Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Bradford City Council hopes to appoint a new council member at its next meeting on July 10. The new member would serve out the term of Rick Benton, who died June 16. Council will be accepting applications until 3 p.m. Friday. As Tuesday's council meeting starated, Mayor Tom Riel asked for a moment of silence in honor of Benton but, before that, he talked about Benton coming to him about filling the council seat Riel was vacating to become mayor. “I asked him to be able to agree to disagree and move onto the next issue without holding a grudge; and if he had something to say to me to say it to my face and then he could tell the whole world. He honored both of those very well,” Riel said, then added with a chuckle, “And he very often did not agree with me.” “He was a great councilman,” Riel said, adding that Benton would arrive for most council meetings half an hour early in case he had any questions he could ask city clerk John Peterson and get them cleared up. “He was definitely a ...

Richard Dana "Rick" Benton, 68, of 29 Charlotte Ave. Bradford, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Hamot Medical Center, after a brief illness. Born December 7, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, he was the son of the late Oscar Freeman and Virginia (Dana) Benton. Mr. Benton was a 1961 graduate of Bradford High School and a 1965 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B. S. in Social Studies education. He also received a Masters of Arts in History from IUP and a Curriculum Specialist/Supervisor Certificate from St. Bonaventure. Mr. Benton was employed by the Bradford Area Schools as a teacher and Dept. Head for over 37 years. After retirement he was employed as a Director of Community Affairs for Dallas-Morris Drilling Company, Inc. and as a member of Bradford City Council. He was active in many community organizations as an officer and/or Board Member and gave numerous programs on many topics including Bradford City Street names. He was a member and officer of ...

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

Although a couple members of the Board of Health would prefer that the city health license of Marsh’s Bar be suspended immediately, the board voted to give the owner 14 days to remedy the 32 violations found in inspections done last week. “This property is a disgrace,” said board member Jim Evans. “It’s one of Bradford’s worst.” Referring to pictures that were taken by inspectors Mike Cleveland and Mark Grassi, Evans said, “What’s going on inside mirrors what’s on the outside.” He asked why the license couldn’t be revoked immediately because the owner has had every opportunity to bring it up to code in the past. Letters were sent to Ken Marsh in April and also in August of last year in reference to code violations. The city’s special counsel Greg Henry said he “would much rather take action immediately than have any sort of delay. There’s no question about that. On the other hand we need to do this in a way that will survive any legal attack upon us.” “This deals with this individual’s...

We’ve heard it before: The Kennedy Street Bridge is one step closer to being replaced. This time, however, a company has been hired to do the work. The L.C. Whitford Company Inc. of Wellsville, N.Y., submitted the lowest of five bids for the job at $444,436. PennDOT opened the bids on December 2, and Bradford City Council authorized execution of the contract on Tuesday. Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council authorized a contract with E & M Engineers for $100,644 for design of the School Street Elementary Safe Routes to School project. Council also agreed to execute an agreement with Habiterra Architecture to provide design and related enhancements to the Kessel Athletic Complex for $152,000. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will reimburse the city for the cost of the engineering services. Council also authorized the filing of an application for Transportation Enhancement Funding through the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission for the Elm Street/Davis...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Last month Bradford City Council was looking at 4.5 millage rate and a hefty tax increase. Tuesday, they learned the rate has been cut by more than half and they’re not finished cutting yet. Earlier in the afternoon it had been cut to 2.58 but City Clerk John Peterson said that thanks to a diligent insurance agent and the efforts of the city’s employee safety committees, another $60,000 was cut out of the budget, bringing the millage rate to 2.21. Peterson commended Sundahl Insurance and Fred Hilzinger for finding a better rate than the city had been getting for their workman’s compensation insurance. It been $213,959 and is now $151,911 for a rate reduction of 29 percent. He thanked Hilzinger for “going the extra mile for the City of Bradford.” Peterson added that city employees deserve a round of applause because the reduction can be directly attributed to the safety committee, headed by former Councilman Bob Onuffer, who brought safety issues...

