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Politics

December 4, 2015

Morella Allies with New Members to Elect Pitrelli School Board President

With the support of three new members, Renee Pitrelli was elected President of the Ellwood City Area School Board at Thursday’s reorganization meeting. It was a contested vote. At the start of yesterday’s meeting, Mike Nuepauer sat in the president’s chair and LeRoy Cortez served as vice-president. Both favored keeping things as is and were supported by Anthony Buzzelli and Kathy Pansera. Each of the four has served at least two terms. However, board members Renee Pitrelli and Matt Morella had different plans. Backed by the three new members, Erica Gray, Jennifer Tomon and Danielle Woodhead, Pitrelli ended the meeting…

December 3, 2015

Senator Vogel Petitions Horse Racing Commission Regarding Lawrence County Downs Deadlines

In a letter to the state Harness Racing Commission, state Sen. Elder Vogel called for an adjustment to the deadlines for the Lawrence County Downs Racetrack. The letter, co-signed by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman and President Pro Temore Joe Scarnati, addressed several concerns Vogel feels will impede the successful completion of the Racino Project currently being undertaken by Endeka Entertainment. The deadlines call for construction to begin by October 2016 and for the first live-betting race by October 2017. If the deadlines aren’t met, the state could revoke Endeka’s license. The letter, dated Nov. 9, is included below: We…

November 30, 2015

November Crime Watch and Mayor’s Advisory Meeting Briefs

Mayor’s Advisory Meeting The Mayor’s Advisory met on Nov. 19 with the committee discussing vandalism, drugs and concerns about the robbery at B&B (North Sewickley). Also discussed was the possible drop in crime in and around the Loop Street area. The committee as a whole believes that the cameras placed in this area played a major role in the decreased crime rate, although statistics show crime has dropped throughout the borough, regardless of cameras. Members were also concerned about the recent fire at Inmetco and the air quality in the borough. Residents approached Mayor Anthony J. Court to see if…

November 19, 2015

The Numbers Behind the Ratified Teacher Contract

The Ellwood City Area School Board ratified a contract with the Ellwood Area Education Association for the 2016-20 school years on Thursday, Nov. 12. The new five-year contract, retroactively  beginning July 1, is nearly identical to the previous one, which ran from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The changes are primarily slight increases in salaries. In the previous contract, while teachers had a pay increase for experience, there was no base pay increase. Hence, a new teacher with a master’s degree hired in 2012 would make $40,223, the same money as a new teacher with a master’s degree…

November 19, 2015

Council Wishes to Enforce Uniform Policy on Body Armor

At Monday’s borough council meeting, council unanimously voted to re-affirm the borough’s position on the Uniform Policy on Body Armor. The policy requires police officers to wear bulletproof vests as part of their uniform and was originally adopted by council in a unanimous vote on Nov. 18, 2013. According to council, two police officers do not always wear their vests, and council intends on enforcing the policy. Council member John Todorich said the policy should be amended to say punishment is up to and including termination. “Taxpayers pay for those vests, and they cost $1000 each,” Todorich said. “They should…

November 18, 2015

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.

November 18, 2015

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…

November 17, 2015

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…

November 11, 2015

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…

November 3, 2015

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…