Politics

A Response to the Ellwood City School District on Outsourcing and Negotiations

Julie Blust, a representative of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, and on behalf of The Ellwood City School District Workers Bargaining Committee, released a response to the Ellwood City School District outsourcing negotiations over the weekend. “We found the School District’s account of our contract negotiations to be worryingly inaccurate so we feel that it is important to set the record straight,” Blust begins in her statement which reads as follows. For anyone who has not been following this issue closely, last year the School District made the alarming announcement that they would like to outsource school district jobs,…


PA Drivers Encouraged to Remove Expired Registration Stickers

State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted the following information on his Facebook page: Pennsylvania drivers are encouraged to remove expired registration stickers from their license plates as out-of-state police officers have pulled over drivers with outdated stickers. At the end of 2016, PennDOT stopped issuing the stickers, saving taxpayers more than $3 million. PennDOT has alerted police from other states and Canada of the lack of registration stickers. However, out-of-state police officers have been reported to pull over Pennsylvania drivers who still have the outdated stickers on their plates. Pennsylvania State Police encourage residents who are pulled over to politely explain…


Junior Councilman Appointed to Ellwood City Council

An exciting announcement was made Monday evening during the Council Meeting – Junior student at Lincoln High School, Colin Smith, was appointed Junior Councilman on the committee. Smith, who is a member of the National Honor Society, kicker on the football team, Blue Band member, and active volunteer in the community, took his Oath of Office Monday evening, signed his name on the X, and pulled up a chair around the table. He heard about the position via the school guidance counselor and although he doesn’t want to pursue a future in politics, he wants to use the opportunity to…


Vogel Emissions Testing Amendment Approved

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today approved an amendment that will initiate a legislative study by the Joint State Government Commission on the environmental impact of eliminating the vehicle emissions program in Beaver County, among other counties. Senate Resolution 168—a measure originally calling for a study of the environmental impact of eliminating the emissions program in Cambria County—was expanded to include Beaver County, among others, as a result of Senator Vogel’s amendment. “For years I have introduced legislation curtailing the ineffective and costly vehicle emissions program in Beaver County,” said Senator Vogel. “It is my hope that this…


Bernstine Announces Fall Town Hall Meeting Series

Continuing his efforts to stay in touch with the people who hired him to be their voice in Harrisburg, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced his second series of town hall meetings, which will take place around the 10th Legislative District this fall. The meeting locations and dates are: Koppel Borough (Beaver County) Town Hall – Monday, Oct. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Koppel Volunteer Fire Department, located at 5525 5th Ave., Koppel. New Brighton Borough (Beaver County) Town Hall – Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the New Brighton Borough Building, located at 610 Third Ave.,…


Senator Vogel to Host Veterans’ Specialist at New Castle District Office

Senator Vogel announced today that he will host a veterans’ specialist in his New Castle District Office to assist constituents with various issues related to their military service. A representative of the American Legion Veterans Assistance Program will be available on Wednesday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Senator Vogel’s New Castle Office (1905 W State St. New Castle). No appointment is necessary. The representative can assist veterans and their families understand the benefits they have earned, enroll in the V.A. health care system, assist with the appeals process, and much more. Please bring any documentation and…


Sale of the YDC: “We Now Have Confirmation That YDC is Back Up On the Market.”

State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted a few moments ago on Facebook a live update on the future of the New Castle Youth Development Center (YDC) property. “We now have confirmation that YDC is back up on the market,” he states. “Hopefully we will be able to get this thing sold, get it back into the community, exactly doing what it should do, creating jobs right here for our area.” Previously, the 140-acre property with several standing buildings, was pending a purchase by HIRA, an Islamic-based educational company. The sale had fallen through due to several issues and the property has…


A Letter From the Borough: Political Signs on Borough Property

No candidate for political office, whether local, county, state or federal, shall post any political signs on Borough property without registering at the Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City PA 16117. The registration procedure involves a $50 deposit, which will be returned if the following regulations are complied with: no sign shall be placed prior to four weeks before the date of election and must be removed within five days after the election. If the signs are left on Borough property after this time period, they will be removed by the Borough and the deposits will be retained. If…


Join Senator Elder Vogel Jr. for his 55+ Senior Expo

Event set for Friday October 6, 2017  Community College of Beaver County, One Campus Drive Monaca, PA. 15061 10am-1pm  Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. would like to invite all area seniors and their families to attend his free Senior Expo on Friday October 6 at the Community College of Beaver County. Representatives from over 75 state and local agencies will be on hand to provide useful information for seniors on healthcare, government services, and more.  In addition, there will be lots of door prizes, giveaways, health screenings and lunch, all free of charge. Entertainment by the Western PA SNPJ Button Box…


VIDEO: Lawrence Avenue, Bell Avenue Demolition

The demolition of the buildings stretching from Bell Ave., to Lawrence Ave., is making “great progress,” according to Borough Manager Bob Villella. Recently the construction group has brought in an even larger – more specified machine to complete the job due to the tight space. The Volvo [pictured below] is larger than the standard, standing at over 70ft tall, and has extra features including a retracting and expanding axle, water sprayer to keep dust down, and cameras all around for a complete 360 view around and on the claw for precise viewings of everything going on from inside the cabin….