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Causer Supports Government Reform Measures

Spider — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:46:48 +0000

The state House overwhelmingly approved a package of bills this week aimed at making
needed government reforms, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) said today.

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ACLU-PA Sues PA Borough for Retaliation Against Government Watchdogs

Spider — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 06:51:04 +0000

PITTSBURGH – The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit today on behalf of two Blawnox Borough residents, Melina Brajovic and Peggy…

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Trucking company owner charged with failing to insure employees; stealing government funds …

Spider — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:29:56 +0000

HARRISBURG – Attorney General agents have filed criminal charges against a Westmoreland
County business owner accused of misappropriating more than $45,000 from the United States
Postal Service…

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City of Bradford Celebration Day

Spider — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:45:20 +0000

The City of Bradford’s Office of Economic and Community Development is pleased to announce that it will be hosting two separate ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of two significant community development projects funded in part through the Impact Bradford project. The first ribbon-cutting & dedication ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25th, at the intersection of Onofrio Street and North Onofrio Street. This ceremony will celebrate the revitalization of Onofrio Street through the renovation of sixteen homes and the construction of sixteen new homes along with significant cleanup and infrastructure improvements that have taken place over the past ten years.

The second ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in front of the Old City Hall Building on Kennedy Street. This ceremony celebrates the completion of the final phase of the revitalization and redevelopment of the Boylston Street and Kennedy Street area of historic downtown Bradford. The $2.2 million downtown streetscape project primarily funded through Impact Bradford includes the replacement of curbs and sidewalks, which include decorative stamped concrete and traffic-calming areas, new stamped-concrete crosswalks, decorative streetlights, new trees and plantings and the upgrade of the traffic signal at the corner of Kennedy Street and Boylston Street.

Speakers for these ceremonies include Jackie Z. Parker, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Community Action Team. Ms. Parker is representing Govenor Rendell. Other speakers included Senator Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, Representative Martin Causer and Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel. The public is invited to help the Bradford community celebrate by attending both of these ceremonies.

Graffiti

Spider — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:42:47 +0000

Graffiti in Bradford, was the order of business at the Bradford City Council Graffiti Work Session held on September 9. The work session was open to the public, with about 20 local residents attending in addition to City Council members.

Based on ordinances from various other municipalities, Council presented a draft ordinance. The draft ordinance can be found here. After a reading of the draft by Mayor Tom Riel, comments were called for from the residents.

The ordinace proposes to:

Formally make graffiti a crime.
Ban the sale to, and possession of, spray paint for minors.
Require property owners to clean up graffiti in a reasonable time period.

During the public comment period, residents aired concerns such as, what penalties could be levied for offenders, and if the ordinance would apply to everyone equally.

The proposed ordinance leaves punishment up to Pennsylvania state guidelines as imposed by a judge. It also specifically states that it applies to, “associations, businesses, clubs, corporations, partnerships, and bodies politic”.

Council member Rick Benton questioned the “possession” clause, that there are many legitimate reasons for minors to possess spray paint, such as a senior project, or decorating a home coming float. He felt the wording of the ordinance would prevent legitimate activities as well as graffiti. Council member Ross Neidich expressed a preference for coordinating ordinances with Foster and Bradford Townships, and enacting the ordinances simultaneously to present a united front.

Resident Dick McDowell made an impassioned plea for property owners to stand up for their rights by not putting up with blight. That sentiment was echoed by Elm Street manager Lisa Campogiani and Council member Bob ONuffer, who urged residents to work with police to make the ordinance effective.

Mayor Tom Riel and Police Chief Michael Close stated that there is absolutely no evidence that the graffiti is gang related.

The work session involved the draft ordinance. To become law, the final draft will have a “first reading” at a future Council meeting. It can then be voted into law at a subsequent council meeting. The first reading is scheduled for the next Council meeting.

This is a hot topic on TalkAboutBradford.com. Join the discussion.

Smith Found Guilty

Spider — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:41:59 +0000

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.

