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January 13, 2016

Parent-Teacher Organization Attributes Membership Decline to FBI Clearance Requirement

Ellwood City Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) numbers have dropped from 565 to 72, according to a comment made by school board President Renee Pitrelli. This is an 87.3% drop, although the time span for this drop was not mentioned. At the Ellwood City Area school board agenda meeting on Monday, visitor Kathy McCommons, president of the PTO, attributed much of the decline to an Ellwood School District FBI clearance requirement for volunteers providing services to the district. All district volunteers, whether PTO members or coaches, must obtain three clearances. Two of those, a clearance statement and state police background check, can…

January 13, 2016

Gibbons Announces Extension of Persian Gulf Veterans Benefits

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, announced the application deadline for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program has been extended to Aug. 31, 2018. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, since 2008, the state has compensated more than 11,500 veterans for their service in the Persian Gulf conflict. Gibbons voted in favor of the law that extended the program. “Extending this program for applicants is the least we can do for the thousands of men and women who had to leave their families, jobs and livelihoods behind to serve our country in…

January 12, 2016

Borough Council Forms Committees and Discusses Initial Agenda

The Ellwood City Borough Council announced committee assignments at its agenda setting meeting yesterday. Newly elected president Connie MacDonald consolidated four of the committees into two, reducing the total number from eight to six. In addition, MacDonald instituted a new policy of asking visitors at the conclusion of the meeting for questions and comments. There were none yesterday however. He also specified that the executive session held before the agenda meeting was for legal issues and wage issues. The regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 instead of Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day….

January 5, 2016

MacDonald Voted New Council President and New Members Sworn In

George Celli, Judi Dici and Marilyn Mancini were sworn in at the Ellwood City Borough Council reorganization meeting yesterday. Celli and Dici were elected after serving on council in previous terms and losing elections in 2013. They replace Ralph Chiappetta and John Todorich, who ran unsuccessfully for re-election. Incumbent Mancini won re-election, so the new council is more-or-less an old council. Mayor Anthony J. Court administered the Oath of Office and proceeded over the opening ceremonies until a new president could be elected. Both the president and vice-president elections were contested. David DeCaria nominated Connie MacDonald and Michelle Lamenza nominated…

January 3, 2016

Senator Vogel Reappointed Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman

Senator Elder Vogel Jr. was reappointed today by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati to serve as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. The Committee is the Senate’s authority on all legislation involving agriculture and provides review and oversight of regulations proposed by the PA Department of Agriculture. Additionally, issues involving food safety, animal welfare, amusement ride inspection, and weights and measures also fall under the purview of the Committee. Senator Vogel continues to run his family’s farm in New Sewickley Township (Beaver County), established more than a century ago. “It’s an honor to once again serve…

December 29, 2015

Senator Vogel Supports State Budget Sent to Governor

Earlier today, the Senate approved House Bill 1460, a $30.2 billion, fiscally-responsible spending plan that now awaits Governor Wolf’s signature into law, according to Senator Elder Vogel Jr. This final spending figure represents a 75-percent reduction in spending increases from what the Governor called for in his initial budget request in March. “The bipartisan budget that I voted for today will immediately disburse much-needed funding to schools, counties, nonprofits, and human service providers that are struggling to make ends meet,” Senator Vogel said. “This is not a stop-gap measure, it is a full-year spending plan that does not require the…

December 22, 2015

Ellwood City Borough Council December Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City Borough Council Meeting December Brief: Visitors Judi Dici, who will be sworn in on council on Jan. 4, addressed council concerning a proposal by council member Ralph Chiappetta at last week’s agenda meeting. The proposal suggested that officers only answer calls with municipalities that have an agreement with the borough, which she described as “inconceivable that an officer wouldn’t answer a call.” She praised council president Brad Ovial for suggesting that the borough seek other agreements amicably with other municipalities. At the conclusion of the meeting, Chiappetta answered that it…

December 21, 2015

Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce Board of Director Election Results

The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce (ECACC) is pleased to announce the results of their recent election of their Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is a group of 17 volunteers who govern the Chamber and who oversee a salaried Executive Director. Directors are elected by the membership and they serve a three year term. The terms of five of ECACC’s current Directors expire at the end of 2015. ECACC solicited nominations to fill their vacancies from the membership which resulted in eight nominees that included four current Directors and four who have not previously served. Descriptions of…

December 17, 2015

Letter to Borough Council from Visitor

At Monday’s agenda setting meeting, visitor Dave McQuade addressed council with two suggestions for conducting meetings in 2016. The suggestions were contained in the following letter: Merry Christmas and thank you for your service this year! I have two observations from the meetings I have attended and I believe they would make the visitor’s more informed on the work you all have been doing. I would like to recommend the agenda’s that are distributed to the visitor’s at the council meeting be a little more descriptive so that visitors clearly understand what is being voted on. I would also like…

December 16, 2015

Gibbons Reminds Area Residents of Approaching Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline

State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, reminded constituents today of the Dec. 31 deadline for 2014 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applications. “It’s easy to lose track of time around the holidays,” Gibbons said. “Before you know it, it’ll be a new year and too late to file an application. This program is geared to helping seniors and those who are disabled and I don’t want anyone to miss out what is rightfully theirs.” The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a…