Graduate student defies grump-think

Thank you for a positive view.

I too get tired of the "mistake on the lake" mentality around here, and I've been hearing it for 20 years more than you.

No, we are not perfect, but then again, nowhere is. If many "natives" moved to other bigger places, where they think everything is so much better, they would be complaining there too.

I met someone recently who moved here from Pittsburgh. She said she can't believe all there is to do, and all the places to go, and how affordable everything is here. She is looking forward to winter.

It's too bad that the major recreational activity in Erie seems to be Erie-bashing. If you don't like it, move.

Great letter, get this kid to run for mayor.

What a nice letter, Jessica! And what a nice mindset you have, re: your quote from Ghandi. You are very correct in saying that the naysayers knock Erie -- and that Erie has a lot to be proud of.
I think the people who criticize Erie, though, also have some good ideas and right-thinking agendas: they just want to see the city improve itself and move in the best direction possible.
If you're not already, you should get involved in local government -- attend town hall meetings, city council meetings, because your voice is not only articulate, but spoken from sincere desire to see Erie grow in the best way possible.
I hope you stick around and lend your very positive perspective to the leaders of this city.

This girl is a shining star. Thanks for your positive thoughts.

I would like to chime in on this if I may.
I moved away from Erie back in, oh, 1985ish. Went of to other parts of the country to find fame and fortune or something like that.
Didn't really find it.
But, I do remember when I got married i told my wife that someday I would like to move back home. Erie has always been home for me.
Well, been married for 16 years now and we still haven't been able to move there for various reasons but I do make trips back home when I can.
I love to visit the old neighborhood and ol' haunts and one of my best friends still lives there. I have known him and his wife since 1980. And another friend that I have reconnected with I have known since 1979.
My wife makes sure that when we can afford it I go for at least a week long stretch.
I always come home happier. There's Just something about standing on top of the old sledding hill by my old house on the east side and over looking the whole city. What a site.
Unfortunately due to a surgery this year I can't make my second trip this year but I hope to make next years Roar On the Shore or the We Love Erie Days (or whatever you all call it now).
It would be great if there was a place where us folks from Erie, past and present, could post photos. I have a lot of old photos that my father took when I was a kid and I have some that I took around 1970 through 1980.
Erie is definitely not the Mistake by the Lake
it just has it's up's and down's like anywhere else.