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Troopers refute suggestion politics played role in arrest of former Bradford city police chief

Spider — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:58:14 +0000

A Pennsylvania State Police official says the agency’s investigation of a Bradford, Pa., woman’s allegation she was assaulted by former Bradford City Police Chief Michael…

View full post on Latest Local News From BradfordToday.com

Election Day 2008 – Get Out and Vote

Spider — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:27:41 +0000

If you are in favor of an “Obama-nation” or if you are a “McCain-a-maniac”, it’s your day. Get out and vote.

Some people don’t like either, and I’ve heard from many that they are not voting.

With the utmost respect for their convictions, let me say, that voting is not our right, but rather our DUTY.

Don’t like any of the candidates? Write in the person YOU think works best for the job, even if they aren’t running. Maybe it’s yourself. Maybe it’s Will Smith. Maybe it’s Ron Paul.

It’s time to make your voice heard. Place your vote, and wait to see who will get the reins of this Great Nation.

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.
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.

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

Spider — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:15:35 +0000

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.

Independence Day

Spider — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:28:55 +0000

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]

No where does the pledge ask us to swear an oath to the government. Mr. Bellamy seems to have agreed with the founding fathers. The republic, and its government, exist to ensure the safety and happiness of its citizens. The citizens don’t exist to serve the government. The citizens don’t exist for the benefit of corporations, or the markets. When you recite the “Pledge Of Allegiance” you are swearing an oath to be a member of our country, and believe in the ideals it was founded on. We the people, are the republic.

A republic that benefits its citizens can only work if the citizens participate in it. Citizens must learn how their government works, and how they can participate. If they don’t, those who are motivated by power and greed will certainly hijack the republic, and its citizens, for their own benefit.

Citizens must pledge their allegiance to the flag and the republic. Just remember the republic is us.

Protesters Demononstrate At Peterson’s Retirement

Spider — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:26:32 +0000

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.

Gas Prices Hit Another Record High

Spider — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:06:11 +0000

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.

Bradford Master Plan Public Meeting

Spider — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:31:31 +0000

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

12 Candidates In Race To Replace Pennsylvania Representative John Peterson

Spider — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:21:30 +0000

Representative John Peterson announced he will not be running for re-election at the end of his term this year. Nine Republicans and three Democrats are now officially running for the 5th District Congressional seat Peterson has occupied in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District Map

John Peterson
Pleasantville
Owned and operated a retail food market for 26 years
Peterson was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1977. In 1984, Peterson was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate where he served for 12 years, chairing both the Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Republican Policy Committee. In 1996, Peterson was elected to serve Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican Candidates:

Elk County Coroner Lou Radkowski
Jeffrey J. Stroehmann, a business owner who is the great-grandson of the founder of Stroehmann Bakery
Derek Walker, owner of a financial planning business
Chris Exarchos, a former Centre County commissioner
Matt Shaner, a hotel developer
Glenn Thompson, the Centre County GOP chairman and a nursing home administrator
Keith Richardson, an attorney and pastor
Clarion Mayor John Rea Stroup
John Krupa, an insurance agent.

Democratic Candidates:

Bill Cahir, a journalist who fought in the Iraq war with the Marines
Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken
Lock Haven Mayor Richard Vilello.

Kerry Gern of Glade Township will challenge Representative Kathy Rapp in her bid for re-election.

Representative Marty Causer is running unopposed.

In the 25th Senatorial District:

Senator Joe Scarnati is running for re-election on the Republican ticket.
Democrat Donald Hilliard of Brookville is running as a Democrat.

The 5th District is traditionally conservative Republican territory. The presumptive winner in the November general election will be the winner of the April 22nd Republican primary. Without an incumbent to challenge, the three Democratic candidates stand a better chance of winning than they have in decades. Since the district is considered one of the most conservative in the state, a democratic win would send a strong message to Republicans in Harrisburg.