Whitehall Township government took on a new look May 19 as a group of Whitehall High School seniors assumed the roles of mayor, board of commissioners, the police chief, fire chief and other administrative offices.

During the event, mock legislative debate hearings were held involving issues affecting the township.

The idea for the program is the product of Commissioner Phillips Armstrong, a retired Whitehall High School educator, the board of commissioners and Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.

The day began with Hozza's weekly meeting with department and bureau chiefs concerning events of the previous week and matters the township will have to deal with in the days ahead.

Issues included the fire department removing a squirrel from a resident's chimney and street and finance matters.

The students then shadowed the recreation chief, public works, development, police chief, fire chief and others.

Harvard bound student Ryan Hatch took on the role of mayor while Regan Bortz assumed the position of president of the board of commissioners.

While there were light moments, Hozza approached the student board of commissioners a Mr. Bag of Donuts and Mrs. Bag of Donuts Police Chief Linda Kulp.

The questions and issues brought to the floor were serious, with the students taking on each with a sense of purpose.

The afternoon was devoted to the students holding a mock commissioners meeting. Issues raised included the deteriorating Lehigh Valley Dairy complex, sidewalks on MacArthur Road and refuse pickup and fees.

Also, a paper circulated noted the students wanting a place in the township similar to the Rose Garden in Allentown for prom pictures and other events.

Taking on the various township roles were Ryan Hatch, mayor; Erica Mai, deputy mayor; Regan Bortz, commissioners president; Madison Scarfaro, commissioners vice president; Pcoa Patel, commissioner; Janet Chan, commissioner; Sarah Schannauer. secretary and commissioner; Nick Seagreaves, commissioner; Zakiya Sims, treasurer; Erin Lindenmuth, parks and recreation chief; Tabby Allen, police chief; Regan Miller, zoning officer; Rose Roberts, zoning officer; Amanda Childs, fire chief; and Lauren Schapf, public works director.

On a split vote, student commissioners voted for sidewalks to be constructed on MacArthur Road, off Mechanicsville Road, where students cross to go to Wawa. Other students said they wanted the green grass kept in place.

When President Bortz and student commissioners discussed having the Lehigh Valley Dairy converted into a multiuse indoor sports facility, not a recreation center, disagreement surfaced among the students at the podium. There was mention of skate board parks and soccer fields on mostly unused baseball fields.

Also discussed were changes in refuse collection for next year such as no increases in 2015, sparking vigorous debate, which was challenged and outlined in detail by student Mayor Hatch.

When it ended, the students unanimously voted to bring back Student Government Day in 2015.

"Fantastic," Armstrong said of the event.