The absence of a recording secretary Monday evening led the Whitehall commissioners to discuss the matter behind closed doors for nearly a half hour.

Neither the commissioners nor Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. explained why Pat Sweeney, executive secretary to the mayor, did not attend the meeting.

Sweeney records the meetings on tape, then prepares the meeting minutes for board members.

"I asked her not to come," Hozza told The Press Tuesday morning. "She will be back at the October meeting." He did not elaborate.

Contacted by The Press Tuesday morning, Commissioners President Linda Snyder expressed "surprise," saying she did not know Sweeney would not be there Monday night.

"I don't know what he [Hozza] is going to do," Snyder said, referring further questions to the mayor.

At the meeting, Commissioner Paul Geissinger asked if the board could proceed without Sweeney or if the meeting would have to be adjourned. Geissinger said his comment was made as "a point of order."

Geissinger asked Solicitor Charles Fonzone if the home rule charter addresses the issue.

Fonzone paged through the home rule charter and replied, "The secretary shall be determined by the board."

"Then we need a secretary," Geissinger said.

He added he would take notes at the board meeting since Sweeney was not present.

Before the conclusion of the meeting, Geissinger said he noticed Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers, Township Engineer Frank Clark and Zoning, Planning and Development Chief Lee Rackus also were not present at the meeting. The three usually attend.

"I excused them," said Hozza, adding their absences had nothing to do with Sweeney's absence.

On returning to the board room, Hozza removed the video camera located at the back of the meeting room, which has been in place for several years to tape the commissioners meeting.

"I have no problem taping by news organizations," Geissinger said.

Before the executive session, Geissinger suggested the commissioners have their own secretary at the meetings. This individual, Geissinger said, would prepare the agenda and write the minutes and should be proficient in shorthand and other clerical skills.