Articles by Jonathan Cortez

Council Approves Murals for Underpass

At Monday’s meeting, Ellwood City borough council approved a request by a local artist to paint murals on the Fifth Street Underpass. Woodrow Cowher, of Ellwood City, had previously painted murals on the side of Sweet Caroline’s on 507 Lawrence. His project is sponsored and funded by the Ellwood City organization Kitchen Cabinet and the Hoyt Foundation. The paintings will be on the outside walls of the underpass and according to Kitchen Cabinet member Earla Marshall, will require little maintenance due to a protective coating Cowher uses. There was initially some discussion between council and the cabinet over approving the…


Borough Code Officer Requests Stronger Enforcement Ordinances

Ralph Chiappetta, Ellwood City borough’s code enforcement officer, addressed yard maintenance issues at council’s agenda meeting on Monday. He urged council to request the state government to enact stronger code laws. According to Chiappetta, most complaints are grass and trash related and the major issue is dealing with out of state owners. Several borough properties have owners from as far away as Texas, California, or Oregon, and Chiappetta said it is exceedingly difficult to eradicate blight in these properties. The owners often ignore letters and fines and are difficult to contact. He specified one property is up to $17,000 in…


Ellwood City Borough Council June Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough council meeting held on Monday, June 21: Zoning Ordinance Amended Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to remove a limitation on non-pedestrian use businesses on downtown Lawrence Avenue. The ordinance, passed in 2016, limited businesses such as doctor and lawyer offices to the 2nd floor. Council considered allowing setbacks on Lawrence Avenue, but ultimately decided to maintain the requirement that storefronts be flush with the sidewalk. Vice president Jim Barry said setbacks wouldn’t conform to the look of the downtown. According to council president Judi Dici, the 2016 ordinance has…


Council Votes to Maintain Beechwood Boulevard Address Change Despite Backlash

At Monday’s regular meeting, council defeated a motion to rescind an address change to nearly 40 street addresses, including 11 that converted from Beechwood Boulevard to Constitution Avenue. The motion was proposed by Michelle Lamenza and supported by George Celli. The other five members voted against rescinding the change  despite considerable backlash from several residents from Beechwood/Constitution, who felt the action was unnecessary and detrimental and accused council of targeting Beechwood and not responding to citizens’ concerns. Several council members emphasized the decision was done in the interest of public safety at the urging from the Lawrence County government and…


Request to Host Event Turns into Contentious Council Meeting

After considerable contention, council voted to suspend a zoning ordinance and permit Scott and Caroline Golmic, owners of Sweet Caroline’s  on 507 Lawrence Ave, to host events on an empty adjacent lot. The Golmics originally requested permission in a letter dated June 6. However, a motion approving the event was pulled immediately prior to council’s agenda meeting on Monday, June 11. The Golmics attended the meeting to question why their request had been pulled and were told their event violated several ordinances. Council member George Celli offered to meet with the Golmics to work out a solution. However, by the…


Ellwood School Board Amends Academic Competition Policy

Controversy ensued at Thursday’s Ellwood City Area School Board meeting when the board voted to approve amendments to its academic competition policy. The amendments were requested by board member Renee Pitrelli to better promote students involved in competitions. According to Pitrelli, the new policy will enable the district to support academics as much as athletics and leadership. Board members Jennifer Tomon and Danielle Woodhead believed the amendments were too vague and requested tabling the motion in order to polish the language. The amendment requires the district to pay all the travel expenses for students in statewide and national competitions, while…


Lawrence Avenue Event Pulled from Council Agenda

At Monday’s Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting, Scott and Caroline Golmic addressed council regarding an event request that was pulled from the agenda. The Golmics, owners of Sweet Caroline’s at 507 Lawrence Ave., leased an empty lot at 509 Lawrence with the intention of hosting events to promote the downtown. The Golmics paired together with other local businesses to host an event on May 23 for the Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation, which attracted hundreds of people downtown. The couple plans on hosting future events on the lot featuring food, music and games to attract people downtown and draw…


Ellwood City Borough Council May Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City borough council meeting held on Monday, May 21: Ordinances A motion was passed amending the parks ordinance to make shelter reservations effective beginning April 1 through Sept. 30. This increases the reservation window by a month on either end. Finance A motion was passed approving a $250 donation to the Memorial Day Parade Committee to be paid from the General Fund. The motion passed 5-1 with Lisa Guerrero dissenting. Rob Brough was absent and council vice president Jim Barry wasn’t physically present but attended via voice chat. Public Works/Utilities: A…


Ellwood City Council Agenda Brief

The following is a brief summary of items discussed at the Ellwood City borough council agenda meeting on Monday, May 14: Beechwood Blvd Address Added to Agenda Council member Michelle Lamenza requested a motion be added to the agenda to repeal a motion changing several Beechwood Boulevard addresses to Constitution Boulevard addresses. Earlier in the year, council approved these changes to make it easier for emergency responders to find specific addresses. However, some of the affected constituents hired a lawyer, Al Torrence, of Beaver County, to ask council to repeal the motion. In the March meeting, Torrence argued that the…


Visitors Ask Ellwood School Board to Reconsider Removing Baseball Field Lights

Visitors representing Ellwood City area baseball organizations urged council to reconsider its decision to remove the lights from Sanders Field, arguing that the district’s baseball program will decline without the ability to play night games. The wooden light poles were installed in the early 1950’s and became a hallmark of the Ellwood area’s baseball program. At its January meeting, the board voted 6-3 to remove the wooden light poles following an accident in August when a pole collapsed, injuring a 13-year old girl and a man. According to school board member Jennifer Tomon, the board chose to remove the lights…