Gerard “Jerry” Palagonia submitted his resignation Monday as a Whitehall Township commissioner, having served in the position for 14 years.

In an email sent Sunday to commissioners President Phillips Armstrong, Palagonia said, “To whom it may concern: (Due to) personal and business reasons keeping me in Florida, I will miss the April 11 Whitehall Township public meeting.

“In the best interest of our citizens, I am resigning my elected position as Whitehall Township commissioner, effective as of this date. Respectfully submitted, Gerard Palagonia”

Armstrong brought up the issue toward the end of the business meeting. The board voted unanimously to accept Palagonia’s resignation, effective immediately.

In 2016, Palagonia attended only the January oath of office ceremony for those elected to office in November, including Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr., who defeated him in a run for the mayoral position in the spring 2015 primary election.

He missed the commissioners workshop meeting in January, two meetings each in February and March and the April workshop meeting.

None of the commissioners commented on Palagonia’s resignation or his service as an elected township official.

Hozza, however, said, “I want to thank [Palagonia] for the years of service to the public and board of commissioners.”

Palagonia’s term would have expired at the end of 2017. The stipend for a commissioner is $4,200. Palagonia was paid on a pro-rated basis, receiving a total of $1,189.

A Vietnam veteran, Palagonia served 28 years as a township police officer and 15 years as a member of Whitehall Emergency Squad. He was a coach and mentor for several athletic associations and held positions on township boards.

The commissioners have 45 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. The board will advertise for applicants and then is expected to hold interviews with prospective candidates before making the appointment.

Should the board fail to do so, Lehigh County Court would name a township resident to the seat.

In other township business regarding Palagonia, the ethics board is conducting hearings on township police officer Leah Van Note’s contention that Palagonia crossed the line last spring in his campaign for mayor when he allegedly leaked to a local daily newspaper confidential workers’ compensation paperwork pertaining to Van Note.

Van Note responded to a fire alarm call March 14, 2015, in the municipal building basement, where Hozza was sanding the floor with a small vacuum cleaner when some asbestos material became airborne and set off the alarm.

In June 2015, Van Note went before the commissioners, asking that Palagonia be fired or that he step down.