ELLWOOD CITY, PA. Party's over for the 4th Precinct

Officials are looking into the possibility of using the Saxon Club as the new polling site.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- For some 30 years, Alex and Betty Lubich invited residents of North Sewickley Township's 4th Precinct into their home in downtown Ellwood City to eat, drink, be merry -- and vote.
But an era ended late last year when the Lubiches announced they were selling their South Second Street house to Dan and Janet Rocco and would no longer be able to have their traditional election day celebrations.
Now, officials are trying to find a new polling location to serve 427 registered voters in the area and are hoping at least one local business or household will be willing to open its doors to voters in time for the May primary.
The house is in the Beaver County part of Ellwood City, and was within easy walking distance to precinct voters, many of whom are older, said Kevin Bowser, a legislative assistant to state Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th.
New site: Allen Tempert, Beaver County Bureau of Elections director, has secured one spot -- Park Gate Baptist Church at 2840 River Road in North Sewickley. But some voters have complained the new site, which is about three miles away from the Lubich home, is too far to travel.
Bowser said about 40 older voters have called LaGrotta's office asking for the polling place to be moved back to downtown Ellwood City.
& quot;Many of those people are used to walking to the polls, & quot; he said. & quot;They don't drive and will have a hard time getting to the church to vote.
"It's several miles away and in a very rural area outside of town that isn't easily accessible to many of these people. So if anyone has any suggestions or an alternate site in mind, please let us know. & quot;
If an alternative site isn't found, those residents will have no choice but to vote at the church.
Also, LaGrotta has said he's concerned the new location will affect voter turnout, Bowser added.
Possibility: Officials are considering the Saxon Club, Bowser said, but first they have to explore state liquor laws to determine if voting could take place at an establishment that sells alcohol.
& quot;We need to see if it can be done if the club agrees not to sell any alcohol before the polls close at 8 p.m., & quot; he said. & quot;But we're not sure about that yet. It's just something we're looking at. & quot;
Whatever the location, it's not likely the site will compare to the Lubich home, Bowser said, noting that area residents received more than ballots when they walked through that door.
& quot;It was a party, & quot; he said. & quot;It was unique to any other poll I've ever been to. You didn't just vote. The Lubiches had food and refreshments and served you. It was a celebration, a social gathering. It was a fun time. I'm sure it will be missed. & quot;
Last of a kind: Tempert said the Lubich home was the only residence in Beaver County to serve as a polling location. The last residential polling site in Lawrence County closed its doors about 10 years ago, elections officials in New Castle said. Most voting takes place in churches, schools, municipal buildings and fire halls, Tempert noted.
& quot;I really appreciate what the [Lubiches] did, & quot; he said. & quot;Opening their home to voters. It was very unusual. We didn't move the site because we wanted to or chose to do it. We moved it out of necessity. The church, so far, is the closest location we've been able to find.
"We're very sorry for the inconvenience. If anyone can come up with a suitable location, I will be more than happy to entertain that suggestion. We definitely don't want to do anything to hinder voters. & quot;