A huge crowd took advantage of the weather Friday to attend Bradford’s Festa Italiana. The “Italian Fest”, as it is commonly known, has been a tradition for years, with Italian cuisine and entertainment. The games, music, food, and beer spell a three day party with plenty to do for the entire family. The celebration culminates with a fireworks display at dark on Saturday night.
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Festa Italiana begins Thursday and will continue through Saturday. The traditional Bradford celebration means food and friends, music, memories, and fun. The weather cooperated Thursday night and the crowd was great. Here are a few shots:
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Local businessman Mike Smith was found guilty Tuesday afternoon in a case that has drawn wide attention. The City of Bradford issued a citation to Smith for a violation of the sign ordinance, but Smith contended that he was a veteran showing his patriotism by displaying the American flag.
Join the discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.
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First there was a wrap-up party at the Bank Street Community Garden. The party marks the end of the garden’s design and construction. It was also intended to thank Kara Smith and Rachel Ence, the interns who contributed so much to make the project a reality. See our previous post with video. After the wrap-up party, Bradford held it’s first celebration of National Night Out in the Family Video parking lot on West Washington Street. The City of Bradford Police Department provided children’s fingerprinting ID kits, safety information, and gave tours of the City’s Emergency Response Team van. The local D.A.R.T. (Diving And Recovery Team) were also there to explain their operations. McKean County CARE for Children was on hand with safety information and SAFE Kids McKean County handouts. Project Pride Manager Linda Campongiani explains the concept behind Bradford’s National Night Out: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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I had no opinion on the Fox News claim of being fair and balanced. After seeing the way they twisted the story of the City of Bradford citing Mike Smith for flying flags in front of his business, I realize they have no problem making up the headline and story they want. Notice their spin on this story, “Veteran Facing Possible 90 Days In Jail For Flying Flag“. Also, why would you interview anyone else? After all, “Fair and Balanced” sounds good, but it really makes for a boring story, doesn’t it? | |
So many times we do not know ahead of time so we can prepare for a homecoming. This is your opportunity to make a difference for both the soldier and his family.
We thank you for your consideration. Please pass this email along to other This information was provided by: Diane Sheeley John McGriff is a BAHS graduate, Class of 2005. Upon his arrival in Bradford, he’ll have a motorcycle escort through town. The first stop will be to see his mother at her place of employment, KOA Speer, on Williams Street. His escort will lead him along Bolivar Drive, E. Main Street, and Main Street. If you see Specialist McGriff, let him know that he’s a real hero! 
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For the past week, the story has been circulating that a Bradford, PA business had received a citation from the City for flags that extended into the roadway. A photo from the local newspaper, the Bradford Era, shows the business owner standing amidst a display of American flags in front of his building. Today the Mayor revealed that when the citation was issued there were “six or seven white flags with lettering, that sat much lower to the ground”, that were not evident when the Era photograph was taken. Riel said that the display in the Era photo weren’t placed there until after the citation was issued. | |
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Is Bradford, PA issuing citations to businesses that display the American Flag, as this sign claims? Local businessman Mike Smith is going to have his day in court after receiving a citation from the City of Bradford. The controversy involves two American flags and one POW/MIA flag that Smith has been displaying in front of his East Main Street business for years. According to City Code Enforcement Officer George Corignani, the complaint was passed to his office after being received by City Clerk John Peterson. The complaint alleges the flags extend into the City’s right of way on East Main, causing a near accident. According to City officials, both the City Clerk and Code Enforcement contacted Smith’s business and were told that the flags would stay. The citation was then issued. | |
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Inch by inch and row by row, making your garden grow takes patience and dedication. The garden is a great metaphor for many of the projects being carried out by Bradford’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD). Ambitious works like the Elm Street Project (Map) take years of planning and effort to show results. Part of the Elm Street project’s rejuvenation of neighborhoods is the Bank Street Community Garden. Take one dilapidated property that isn’t on the tax roles anyhow, add volunteers, creativity, and dedication, and what can be accomplished? Thanks to Elm Street Project Manager Lisa Campogiani, Interns Kara & Rachel, and the volunteers who are donating labor and materials, the gardening project is coming together in one neighborhood. Hopefully it is just the first. Rachel attends Penn State, and Kara attends Cornell. The are both Landscape Architecture majors contributing their skills (and labor) to the garden. Both chose to come to Bradford because of our location in the Allegany National Forest. They have created the Bank Street Community Garden Blog. | |
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Bradford residents were treated to a spectacular fireworks display Friday night as part of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery’s “Case Collector Appreciation Weekend“. Read the Bradford Era article about Case Collector Appreciation Weekend here. The fireworks were staged from Mt. Raub and were visible all over Bradford, including the downtown. Case knife collectors from all over the world are attending this weekend’s festivities. With over 850 pre-registrations, collectors and their families flooding into Bradford were treated to near perfect weather. If you missed the fireworks, or just want to see them again, the Bradford-Online.com Action Team captured them on video for you. Who are we kidding? From our back porch we didn’t even have to get out of the chair. The display lasted about 12 minutes, this has been shortened to fit YouTube.com’s guidelines. For other area events check Bradford-Online.com’s Community Calendar. | |
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John Kohler was given the Key To The City Of Bradford. Sara Andrews, Director of the OECD, gave a presentation outlining some of Kohler’s contributions. Andrews told the audience, “Ten years ago nobody was investing in Main Street. The City had bought three buildings. We felt there was a need to renovate and encourage investment. John was one of those investors who really stepped up. Not only did he purchase and renovate several downtown buildings, but he actually went out and recruited businesses to occupy them”. It was also noted several of Kohler’s projects resulted in retaining businesses in the area, citing the three acre warehouse he built for Graham Packaging.
