in both Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley.
After moving to Steel City, Priscilla became involved in the local fire company and community groups. Her leadership in the Anti-Quarry Committee, formed to protect the Riverside Drive area, inspired her run for public office. She was elected to Council in 1988.
Priscilla is known for her commitment to open communication, fairness, and transparency. She encourages residents to attend meetings and stay engaged. “I’ve never forgotten what it felt like to sit in the audience,” she says. “I strive every day to be a voice for those I serve.”
She emphasizes the need for checks and balances in local government and consistently pushes for accountability and responsible decision-making.
A strong advocate for preserving the township’s rural character, she supports responsible growth, open space preservation, and environmental stewardship. She is guided by Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution—the Environmental Rights Amendment—which affirms every resident’s right to clean air, pure water, and access to the township’s natural and historic resources.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 