Latest news with #ChuckNelson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City council has debate before approving spending on Miller Brothers building roof
The City of Erie is moving forward with plans to transform the former Miller Brothers property into a public works and safety facility, despite facing a funding challenge for necessary roof repairs. The project requires approximately $1 million to repair the roof of the facility, which is located in the 2100 block of State Street. A debate over the source of this funding had threatened to delay the renovations, with the City Council and the Mayor's office initially disagreeing on where the money should come from. USPS invests in modernization, undergoing upgrades at Erie delivery center 'We went back and forth with that. I kept saying I don't care where the money comes from. Let's get this done,' said Mel Witherspoon, Erie City Council President. The Miller Brothers property was purchased by the City of Erie in 2023 for $2.8 million, with city officials estimating that upgrades would cost around $30 million. Initially, the city administration proposed using funds from the city's water reserve fund or capital fund, which is a restricted account meant to grow and generate considerable interest. Chuck Nelson, Erie City Council Member, expressed concerns about using the city's water reserve fund, stating, 'This account has quadrupled in size since 2010. It's something that we don't like to touch and it takes six votes from council to touch it.' After a study session on Tuesday night, the council decided to use surplus ARP funds for the roof repairs, which are considered a more flexible pool of money. Approving the spending now was deemed critical to allow repairs to take place over the summer rather than risking further damage from winter snow. North East building that stood for over 125 years torn down Mel Witherspoon emphasized the urgency of the repairs, stating, 'We'll have 4-5 good months for it to take place and we hopefully have it done in September or early October. Once that is done, we'll move our equipment, our fire and some police operations out of there.' With the decision to use surplus ARP funds, the City of Erie aims to complete the roof repairs by early fall, paving the way for the new public works and safety facility to enhance services for residents. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie elections: Four controller candidates state why you should vote for them
Four candidates, including two current members of Erie City Council, want to become the city's financial watchdog. Three of those candidates — Erie City Council members Chuck Nelson and Ed Brzezinski, as well as former Erie County government employee Brooke Sanfilippo — are seeking the Democratic nomination for city controller in the May 20 municipal primary. Republican Matt Strupczewski is the lone Republican in the race. The Democratic primary winner will almost certainly face off against Strupczewski in the Nov. 4 municipal election. Current City Controller Teresa Stankiewicz, a Democrat, is prohibited from running again because of the city's limit of three consecutive terms. The city controller currently earns $38,000 annually. However, City Council in September approved a 97% yearly salary boost for the controller's post, increasing that salary to $75,000 a year. Both Brzezinski and Nelson voted for that increase as council members. The raise will not take effect until January 2026; the winner of the Nov. 4 municipal election will receive the higher salary. Here are the candidates and their answers to the same question about the job of city controller. The Erie Times-News reserved the right to edit the candidates' answers for length and clarity. Age: 78 Occupation: Retired Erie School District educator; current Erie City Council member Education: Bachelor's degree in English; Master's degree in counseling; administrative certificates; various real estate courses in finance and ethics. Family: Married with five children; 12 grandchildren. Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective controller for the city of Erie? Answer: The next few years will define us as a city. Experience, transparency and collaboration must be the most essential attributes for the next city controller. As a former real estate company owner and certified appraiser, I have real life experience with finances. Twelve years on the Erie School Board dealing with budgets yearly as well as nearly ten years of city budgets define my experience and reputation for fiscal accountability. I know how city government works and know how to get things done or sometimes stop things from happening. I'm asking for your vote for city controller, so that I can continue to be a rational voice for all of the citizens of our beautiful city. Age: 40 Occupation: Pastor, Erie City Council member Education: Bachelor's degree, Lindenwood University; Master's degree, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary; doctoral work at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Personal: Married, two daughters. Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective controller for the city of Erie? Answer: Every year that I've been on council, I have been entrusted by my colleagues to be either the Finance Committee chair or council president. That has put me on the same boards and committees as our current term limited controller. I look forward to being an independent office of the administration and council to offer audits and reviews to better inform City Council's decisions. Through a more active treasury management, and small accounting changes that led to reimbursements, I have saved taxpayers $10 million this term on council. I would like to put all of my focus on saving us taxpayers our money. I have passed ordinances on council that involve contract reviews that the Controller's Office is responsible to enforce, I would like to see that done well. I have accomplished all of the objectives that I had announced as a City Council candidate in my time on council. I have proven effective working with my colleagues to do so, and will bring that effectiveness to the Controller's Office. Age: 46 Occupation: Pension and 401(k) administration manager Education: Bachelor's degree in finance and accounting, minor in Spanish Family: Married with one son Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective controller for the city of Erie? Answer: I feel that, based on my background, the role of city controller is a good fit for me and that's it's an excellent opportunity for me to give back to the city I love. The fire for public service was initially lit in me by my late father-in-law, State Representative Flo Fabrizio. Flo was a great inspiration to me, and I always knew I wanted to run for office to serve the city I love, just as he did. When I considered running for City Controller, I felt my qualifications and my desire to serve the stakeholders of the office meshed well, and that I would be a good candidate who will continue to manage the office with integrity, neutrality, and a collaborative attitude. City Council voted to increase the salary for the controller in order to appeal to a more qualified candidate. I have degrees in finance and accounting, 13 years pension experience and eight years government experience. I function in a compliance and oversight role where I maintain a staff of five employees. I always strive to work collaboratively with clients and advisors daily. I am a financial professional who will bring a fresh perspective, enthusiasm, and years of financial experience to the table. As controller, I will continue to be the independent voice for the taxpayers. I will continue to maintain the Office of Controller in an unbiased and transparent way. I will ensure that the appropriations made by Council fall in line with the budget, that contracts are negotiated in a fair, equitable manner, and that requisitions are paid timely. I will perform departmental audits, if necessary, and make my findings available to all appropriate parties. Overall, I will function as an impartial agent for the stakeholders of the office- the taxpayers of the city of Erie. I am a Qualified Pension Analyst credentialed through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. I am the only candidate who has both pension and government experience, as well as experience being in a union position and, based on my background and endorsements, I am the only qualified candidate for office of City Controller. Age: 23 Occupation: U.S. Army officer Education: Master's degree with graduate certificate in financial analysis; bachelor's degree in marketing; bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in military studies Family: Married Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective controller for the city of Erie? Answer: As a candidate for Erie city controller, I am running because I believe in ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility for our city's finances. My commitment to public service began with my military service, where I learned the values of discipline, integrity, and accountability — qualities I will bring to the Controller's Office. Serving in the military taught me how to lead under pressure, manage complex operations, and maintain strict adherence to rules and procedures—skills directly applicable to overseeing Erie's financial operations. This is truly one of the few apolitical positions in our local government. It doesn't matter if you're a Republican or a Democrat — you can't have an opinion on auditing; you either do your job or you don't. This race is about who you trust to faithfully fulfill the duties of this office. With my experience, education, and background, I can assure you that I can — and will — honorably do this role the justice it deserves to ensure proper fiscal responsibility for our city. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie city election guide: Controller candidates field questions
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Home rule study ordinance back on Erie City Council's agenda
The issue of whether the city of Erie should study a new form of government is back on Erie City Council's agenda. An ordinance regarding what's known as a home rule form of government is on City Council's Wednesday meeting agenda. The ordinance, if approved, would not put home rule in place. It would authorize the creation of a ballot question that would ask city voters if they want to launch a nine-member commission to study the possibility of moving to a home rule charter. The question could be on the ballot as soon as the Nov. 4 municipal election. City Council rejected a similar ordinance in January after some members said they felt the issue was being rushed. The ordinance would have to pass two readings of City Council. If it gets preliminary approval on Wednesday, a final vote could take place as soon as council's April 16 meeting. The process would essentially empower city government to create its own constitution with greater flexibility and independence regarding issues such as city operations, taxation and executive/legislative structure. Erie currently adheres to the state's Third Class City Code, with an optional charter, in terms of how its government operates. