My Opinion:
Yes We Can, Bradford
Even before a practically unknown guy from Chicago started saying, "Yes we can" and making people believe it, some people in Bradford were saying it, believing it and making things happen.
A few people are starting to get the old Bradford negative attitude again and I think it's time to nip that in the bud before it infiltrates to other segments of the population.
Several years ago I was covering a meeting at which former Bradford City Clerk Peggy Comilla said people in Bradford are always coming up with excuses as to why projects can't be done in Bradford. She said it was about time to start thinking of reasons projects can be done in Bradford.
The meeting was regarding the restoration and renovation of Old City Hall.
Not long after that, a small group of people made similar comments about a brand new project. That meeting led to the formation of the Tuna Valley Trail Association.
At about the same time, the community learned that the refinery was going to close. But then a couple of guys from out of the area came in and thought they could make a go of it. In case you don't remember, many people thought there was no way anyone could make the refinery successful again.
But Harry Halloran and Harvey Golubock said, "Yes we can."
Remember when Onofrio Street used to be one of the most blighted areas of the city? Sara Andrews said, "Yes we can" make it one of the most beautiful areas of the city.
Remember when Case Cutlery was in danger of closing and Zippo stepped in to say "Yes we can" keep the company going?
In a recent letter to the editor, Mark Luciano suggested that we try to buy items from the Zippo/Case Visitors Center when we can. Is that going to help Zippo make a turnaround from the position the dismal economy has put them in? Probably not. But, can we give them moral support and show the company we appreciate all the support they've given the community for all these years? Yes we can. And we should.
In a LiveLine interview last month, BRMC's Dr. Steven Hermann said, "I think it's really important for a small community to bond together with a common goal, and that common goal should be to support the industry that's in the community whether that's Zippo, Case or Bradford Regional Medical Center."
And, a community is more than big business and government agencies.
It's the people in the Project Pride area believing they can make a difference in their neighborhoods.
It's the people who participate in Relay for Life believing they can help find a cure for cancer.
It's people like Sam Sylvester, John Kohler, Steve Cavallaro, Kelly Platko and all the other private investors who see a brighter future for Bradford and say they can be a part of it.
It's the people at the United Way, and their agencies, who know they can make a difference in other people's lives.
The United Way's campaign slogan this year is "Back to Basics." It seems to me there's nothing more basic than a community pulling together and saying, "Yes we can."
A few people are starting to get the old Bradford negative attitude again and I think it's time to nip that in the bud before it infiltrates to other segments of the population.
Several years ago I was covering a meeting at which former Bradford City Clerk Peggy Comilla said people in Bradford are always coming up with excuses as to why projects can't be done in Bradford. She said it was about time to start thinking of reasons projects can be done in Bradford.
The meeting was regarding the restoration and renovation of Old City Hall.
Not long after that, a small group of people made similar comments about a brand new project. That meeting led to the formation of the Tuna Valley Trail Association.
At about the same time, the community learned that the refinery was going to close. But then a couple of guys from out of the area came in and thought they could make a go of it. In case you don't remember, many people thought there was no way anyone could make the refinery successful again.
But Harry Halloran and Harvey Golubock said, "Yes we can."
Remember when Onofrio Street used to be one of the most blighted areas of the city? Sara Andrews said, "Yes we can" make it one of the most beautiful areas of the city.
Remember when Case Cutlery was in danger of closing and Zippo stepped in to say "Yes we can" keep the company going?
In a recent letter to the editor, Mark Luciano suggested that we try to buy items from the Zippo/Case Visitors Center when we can. Is that going to help Zippo make a turnaround from the position the dismal economy has put them in? Probably not. But, can we give them moral support and show the company we appreciate all the support they've given the community for all these years? Yes we can. And we should.
In a LiveLine interview last month, BRMC's Dr. Steven Hermann said, "I think it's really important for a small community to bond together with a common goal, and that common goal should be to support the industry that's in the community whether that's Zippo, Case or Bradford Regional Medical Center."
And, a community is more than big business and government agencies.
It's the people in the Project Pride area believing they can make a difference in their neighborhoods.
It's the people who participate in Relay for Life believing they can help find a cure for cancer.
It's people like Sam Sylvester, John Kohler, Steve Cavallaro, Kelly Platko and all the other private investors who see a brighter future for Bradford and say they can be a part of it.
It's the people at the United Way, and their agencies, who know they can make a difference in other people's lives.
The United Way's campaign slogan this year is "Back to Basics." It seems to me there's nothing more basic than a community pulling together and saying, "Yes we can."
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