Educating our city and state government about the reasons that this area needs to become more business friendly also needs to be built.

Commentors like Jim have been trying to “educate” them and us about efficient productivity and ways we can improve our return on dollars invested. I don’t completely understand why the “politics” would won’t to be unfriendly to business investment and can only conclude that they themselves need more “education” on ways to improve. It also seems to me that some residents also require some “education”. My sense is that some people feel that if it cost money to build a school or whatever the “project” is and it doesn’t benefit “them” directly, the money should not be spent. Senior citizens and older people don’t sometimes feel that a community college is going to directly effect them and is going to raise taxes and therefore do not build one. An education on the importance of a broader view and perspective that the more vibrant a balanced economy is for the entire area the better all of us will be in the long run. This site has been helpful in educating me on what makes this area what it has become. The politics, the history, the attitude of the residents, the culture of the area has been enlightening to someone that has recently moved here.
My sense is that Erie has turned the corner, albeit, slowly and is on the move! A lot of people are working very hard to move this area forward. I even noticed that attitudes on this forum have become more positive and supportive. It is not important that we all agree on every point of every subject but it is important that we keep an open mind and that we “educate” ourselves in the areas that others have more incite and experience. This forum could be more effective in changing attitudes and contributing to our growth than we realize. I thank all of you for the “education” that I, as a new arrival, have been exposed to. It would have taken me years to accumulate the background and sense of the area that I have received reading your comments. Jim and others have shared some very constructive views on economics and I can feel his frustration, Jim, don’t give up, you are makeing a difference. Danny Lucas, a wonderful spirit, whose sense of community comes through loud and clear, Danny, I know you don’t agree with some of my views, especially my support of gambling in Pa., frankly I know gambling is a tax on the gamblers who fight the percentage but it is a “choice” that we can elect to do or not and people come from all over keep this area “GREEN” and Erie needs the money. It is not about our different views but it is about contributing to the “spirit” of our community, that is what makes this area different from other communities, we have a community “spirit” that is unlike any other place I have been. This has become a home not just a place to live.

Based upon discussions on this site, if those opinions are to be believed, it is difficult to overcome the hurdles of a community and state that has been characterized as extemely unfriendly and costly to do business. My hope is that this can be overcome, because a community to be balanced and vibrant needs jobs that can keep our young talent employed at competitive wages.

I never met Danny Lucus, except by written communication,
the reason I speak of Danny, is that I witnessed, first hand, his emails to Peter Marsh of the Financial Times who wrote the now “infamous” “unfashionable” article about Erie, and Danny, with FACTS, eloquently changed that reporters perception of Erie. That was a HUGE demonstration of what one person could do. Much more than “e-no-mas” has contributed to this dialog. This gave me an example of a long time Erie area resident who has defended his community and I exposed that story to out of state media, international media, political media,
CNBC, General Electric, research analysts who cover GE, and anyone else who would listen in an effort to attract media attention to Erie during the election, which as predicted, is going to be very instrumental in attracting even more media to Erie. All because of Danny Lucus…because without that ONE RESIDENT, USING FACTS, this story had no legs. Erie’s favorite WINE is “Poor Me”. That wine is now outdated and I now suggest “NEW ATTITUDE”. I believe we will attract more media and investors in April, it is now up to local media, the Chamber of Commerce, the NW Mfg. Assoc., and other groups to do their jobs and present written report and up-to-date facts to the media and investors. I believe that will happen, we need to give them a chance to do their jobs. I hope that local business and restaurants and the residents of Erie join in and be a positive and real as they are able to be. Nothing is going to happen over-night, and to answer the question of some commenters of how I can be so positive, because like Danny Lucas, it works better for ME, try it and let me know how it works for you.

I’d rather debate and discuss ideas rather than get distracted by trying to outdo each other.

Thanks.

I will comment where I choose.
I will comment on what I choose.
I post my name for your convenience to avoid the pain of reading my penmanship.

