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Showing posts with the label politics

Meet the Candidates

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In order to be 100 percent fair, I give you the complete, unedited audio of tonight's Bradford Mayoral and McKean County Sheriff debates: Go to WESB.com/listen , click on the "Local Programs" tab and then scroll to #56 for mayor and #214 for sheriff. (They are in alphabetical order.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Reminder:
Meet the Candidates May 6

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The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bartlett Seeking Republican Nod for
McKean County Sheriff

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Hiel “Butch” Bartlett, a local police officer with more than 19 years of experience in law enforcement, has thrown his hat in the ring for McKean County sheriff. Bartlett is seeking the Republican nod in the upcoming May Primary Election.. “With your support, I look forward to having the opportunity to make the McKean County Sheriff's Department into a public serving agency which will strive to ensure the safety and protection of the residents of our great county,” he said. Bartlett has spent the last 15 years as a police officer with the City of Bradford Police Department. While employed at the City of Bradford Police Department he held the position of Detective and now serves as a School Resource Officer in the Bradford Area School District. “In my time working as a School Resource Officer I have had many opportunities to work with our students and see firsthand how amazing these students truly are,” he said. “In my first year as School Resource Officer I started a Criminal ...

County's Voter Turnout Relatively High

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The biggest news in McKean County’s election results is the voter turnout: 34 percent. In May’s primary election, it was less than 13 percent. As for the governor’s race, McKean County went exactly opposite from the majority of the state with 65 percent voting for Tom Corbett and 35 percent for Tom Wolf. Incumbent Glenn “GT” Thompson defeated challenger Kerith Strano Taylor 74 percent to 26 percent in McKean County. In the rest of the district, so far it’s 64 percent to 36 percent in favor of Thompson. State Rep. Marty Causer, who ran unopposed, received 6,867 of the 8,040 votes cast. One precinct in McKean County has yet to report. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Cuomo Wins Re-Election

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In New York, incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo has defeated his challenger Rob Astorino. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

DNC Chair Statement on Wolf Victory

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Washington, DC – Following the announcement that Democratic candidate Tom Wolf won the race for Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial seat, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement: “Tom Wolf’s resounding victory tonight makes him the first challenger to defeat an incumbent Pennsylvania governor since the state’s one-term limit was eliminated in the 1970s. Tom has the experience and leadership to bring manufacturing jobs back to the state and create good paying jobs for middle class families. “The result speaks to how deeply unpopular Tom Corbett’s Republican policies on economics and women’s health have been with Pennsylvania voters and the urgency with which voters sought to return the state to Democratic leadership. Congratulations to Governor-elect Wolf, his campaign team, and the people of Pennsylvania.” The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

CNN: Wolf Beats Corbett in PA Governor Race

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Democratic businessman Tom Wolf has won the Pennsylvania governor's race, defeating incumbent Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, according to a CNN projection. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Final Campaign Push Before Election

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Governor Tom Corbett and his Democratic challenger Tom Wolf are putting in a full day of campaigning the day before tomorrow’s election. Corbett will be attending rallies in every media market in the state today, ending in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Wolf will also be in Pittsburgh, and also Lancaster. He spent the weekend in southeastern Pennsylvania, and was joined by President Barack Obama at a rally at Temple University in Philadelphia. Corbett’s running mate is current lieutenant governor Jim Cawley. Wolf’s running mate is current state Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo is being challenged by Rob Astorino. In race for the Twin Tiers’ representatives in Washington – the incumbent Republican men in both Pennsylvania and New York are up against Democratic women. In PA, Kerith Strano Taylor is challenging Glenn Thompson. In New York, Martha Robertson is challenging Tom Reed. In Salamanca, Mayor Carmen Vechhiarella is pitted against Ronald ...

Corbett Makes Campaign Stop in Bradford

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Governor Tom Corbett made a campaign stop in Bradford this morning. Much of his hour-long talk and question-and-answer session focused on education. He said he is being criticized for cutting education funding but explained that school districts getting less money are the ones that didn’t use federal stimulus funds the way they were supposed to. Corbett said they were told not to use the money for the operating budget, and to use it for projects. But, he said, a large number of school districts put it right into the operating budget, and paying salaries. He also talked about high school graduation standards, continuing to weed out fraud and abuse in the welfare system, and pension reform. For more pictures of this morning's event you can go to our Facebook page, Facebook.com/1490wesb . WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Rieman Appears to be Primary Winner

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Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman seems to have won the Republican primary to retain her spot, beating current public defender Mark Williams by a large margin. Unofficial results from the board of elections show Rieman with 2,104 votes to 864 for Williams. Only 17 percent of the county’s registered Republicans voted. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Hanger Brings Bus Tour to Bradford

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Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate John Hanger visited Bradford this morning as part of his Save Our Schools bus trip across the state. But he talked to WESB about more than schools. The former head of both the state Public Utility Commission and Department of Environmental Protection says he has a proven track record of saving Pennsylvanians money. Hanger says his new “Zero Tuition College Plan” will save students thousands of dollars by not having to pay for one year of college – or two years of community college – and then paying into a state fund after they graduate and start working. Listen to Hanger's talk with Anne Holliday here . Pictured, Hanger steps off his bus on Main Street in Bradford. WESB photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Candidate Forum ... with No Spin

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Candidates for McKean County Sheriff and Bradford City Council participated in a forum Thursday night at the Bradford Area Public Library, sponsored by the American Association of University Women. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's Dr. Stephen Robar was the moderator. To give you an opportunity to form your own opinions on what they had to say, we are providing you with the audio of the event. Candidates for McKean County Sheriff : Steve Caskey, Brian Gustafson, Brad Mason (pictured) Candidates for Bradford City Council Brad Mangel, Tim Pecora, Fred Proper The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Questions for the Candidates? Submit Them!

