JUNE
22 2021
Final Old Home Days to honor longtime pyrotechnician
Era file photo Some local residents have started a Facebook group in hopes of returning services to Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Grassroots effort launches to ‘Save Bradford Hospital’ BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER Some things are too important to lose. That’s the message from a group of local women who started a Facebook group called “Save Bradford Hospital.” It was started by Betsy Costello of Bradford, Marty Wilder of Marshburg and Harriet Nevil of Eldred — just a sampling of the communities impacted by the consolidation of services in the Upper Allegheny Health System. “Our goal is to investigate the loss of our hospital,” Costello told The Era. “I think everyone’s curious about information that wasn’t shared with us.” A statement from the group indicated it was started out of frustration. “Our hospital was closing without so much as a fight. This isn’t the Bradford we know. We are fighters!”
In January, officials with Upper Allegheny Health System announced plans to move surgery and critical care services from BRMC to Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, while moving services like occupational health and the sleep lab to Bradford. The plan would create Centers of Excellence in each community without duplicating services. Jeff Zewe, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System, explained, too, that BRMC and OGH are two campuses of the same hospital. The parent company is UAHS, and its parent company is Kaleida Health. The Bradford campus will continue to offer emergency care, outpatient services, behavioral health and long-term care/rehab (Pavilion services). BRMC and OGH will also continue to grow their expansive network of primary
care and specialty providers. Essentially all services with the exception of surgery and the CCU will continue at the BRMC campus. The Olean campus will continue to provide its interventional cardiac catheterization laboratory — which operates jointly with Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute — as well as its neurology program and stroke center, ICU intensivist program, radiation oncology, vascular services, orthopedic surgery, dialysis services and wound care, including hyperbaric therapy. Plans were nearly completed by the time the information went public, which is a point of contention with the online group. UAHS officials were unavailable for comment on Monday. Costello said, “We know there were efforts made by local government
officials to either delay or completely stop what was happening with the closing.” However, she said, it all seemed to vanish and the hospital changes went through. On Monday, Bradford Mayor James McDonald posted a lengthy comment on his Facebook page regarding the city’s efforts. He and city administrator Chris Lucco met with UAHS officials last year. They also reached out to UPMC, with no response. “Private entities and private businesses call their own shots,” McDonald said. He added that while he and Lucco voiced strong concerns about the consolidation, the decision had been made. “They have obtained millions in state grants for
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The 2021 event will be the final Otto Township Old Home Days. Organizers made the announcement this week, days after the unexpected death of one of the men responsible for the event’s popular fireworks show. This is the 29th year of the event. “We’re going to dedicate the entire event to Greg English,” explained Mat Coast, member of the Old Home Days Committee. Each year, English and his crew not only shoot the fireworks display — a major draw for the visitors to the festival for the township of less than 1,500 people — but also spend the year assembling many of the fireworks from scratch. English died June 7 at the age of 61. “You just can’t have (Old Home Days) without the fireworks, and you can’t have the fireworks without Greg,” said Coast. He said attendees can expect to see “the biggest fireworks display,” then
“See you later, we’re done.” Ending the event was not an easy decision for the Old Home Day’s Committee. On Monday, the committee took to Facebook to explain the thought that went into the decision. “Yesterday, the Otto Township Old Home Days Committee held what was undoubtedly the toughest meeting of the past 29 years,” the committee stated. “Mr. Gregory English, along with his dedicated crew, has provided this Community with the region’s most incredible fireworks display since the second year of this event.” Coast noted there are plans to create a permanent memorial for English at the park, and they are looking for anyone who wishes to donate or support the project. The 2021 event will be held from July 23-25 at
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HOME & GARDEN Make Health a Priority When Remodeling (Family Features) When you tackle a remodeling project, there are many unknowns, including what types of materials you might uncover. Hazardous materials must be addressed, and possibly removed, if exposed during a remodeling project. There are also some materials that should be removed to create a healthier home environment. Whether materials “must be” or “should be” removed depends on several factors. It is always wise to consult with trained professionals, such as members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, when you encounter hazardous materials. The complete removal of all hazardous materials is the preferred approach, but budget is often a hindrance. Thoroughly exploring your options may reveal a lower level of acceptable and more affordable mitigation. Demolition Most common residential hazardous materials are not hazardous if they remain in a dormant
or undisturbed location. Typically, they become hazardous during the demolition phase when they are ground, cut, bumped, scraped or disturbed in some way, causing the materials to become airborne and inhaled. Examples of common hazardous materials include: * Lead-based paint, which can be found on be anything that is painted or varnished such as windows, millwork, cabinets, siding, walls and other surfaces. * Lead water lines, which are primarily hazardous after water sits in the lines for some time prior to consumption, although contamination still occurs during normal flow rates. * Asbestos, which was once commonly used in a wide range of materials such as pipe or duct insulation; flooring tiles or sheet goods; ceiling tiles and plaster; wall and attic insulation; and plaster used as a binder. * Silica, which is exceptionally dangerous during
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saw cutting processes where dust is created. * Mold, which is not hazardous until the spores are disturbed, become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. Any visible or detectable mold should be removed, and the surfaces cleaned or removed. High concentrations of mold should be addressed by trained professionals, as it can be hazardous if not handled properly. * Dust, which can be hazardous to some individuals who are sensitive or have breathing-related issues. Dust barriers and negative air enclosures can help minimize, but not eliminate, dust contamination to the rest of the home. Commercial dust “scrubber” filtering systems can significantly reduce dust contamination. Installation Once the existing hazardous materials are
appropriately addressed, new materials will be placed in your home to replace or enhance the project. Due to strong demand by homeowners, you’re likely to find many options for healthy products. For example, prefinished materials (that can be painted, stained or varnished off-site) aid in the reduction of on-site fumes and vapors. Other products to look for when you’re remodeling with health in mind include: * Low volatile organic compounds, which limit the amount of off-gassing of the materials used in the manufacturing process. Typically, these are paints, stains, varnishes, carpeting and vinyl products. * Renewable products, which can be replenished quickly. * Heat recovery ventilation systems that exchange
the thermal qualities of the interior air with fresh air brought into the home. * Air purification systems, which may involve ozone, pleated filters, high-micron filters, electrostatic filters or UV light systems, among others. * Dehumidification systems designed to keep the relative humidity levels in a safe range to prevent mold growth. * Exhaust fans in baths,
kitchens, lower levels and workshops, installed to discharge smells, smoke, fumes and humidity. * Radon systems designed to exhaust radon gases to the exterior. Find more advice to navigate a health-conscious home remodel at remodelingdoneright.com.