Comments on: Who Gives Authorities Their Authority?

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:05:08 +0000

Jim. I believe your second paragraph says it all concerning the political situation in Erie.

“Unfortunately, Erie voters reward pandering politicians who squander their money. Partisan politics trumps competence every time.”

One of the hopes I hold for this blog is to help educate the taxpayers that we need not settle for the status quo, that by using our collective votes and voices that we can regain a say in our government.

Ideally, the public will begin to see what a united voice can accomplish. The tire plant may not be defeated, but the opponents are putting up a good fight. That’s how it should be.

Thanks for writing.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:28:39 +0000

There are two chief reasons why we are saddled with these authorities. First is the fiscal advantages they have when it comes to debt, and the second is that they are perceived to protect the public from incompetent politicians bleeding the service revenues for their own purposes. Like Tullio did to the water department in city government for a quarter century, which led to the current water authority configuration.

Unfortunately, Erie voters reward pandering politicians who squander their money. Partisan politics trumps competence every time.

However, if anyone thinks there is not a coordinated effort between the city priorities and the airport authority approach to operations, they are kidding themselves. Does anyone honestly believe that there was no coordination between the two, in the recent attempt to take money from the county gaming receipts to retire city debt on the golf course without the transfer of the asset?

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:26:57 +0000

Dale, I’m right there with you. Too many taxing authorities that are not accountable to the people. See “Erie Municipal Airport Authority”!