By SALLY BELL
Staff writer
Venango County is reminding residents of some important dates in preparation for Tuesday’s primary election.
Tuesday was the last day for voters to apply for absentee ballots, said Shelly Hartle, Venango County’s chief clerk and county administrator, at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.
Starting today, emergency absentee ballots will be accepted, if notarized, until 5 p.m. Friday, Hartle went on to say.
After Friday, emergency absentee ballots will be received until Tuesday, with a judge’s approval, Hartle said.
Regular voted absentee ballots are due by 5 p.m. Friday.
There have been 280 absentee ballots sent out, which is about average, Hartle said.
A public test of voting machines will be conducted at 9 a.m. Friday in the courthouse basement.
The county conducted election night return testing last week, Hartle added.
“Everything worked as it was supposed to,” she said. “We are all set on pollworkers.”
Two Mile park
Recent storm damage blocked the entrance and exit to Two Mile Run County Park, said Rich Mihalic, park director, in a report to the commissioners.
“The campground got hit pretty hard,” he said. Park staff is working to clear the debris in the hope of having the campground open Friday.
Mihalic went on to recognize the park’s Adopt-A-Pavilion Project sponsors. “These are the types of things that enable us to keep pavilions in good repair. It doesn’t cost the county anything,” he said.
The pavilion project started in 2010 with about two to three sponsors and this year there are ten, Mihalic said. They include Franklin Elks Lodge 110, Franklin VFW Post 1835, Oil City Polish National Alliance, Oil City Eagles 283, Franklin Moose 83, Oil City Moose Family Center 78, Oil City Pulaski Club, Oil City Rotary Club, Pin Oak Village and Kris Miller Construction.
Coming up May 13, State Rep. Lee James is hosting an informational event at the Nature Lodge from noon until 2 p.m.
John Arway, executive director of the Fish and Boat Commission, will be on hand to discuss state laws and regulations for boater and anglers and to conduct a demonstration on boating safety.
The beach at Two Mile is set to open June 3, Mihalic said.
Eagle Scouts
Five people from Troop 111 in Seneca were recognized by commissioners in Eagle Scout proclamations. They include Ian Todd Best, Trevin James Chittester, Andrew Tyler Holden, Dylan Mitchell Schubert and Austin Michael Stivanson.
“I have all the respect in the world for these kids,” commissioner Vince Witherup said upon reading a proclamation.
