Politics

Borough to Seek Residents for Comprehensive Plan Committee

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to accept letters of interest from Borough residents willing to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The Comprehensive Plan Committee shall consist of three Council members, Borough Manager David Allen, and five Borough residents. Community planning, according to the American Planning Association, is “a process that seeks to engage all members of the community to create a more prosperous, convenient, equitable, healthy, and attractive place for present and future generations.” One of the fundamental responsibilities of local government is to plan for future growth and development of the community. The guidance document that results from…


Senate Passes 2022-23 State Budget that Cuts Taxes, Funds Essential Services

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved a $45.2 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 that meets the needs of Pennsylvanians today without creating multi-billion-dollar budget deficits in the future, according to Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47), who voted for the measure. Senate Bill 1100 now goes to the governor’s desk for enactment into law. The $45.2 billion budget, which also includes federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, represents a 2.9% increase over the previous year’s spending – and $500 million less than Gov. Tom Wolf’s original budget request. The budget agreement does not include any broad-based tax increases and…


Borough Council Approves Proposed Referendum for 1 Mill Tax Increase on November Ballot

Ellwood City Borough Council plans to request that the Lawrence County Election Board place a referendum on the November 2022 ballot asking the electors of Ellwood City to approve a one (1) mill tax for ambulance, rescue, and other emergency services to provide advanced life support. Council voted 6-1 in favor of the plan. Councilman James Barry voted no and Councilwoman Judith Dici was absent from the meeting. Barry said he doesn’t believe this is a good time to add financial burden of any kind to the residents of Ellwood City with the rise in gas prices and other goods….


Borough Of Ellwood City Announces Vacancy

The Borough of Ellwood City has announced a vacancy exists on the Ellwood City Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission is one of the Borough’s authorities, boards and commissions composed of volunteer citizen appointees which perform vital functions within the Borough. Any Borough resident interested in serving on the Commission is asked to submit a letter of interest to the Borough Secretary at 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City. All letters must be due/postmarked on or before 4:00 p.m. on June 2, 2022.


EC Borough Hires Summer Employees

Ellwood City Borough Council hired a list of summer employees during the Monday Regular Meeting. Council approved: A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 4/18/22, as submitted. A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $455,081 and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 5/11/22, in the amount of $209,623.29. A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, regulating disorderly houses. A disorderly house is defined as any place within the borough where persons gather or abide, and where the…


General Primary Elections Are Tuesday

The General Primary Election is Tuesday May 17, 2022. Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mail ballots must be received by your county board of elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Two locations to vote are available in Franklin Township: Franklin Township Building, 897 State Route 288, Fombell, PA 16123 Volunteer Fire Department, 808 Old Zelienople Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117 Seven locations to vote are available in the Borough of Ellwood City: FIRST WARD: 1st Dist Community Action; 926 Crescent Ave. SECOND WARD: 1st Dist First Methodist Church; 416 Crescent Ave. &…


Beaver, Lawrence County Projects Receive a Combined Total of $4.3 Million

HARRISBURG – A total of five Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants, with a combined total of $4.3 million, have been awarded to Beaver and Lawrence County projects, according to Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47). The majority of that grant funding total – $2.3 million – went to Shenango Area School District toward the cost of the already-constructed Shenango Recreation Complex in Shenango Township, Lawrence County. The indoor sports facility features an indoor walking track, three basketball and volleyball courts, three pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art weight room, pole vault and long jump pits and a batting cage area. “The recreation facility…


Bernstine Demands Answers Regarding ‘Gender Unicorn’ Taught to Young Students

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) recently wrote a letter to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Noe Ortega about material that is targeted at young students. A slideshow was provided to Bernstine with the “Gender Unicorn” and “Genderbread Person,” which was presented during a seminar at a local university. The purpose of the seminar was to expose the way that future teachers are learning how they could have conversations with children in kindergarten, and first and second grades. “There is no reason to be having these conversations with such young children, and it is unacceptable,” said Bernstine. “The classroom…


Ellwood City Borough Council Awards Commendations, Hires Police Officers

The Ellwood City Borough Council awarded two commendations during its regular meeting Monday night. The first commendation was given by Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court and Ellwood City Police Sgt. Michael McBride to Darrell Hunt, a street department employee, who was integral in helping the police department solve a recent criminal case. He witnessed the criminal activity and reported it to police. Court said Hunt’s swift actions led to an arrest of the suspects involved. Ellwood City Police officer Joshua Sipe was also recognized for going above and beyond in his duties. On March 29, Sipe saw borough resident Anthony…


Ellwood City Borough Hiring Summer Employees, Community Outreach Coordinator

Ellwood City Borough is hiring. Jobs available include summer employment for park manager; parks, playground and concession stand coordinator; playground instructors; and concession stand employees. The borough is also looking to add a part-time Community Outreach Coordinator to the staff. Borough Manager David Allen said the position will pay $14 an hour and will include tasks such as website coordination, social media posting and engagement, community outreach with local events and groups, and grantwriting. Motions passed: A motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 2/21/22, as submitted. A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 3/15/22,…