Part One: 2021 Primary Election Candidate Q&A

This is the first in a three-part series featuring a Q&A with the candidates for Ellwood City Borough Council and Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors. Today’s Q&A features Ellwood City Borough Council candidates Jan Williams, Brad Ovial, and Jim Barry (Michele Lamenza did not participate). Tomorrow’s Q&A will feature school director candidates.

Primary Elections are just around the corner. Residents will be able to place their votes on May 18. To find your polling location, click here. To learn more about the voting process and how to cast your vote, click here.

Take a moment to get to know the candidates running for Ellwood City Borough Council.

Jan Williams

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Ellwood City Council: I have no years on council. However, I do have experience with project management, general ledger and risk management.

What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? I live in the Second Ward. I moved here when I was a young mother and liked the convenience of being close to Hartman Elementary and Lincoln High School. I enjoy walking to the National Grind for coffee and Ewing park.

What makes a good city council member? A good city council member listens and responds promptly to the community. They put the community first and are respectful towards it, as well as other council members and employees.

What do you think are the three biggest issues facing our town right now? What solutions do you have to offer to resolve those issues? Three biggest issues I feel Ellwood City currently has are:

• No vision for the city. My goal is to work with council to create a vision. I feel that this is important to have so you can create short term goals that align with the vision for the city. When you do not have one, you are just paying bills with no direction.
• The Business District on Lawrence avenue. My goal is to help bring more businesses to Lawrence Avenue. At the current moment, I’m still researching for a solution.
• Communicating with the community about borough business. The communication to the residents of the city needs improvement. I would like to look into utilizing the vendor for the electric bills to have additional information added in order to notify the community of changes or items.

Why do you want to be a council member? I would like to be a council member to get Ellwood City in the right direction.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve? The three issues I mentioned before are what motivate me to serve this community.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? I have experience with project management, general ledger and risk management.

In what community activities/organizations have you been involved? Christmas in the Park

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or council members? Working in the computer software testing realm has made me look at issues and processes differently. I ask a lot of questions to understand the process from the beginning to the end to find gaps and fix them. With this mindset, this makes me different then most candidates and council members.

As a council member, where would you look to make budget cuts? I would have to look at the current budget and understand where each dollar goes and why before I could make a decision where cuts need to be made.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual? Special interest groups? I would listen to the request of the individuals and/or special interests’ group and based on their request I would reach out to the appropriate individual and do additional research on the request.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our town can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?

• Community traditions. It’s great to have community traditions that can carried over to the next year. It gives the community something to look forward to each year.
• Good food. Ellwood has a lot of good food in town that brings in customers from other towns which helps showcases us in a positive light.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? As stated before, to try to solve the 3 biggest issues the city has.

Do you think our main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? As stated previously, my goal is to help bring more businesses to Lawrence Avenue. At the current moment, I’m still researching for a solution

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? To involve the residents in our town’s decision-making, I would want to make sure they are informed of any changes or items for the borough. Fixing this would allow the community to be well informed to come to a borough meeting and voice their opinion, or to reach out to a council member.

If elected, what three steps would you take to put our city on a firmer financial footing Again, I would have to see where each dollar goes to understand where we currently are to determine where we need to be.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why? I would put money toward the Ellwood City Revitalization to help bring more businesses here. Also build a bigger community center that can offer classes and activities to all age groups.

Brad Ovial

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Ellwood City Council: Served from March 2013 to 2017.

Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? My favorite places to spend in town usually involve food. Ellwood City has so many good places to eat. But I also pop into different businesses to shop periodically if I need something or just to talk to or say hi to people. I know many of the owners and people who work in town. Talking to people keeps me informed about what is going on.

What makes a good city council member? A good council member is a person who listens to the constituents and what they have to say and why they believe what they believe. A good city council member should know both sides of issues that the borough might be facing so when you talk to people you can understand where they are coming from and have a conversation. If you don’t know an issue, you research it. A good council member respects opinions and realizes opinions aren’t facts unless they are facts.

What do you think are the three biggest issues facing our town right now? What solutions do you have to offer to resolve those issues?

• Because of the current situation of the pandemic, people are suffering financially. Some are not be able to pay rent, have a loss of employment, or maybe do not have enough unemployment assistance. Businesses might be facing the same challenges. Our council needs to work with nonprofits, churches, and other agencies to help those in need.
• There is a need to fix Infrastructure below and above ground. We live in an old town, so storm water runoff, sewer lines, and gas lines are in disrepair and need replaced.
• We need to operate within our budget to maintain a respect for tax payers’ money. We need to negotiate fair contracts for the workers and the taxpayers to be able to keep our services, but at the right cost.

Some things you cannot control, but others you can.

Why do you want to be a council member? During my 4.5 years on the council, and years afterwards, I’ve seen some things that worked and were benefits to the borough. Those benefits seem to disappear when names and faces change on council and other agencies. My past experience and knowledge can help bring progress to the borough.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve? The main issue that motivates me to serve is that I believe that the council and all the non-profits and other agencies that are working toward a common good in the borough need to be working together. Council should not be a roadblock or hurdle to the agencies that are trying to do good for the borough. All groups and agencies should have a representative to meet with council so that communication can be achieved in working toward change and to accomplish goals.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? I was a school board member for 8 years, council for 4.5 years, and involved in Ellwood City Revitalization (7 years with the last 5 as president). I’ve been a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. I’ve also served as basketball and track coaches. I am a husband and a parent—all roles that help you navigate situations.

In what community activities/organizations have you been involved? Most recently, my wife and I deliver Meals on Wheels.  Ellwood City Revitalization (7 years, president 5.)

