At the start of the new fiscal year in July, there will be enough money from slot machine taxes in the Property Tax Relief Fund which could see property owners getting an average of $300 of tax relief. Homeowners will receive tax relief once gaming generates $570 million – $400 million to distribute statewide, $100 million to put in the Reserve Fund, $58 million in supplemental property tax and rent rebates for cities and high burden individuals and $12 million for Sterling Act reimbursement. Currently there is about $542 million in the fund. If you look at PAPropertyTaxRelief.com you’ll see that homeowners won’t see seeing the money directly, the money is going to your school district. School board members know this and will try their hardest to come up with reason why they should spend it. Before any work has been done on next years budget, the Erie School Board said they will seek to raise taxes next year no higher than 6.4 percent – the maximum allowable by law without a voter referendum.
If you own a GE locomotive, check the main reservoir tank. Tanks manufactured by R and R Metal Fabricators, manufactured between 1985 and 1995 are being recalled. Tanks can be identified by an “R&R” name plate attached to the skin of the tank. General Electric Transportation System has now advised all known owners and users of the affected locomotives equipped with the involved reservoir tanks to replace them by Sept. 30, 2008, and may do so for no cost by contacting Len Baran, GETS product manager, at General Electric Transportation Systems, 2901 East Lake Road, Building 14-410, Erie, PA 16531.
The Housing Authority of the City of Erie presented a check for $78,359.66 to Erie Mayor Joseph Sinnott as a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). In 2007, the Authority also paid the City $532,435 to support various services and functions, ranging from $476,665 for the COPPS supplementary police patrols in public housing, $48,930 for systematic code enforcement around public housing neighborhoods, and $6,840 for the youth swimming program at the City’s Rodger Young pool. County Executive Mark DiVecchio received a PILOT check for $30,759.06. This is in addition to the 2007 Authority funded county services costing $74,153, including adult and juvenile probation officers, and the Erie County Library. James Barker, Superintendent of the Erie School District, received a check for $106,552.64. The Authority expended another $965,822.15 in 2007, for education-related services for children and adults, including English As A Second-Language, GED, basic education, and after school and summer programs.
Joe Pfadt announced he will run for the Pennsylvania 3rd District House seat. Pfadt is a teacher at Harbor Creek High School and a Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Matthew Good got caught up in the pay raise mess and lost the seat in 2006 to John Hornaman.
Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation will receive a $840,000 state grant for construction and rehabilitation of railroad track to serve the SB3 Industrial Park at the former International Paper / Hammermill Paper site, including extending track to connect the east and west sides of the industrial park.
The 225 foot Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock is scheduled to arrive in Erie to retrieve navigational buoys in conjunction with Operation Autumn Retrieve. Operation Autumn Retrieve began Oct 14 with a goal of retrieving 1,289 of the 2,628 navigational aids. The aids, approximately half in the Great Lakes region, are taken out of service during the winter months due to decreased vessel traffic and to minimize damage from ice and inclement weather.
Ryan McDonough scored once and added two assists to lead the Saginaw Spirit to a 7-3 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 3,956 at the Wendler Arena. Ryan O’Reilly, Zack Torquato and Justin Hodgman scored for the Otters. Erie saw a three-game winning streak end with the loss as they dropped 7-21-2-1 on the season. The Otters return to action tonight when they travel to London to face the Knights at 7:30 pm. Saturday the Otters return home to meet the Kingston Frontenacs at 7:30 pm at the Tullio Arena in Erie.
Mike Machuga of Erie finished in 37th place and cashed for $1800 at the Denny’s PBA Tour 2007 Spartanburg Classic.
Mercyhurst and American International College men’s hockey teams close the 2007 portions of their respective seasons when they meet this Friday and Saturday nights at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The first puck drops each night at 7:05 pm.
Get the family together and take them to the Erie Playhouse for the heartwarming holiday musical “It’s a Wonderful Life“, through December 16. The lights will shine bright at the Erie Playhouse throughout the holiday season with the mounting of this classical seasonal tale. This new musical is a faithful adaptation of the 1946 film, which has entered into our national mythology, and has become as much a part of the Christmas holiday as the evergreen tree and fruitcake.
