Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Bradford City Council has voted to raise the salaries of the mayor city council members and city controller for 2016. Mayor Tom Riel did not attend the special meeting and, obviously, did not vote on the measure. Councilman Rhett Kennedy was also absent from the meeting. The mayor’s salary would go from $5,000 to $10,000, while the council salaries would go from $3,500 to $5,000 a year. The mayor and council members are on call 24 hours a day. Final reading of the measure is set for the regular council meeting on Tuesday. Riel tells WESB he will not be attending that meeting either because of another engagement. The last time salaries were raised was in 1995. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Directors Shane Oschman and Pamala Mahle have announced that tickets are now available for “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the opening show for Bradford Little Theatre’s 18th season. The iconic musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Weber opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Bradford Area High School with shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. About the cast, Pamala Mahle says “Vocally, this is one of the most talented casts I have ever had the pleasure to work with. In only three days we were able to cover over half of the score vocally. It was very impressive to watch how much further this cast stretched their abilities as rehearsals continued.” Oschman added, “Not only that but they are truly dedicated to putting their very best effort on the stage. They are hardworking and, just as importantly, funny. We’ve been working hard but we’ve had fun while doing it too. A director can try to set a tone but the cast controls it. Their blend of seri...

You can take the "acting" off Teri Cannon's title as Bradford City Council voted to make her city administrator during a special meeting late this afternoon. Cannon was named acting city administrator earlier this month. After council voted Cannon into the position Mayor Tom Riel noted that she is a fourth generation city employee, with her family having served Bradford for more than 80 years. She has been employed by the city for 23 years. Her father, Ed Sutherland, worked for the city for 31 years, most recently as director of the public works department until his retirement. Riel also read a letter from John Peterson, who retired as city clerk after 14 years in that position, and 28 with the city fire department. (The city no longer has a clerk position, as it has been replaced with the administrator.) Peterson wished the city’s first administrator the best and says he’s confident she will be able to lead the city for many years to come. Peterson also took the opp...

Bradford City Council on Tuesday honored Judge Chris Hauser, who is leaving his position as chairman of the Downtown Bradford Redevelopment Corporation. Under his leadership, the DBRC established the Main Street Mercantile, renovated the Main Street Movie House and other key buildings in the Downtown Historic District, and returned them to private ownership. Hauser had been chairman of the DBRC since its inception. He stepped down after being elected judge in the McKean County Court of Common Pleas. Also Tuesday, council approved a change order for the new fire truck for the city fire department. Councilman Rhett Kennedy explained that the truck is necessary because the one it’s replacing is more than 30 years old. The next “newest” truck is 16 years old, he said, adding that the normal life of a fire truck is 10 years. Mayor Tom Riel added that without up-to-date equipment the department may not be eligible for grant money. The total coast of the truck and equipment is “not to ...

Employee Band Staff Infection to Perform The Hero's Anne Holliday Broadcasting Live The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Founders’ Day celebration Sept. 3, 50 years from the day it first opened its doors. In the 50 years since that momentous first day of class, Pitt-Bradford has grown from a fledging institution comprised of a hodgepodge of buildings in Bradford to a nationally recognized university with a campus of its very own. Its enrollment has grown by more than 455 percent from 288 students on its first day to about 1,600 students this year, and it has produced more than 10,000 graduates from all 50 states and several countries. “Pitt-Bradford would not have been established had it not been for several forward-thinking individuals in the community who recognized the need for an institution of higher education in this region and for those residents who contributed to the cause,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradfor...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host a Veterans Day Recital at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel for all members of the campus and Bradford communities. The event is being co-sponsored by the Office of Community Engagement, Gold Bar Club and the Student Activities Council. The program will feature various patriotic musical selections, prayer and a moment of silence. Dan Robinson, a broadcast communications major from Gifford, will sing the national anthem. Staff Infection, which includes Pitt-Bradford staff members, will perform acoustic versions of “Freedom” by Paul McCartney and “Fortunate Son” by Credence Clearwater Revival. Members of the Bradford community will also perform. Sisters in Spirit members, Christy Danias, Deanna Peters and Claudia Quinn, will sing “American Anthem,” accompanied by Jeanne Gross. Gross will also be the organist for the event. For more information call the Office of Community Engagement at (814) 3...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The City of Bradford has come up with a new battle plan in its fight against blight. Instead of demolishing only a handful of properties this year, they’re going to go after many more by, as OECD director Sara Andrews said, getting more bang for their buck. She explained that every year $30,000 of Community Development Block Grant money is set aside for demolition. But this year, they are going take out a loan for $150,000 and pay back the loan with the CDBG money. Andrews said she checked with the state Department of Community and Economic Development and they said using the money that way would be fine. City Council on Tuesday authorized OECD to send letters to lending institutions in an effort to secure the loan. She said Councilman Rhett Kennedy has complied of list of 56 properties that need to be demolished, and that list is growing. She added that they are in the process of getting the “legal end of things” tied up so they can secure the ...

Scarnati Re-Elected President Pro Tem Rhett Kennedy was sworn in as the newest member of Bradford City Council this morning. Tom Riel was also sworn in for his second term as mayor. Karen Hector was sworn in for her second term as city treasurer. The Board of Health also had a brief meeting, electing Kennedy president of the board. Kennedy will oversee public safety (fire and police) and code enforcement for the city. He replaces Ross Neidich, who did not run for re-election. And in Harrisburg, Joe Scarnati has been re-elected by his colleagues as Senate President Pro Tempore. Pictured, City Clerk John Peterson (far right) administers the oath of office to Hector, Kennedy and Riel (standing) as city solicitor Mark Hollenbeck and councilman Rick Benton and Jim Evans look on . Photo by Ron Orris The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947