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March 16, 2018

Chamber of Commerce, Other Organizations Urge Council to Reconsider Charging Events

The Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce took issue with council’s decision to charge nonprofits recoup fees for events held in the borough. At Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council agenda meeting, chamber President Ray Santillo urged council to reconsider. Santillo argued that events such as Relay for Life and the Concert Series promote a healthy local economy and urged council to compromise and solve problems amicably while marketing the community positively. He also pointed out that chamber members pay dues, and the chamber helps with funding events, such as providing electric panels for the downtown car cruise. Santillo praised the quantity…

March 15, 2018

Visitor Requests Council to Resign for Alleged Violation of Freedom of Speech

At the Ellwood City Borough Council agenda meeting, Dawn Santagata requested that the entire council resign due to alleged violations of the First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech. In a prepared statement, Santagata asserted her freedom of speech was violated when her comments were deleted from a Facebook page titled Ellwood City Council – Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera. The two council members use the page to post information on council topics. Santaga cited a 2017 court case, Davison vs. Loudon County Board of Supervisors, in which a federal court determined a public official couldn’t delete dissenting viewpoints from…

March 14, 2018

Ellwood Resident Criticizes Borough for Failure to Comply with Right to Know Law

At Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, visitor Dave McQuade criticized council for a slow response to his Right to Know Requests, for its decision to charge events recoup fees and for statements made on social media. McQuade filed two requests on the weekend of March 2 and said the borough had yet to respond. By state law, an agency has five business days to respond in writing.  The first request was for the current procedures for holding events in the borough. The second request was for the police contract. The requests were in response to council’s decision in February to…

March 13, 2018

Ellwood City Organizations Dismayed by Council Decision to Charge Events Recoup Fees

“I’ve been a volunteer since I was 19, and I’m choked up by what I’m seeing,” visitor Stephanie Muntean said to council during yesterday’s Ellwood City Borough Council agenda meeting. “As taxpayers, I want to have events, not bare streets. We pay taxes, give us something back.” Muntean’s comments echoed those of over half a dozen speakers and over 50 visitors, all protesting a decision by council to charge organizations for the costs of events held in the borough. In February’s meeting, council voted 5-2 to deny a request by the Ellwood City Relay for Life to hold their event…

March 12, 2018

Ellwood City School Board March Meeting Brief

The following is a brief synopsis of the Ellwood City Area School District board meeting held on Thursday, March 8: The meeting started with a moment of silence for Lincoln High School student Keaira Cunningham, who passed away on Feb. 14. Revenue/Finance The 2018-19 General Fund budget meetings were set for 6 p.m. on the following dates: Wednesday, April 18, Tuesday, April 24 and Monday, May 7. A motion was passed to discard old Jr. High Cheerleader uniforms that are not in use. Personnel A motion was passed rescinding the appointment of Sophia Koury as Middle School Volleyball Activity Sponsor….

March 12, 2018

Ellwood School Board Names Barb Wilson to Chair Security Committee and Hires Security Firm

At its regular meeting on Thursday, March 8, the Ellwood City School Board appointed board member Barb Wilson as chairwoman of an ad hoc security committee and arranged for a security firm to provide an assessment of the district’s four buildings. The committee is a response to the Florida school shooting on Feb. 14 and follows visitor concerns expressed at the agenda meeting on March 6. Wilson, who has security experience in her position as a director for a Jewish center in the Pittsburgh area, volunteered for the position and was unanimously appointed. “Congratulations, you have yourself a job,” board…

March 7, 2018

Visitors Request Security Improvements for Ellwood School District

The Ellwood City School Board agreed to examine forming a safety committee following visitor concerns during its agenda meeting on Monday. In the wake of last month’s Florida school shooting, several Ellwood school district residents bonded together to address safety issues with the board. Chief among concerns were improving internal security, entrance to the school buildings as well as individual classrooms, and reducing bullying. Visitors also requested the district to implement a safety committee, as Riverside School District has done. Visitor Bob Cunningham urged school uniforms to combat passive bullying toward underprivileged students. “Everybody wears a uniform when they go…

February 22, 2018

Borough Manager Application Open Through Feb. 28

At Monday’s Ellwood City borough council meeting, council president Judi Dici advertised the position of Borough Manager. Applications will be open until Wednesday, Feb. 28, and interviews will begin shortly after. The position has been open since Jan. 2 when the new council voted in a 5-2 decision not to renew Bob Villella’s contract. Dici, other borough representatives, and borough employees have been performing the manager’s duties. According to Dici, there were six applicants as of Monday evening. “Hopefully we can fill this position quickly,” Dici said.

February 22, 2018

Former Council President Criticizes Council for Wasting Electric Bond Funds

At Monday’s Ellwood City Borough Council meeting, former council president Connie MacDonald criticized the current council’s decision to stop construction on a new electric building. The building would have been located between Franklin Avenue and Park Avenue Extension and would have been paid for with a 2017 bond issue for over $2 million dollars. At a special meeting on Feb. 1, the new council voted 5-2 to suspend construction, with previous council members George Celli and Michele Lamenza casting the dissenting votes. According to MacDonald, the new building was designed, plans were finalized and the project was open for bid….

February 21, 2018

Ellwood City Borough Council February Meeting Brief [Updated 8 p.m.]

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council meeting held on Feb. 19, 2018. **Updated Feb. 21 at 8:00 p.m. Visitors Brian Bush, of the Ellwood City Revitalization Committee, presented council with a check for $200,000 from the Hoyt Foundation. Connie MacDonald, current member of the Lawrence County Housing Authority and previous council president, protested the current council’s decision to stop the planned construction of a new electric building, claiming at least $120,000 in bond money had been “thrown away.” [see correction] Resolutions A motion was adopted amending the costs of street opening permits and curb…