Two new councilmen will join one incumbent on the board of
Bradford City Council, according to unofficial numbers tabulated
Tuesday by The Era.
Democrat Bob Onuffer and Republican Tom Riel join Tom Shay on
the board, unseating Councilman Ross Neidich, according to
unofficial results.
Era numbers show that Shay garnered 789 votes, Riel amassed 782,
Onuffer garnered 714 while Neidich received 703 tallies.
Onuffer is believed to be the first Democratic city councilman
elected since Jack Burns, who was first elected to council in 1975
and served 14 years as a Democratic councilman and two years as a
Republican.
“I would have to say I’m extremely humbled,” Onuffer said
Tuesday evening.
“I will honor my promise,” he said, “I’ll be a representative to
all the citizens … Republican and Democrat.
“I’ll try my very best to be a representative to all the
residents of the City of Bradford … to be there when they need me,”
he added. “I’m glad it came out that way. That was very
commendable. A lot of Republicans voted for me.”
He added that when he ran for McKean County Commissioner, he
garnered only 600 votes.
“I’m very pleased and humbled … that’s fantastic that (the
voters) have put their faith and trust in me,” he added. “I’ve got
a lot of responsibility and I take it seriously.”
Riel was also pleased with the results.
“Obviously I’m happy. I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me
or supported me,” he said. “I anxiously look forward to working
with the other councilmen.
“This was a long time coming,” he added. “I truly believe we can
make a difference.
“It’s obvious we have to try a different approach,” he said.
“Change won’t come easy and I’m sure there’s going to be
opposition.
“One thing I won’t be is a yes man,” Riel said.
Shay also offered thanks to his supporters in the election.
“I’m really impressed with the turnout,” he said. “Let’s look
forward to a good four years. I really want to thank the
people.
“This will be my third term,” Shay said. “I’ll try to do the
best I can. If the (residents of Bradford) need something, I’ll be
there for them.
“It’s a little humbling to be able to finish on top,” he added.
“I’ve been there for 9 1/2 years. I’m sure the people know me by
now. I’ve always tried to be square with people. I plan on
continuing to do that.”
When contacted late Tuesday, Neidich seemed disappointed by the
results, but wished everyone else the best of luck.
“People vote and people don’t vote,” he said. “Its just one of
those things. I enjoyed my time on there. Who knows what the future
will hold?”
Neidich is retired from the Bradford Area School District.
A last-minute campaign waged on the front window of a building
at 45 Main St. – owned by Roger Feura – urged citizens to “Vote No
To Neidich” and “Save Our City, Vote No To Neidich.” Feura’s
vehicle, parked along Boylston Street Tuesday near a polling
location, sported similar signs.
The signs went up late Monday night following a city council
special meeting when Neidich, along with Mayor Michele Corignani
and lame duck Councilwoman Kathy Graff, voted against allowing
Emery Towers and the Church of Ascension to demolish an apartment
building on Chautauqua Place in the historic district.
Feura is also seeking permission to demolish his building at 45
Main St., and has been unsuccessful.
“I just wanted to make sure that we get people in there who are
doing the right thing,” Feura said of the council following the
election Tuesday night. “Whether (the signs) made a difference or
not in the election, I don’t know.”
When asked what “the right thing” was, Feura responded, “taking
care of the people of the city” by doing what the people are asking
for. “That’s what their jobs are.”