According to WESB News:

Smith was fined $50 and has 30 days to appeal Cercone’s decision…

Join the discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.

Fox News Spins Flag Issue

Spider — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:58:30 +0000

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?

The story that originated in Bradford’s local newspaper was bad enough. It featured a picture of Smith standing amidst American flags in front of his business. Since then, the Mayor among others, have claimed the flags he was cited for were “SALE” flags, which he replaced with the patriotic ones after he received the citation. Smith recently stated that he replaced one sale flag with a POW/MIA flag after the citation, and the American flags were there originally. Some sites picked up the story and merely parroted it back with no fact checking. Others, like Fox News, couldn’t leave it at that, and have decided to add some extra spin to make the story more sensational. Truth be damned as long as the headlines scream, right?

To read what others are saying, and to join the discussion, visit our community forum, TalkAboutBradford.com.

Read our previous posts on this issue:

Bradford, PA Business Cited For Flying Flags

Mayor says flags weren’t American Until After Citation

The Bradford Era recently published another article titled, “Debate over citation for flags rages on in Bradford“.

“I am bothered and disturbed by the mayor’s comments (about) the flags in front of my business on East Main Street,” Mike Smith said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. Riel and I believe he’s doing a wonderful job as mayor.”

However, Smith took issue with comments Riel made in an article July 30. Riel said Smith was clouding the issue of his citations, given for posting the flags in the right-of-way, by saying the city was trying to make him take down his American and Prisoner of War flags.

Riel said the flags Smith was cited for were not patriotic flags, but business-related flags.

Smith disagreed, saying that wasn’t accurate.
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 have a young warrior of the 173rd Airborne unit who is arriving home
from Afghanistan on August 4th. His name is John McGriff, a Bradford man and
last week the 9 soldiers killed were from his unit, who gave their lives for
our freedom. As his mother (Dawn McGriff) asked in her e-mail to me, I
believe everyone in Bradford should post their flag the week of August 3rd
in his honor and support. If you have any other ideas of other support let
me know. He also was made a member of Bradford Legion Post 108, he should
have his membership card when he arrives home. They hope he will arrive
around 4-4:30 pm Monday.

Clair D. Butler,
Adjutant, Bradford Legion Post 108

We thank you for your consideration. Please pass this email along to other
businesses and individuals in the community.

This information was provided by:

Diane Sheeley
Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce
www.bradfordchamber.com

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!

Mayor says flags weren’t American Until After Citation

Spider — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:56:07 +0000

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.

Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel has stated that tne citation has nothing to do with the American flag, or patriotism. The issue is obstructing a City right-of-way.

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.

“The true story is that he had other flags up and he’s trying to twist it into an American flag issue”, Riel said.

The story of the citation has drawn national attention, although Riel says the City has received a half a dozen or less emails on the issue. Our local discussion forum, TalkAboutBradford.com, has been carrying on an intense discussion of the subject. Visit the forum to read the opinions, or register to join the discussion and let others know your thoughts.

Bradford, PA Business Cited For Flying Flags

Spider — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:06:26 +0000

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.

Smith has entered a “not guilty” plea before District Justice Dominic Cercone of Bradford. Smith was unavailable for comment Monday morning, but his spokesman, Vince Ioderosa, confirmed that the flags will stay in place until the hearing. “Mike’s a very patriotic guy”, said Ioderosa, “and the calls we’ve had have all been positive”.

While it may be a patriotism issue for Smith, the City of Bradford contends the issue is simply a matter of public safety and enforcing the law. Mayor Tom Riel commented that the type of flag is not the issue. The issue is whether a there is a code violation. One City official stated, “When we receive a public safety complaint, it’s not our choice to ignore it.”

Ioderosa claims they were told the City had received several complaints. While no one has complained directly to him, he believed the complaint may have been based on the view from the driveways on either side of the building.

The case will be heard on August 11, 2008 before Justice Cercone.

Read the comments and join the discussion on TalkAboutBradford.com.