Page Two commentary ERIE'S By Jim Martin Executive Editor The Mayor's office and the town council of the city of Erie have been in the news a good deal on plans of organizing and building a Civic Center. Immediately upon thinking about it, my initial reaction is favorable. And it has been for the last 10-15 years that this idea has been tossed around the Erie community. Finally some action has been able to take place because of Federal funds being allocated to the city for assisting in the actual construction. Mayor Lou Tullio ("Big Lou") has been advocating that since the Federal government is willing to allocate money to the city, the city— without a doubt—should take the advantage of these funds, preferably by building a Civic Center. (This leaves much to be desired). The citizens in advocating the blueprints for a Center are promoting it as the much needed life instilling drawing card for the downtown area. Presently, the economic decline of the downtown area has been staggering. Many street corners and blocks are vacant lots. Numerous mer chants have moved out to other more profitable locations such as the Millcreek Mall at Routes 19 and 99, leaving the remaining few businesses fending added com petition from these new outside areas. Along with the merchants, travel the customers causing the possibility of less earnings for the downtown merchants a growing reality. Continuing tersely, next the city's taxes are decreased because of the . travelling salesman (or any tax-paying inhabitant who has moved), then services provided by the city's government for the community are cut to balance the tax base (revenues) that has been lessened due to the void that has been created. The Civic Center would be a "drawing card" because it would lessen this aspect of Erie's plight. The Center's intention is to bring to the city of Erie an organized cultural, athletic and entertaining facility all under one roof. In Tgthrenit Tollegian Myr Press Asattriation of Canutionutraltip eamintora Bob Wetmore Gay Catania Jim Martin Managing Editor Entertainment Editor Executive Editor Mary Carman Mike Ka veney Mark Reese News Editor Business Manager Sports Editor Executive Secretary: Carol Ma ntsch Ad Manager: Ron Strike Layout Editors: Bill Appell Copy Editors: Amy Snyder, Katy Ferer, Jenny Suchin, Bill Appel!. Business Staff: Judy Reed Writers: Ron Wayne, Jay Schonthaler, Janet Mazur, Pamela Gilmore, Dan McKay, Deborah Bunting, Mary Schoen, Mary Jo Santini, Kevin Conway, Robin Buccilli, Robert P. Radziszewski Photographers: Lynn Boone, Jeff Urraro, Dan Ha tey, James Hagman Typists: Michele Crotty, Kathy Weiser Mailing Address- Behrend College, Station Road, Erie, Pa. 16510 Office- Student Offices, Reed Union Building Officp Hours: 9 :30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m_ Monday through Friday Phone: 899-3101 Ext 238 Opinions expressed by the editors and staff of the Behrend Collegian are not necessarily those of the University Administration, faculty, or the student body. Published every Thursday throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms, with exclusions for holidays and term breaks. The editorials appearing in this or delete portions of all letters for newspaper will be opinionated publication purposes. and therefore subject to All letters must be signed, but criticism. All letters that are names will be withheld upon typewritten of 200 words or less, request. Term standing, major, and submitted to the newspaper and hometown must be included. staff will be printed with the Signed columns represent the exception of those that are view of the author only and do not repetitions or in poor taste. The necessarily reflect the Editorial Ftaff reserves the right to correct policy of the Behrend Collegian. The Collegian CIVIC CENTER doing so, a multitude of activities would be provided to any and everybody inside or outside the Erie community. And all of this would develop and take place downtown. The tax base (revenues) would be built up again. So the Civic Center could very well indeed, by a visible and viable attraction in building up a depleting economic market. In addition, by increasing the enhancement of the downtown, the Civic Center would also in crease the variety of the events and activities offered. This variety of shows would include a more cultural, informative at mosphere for all of Erie, city and county. Not only an economic benefit but also an upswing in cultural enlightenment is forecast by. Civic Center enthusiasts. What the city must understand and be able to grapple with successfully is the difficulty in the actual implementing, marketing and maintaining such a demanding enterterprise as the undertaking of constructing a Civic Center. In the immediate area, the county of Erie has a very similar complex in the Erie County Fieldhouse (ECF). This facility is able to put on several seasonal shows that are "big name" at tractions and then fills the remaining dates on the calendar with lesser "big name" at tractions but of equally important marketing value. The Erie area therefore is provided with a very good facility which in turn is able to supply the community with athletic and other activities on a regular favorable marketing (promotion and selling of events) schedule_ The ECF during its first two years has worked