Erie's Mayor Speaks on the Rise in Crime and Violence in the City
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The local voice for news, arts, and culture. with SINNOTT Erie’s Mayor Speaks on the Rise in Crime and Violence in the City August 5 - 18, 2015 / Vol. 5, No. 16 / ErieReader.com ATTACK OF BEARDED BABY THE PACA CELEBRATE ERIE GALLABALOO SUMMER JAM AT BT IS TODAY THE DAY YOU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE? If you have the spark, we have the programs to guide you toward a rewarding career. FORTIS offers programs in the following areas: Nursing • Medical/Dental • Business I.T. • Skilled Trades • Cosmetology CALL 1.800.555.7600 TEXT “IGNITE” TO 367847 FORTIS.EDU IGNITE YOUR FUTURE FORTIS INSTITUTE 5757 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PA 16506 Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Career Placement Assistance for All Graduates. For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. From The Editors ter @Snevets_Yaj, as he’ll soon be launch- ing a podcast amongst what we’re sure or better or for worse, Erie has spent in search of a silver-bullet-proof-vest an- will be many other creative ventures. nearly a decade with Mayor Joe Sin- swer but to offer a longform interview he next installment of Erie Gives Fnott. And for better or for worse, that would fill as many pages as possible TDay falls on Tuesday, Aug. 11. From 8 Sinnott, who ran unopposed for his final and address as many topics as they could a.m. to 8 p.m., Erieites have a twelve-hour of three terms, reaching the imposed limit fit in. window to donate to the nonprofit of on all mayors after Lou Tullio’s two-de- Does it answer everything? No. Does it their choice. And if past years’ successes cade long stand, isn’t an out-and-front cover all topics from all angles? No. Does and the swell of donations as the event kind of guy. it provide a continuation of the conversa- continues to grow are any indications, Editors-in-Chief: Although there had been some grum- tion in the form of a five-thousand word we can expect to see record numbers yet Brian Graham & Adam Welsh blings in years and terms past, not much dialogue that seeks to move the discus- again. Which spells a good day for non- Managing Editor: was made of the public perception of sion of crime and violence and how the profits throughout the region, as the Erie Ben Speggen Erie’s Mayor. Maybe because citizens Erie community and the City of Erie Ad- Community Foundation also provides a Contributing Editor: thought he was doing the job well. Maybe ministration address the most pressing prorated match to all donations. Jim Wertz because no one cared. Maybe because it concern facing us today? Yes. For many nonprofits, this day, this Arts & Culture Editor: hadn’t been a matter of life or death, yet. We hope that at the very least this helps twelve-hour window, provides the op- Alex Bieler But after the alarming uptick in crime clarify how the Mayor sees his role in this portunity to secure the funds necessary Contributors: and violence throughout the City, many conversation. At the very most, we hope to sustain their organizations and their Lisa Austin, Civitas began questioning his public policy — that it’s a conversation you’ll join, too, so missions in order to ultimately give back Mary Birdsong Katie Chriest and there’s a trail to follow one of those that it doesn’t end here. to the community. So it seems odd at best Rick Filippi conversation threads. Local businessman hat does end here, in this issue, that again the Erie Regional Chamber and Frank Garland Dale McBrier questioning the Mayor at Wis the longest running column in Growth Partnership is using the day to James R. LeCorchick an open forum on violence, to which Erie the Reader, Street Corner Soapbox. Aside raise funds for... fireworks. John Lindvay Bob Protzman Times-News Pat Howard responded in his from his always on-point commentary, “Your support is critical in raising ade- Dan Schank op-ed, titularly arguing that “Erie needs longtime Reader contributor Jay Stevens quate funds to ensure the return of Boom William G. Sesler Mayor Sinnott to raise his expectations,” has profiled swimmers, teachers, and Over the Bay next summer!” read at email Chris Sexauer to which Sinnott — against his normal chefs. He’s authored outstanding fea- that went out July 30. “Thanks in part Tommy Shannon Ryan Smith policy of not addressing editorials — fired tures on the Eerie Roller Girls, the Pater- to YOUR generosity, the ERCPG and the Jay Stevens back, defending his stance and his actions. no scandal and Erie’s role in it, Lake Erie Flagship Niagara League brought back Rebecca Styn In short, Sinnott sees the City’s core and the environmental threats facing it. the BOOM this past 4th of July!”, it con- Sara Toth