Council Approves Community College Plan
Last night, Tuesday, June 15th, Erie County Council approved the resolution to make the county government the state-required sponsor for a new local community college by a vote 5-1. This move was critical to moving forward because state law allows for a sponsorship to come from either: a First Class city, which isn’t applicable to Erie because we are a Third Class city; school districts; or the county. With the county’s vote, the plans to establish an Erie Community College can move forward, but the decision is not final; the state application and the college’s overall operating plan still have to be approved.
The vote was met with loud appraisal from more than 100 people that crammed into the Millcreek Township Municipal building Tuesday night. "I was there," said Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation. "You could feel the energy in the room and the desire to move forward."
County Councilman Joseph Giles proposed seven amendments, which earned the support of two members who were previously leaning towards voting against the resolution. County Councilwoman, Carol Loll signed off after Council agreed to accept the amendments introduced by Giles. One of the key stipulations; that no county tax dollars would be used to provide state-required revenue match for the college, was the driving force in swaying Loll and Giles to vote ‘yes’.
County Councilman Barry Grossman was slightly troubled by the idea that tax dollars wouldn’t be used. He is worried that this amendment won’t go over well with the state.
The only abstaining vote was from County Councilman Kyle Foust. Employed by Mercyhurst College, he doesn’t want the college to have competition.
Councilman Ebert Beeman was the only vote against the resolution for fears of a financial disaster that might ensue.
However, looking to the benefits the community college would offer to the Erie area and the considerable financial support that has emerged, the operating costs would be distributed evenly without weighing on tax payers as opponents fear.
