federal election 2020
When and Where
What Happens After I Vote?
How Do We Vote?
Election Day will be November 3rd. As always, citizens of Patterson Heights will vote on the second floor of the Municipal Building on 7th Avenue. The polls will be open from 7am until 8pm. If there happens to be a line waiting to vote at 8pm, and you are in line at that time, you will be permitted to cast a ballot.
How Do We Vote?
What Happens After I Vote?
How Do We Vote?
This will be the third election in which voters will be marking a paper ballot, and inserting it into an electronic scanner to be counted. After the scanner reads your ballot, you can probably hear it drop into the collection bin, where the paper ballots are stored.
What Happens After I Vote?
What Happens After I Vote?
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
When voting is finished at 8pm the scanner is shut down, and a memory card which has recorded all the votes is removed. The box with the ballots is closed and locked. The memory card and ballot box are then taken to the Courthouse.
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
The first person you encounter in the voting process is usually one of the elected Inspectors. The Inspector will ask your name, and find your information in the Polling Book. The book has the information pertaining to your voting eligibility, most importantly your name, address, and signature. You will be asked to sign the book, so yor signature can be compared with the signature you used when you first registered. If it is your first time voting in that location (because you are a first-time voter or you relocated), you may be asked to present a photo ID. After you sign the book, your name is assigned a number. The number is written in the Polling book next to your name. The next election official will write your name and number in a small booklet. The next election official will write your name and number in yet another book.
More Safeguards?
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
Tell Me About Voting in Person
After the check-in process is complete the voter is given a serial-numbered ballot. The ballots are numbered so that the election bureau can match the ballots used to the ballots received and counted. For example, our precinct may be given 500 ballots, numbered consecutively 0001 through 0500, and we return 0416 through 0500. If only 412 people cast ballots, where are the other four? When the election officials open our ballot box, they will find 412 ballots voted, and four ballots spoiled somehow (the ballot is damaged, or two votes were marked in one race).
A voter can legally cast only one ballot. If he submits a blank ballot, it has been legally cast, and he is finished. If, however, a voter marks for two individuals in a race, or marks for more than the race allows, the scanner will catch the discrepancy, and give the voter the option to correct it. If a voter chooses no candidate in a race the scanner will also give him a chance to make a correction. If there are stray marks on the ballot, or the ballot is somehow unreadable, the scanner will not accept it.
Tell Me About Voting in Person
Are there any Safeguards to Make Sure My Vote Is Counted?
Tell Me About Voting in Person
Besides the safeguards to make sure your vote is counted correctly, there are also safeguards in place to protect your health. This will be the second election held since the outbreak of the coronavirus. The Beaver County Board of Elections provides some personal protective equipment. Whether it is enough to adequately protect the voters and poll workers is a matter of conjecture.
During the Primary Election all but one precinct in Beaver County were open for voting. It remains to be seen what will happen in Patterson Heights if the election team decides it is too risky to work a 15-hour day. Remember that Milwaukee started with over 100 polling places, and only opened 5, due mainly to a shortage of workers. If polling places here are consolidated, you can expect to travel to a different polling place, and probably wait in line to vote.
Or you can vote by mail.
What About Mail-Ins and Absentee Ballots?
What About Mail-Ins and Absentee Ballots?
What About Mail-Ins and Absentee Ballots?
Most of us are familiar with Absentee Ballots. A person may file an Absentee Ballot if they are unable to get to the polls on Election Day--illness, infirmity, and work requirements are the most common reasons.
While Mail-In Ballots have become more common recently, they are actually just like Absentee Ballots, except that the voter does not have to provide a reason for voting by mail. Mail-Ins have become more popular as some states have tried to make it easier for people to vote.
Absentee Ballots and Mail-In ballots are handled by poll workers and the Bureau of Elections in exactly the same way, except there are different deadlines for mailing, returning, etc.
More on Mail-Ins?
What About Mail-Ins and Absentee Ballots?
What About Mail-Ins and Absentee Ballots?
You may have noticed that people on social media question the accuracy of the mail-in system.
