Mario Spagnoletti, a longtime member of the Whitehall Township Environmental Commission, recently implored the township Board of Commissioners to fill two existing vacancies on the five-member volunteer EAC Commission.

"I'm not going to be here forever," Spagnoletti told the commissioners at their January meeting.

Several commissioners remarked they had no knowledge that the EAC did not have full membership.

Spagnoletti said the chairperson is expecting twins and another member has moved to Illinois.

Spagnoletti has been at the forefront and active with all aspects of the EAC, from taking care of the Whitehall Parkway to the successful spring recycling program.

Spagnoletti is known by just about everyone in the township for his passion for keeping the parkway pristine, streams flowing without any contamination and the trails in the parkway available to the public.

A fixture at the commissioners meetings, Spagnoletti at times addresses the board on environmental issues.

Spagnoletti is active also with the township's Crime Watch organization.

With the public's concern regarding environmental issues, officials stated they will seek candidates to fill the vacancies on the EAC board.