Creating a Better Community
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year says when you're trying to make changes, it doesn't matter how big you are. What matters is how dedicated you are.
American Refining Group CEO Harvey Golubock asked everyone at the chamber's annual meeting Thursday night to step back to 1997 – the year Harry Halloran bought the refinery from Witco.
"It was a frightening time," Golubock said. "The community was afraid and downtrodden. Closure of the refinery meant the loss of many high-paying jobs. Repercussions throughout the community would be felt far and wide."
But, he said, because small group of concerned businessmen was determined to not sit back and watch Bradford die – "That was then and this is now."
Since then, ARG has invested $50 million into the refinery and has bought three trucking companies and an oil production business.
"All this from a company that most of the industry thought would be closed in six months," Golubock said.
He said one well-respected consultant told him recently "he failed to consider when he predicted our demise that this was our only business -- that we had no choice but to fight for survival."
He says the creation of a sustainable business is due to the hard work and dedication of more than 325 employees and the support of the community."
"But that's not all that's been created in 12 years" in a "rural community faced with many challenges."
Golubock said that small group "chose not to dwell on these negative aspects but rather they focused on creating a community of which we can not only be proud, but one that's economically self-sustaining."
He pointed to the recent creation of the broadband loop by Zito Media, the successful operation of the Bradford Regional Airport, the new Army National Guard armory that will be the center of an industrial park and the continued work on Continental 1 (US Route 219).
Golubock also talked about the Bradford Master Plan that's "well underway;" the renovations of Old City Hall and the Seneca, Pennzoil and Hooker-Fulton buildings; Sam Sylvester's Option House; Jim McFarlane's flatiron building; and the buildings John Kohler has renovated.
He also noted the progress on Boylston Street and the third Leadership McKean class under the guidance of Dr. Livingston Alexander and Mike Glesk.
He added that the Tuna Valley Trails Association, under the direction of Rick Esch, has been described as a "model program for trails development in the state of Pennsylvania."
Golubock also talked about the changes at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford over the last 12 years, including the Sport & Fitness Center, Blaisdell Hall, the expanded Frame-Westerberg Commons, new dorms and classrooms and the chapel that's expected to be built this year.
He also talked about Bradford Regional Medical Center, the Allegheny-Bradford family of companies, the Bradford-Olean YMCA and the Zippo/Case Visitors Center.
"So there you have it – literally from A to Z," Golubock said. "And this is not all that's been accomplished."
He told the gathering that the next time someone asks "What has this community done for me?", paraphrase John F. Kennedy: What have you done for your community?
"Am I proud of Bradford? You bet I am," he said. "And I'm grateful for whatever small part I've been able to play in making this a better place for all of us
Even before Golubock began speaking about all the changes in the community, chamber executive director Diane Sheeley asked people to think about this: "Change is what you get when you give more than what is required."
Roseart Company received the small business of the year award. Kelly Platko thanked her late grandfather for starting the business and her parents – Ralph and Judy Rose – and her husband Mark for working to keep the business successful.
Crosby's is the large business of the year. Doug Galli, vice president and general manager of Reid Stores Inc., thanked all of the Crosby's employees. The managers of the Bradford and Lewis Run stores were at the event, and he said they are instrumental in the company's continued success.
Galli also thanked Jim O'Mara and Gayle Bauer who sold the company to Reid's. O'Mara still visits the stores every day.*
Mark Adams of State Senator Joe Scarnati's office and Brenda Dunn of State Representative Marty Causer's office presented the recipients with citations from the senate and house. Chamber vice president John Sullivan presented Roseart and Crosby's with commemorative knives from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.
*I can attest to that because I see him at the Jackson Avenue store often. (And I also like that he calls me "kiddo.")
WESB/WBRR News Director
The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year says when you're trying to make changes, it doesn't matter how big you are. What matters is how dedicated you are.
American Refining Group CEO Harvey Golubock asked everyone at the chamber's annual meeting Thursday night to step back to 1997 – the year Harry Halloran bought the refinery from Witco.
"It was a frightening time," Golubock said. "The community was afraid and downtrodden. Closure of the refinery meant the loss of many high-paying jobs. Repercussions throughout the community would be felt far and wide."
But, he said, because small group of concerned businessmen was determined to not sit back and watch Bradford die – "That was then and this is now."
Since then, ARG has invested $50 million into the refinery and has bought three trucking companies and an oil production business.
"All this from a company that most of the industry thought would be closed in six months," Golubock said.
He said one well-respected consultant told him recently "he failed to consider when he predicted our demise that this was our only business -- that we had no choice but to fight for survival."
He says the creation of a sustainable business is due to the hard work and dedication of more than 325 employees and the support of the community."
"But that's not all that's been created in 12 years" in a "rural community faced with many challenges."
Golubock said that small group "chose not to dwell on these negative aspects but rather they focused on creating a community of which we can not only be proud, but one that's economically self-sustaining."
He pointed to the recent creation of the broadband loop by Zito Media, the successful operation of the Bradford Regional Airport, the new Army National Guard armory that will be the center of an industrial park and the continued work on Continental 1 (US Route 219).
Golubock also talked about the Bradford Master Plan that's "well underway;" the renovations of Old City Hall and the Seneca, Pennzoil and Hooker-Fulton buildings; Sam Sylvester's Option House; Jim McFarlane's flatiron building; and the buildings John Kohler has renovated.
He also noted the progress on Boylston Street and the third Leadership McKean class under the guidance of Dr. Livingston Alexander and Mike Glesk.
He added that the Tuna Valley Trails Association, under the direction of Rick Esch, has been described as a "model program for trails development in the state of Pennsylvania."
Golubock also talked about the changes at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford over the last 12 years, including the Sport & Fitness Center, Blaisdell Hall, the expanded Frame-Westerberg Commons, new dorms and classrooms and the chapel that's expected to be built this year.
He also talked about Bradford Regional Medical Center, the Allegheny-Bradford family of companies, the Bradford-Olean YMCA and the Zippo/Case Visitors Center.
"So there you have it – literally from A to Z," Golubock said. "And this is not all that's been accomplished."
He told the gathering that the next time someone asks "What has this community done for me?", paraphrase John F. Kennedy: What have you done for your community?
"Am I proud of Bradford? You bet I am," he said. "And I'm grateful for whatever small part I've been able to play in making this a better place for all of us
Even before Golubock began speaking about all the changes in the community, chamber executive director Diane Sheeley asked people to think about this: "Change is what you get when you give more than what is required."
Roseart Company received the small business of the year award. Kelly Platko thanked her late grandfather for starting the business and her parents – Ralph and Judy Rose – and her husband Mark for working to keep the business successful.
Crosby's is the large business of the year. Doug Galli, vice president and general manager of Reid Stores Inc., thanked all of the Crosby's employees. The managers of the Bradford and Lewis Run stores were at the event, and he said they are instrumental in the company's continued success.
Galli also thanked Jim O'Mara and Gayle Bauer who sold the company to Reid's. O'Mara still visits the stores every day.*
Mark Adams of State Senator Joe Scarnati's office and Brenda Dunn of State Representative Marty Causer's office presented the recipients with citations from the senate and house. Chamber vice president John Sullivan presented Roseart and Crosby's with commemorative knives from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company.
*I can attest to that because I see him at the Jackson Avenue store often. (And I also like that he calls me "kiddo.")
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