By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Across six rounds of voting with four different nominees, South Whitehall commissioners were unable to select a replacement board member during their May 5 meeting.

The inaction left numerous attendees frustrated by the board’s inability to reach a majority vote.

The appointed individual will fill the vacancy left by former commissioner, Matthew Mobilio, who resigned abruptly last month.

The replacement would serve until Jan. 3, 2022.

The sitting board members conducted public interviews the previous week with interested candidates.

Solicitor Joe Zator said per the Township of the First Class Code, candidates must be a registered voter and have lived in the township for at least the past one year.

He said commissioners needed to select a candidate by majority vote and, if unable to, board members could repeat the process and put forth new candidates.

Commissioner Joe Setton voiced his support for Ben Long, a former Republican candidate for state representative in the 132nd District.

Setton said he was struck by Long’s statements as a candidate of being open and accessible, as well as his political activeness, perspective, faith and serve on several boards and commission.

Board President Christina “Tori” Morgan also put forth Long as her choice, commenting on his political and public service interests, local government knowledge and status as a local business owner who “understands the challenges and needs of residents and businesses.”

Commissioner Mike Wolk recommended Lee Solt, stating Solt “understands the board of commissioners’ purpose” as an active and engaged participant at both commissioner and planning commission meetings.

He also commented on Solt’s preparation, knowledge to “hit the ground running,” and vision for South Whitehall, among other attributes.

Commissioner Diane Kelly put forth Andrew Flagg, noting he had showed a strong desire to be involved by submitting applications for various positions on the planning commission and zoning hearing board.

All votes on the initial round of candidates ended in 2-2 deadlocks with Wolk and Kelly voting “yes” on Solt and Flagg’s nominations. Setton and Morgan voted “no.”

On the two votes for Long, put forth by Setton and Morgan, the voting results were reversed.

During public comment on each candidate’s nomination, several residents voiced their support for Solt’s nomination, whom they said was a “fair and balanced candidate” with good character and an interest in serving the residents.

Attendees also voiced support for Flagg, particularly his comments about restoring civility and respect to the board of commissioners.

However, when Long was put forth by Setton, several residents raised questions about the candidate’s potential action on future township projects, particularly the Parkview Inn proposal.

Susan Shortell said Long had made statements on social media which several residents characterized as critical of resident’s concerns regarding the development.

Setton and Morgan said the information was hearsay and not in its full form, which attracted numerous objections.

Robert Hodges also said Long had made statements in support of Morgan and Setton in the upcoming municipal elections and any candidate should be politically neutral, though the two said Long’s statements had not influenced their decision.

On the second round of nominations Setton recommended Mark Leuthe, a member of the zoning hearing board and president of Lehigh Engineering, whom he said spoke about smart community growth and strategic planning as a way to create employment opportunities.

Setton also spoke to his experience and vision as well.

During public comment, resident Jacob Roth said he was unconvinced by Leuthe’s responses to interview questions about development, as well as his employment as an engineer which Roth said may lead to conflicts of interest with developers.

“I can’t believe there’s not one of these nine or 10 candidates that is not good enough to get three votes,” Hodges said.

“Find a way to compromise, this is ridiculous.”

Leuthe’s vote also deadlocked 2-2 with Wolk and Kelly voting “no,” and the other two commissioners voting “yes.”

Referencing residents’ calls for compromise, Wolk asked that Solt be reconsidered, stating the board knew and respected the candidate, whom he said had no conflicts of interest.

He added both Setton and Morgan had made positive comments about Solt before voting “no” on the first round.

Morgan said she had “good comments to say about all of the candidates” and “compromise can go many different ways.”

She wanted to see compromise for her preferred candidate.

“It doesn’t change my opinion on the subject matter, unfortunately,” Morgan said.

Kelly said Solt had been engaged in meetings for at least two years and showed significant community involvement.

“To have an unbiased candidate is the best thing that we could hope for,” Kelly said, adding she had not seen Long attend any recent public meeting.

“This board desperately needs someone who thinks independently, the citizens of this township desperately want this board to look at issues and consider everything, and to come up with the right conclusions,” Wolk said. “It is no secret we have two commissioners with one ideology, and two commissioners with an opposite ideology.”

Wold said an independent-thinking commissioner was needed, before he asked Setton or Morgan to reach a compromise.

“I’ll throw that back at you Commissioner Wolk, I request that you compromise to consider Ben Long as the best candidate,” Morgan responded.

Wolk refused.

After the second vote for Solt again locked 2-2, Zator said the decision would need to go to the township’s vacancy board, comprised of the four commissioners and resident Keisha Champagnie.

The vacancy board has a 15-day window, starting after May 7 to pick a new commissioner and, if unable to, the vacancy board chair would then be directed to file a petition with the Court of Common Pleas to have a person named to the vacant seat.