NEW CASTLE Lawmakers get OK to vote on closing

Council will decide Thursday if it will close the street.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission has decided that two New Castle councilmen will be able to vote when city council decides if it will close Reis Street this week.
Both councilmen questioned whether they could participate because they are affiliated with the New Castle School District, which is asking that the street be closed for a new city high school.
Councilman Rick DeBlasio is married to a school principal and Councilman Mark Elisco is an assistant school principal.
DeBlasio said they received notice Monday afternoon from the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission stating they could vote because neither would see any financial gain from the matter.
Favors closing: DeBlasio said he intends to vote to close the street at Thursday's meeting.
"I've always been supportive of a new high school and I think we need a new high school. I have two young children and I want to see them get the best education," he said.
DeBlasio added that he thinks the city and school district can find an alternative route for emergency-vehicle access to the homes behind the school if Reis Street is closed.
Currently, Reis Street is the most direct access to several streets behind the school. City Fire Chief James Donston told council members last month that he was concerned about emergency response delays to those homes if the street is closed.
Councilman Mark Elisco could not be reached to comment this morning.