At its final meeting of 2025, held Dec. 17, 2025, the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners recognized Vice President Monica Hodges and Commissioner Chris Peischl with distinguished service awards, honoring their years of dedication and lasting contributions to the township.

Residents, former officials and family members offered tributes highlighting the commissioners’ leadership in community advocacy, fiscal responsibility, public safety, open space preservation and historic preservation initiatives.

Resident John Chaya delivered the first tribute, recounting the formation of South Whitehall Concerned Citizens – Ridge Farm, a grassroots group created years ago to address concerns about unchecked development and the need for greater public voice in township decision-making.

Chaya credited Hodges as a central figure in that effort, praising her integrity, leadership and commitment to residents.

“She was smart, articulate and highly principled,” Chaya said. “Her dedication to effect change in South Whitehall Township was guided by her core values and an unwavering belief in doing what was right for the community.”

He noted Hodges successfully translated that advocacy into public service when she ran for the board of commissioners on a platform focused on transparency, public safety and preservation.

“Her footprint will be indelible in the foundations of South Whitehall Township,” he concluded.

Resident David Burke followed with remarks honoring both departing commissioners, reflecting on the township’s transition from what he described as an era of fiscal mismanagement and contentious public meetings to one of sound financial oversight, planned development, open space preservation and encouraged citizen participation.

Burke noted Hodges devoted hundreds of hours as a citizen advocate before her election and ultimately dedicated eight years of service to the township.

He highlighted her listening skills, empathy and preparation as key to her effectiveness as a commissioner.

Burke also recognized Peischl for more than 30 years of service to South Whitehall Township in various roles, including emergency management, volunteer firefighting, public safety and service on the Water and Sewer Authority.

“His hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of township operations and made him a valuable member of this board,” Burke said.

Former commissioners Michael Wolk and David Kennedy also offered remarks, adding to the evening’s tributes.

Later in the meeting, township staff presented a Historic Resources Inventory, a 59-page document developed with historic preservation consultant Jeff Marshall and Michael Baker International.

The inventory identifies 149 historic sites, structures and resources within the township and establishes a classification framework to guide future preservation efforts.

The plan outlines a four-class system, ranging from resources already listed on the National Register of Historic Places to those newly identified as potentially eligible.

Township staff emphasized that adoption of the inventory marks the beginning of an ongoing process, including potential adaptive reuse ordinances, a future historic preservation ordinance and the creation of an advisory historic board.

“This is just the start,” Chris Strohler noted, acknowledging the role Hodges and Peischl played in advancing historic preservation initiatives during their tenure.

Commissioners praised the inventory as a significant step in documenting and protecting South Whitehall’s heritage, encouraging residents to review the document, which is available on the township website.

The meeting concluded with an announcement inviting residents to participate in the formation of a South Whitehall Historical Society.

A kickoff meeting is scheduled 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29, at Jordan United Church of Christ, with the goal of engaging the community in preserving and sharing the township’s history.

The evening served both as a farewell and a celebration – honoring two commissioners whose service helped shape South Whitehall’s present and future.