toward a schedule that does not saturate the area, with one too many similar events. It continues to mix and balance its shows. The management for the Fieldhouse must be on top of the economic marketing costs incurred to survive, then turn a profit. The ECF is still carrying a debt—more aptly and properly called bonding—incurred at its outset. In building the arena, loans were needed from various Member of Paul Corbran Editor-in• Chief Editorial Policy Behrend Coll banks in Erie. An overwhelming majority is still owed. The costs for initiating this type of project are enormous (in the $100,000's). Coupled with the implementing costs, the Fieldhouse must add to that bill an expected and actual loss incurred during the first two years. It is hoped in the third year the ECF will make a profit. Initial financing for the Civic Center will not be enough to make this enterprise a lasting economic success. The odd $7 million Erie is to receive many not even be half of the financial necessities needed in constructing such a complex. What could be en countered by the community— primarily city resident tax payers—is a possible collapse and failure. The citizen who pays the most is the city taxpayer because he pays both city and county taxes while the county resident not residing in the city pays only county taxes. Simply, costs for the Civic Center will have to be paid almost entirely by the city residents (over the $7 million Federal allocation). How could the Civic Center fail? Very easily. The most ap parent cause would be a disastrous recession or depression. Also an apparent single cause would be mis management. Barring a disastrous recession the absolute necessity of a knowledgeable management becomes the major key for unlocking the Center's success. For that reason, it is my conviction that the management should not be politically motivated in any way. That means no political appointments to the managing staff. The pitfalls that management will meet can be devastating and leave ruin to a "good idea." One difficulty will he signing contracts. The next, obviously, is to sell them. Also, a very definite deterrent to developing a suc cessful operation arises in a possible over-saturation of the Erie community market for events. This is directly probable because of the ECF. The Fieldhouse is establishing itself as a big plus and drawing card of events for the Erie area. (The aspirations held by Civic Center hopefuls). They have contracts for sporting events, concerts, exhibitions and many annual activities. An all-out head on battle between the Civic Center and the Fieldhouse could very easily evolve. Competition would always run high. Being that the two areas are similiar in purpose, the events held at each would be similar. If the supply is too abundant then the demand will fall off. The market will be saturated. The result may be able to control the maintenance cost; employee salaries, wear and tear depreciation, destruction, realty taxes, etc. Maintenance costs will increase. The Sears building's renovations and repairs will be extensive. (It is my opinion that the Sears building portion of the blueprints is opening a Pandora's box). I have always been 'for' a complex like the Civic Center. But just right now may not be the time, despite the federal allocation. The time was right during any of the' past 10 years before the EFC. It will again be favorable -in three years or so. The city of Erie has moved too slow in the past and now may be moving too hastily. The population in Erie county is not that of the Pittsburgh area, yet the mayor's office thought fit to compare it on an equal basis. Pittsburgh has turned a profit of 20 million with its civic center but they draw from over 2 million people; Erie draws from maybe 500 thousand. It will be very difficult for two areas to survive, let alone one. The Fieldhouse has still not netted an over all year ending profit. The people are just not here. •.e. A Word From r 4 . " . • Our President i I 0 By Mike Woods This'article is a recent addition to the usual format of the Collegian. The editor and I felt it would be an effective means of communication between the student body and the Student Government Association. I sin cerely hope that this article will serve to keep all' of the students informed relative to issues which affect them. First, one of the numerous alphabet organizations, PSL (Pennsylvania Student Lobby), is alive and kicking again in Univergity Park. Following several resignations and various organizational roadblocks (snafu), the Student Lobby group is working on several major issues which shall be elaborated later in the article. Behrend is this year a member of this organization and as such will be integrally involved with the types of legislation (on a state level) which affects all of us students. Those of you who were here last year are probably somewhat familiar with Penn P.I.R.G. (Public Interest Research Group). After several months of no correspondence, I happened upon a P.I.R.G. representative in State College at a meeting last weekend. I was informed at that time that the Ralph Nader founded consumer protection group washaving problems with funding because of opposition from the Penn State Board of Trustees. It is felt that through certain pressures and-the power of petition that the