During the public comment portion of the meeting one resident raised privacy concerns. She complained that a neighbor had mounted a camera pointed at her house. Bradford City Police Chief Mike Close offered to talk to her after the meeting. Later a police spokesman stated that no charges could be filed in the matter. “The circumstances of each complaint are different. In this case it appears that no criminal law is being broken”. The large upswing in still and video camera use, and the ease of publishing on the Internet has created a great deal of debate. Most laws that address the subject are civil, not criminal laws. Most of these laws hinge on the individual’s expectation of privacy. Columnist Andrew Kantor recently wrote this editorial on the subject in USAToday. What do you think? Click here to send us your comments. | |
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Lights, camera, action! Little Chicago will stay in Bradford. Legislators today extended the Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit. Under legislation signed by the governor, a production intended for a national audience that spends 60% of its budget in Pennsylvania draws a 25% transferable tax credit on qualified expenses. A spokesperson at the “Little Chicago” offices confirmed that this tax credit will allow the movie to continue filming in Pennsylvania. Failure to pass the extension of the credit could have forced the filming to other other states that already offer film tax credits. New York State offers a 30% tax credit. Mayor Tom Riel stated this will ensure a $3 Million tax credit to the producers of the movie “Little Chicago”. He recently spoke at a conference in Harrisburg about the importance of the tax credit to the State’s small and rural communities. Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan has also expressed interest in Bradford as a possible location for filming. Shyamalan is already known for shooting major productions in PA, mostly in the Philadelphia area. His film credits include “The Sixth Sense” and “The Village”. At a post-conference dinner Mayor Riel had the chance to chat with some of the conference speakers. He was seated next to Mr. Shymalan, giving them the chance to talk about movies and to talk about Bradford. M. Night Shyamalan’s Next Movie In Bradford? (MP3 Audio) According to Variety magazine, part of Pennsylvania’s push to establish a movie infrastructure in the state includes a deal to construct a major movie studio in the Delaware valley. It will include six 24,000-square-foot, high-ceilinged soundstages. Related Links:
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Bradford City Council met Tuesday, 6/24/08. As expected, the City’s dog ordinance was amended to require a person walking their dog to have some means of cleaning up after their pet. Council also approved a $200,000 loan to Zito Media for their on-going fiber optic project. This phase will continue work to include Bradford in the “fiber ring”. Jim Rigas and Steve Zwerin of Zito Media explained what the project involves. | |
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We recently received this from our friends at the Little Chicago offices. Little Chicago The Movie is centered around the Bradford, PA and Olean, NY area. The plot is based on characters from the area during prohibition. While the movie is still in production, the movie’s production office is located at 75 Foreman Street and is open to the public. Official movie products are available there and from the movie’s website. | |
The City of Bradford’s Refuse & Recycling department has scheduled the week of April 28th - May 2nd as Cleanup Week. The City is urging residents to bring all their trash to the curb. This is the time to bring out the old furniture, and other debris that’s built up over the winter. City crews cannot accept motor oil, paint, fuels, or chemicals. White goods such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and other large appliances will be picked up for a $10 charge. You must pay at City Hall in advance of pick up. According to Kriss Edwards at the City’s Refuse & Billing office, the regulations for this trash pick up are the same for the rest of the year. By offering a Cleanup Week, the department can schedule extra personnel and trucks for the added work. To schedule white goods pick up, or ask a question: Administrative Assistant/Refuse Residents should note the City’s Recycling Program can no longer accept newspapers bundled in plastic bags. Newspapers, magazines, and other paper recyclables should be placed in a green recycling bin and brought to the curb. Click here for the City’s 2008 Recycling Schedule. | |
The Bradford City Report for March 2008 has been published. This contains the City’s March budget report as well as departmental budget summaries as presented to City Counsel. Find all 2008 City Reports here. | |
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Our condolences to the family of Vince Gaeto, who died Sunday at his home. Gaeto, 53, was well known as the director of Koch Chatley Gaeto Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Bradford. Mr. Gaeto was also very active in the community. He was well-liked personally and in his business, a position that required the kind of people skills and genuine caring that Vince demonstrated. His life deserves recognition as the kind of person who made Bradford better. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. | |
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Bradford Landmark Society Nick’s Red Hots Prokopis Pete Semoudarias, also known as “Nick” was well known for over 40 years for his famous Nick’s Red Hots. Born in Greece, he came to Bradford in the 1950’s and ran his hot dog shop at various locations, including South Avenue, MainStreet, the corner of St. James and Mechanic Streets, and finally on Veterans Square. In addition to his business in Bradford, Nick also ran a second hot dog shop in Clean, NY in the 1970’s. Nick passed away at the age of 73 in May of 1999. | |
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HON. LEWIS EMERY, Jr. — Senator Emery is perhaps the best-known citizen of Bradford. He was born near the village of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., August 10, 1839. His father met with financial reverses in the construction of a railroad, near Olean, for the old Erie company, and in other ventures. He went west and located with his family in Michigan, where he carried on the milling business, having mastered the trade of cloth-making when young and being a skilled mechanic. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools, and after learning the trade of his father, attended the Hillsdale College, of Hillsdale, Mich., where he finished his training. He then taught school, and worked for his father in his mill. In May, 1846, he went to Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandizing and built a mill. |
Bradford City Council held it’s regular meeting Tuesday night.