The War at the Shore quad-dual wrestling tournament includes two high school matches that pit McDowell and Cathedral Prep with Fort LeBoeuf taking on North East. Opposite of the Division II match with 13th ranked Mercyhurst vs 20th ranked Gannon, is Division I action with 15th ranked Edinboro taking on Eastern Michigan. The 3rd annual War at the Shore will be held at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena today – Friday, Dec 14.
Join your friends at the Watson-Curtze Mansion for the 28th annual Victorian Holidays program Whimsical Wonderland. Included in this exhibit are professionally decorated evergreens, fireplace mantles, doorways, windows and other displays that will be open to the community. Whimsical Wonderland features more than ten different themed rooms; including a Seussical room decorated in all things Dr Seuss, a wintertime teddy bear picnic, a Victorian garden and much more. Participating decorators includes Traditions, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club and Melody Potratz of Potratz Garden Shop. Try you luck with the annual Chinese auction and win gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, or a holiday wreath. Victorian Holidays will run until December 30. Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.
Cure those fall doldrums by learning to throw a pot at the Erie Art Museum’s Clayspace Studio Open House on Friday, December 14 from 6-9 pm at ARTworks, 1505 State Street, 3rd Floor. Instruction is $5 per person or $15 per family/group and is on a first come first serve basis. Complimentary pizza will be served. Erie Art Museum instructors will introduce participants to the art of wheel throwing. Stop by anytime during the evening, wear old clothes and shoes, and be prepared to get a little messy. All ages are welcome.
The Lake Erie Ballet 49th annual production of the Nutcracker will be held Sat Dec 15 at 7 pm and Sun Dec 16 at 2:30 pm. Purchase tickets at the Erie Civic Center box office or at Ticketmaster.
There will be a Benefit Dinner and Concert at Luther Memorial on Sat, Dec 15 at 5:30 pm for 3 year old Jack Sundberg. Jack has an inoperable brain tumor. Dinner will be served from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm and music will start in the main sanctuary at 6:30 pm. Performers will include, but not be limited to, Preston Gorman, Jelena Holmberg, Mariah Miller. There are no reservations needed, just come and join in. Luther Memorial is located at 225 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501. Your donations will be subsidized by the sponsor Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Erie County PA Chapter.
The Mercyhurst College Concert Choir and Carpe Diem Chorale will present their annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec 16, at 2 pm in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on the Mercyhurst campus. The program is free and open to the public as a Christmas gift to the community. The Concert Choir and String Orchestra, directed by Rebecca Ryan, will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”
While you are finishing your last minute shopping at the Millcreek Mall on Saturday, December 22, stop by the Center Stage located by Burlington Coat Factory between noon and 1:30 pm. The 20-member Gem City Jazz Ensemble will be filling the halls with Christmas carols and other jazz selections. Join the band for the entire show or just a couple songs to keep you in the holiday spirit!
The 25th annual McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 18, 2008 at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. St Edward of Lakewood Ohio, Rice High School of NYC, Saint Patrick of Elizabeth NJ and Erie Cathedral Prep are in the powerful field. Adult General Admission tickets are $7 and Student General Admission are tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are $12.50.
The Association of Program Members (APM) of General Electric Transportation in Erie PA announced that it will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Winter Wishes Benefit Gala for the Foundation of Western Pennsylvania on February 16, 2008. Each year, the members of APM reach out to the community to collect donations for the silent auctions, live auctions and raffles that are held at the event. They also solicit “table sponsors” from local businesses. As a table sponsor, the business’ name appears on the centerpiece showing their support for this wonderful event as well as in any promotional materials that they put together for the function. The money raised with the auctioned items donated by local businesses will help provide funding for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Community support of this event is recognition of the importance of this cause are greatly appreciated. Along with your assistance, GE will be able to make an impact on the day-to-day life of children whose lives are threatened.
