Mayor Schember admits he was mistaken on the PennDOT numbers by 50%.
Jet TV interviews Mayor regarding his Administration's lack of understanding about the $1.26 million available to fix the McBride Viaduct using PennDOT's Demo-Offset funds. The Mayor's complete confusion about the actual condition of the bridge, the cost to repair, and the ease of obtaining the $1.35 million WITHOUT RASING TAXES underscores the unassailable logic of honoring his campaign agreement to allow a PUBLIC HEARING about the Viaduct. In this interview, after admitting his mistake, the Mayor goes on to say, without justification that demolishing the Viaduct is "the best thing for the Eastside." How about a simple follow up question: WHY? And how about someone in the media posing this long question:
Mayor Schember, during the campaign you said you would not object to a Public Hearing and planned to have an open, transparent decision-making process. The author of Erie Refocused - the comprehensive plan you support - encouraged a pause in the demolition and a Public Hearing; many groups including the NAACP, the African American Concerned Clergy, Preservation Erie, Bike Erie, All Aboard Erie, the Sisters of Mercy, Keystone Progress, Erie County United and CIVITAS have called for a Public Hearing. PennDOT says you have until 2021 to use the funds to demolish or fix the bridge.
Mayor Schember, why are you ignoring the call for a Public Hearing?