The Reader Beat aims to cover city and county council meetings as well as other important government and community-related meetings. The following is a summary of each meeting for the month of March.
City Council March 4: During the first meeting of the month, public comments addressed the Welcoming City Ordinance and support for Black community members. Constituent Michael Keys expressed uncertainty towards the ordinance, saying that Erie “has a lot of work to do to be welcoming for people who are already here, already paying taxes, and who are struggling.” Executive Director of Erie Arts and Culture Susannah Faulkner spoke in support of the ordinance. “We know from policy and governance that when we help the most marginalized, it benefits us all,” Faulkner said. The ordinance, which outlines the city’s goals to obtain and/or maintain the status as a “Welcoming City,” was modified via a friendly amendment to work with other governing bodies in the county, and passed 6-1 with Brzezinski voting no.
Brzezinski called the ordinance “agenda-driven” and expressed concern that the ordinance would prevent police from doing their job effectively. Horton announced that he was excited to support the ordinance. “Part of our oath-taking is that we are ambassadors and should reflect all things good,” he said, adding, “this isn’t an us vs. them thing between New Americans and Black people. We don’t appreciate pitting Black and Brown communities against each other.” Council President Titus said that the ordinance is not agenda-driven. “This is a necessary part of our Welcoming City application and it is fiscally responsible.”…