Whitehall Commissioner Linda Snyder has retained her position as president of the township board.

Snyder was voted in by her fellow commissioners at the Jan. 6 commissioners' reorganizational meeting, beating back a challenger, Commissioner Philip Ginder.

Voting in favor of Snyder were Commissioners Clair Hunsberger, Thomas Slonaker, Dennis Hower and Philip Ginder.

She heads the seven-member board and will serve two years as president.

Snyder was also elected to a two-year commissioners seat. She said she is resigning from the two-year seat to assume the four-year elected position instead.

Before the board's vote on its own officers during the meeting, District Magistrate Robert Halal administered the oath of office to Commissioners Gerard Palagonia and Slonaker, who will both begin serving four-year terms.

Because of the unfilled two-year seat, there are currently only six commissioners. The board has 45 days to fill the vacant seat. It is expected the selection will be made in February, after candidates for the position are interviewed.

Ginder retained his seat as vice president, a post he held formerly. He received votes from Hunsberger, Slonaker, Hower and himself.

Hower was elected as board secretary. The office was held by former commissioner Paul Geissinger, who lost his bid for re-election last year.

Voting to unseat Hower as secretary were Palagonia, Hunsberger and Snyder.

Slonaker, a candidate for secretary, received votes from Ginder and Slonaker. Hower abstained from the vote.