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Mayor says flags weren’t American Until After Citation

July 30, 2008 in Local Interest, News Roundup, Talk About Bradford

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.
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Bradford, PA Business Cited For Flying Flags

July 26, 2008 in News Roundup, Politics & Government, Talk About Bradford

Is Bradford issuing citation to people who fly the American Flag?

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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Bradford City Council – Privacy Issues And The Key To The City

July 8, 2008 in Local Interest, News Roundup, Politics & Government

Bradford City Council held it’s regular meeting Tuesday night.

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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Bradford, PA Benefits From PA Film Tax Credit

June 30, 2008 in Entertainment, Local Interest, Politics & Government

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:

FilmInPA.com

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Mayor Endorses Plan For 2.6 Billion In School Funding

June 10, 2008 in News Roundup, Politics & Government

Bradford Mayor Tom Riel spoke Tuesday at a conference attended by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, educators, and elected officials from across the state. The conference discussed plans to enact a school funding formula law that invests at least $2.6 billion over the next six years to help close the school funding shortfall identified in the legislature’s Costing-Out Report.

(L) PA Governor Ed Rendell - (R) Bradford Mayor Tom Riel

Riel told the conference, “Failure to act has real economic costs. As a locally elected official, I understand that if the state refuses to live up to its responsibility, then the burden falls to local taxpayers – which in turn hinders our economic growth. The best strategy for long-term property tax relief is for the state to increase funding for our schools.”

At the podium Riel also stressed how important it is for the General Assembly to cooperate to find a solution to the funding shortfall.

Related:

GOVERNOR RENDELL’S 2008-09 EDUCATION PROPOSED BUDGET

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City Of Bradford Schedules Spring Cleanup

April 24, 2008 in Local Interest, News Roundup, Politics & Government

City Of Bradford, Pennsylvania

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
Refuse Billing & Recycling
Kriss Edwards
(814) 362-3884 ext.12
kriss.edwards@bradfordpa.com

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.

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Protesters Demononstrate At Peterson’s Retirement

April 14, 2008 in AV, Politics & Government

Bradford, PA – April 12, 2008

Protesters demonstrated Saturday at the retirement dinner held for Representative John E. Peterson at the Penn Hills Club here in Bradford, PA.

The group of about a dozen identified themselves as members of the Fifth District Peace Project. The group targets the Fifth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, and Representative Peterson’s voting record, particularly regarding the war. Peterson will be retiring at the end of his term. A number of candidates will compete for his seat in the election this fall.

The Fifth District Peace Project is co-sponsoring an event on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Bradford’s Veteran’s Square from 10am – 4pm. The event is known as “Eyes Wide Open – An Exhibition On The Human Cost Of The War”. Co-sponsored by the American Friends Committee, more information is available here.

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Gas Prices Hit Another Record High

March 12, 2008 in Jobs & Employment, Politics & Government, TAB

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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Bradford Master Plan Public Meeting

March 3, 2008 in Local Interest, TAB

Bradford Regional Strategy

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
Bradford Regional Strategy – The Master Plan
TalkAboutBradford.com Discussion

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