WESB/WBRR News Director
A tattoo shop owner wants to help with the cost of surveillance cameras for downtown Bradford, and a paving project will help making driving a little easier in some other parts of the city.
The issue of surveillance cameras came up during the last council meeting when several downtown business owners expressed their concerns about bad behavior in the downtown area. At that time, Mayor Tom Riel said the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is trying to raise money to have the cameras installed.
During Tuesday’s council meeting Bob Price, who owns Inferno Studio, said he is offering some money for the cameras “just so people know we care and we want to help.”
“I’m trying to put together as much as I can,” he said, adding he has raised $1,000 so far and is trying to raise more. He added that he has talked to people who would be willing to do the work on the cameras inexpensively.
Price also wanted to dispel a misconception about tattoo parlors.
“I know typically in a lot of towns people are used to dirty tattoo shops. Mine’s not. Stop in there anytime unannounced and take a look for yourself,” he told council.
Price added that comments made during the last council meeting about safety and Main Street being a war zone went a little too far.
“I think the police officers in this town are doing a damn good job,” Price said, adding, “If there’s anything we can do to help, please let us know.”
Riel thanked Price for his offer of help with the cameras and said he hopes others will follow his lead.
Also Tuesday, council approved on first reading a change to the bike ordinance to clarify that bicycle riding is not allowed on business district sidewalks, but is allowed on certain other sidewalks.
In other matters, council approved several ordinances that made up a “property swap” on Pine Street in the effort to build a parking lot on the street, and allow for a deck on the rear of the John Williams European Pastry Shop building.
OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews explained the swap that included property owned by Joe and Amy Frombach (John Williams) and Bob and Duane Saunders (Mutzabaugh & Saunders Law Offices).
On related noted, Andrews congratulated and thanked 2012 Bradford Area High School graduate Kacy Huston for completing the Pine Street “Four Seasons” mural. “She took the project on by herself from Day One …She completely designed the mural on her own, and painted it on her own,” Andrews said, adding later, “It looks wonderful.”
Andrews also wanted to thank the other young people who worked for her office this summer working on the streetscrapes, planting flowers and weeding, among other projects.
“Sometimes young people get criticized in the community,” Andrews said. “I wanted to recognize these young people who came to me and did a lot of thankless work this summer.”
The workers are Justin Hart, Jimmy Henry, Brandon Hart, Phil Figula and Huston. She noted that Jason Lindemuth, the OECD maintenance manager supervised.
As for the paving, council awarded the bid to IA Construction for $509,516, contingent on the company providing proof that they have workman’s compensation insurance.
The roads to be paved are Rochester Street; High Street to Elm Street to Grove Street; Congress Street from Elm Street to Race Street; Burnside Avenue from Welch Avenue to Boyer; Rockland from Oxford Street to Boyer; Cornen Street; Orchard Place; Bushnell Street; and Barbour Street.
In another road-related issue, a Belleview Avenue resident wanted to know if there was anything that could be done about Jackson Avenue residents parking on Belleview and not leaving any spaces for the Belleview residents.
She was especially concerned about a vehicle that’s registration has expired but is parked on the street. Police Chief Chris Lucco said he can give the owner a 10-day notice that it will be towed if it’s not moved.
As for the Jackson Avenue residents taking the Belleview parking spaces Lucco said, “I certainly feel for you, but there’s nothing we can do for that.”
“But shouldn’t they give some consideration to us?” the woman asked.
“They should,” Lucco said, “but it’s not illegal to not be considerate. … If we could make everybody be considerate I probably wouldn’t have a job.”
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