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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Here at Bradford-Online.com we hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July holiday. This seemed appropriate for the occasion. The voice should need no introduction, but for the younger crowd, it’s the voice of movie actor john Wayne. The fireworks were from the public display the Seneca Allegany Hotel & Casino in Salamanca, NY put on.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian Socialist, and the cousin of Socialist Utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). [Wikipedia]
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Bullying.

Sure, it’s the age. Many of us put up with it in our school years. When it comes to being attacked by a gang there is another name for it: assault.

When you walk in to Floyd C. Fretz Middle School in Bradford you will immediately see posters against bullying. Impossible to miss, they’re posted right outside the glass enclosed office. Ask any Fretz student and they’ll tell you, that as far as it goes, posters.

On February 14, 2005 the Bradford Area School Board adopted the following policy:

249. BULLYING

The Bradford Area School District is committed to providing a safe and productive learning environment within its schools. Bullying of a student by another student is strictly prohibited on school property, in school buildings, on school buses, and at school-sponsored events and/or activities whether occurring on or off campus. The Board of Education shall require the prohibition of bullying along with the range of possible intervention activities and/or sanctions for such misconduct to be included in the district Procedure Manual… [Full Text]

This revision to policy was meant to send a message to students and school staff alike. The Bradford Area School District was recognizing that bullying had a significant effect on students and the schools were to take it seriously. Apparently the message didn’t get through to the staff at Fretz. Bullying, including physical assault is still a way of life there.

In 2005 my son was viciously assaulted by a group of Fretz students. The assault began in front of the school in view of the principal, and continued for three blocks. Fortunately an adult passing in his car stopped and aided my son. Charges were filed against the boys. Fretz staff assured us this would be taken seriously. The boys were “suspended” for three days according to policy. After two days they were back in school. I was assured privately that the old principal was retiring and that “things would change”.

Fast forward to today. A group of girls surrounded a female student right in front of the glass enclosed office while classes were changing. None of the office staff saw anything. The ring leader physically attacked the victim, who successfully defended herself. She went into the office to report the incident, as she has on each occasion these girls have harassed her.

The incident was referred to the Vice Principal, Mr. Benson. He “began an investigation”, but was busy with other duties which he attended to. The parents weren’t notified of the assault. As to the bully, Benson said that “law enforcement was involved.” When pressed as to whom he had notified about the assault Benson admitted that he hadn’t notified anyone. The bottom line, according to Benson is, “We have 270 students, and there’s only so much we can do”.

People who wander into dark alleys at night shouldn’t be surprised if they are attacked. Children who attend Fretz Middle School should be able to attend without fear of being attacked and harassed every day. Especially when they have reported the incidents to the school officials who are supposed to protect them.

Charges will be filed by the parents over this latest incident. They weren’t filed before because Fretz officials told them this would be dealt with.

The School Board has stated the policy that is supposed to be filed. The Police will do their part too. But nothing will really change until Fretz officials decide to take the District’s Anti-bullying policy seriously.

As parents, we can’t go to school each day to protect our kids. When will the Fretz staff realize we entrust the safety of our children to them? How can a student concentrate on school when they are afraid to change classes?

It’s time they realized there is more to an anti-bullying policy that putting a poster on the wall.

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.

Many people are starting to notice that TalkAboutBradford.com has been closed (again). The truth is, it’s very difficult to provide a forum for free speech without exposing one’s self to a lot of liability. A lot of patience and work is involved in keeping a virtual community both civil and interesting. Forget about making money, it needs to be a labor of love.

That said, a virtual community is a nice thing to have. Sort of like the old barber shop, or the cracker barrel at the general store. People can gather to gab, say their piece, or just listen to catch up on what’s happening. If you plan to start another Bradford-related forum, please let us know, so we can post it here.

Josh Hatcher of the Roulette Rebel was in Bradford recently to take some more pictures. Not the usual photo subjects. You can view his pictures here.

We also heard from Julia, poet and artist. You can check out her blog here.

Bradford City Council members Tom Riel, Dan Costello, and Ross Neidich have backed an unenforceable smoking ban in certain city parks over the objections of Mayor Michelle Corignani and Parks Director Chip Comilla.

The move, led by Riel is actually a back door attempt to move a small group of loiterers from Veteran’s Square. The Bradford Era quoted Riel as saying:

“Part of the reason I’m proposing this ordinance is to clean up the public square,” he said. “The people who hang out there keep the people from Emery Towers from going there. You get riff-raff who hang out all day and throw butts all over the place.”

