November Crime Watch Meeting
The next Crime Watch Meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers. Speaker at Crime Watch will be Mayor Anthony J. Court and Gary Filippone, representing the Lawrence County DA Office.
Politics
Two Spontaneous Council Motions Meet Mixed Response
Two motions, spontaneously suggested by outgoing council members at Monday’s council meeting, caused some stir among council. The first motion, a proposal by council member Ralph Chiappetta to appoint two part time patrol offices to full time, ultimately failed 5-2. The second motion, suggested by council member John Todorich, to install gates at the Ewing Park swimming pool parking lot passed 4-3. For Chiappetta and Todorich, Monday was their penultimate meeting. Chiappetta lost in the May primaries and Todorich was defeated in the general election on Nov. 3. Both seconded each others’ motions. During the new business segment of the…
Ellwood Borough Council November Meeting Brief
The following is a brief summary of the council meeting on held on Monday, Nov. 16: Announcements There will be a public hearing today at 2 p.m. to discuss storm water management systems. Visitors Three visitors spoke regarding the Inmetco fire on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 8 and 9. Overall, residents wanted to know if the borough has any system in place to the community of an emergency and expressed concerns about the environmental effect. On Nov. 9, the Ellwoodcity.org staff spoke to Fire Chief Rick Myers who stated that the DEP officer on the scene advised nearby residents to…
Council: Questions Remain Regarding Civil Service Regulations
At Monday’s agenda setting meeting on November 9, the Ellwood City borough council discussed adopting amended civil service regulations at its regular meeting next Monday, Nov. 16. Borough solicitor Ed Leymarie mentioned that a specific requirement in the regulations could cause legal issues. The regulations, as they stand to be adopted, require prospective police officers to live within 25 miles of the borough. Leymarie said that council does not have authority to unilaterally make that a requirement and must first negotiate with the police union. He said there is substantial case law supporting a negotiation. Council responded by asking Leymarie…
Council Election: One Incumbent, Two Former Council Members, Win
Ellwood City Borough council will reform in December with two new, but old, faces. Former council members Judi Dici, Democrat, and George Celli, Republican won, returning to council after losing an election in 2013. Incumbent Marilyn Mancini, Democrat, won re-election and will now serve a third term. Two candidates lost: incumbent John Todorich, Democrat, who was also seeking a third term, and newcomer Suzanne Bleakney, Republican. In the race for county commissioner, incumbents Dan Volger, Republican, Steve Craig, Democrat, and Robert DelSignore, Republican, won. Defense Attorney David Acker, Republican, claimed county judge win, defeating District Judge Melissa Amodie, Democrat. County…
PA Senate Sends Housing Trust Fund Expansion to Governor
HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s state Senate on Tuesday sent legislation to expand the state housing trust fund to the governor for signature. “The Senate’s 47-1 vote coupled with the unanimous vote in the House reflects the broad bi-partisan commitment to a home within reach of all Pennsylvanians,” said Liz Hersh, executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. The trust fund, officially known as PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE), supports development and rehabilitation of quality homes affordable to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, low-wage working families and helps homelessness. “This bill is about growth and opportunity. It creates…
November 3 Election: EC Borough Candidate Profiles
The Ellwood City Borough Council may travel back a few years pending Tuesday’s election results. Five candidates are running for three positions. As two candidates are incumbents and two are former council members, it is likely the council will reorganize in December with an old composition. Incumbent Ralph Chiappetta sought reelection but lost in the primaries. A full list of candidates running for Lawrence County and local positions can be found here. Candidate bios are primarily from Kitchen Cabinet’s Meet the Candidates held before the primary elections in May. Suzanne Bleakney Republican Suzanne Bleakney is the only newcomer on the…
November 3 Election: EC School Board Summary
Five candidates are running for five positions. Barring the unlikely chance of a successful write in campaign, the five candidates will be sworn in this December. However, the school board will see a substantial reorganization as three newcomers will replace three members who chose not to run for reelection. In Pennsylvania, school board candidates do not run on party platforms, so all five will be listed on both the Democrat and Republican tickets. The new candidates, Erica Sutkowski-Gray, Jennifer Tomon, and Danielle Woodhead, are all Parent-Teach Organization members. At the Kitchen Cabinet’s Meet the Candidates prior to the primary election,…
November 3 Election: Candidate List
Ellwood City Borough Council Three 4-year terms Candidate profiles can be found here. Democrat Judi Dici- former council member (2009-13) Marilyn Mancini- incumbent seeking third term John Todorich- incumbent and current vice president seeking third term Republican Suzanne Bleakney George Celli- former council member (2009-13) Judi Dici Lawrence County Commissioner Three 4-year terms Democrat Steve Craig- incumbent seeking fourth term Tim Fulkerson Republican Dan Volger- incumbent seeking fourth term Robert DelSignore- incumbent seeking second term Lawrence County Judge Melissa A. Amodie- current district judge David Acker- current defense attorney District Judge 53-3-2 One 6-year term Jennifer Nicholson- incumbent Ellwood City…
Senate Ag Committee to Consider Industrial Hemp Bill
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Elder Vogel, will consider legislation to allow the growth of industrial hemp during a meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, in Room 8E-B of the State Capitol East Wing. Senate Bill 50, introduced by Senator Judy Schwank, provides for an industrial hemp industry in the Commonwealth through the establishment of a permitting process within the Department of Agriculture to license and regulate the cultivation, growth and sale of industrial hemp. The 2014 Federal Farm Bill permits industrial hemp research if it is authorized by a state. While a…