SEPTEMBER
28 2021
Smethport Legion donates to 4-H for renovation of 4-H center BY FRAN DE LANCEY
able to remove the interior
Photo by Fran De Lances
Photo bY Daniella Griesbaum Trees show fall color along the railroad tracks at Browntown Road in Bradford Township. This year, the DCNR is expecting a longer season and varied color for local fall foliage.
October fall color expected to be vibrant According to the Pa. Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied Fall foliage season than any other state in the Nation. The crimsons, blazing oranges and yellows as brilliant as sunshine that present themselves throughout the Allegheny National Forest and surrounding areas peak in color for several weeks near
the beginning of October across Pennsylvania. Because of the beauty the foliage brings to the area there are many prime leaf-peeping locations to visit in the coming weeks: the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, which circles the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir was selected by USA TODAY as one of the “Top 50 Scenic Drives in America.” Rimrock Overlook and Jakes Rocks near the
Kinzua Dam are famous for the stunning views from their scenic overlooks. The Kinzua Sky Walk at the Kinzua Bridge State park is another must-see destination when it comes to Fall leaf-peeping. The sky walk extends over 600 feet out into the Kinzua gorge and overlooks approximately 8-miles of the sprawling tree-tops. For more information about scenic destinations and Fall drives visit the
Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau on the web at VisitANF.com or the Pennsylvania Wilds at www.pawilds.com. The Pennsylvania DCNR posts a weekly Fall foliage report on Thursdays online at h t t p s : / / w w w. d c n r. pa.gov/Conservation/ F o r e s t s A n d Tr e e s / FallFoliageReports/.
American Legion Commander Courtney Cole is shown with Ginny Eppley, a longtime 4-H volunteer, and Mara Ours, a member of the New Idea Livestock Club. Eppley also serves as secretary of the McKean County 4-H Development Committee, which has headed the 4-H Center restoration project. Mara attended the American Legion’s August meeting where she spoke about the importance of 4H and the 4-H Center. She explained the many roles of the 4-H Center, including a place to hold meetings, county-wide events and a place to display the 4-H members’ projects during the McKean County Fair.
SMETHPORT — The Smethport American Legion Bucktail Post #138 has donated $1,000 to the McKean County 4-H, which will be used to help renovate the 4-H Center on the McKean County Fairgrounds. “Specifically, this funding will go toward rebuilding the interior walls and drop ceiling,” said Morgan Cady, extension educator, 4-H youth development. This rebuilding work began in 2019 by removing the interior portions of the building, and the overall structure remained strong and sturdy. “4-H volunteers and employees were
materials and dispose of them thanks to generous donations from Casella Waste Systems and McKan Trucking,” Cady told The Era. “Due to COVID-19, though, the project came to a standstill in 2020 and most of this year.” Work resumed this summer with the help of donations from a local electrician, Doug Covert, and the company, Conxx, Inc. The next stage is rebuilding the interior walls and drop ceiling, according to Cady. When this work is completed, focus will be shifted to installing a new HVAC system, kitchen and restrooms.
Small protest held in Smethport against COVID mandates BY FRAN DE LANCEY SMETHPORT — A small group of protesters against masking and Covid-19 mandates stood along West Main Street Thursday in front of the McKean County courthouse. A spokesman for the group, Chris Cole of Bradford, told The Era, “We are followers of ‘Citizens for a Constitutional County’ on Facebook.” While he spoke of a larger group of protestors set to arrive later in the day, that never materialized. Speaking against mandates that require schoolage children to wear masks, Cole claimed, “There is a 99.998 percent survival rate from COVID-19 for ages 19 and under.