Local parents, child care providers, and educators now have a consolidated venue to turn to for information on child development, parenting, and issues specific to children with delays and disabilities with the unveiling of the Parent Resource Center at the Bradford Area Public Library. CARE for Children initially developed a collection of materials following a Children First Priority One grant that the agency received from the Kiwanis Club of Bradford in 2001. The number of resources has grown considerably over the years, with continued funding from the Kiwanis Club and the United Way of Bradford. Donations of books were also received by the March of Dimes, the Bradford Area School District and local individuals. “CARE had all these great resources for parents but they were underutilized,” stated Tina Martin, Executive Director. “We decided to collaborate with the library, and Director Linda Newman graciously set aside a prominent space next to the circulation desk to house the col...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Bradford City Council passed on first reading a budget that, as is, would mean a tax increase of about 4 mils. But Mayor Tom Riel and all four councilmen said they would not pass it on final reading next month unless significant changes are made. “I’ll never vote for this sort of tax increase,” said Councilman Jim Evans during Tuesday's council meeting. “The tax increase that’s proposed by this (budget) is way out of line with what our citizens can afford,” said Councilman Fred Proper. Proper also noted that the last page of the ordinance says it “shall be effective upon final passage,” which would be December 28. Riel reminded everyone that, just like last year, the first reading of the budget doesn’t look good and, last year, it looked as if a huge millage increase would be necessary, “but we shaved that down to almost nothing.” The anticipated total general fund expenditures for this year are $8,219,233. The submitted expenditures for 201...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A local contractor has concerns about the way the Office of Community and Economic Development conducts business regarding home rehabilitation projects, and he brought those concerns to Bradford City Council Tuesday night. Bob Baker of Baker General Contracting had questions about why he wasn’t getting bid announcements for projects, and also about how the projects are advertised and awarded. The questions led to heated exchanges between Baker and OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, and even prompted Mayor Tom Riel to bang his gavel and ask for order, and Councilman Rick Benton to scold people about being polite. Andrews and City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained that OECD is simply a conduit between the homeowners and the contractors and, therefore, the same rules that apply to bids for city-related projects do not apply to the home rehabilitation projects. Eventually, Andrews said she would make sure bid announcements are sent to Baker, an...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Code enforcement has a new plan. During Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting, code enforcement officer George Corignani said he and Merle Silvis want to use the two firemen who are in training at the code enforcement office to find problem properties throughout the city. The plan is to have them go ward to ward throughout the city, take pictures and notes, and report back to Corginani and Silvis, who would act on the problems. Once the First Ward is done, they’ll move to the Second Ward, and so on. Corginani and Silvis would continue to do inspections and answer health-related complaints. “We’ve been jumping around from ward to ward … trying to answer this and answer that. … If we started at one ward and did that ward with the two extra guys, that would give us some relief for us to do the stuff we have to do,” Corignani said. The plan is to pay them with money code enforcement collects from fines and fees. Mayor Tom Riel and Councilman Rick ...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Bradford City Council has taken a tremendous step in the right direction toward rectifying the city’s financial problems, according to Mayor Tom Riel. During its meeting Tuesday, council agreed to take any and all actions necessary to initiate the application process for the state’s Early Intervention Program. The program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, was designed to help municipalities that are financially troubled, but not yet formally distressed. The Early Intervention Program supports municipalities by offering grants that can be used to pay costs associated with hiring an independent financial consultant to prepare a three- to five-year financial plan and management review of the municipality. “This is probably one of the biggest steps the City of Bradford can possibly take to try to rectify our financial problems,” Riel said. “It’s probably overdue, but I think … it’s going to work for us and it’s a...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director While the City of Bradford’s financial picture isn’t bright, budget figures are right where they’re expected to be through April. During Tuesday’s council meeting, city clerk John Peterson said that, as of the end of April, “Revenues are tracking on pace and our expenditures may actually be a little under what is budgeted currently for most line items.” “It’s a little early to process right now,” Peterson said, “but we haven’t had anything alarming show up in wage tax figures or anything else that would make us say ‘Oh my God, it’s the end of the world.’ We got the big shock last year with timber, and we adjusted the budget accordingly this year based on the best projected revenue we could.” On June 16 of last year, during a mid-year budget review city council work session department heads learned that timber revenues would be anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000 less than projections. Also last year, about 800 people were out of work, meaning wag...

