The City of Bradford is inviting interested residents to serve on the Government Study Commission tasked with examining the city’s current form of local government and evaluating potential alternatives that may better serve the needs of the community.
The creation of the Government Study Commission reflects the City’s commitment to open governance, citizen engagement, and continuous improvement in how local government operates.
The Commission will be responsible for:
• Studying the current structure and operations of Bradford’s municipal government.
• Researching optional forms of government permitted under Pennsylvania law.
• Considering whether the city would benefit from a Home Rule Charter.
• Engaging the public through meetings.
• Recommending whether a change to Home Rule Charter should be pursued.
How to Serve on the Commission
-Interested Residents Must run in the November 2025 General Election to Serve on the Commission
-Interested Residents Must be a Registered Voter in the City of Bradford
-Interested Residents Must Circulate a Petition and get forty (40) Signatures
-Petitions may be Circulated and Signed between August 5th and August 26th, 2025.
-Petitions Must be Turned in to the McKean County Elections Office by 4pm on August 26th, 2025
Interested Candidates may pick up packets and additional paperwork at the McKean County Elections Office, located at:
McKean County Courthouse
500 W. Main Street
Smethport, PA 16749
Petitions must be returned to the County Board of Elections no later than August 26th, 2025 at 4pm.
For additional questions, contact the City Administrator Eric Taylor. e.taylor@bradfordpa.com
About the Study Commission
If the government study question passes in the November 2025 general election, the Commission will operate independently of the City Council and have full authority to study the structure of Bradford’s municipal government.
Should the Commission recommend a new form of government, such a proposal would be subject to a public
referendum
waste of time and money.
That’s like class based discrimination because people who can’t drive to Smethport will be excluded. There’s no sidewalk there. That’s one of the issues. We don’t have say in our town because we’re too poor to drive to where speaking is relevant. Therefore its kinda bogus to even offer it to our people when the people who need heard most will be excluded via wealth discrimination because there’s not even a sidewalk from South Center to Main Street in Smethport. That’s not even right. That shouldn’t even be legal. The stuff for it should be available at the public library.