(Photo of Governor Elect Shapiro from Wednesday’s News Conference courtesy of Pa Media Services.) 

(HARRISBURG, PA) Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis announced the first steps in the transition to the Shapiro-Davis Administration, restating their commitment to building an Administration that represents the entire Commonwealth and brings Pennsylvanians together.

Governor-Elect Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Davis rolled out a new transition website which will serve as the central location for people to apply for roles in the Shapiro-Davis Transition and Administration, and they announced key leadership roles for the Transition and the Inauguration. Governor-Elect Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Davis were joined by Governor Tom Wolf at the press conference in the Pennsylvania State Capitol today, who pledged his administration’s full support with the transition process.

“Throughout our campaign, we built a historic coalition of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to defeat extremism and defend real freedom – and now it’s our responsibility to build an administration to meet this moment and move our Commonwealth forward,” said Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro. “We are going to assemble a talented, hard working, capable administration – one that looks like Pennsylvania and is ready to go to work on day one. For anyone who is willing to take off the red jersey or the blue jersey, and put on the Pennsylvania jersey, I invite you to join our team.”

“I believe the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power, and that’s why Josh and I are committed to building an administration that represents our entire Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis. “From working class communities like McKeesport to neighborhoods in West Philadelphia, folks all across Pennsylvania are facing real challenges right now – and our administration will be ready to get to work on day one.”

In the 2022 Governor’s race, Governor-Elect Shapiro brought people together, setting a new record, winning the most votes in a Pennsylvania midterm election in state history and winning by the largest margin for a non-incumbent since 1946. Every time he has run statewide in Pennsylvania – in 2016, 2020, and 2022 – Josh Shapiro has won the most votes of anyone on the ballot – and this year, that win was powered by remarkable performances in swing counties and parts of the state that have most recently voted for Republicans.

How to Get Involved in the Shapiro-Davis Administration

Pennsylvanians of all backgrounds and political perspectives are encouraged to apply for roles in the Shapiro-Davis Transition and Administration by visiting www.shapirodavis.org. This website will serve as the central location for people to apply for roles in the Transition and the Shapiro-Davis Administration, as well as to learn more about Governor-Elect Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor-Elect Davis, and how to participate in the upcoming inauguration.

Governor-Elect Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Davis are committed to building an Administration that represents all Pennsylvanians and looks like the Commonwealth they were elected to lead. Next week, the Shapiro-Davis Transition will be announcing leaders of the transition process, who will be focused on recruiting top talent and hiring a diverse team that will be ready to continue bringing people together and move Pennsylvania forward on day one.

Next week, the Transition will announce a Leadership Board, which will be made up of a diverse, dynamic group that will take a leading role in advising the transition into the Shapiro-Davis administration.

The Transition will also soon be announcing several Advisory Committees of policy and professional experts, community advocates, and business, industry, and labor leaders to help the incoming Administration prepare to advance Governor-Elect Shapiro’s top priorities: growing our economy, making our communities safer, and ensuring all Pennsylvania students receive a high-quality education.

An Inauguration Leadership Board will be announced in the coming days as well. This Board will lead the planning and execution of the Shapiro-Davis Inauguration — which will be a fun, interactive series of events that are going to represent our entire Commonwealth, focus on service to others, and continue bringing people into our Administration.

Inauguration and Transition Leadership

Governor-Elect Shapiro also announced key leadership roles for the Transition and Inauguration. Akbar Hossain will serve as the Executive Director of the Transition, Amanda Warren will serve as the Executive Director of the Inauguration, and Manuel Bonder will serve as Director of Communications for the Transition and the Inauguration.

