OUR SIDE: More today from a Bradford woman who admits she was
steamed at what she saw as an attack on this fair city by a
Floridian.

Ann DeLucia wrote out a detailed list of responses to our
ongoing “Florida vs. Bradford” debate, and we begin today with her
version of the pros and cons of both locations. We concluded
tomorrow.

Ann writes, “Winter: 10. No snow, sleet, ice or mud (low heating
and maintenance bill). Summer in Pennsylvania: No sweltering heat –
don’t live in, drive in, head for air conditioning from early
morning on … . (low maintenance bills). Plus in Florida, following
course of ocean storms – at best, boarding up home. Worst scenario,
damage or loss of home.

9. Florida: no state income tax. Enviable? Pennsylvania. We’re
not greedy, willing to share with the state, reasonably.

8. Florida: $25,000 off real estate assessments every year due
to homestead discount. Pennsylvania: unfamiliar with this discount
(assessment). How does it affect individuals?

7. Florida: (a) Increase in value of purchased real estate
tripled in past 15 years. Purchasing a home from such real estate,
far from economical. Of course, we saw many trailer courts. Less
expensive! (b) Building boom is ongoing – but land doesn’t expand …
housing on limited land. Crowded.

Pennsylvania: We have lots of land, over hills and valleys. Room
to breathe. Surrounded by trees, providing fruit, timber and
beauty. From lush green of spring and summer, glorious colors in
foliage, bringing visitors in fall. A mantle of snow in winter.
Mother Nature is our artist. Have sledding and skiing. Hunting and
fishing. Wildlife. Short distance to state park. Family picnics,
canoeing. A beach house with lifeguards for swimming.

6. Florida: low unemployment, with a large population of
retirees, strong possibility. However, secretaries making $55,000 a
year? Pizza Hut delivery drivers $12 per hour? State of shock for
government, raising minimum wage, far below that.

5. Florida: purchasing only one wardrobe per year – with tons of
outlet malls promising low prices to compete. Sounds more like
poverty or shoddy material. Pennsylvania: Our wardrobes withstand a
number of years … quality. Then, too, change of seasons makes for
more variety in clothing.

4. Florida: No annual car inspection or emissions taxes.
Pennsylvania: We are more safety-conscious.”

We hope to wrap up this good-natured rivalry in a few days so
stay tuned.