You have the floor.
Be my guest.
Go first.
And, in the future, feel free to write on what concerns you.

I already do just THAT in my comments.

Do not feel free to determine what others are interested in or even NOT interested in. Big people can determine that for themselves.

The parameters of this forum are determined by a real person; not an Anonymous. If you wish to dispute that, take it up with the blog owner, not me.

I shopped at Giant Eagle on 26th and Peninsula. When I got to the cashier, she yelled out loud to me:
“WHERE have YOU been?”. We smiled grandly at one another.

I explained my travels and returns and we caught up on the children; hers and mine. I have never been to her home. I do not know her family or where she lives. We just always talked in the shopping lane. Her pregnancy years ago was obvious and she was gone away (her turn). Upon her return to Giant Eagle, I asked for pictures of the new child. She showed me and gave me the name too. I slipped that note into my Bible as I have a habit of praying for our youth.

Years went by.

This week, I ran into Tammy for the first time in a long time, and she blurted out the above declaration. I asked again about the child and she said she has added two more. I asked for pics anew. She wrote down the names of the new two additions to Erie citizens, knowing full well the slip of paper ends up in my Bible and whoever is on the page I open, becomes the apparent one selected by God for prayer.

The irony? This conversation is repeated at all shopping places I visit in Erie. I have had the same experience precisely once elsewhere (New Holland, PA, an Amish woman - she remembered my name after a single visit and it was a month before my return) in all the places I have lived.
It is a way of life in Erie and a duty everywhere else.

My wallet is empty compared to yours James, yet, I am the wealthiest guy I know.

I guess that Florida Driver’s License in my wallet makes me the wrong source to comment on West Palm Beach and Tampa.
I guess my 3 years of living in Allentown/Bethlehem (city number 30?) would preclude thoughts on Pennsylvania.

And, my year in Phoenix and year in Portland, Oregon were clearly a waste of information gathering. Uh, I graduated high school in Chicago so I best be silent on the midwest too.

Traveling 48 of the 50 states in my life certainly gives me no personal insight into the people, territory, or pluses and minuses of these myriad spots.

And, my first hand experiences in all these places coupled with a lifetime of returns to Erie,Pa would put me smack in the middle of James’ statement.

As James would say, “your wrong Danny”
As Danny would say, “you’re wrong Danny”

I will let the readers decide right or wrong James.
I impose my opinion on no one.

I will add this,… after life in all the towns you site.
In the event of a major depression like 1929 til
World War II, there are many areas of the country where people are going to turn on one another big time.
There is no cohesive connection. Of all the areas I have travelled on the Globe, I would prefer most distinctly to reside in Erie, Pa in the event our country went south economically into a Depression. The quality of the people make the difference in ALL of those locales I site. I know I can depend on friends and neighbors here.
You know it too.

I barely touched on the disaster that is growing in Florida, nor life with a transient population base, the effect that has on taxes for the locals, gang warfare, why the 2000 election occurred the way it did in Florida, and the lonliness of the retired spouse left behind after death of their partner. They always leave Florida and go back from whence they came. Some wise up sooner.

“I won’t share with you any numbers but I can assure you we’ve all financially benefited more than any of us could have imagined compared to how we would have had we chosen to stay in Erie.”
—–more James

If someone want to live a life of accumulating and benefitting financially, Erie may or may not be their best choice (Florida proved better for my brother, but he killed bugs for a living and bugs hold worldwide reunions daily in the Sunshine State).

But my daughter met a young man and we sat down to discuss his future. I asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He told me that he wanted to stay in Pennsylvania, but he wanted to go to Philadelphia and teach inner city children phys ed.

I replied that he would never become wealthy that way as the pay is low and the work demands are enormous (and growing worse). I added: “You won’t grow rich, Jon,…..
but you will lead one of the most rewarding lives a person could live. You will improve the life of those less fortunate than you. I am proud of your choice”.

So far, Jon has yet to tell me “your wrong Danny Lucas”.