It is interesting timing that Peter Panepento in GlobalErie wrote a post about negativity in Erie. You see, in looking at my last few posts on my blog about Erie, I was feeling like I was adding to the negative vibe, always pointing out shortfalls, without being on the solution side or seeing the hope.

It’s almost the cool thing in Erie to be negative, not get too excited about neat stuff, that whole “if I can make it in Erie, I can make it anywhere” deal.

It reminded me of the master of alliteration, Spiro Agnew, who in a William Safire-written speech blasted the media, calling them “the nattering nabobs of negativism.”

Erie certainly has quite a few “nabobs” in dominant, opinion-leading positions, consistently complaining about our regions short-comings, lack of vision and leadership, that victim mentality, and pining for the good old days. I felt in reading my posts that I was getting sucked into all of that. So I’m turning the page.

Unless some crisis occurs that really lights me up, I’m going to focus my posts on a positive vision and solutions for the future of Erie. I think I’ll start with sharing my take on the non-profit sector in Erie: the health-care, educational, human services, and cultural establishments who although they may not pay taxes, add so much to the life and health of our community.

A nabob? No way!