The three candidates seeking the nod for Bradford City mayor
took questions from the media and the audience during a political
forum at the Bradford Area Public Library Thursday evening.

Democrat Bob Onuffer and Republicans Dan Costello and Tom Riel
took questions from moderator Dr. Stephen Robar at the forum, which
was presented by The Bradford Era and WESB/WBRR Radio.

The candidates answers to various questions will be presented in
alphabetical order by the candidate’s last name.

Costello said he believes that future development of the
Hooker-Fulton building, which is slated to close in October, should
be left to the private sector “until we get to the point where they
are not going to.”

He called the Main Street Moviehouse “an anchor for downtown,”
and said he was in favor of negotiating with current building owner
Stan Gleason to keep the theater open separate from the rest of the
building.

Addressing a negative image many people have of Bradford,
Costello said, “Positive thinking brings positive results.”

He explained he drove down Main Street and noted nine empty
storefronts. “How many are full?”

He then listed positives for the city, including Old City Hall,
a streetscape project on Boylston and Kennedy streets, housing on
Onofrio Street and the Elm Street revitalization project. “About
$100 million is being spent in this valley. That is the kind of
thing we need to look at. Not the nine empty storefronts on Main
Street.”

The candidates fielded several questions about the fire and
police departments, including ones about overtime, the drug problem
in the city and whether either department should be cut or
expanded.

Costello said drug-related education in the schools should be
supported to help combat the increasing problems with drugs;
suggested getting a drug-detecting dog for the police department;
said both departments are working hard to address overtime, but
both are faced with busy schedules; and said “we can’t ask them for
more” regarding the amount of work the departments accomplish.

He said he would not be in favor of building a new police
station, but would rather alter the one already there.

Onuffer also voiced support for finding a private buyer for the
Hooker-Fulton building, saying “It should be a last resort for us
(the city) to get a hold of another piece of property.” He was also
in favor of trying to reach a resolution for keeping the theater
open.

Regarding a negative image of the city, Onuffer said, “I’m
retiring in this city.” He explained he has calculated that he pays
91 cents a day in city taxes – and then described that he gets
full-time police and fire protection, his streets swept, potholes
patched and more for that money.

However, he said he doesn’t know what he gets for his money for
his taxes anywhere else.

Addressing the drug problem, Onuffer said, “Washington made big
promises for money after 9/11. But that money never came through.
We have a very limited amount of money and we have to keep doing
what we’re doing now.”

He added that he is also in favor of a drug dog and of a greater
police presence. He said that he’s spoken to firemen and policemen
and that oftentimes, they don’t have all the necessary equipment,
and getting that should be a priority.

Onuffer said the condition of the police station is “terrible”
and there is not enough room. He said he advocates looking at the
possibility of a station that would suit “the type of police work
we do today.”

Riel spoke of three possible routes for the Hooker-Fulton
building: one, for someone to develop it and take it over; two, for
the city to help finance the sale of the building; and three, for
the city to take it over “which I am against.” That option might
entail moving city offices into the building.

“We’d have Old City Hall, old new City Hall and new City Hall?
It would be pretty confusing,” he said. Riel also advocated saving
the Moviehouse.

The negative image of the city can be attributed in part to
drugs, crime and blight, he said, adding those things can be
addressed to make the city a better place.

“If I didn’t feel Bradford’s brighter days were ahead, I
wouldn’t be here now,” he said.

Regarding the police and fire departments, Riel said, “I never
want to jeopardize public safety.”

He said just by looking at the overtime rates of the
departments, one can tell how busy both are. “I don’t think it’s
possible to give them more duties.”

He added that he has someone who is a professional narcotics
detective who is willing to volunteer his time as a consultant with
the police department to assist with the drug problem.

As for a new police station, Riel said if selling the building
and relocating the department could be done without a significant
burden to the taxpayers, he would be in favor of it.