The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) is proud to announce Palmira Miller as its newest staff member. Miller joins PEC as a part of its Northeast Regional office as a Program Coordinator where she will focus primarily on implementing a Community Environment Project (CEP) to clean up illegal dumpsites in four Northeast Pennsylvania counties.
“We are very excited to have Palmira as a new addition to our staff,” said PEC’s Northeast Office Director Janet Sweeney. “She not only has extensive experience with our illegal dumpsite cleanup program, she brings a level of enthusiasm and energy that will ensure this project is successful.”
Miller is certainly familiar to PEC, having worked with the Council as a contractor since 2011. In her previous efforts with PEC, Miller worked with the Council’s Community Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program in several Northeastern Pennsylvania counties, fostered partnerships, and coordinated and participated in the Operation North Branch River Cleanups in 2012 and 2014.
Additionally, she coordinated a PA DEP Growing Greener project by partnering with Earth Conservancy to implement a riparian buffer tree planting. Miller also coordinates activities for the Northeast office’s recent affiliation with Keep America Beautiful (Keep Northeastern Pennsylvania Beautiful).
Miller became involved in the local community while employed by the Municipality of Newport Township as an Administrative Assistant before working as the Acting Township Manager and Building Code Official. She was appointed as the Executive Director of the Newport Township Authority and helped to secure funds for demolition of derelict properties.
She is a principal and lifetime member of the Newport Township Community Organization, holding office for 10 years. Through Keep America Beautiful, she developed and implemented annual cleanup events, big junk drop offs, recycling events, as well as community gardens, summer fun, and educational programs for local youth.
Lifetime residents of Newport Township, Pa., Miller and her husband, Joseph, opened their home to foster children for a number of years and adopted their daughter Shelly at age 10.