Happy Thanksgiving!  There might be some snow showers today and a high of 39 degrees.  Stay warm and be safe traveling.

What are you thankful for today? Post a comment and share your thoughts.

If you think it’s been snowing a lot lately, you’re correct. As of Tuesday, Erie had already been received 19 inches of snow, more than twice the November average of 9 inches. Let’s hope this doesn’t keep up for the rest of the winter, as we’re already tired of shoveling.

Kudos to PennDOT.  Trucks were out in force last night making sure the roads were properly salted before icy conditions could form.

Mayor Sinnott’s proposed 2009 budget surprisingly does not contain any tax increases or cuts in services. The mayor said he was able to keep from raising taxes due to a cutting the work force by 25% in the past 3 years, as well as switching 911 dispatch services from the city to the county. City Council will begin reviewing the budget on December 11th.

The 2009 Erie County budget was finalized yesterday. In a surprising turn, the Presque Isle library branch in the West Erie Plaza will stay open until the new Fairview branch opens in October. County Executive Mark Divecchio stated that his office received many calls protesting the closing, though he still thinks closing the branch was a good idea.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that Rep. Phil English seems to be quite the sore loser. After losing his re-election bid earlier this month, this past week he closed all his offices across the district. Never mind the fact that he’s technically our representative until January – but English is doing something that’s completely not cool. One of the most important duties representatives complete in December is interviewing and recommending candidates for the various military service academies. With English not answering the phone any longer, families are not sure who to contact to get their applications processed. Some have contacted Kathy Dahlkemper, but seeing has how she hasn’t been sworn in yet, they’re left high and dry. These people want to serve our country and may get stuck because someone took their ball and went home. From the article:

English spokeswoman Julia Wanzco said her boss has “ceased all casework because we’re going to have limited access to federal resources.” Beginning Dec. 1, English will work out of a “cubbyhole” with access to just one computer, phone line and printer, Wanzco said, adding that other departing lawmakers will have similar accommodations during the transition.

Rep. English, help the people of your district. Yes, you lost. That’s life – now finish the job you were elected to do and process these applications.

Gas prices have been dropping but Erie County remains more expensive.  One county to the west in Ohio and gas is a full .50 cents cheaper.

Governor Edward G. Rendell signed four bills into law yesterday, including Senate Bill 1114, which names a section of West 26th Street in Millcreek the John W. Groters Memorial Highway. John W. Groters was a volunteer at the West Ridge Fire Department, and was the first to teach first aid to all of Millcreek’s volunteer fire departments. He also worked for the Millcreek School District in maintenance, as a bus driver and the head of transportation for the district.

Gannon University has been studying the feasibility of an educational facility in downtown Warren, PA. They are looking at the possibility of a new, free-standing building in which graduate courses in business, nursing and engineering would be offered. The university currently offers some courses in Warren County through the Forest-Warren Higher Education Council.

Next week, Ken Barnes will be sentenced and faces a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of life in jail for the murder of Brian Wells. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong has pled not guilty in the same matter and is undergoing treatment at a federal prison until she is mentally competent to stand trial. That might be never.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Erie County will be relocating to a new office on West Grandview Boulevard in Millcreek. Their current location at 1305 Peach Street is being closed due to the Erie Redevelopment Authority’s downtown revitalization project at Griswold Park.