A small crowd assembled in front  of the Beaver County Court House at noon yesterday to protest Senate Bill  166, it is called the right to work Law.  The bill, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano,  would prohibit payroll deductions for  political contributions to be used out of the worker’s union dues. Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker was keynote speaker, and was met with cheers  H said theyl  want to pass a bill that  is a determent to us.”He said, “My dad’s a steelworker , and the bill would stop you from  paying voluntary union dues.” He added, ” they want to infringe on our paychecks, what else? Denise Cox, representing the health care union said :”The bill is wrong for Beaver County.” Mitch Cates, political director of the state Democratic Party  said statewide  rallies are being held protesting  the bill’s passage. Al Smithm representing SEIU LOCAL  668 said, “unions forever.” PSEA   representative  Matt Edgelfor Western PA said, “Our teachers are our future”, and they must be protected.” He worked at J&L for 2 summers while in college and earned $12,000.  He’s a New Brighton graduate , and graduated from Howard University where he studied   history and economics, and had a teaching career. in Pittsburgh for 22 years. Cates told the groups we need more Dwan Walkers and Matt Edgels in PA. State Senator Camera Bartolotta is a co-sponsor of the bill, and represents part of the county that includes Aliquippa.

Ambridge residents and business owners packed council chambers to hear  Hancock Architecture’s presentation on the Merchant Street   STREETSCAPE PROJECT, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Council and a Beaver County CDBG grant would pay for the project which includes sidewalk and curb replacement ADA curb ramps, storm inlets,removal of utility poles /existing overhead electrical infrastructure.  The other facets of the project  include ornamental street lanterns with electrical outlets , street trees/tree pits, landscaping street amenities, benches, trah receptacles, bike racks, planters, decorative crosswalks, and public art. Council president Mike Mikulich said council  floated a bond issue for $1.5 million in 2015, and received $1 million from the county for the project. Kathy Bingle, a managing partner in the Hancock Group has been working with  the Main Street projects in the county  for 20 years.  She has been with the firm 23 years Principal partner is Edward J. Hancock.  He said alot of the work has been with the Main Streets and streetscapes. The area to be part of the streetscape is from 8th St. to 4th St. Early next year the project would be put out for bid, and possibly start in June , Mrs. Bingle said. Many residents that spoke were pleased with the presentation, one resident  suggested planting fruit trees, too.