The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners discussed potential nominees to fill a vacant seat on the board.

The lengthy discussion took place at a Feb. 17 meeting.

It appeared an agreement would be reached only through a compromise, which prompted Commissioner Gerard Palagonia to say he was willing to stay and order pizza, if that is what it takes to pick a nominee.

Board President Linda Snyder said she was unwilling to have Lehigh County Court decide on who should sit on the board, that it was the board's responsibility to come up with a nominee.

Palagonia made a pitch for retired township police officer Richard Klock, despite knowing that Klock had failed to gain the majority vote at a Feb. 10 meeting.

Palagonia said Klock and he had been on the police force together and had been confident Klock "would have my back," while on duty. "He's a stand-up guy," he said.

There was an outcry from board members concerning an unsigned letter Commissioner Clair Hunsberger had received, regarding federal drug charges that had once been filed against Klock in 1991.

Klock was found not guilty of the charges by a federal jury.

Hunsberger and Snyder continued their support of Klock, even though it appeared he would not receive a fourth vote needed for appointment as a commissioner.

"It's a shame that something had to be brought up that happened 20 years ago," Palagonia said.

Commissioner Dennis Hower continued his support for Phillips Armstrong Sr.

Commissioner Philip Ginder spoke of Armstrong.

"I felt he interviewed really well," he said. "He didn't seem to have an ax to grind with anyone."

Ginder said his first choice was Joseph Marx, but with the realization that he would not receive enough votes, Armstrong was his second choice.

The board discussed other applicants and mentioned the option of appointing a person that didn't apply for the post.

Commissioner Thomas Slonaker opposed this option.

Slonaker said if candidates put their application in for the position, then interviewed, the nominee should come from that pool.

The commissioners consented to back Armstrong due to his strong interview.

One by one, the commissioners said Armstrong would make an outstanding commissioner.

"He was my third choice," said Palagonia.