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, 'the basic authority to act in municipal affairs is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by the voters." Home rule municipalities also have significant latitude to craft their own governmental rules in various areas, according to DCED, except where specifically limited by state law. City Councilman Chuck Nelson is among those who has pushed hardest for home rule. He has said the move would give citizens more say on how the city is governed and give city officials more ability to craft laws/make decisions based on needs specific to Erie. If city voters approve a home rule study, the commission would compile a public report on what home rule government might look like in Erie and make a recommendation on whether or not to move forward with home rule. Then Erie voters would either approve or reject home rule through a second ballot question. The entire process could take years. Voters in Lancaster recently approved a home rule study. Two other third-class cities in Pennsylvania, Reading and Allentown, adopted home rule decades ago. Council members and city officials have met with DCED representatives and talked with officials in other cities to gather more information about home rule. The issue was previously brought to a vote. Council on Jan. 22 voted 4-3, on second reading, against authorizing a home rule ballot question that would have been placed on the May 20 municipal primary ballot. At that time, a number of council members said the pace of the discussion over home rule was not giving citizens enough time to understand the full context of a ballot question. Councilman Ed Brezezinski, at that time, voted against the home rule ordinance. He mentioned that citizens interested in serving on the home rule commission would have to be elected to those posts in relation to the ballot question. Those candidates would be required to collect 200 non-partisan signatures on nominating petitions before the March 18 filing deadline for the municipal primary, just like candidates for local office are required to do. Brzezinski said the city could slow the process down, 'get it right,' and still have time to place the study commission question on the ballot for the November election. If any ballot question is rejected, it cannot be placed before voters again for at least five years, according to state law. Nelson and his City Council colleagues Jasmine Flores and Tyler Titus voted for the home rule ordinance on Jan. 22. Besides Brzezinski, Council President Mel Witherspoon and two other members of the panel, Kathy Schaaf and Maurice Troop, voted against it. Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie City Council weighs home rule charter ordinance again
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Local shelters provide warmth as homeless population battles bitter cold temps.
Winter weather has been harsh, especially due to wind chill. Temperatures have consistently been near or below zero degrees. While most people have a warm place to work or a home to return to at night, hundreds of people in Erie don't, and they spend hours out in the elements just trying to survive. Crawford Co. residents impacted by stolen SNAP benefits 'We walk in their shoes from our house to our cars. We stay in a certain level of warmth. When it's something that's not a temporary thing but rather an absolute need that they have no other options, that's where we step in and open our doors,' said Chuck Nelson, board chairman of the Upper Room of Erie. The Upper Room of Erie is open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and has sheltered dozens of people each day from the bitter cold. It's staffed by people who have experienced homelessness themselves. 'There's no barriers to entry. This is something where they just come in for the heat. There's not a diagnosis of a diagnosis, drug use, or anything like that. They come in for just heat,' said Nelson. EUMA's Our Neighbor's Place seasonal overflow shelter has housed 246 different people throughout the winter — many of those being returning guests night after night. 'Two nights ago we were at 58, the average is around 47 a night,' said Kurt Crays, executive director of the EUMA. 'Even with a sleeping bag, folks are at a great risk of not being able to survive the night unless they had a place like EUMA's Our Neighbor's Place.' While the impact of having a warm place to lay your head for the night can't be overstated, the long-term goal remains to be a pathway to permanent housing. Crays said in his ten years of service, he's never seen the trend in local homelessness shift like this. PennDOT reminds motorists to clear ice, snow off cars to avoid unnecessary dangers 'The individuals who are coming to our neighbor's place are increasingly between the ages of 18-24,' said Crays. 'Our oldest resident here is 72. There are individuals who can barely walk, are using assistive devices, and that is concerning for me. I just want to let folks know that that is what our community is experiencing right now.' Crays said their work isn't possible without volunteers from across the region as well as a network of 14 churches to coordinate care each night. With temperatures being as low as they have been, there's a serious need for donations of things like hand warmers, sweatpants, and other thermal clothing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
