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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday December 21, 2006

Carpet bombing of the city wouldn’t have caused as much damage as Erie City Council manged to do yesterday.
Council passed a $59.88 million budget for the City of Erie for 2007. Council did zero work to cut any costs. The budget proposed by the mayor was just rubber stamped by council. This could be due to the fact that for 2007 council members will received over $22,000 in pay and benefits for their part-time “work”. Grab a copy of the Constitution and cross out the part where it says we have three separate branches of government: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. It doesn’t apply in Erie.
Council decided to sell Erie Golf Course. The city spent $2 million in upgrades to the course last year. The most they think they can receive from a sale is $1.8 million. Here’s a suggestion - offer it to Millcreek Township for the amount owed. Millcreek Golf and Learning Center will soon be closing with the airport runway expansion and they could use a ready made course. And cripe, Erie Golf Course is actually in Millcreek.
Council took away the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) Pension Program from firefighters and police officers. Since this is part of their union contracts, it will wind up in court and the city will lose. Auditor General Jack Wagner has said the city owes the state $893,745 in state aid overpayments because the program wasn’t set up correctly. Council and the mayor never thought it through or asked anyone what the consequences would be when they set it up. Brilliant.
Council raised property taxes 12.14 percent. Taxes will go up 1.24 mills. Property values in Erie have dropped with the increase.
Council also passed a $40 landlord tax for each rental unit. This will increase city employment and the amount collected will not be enough to cover salary, benefits and expenses for the new employees. Most, if not all, landlords will increase their rental fees.

Now for some good news. You have got to read this story on GoErie. Trust me. Read it. A young lady that was put up for adoption found her birth parents just by chance. Her boss at work was her birth mother. Read it.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board unanimously approved 11 applications for permanent slot-machine gaming operator licenses including Presque Isle Downs in Erie County. The racino at Presque Isle Downs outside of Erie at I-90 and Route 97 is expected to open with 1,600 slot machines in operation on February 15, 2007. It will eventually operate 2,000 machines.

A Fairview company that develops parts and components designed to enhance the performance of diesel engines today was named the winner of the Big Idea $25,000 Business Plan Contest. The contest winner, Performance Engineering, was presented a $25,000 check from State Senator Jane M Earll during a press conference at Gannon University. The contest, designed to give new and start-up companies much-needed business financing, was sponsored by Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the Gannon Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Up to 20 inches of snow is expected with the latest storm to hit Erie. The blizzard has shut down I-25. That’s Erie, Colorado.

The newly launched Discover America Partnership announced that it has partnered with the Honorable Tom Ridge of Erie, first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania, to evaluate the US entry process and propose strategies for striking a better balance between secure borders and open doors. The organization and Ridge believe that international travel to the United States is a critical element of America’s economic and national security. According to a recent Discover America Partnership survey of more than 2,000 international travelers, America’s visa process and the perception of how visitors are treated at points of entry are deterring travelers from visiting the United States. The United States has experienced a 17 percent decline in overseas travel since September 11, 2001, and from 2004 to 2005, a 10 percent decline in business travel.

Penn State Behrend will hold its fall 2006 commencement ceremony for 188 students, including eight associate, 164 baccalaureate and 16 graduate degree candidates on Friday December 22 at 7 pm in the Junker Center. Notable speakers include Darren Williams, associate professor of physics and astronomy, who will deliver a commencement address titled “We’re in this together,” Kurt Buseck, chairman of the Council of Fellows, and Edward P Junker III, a member of the Penn State Board of Trustees, who will provide authorization to confer degrees.

About time. Death Cab for Cutie released Plans in August of 2005. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” is Number 1 on the WERG Tuesday Top 30 this week after being released in June. Great song.

The Big Green Screen Theater at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center has a $2 off coupon for Everest or Lewis and Clark. It’s good for the movies playing between December 26 and January 2. It you’ve never seen a large format movie, check it out.

The “Victorian Holidays: A Holiday Heritage Festival” exhibit at the Erie County Historical Society Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W 6 St, runs through December 31.

