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January 25, 2018

Bernstine Announces Scholarship Awards to Local Teachers for Innovative Learning Projects

ELLWOOD CITY – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced four local educators who work at schools in the 10th Legislative District were awarded scholarships to help implement innovative, career-oriented classroom projects. The scholarships were personally funded by Bernstine as a result of his annual mandated cost-of-living adjustment from the state House of Representatives, which he received Jan. 1. “I have always believed in being a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Bernstine said. “We hear all the time that there’s not enough money going to our classrooms, so I thought our local classrooms would be a great place to reinvest…

January 23, 2018

Community Development Grant Survey Form

The Borough of Ellwood City is trying to utilize grant funds for street improvements on Franklin Avenue from Second Street to the dead end (heading west). A “Community Development Block Grant Survey Form” was hand-delivered to the residents living within this targeted area. It is imperative that the surveys are completed and returned to the Borough as soon as possible. As a condition of the grant the residents living in this area have to meet a certain income guidelines. Hence, the reason for the survey. Failure for the Borough to obtain this necessary information will prevent the project from being…

January 18, 2018

Bernstine, Local Mayors Issue Letter Encouraging Relocation of Businesses to 10th District

Ellwood City- Citing a recently passed storm water management tax as motivation, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today issued a letter to business owners in the City of New Castle inviting them to consider relocating to municipalities in the 10th Legislative District. Ellwood City Mayor Tony Court, Beaver Falls Mayor George Quay, New Brighton Mayor Tom Albanese and Slippery Rock Mayor J.D. Longo also signed the letter, which cited lower property taxes and no wage tax on employees as reasons to relocate to their municipalities. “We know that keeping property taxes low and creating an environment where you can work effectively…

January 16, 2018

Ellwood City Council Raises Firefighter Pay

Yesterday the Ellwood City Borough Council voted to raise the part-time firefighter hourly wage from 11.40/hr to 15.00/hr, “a far more competitive salary,” according to Councilwoman Lisa Guerrera. While council voted in favor of raising the firefighter wage, the majority voted against raising the other non-union employee wages. Guerrera released the official statement: “Several raises for 2018 for the Non-Union employees were in an original motion to be voted on. After much discussion, it was decided in a 6-1 vote, to keep all non-Union employees wages at the rate they were being paid in 2017, with the exception of the…

January 3, 2018

Bernstine Bill Would Stop Life Insurance Payouts to Terrorists

HARRISBURG – A recent terror attack on police at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex prompted state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today to unveil new legislation, which would limit life insurance payouts of individuals who die committing acts of terrorism. The proposal also calls for a portion of the terrorist’s life insurance benefits to be redirected to victims. “I don’t believe you deserve to keep your life insurance benefits if you intentionally steal the lives of innocent Americans,” Bernstine said. “We shouldn’t allow terrorism to be rewarded.” House Bill 1996 would allow insurance companies to limit payouts to beneficiaries named on…

January 3, 2018

Council to Hire New Borough Manager

Yesterday, Ellwood City Borough Council voted 5-2 not to renew [previous] Borough Manager Robert Villella’s contract for another two years – effectively ending his term yesterday. Starting today, a collaborated effort between the new Council President Judith Dici, council, and the other Borough employees, will be used in place of the Borough Manager to perform day-to-day duties while council searches for an individual replacement. Council did not release an official statement on the reason for letting Villella go, however, new council members Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera released their own statement: According to Borough Secretary, Linda List, there is no…

December 21, 2017

Progress Coming to Ellwood City: Redevelopment of Lawrence Avenue Properties

The area of 509-515 Lawrence Avenue has been awarded to Lutz & Myers for redevelopment. State Representative Aaron Bernstine posted a live video feed of himself accompanied by Ron Lutz and Ellwood City Revitalization member Brad Ovial explaining the details of the sale and plans for the 10,000+ square foot development. The redevelopment has been part of the ongoing Ellwood City Revitalization projects to better the community and attract more business and consumers. Check out the video below for more information:

December 19, 2017

December 2017 Regular Meeting Recap: 2018 Budget Approved

Yesterday was the December regular meeting for Ellwood City Borough Council, and also the last meeting for Council President Connie MacDonald, Vice President David DeCaria, and Councilman Brad Ovial. The newly elected council members will be taking their places starting next month. Visitors Paul Dici praised the work of the street department for their quick and thorough work during the snow storm last week. On the flip side, he scolded the residents of Ellwood City who parked on the side of the streets, making the snow clearing messy and less effective, when they could have been parking in their driveway….

December 12, 2017

December Council Meeting Recap

Next Monday Ellwood City Council will be voting on some important topics including the 2018 budget and tax rate. Here are the official Suggested Items for Discussion at yesterday’s Council Committee Meeting:   FINANCE (Mancini, DeCaria, Ovial) Resolution – adopt 2018 Budget Ordinance – adopt 2018 Tax Rate, 8.75 mills Authorize the Tax Collector to add the assessment of the EC Medical Center $9,395,000 to the 2017           tax duplicate Payment – Rehrig Pacific Co. $6743.52 for Recycling Bins; pd from Recycling fund   HEALTH/PUBLIC SAFETY (Dici, Celli, Lamenza) Address Changes – submitted by Lawrence Co. Resolution – prohibiting the…

December 12, 2017

House Approves Bernstine Bill to Help Seniors Stay in Their Homes

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives Monday unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which would make it easier for seniors to maintain their independence and receive care in their homes. “A disparity in Pennsylvania law is limiting access to in-home care and actually forcing some seniors into nursing homes when home care would have been more appropriate, preferred and less expensive,” Bernstine said. Currently, when an individual applies for Medicaid, he or she can be “presumed eligible” for nursing home services and receive those services immediately while their Medicaid application is being fully reviewed. However, if the…