In passing this measure Riel and the other two council members have shown a complete disdain for the majority of law abiding and considerate smokers. Parents who enjoyed taking their children to the City’s parks. This sort of disdain is nothing new for Riel however. He is perhaps best remembered for holding the City hostage a few years ago by threatening to open a strip club on Main Street until the City payed him off.

Mayor Michelle Corignani voted against the measure over concerns about its enforceability.

By passing this new law Riel and the other two failed to consider how it will be enforced. They ignored existing anti-littering legislation that could be, but is not enforced. They failed to consider the out-of-towners who attend our festivals on Main Street. Will they beautify Veteran’s Square by hanging big “No Smoking” signs? Maybe, but more than likely the law will just be ignored at those times because those are the “right kind of people”. Meanwhile, the group they are targeting are free to move on to Main Street to smoke and loiter in front of our businesses.

No, Riel, Costello, and Niedich can now move on, patting themselves on the back for passing some feel-good legislation, and dumping responsibility for enforcement on the City Police. Now that’s leadership.

In a previous post we mentioned the controversy surrounding Bradford Forest Products decision to use a temporary employment agency that specializes in Hispanic workers from outside the U.S.

Reportedly, while BFP is giving the temporary workers overtime, they are cutting the hours of their permanent employees. Apparently they’re having a problem retaining their temporary employees too. You can read the first-hand report and comments at TalkAbout Bradford.com.

Original post:

It was reported this week that Bradford Forest is using a temporary employment agency that specializes in employing Hispanic workers. According to the company’s president, they are not able to fill the positions locally “due to the lack of committed unskilled laborers available here”. While BFP tries this new hiring practice other area businesses find the labor pool satisfactory. This also sparked a lively discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.

According to an article in the Bradford Era, City Councilman Tom Riel is floating a proposal to ban smoking in Bradford, PA’s city parks.

This is only a thinly veiled attempt to drive a small group of loiterers out of Veteran’s Square on Main street. Granted, this group is generally loud, crude, and considered undesirable. Mr. Riel is trying to find a solution to the problem. However, since he can’t find other legal means to accomplish his goal, he has taken the next easiest way, target a minority. In this case, smokers. Smokers are an easy and popular target for politicians. This proposal will only place an additional burden on law-abiding citizens and law enforcement.

A smoking ban would require the city’s police force to patrol our parks in the same way high school teachers patrol the schools’ restrooms. That is, uless City Council decides to hire a Smoking Enforcement Officer. In order to beautify our city parks would the ordinance mandate prominent “NO SMOKING” signs in the Square and other parks? Of course littering by inconsiderate smokers is a problem, so why not enforce the littering laws? Does it justify criminalizing another class of otherwise law-abiding citizens?

The article quotes Mr. Riel:

“Part of the reason I’m proposing this ordinance is to clean up the public square,” he said. “The people who hang out there keep the people from Emery Towers from going there. The purpose of the city parks is not to be a smoking lounge,” he said. “Let them sit on their front porches and flick the butts in their own yards.”

Again, we all know who the proposal is targeting, and they don’t have yards. If the attempt is made to enforce the ban, this group will simply move on to our sidewalks and the benches in front of businesses. Can we expect an ordinance to ban smoking on sidewalks next? Why not enforce the loitering / vagrancy / littering laws? Will a smoking ban be any easier to enforce?

“People say ‘why don’t you just put up ash trays?’ We’ve tried. They get destroyed, and people use them for projectiles,” Riel explained.

That’s true if you use ashtrays created for indoor use. What about the black tower-style ashtrays businesses put in front of their stores? They are practically indestructible and when they are chained down make poor projectiles. While not everyone would use them, many would. This seems a much more reasonable, and cost-effective approach if the problem is discarded cigarette butts.

“It’s a health and safety issue. The public square is the centerpiece of downtown Bradford. When you are stopped at the light there, you can see the square is riddled with cigarette butts. Something has to be done.”

Yes, littering is a health and safety issue, but we already have laws on the books if they were enforced. I’m surprised Mr. Riel didn’t add, “It’s for the children!”. If he proposed a solution to the problem of illegal immigration, would it be to ban Latin music?

What’s your opinion? Please let us know in the comment form below.