Disappointed in voter turnout? Make sure to do your part in Tuesday's Pa. primary
On Pennsylvania’s primary day, which is Tuesday, some important races will be on the ballot, including one for Erie County judge.
When you consider that many judges in Erie County serve 20 years or more, voters need to select the best candidate.
The trouble with many spring primaries is that voter turnout is often disappointing. Don’t forget: This is a chance for your voice to be heard. Don’t ignore it by staying home.
More: Erie County voters' guide to the races, candidates and issues in the 2023 primary
● Congratulations to Jack M. Quinn, who received the prestigious Chancellor of the Bar award at the Law Day celebration Wednesday. It’s a well-earned honor for Quinn, one of Erie’s most respected lawyers.
Jack’s friends should help him celebrate by buying him all the pizza he can eat at Rocco’s in South Bend, Indiana. It’s one of his favorite stops whenever he visits his alma mater for a Notre Dame football game.
Quinn’s late father, another respected Erie lawyer named John Quinn, would be so proud of his son. Ditto for his wife, Anne, and sons.
Other honorees at Law Day included Alexander Cox and Philip Seaver-Hall, who received the Pro Bono Award; Crime Victim Center Director Paul Lukach, who received the Liberty Bell Award; and Erie Police Lt. Thomas Lenox, who was the Diversity & Inclusion Award recipient.
● The recent closing of Polk Center in Venango County after 126 years likely triggered a lot of memories for Erie people who once resided there.
On a baseball bus trip to Pittsburgh many years ago, sponsored by what was then known as the Barber Center, I had a memorable conversation with a resident of one of the center’s group homes. When I asked if she’d always lived in Erie, the woman’s face grew dark. “No, I was at Polk for 24 years,” she said. Then, breaking into a broad smile, she added triumphantly, “But Dr. Barber brought me home.”
In the early 1970s, when deplorable conditions were exposed at Polk, Dr. Gertrude Barber brought scores of Polk residents to Erie, where they briefly lived at the Barber Center before moving to group homes to start new lives.
I will never forget the joy on the face of my friend on the baseball trip as she talked about the woman who saved her, Dr. Barber. There were so many others like her.
Fortunately, conditions greatly improved at Polk in recent years, and many families whose relatives resided there were sorry to see it close.
Lisa Thompson (2020): Don't close Polk Center without plan for what comes next
● Erie has been receiving a lot of national publicity of late and most of it has been quite positive. Forbes Magazine, for instance, recently named Erie as one of the 10 best and most affordable places to live in America.
● Even if you didn’t personally know Scott Bremner, who died May 8 at 63, you had to be impressed by all of the tributes to the longtime local newsman. His close friends, including Rich Forsgren, my old Erie Times-News colleague, loved Bremner and would do anything for him.
Scott made friends everywhere he worked, including TV, where he was one of WSEE-TV’s top anchors for 30 years, and in radio in recent years.
Remembered: Veteran Erie TV journalist Scott Bremner known for writing, charm, memory and his fedora
● Local book lovers are looking forward to the Great American Book Sale, which kicks off June 11 and runs through June 16 at the Flo Fabrizio Ice Center. The scores of volunteers who work tirelessly to stage this sale every year deserve a lot of credit.
● The Erie Philharmonic just completed another fabulously successful season, as sellout crowds attended pops and symphonic concerts. The best move the Phil ever made was to secure Daniel Meyer’s name on a long-term contract. Maestro Meyer has built the orchestra into one of Erie’s top attractions.
● One of the best promotions this summer at UPMC Park will take place Aug. 5 when the Erie SeaWolves will unveil a James Conner bobblehead doll. Conner, who graduated from McDowell High School before going on to a big-time football career at Pitt and then the NFL, always stays close to his Erie friends and relatives.
● Penn State Behrend recently started the second phase of its trail improvement project in Wintergreen Gorge. It’s a Natural Heritage Area on and adjacent to Behrend’s campus. The nearly $600,000 project will extend the trail and address erosion on the trail system, which is used by hikers, runners and mountain bikers.
Some areas of the trail have been closed during construction.
● Best wishes to David Belmondo, longtime local radio and TV personality, who recently retired from WJET-TV. Belmondo is a familiar figure who always exuded a positive attitude. He must have been touched by the beautiful tribute posted online by his longtime friend and colleague, Tom DiVecchio.
● Pro Football Hall of Famer and Erie native Fred Biletnikoff is scheduled to return home May 24 to meet with fans and sign autographs at the Bullfrog Bar, 3864 Peach. All proceeds will go toward renovations at Biletnikoff Field, adjacent to Erie High School.
More: Fred Biletnikoff plans return home for fundraiser to benefit Erie High athletic facility
Biletnikoff starred at the school when it was known as Tech Memorial.
More: Biletnikoff Field improvements begin this month. What will they bring to Erie High?
Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Disappointed in voter turnout? Do your part in May 16 PA primary
