CONTENTS: From the Editors The only local voice for The roads ahead news, arts, and culture. February 15, 2017 Editors-in-Chief: rie has been at a crossroads for too long. As Brian Graham & Adam Welsh we begin to inch one way, toward innovation Managing Editor: Just a Thought – 4 Nick Warren Ebirthed from bold new ideas, something al- Copy Editor: The fruits of their labor ways seems to pull us in the other direction. It’s Katie Chriest as if the things that should be nothing but obsta- Contributing Editors: cles are becoming our destination. Crises have a Ben Speggen gravity to them, pulling us in by the sheer weight Jim Wertz News of the Weird – 7 of certain problems. Issues like the state of our Contributors: Rent free roaches and off Maitham Basha-Agha public schools, the ongoing heroin epidemic, and Ed Bernik balance accounts the increase of economic blight must be properly Mary Birdsong treated not as our fate, but simply as problems to Tracy Geibel Lisa Gensheimer overcome on our way to a brighter future. Gregory Greenleaf-Knepp One of the most direct factors impacting our Dan Schank Raising the Stakes – 11 Tommy Shannon city’s growth is its leadership. In this issue, Ben Ryan Smith When it comes to the city Speggen dives into the ideas behind our upcom- Ti Sumner Matt Swanseger economy and gaming funds, ing mayoral election. With advice from James Bryan Toy $24 million is greater than Fallows of The Atlantic, he establishes a strong Cover Design: foundation for this momentous decision. This, Nick Warren $550,000 Photographers: the first in a series, serves to underscore an on- Maitham Basha-Agha going focus for the Erie Reader until Election Day Ryan Smith on Nov. 7. Brad Triana For a closer look at an important financial issue Publisher’s Assistant: What History Will Erie Elect Emily Hanisek Intern: to Make? – 12 Angie Jeffery City faces stark choices in One of the most direct factors impacting our city’s growth is 1001 State St. Suite 901 upcoming mayoral primary Erie, Pa., 16501 its leadership. In this issue, Ben [email protected] Speggen dives into the ideas behind our upcoming mayoral election. The Erie Reader is the local voice for Spotlight on Erie – 17 news, arts, and culture, and is Erie’s only independent, alternative newspaper. Here's to you, the same chords Founded in 2010, the Reader has quickly that I stole, from a song that I impacting our city right now, read the op-ed from become the region’s award-winning the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority’s source for arts coverage, a strong cul- once heard Executive Director Perry Wood. He crunches the tural compass, and a dynamic resource for news and opinion. With a dedication numbers, contrasting the positive effects of prop- to long-form journalism and a commit- er allocation of gaming revenue with the dangers ment to provoking thoughtful discus- posed by new legislation proposed in both Har- sion, the Reader tells the stories of the Good Things Come in Small people and places making and shaping risburg and City Hall. Erie, while highlighting the events and Packages – 30 In this issue, we’re also happy to welcome John issues influencing life in northwestern Working ducks elevated to Repp, as he offers up the first entries in a regu- Pennsylvania. The Erie Reader is pub- lished every other week and distributed art in Erie Decoys: Folk Art lar series of book reviews. You’ll also find quite a at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in healthy amount of event spotlights for those in Pennsylvania from North East to Girard Sculpture search of worthwhile activities. In fact, this issue to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new content dai- contains as many featured events as an average ly at ErieReader.com as well social me- summer edition. Not too bad for the middle of dia sites. All rights reserved. All content Music Reviews – 32 winter. © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 State St., Suite 901, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part of The Menzingers, Allison So don’t let the snow throw you off course. this publication may be reproduced There are places to go, and roads to get there, lit- without permission. The opinions of Crutchfield, Surfer Blood, and erally and figuratively. our columnists and contributors are their own and do not always reflect that Elbow As for the future of our city, we have the nec- of the editorial board or organization. essary maps to get us where we need to be, the Direct sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. clearest being Erie Refocused, the comprehensive For editorial inquiries, email contact@ ErieReader.com. Book Reviews – 33 plan from Charles Buki of the Alexandria, Vir- ginia-based firm czb. We have the examples of Recent works by Emily St. John similar