“Requiring them to wear masks means they’re breathing in their own stale air,” Cole said, adding that he believes it could be toxic. Cole then turned his comments to his views on the COVID-19 vaccines. “Pfizer is only one that has been somewhat Food and Drug Administrationapproved, but not really all the way approved yet. The other ones have not been FDA-approved.” Cole claimed, “The only reason they’re pushing this is because the President has made everything into an emergency so he can push the vaccine.” He also noted the negative effects of the mandates on the economy, especially on small businesses and employees. “A lot of
small businesses have already gone out of business, while many others are struggling.” Referring to large companies, Cole said, “Now employees of those companies with 100 or more employees must be vaccinated or be tested weekly, and that testing must be paid by the employees. That’s too much of a burden on
the workers.” Continuing with references to the economic results of the mandates, Cole said, “For months, the government paid people to stay home and not work, and now the people who are working, we have to pay weekly to work. The government won’t pay for their testing.” The protest was
scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the early afternoon, there were four people carrying signs with messages about the mandates, espousing slogans about freedom and personal choice. Some passing motorists beeped their horns in agreement. A much larger group of protesters was expected to arrive at 4 p.m. after
quitting time at their jobs, Cole said. However, the few who did attend left about 3:15 p.m., according to courthouse personnel. Courthouse security had offered the protesters an area on the courthouse steps that was taped off for their use, but the group declined the offer.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
Causer to host Potter County Senior Citizens Expo Oct. 8 COUDERSPORT — Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, is reminding area senior citizens, their family members and caregivers of the annual Potter County Senior Citizens Expo in Roulette set for Friday, Oct. 8. The free event will be held at the Roulette Fire Hall, 12 River St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “There are so many programs and services available to support our senior citizens, but it still can be difficult for people to find the help they need,” Causer said. “I encourage area senior citizens and their caregivers to take advantage of this opportunity to find a wealth of information in one convenient location.” State, county and local
exhibitors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions. Information about health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government services, hunting/fishing, and personal safety will be available. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prize drawings will be held at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at no charge. Causer noted his offices in Bradford and Coudersport will be closed for the day due to the expo. Residents in need of assistance may contact the Kane office at 814-837-0880 or the Harrisburg office at 717-787-5075.
Causer, Owlett to host firearms seminar ULYSSES — Reps. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint and Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro, are inviting area residents to an upcoming Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar in Potter County. The free event will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at the Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company, 810 Route 49, Ulysses. “This is an informative event that allows residents to ask questions and learn more about Pennsylvania gun laws,” Causer said. “I hope people will take advantage of the opportunity to join us.” Owlett agreed. “People can expect to learn more about the state’s concealed
carry laws, the Castle Doctrine and other valuable information regarding state gun laws and gun safety. I anticipate a great discussion of these issues.” Speakers will include Potter County District Attorney Andy Watson and Trooper Sierra Rose of the Pennsylvania State Police. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Residents of Causer’s district may register by calling his Coudersport office at 2749769 or visiting www. RepCauser.com. Residents of Owlett’s district may register by calling his office in Wellsboro at 570-7241390 or by visiting www. RepOwlett.com.
Pitt-Bradford financial aid to hold information nights The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Financial Aid staff will be offering free financial aid information sessions for college-bound students. The financial aid high school night in-person presentations begin in the next several weeks and will continue through the end of October 2021. In the event that a school’s C-19 policies change before the scheduled presentation, a Zoom meeting will be substituted, and the school’s guidance office will provide you with the link. Sessions will be held as follows: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Cameron County High School; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Coudersport Area JuniorSenior High School; 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Otto-Eldred High School Library; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Smethport Junior-Senior High School; 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Oswayo
Valley Junior-Senior High School; and 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Bradford Area High School. The Bradford Area High School session will be a Zoom meeting, and the guidance office will be providing the link to students and families. Information covered will include basic information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), deadlines and tips that will make completing the FAFSA easier. A counselor will also talk about the financial aid process and the different types of aid that are available to families and students. Finally, the counselor will talk about different situations that can affect aid, such as income, academic progress and whether or not a student is considered a dependent or independent student. There will be
time for questions during or after the presentation. Pitt-Bradford will also sponsor several FAFSA completion nights. Sessions will enable families to complete the FAFSA online with some assistance from the staff. Those interested should bring their 2020 Federal tax return with related W-2 forms. Families should also bring FSA user names and passwords, if they have them, and investment statements for assets other than retirement accounts. In the event of any Covid-19 policy or protocol changes, we will reschedule the event, if possible, or cancel, if necessary. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, the Financial Aid staff will be at the Warren-Forest Higher Education Council, Suite F in Warren, to guide parents and students through the FAFSA application.