1. If I return a mail-in ballot, what's to prevent me from voting again on Election Day? Everyone who returns a mail-in ballot has a mark so indicating next to his name in the Polling Book, and they are unable to get a second ballot?
2. What if someone dies, and their name is not taken off the voter rolls? The deceased would still have to sign the Polling Book, and have the "dead" signature match the "live" signature. 3. What about the busloads of voters from Massachusetts that went to New Hampshire to vote? Do you really think their voting information, including address and signature would be included in the Polling Book?
Where Can I Get Election Results?
Where can I check the status of my ballot?
Where can I check the status of my ballot?
The Election Bureau page on the Beaver County website has the results of the current election and several of the elections held over the last few years. Because the county election workers spend extra time checking the security of Mail-In and Absentee Ballots, official totals may be delayed for a few days, as they have been in most elections held throughout the history of the United States. Don't forget that people submitting overseas and military ballots have until November 10 for their ballots to arrive at the County office.
Where can I check the status of my ballot?
Where can I check the status of my ballot?
Where can I check the status of my ballot?
You can go to pavoterservices.pa.gov to check the status of your ballot. Check to be sure you are looking at the correct election (2020 GENERAL ELECTION), and don't be confused by the dates. 04/08/2020 is August 4, 2020.
Building and zoning permits
What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Most development is regulated under two different codes--a zoning code and a building code. Receiving a Zoning Permit is the first step in the development process, followed by applying for and receiving a Building Permit. In Patterson Heights a separate Zoning Permit is required prior to application for a Building Permit.
Zoning Code
What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Zoning Code is oriented towards how a project fits into the community. It regulates setbacks, types of uses, height, parking requirements, design (for some types of projects), and similar concerns. Patterson Heights is divided into zoning districts, and each zoning district has its own set of regulations. For example, the regulations that would apply in a residential district (R) will be different from those in a multi-family (MDO) or commercial (C) district.
Borough tax payments
Your Borough Taxes May Be Reduced!
At their monthly meeting on May 20, your Council passed Resolution 20-05-1, which extends the discount period for your borough taxes. Simplifying the resolution means:
1. If you have already begun making installlment payments, you may continue, as you will pay taxes at face value, despite the extended payoff period.
2. You may pay your taxes in full at the discount rate until August 31.
3, You may pay your borough taxes without paying a penalty until the end of the year, December 31. That's when the penalty period starts.
WANTED --CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!!!
WANTED --CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!!!
WANTED --CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!!!
Are you leaving your cardboard out to be hauled away by Valley Waste?
What?
Why?
See the item on this page about the $158,000+ grant we have received! Part of the reason we received the grant is that we in Patterson Heights have been recycling cardboard!
It's easy. Just break your boxes down flat, and put them into the large box behind the Borough Building. You can access the box via the alley off 7th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
Don't send it to the landfill! Put it to work earning money for Patterson Heights!
Food Trucks Are Back
WANTED --CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!!!
WANTED --CORRUGATED CARDBOARD!!!
Food Trucks in the Park
The trucks are back, with our September lineup being Dogs on the Run, Oh My Grill, and Bruster's Ice Cream.
Everyone please bring a mask, for when you're not eating, of course, and remember your social distancing.
GREAT NEWS!
Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park
Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park
The Borough Council is happy to announce that Patterson Heights has been selected to receive a Recycling Grant in the amount of $158,580!
Most of the money will be used to purchase a new leaf vacuum. This funding comes at just the right time, as our current machine has reached the end of its useful life.
Our award was announced at the December council meeting by Holly Vogt, the Director of the Beaver County Department of Waste Management. In her presentation, Ms. Vogt complimented the citizens of Patterson Heights for the strides made in recycling efforts over the past few years. She stressed the importance of being able to demonstrate our commitment with increased tonnages of recycled materials, including paper, cardboard, yard waste, and leaves.
SO.....if you have been recycling--bringing your paper and cardboard to the bins behind the borough building--keep up the good work!
