For those of you who have been following the Erie Coke plant mess, experts say the emissions typically contain benzene and PAH’s, which have been linked to breast cancer in women. PA’s Department of Environmental Protection is considering what actions should be taken, possibly even shutting down Erie Coke until it can clean up its operations.
Penn State Erie has finally chosen the replacement chancellor for retiring John D. “Jack” Burke. Donald L. Birx is currently the vice president of research at the University of Houston System. He has also taught at New Mexico State University and work with multiple research and development facilities. Looks pretty amiable to me.
Paul Polacci, who attempted to shoot two sheriff’s deputies last November, has been sentenced to serve 10-20 years in state prison with 20 years probation to follow. Polacci, who claimed to be suicidal when the incident occurred, pointed a loaded handgun at the officers in front of the Domestic Relations Office, then located at 155 W. 8th. Fortunately, it failed to go off, and Polacci was apprehended shortly thereafter.
As a result of the recent legal battle between the city and the firefighter’s union, one of the six local firehouses will be closed by the end of the month. Ironically, the firefighter’s union won the case, which argued that the stations were understaffed. The union hoped the result would be more hires, but the city says the $1.7 million to hire 24 new firefighters is money they don’t have. Instead, the Mayor Joe Sinnott plans to close one station and spread the firefighters around the remaining stations. The union is trying to work with the mayor to come up with a section option that would not require the closing of a station.
Police have arrested a third suspect in the robbery of Luigi’s Bar and Grill on West 18th Street, which occurred early Friday morning. 18-year-old Scott Beatman has been charged with robbery and disorderly conduct, as were the two suspects arrested on shortly after the crime on Friday.
Events
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will hold a free Information Expo in Erie on March 30th from 5-8 pm. The expo, to be hosted at the Ambassador Banquet Center, will explain how the schools work: the curriculum, materials, and technical and instructional support. Teachers, administrators, admissions counselors and technical support staff will be present to answer any questions. Interested families may register at www.pacyber.org.
Does anyone see similarities between Erie Coke today and Penelec several years ago?
My parents believe that, more than anything, the local gov’t wants the Erie Coke land to develop into something like condos and is willing to do whatever it takes to get that land. My parents mention that Erie Coke was willing to deal with them as long as some public space remained but that the developers want it to be all private. Does anyone know anything about that? What would the plans be for the property Erie Coke sits on today?
According to my folks the City of Erie constantly harassed Penelec back in the day to the point that they up and moved. The property that was Penelec’s became the library down at the bay correct? They got pushed out to the suburbs and the City of Erie stopped harassing them.
Anyone see similarities between the two situations? Is this a land grab or a valid issue?
Nick, the amount of and cost of site remediation would make such a project severely prohibitive, especially for a public entity. GAF is going to have similar obstacles and most of their site contaminants are likely buried (in land that is just fill to begin with); where Ere Coke’s property is polluted on and below the surface.
Also, this idea is way too forward thinking… for any Erie politician to have their eyes on a privately owned waterfront property….
Lastly, who in their right mind would want to live in a condo right next to the sewage treatment plant? Those property values would end up below market, even in Erie.
This conspiracy theory is severely flawed.
When the tire plant announced it was coming to town, nearly the whole city was up in arms about pollution, the safety of the people and the environment. I don’t remember too many people being concerned with the fact it might bring jobs to the area. If anyone brought up the subject it was like nonsense.
This morning on TV the stations were polling people and most opinions were about saving jobs, not much about the stink in Erie, or the continuing contamination to the great world we have.
Where are the opinions of the City Mayor, City Council, County Council or any of our lawmakers that are working so hard for us, and want to promote our city.
Wizo, good thoughts, all of’em. Appreciate the feedback and agree, it sorta is a conspiracy theory :-)