Burglary Does Not Dampen Spirits of Chamber's Business of the Year Recipient

Even a robbery at his store didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Exemplary Business Award recipient.

While accepting his award at Thursday's annual dinner and meeting, Save-A-Lot owner Bill Larson said the store was robbed last night .

"It put us behind the 8 ball," he said, "but we still want to show that no matter what happens in business, we're still going to move forward. We're still going to move ahead."*


Also Thursday, Mike Glesk accepted the chamber's first Director's Award on behalf of Leadership McKean. Deborah Pontzer Congressman Glenn Thompson's staff said Leadership McKean has become a model for other programs across the state. Earlier, she joked that she is from the Midwest (Wisconsin) and Fargo, North Dakota, only won the Toughest Weather City Tournament on "name recognition ... You people have got it ..."

Ralph Rose received the Community and Spirit Award. Among other things, he was lauded for helping people get through the tougest moments of their lives. People also mentioned that his work can be seen on the Richard McDowell Community Trail, at Bradford Regional Medical Center and many other places throughout the community.

Pictured, from top, Bill Larson with chamber president John Sullivan, second vice president Steve Hardin, and executive director Ron Orris; Glesk and Pontzer; Rose.

You can listen to the awards presentations and acceptance speeches here.


*The police department's complaint report and request sheet does list a burglary at Save-A-Lot, but does not include any other information.