cities, some not far from here, that have Mandel and Keith Taylor successfully begun turning things around by reshaping their goals to accommodate our ever changing economy. And most importantly, we have the voice of the people. Capable of shifting Erie Faces Erie – 34 massive tides, the dialogue created by informed A look through photographer citizens can be one of the most powerful forces Ed Bernik’s lens on earth. It’s up to us to speak up, do something, and take the right path. February 15, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 NEWS & VIEWS Just a Thought The fruits of their labor The stop-in-your-tracks sensational green of an Osage Orange tree fruit, found alongside Gudgeonville Road near Elk Creek. ders, if we’d only truly look; slower journeying through life reveals what rushing never can. And Mother Nature has an inexplica- bly wacky sense of humor. That one’s for certain. Clichés aside, I’ve thought a lot about that weird green brain – especially about which homesteaders planted it. And also about the neighborly man’s family, stewarding that land for so long. Surely, they thought their problems were insurmountable. Surely, they suffered moments of utter despair. Surely, they wondered how they’d ever find the strength to persevere. KATIE CHRIEST KATIE History is often discussed in such an imposing, distancing way – as if By: Katie Chriest As we walked on, I thought about how little I really know about the place ew Year’s Day dawned bright where I grew up, not far from where I thought about how little and clear. Remember? It’s hard we walked – let alone about its former I really know about the Nto, now that winter’s skies inhabitants. place where I grew up, let have written into history their own 50 What were their private griefs, and alone about its former shades of gray. But on that gleaming public worries? Without ads telling day, the sun shed the shroud of 2016 them what new disease they might inhabitants. What were and allowed us all to believe – at least have, and constant “news” telling their private griefs, and in terms of vitamin D consumption – them what new fears to harbor, what public worries? What kept that 2017 would be a big improvement. kept them awake at night? Or when them awake at night? Or Craving wide open spaces and (most- sleep was restful, what did they dream when sleep was restful, ly) unencumbered views, we drove out about? to a road near the old Gudgeonville What consumed their thoughts, as what did they dream about? Bridge, parked the car, and started they moved through their alternately walking. Soon, we had company. mundane and heroic lives? “Happy New Year, neighbors!” ex- On these things I ruminated. Until it only happened to the important claimed a man leaning out his truck we spotted a fluorescent green grape- people and their most unfortunate window, slowing down to greet us. fruit-sized brain in the leftover snow subjects. So it’s easy to forget the day- “Oh! You looked like the folks who live on the road side of the ditch. to-day lives that actually came before here,” he then corrected, gesturing “What the heck is that?” we both ours. All those who walked our streets toward a farmhouse that sat distant asked, our incredulous voices piercing and lived in our houses and tried to from the slushy dirt road we walked. the quiet country hum. do their best with what life had dealt Instead of pulling off, he introduced Back home that evening, I asked them. himself, idling nonchalantly in the Google, “What is the green brain fun- It’s comforting to think of them now, middle of the road. gus thing under trees in Pennsylva- and the wisdom they’ve embedded in Our local historian told us that his nia?” us. Maybe some of their sensibility land had belonged to his family for 110 Google – with the enduring patience remains in our landscape, waiting to years. And that – though just 67 – he’d of a thousand angelic moms – showed be absorbed by our wandering selves. been in the last class to come through me photos of the Osage Orange tree’s Maybe that wacky fruit really is brain- a nearby one-room schoolhouse with fruit (which are apparently some- like. a potbellied stove and an outhouse. times called “Monkey Balls”). Soon he bade us farewell, driving Of course, the metaphors are gim- Katie Chriest can be contacted over a muddy knoll and out of sight. mes here: Our region is full of won- at [email protected]. 4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 15, 2017 February 15, 2017 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com February 15, 2017 NEWS & VIEWS January not to use the term "expectant course the Samoa, rated 9, but longtime News of the Weird mothers" when referring to pregnancy favorites like the Trefoil ("boring") rat- because it might offend transgender ed 6 and the Do-Si-Do ("bland") 5.