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or council members? I am not a native “Ellwoodian,” which gives me a different perspective. I moved here in 1989, and I see things differently than those who have been born and raised here. Because I’ve lived other places, I might not take things for granted that are good about this town, as I can see things that Ellwood has that other places don’t have.

As a council member, where would you look to make budget cuts? I would look at every line and ask questions of expenditures, question what is contractual, and work to cut out the fat. Right now, I don’t know where the fat is. Some stuff can’t be cut because it’s contractual.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual? Special interest groups? I would look into it, ask questions of the members of council and borough manager, and see what they know to answer the questions.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our town can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?

• 1 People who live in Ellwood City have great pride. They believe in what the town was and what it can be. Previous to the pandemic you saw it with the activities available. People show up for local events, activities, and parades. It’s one of the things I appreciate. There are a lot of great things going on here.
• Work ethic. People work hard. The business owners work hard and so do those in other positions.
• The services that the borough provides. We have a full-time public works department, ful-time electric department, full-time police department, and a fire department. We also have a great school system and a public library.

If elected, what would you hope would be key accomplishments of the board during your years of service? Cooperation with all the other elected and non-elected entities in the borough and in the townships if they can be of help to make the borough even better. It needs to take place and communication would be a key to doing that. Improving what is already good. Keeping infrastructure going while operating within the budget. To continue to work with the borough manager and other groups to determine if something can be done with the Ellwood City Hospital Building. If we could get to some solution, it would be tremendous.

Do you think our main street/downtown is healthy and successful? I think it’s in better shape than it has been in a long time, but there is a way to go yet. I think that a few of the open areas along the main street would benefit if someone bought those properties and added other businesses. If there are condemned buildings, they need to be brought up to code or somebody needs to be fined, or the buildings need to be taken down. We need advertising to promote shopping local. Ellwood City once had cash mobs. We need to bring events like that back. Ellwood has more businesses than what you may think. There are a lot of smaller businesses that have opened. We need to continue to clean up the downtown and promote it. We need better sidewalks and a little more parking.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? I believe residents need to attend and speak up at meetings. They need to engage council members or the borough manager and ask questions and trust that those who are elected will take their thoughts, suggestions and concerns seriously and look into them.

If elected, what three steps would you take to put our city on a firmer financial footing?

• 1 Try to get hospital situation rectified because there are still hundreds of thousands owed to the borough.
• Go through budget line by line and cut out the fat
• Negotiate fair contracts for the employees and workers but also the tax payers.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why? I would use that $1 million grant on below ground and above ground infrastructure as needed. Over the years, sewage lines have collapsed, and our roads and sidewalks have crumbled. There are a lot of areas throughout the borough that are not in good shape underground. It may not be a glamorous answer, but it is a necessary one.

Jim Barry

Former Experience, Roles, and Years Serving on Ellwood City Council: Currently serving. In 2004 served on council (when put in new sewage and new electric). Business owner for 50 years in Ellwood City—Barry’s Service Station.

What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? I live on the North side. It’s a nice neighborhood and I love Ewing Park. I Would like to see lights back on the baseball field. I spent a lot of time there as a young boy, and I’ve been trying to push the school board to put the lights back up. Hopefully it will happen.

What makes a good city council member? Caring about the town and the people. When someone has a complaint always listen and address it. Be easily accessible. If someone calls with a street concern, being willing to make the calls to address the problem. Not all problems can be solved immediately, but making the effort and putting in the work to address them is important.

What do you think are the three biggest issues facing our town right now? What solutions do you have to offer to resolve those issues?

• Keeping streets in shape.
• Keeping Good maintenance people for places like the park
• Keeping taxes affordable. We don’t have the room or acreage for big mills to come in and finance the town and its services.

Why do you want to be a council member? I care about the people and the city. We have a great street department. We have good supervisors and employees.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve? No personal thing. No agenda to please myself.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? Businessowner for 50 years. I respect other opinions. We don’t always have to agree, but I will never exchange disrespectful words.

In what community activities/organizations have you been involved? Public works (head of), finance and personnel committees.

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or council members? I am not different from anyone or special. I use common sense. I listen to public comment, and then I make my decisions. I listen to the problems and facts brought forth by the public.

As a council member, where would you look to make budget cuts? Police department (wages, benefits are the killers) 70% of the budget. Only place to cut and not cut services.

How would you handle the requests, if approached, by an individual? Special interest groups? Special interest group requests would be referred to borough manager and brought to a vote by council. Engaging the proper channels is vital to address what is best for the town, that way everyone gets a vote.

What are 2-3 strengths of which our town can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?

• Ewing Park-We walk almost every day, and we see people walking and enjoying what the park has to offer
• Streets are decent and kept up. Problems are addressed and snow removal is taken care of efficiently.
• Electric and other services offered by the town are a great strength.

Do you think our main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? Hard for small business to compete with big box stores. We need to keep downtown maintained and free of blight so that businesses want to be here and stay here and community members will decide to shop local. We need to open up more opportunity for businesses to thrive. Some streets, such as 5^th Street need improvements, removal of blight to make the town more appealing.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? It would help to publish a questionnaire in paper regarding issues. There is a need to know the opinions of residents. I would encourage more people to attend council meetings.

If elected, what three steps would you take to put our city on a firmer financial footing?

• Making sure having a good manager and that the person in that role lives in Ellwood City. I believe we do have a good one currently.
• Hiring and keeping good employees.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why? I would restore the lights on the baseball field and get rid of blight.

• Lighting up the park would give the mid-aged group of kids in town a place to go and enjoy recreation in the evening.
• The entrances to our town should be welcoming, clean, and appealing. Too many entrances currently have a need to be cleaned up/revitalized. That’s the first impression people get when they come into town.