In a brief statement read during the Bradford City Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Tom Riel explained that city administrator Chris Lucco is likely stepping down.
Lucco, who was not at the meeting, has been the city administrator since January 2020. Prior to that, he served nearly 10 years as chief of Bradford City Police Department, where he had been an officer for many years prior to being named chief.
Riel announced that council had met in executive session Monday with Lucco, at which time they were informed that he had “tentatively agreed to accept a position out of the area. While this decision is not final, it appears likely.”
He provided council with enough notice to assist with recruitment and training of a candidate to replace him, Riel said.
Also at the meeting, members of the Zonta Club were present for a proclamation from Riel marking Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 “16 Days of Activism.” The women were dressed in orange, with scarves, blouses, sweaters and pins, as orange is the color for eliminating violence against women.
During the public comment part of the meeting, the man who had been picketing near the Bradford Post Office, complaining about Mayor Tom Riel, got up to speak. He gave his name, but then said the city had no right to ask for it, as it was a violation of his 4th Amendment rights.
He said he was an independent journalist, quoted several portions of law, and said he intended to file a federal lawsuit against the city, Riel and Lucco for violating his rights. He didn’t specify which rights were violated, but said Riel doesn’t return his calls.
Riel asked him if he was done speaking, and the man agreed. Riel said he received a voicemail from the man, but at that point had become aware “you were already making disparaging remarks about me and other people in city government. Nobody from the city government is going to respond to you.”
The mayor said he knew the man didn’t live in the community here, and has a website designed to humiliate public officials. Riel said he would tell him the same thing he told other people who claimed to be suing the city — speak to the city’s attorney.
Also at the meeting, council approved submitting a grant application in the amount of $880,000 for streetscape improvements on Chambers Street, Chestnut Street and East Corydon Street, all in the city’s downtown historic district.
Council also approved PHARE grants for three homeowners for emergency repairs, one for the replacement of a steam boiler, another for floor furnaces and a third for exterior stairs, decks and railings.
The next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 28.
