Another day, another batch of fantastic economic news. Chrysler is looking to sever ties with nearly 800 dealerships around the country as part of their restructuring during bankruptcy proceedings. Erie County would likely lose three Chrysler dealers under this plan–Gary Miller Dodge, Fairview Chrysler Jeep, and Cunningham Chrysler Jeep in North East. If this plan goes through, the dealerships in question may remain open, they will just no longer be affiliated with the Chrysler franchise.
More job losses in the area – this time at WSEE. Joel at the Press and Tower reports that all off-air employees at WSEE will lose their jobs before June 1 as part of the station’s consolidation with WICU. He writes:
In my opinion, this is the end of what makes WSEE an individual or independent television station. Gone is the competitive spirit of three newsrooms. Gone is the individual and sometimes award-winning excellence shown by commercial production and promotion departments. Perhaps even gone is the drive to shoot things a little bit better, light sets more artfully, and the ability to create a product that stood on its own.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may have to close at least 35 state parks this summer and reduce public access to state forests under a strict state Senate budget plan. These closures could result in the loss of 3 million park visitors and around $57 million in tourist spending in communities where the state parks are located. At this time, it has not yet been decided which of the state’s 117 parks would be closed if the budget was adopted. Lucky for us Presque Isle would not likely be closed because it is such a huge travel destination every year. Hard to imagine an Erie summer without Presque Isle in it.
A public hearing for the Flagship Niagara was held last night at the Blasco Library. Officials from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission came out to hear citizen’s concerns and comments about the historic ship. The commission, which operates the Niagara, has already cut about $250,000 from the Niagara’s 2009 budget. The Flagship Niagara League has stated that they will need about $200,000 in community support to keep the ship sailing this summer.
Saint Vincent Health Center has become the first hospital in the Erie area to offer umbilical cord blood donation. Until now, cord blood was discarded or families may have chosen to have it saved at a private bank for a fee. With this new option, families can choose to donate the cord blood to a public blood bank. This donation could then be used for stem cell transplants or for research purposes.
The Gannon Knight has been chosen for a first-place award in the American Scholastic Press Association’s Scholastic Newspaper Awards competition. The American Scholastic Press Association judged entries to the competition in six categories: content coverage; page design; general plan; art, advertising, and illustrations; editing; and creativity. The Knight, which competed with colleges and universities with enrollments of more than 2,500, received 950 out of a possible 1,000 points.
Sports
The Erie SeaWolves fell to the Bowie Baysox yesterday with a score of 6-1. The SeaWolves ended a six-game winning streak end and dropped to 4-7 against the Baysox this season. Yesterday’s game was the first in a five game series, which continues Friday evening with a doubleheader. The Wolves will be back home Monday against Harrisburg.
According to a BBC report on the Chrysler dealerships. Gary Miller and others were dropped because they sold less than 35 cars a year.
Looks like the bloggers were right–Brian Lilly is a lying, sorry, sack of poop. My heart goes out to the off-air employees of WSEE, best of luck. Appearantly, B. Lilly is still paying “Big Joey” his $125,000/year. FYI, Bri, he ain't worth it; the only thing bigger than Joey's ego is his waistline. And as for Mr. Scotty Bremner, good job playing “lap-dog” for Master Lilly. Scott knew that this was coming months ago, and said nothing, like a good servant. Won't be long before Lilly fires WSEE's on-air folks, too. Hope Scotty likes unemployment. Or, maybe, Lilly will forego $$ and instead pay Scotty with booze. After all, that's where his paychecks usually go, anyway.
Wow, somebody hates WSEE. Might as well kick their dog while they're down too.
Friday P.M., B. Lilly told the on-air staff they were done too…so Scotty boy needs to start looknig for a new gig. Maybe he can find under the hat. As for joey, yeah he's overpaid, but I guess he brings in big bucks from the Caribbean sattelite feed. As long they are paying for his mug to ham it up I guess Lilly will keep him around.