The president of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners said Whitehall may be sorry if it decides to pursue becoming a city.

Commissioners President Linda Snyder said she did not know Mayor Edward D. Hozza planned to announce the idea of the township becoming a city, which he did lastr week in an interview with Channel 69 news.

Hozza, who did not attend the commissioners meeting Monday night, said previously such a move would allow Whitehall to seek grants through federal and state governments rather going through Lehigh County.

Snyder said the idea of turning Whitehall into a city in order to receive grant money may be admirable. However, she asked, "What do the residents of Whitehall need to sacrifice in order to receive those monies? Do we need to sell our soul?"

Snyder read a letter from an Allentown resident who is considering relocating his family to Whitehall. The letter writer said he has reservations about moving into the township after learning of the potential change.

"Nothing happened," Snyder said concerning moving forward with pursuing city status.

Snyder said she would oppose any move by the township to become a city, not only as a commissioner, but also as a resident, because she doesn't want to see the township destroyed.

"Once we do it, it's a done deal, done," Snyder said, noting the board would have to develop and approve putting the issue on the ballot, adding, "I wish the word gets out."

Commissioners Vice President Philip Ginder, recalling a legal and legislative committee meeting, stated no one there showed support for city status. However, he said the township could obtain a fair share of grant funding by becoming a third class city.

"It's not going to happen," Ginder said emphatically, adding the board should not be "yelling fire."

Ginder added, however, the board "needs to talk about these things," referring to grant funding which goes elsewhere. "We need to have those discussions."

In response to Ginder's comment about "yelling fire" during the meeting, Snyder said, "I'm not yelling fire," but rather discussing the issue with an informed public.

Commissioner Dennis Hower said he, like Snyder, does not have sufficient information to decide and that during the committee meeting, the idea of becoming a city was just "a concept."

Hower also said he was "stunned" by the television broadcast in which Hozza appeared.

"I'm not saying I'm in favor or against it," Hower said.

Should the commissioners decide to pursue city status for the township, they would have to approve putting the question on the ballot for voters to decide. This would not happen quickly.

"As a resident, I am concerned about this," Snyder told the Press Tuesday. "I will picket. I will do everything it takes to keep this community the way it is."

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Editor Johanna S. Billings also contributed to this article.