The Polish Christmas Celebration “Wiligia” will be celebrated today at the East Erie Turners, 820 Parade St. For reservations, call Sabella’s Catering at (814) 868-3463. Tickets are $15. This will be a traditional meatless dinner complete with Oplatek, religious music, artifacts, and rare museum quality exhibits directly from Poland. Profits go to the European Cultural and Polish Museum.

“Nature For You and Your Little One” will be held Friday, December 22 with two sessions, morning 10-11 am or afternoon 1-2 pm at Presque Isle State Park. $2 fee, registration required by calling (814) 835-4550. Designed especially for 3-5 year olds and an accompanying adult, this interactive program get kids in touch with all of the nature of Presque Isle. Thre is a story, craft and outdoor exploration with children getting a truly hands-on adventure.

The 24th edition of the McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie on Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center. This year’s event features nationally renowned programs from California and Ohio, featuring rosters replete with top-ranked players.
The field is highlighted by the appearance of two of the most renowned players in Classic history. Delvon Roe, a 6’7” wing player for St. Edward of Lakewood, Ohio, is currently ranked as the Number 2 player in the junior class by PrepStars Recruiter’s Handbook, and is regarded as one of the best players in the nation regardless of class. Dallas Lauderdale of nearby Solon, Ohio, also is slated to perform, and the 6’10” explosive athlete is on everyone’s list of top centers in the nation.
Also entering the field for Classic 2007 is vaunted Westchester High of Los Angeles, California. The Comets, competing in their third McDonald’s Classic, are annually one of the nation’s top interscholastic programs.
The Classic will tip-off on Friday, January 12, with a first round, 7:00 PM match-up between Westchester and St. Edward. The 8:30 PM nightcap will feature Solon High and the host team Cathedral Prep.
St Edward is making their second appearance in the Classic, having won the title back in 1997. Head Coach Eric Flannery has been guiding the Eagles for eleven seasons and boasts of a 177-60 record including seven District titles, four regional crowns, and one state championship. His top players include current professionals Sam Clancy (USC), Jawad Williams (North Carolina), Steve Logan (Cincinnati), and Steve LePore (Wake Forest).
Also coming from neighboring Ohio is Solon High, featuring 6’10” All-American Dallas Lauderdale, who will play next season for Ohio State. The Comets are coached by highly-successful mentor Todd VanReeth, who in an 18-year career has compiled a 302-120 record, including a 92-29 record with Solon. His squads at Solon have won four league titles in the last six seasons, and have twice been a regional finalist.
The other visiting squad always brings impressive credentials and high aspirations for national championship recognition. Westchester High was California’s AAAA State Champions in 2005 and will feature 6’7 Dane Suttle, the reigning Los Angeles player of the year and junior Oscar Bellfield, who has been offered a scholarship by USC. The Comets are hoping their third trip to Erie ends with their second Classic crown.
Making a return to the Classic for the 24th consecutive year will be the Cathedral Prep Ramblers who are under the direction of head coach Brian Flanagan, who has gone 48-11 in his two seasons on the bench.
In his first season in 2004-‘05, he led the Ramblers to the Final Four in Pennsylvania with a banner record of 26-5, the fourth highest win total in school history. The Ramblers return just one starter from a year ago in junior Mark Blazek, but also have three seniors who saw regular minutes in guards Josh Licata and Ryan Heidt, along with center Jeff Wisinski.
General admission tickets cost $7 per night in advance for adults and $5 in advance for students, and went on sale to the general public on November 29th, 2006. Any remaining reserved tickets will also be on sale beginning on Wednesday, November 29th at the Cathedral Prep athletic office. General Admission tickets will be available on the same date at the Erie Sport Store, the Avalon Hotel, Dee’s News, and select McDonald’s Restaurants while they last. No phone orders will be accepted, and no tickets can be held. Another sell-out crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at December 21, 2006 7:00 AM

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Posted by: Deb Carlson at December 21, 2006 8:58 PM

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