Budget Talks

Photo by Matt Fuller

It's official. As of about 11:15 PM last night, Governor Ed Rendell announced that all non-essential state workers would not be reporting to work this morning. What does this mean for Erie? A loss of the two biggest tourist attractions that bring people to Erie -- Presque Isle and Presque Isle Downs.


The good thing is that a couple hours later, the courts ruled that the casinos could stay open, however Presque Isle is closed for at least today. I have a feeling that a lot of people who frequent the beach, not only local residents but people visiting the peninsula from out of town are going to be very dissapointed. To boot, the temperatures today are going to be in the 90s with high dewpoints -- a perfect day to swim in the lake, but no one will be able too.

After I got out of work this morning, I took a drive down to the peninsula and was a little surprised as to what I found. Not only was the normal gate closed, but they had barricades up not only on the road, but leading on to the multi-purpose trail as well. The only sign of life down there was the park ranger making sure that people did not enter the park. The only benefit to this is maybe people will spend more time and money at Waldameer. I just hope for the sake of Erie County that this state budget crap will end. Too tired to write anymore.

So for now...

What's the problem?

There was a story today on WJET-TV about the proposed Cathedral Prep athletic complex on W 12th St on the former Gunite property. The story mentions that local manufacturers in the area are opposed to the zoning changes that would be required for them to build there. The current zoning is for manufacturing. A spokesperson from a local business in the area stated that "..it would go against the urban renewal plan and 12th street history."

OK. First of all, I don't see how this would go against the urban renewal project. This is a chance to take something that is currently a pile of rubble into something that would be pleasant to look at and would be very functional. I drive through this corrodor to and from work, and it always smells and is a lot of delapitated looking brick buildings. This would be something to benefit the city, and like we always do, we have to look at everything bad about it, to the point that the Diocese will go somewhere out of the city and once again, we will miss out on an opportunity to make the city a better looking place.

The second part about 12th street history...That's what it is, history. We need to stop living in the past and move the city into the new millenium. I really don't think that people come to Erie on vacation to sightsee the 12th street manufacturing corridor. We need to take these blighted properties and make them into something that will make people want to come to Erie. We are losing tourists and more importantly losing youth that are leaving the area for better jobs. We need to make the city a great place for residents and tourists alike.

The next short rant is about the commonwealth and their budget problems. Not going to go on and on about this, but if I could get one message to Harrisburg, it would be to get a budget. If they issue these furloughs, it will hurt the two biggest tourist attractions in the area, Presque Isle and Presque Isle Downs. Make sure you send Governor Rendell a message telling him how his furloughs would hurt the Erie County economy. You can click here to send a message to him.