If you have NOT been recycling, PLEASE START! We have seen enough cardboard left out for the trash on Mondays to completely fill the recycling box.
Our total recycling effort will be reviewed by grant funding groups to decide what other monies we can receive.
Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park
Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park
Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park
The Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park is currently closed to the general public due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Beaver County Recycling Center in Brady's Run Park is open with NEW operating hours:
Monday and Tuesday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Wednesday Noon to 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Friday CLOSED
Every 3rd Saturday 8:30am to Noon
Recyclable items include:
Corrugated Cardboard
Tin Cans
Polystyrene
Used Motor Oil
E-Waste
Mixed Paper
Scrap Metal
Yard Waste
Plastic Bottles
Textiles/Fibers
Are You Recycling?
Patterson Heights Fireman's Ladies' Auxiliary
Patterson Heights Fireman's Ladies' Auxiliary
Our paper recycling box, located behind the Municipal Building, is emptied about every two months. Each full box holds between 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 tons of paper, so we are recycling a lot of paper!
The corrugated cardboard is picked up each Thursday.
Unfortunately, we still see lots of cardboard left out for the trash on Monday mornings!
Bring your paper and cardboard down to the collection bins behind the Municipal Building. Why? See the item about the grant we received for a new leaf vac.
Patterson Heights Fireman's Ladies' Auxiliary
Patterson Heights Fireman's Ladies' Auxiliary
Patterson Heights Fireman's Ladies' Auxiliary
The Ladies' Auxiliary organizes programs, fundraisers, and other activities for the benefit of the residents and fire fighters of Patterson Heights. The Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Borough Building. If you have not yet joined, the Auxiliary invites you to come, and would love to have you as a member. Contact Fran Levinger (724) 513-8085 or Sue Pokego (724) 846-0186.
Emergency Alerts
A Couple of Reminders
A Couple of Reminders
If you are interested in being alerted in the case of an emergency (like the chlorine gas leak in Rochester on July 12), start by going to the Beaver County website (www.beavercountypa.gov).
On the right side of the page, about halfway down, there is a link to "Swift 911 - Emergency Notification Services."
Click on that box, and you will be taken to a portal where you can sign up to receive emergency alerts.
A Couple of Reminders
A Couple of Reminders
A Couple of Reminders
Please be sure you are not placing trash containers in the street in front of, or near, your house. We have ordinances which prohibit the placing of containers near the street before noon on Sunday, but they should NEVER be in the street--mainly due to public safety.
The Borough Council has been made aware of questionable activities in the Park, and the burning of noxious materials at night. The Council does not object to people bringing forth these issues, but the first question to be asked is, "Did you call the Police?"
The Patterson Township Police Department is on duty 24 hours per day, but they are unable to help in situations when they are not called. Reaching them is very easy. If you have what you think might be an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Otherwise, you can leave a message with County Dispatch at (724) 775-0883, and an officer will contact you very soon. Don't be afraid to call the Police--you won't be judged, and you won't be charged ($). Call. That's the only way they can help you.
The Borough
Patterson Heights was incorporated on June 19, 1899, and is one of the smallest municipalities in Beaver County. When incorporated, Patterson Heights had 27 residents. As of 2010, there were 636 residents living in the 268 homes in Patterson Heights. Part of the old Beaver Valley Country Club, now the Beaver Valley Golf Club, lies within the boundaries of Patterson Heights.
The first business in Patterson Heights was a general store owned and operated by Rosser Prosser.
The Patterson Heights Street Railway Company operated the Patterson Heights Incline beginning in 1895, which connected residents with lower Beaver Falls. The lower station was located at the factory of Penn Bridge Works, the area now known as Bridge Street.
Alum Rocks, located overlooking Beaver Falls and the Beaver River, has been the site of discovery for many Native American artifacts that have taught us a lot about the Indians that once resided here.
The Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department incorporated on November 4, 1903, making it the first incorporated fire department in Beaver County.
Patterson Heights does not have its own police department. Patterson Township Police serve and protect in Patterson Heights.
Patterson Heights is part of the Blackhawk School District.
From the Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation
