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?
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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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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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HON. GEORGE C. FAGNAN. — This prominent citizen of Bradford is a native of Buffalo, where he was born, October 10, 1852. He received a common-school education. He was in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad Company for a number of years, and later with the Denver and Pacific Railroad with headquarters at Denver, Col. He then went with the Buffalo, New York and Pittsburg. In 1879 he was transferred by the company to the narrow-gauge railroad running between Eldred and Bradford, and in 1891 he located permanently in Bradford. After resigning his position with the railroad company he purchased the drug business of W. O. Neely. He is associated in business with Charles Green, a pharmacist of note. The subject of this sketch is greatly interested in the oil business, and has other interests which demand much of his attention. In politics he is a Democrat. He was elected County Treasurer in 1892, and Mayor of Bradford in 1895. He is an active member of Johnson Hose Company, and is popular with all classes.
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C. B. WHITEHEAD was born Tioga County, Pa., January 8, 1840. at Lawrenceville, He was educated in the schools of his native county, and in 1860 went to Titusville, Pa., where he was employed by Brewer, Watson & Co., extensive oil producers. He returned to Tioga County and was engaged in mercantile business four years. In 1870 he went to Blossburg, Pa., and from there to Bradford in 1878, where he engaged in oil producing, and where he died, January 31, 1899. Mr. Whitehead was a Democrat. When Bradford was incorporated into a city in 1876 he was one of the first select councilmen, and served until 1884, when President Cleveland appointed him postmaster of Bradford. When his term as postmaster expired he was again elected to the Common Council, in a Republican ward, by a handsome majority. Mr. Whitehead built more than forty houses in Bradford. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Ferris. Two children were born to them : Sarah and Waldo M. | |||||
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BENJAMIN F. HAZELTON. — Born at Machias, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., March 26, 1847. The subject of this sketch worked on his father’s farm until he was fourteen, and then went to the oil region of Oil Creek, where he assisted as a well-driller. He was a spectator when the famous Rouse well was burned, and Mr. Rouse lost his life in the terrible conflagration. In the winter of 1861-62, although but fifteen years of age, he enlisted, and participated in the famous battle of Shiloh. In 1863 his parents removed to Oconomowoc, Wis., and he followed them there. He embarked in the meat business in that place and made money enough to enter a preparatory school at Horicon, Wis., and Lawrence University of Appleton, Wis. He taught school in the winter months, and continued with his studies at the University, but his health failed him. He later took a business course in the Worthington Commercial College, and there married Miss Clarissa Florence Purple, a daughter of Assistant State Treasurer C. H. Purple. Five children were born to them. | |||||
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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. | |||||
National averages struggled to keep up with Bradford gasoline prices Tuesday, but ultimately lost the battle to an overnight 10 ¢ per gallon average local increase. The local Choice station appeared to have the lowest price in the area. When it comes to Bradford gasoline prices, “Choice” is an interesting concept. Most area gas stations, regardless of brand, typically charge prices that are within a penny of their competitors. Compare Bradford gas prices here. It’s fine to say we have to cut back on fuel consumption. There is a line where you can’t cut back any more though. In rural areas, such as Bradford, the situation is worse than in urban area. Homes, grocery stores, doctors, even gas stations are spread out. Most people have a fairly long drive to work. You don’t have a choice. Public transportation is almost non-existent in this part of the state. The ATA system is a notable exception. However, they aren’t geared toward the average commuter on a work schedule. Perhaps it’s time to demand our politicians get serious about giving us a choice. Making a commitment to alternative transportation would be a good start. Take the money we’ve been giving the oil companies and invest in short-haul passenger train service. Use some of the gas tax revenue to improve bus service. Give people a real choice to leave the car at home. Subsidize bus routes that service the outlying communities to get Zippo and BRMC employees to work and home again without having to drive into town. Then, when we decide to cut back on gas some more we’ll have the choice to do so. Do you have a comment? Join the discussion on TalkaboutBradford.com. | |||||
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The Bradford Regional Planning, or Master Plannning process held a public forum Wednesday night at Fretz Middle School. Commissioned by Bradford’s Office Of Economic And Community Development (OECD), the consulting team shared some of the information and impressions they have gathered so far. Read about the Strategic Plan here. You can also learn more and give your opinion: | |||||
The public forum with the planning team will be held in the meeting room at Fretz Middle School on the evening of March 5th from 7-9pm. All are welcome - please mark your calendars! This is your chance to make your opinion heard on Bradford’s future! Additional information: Bradford Regional Strategy Web Site | |||||
Sale! Sale! Sale! Cindy has announced her retirement and will be selling off her stock at deeply discounted prices, as well as great “bag of books” deals. You can’t blame this closing on the chain stores because they simply can’t provide the treasure hunt experience that characterized a visit to the Book Haven. It is the last true book store in the area.
You can read more on TalkAboutBradford.com. Cindy’s Book Haven is located on Congress Street, just around the corner from the former Archer’s. It’s also worth mentioning the Bradford Area Public Library. Along with their huge collection of free books, they offer a great atmosphere, public access computers, even paintings that can be checked out. They also offer great deals on used books, and of course, some very knowledgeable librarians. | |||||
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While gasoline prices in the rest of the nation declined, on average, to under $3.00, prices in Bradford Pa remained well above $3.00. Now that prices are rising again, retailers in Bradford are ahead of the curve, raising prices immediately. The U.S. reports healthy oil reserves, and the Chinese have capped prices and cut imports. So what’s the excuse this time? Reportedly, Speculation on a slowing U.S. economy is driving oil prices up. Check here for the latest Bradford, PA Gas Prices. | |||||
Update: The Bradford Area School District has announced there will be no school on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 due to on-going water main repairs. “Conserve, Conserve, Conserve” were the three words Kim Benjamin of the Bradford Water Authority wants to stress to area residents and water customers. Water system customers are urged to conserve water after several breaks were detected in city and township water lines. Crews have been working to repair the breaks. The most serious break was detected Sunday morning in the 20 inch water main along Campus Drive that is the major supply line to the City. About half of the normal water reserve of eight million gallons, was lost in about an hour. Currently Benjamin believes that all water leaks have been detected or repaired. However, until the water reserve is replenished, another large break could seriously effect the area. He estimates it will take another 5-7 days to replenish the supply. While the break along Campus Drive was not directly related to the cold weather, most line breaks do happen during the winter. In an effort to curtail water use many high volume water customers have been cooperating with the Bradford Water Authority. Bradford area schools were closed Monday, and other customers effected include Pitt-Bradford, BRMC, FCI-McKean, Zippo, Case, and Dresser. The Bradford Water Authority also issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the next 72 hours. The advisory is voluntary, but was issued because disruptions could cause sediment and other contaminates throughout the system. No health problems have been reported.
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Bradford Regional Strategyis the process of hammering out a development plan for Bradford and the surrounding area. In addition to the 100 local residents involved on committees, the consultants invite public input via their web site. So far, topics for discussion include Bradford’s strengths and weaknesses. Read the information directly from the researchers and consultants. You can read the minutes of each interview session as they talked to local students, township commissioners, realtors, and others. Voice your opinion. Give your two cents about the direction Bradford should take, or how to get where we need to go. The web site has an in-depth analysis of economic data for McKean County and the 8 counties immediately surrounding it. The study compares local and regional data with national and state averages. It identifies what we have, what we’re short on, and what we’re totally missing to grow now and in the future. The analysis itself is interesting, and breaks the economic picture into several views. Almost 50% of the region’s economic output is from manufacturing. In McKean County, Forest, wood, and wood related products provide 1,174 jobs. Healthcare and healthcare related industries provide 1,866 jobs in the county. You can also read some ideas on the subject here. From their “About Us” page:
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The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a premier Business After Hours on Thursday, November 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by The Main Street Mercantile and will be held at The Main Street Mercantile at 96 Main Street. Business After Hours gives the business community an opportunity to network, share current activities, new products, and to advertise in a relaxed, social setting. The Main Street Mercantile provides area businesses and merchants a place to display and collectively showcase their products and services. The event is open to employees of area businesses and organizations. Refreshments and giveaways are included. Future Business After Hours programs will be held every other month. There is no charge to attend. The BACC membership committee is committed to present quality opportunities for regional business and service organizations. Business After Hours programs are offered by many chambers in the region and throughout the state with business owners finding value in their participation. For more information contact: Rebecca Plummer Events Coordinator 814-368-7115 x 104 Celebrating 125 years of service to the Bradford area | |||||
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Pennsylvania State Representative Martin Causer Joins in Fight to Pass a New Fair Share Act | |||||
