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THE BRADFORD ERA
JANUARY 11, 2023
BRMC named Era’s top story for 2022 By Marcie Schellhammer The year 2022 has brought with it a host of changes to the Bradford area. In the community this year, conversations about accountability have become more commonplace, with citizens wanting answers from elected officials, from the parent company of our local hospital and from anyone who can explain why local drivers pay more at the pump. These issues are among the Era’s top stories of the year for 2022.
1. Bradford Regional Medical Center
Last year, many of BRMC’s services were moved to Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, leaving local residents in an uproar about the extreme downsizing of the hospital. In 2022, cardiologist Dr. Steven Herrmann left BRMC for UPMC, publicly berating hospital officials for not supporting his patients when he wasn’t present. He spoke at the Save Bradford Hospital group meetings, expressing his dismay at what BRMC had become. While the grassroots movement continued to gain supporters, BRMC parent company Kaleida named Bradford native Dr. Jill Owens president of Upper Allegheny Health System. An August licensing review of BRMC showed dozens of violations, which officials say have since been corrected. In November, it was announced that BRMC would receive $1.07 million for a number of infrastructure upgrades, including replacing the roof on the Pavilion at BRMC.
2. Bradford Township The Bradford Township supervisors meetings have become so contentious during 2022 that residents who don’t normally attend have left the meetings, saying it resembled a “circus.” After months
of heated exchanges rather than questions and answers, a concerned citizens group has formed to discuss issues, which have been researched and answered by supervisor Laree Sue Behan. However, the contentious tone of the meetings continue. The supervisors’ operational style has been called into question repeatedly, as citizens say it doesn’t follow the law or common procedures.
3. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Bradford native Rick Esch has been named the new president at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Construction on the new engineering building has been underway, and in 2022, got a tremendous boost of donations from local
Era file photos Bradford Regional Medical Center, and issues surrounding its integration of services with Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, were named the Era’s top story of 2022.
industry, the first of which was Zippo Manufacturing. George B. Duke gifted $2 million toward equipping the engineering labs in the new building, which was named the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building. The Met-Ed/ Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund awarded funds toward the green building; Halloran Philanthropies awarded $700,000 to the project; and Northwest Bank gave $200,000. The new building will be open to students next year.
reaching critical stages. Ambulance companies in rural townships have so few volunteers that some, like Otto Township’s, have closed up shop. Eldred Borough is following suit. The city of Bradford is the first responder for calls within Otto Township now, and Eldred Borough is contracting with another paid company. Rising costs, more training requirements and less volunteerism have created the perfect storm. While legislators are taking notice, it remains unclear exactly what can be done to help.
4. EMS struggles
5. Mayoral changes in Bradford
Volunteer fire and ambulance companies have been struggling for years, but the struggles are
Nearly three years into a fouryear term as mayor of Bradford, James McDonald announced his resignation in November. Citing increasing demands of family and a promotion at work, McDonald said he was unable to give his family the attention they deserved. With McDonald’s resignation, former Mayor Tom Riel, who served for 12 years before being unseated by a write-in campaign by McDonald by an 11-vote margin, took office again.
6. Going to the dogs
Construction of a new engineering building has been ongoing on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, supported by local businesses. Changes at Pitt-Bradford were named the Era’s number 3 story of the year.
There are two new officers in the City of Bradford, and their names are K-9 Duke and K-9 Rigby. Duke, with handler Sgt. Seth Shephard, is a city police officer, while Rigby and handler Dakota Eaton work for the McKean County Drug Task Force and city police. The police dogs have been met with delight from members of the public. Fundraisers have been held to cover the cost of the new officers.
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