Akbar Hossain will serve as the Executive Director of the Transition. Akbar was most recently the Policy Director on the Shapiro for Pennsylvania campaign – where he led development of the Governor-Elect’s issue agenda and coordinated with key stakeholders across the Commonwealth. Prior to joining the campaign, Akbar was a white collar government investigations attorney at a national law firm and served as a law clerk to Judge Harvey Bartle, III of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In his pro bono practice, Akbar represented immigrants seeking asylum in the United States and low-income tenants in eviction proceedings. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Franklin and Marshall College and a Juris Doctor from University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Amanda Warren will serve as the Executive Director of the Inauguration. Amanda served as the Finance Director on the Shapiro for Pennsylvania campaign, leading the team that raised over $67M – a record breaking sum for a Governor’s race in Pennsylvania. Amanda joined the Shapiro campaign in 2018, where she has served in a number of roles including as the Finance Director on Shapiro’s re-election campaign for Attorney General in 2020. Prior to joining the Shapiro team, Amanda spent 2 years at a sports marketing firm representing professional athletes in branding deals and brokering authentic sports memorabilia. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Temple University.

Manuel Bonder will serve as the Director of Communications for the Transition and the Inauguration. Manuel served as Press Secretary on the Shapiro for Pennsylvania campaign – helping communicate Shapiro’s positive vision to grow our economy, improve education and public safety, and protect real freedom to voters in all 67 counties and across the country. Prior to joining the Shapiro for Pennsylvania campaign, Manuel served on a number of campaigns for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and President of the United States. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts.

(File Photo)

(Baden, Pa.) On Wednesday night, Baden Borough Council met and voted unanimously to accepted the retirement of Police Chief David Christner.
Council did not speak about the allegations surrounding the former chief.
Earlier this week, Christner abruptly retired, leaving people to ask what happened?
Solicitor Stephen Chesney said that about a month ago, during the borough’s regularly scheduled council meeting, certain information regarding the chief came to their attention. Council launched an internal investigation.
Some community members say they want more transparency about what happened.
David Shipley has now been appointed as the borough’s officer in charge.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The Chippewa Township Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting on Wednesday night, approving a couple of measures in their short meeting.

One of them was the approval of Act 57–recently being approved by several municipalities and school boards–a state law that is required to be passed within three months of the state’s passing. “In October of this year, the state passed a law concerning the waiver for imposing any type of penalties on new buyers of property in case they don’t get their tax statements, that we waive all penalties that could be against them for tax collecting.” The board unanimously approved the implementing of Act 57.

The board also unanimously approved Amendments 15 & 16 for the Chippewa Trails homes, along with a lot line revision to build seven lots within the housing complex. “This created seven lots for single family dwellings with an amendment to their original plan,” stated Township Manager Mark Taylor. “It’s been reviewed; there were a few minor comments with distances. I’ve received a new plan and new review, so it’s ready to be approved also.”

Bills totaling $117,658.05 were paid by the board, and the financial report for October showed the township “in the black” with $3,549,342.91 in revenue as opposed to $2,718,843 in expenses for the General Fund. The next meeting for the Chippewa Township Board of Supervisors will be their Agenda Meeting on December 14 at 10:00 AM followed by their Regular Meeting on December 21 at 6:30 PM.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The Beaver County Commissioners heard it all at Wednesday’s work session, regarding budgets, walkways, memorials, taxes, the election–all within the span of just over 30 minutes.

Walkways were the first item brought to attention as Public Works director Dan Colville spoke about a new problem regarding the area near the walkway bridge between the Ice Arena parking lot and the newly renovated outdoor courts. The problem arose from the DPW working on drainage in the area “which used to be all grass,” Colville said. “It’s a muddy mess now,” he added, “and I know this isn’t the time of year for lots of activity there. But if there’s a nice day or two, you’ll probably get some activity there.” Colville suggested to the Commissioners that they could replace the muddy area with a stable concrete surface, with stone gravel as a possible alternative on short notice.

Solicitor Garen Fedeles spoke about the election process the prior week, with a positive message: “For the most part, I’d say everything last Tuesday ran according to plan. There’s always minor hiccups that you’re going to get no matter what…working through 15,000 mail-in ballots and trying to get all those all those open and counted ran us until three in the morning, and we had to come back again the next morning in order to finish those up. But I thank everyone who helped to do that process.”

