Republicans Take Control Of Beaver County With Woman As Its Chair
BEAVER, Pa. (KDKA) -- In Beaver County, the board of commissioners -- two Democrats and one Republican -- is about to change.
For the first time in 65 years, two Republicans will be majority commissioners in this Democratic county.
And what's more, the chairman for the first time in Beaver County history will be a woman.
Meet Sandie Egley.
Sworn in as Beaver County commissioner along with her running-mate Dan Camp, the two Republicans and Democratic incumbent Tony Amadio will govern Beaver County for the next four years.
Egley is expected to be elected chair of the commission on Monday.
She says she's used to being surrounded by men, as she told KDKA political editor Jon Delano.
"About 95 percent of the time, I am the only woman in the room. I don't shy away from that. If you give me a chair at the table, you can be sure I'm going to speak. So I'm not a quiet one," she said.
Delano: "And you're not intimidated by men."
Egley: "I am not. Absolutely not!"
Egley, married and the mother of three with a career in business development, has never held elective office before, and she does not think county government needs to be partisan.
"I think Dan and I are going to work really well with Tony. I think you're going to see camaraderie here," she said.
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Egley wants developers and companies to know that Beaver County is the last undiscovered gem in the region -- perfect along I-376 for the next Cranberry or Southpointe.
"A lot of room for development, growth, the parks, there's so much opportunity," she said.
And she wants to develop Beaver County's rivers just as Pittsburgh has.
"This is the center of Beaver County," she says, pointing at a map. "Wouldn't it be nice to have the regatta being there, all of the fireworks, just being the center of attention? This is almost an exact picture of the Point."
Egley is determined to put Beaver County on the regional map.
