Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners appointed Phillips Armstrong Sr. to a two-year term as commissioner in a unanimous vote.

The appointment, which filled the vacant slot on the seven-member board, was made Feb. 19, one day before the Lehigh County Court would have been required to make the appointment, at a special meeting.

Armstrong's appointment and brief oath took 10 minutes, making it one of the shortest meetings held by the commissioners.

The scenario was different from the Feb. 10 meeting, when retired township officer Richard Klock failed to secure the appointment. The voting on Klock's appointment was declared deadlocked by Commissioner's President Linda Snyder, when a tie vote, occurred.

Armstrong received support from Commissioner Dennis Hower, who backed Armstrong when he was interviewed by the board. Hower stood steadfast in support for Armstrong at a special open discussion last Monday to come up with a nominee.

Armstrong is a retired Whitehall High School teacher, who taught social studies for 40 years. He was the chairperson for the high school's social studies, education chairperson for the Middle States Council of Social Studies. He was also one of six inductees in January to Whitehall High School's Hall of Fame for sports. He coached the girls varsity basketball teams to championships in the 1980s.

His background includes 10 years with the Whitehall Exchange Club, serving as deacon at St. John's United Church of Christ, Fullerton, for eight years and coaching football and basketball at Fullerton Athletic Association.

"An excellent interview. We are glad to have you," Commissioner Gerard Palagonia told Armstrong, after the vote was recorded.

"I know what they say, all good things take time. We are here for you," Snyder told Armstrong.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. presented Armstrong with a box containing the township's home rule charter, codified ordinances and other papers, calling it Armstrong's homework.

Expressing gratitude, Armstrong looked at the commissioners, indicating he would not hold it against them that he was not the first choice of many commissioners.

"I don't have an ax to grind," he said., and added he is ready to serve the township and its residents the best he can.

Armstrong will serve through 2015.

"I would like to help maintain Whitehall as the best community in Lehigh County to reside in," Armstrong said.