I, Archie Follweiler, Jr. a resident of Kutztown, PA, am announcing my candidacy for the 187th Pa. State Legislative District. It includes the towns of Laurys Station, Schnecksville, New Tripoli, Fogelsville, Topton, Kutztown and the surrounding townships.

The obvious issues in government are a lack of ethics and a need for reform.

I will support all reforms which offer transparency of the legislative process and strive to inform us, the citizens, of the government process.

My focus is to be truly a “public servant”. The 187th District has a representative who is invisible in Berks County and is devoid of any personal communication on his own political thoughts. We have had a virtually unchallenged legislator for 23 years that has not inspired leadership of any magnitude.

My wife, Dr. Virginia Grim, and I have deep roots in this area. We care about the function of government and the motivations of the elected officials. She and I have both served as Kutztown Borough council-members. I have proudly served as a public volunteer co-organizing the Kutztown Area Chamber of Commerce and we both co-directed the 1st Penna. Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival.

My business career from the childhood fruit farm to the US Army and college led me to be Pres. of a Kansas Oil & Gas Exploration company to serving as a Realtor/Appraiser in the 187th district the past 20 years.

Ethics, reforming government procedures, property tax reduction, regional cooperation, and increasing the representative’s visibility and assistance to the townships are a priority. We have so many issues to attack. The trust and motives of the elected official are paramount to solving problems.

I offer a change. I will work hard to earn the citizens’ trust and votes.