Fedeles then presented the Commissioners with the 57 resolutions for Thursday’s public meeting: “a vast majority of them are tax exonerations; there’s also a lot of amendments and extensions of current contracts,” he stated. The biggest one on the agenda, though, was Resolution No. 112722-46–which introduces the proposed County budget for the 2023 fiscal year. Financial advisor Corey Troutman was in attendance for the work session, stating that most of the parts to maintain balance for the 2023 budget will be similar to the current budget and that those moves will not affect the County’s ARPA fund allocation (for the time being). The Commissioners will vote on the proposed budget and the other 56 resolutions Thursday morning at 10:00 AM.

The meeting closed with Center Township Police Captain John Hall requesting that the Commissioners approve, on behalf of the Beaver Valley Chiefs of Police, to expand the Police Officer Memorial that was constructed back in 2002 and displayed outside the Beaver County Courthouse. “What we’re asking for from the Commissioners is permission to make some adjustments to the memorial,” Capt. Hall spoke, “so that we can add–we call it a ‘scroll’–what it is is a bronze plaque that puts the names on it. There’s currently one there; ideally we will need to put two more in at some point in the future for a total of three.” Capt. Hall also suggested that there be additional wings for officers who have fallen in the line of duty as well as K-9 officers who have served in Beaver County, once the BVCP has attained enough funding to purchase those additional wings/scrolls. All three Commissioners gave their approval for the additions to the current Police Officer Memorial.

The next Beaver County Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for November 23 at 10:00 AM.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., gestures after being reelected as Republican leader, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in the Senate Republican leadership elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
By LISA MASCARO, BRIAN SLODYSKO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been reelected as Republican leader, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. Scott was the Senate GOP campaign chief, and he has been criticized over his party’s midterm election failures. Republican senators reelected McConnell on Wednesday by a vote of 37-10, with one other senator voting present. After the vote, McConnell said he’s “proud” to be reelected. He’s poised to become the longest-serving leader when the new Congress convenes in the new year. Scott’s challenge came amid fallout from the midterms, when Republicans failed to take the Senate majority.

Ten members of the Beaver Valley Choral Society are leaving for a November 28 performance at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall with Distinguished Concerts International New York. From left to right: Row 1 – – Pam George and Judi Contino;
Row 2 – Marjorie Eggenberger, Tess Begley, Judy O’Data and Penny
Chevront; and Row 3 – Christy Kendra, Diane Brosius and Susan
Hayden. Not pictured – Betsy Cole Hemer.

(Beaver County, Pa.) Ten members of the Beaver Valley Choral Society will be performing in the  Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York City, on Monday, November 28, 2022. The Choral society made the announcement Wednesday morning via release.

The release stated that Distinguished Concerts International New York City has  announced that the Beaver Valley Choral Society auditioned and is now invited to participate in a performance of Pepper Choplin’s “The Seven Noels” as part of the DCINY Concert Series in New York City.
The performance takes place under the direction of the composer, Pepper Choplin. Ten Choral Society singers are joining with other choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction.
Maestro Choplin serves as composer in-residence and conductor of the performance,
as well as clinician for the residency.
The BVCS members and five of their guests are travelling to New York City on
November 25 to begin an intense three-day preparation for a once in a lifetime
opportunity.

The singers will participate in two days of practice and musical clinics while at
Carnegie Hall, with an exciting concert performance on November 28. A reception and
dinner for the performers is scheduled immediately after the concert.
The Choral Society is very proud and honored to participate in this special cultural
event conducted by Choplin at such a prestigious venue as Carnegie Hall. Not only is
this an exciting opportunity for those fortunate to attend, but it also further
recognizes the Beaver Valley Choral Society as an outstanding and distinguished
musical organization.
The BVCS members who are travelling to New York include Tessa Begley, Diane
Brosius, Penny Chevront, Betsy Cole Hemer, Judi Contino, Marjorie Eggenberger, Pam
George, Susan Hayden, Christy Kendra and Judy O’Data.
Invited guests include Larry Bosius, Judy Yester. Sam Contino, Fred Persi, and Jon
O’Data.
Visit www.dciny.org for detailed information about the Distinguished Concerts
International New York City (DCINY) organization.