I received the following from a reader that brings up a great point -

I’m just wondering why there has not been any ink given to the City of Erie’s 2007 Budget. Of particular interest to me was the overstating of the “estimated” health insurance costs. The budget allocates approximately $16,500 for each city employee, even though last years expenses were only approximately $13,000 for those employees with coverage for their spouse and children. This current budget does not address employees who are single, married w/o children, single with children or those who elected the buy out option. This one line item of the budget is easily overstated by $2 million. The previous budgets were appropriately accused of overstating expected revenues. This one is inflating expected expenses. Why is no one taking the city to task for raising taxes when it wasn’t necessary?

Where did they come up with that figure of $16,500? Just a WAG? Is it overstated just to raise taxes so they can spend they money elsewhere? I understand that police officers and firefighters have dangerous jobs and can see that their health insurance would be higher than people with other jobs. But paying over $16,500 for insurance is just nuts if that figure is right. That’s just an unacceptable amount. Was ANY effort given to try and find a lower carrier? Doesn’t the city belong to any organization that offers group insurance? Whoever sells the city this high priced insurance is probably sitting on a beach laughing.

There is a good article on Erie Blogger Jeff Thoreson in todays Erie newspaper by Kara Rhodes. Jeff has done an outstanding job with Erie Shipping News. It’s loaded with info and includes great pics.

Ryan Teribery begins his job as webmaster of the Erie County website today. Teribery runs and owns Dynamic Web Concepts.

Zack Torquato, Jordan Skellett and Nick Palmieri all scored in a shootout as the Erie Otters knocked off the Guelph Storm 6-5 in an Ontario Hockey League game played in front of 3,507 Sunday afternoon at the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre. Torquato collected a goal and two assists in regulation while Palmieri and Skellett each had a goal and an assist. Justin Hodgman and Ronny Rogers scored the other two Otters goals. The Otters improved to 11-32-1-2 with the win. The Otters return to action Wednesday night at the Tullio Arena when they complete a home-and-home series against the Storm in the first game of a three-game home stand.

The Highmark Quad Games Ski Race will be held Sunday January 28 at 1 pm. Maybe, if there is enough snow. Global warming or Craig Latimer? In an area renowned for snow, it’s amazing how many times a ski race has to be postponed. It happens every year. We didn’t seem to have a lack of snow before the Quad Games began.

Curtis Granderson, the Erie SeaWolves Centerfielder and 2004 Eastern League MVP Canididate will be in Erie on Wednesday, January 24 at the annual Erie SeaWolves Hot Stove Banquet. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour. Individual tickets are on sale now for $35 Fans can also purchase a table of eight for $240 ($5 discount per ticket). The event will be hosted by Jim LeCorchick and will feature many special guest speakers including Detroit Tigers Director of Player Development Glenn Ezell, Mandalay Sports Entertainment VP of Development Rich Neumann and 2007 SeaWolves Pitching Coach A.J. Sager. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, contact the SeaWolves at (814) 456-1300.

Identity theft can wreak havoc on otherwise perfect credit ratings and wipe out bank accounts. And it’s a crime that’s growing by the minute. Learn more about this alarming crime as Stephen Szwejbka, director of the criminal justice program at Mercyhurst North East, presents “Information on and Prevention of Identity Theft,” on Wednesday, Jan 24, at 7:30 pm in Miller Hall, Room 116, on the MNE campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The Cleveland Indians have announced the line up for this year’s Winter Caravan that will be visiting Erie on Thursday, Jan 25. The event will be held at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute, 136 East Avenue. A ball park dinner will be served in the gym starting at 5 pm, with the program beginning at 6:30. Players scheduled for the Caravan include star first baseman Ryan Garko, left fielder Jason Michaels, and second baseman Josh Barfield. Hitting Coach Derek Shelton is also on the roster, along with team announcer Matt Underwood. The players and coach will present a brief program and answer questions from the audience, and will sign autographs for youngsters in attendance. A charity auction will be held featuring team memorabilia and apparel and prime game ticket packages. All proceeds from the auction and the event will benefit services to children and adults at the Barber National Institute. Dinner includes hot dogs, chips and beverages. Tickets are just $7, and are available in advance at the Barber National Institute and Hector’s Restaurant. For more information, please call 453-7661.

The Sacred Heart WinterTime Ball featuring music by the Dave Stevens Big Band will be held at the East Erie Turners on January 27, 2007. This semi-formal evening will include appetizers, a silent auction, cash prizes and ballroom dancing. You can purchase your tickets online or by calling Sacred Heart School at 814-459-7247.Tickets are $25 per person. 7pm until midnight.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host only the third performance of “Inspired by America,” a groundbreaking program that fuses live music performed by Cypress String Quartet with an original film based on Jacob Needleman’s best-selling book The American Soul. Directed by Emmy and Peabody winner Michael Schwarz, the film uses American art, landscapes, news footage, readings, and other images and sounds to reflect the diversity of the American story. The event, part of Music at Night: The Logan Series, will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, February 1, in the Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons. Tickets are required. Music at Night tickets can be purchased at the door on February 1, or in advance at the Reed Union Building main desk or online. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8.50 for adults over 60, $5 for Penn State Behrend students, and $4 for children under the age of 16.

The 9th Annual MECA United Cerebral Palsy Barstool Open is set to take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007. Last years event had 1200 participants and raised $30000. Yes, 1200 people out drinking in downtown Erie on a cold February afternoon. Teams of 4 will compete in golf at 9 bars in downtown Erie PA. The putting exhibition contest takes place on holes with wacky designs. This year there are 14 bars participating. Mail the registration form and enclose your check for $100, $25 per person, made payable to: MECA United Cerebral Palsy, 3745 West 12th St, Erie, PA 16505.

On Feb 25, the Brewerie at Union Station in Erie hosts the Erie Illusion women’s football team Beer Fest.

The 25th annual Erie Sport and Travel Expo will be held at Family First Sports Park in Erie, Pa March 2-4. The show features fishing and hunting lodges, guides, outfitters, fishing charters and sporting goods vendors and boat and recreational vehicle dealers. General Admission $6 with children under 10 free.