Rick Benton and the Kiwanis Club of Bradford are this year’s recipients of the George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Award. The awards will be presented during the 2010 Bradford Community Awards Breakfast on June 8 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Also during the breakfast, five high school students will be presented with the Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth Award. They are Rachel Britton of Bradford Area High School, Russel Marold of Kane Area High School, Cody Baxter of Otto-Eldred High School, Jonathan Binder of Port Allegany High School and Danielle Nielson of Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School. The YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Bill Leven.

A new Mexican restaurant is coming to town, with a new owner. Jeremy Callinan has entered into a lease agreement with the City of Bradford for 109 Main Street, the location of the former La Herradura restaurant. After Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting, Callinan said he hopes to have the restaurant opened this summer. “I’m sure that’ll make a lot of people happy,” said Mayor Tom Riel after Callinan told council it would be a Mexican restaurant. Councilman Jim Evans seconded, "with enthusiasm," the motion to enter into the lease agreement. “If he can cook,” joked Councilman Rick Benton. “Yes, depending on if you can cook Mexican, Jeremy,” Evans said. “If I was doing the cooking,” Callinan said, “it would be macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.” “No hot dogs,” joked Riel, whose wife owns Bradford Texas Hot. “We’re pleased to hear that Jeremy’s looking at opening a new restaurant there,” said OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews. “We’ve been working really hard to renovate the...

Bradford will have two new city councilmen in January. Jim Evans and Fred Proper won seats on council, according to unofficial totals from the McKean County Board of Elections, while current councilman Rick Benton retained his seat. Democrat Bob Onuffer was voted out. As for Bradford Area School Board, Dave Feely is in and Rita Dincher is out. Pat Vigliotta, Joe Troutman and Carla Manion retained their seats. Shane Oschman, who has been filling the unexpired term of the Rev. Art Cox, also won a seat. In Eldred, Bill Luce seems to have defeated Steven Green for mayor. In the race for Port Allegany borough council, the apparent winners are Andrew Johnson, Francis Dynda, Judith Taylor and David Fair. In Lewis Run it's almost too close to call but it seems that Albert Montecalvo and Frank Langianese will be serving together again. Montecalvo was running unopposed for mayor, but Langianese was one of four people running for three seats on borough council. Steve Falconi got 60 votes. Lan...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Anyone who's been paying attention to the state budget impasse has probably heard lawmakers talking about a bigger problem looming in the next couple of years – municipal pension plans. City Clerk John Peterson explained during Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting that where a major issue may occur is in 2011 when contributions to pension plans will be based on market figures from the early part of this year when the market was "disastrous." "It could be a budgetary crisis for all municipalities in Pennsylvania," Peterson said. Lawmakers in Harrisburg have been addressing the pension issue. The state senate finance committee on Monday approved an amendment to House Bill 1828 (a pension relief measure to help Philadelphia) that would include all municipalities based on their level of funding for their individual programs. The amendment defines municipalities as being in minimal, moderate or severe distress and outli...

Dallas-Morris Drilling, on behalf of the Bradford Oil 150 Committee, is sponsoring an Open History Writing Contest. Everyone expect members of the Oil 150 Committee and employees of Dallas-Morris and their immediate families may enter the contest. The topics must relate to the Bradford Oil Field, either in Pennsylvania or New York. The essay can be on a person, family, company, lease, well or on a general topic like drilling, shooting a well, production figures or on a specific time period from 1871 to today. Prizes are 1st Place: $200; 2nd Place: $100; 2 Honorable Mention Awards: $50. Judges are Rick Benton, Larry Stillman and Joe Connklin. All are current or former instructors in state & local history at Bradford Area High School. Contest rules and entry forms are available at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, Bradford Landmark Society, Main Street Merchantile and Bradford Area Public Library.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director In a brief meeting Tuesday night, Bradford City Council approved a two-for-one appointment to the Historic Architectural Review Board. George Corignani and Mark Grassi will serve on an as needed basis to fill the seat previously held by Fire Chief Boo Coder. Corignani is the residential building inspector for the city. Grassi is the commercial building inspector. "These guys are the ones who know all the laws," Coder said. "When they (HARB) need some direction, it would be good to have these guys to be on the board." "HARB feels it only makes sense to have the people who are approving the building permit applications be on the board, and they want to have that communication with them," said Deputy City Clerk Teri Cannon. "Having the inspectors on the board is going to help HARB understand the building permit process a little bit more," she added. City Clerk John Peterson added that when HARB was created, t...