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For consumer information, visit Fortis.edu. 2 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com December 24, 2014 CONTENT — DEC. 24, 2014 From the Editors ear’s end always seems to On State Street,” Rick Filippi rumi- be a time of reflection and nates of the City of Erie’s Christmas Yanalysis — a measuring of gift — or lump of coal depending on both the last twelve month’s high how you look at it: A tax increase and low points, an opportune time to the tune of 7.3 percent, bringing Features to evaluate the last 365 days to the total percentage increase since make sense of them as a collective 2012 to more than 21 percent. 8 — Tom Wolf Q&A whole. So as 2014 draws to a close To deal with an increasing budget, and we put the final touches on the raising taxes is the easy answer, An Interview with Pa.’s New Governor fourth volume of the Erie Reader, but as we continue to burden those you’ll find such contemplation and choosing to live within the City, is it consideration in the final issue of the right one? Shouldn’t our politi- Editors-in-Chief: 11 — 2014 Year In Review this volume. cal leaders be looking for more cre- Brian Graham & Adam Welsh A Look Back So We Can Get Moving Forward For starters, Arts & Culture Editor ative answers, ones that don’t solely Managing Editor: Alex Bieler takes us through 2014 raid the taxpayers’ bank accounts? Ben Speggen in this issue’s year-in-review fea- Rick — in addressing what he calls Contributing Editors: News & Opinion ture, examining the biggest stories a Christmas present we did not ask Rebecca Styn — both nationally and locally — to for — looks for those alternatives in Jim Wertz 4 — Exile On State Street measure their impact. Nationally, hopes of challenging leadership to Arts & Culture Editor: stories like the Ebola outbreak, the be bold, not just to be bankers. Alex Bieler A Lump of Coal from the City of Erie This shooting deaths of Michael Brown, The final days of December are a Contributors: Lisa Austin, Civitas Christmas Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice, the Mary Birdsong legalization of marijuana, and the Pen Ealain 5 — Erie At Large challenges to the Affordable Care Rick Filippi Act standout amongst the many Year’s end always Eric Kisner The Year Of The Gun stories that shaped how we’ve lived seems to be a time of James R. LeCorchick 2014. John Lindvay In Erie, headlines went to the clos- reflection and analysis Lili Morton 5 — The Way I See It ing of the Kanzius Cancer Research Bob Protzman — a measuring of both Foundation, the derailing of the Dan Schank Looking Back at 2014 the last twelve month’s Jess Scutella proposed rail terminal, continued Tommy Shannon Bayfront development, the in- high and low points, Ryan Smith 6 — Just Toyin’ Witcha crease in heroin-related deaths, the an opportune time to Jay Stevens establishment of a quasi-commu- Rebecca Styn White-collar Crime nity college, and the results of this evaluate the last 365 days Sara Toth year’s midterm elections. Alex also to make sense of them as Bryan Toy details the ebbs and flows in the lo- Jim Wertz 6 — News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd cal entertainment scene, noting the a collective whole. Cover Design: closing of a landmark venue and Mark Kosobucki 10 — Considering The City the emergence and reemergence of Photographers: others. good time for Top-10 lists and for Ryan Smith In his column, Contributing Editor assessment. Alex Bieler and John Brad Triana The Legacy of Wilbur Henry Adams Jim Wertz dubs 2014 “The Year Of Lindvay reminisce on the best al- Graphic Designers: The Gun,” as violent crimes contin- bums and best moments in geek Liz Venuto 26— ER Sports ue to plague our city and challenge culture, respectively here, while Leah Yungwirth our neighborhoods while many James R. LeCorchick takes grad- Writing Interns: stand idly by with feet planted firm- ing literally, issuing mid-season Michael Iverson ly in the ground and hands stuffed scores to local university basketball Christopher Sexauer Culture in pockets. In short, The Year Of teams, as he looks at both the past 1001 State St. Suite 901 The Gun casts a pall over the good and the future. Erie, Pa., 16501 14 — Calendar nature, the good stories, and the And perhaps the future is where [email protected] progress of Erie, and as 2015 knocks the lion’s share of our attention 21 — Reader Eater on the door, we can wait no longer ought to go and this time of the The Erie Reader is the local voice for news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only independent, to peel back the veil and stare the year. We know — when adjusting alternative newspaper. Founded in 2011, the Reader problem down to know how best to our future based on our past — that has quickly become the region’s award-winning 1201 Kitchen’s Ramen Lunches source for arts coverage, a strong cultural compass, search for solutions. hindsight’s 20/20. Now that we’ve and a dynamic resource for news and opinion. Contributing Editor Rebecca Styn inspected our recent past, it’s time With a dedication to long-form journalism and a commitment to provoking thoughtful discussion, 23 — Top 10 Albums of 2014 re-evaluates the topics she cov- that we turn our sights to the fu- the Reader tells the stories of the people and places ered during the last 52 weeks to ture. making and shaping Erie, while highlighting the events and issues influencing life in northwestern address chief issues still facing like While it’s easy to see clearly our Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is published every 24 — Top Local Albums of 2014 other week at The Corry Journal, 28 W. South St., the city and region — like relocat- most recent action, envisioning the Corry, Pa. 16407. The Erie Reader is distributed at ing a school into an unused school future takes truly audacious per- over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition building, along with putting a po- ception. 2015 needs to be the year to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content 25 — Geeked Out tato chip plant in an already exist- we look to call upon the inspirers, daily at ErieReader.com as well social media ing but vacant potato chip plant. the dreamers, the visionaries who sites. All rights reserved. All content © Flagship 2014’s Top 10 Moments of Geek Culture Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, Erie, While 2014 saw a fair share of ac- dare not only to see and wish for Pa, 16501. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The opinions of complishments, much work is left a better Erie, but to endeavor and our columnists and contributors are their own and unresolved and is still in need of labor to make that vision a reality. do not always reflect that of the editorial board or organization. Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 or solutions. Otherwise, we’ll be right back here [email protected]. Year-end reflection often revolves writing the same From The Editors around the holidays, and in “Exile twelve months later. December 24, 2014 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & OPINION The revenue side presents more problems, Exile on State Street but at least the City could be working on it. Recently, the Erie Times-News published a A Lump of Coal from the City of Erie for Christmas this Year great story on the salaries of CEOs of some TV 54.1 • Radio 91.3FM • WQLN Education • Q-Media of the major tax-exempt organizations, par- Schedule Highlights By: Rick Filippi ticularly the colleges and hospitals. The ell, it looks like the citizens and term. amount of money these people are being taxpayers of the City of Erie can Wouldn’t it be refreshing if the people that paid is obscene in the sense that they argue Wonce again break out the eggnog are supposed to be representing us actually they are "charitable organizations." to celebrate the recent Christmas present came up with some unique and even radical If the legislature refuses to address this is- we received from Mayor Joe Sinnott and five ideas to stop this vicious cycle? Even if only a sue, then the City needs to take legal action members of City Council. In the face of de- few of our elected officials had some starch against these entities to ensure that they are creasing revenues and increasing costs, the in their backbones and brought some ideas paying their fair share of taxes. Can anyone mayor and a majority of City Council came up for discussion, some realistic alternatives justify a "charity" paying hundreds of thou- up with a truly innovative and creative way that focus on increasing other sources of rev- sand of dollars in executive compensation to deal with the City’s budgetary problems. enues and cutting costs might be found.