Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 issues in public safety with high priority
Leadership transition in Emergency Management/Public Safety
Rich Hoover, a 22-year county employee and interim director since Chad Strobel left last month, is now the permanent Director of EMA/Department of Public Safety at $65,000 a year — the office that runs 911 and never shuts down.
Isaiah 117 House housing for children in CYS custody
The county will hire a contractor — someone with lived experience in the child welfare system — to mentor parents working toward reunification with their children, paid for with state Act 148 funds.
GIS server project for Public Safety
A GIS server at the 911 center has been unpatchable since September; the county is paying Michael Baker International up to $41,906 to migrate and replace it, covered by non-general-fund sources.
ICORRS regional radio system contract amendment
BearCom keeps the county's P25 radio network running — towers, dispatch consoles, and the portable radios used by every fire department and police agency in the county. The one-year contract keeps that 'one-stop shop' repair and maintenance service going.
Red Cross emergency blood shortage
The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, down 25% in June. Commissioner Sainato urged residents to donate.
Election office transparency complaint
A New Castle resident told commissioners he believes the county's election director is stonewalling right-to-know requests for officials' financial interest statements and made troubling remarks about mail ballot counts. Commissioners promised to review his documents with the county solicitor and respond in writing.
Nuclear-plant and hazmat emergency grants
The county's hazmat responder suddenly tripled its annual fee to $7,500, so the county switched to Butler County's certified team for $2,500 — paid from grants, not the general fund — with plans to train local first responders to assist.