Bradford City residents will see a different set of faces when they look at city hall in 2020 with the election of a new mayor — and subsequently the naming of a new police chief.

Incoming mayor James McDonald and the new police he has chosen, Sgt. Butch Bartlett, sat down with The Era Monday to talk about the future of Bradford in the coming months.

McDonald’s predecessor, current Mayor Tom Riel, held the seat for 12 years and is the first person to be elected for three consecutive terms as Bradford City mayor.

Current police Chief Chris Lucco will remain in the public eye as city administrator, starting in January.

With a tax increase likely, despite efforts by city officials to cut expenses, budget constraints will likely be a major obstacle for McDonald.

The incoming mayor said he is “thinking outside the box” and “trying to be more resourceful to do as much as we can with what we’ve been given.”

Improvements are still possible, according to McDonald.

“Despite the looming budget issues and the shortage of money, I still believe we can do a lot of good in our city,” he said. “It might be a little hard to pull off some of the big things we want to do, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything.”

Bartlett added, “We have an amazing community, we really do.” He praised the large hearts of community members.

McDonald noted that during his time as mayor, “I really want to emphasize community involvement, dialogue, openness, transparency. Their say matters and there’s someone listening.”

Bartlett and McDonald described the future of the Bradford City Police Department.

With budget being an undeniable roadblock for any changes in the department, Barlett said they are looking at inexpensive ways to make improvements.

For instance, “I’d like to look at building a better relationship with the state police,” said Bartlett, who wants to encourage city and state law enforcement officials to work more closely as a team.

McDonald agreed that type of effort is a good example of the resourcefulness he’s talking about.

“What are some free or less costly things we can do to make a difference?” he questioned.

Bartlett said he also wants the police department to continue “a proactive drug enforcement,” especially as dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine are gaining popularity right now.

McDonald added that he wants to continue working with the District Attorney’s Office and the McKean County Drug Task Force to reduce issues with controlled substances.

Bartlett noted the city usually has more resources in the summer to assist with McKean County Drug Task Force investigations, as the school resource officers are not working at the schools.

As chief, Bartlett plans to not only work some day shifts to work on his administrative duties, but also to work some night shifts.

“I’ll be out on the road with the guys,” he noted.

McDonald, too, plans to see the local officers in action.

“I’m very much looking forward to the opportunity to go on the road with these guys on ride-alongs. I think it’s the best way to know what my guys are dealing with.”

McDonald wants to not only see what kind of issues the officers are dealing with, but also get a chance to watch their skills in action to make sure they get recognized for their strengths.

“I think if the Bradford City Police Department’s being watched, they’re going to be caught doing the right thing a lot,” he said.

Regarding the possibility of restructuring officers’ shifts, Bartlett said he’s looked at it several ways trying to come up with a better system. However, for now it seems continuing the current 12-hour-shift system is the best option.

“We’re going to have a manpower issue after the first of the year,” he added, explaining there will be a new vacancy in the department when Lucco takes over as city administrator. That vacancy will not be filled.

For now, the police department will continue a cost-saving policy that was put in place a few years ago: no longer keeping an officer at the station.

Bartlett said posting someone at the station is “not feasible right now,” but he doesn’t want to take the idea off the table, even if it’s just during busy times.

The pair said they’ve even considered adding a civilian position to keep someone at the police station, but such a position would have to be approved by the police union.

While a new chief is taking over the department next year, Assistant Chief Michael Ward will keep his position.

“Mr. Ward met with us shortly after it was announced that Butch was going to be chief,” said McDonald. The meeting gave McDonald a chance to get to know Ward better. “It made me really excited to keep him where he is,” McDonald said. “I think the job he’s doing there is absolutely wonderful.”

Bartlett praised all the officers in the department.

“We have a great group of guys, and I have faith in every single one of them,” he said.

McDonald said that though he’s not directly involved with the city’s budget at this point, he’s being filled in on what’s in store for 2020. In fact, McDonald went to a meeting with Lucco following his interview with The Era to discuss a city financial matter.

While he’s relatively new to Bradford City, McDonald is a longtime resident of McKean County and a graduate of Otto-Eldred High School.

McDonald said that since he moved to Bradford, he’s been talking to people to learn more about the city and about what resources are available.

He said it’s important, even as mayor, to be “willing to work as part of a team.”

With that in mind, another idea McDonald has for the city is putting together citizen advisory boards. For instance, he envisions one that is related to the police department in which individuals can share concerns and praises about the officers. The board would not be the same thing as a neighborhood watch program, he noted, but rather a way to create “positive interaction” between the citizens and the police department.

Advisory boards can be set up to consider a variety of aspects of city life.

McDonald said Riel took care of many things during his term as mayor, but the incoming mayor is hopeful that having a “fresh set of eyes” in local government might be enough to come up with new solutions for problems that currently trouble the city.

“I think people are ready for something like this,” said McDonald. “Write-in candidates historically do not win. I think on some level people are ready for something new. They shouldn’t be worried. I campaigned with the people in mind and took on the idea that this is a servant’s position. I am a servant of the public: Their issues are my issues.”

Like Riel, McDonald said he plans to make himself available to his constituents.

“I do plan on setting up recurring or static office hours on some sort of regular basis,” said McDonald, who indicated the hours will be regular enough that people will know ahead of time when he is available.

He looks at the “power of social media” to keep him in contact with people, and he’s already had many reach out to him with questions and issues. “Twenty years ago it wouldn’t have been possible to get in touch with elected officials,” he said.

Bartlett said his schedule will be put out at least two weeks in advance, so officers will know when he is available.

McDonald said he is open to any ideas or suggestions from the public to alleviate burdens such as the stormwater fee.

“If there’s an alternative to the stormwater fee, I’m all ears,” he said, alternatively wondering, “Is it a necessary evil because we have such old infrastructure?”

Street maintenance, too, is limited by budgetary constraints, but McDonald is hopeful that “we can show some love to some of the side streets and hill streets in this town,” by paying attention to tasks like pothole repairs and snow removal.

McDonald, a married father of two and member of Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, said his attitude toward life is “family first,” and he can often be seen doing activities like taking his daughter to dance class or building things with his son.

“I love hanging out with my kids,” said McDonald. “They’re my best little friends for sure.”

His mother and father still live in nearby Eldred, where he grew up.

After high school, McDonald earned a degree in political science from Edinboro University. There, he learned about subjects such as public administration and city planning, and he was first able to use that education as an Eldred Borough councilman before moving to Bradford.

“It’s one thing to learn about it in a textbook,” he said, but it’s “so rewarding to put into practice.”

Despite the workload and the inevitability of dealing with angry members of the public, McDonald said, “It’s not a thankless job,” but rather “a very great opportunity.”

“You have to think about the people you can help,” said McDonald.