The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is seeking qualified candidates to fill a vacancy on the board of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in district seven, which includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Applications must be received by February 29.

A vacancy occurred when Commissioner Frederick P. Osifat, 64, passed away in late November.

“The Governor is reaching out to the anglers and boaters of district seven to find the highest-qualified candidate to serve on the board of the Fish and Boat Commission,” said Bob Schlemmer, chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.

The next commissioner from the district will complete Osifat’s term, which expires June 4, 2009. Because the term is less than four years, the appointee will be eligible for re-appointment to an eight-year term.

While commissioners are not compensated, they do receive a travel reimbursement. According to the Fish and Boat Code, in order to qualify as a commissioner, the applicant must be a resident of the district and be well informed on the subjects of conservation, restoration, fish and fishing, and boats and boating.

Individuals interested in applying for this seat should send a resume, with a detailed cover letter explaining their desire to serve, to Robb Miller, 7th Floor – Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8767, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8767.

The Governor’s eventual nominee is subject to confirmation by a simple majority vote of the state Senate

1/11/2008