This is RTS for Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007
OUR LOSS: The Bradford community suffered a loss this week when
Bob Steckmeyer passed away at the age of 93. We first got to know
Mr. Steckmeyer when he was the city treasurer, and would sound the
alarm about budgetary concerns for Bradford City Council. (We could
never bring ourselves to call him “Bob.”)
More recently, we would see Mr. Steckmeyer virtually every time
we had to visit Bradford Regional Medical Center where he served as
a volunteer for many, many years. No doubt, his volunteer work also
gave him the opportunity to keep an eye on his wife, Sara, a
resident at the nearby Pavilion until her death on Jan. 3.
Our condolences to the family which has suffered two losses
within a month’s time, and to the hospital which undoubtedly will
find it hard to replace such a dedicated volunteer.
GAS PAIN: Greg Vickery writes, “The week of Jan. 21, I paid 1.79
for gas near Toledo, Ohio. I drive for a living and I don’t buy any
of my gas in Bradford. “
“Funny thing is that the Flying J in Ashtabula, Ohio, gets their
gas from ARG and they were selling it for 1.93 and that’s after
transporting it from Bradford to Ashtabula.
“Why doesn’t ARG sell gas to the local stations for the same
price they are charging the Flying J?”
EARLY BIRDS: On Monday, we heard from Joe Muhitch in St. Marys:
“While driving to Johnsonburg this afternoon, I saw five robins on
a small tree in front of Suburban Building Center. Apparently, no
one told them about this week’s weather forecast.” And another
arctic blast this weekend. Poor birds (and us).
THAT BRIDGE: A couple people could relate to our trepidation
about going over that old steel-decked Seneca Junction Bridge.
Jim Flynn in Erie writes, “Ah, yes, the steel deck bridge. I
remember one evening crossing part of it sideways in Dick Merry’s
Ford pickup truck. I believe the remaining bridge piers are from
the trolley that went to Olean, not from the highway bridge.”
We’ve had a couple other reports that the piers are from the old
trolley, so we’ll have to assume Jim’s right.
Our Florida correspondent Mary Fairbanks also drops us a line on
the same subject and sends along a photograph: “Great topic. Yes,
I, too, remember that wicked drive with the grating.”