Board would acquiesce, and aid P.I.R.G. in their development. Through this organization, the Penn State student would become involved. with consumer issues state-wide and not exclusively within the university. A committee. at University Park is currently considering a request by security officers within the University system tha t they be equipped with fi rearms for "protection." This might not effect the - Behrend College, but none the less, should be a concern to all of us whether we will be trartsfering to "Happy Valley" or not. A move such as this leaves much lattitude for more tragic incidences reminiscent of the late 60's an early 70's to happen once again on college campuses. Good news for the commuter populous. The SGA is currently working the establishment of a commuter council (like the JRC ) to deal with issues that directly effect the largest segment of this college (I refer to the commuters). I believe that this sort of Council would afford the commuter student body and a opportunity for more valid input into the monstrous bureaucratic machine we call Penn State. The Behrend College Radio Presentation of ROTC-- treaties for alienation By Robert D. Frum . philosophical anticipations of a The basis of this article is the campus activity. It should be initiation of an ROTC program noted here that both the ROTC upon a college campus and the program and the college campus orientation and opposition are graphic representations of, derived thereof. The organization and extensions to, larger, of ROTC ("Reserve Officers detached bodies. Training Corps.'? on Behrend ROTC in itself constitutes an Campus, though separate from elite - group open to the masses, the university curriculum, was with a structure so unique as not intended to be a facility of learn- to be duplicated in size or type ing offered by the University anywhere in .the modern world. (relation through association). As - The creed and ethical code are such, the ROTC became subject based upon principles of honor to all the rules, regulations, and ( continued on page 3) The key for success helping the Center's reality will (economically) for an Erie . City be the completion of the Erie Civic Center is the management. . Hilton and the Mid-City Towers The management must be both being built downtown. specifically educated in the Amtrak in Erie should be an aid required fields for developing and as well. maintaining a profitable organization. The management What I hope for is a good will need two free hands from any economy and the support and political power. This will provide enthusiasm of the Erie citizens the best chance at 'making' the once the_plans are finalized for Civic Tenter. Several plusses construction. SGA President Station will begin broadcasting tomorrow 'afternoon at 4:00 p.m. I feel this is a positive and essential addition to the student services of the college and that it will facilitate better communication among the students. My personal thanks to the students who con tributed their time, money, and equipment to the station and especially to Ed Fraetus who has worked tirelessly since last spring for the progress which has been made. We've come a long way since the. first night we talked about it, Ed ! After several years of un successful negotiations to open the RUB parking lot to students— it has been done. I met with Director Kochel last week and explained the student problem with evening parking in that lot. He has since notified me that students will be able to uitilize the RUB lot from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6:30 p.m. Friday night until 6:00 a.m. Monday morning. A small step for man and a small step for the students—but what the hell. Thanks, Mr. Kochel. Now for some pertinent topics. I referred earlier to several issues which P.S.L. is currently involved in: ; these are the 19 year old drinking bill (for which SGA is circulating a petition) and a bill -in the State House and Senate calling for the decriminalization of marijuana. The SGA has sent telegrams to the legislature supporting the adoption of both of these bills. We hope this will be of some influence to our conservative state legislators—but. If anyone wishes to write their represen tative, I urge you, and will list the bill names if you will refer to them—the 19 year old drinking bill is referred to as H.R. 559, and includes all alcoholic beverages. The bills -- introduced to decriminalize marijuana are referred, Was- S, 214 la, the State Senate and H.R. 1699 in the House. From reliable sources, it has been indicated that the 19 year old drinking bill has an excellent chance of passage (finally!) but the legislation to decriminalize marijuana stands little opportimity for adoption as a function of the conservatism in the legislature. Oh well, maybe next year. Write them letters! I hope this article serves an informative purpose and that all of the student body will keep abreast -of what's happening politically at the Behrend College. The student government is only as powerful as the student body which they represent. This is the most active group of students which I have seen here for several years and I hope we can direct this activity into positive change for the student body. See ya'all later! October 30, 1975
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