Pre-registration is required for this event by calling 814-723-3222, at which time the current COVID-19 protocols will be detailed. A second completion event will be offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Kane Area High School, room 105 in Kane. A final completion event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at PittBradford in the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Fitness Center, computer lab room 158. Masks and completion of a daily health attestation will be required. Some waiting may be required as space will be limited to two people per family. For more information, contact, Deborah Woodley, Pitt-Bradford Assistant Director of Financial Aid, at (814) 362-7550 or woodley@pitt.edu.
Erosion & sedimentation control workshop set SMETHPORT — Local conservation districts are holding a day-long workshop from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. The workshop, sponsored by conservation districts of Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Warren counties, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Penn State Extension, and the PA
Lumber Museum, is for foresters, loggers, logging contractors, and private landowners. The workshop includes an afternoon field session to examine erosion prevention and control on a logging site. Participants should be dressed to spend several hours outdoors, rain or shine. The training is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The workshop will cover erosion & sedimentation guidelines, best management practices for timber operations and harvests, practical information for planning the timber harvest and considerations during & after the harvest, and on-site field work in Timber Harvest Planning and Layout. Professional credits are available for
Continuing Education (PA Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Society of American Foresters (pending); SFI credits require an additional $20 fee). Workshop cost is $15 per person, which includes materials, refreshments, and lunch. Please pre-register for the course no later than Oct. 1 by contacting the Potter County Conservation District at 814-274-8411 ext. 4 or email Glenn Dunn II at g.dunnii@ pottercd.com
Dush bill would provide relief from burdensome RTK requests HARRISBURG — The Senate has adopted a bill designed to provide relief for municipalities, government agencies and school boards from costly document requests, according to Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, who sponsored the bill. “The state’s Right to Know Law ensures that our residents have access to the public records of state and local governments as well as school boards in Pennsylvania,” Dush said. “While it empowers the people, some choose to use the law to in a way that causes an enormous burden. This bill will provide a framework for burdensome requests that will help municipalities, school boards and other agencies with Right to Know Law
requests save not only administrative time, but also valuable resources and taxpayer dollars.” Senate Bill 552 will allow a municipality or agency to petition the Office of Open Records for relief from a requestor that the agency alleges is a vexatious requestor. As a legal term, “vexatious” refers to legal action that is brought without sufficient grounds for winning, purely to cause annoyance. If the executive director of the Office of Open Records or their designee determines that further proceedings are warranted, the executive director must pursue a resolution through mediation or a hearing. The executive director or designee must issue a final opinion with appropriate
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relief that includes, but is not limited to, an order that the agency does not need to comply with future requests from the vexatious requestor for no more than one year. Organizations in support of this bill include the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, and Pennsylvania Municipal League, Pennsylvania State Association to Township Commissioners, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. DUSH IS URGING Pennsylvanians to submit sworn testimony by Oct. 1 regarding problems they
have personally experienced with the state’s election system. Voters should submit information only if they experienced irregularities or other election improprieties firsthand. State residents can share their stories and contact information at https://intergovernmental.pasenategop.com/ electioninvestigation/. The information will help lawmakers develop potential improvements to state law to bolster election security. The Oct. 1 date matches the deadline for the Department of State to respond to subpoenas issued by the committee last week. Dush noted that testimony is only being accepted from Pennsylvania residents, and the infractions
must have been witnessed in person or affected the state resident personally. In addition, members of the public should submit testimony on the webpage only if they are comfortable signing an affidavit and
potentially testifying under oath at a Senate committee hearing under penalty of perjury. More information about the election investigation is available at www.paelectioninvestigation.com.