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There still time to submit questions for the Candidate Forum set for Thursday night at the Bradford Area Public Library. The forum, sponsored by the American Association of University Women, is set to start at 7:30 p.m. and will include candidates for McKean County sheriff as well as Bradford City Council. Dr. Steve Robar, political science professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will be the moderator. Questions can be emailed to aauw_bradford@yahoo.com  The sheriff race is a contested race between Republicans Steve Caskey, Brian Gustafson and Brad Mason. Three candidates are running for three seats on Bradford City Council. They are Brad Mangel, Tim Pecora and Fred Proper, all Republicans. The forum is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The primary election is May 21. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Candidate Forum Set for April 18

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The American Association of University Women - Bradford Branch is holding a Candidate Forum for the upcoming Primary Election. This Forum, featuring those running for McKean County sheriff and Bradford City Council, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the community room of the Bradford Area Public Library. Dr. Stephen Robar, associate professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will moderate the forum. There are three Republican candidates running for sheriff – Brad Mason, the current sheriff, Steve Caskey and Brian Gustafson. There are also three candidates running for three seats on city council. They are incumbent Fred Proper, Brad Mangel, who was appointed to fill the unexpired seat of Rick Benton and newcomer Tim Pecora, all Republicans. “Our group is excited to be able to bring this forum to the voters of McKean County,” said Sandy Rhodes, co-president of AAUW. “We are hopeful that this will give voters the information they...

Pecora Running for Seat on Bradford City Council

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Bradford native Tim Pecora is seeking the Republican nomination for a seat on Bradford City Council in the May primary. Pecora, who resides at 106 Harding Ave., is currently a sales associate for Control Chief Corp. in Bradford, a position he has held since April. Before that, he was a marketing representative for Burns & Burns Associates of Bradford for eight years. His prior work experience includes positions with insurance companies in Bradford and Pittsburgh. He is seeking one of three seats open on City Council this election. Pecora said his interest to serve on City Council was born out of his love for the community as well as seeing great potential for the city and its residents. “Bradford has all of the ingredients available to make a great success story - warm and friendly residents, strategic location for businesses, affordable cost of living, numerous leisure and recreational opportunities, plentiful natural resources, top-notch higher educational facil...

Caskey Running for McKean County Sheriff

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Steve R. Caskey is seeking the Republican nomination in the May primary for the Office of McKean County Sheriff. Caskey graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy in May of 1988. Immediately after graduation he was hired as Assistant Chief in Smethport serving in that post from May of 1988 to January of 1990. In January of 1990 Caskey started his career in the City of Bradford as a patrolman. In 2005 Caskey successfully completed the civil service testing procedure for the rank of Lieutenant. In February 2006 Caskey was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and placed in charge of six men working the night shift. During his time as a Lieutenant Caskey has handled payroll, scheduling and has been involved in policy decisions. Caskey is a member as well as a past President and Secretary/Treasurer for the William Hanley Sr., Fraternal Order of Police. During his time in those offices he was part of a negotiating committee that successfully compl...

Snyder Elected SNI President

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Barry Snyder Sr. has won a fifth term as president of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Snyder defeated four other candidates seeking the two-year term. Rodney Pierce won the treasurer's post, defeating incumbent president Robert Odawi Porter for that position. Snyder said in a news release, "Nya-Weh. I want to thank the Seneca people for once again believing that leadership of our Nation is by the people. The past two years have broken the spirit and confidence that our people have in Seneca political leadership. We will not look back but we will move forward with an open and transparent government that will enable us to continue to protect and grow our economic sovereignty and our traditional values and culture." Snyder received 929 votes. 2,636 votes were cast at polling places on both the Cattaraugus and Allegany territories. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Vecchhiarella Wins Mayor's Race

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Former Salamanca Mayor Carmen Vecchhiarella is now the mayor-elect. The Democrat beat Republican Larry Butler by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. He will succeed Mayor Jeffrey Pond, who reached his term limit. Vecchiarella previously served as mayor from 1998-2001. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

GT Thompson Retains Congressional Seat

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Reed Wins Re-Election Bid in NY Incumbent 5th District Congressman Glenn GT Thompson appears to have retained his seat. Even in the heavily Democratic Elk County the Republican Thompson beat his opponent Charles Dumas by a margin of 64 percent to 36 percent. The race was closest in Centre County – the home county of both men. Thompson garnered 58 percent of the vote there, while Dumas got 42 percent. “My wife Penny and I would like to thank everyone; the volunteers, our family and friends, and the voters of the 5th District of Pennsylvania for making this campaign a success," Thomas said in a news release. "I am also thankful of Charles Dumas for his civility throughout the race. While we disagree on many things, the level of decorum has allowed for the issues to be presented and debated openly. I wish he and his family all the best," said Thompson, upon learning of the win. "While we celebrate a victory this evening, the work does not stop here. Earning t...

Gillibrand Wins Re-Election

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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been elected to her first full six-year term as New York’s US Senator. Gillibrand was in the unusual position of being up for re-election twice in two years after being chosen in 2009 to replace Hilary Rodham Clinton, who stepped down to become Secretary of State. Her challenger during this election was Republican Wendy Long. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947