Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

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 ...

Chris Hauser will not be taking the bench as McKean County’s second judge before January. After Hauser won both the Republican and Democratic primaries last month, Senator Joe Scarnati asked Governor Tom Corbett appoint Hauser to the position earlier than January. Late last week, Pennsylvania Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ronald Castille wrote to Corbett, Scarnati and others saying that with the court system’s current fiscal problems they can’t afford to pay any new judicial salaries for this year. In fact, Castille wrote, projections indicate that the court system will not have sufficient funding to next year to pay for the 70 Common Pleas court judges and 87 district judges. Castille added that it is possible in the general election for an independently filed candidate to win, although “it is a difficult task to be sure.” He also said, in the months to come, he looks forward to working with Corbett, Scarnati and senators Dominic Pileggi and Jay Costa to “right-size’ the district...

Chris Hauser has won both the Republican and Democratic primaries for the second judge position in McKean County, according to unofficial results and, depending on what Governor Tom Corbett decides, he could be taking the bench before January. Prior to the election Senator Joe Scarnati said if the same person won the Republican and Democratic primaries he would recommend that person take over as soon as possible. He had not seen the election results until we talked to him earlier today. "There's a strain on the bench up there," Scarnati said, "I don't know what the governor's feelings are going to be about it but I certainly made that commitment and I'll write myself a note now." Corbett is currently recovering at home in Shaler Township from back surgery he had Monday, but told reporters this morning he is already back to work. He expects to be back in Harrisburg this coming Monday. Hauser got 47 percent of the vote on the Republican side and 38 per...

Chris Hauser has won both the Republican and Democratic primaries for the second judge position in McKean County, according to unofficial results. He got 47 percent of the vote on the Republican side and 38 percent on the Democratic side. Former District Attorney Michele Alfieri-Causer garnered 34 percent of the Democratic votes.

The four candidates for the second judge position in McKean County participated in a candidates' forum Thursday night at Pitt-Bradford's Bromeley Family Theater. The event was hosted by the McKean County Tea Party and the History and Political Science Club at Pitt-Bradford. Candidates Tony Alfieri, Tony Clarke, Chris Hauser and Michele Alferi-Causer answered questions on a variety of issues, including prison over-crowding and saving money in the county judicial system. Dr. Stephen Robar, an assistant professor of politicial science at Pitt-Bradford, moderated the forum. You can listen here and here .

The History/Political Science Club at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host a candidates’ forum for those running for McKean County Common Pleas Court Judge in the municipal primary in May. The forum will take place at 7 p.m. March 24 in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall on campus and is sponsored by the McKean County Tea Party. Dr. Stephen Robar, associate professor of political science, will moderate the event, which will feature all four candidates running for the position. Candidates for judge on the May 17 ballot are Tony Alfieri, Michele D. Alfieri-Causer, Anthony V. Clarke and Chris Hauser. For disability related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at (814) 362-7609 orclh71@pitt.edu .

Tuesday was the last day to circulate and file nominating petitions for the May 17 primary election – and some history may have been made by who did not file. For the first time in recent memory, an incumbent Bradford mayor -- in this case Tom Riel -- is running unopposed in the primary. Others, however, do have opposition. Michele Alfieri-Causer, Tony Alfieri, Tony Clarke and Chris Hauser are all running for the second county judge position. In Foster Township, John Sullivan and BJ Campbell are running to fill the unexpired term of Bob Slike. That's for 2 years. Dale Phillips is running unopposed for the 6-year seat.