Seems that despite a denial for a borough funded travel request, Councilwoman Jude Dici will be taking the trip to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) conference in Hershey after all.
Following a 4-3 vote at Monday’s meeting denying Dici’s travel request, the community has rallied to donate the funds in order to allow Dici to attend.
According to Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera, she plans to pitch in $100 to send her fellow councilwoman to Hersey and another local resident and businessowner took to social media and pledged to raise money for Dici.
Dici said she was aware of Guerrera’s pledge of support but did not know about the others. She said the comments of support on social media have been overwhelming and humbling.
She added that she decided after Monday’s meeting that she will still attend the conference.
“The benefit to the borough of the information I will gain by attending the PSAB State Conference far outweighs the personal cost,” she said. “I will attend the Conference at my own expense because I believe it is the right thing to do.”
Council voted Monday unanimously to send Mayor Anthony Court to the four-day conference.
Council approved funds totaling $942.67 plus food and mileage for Court. In a 4-3 vote Dici was denied the request for funding with Council President George Celli, Vice President James Barry, Councilman Caleb Cragle, and Councilwoman Michelle Lamenza voting “No.”
Cragle said at Monday’s meeting he researched four years of council minutes, mileage, and cost of meals and estimated the cost of the mayor and Dici’s attendance at the twice-a-year conferences at $20,000. Cragle said council has a responsibility to be fiscally responsible and questioned whether sending two attendees twice yearly is necessary.
In a call to EllwoodCity.org following the meeting, Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera said she did some research as well. She said she verified with borough staff that the actual cost of sending Court and Dici to the conferences has been about half of the estimate by Cragle—approximately $10,500 in a four-year span during 2016-2019.
Guerrera said that although she did not previously support sending representatives to “lobbying” events, during her time with council she has been impressed with the knowledge, ideas, and networking contacts that Dici has returned to Ellwood with following her attendance at such conferences. Guerrera said council has reached out to more than one of Dici’s conference contacts for guidance or advice.
Dici said at Monday’s meeting that she would be shocked if the expenses added up to $20,000 and insisted that her attendance at the conferences is just as important as the mayors. Dici is scheduled to chair two meetings at the conference as she was sworn in as president of the PSAB Councils Association in 2019.
Councilman Rob Brough also was in support of Dici’s attendance and said that he feels it will reflect poorly on Ellwood City if Dici doesn’t attend on behalf of the city.
In 2019, Dici was appointed to Governor Wolf’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). As part of that appointment—made by Wolf—Dici will represent Ellwood City and 957 other boroughs until 2023. She was also awarded the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) Distinguished Service Award, which honors service to the community in 2018. And in 2017, Dici earned a Certificate of Achievement making her a Certified Borough Official. The certification is awarded upon completion of the Certified Borough Officials Program a voluntary professional development leadership course.
The list of Councilwoman Dici’s achievements is very impressive. I wonder if the current Council President, George Celli, has achieved any State accolades during his 20+ intermittent years on Ellwood City Borough Council? It would be interesting to note if he has holds any positions with the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
I copied the following from the Endorsement letter written by Jim Barry regarding the 2019 election. I am very curious as to what changed Mr. Jim Barry’s mind (and vote) in just four short months?
Letter To The Editor: Dici A Must For Re-Election
TOPICS:Ellwood City Borough Councilletter to the editor
Posted By: Press Releases October 23, 2019
When Ellwood City Manager Bob Villella was terminated in January 2018, the council began accepting applications for the position. Numerous applicants did not meet the advertised requirements, while others withdrew during the interview process.
From the time of Villella’s dismissal until former borough manager Joe Cioffi came back on an interim basis in August 2018, council President Judith Dici performed the duties without pay. During this time, Dici garnered $500,000, administered by HOMES, for the rehabilitation of homes of low- and moderate-income property owners and met with DCED representatives to better evaluate needs of municipal offices.
Dici has become involved in borough business matters on the state level, assuming the role of president of the PA Councils Association in June 2019. Her successful statewide work drew the attention of Gov. Wolf, who appointed her to a four-year term on Jan. 22, 2019, representing all 958 boroughs in the state. This is the first time an Ellwood City official has received such an accolade.
Dici was featured on the PSAB television program “Understanding Borough Government.” Her other awards include: 2016 Certified Borough Official; featured in a 2018 Borough News magazine article titled “Supporting Women in Local Government;” and a 2018 Distinguished Service Award from PA State Association of Boroughs. This past January, Dici assumed the position as president of the Lawrence County Boroughs Association.
Her dedication and service to her community, along with her drive to constantly improve our borough, make her a must for re-election. I also would like to endorse George Celli and Marilyn Mancini.
Jim Barry, Ellwood City
Vice President of Borough Council