competencies being that of law enforce- He covered the controversy surrounding tinued. Bryan Toy Jim Wertz ment and public services, jobs programs raw milk and numerous political events, Doesn’t the Chamber have a strong a secondary concern, and social services and he penned the first coverage of Erie’s enough network of businesses that could Cover Photo: Brad Triana not a role the City should play. bayfront development on the former GAF fund this if a true desire for fireworks And in short, people want answers, and site. is clear and present? Must donors with Cover Design: Liz Venuto they want them now. But you likely knew all of that already. limited resources truly choose between Photographers: So Managing Editor Ben Speggen wrote What you may not have known was that funding their own firework show or any Ryan Smith the Mayor an email. In it, he offered the Jay and his family have since moved to one of the various organizations, like the Brad Triana chance to go on record, the chance to meet Minneapolis. And as Jay puts it in his Erie Neighborhood Watch Council, that Designers: off record — either way, the chance to get farewell column, which you’ll find in this endeavor to address, curb, and reduce vi- Mark Kosobucki to know more about the Mayor’s philos- issue, “you just can’t write for a place like olence in our community? Liz Venuto ophy and vision. Mayor Sinnott respond- Erie without living in a place like Erie.” Let’s also remember that ERCGP tried Interns: ed, said he wanted to go on record, a date We wish him the best of luck as he starts this last year with a target goal of $40,000, Lauren Griffith Emily Hanisek was set, and Ben and Contributing Editor drafting the next chapter of his life. And falling quite short by netting less than Candice Martone Jim Wertz headed down to City Hall, not we encourage you to follow him on Twit- $9,000. Nicolas Miller Jim Wertz explores this issue more 1001 State St. Suite 901 fully in his regular column in this issue, Erie, Pa., 16501 Contents — August 5, 2015 where he explains that this has never [email protected] been about fireworks, but instead the Street Corner Soapbox 4 fact that a campaign exists to siphon The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only Farewell, Erie. off critical funds from culturally-en- independent, alternative newspaper. Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly Erie At Large 5 riching, social-oriented, educational- become the region’s award-winning source ly-based organizations — for fireworks. for arts coverage, a strong cultural compass, Erie Gives Day: an annual day of giving worthy of a fireworks display. and a dynamic resource for news and Because let’s be honest: If there’s opinion. With a dedication to long-form journalism and a commitment to provoking News of the Weird 6 anything that’s simply “just for show,” thoughtful discussion, the Reader tells the Harrisburg Happenings 9 stories of the people and places making and it’s fireworks — bursts of colorful gun- shaping Erie, while highlighting the events The budget impasse continues. powder in the night sky over which and issues influencing life in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published we ohhhh and ahhhh but for a brief every other week and distributed at over 250 West Erie Wonder Years 11 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania Local developers re-imagine historic plaza. moment, only to return to the very from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In real and very present threat of gun- addition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content daily at ErieReader.com as Geeked Out 37 fire throughout our city. Competing well social media sites. All rights reserved. All content © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 Kepler 452b gives us hope. in a limited marketplace against orga- State St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of nizations in search of real solutions to this publication may be reproduced without ER Sports 38 permission. The opinions of our columnists make Erie a safer, better place to live in and contributors are their own and do not The Otters enter the Jim Waters era, and Jim LeCorchick is convinced that always reflect that of the editorial board or greatness lies ahead for the team. simply to fund fireworks is a lot of tak- organization. Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 or [email protected]. ing without much giving back. August 5, 2015 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION Street Corner Soapbox Farewell, Erie. 1 item per coupon consignment items plant and got to stand at the top of the excluded expires 8/18/15 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! By: Jay Stevens incinerator tower and look over the bay.