(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Last year, the County Commissioners cancelled the work session on the day following Election Day, because the ballots were still being counted.

This year, it was a full crew at the Beaver County Courthouse for the regular Wednesday work session. Why such a difference?

“There was a lot less volume this year,” said Commissioner Dan Camp. “Next year I think there’ll be more ballots and it’ll take longer. This year it took about 8 hours.”

Despite a 5% increase in post-presidential participation from the 2017 election, Beaver County’s presence at the polls went from 94,645 ballots in 2020 to 37,803 in 2021–a drop from 80% to 33%.

“Credit to everyone at the polling places as well,” Commissioner Jack Manning added. “There’s been a lot of issues across the state with getting people to volunteer and work the polls. Fortunately, we’ve got some good folks here and new people who have stepped up.”

“We need to thank the volunteers,” spoke Commissioner Tony Amadio. “It was a smooth operation.”

Less smooth is the current situation at the Ice Arena, where ice activity has been halted since October 29 due to the two zambonis being sidelined. According to Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury, the 1992 model blew an engine three weeks ago, while the 2008 model is being worked on for separate issues.

“We’re about five days out from the other zamboni’s issues major issues getting fixed,” Caltury said. “I tried reaching out to several other rinks to see if they had a zamboni that we could lease or rent for a month before we get over the hump, but it seems everyone else is in the same boat.”

Caltury has also propositioned for a new zamboni for the Ice Arena, a measure which the Commissioners provided no verbal challenge toward.

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