Council Appoints Brad Ovial to Open Seat

Ellwood City Borough Council voted Monday evening to appoint Brad Ovial to fill the vacant seat of former councilwoman Lisa Guerrera.

Ovial and another primary candidate Jan Williams both submitted letters of interest in filling the vacant seat. Council members George Celli, Caleb Cragle, Jim Barry, and Michelle Lamenza all voted in favor of Ovial—Councilman Rob Brough and Councilwoman Judith Dici were absent from the meeting.

The seat was left vacant last month when Guerrera announced her resignation. Her term was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Guerrera recently moved out of the borough, leaving her legally unable to fulfill the rest of her term.

Ovial, who is no stranger to council as he served from 2013 to 2017, was a council candidate in the May primary. At that time he stated one of his reasons for running.

“During my 4.5 years on the council, and years afterwards, I’ve seen some things that worked and were benefits to the borough,” he said in April. “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.”

Ovial was sworn in by borough secretary Linda List on Monday night to serve the rest of Guerrera’s term.

In an April candidate Q&A with EllwoodCity.org, Ovial outlined what he believes are the three biggest issues facing our town right now and solutions to those issues. He said:

• 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.