Vote For Vogel

Happy Easter Erie County! I made my daughter take a picture with me after church.

I got to take part in training exercises yesterday morning with Mayor Daria Devin and Girard Borough Councilman Jeff Orr with several local fire departments. It was an amazing experience. My respect for all our first responders just continues to grow. Their professionalism and expertise and hard work is inspiring. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated individuals living amongst us who choose every single day to put their lives on the line for everyone else. Thank you to A. F . Dobler Hose & Ladder Company in Girard for coordinating and hosting us in addition to Erie Fire Department and, especially, Deputy Chief Fred Gillespie for sharing all the knowledge with us, and for staying with me in the burning building and keeping me safe!!

It’s March 1. The weather is getting warmer and we are starting women’s history month. I found this picture going through some files. When I was 15, I started working at the Dairy Queen, in my hometown in Illinois. I worked there for two years for a woman named Mary, who had owned the business with her late husband. She was in her 60s and showed up every day and worked tirelessly. I always liked working for her and her family. She was a great role model for me. Not all women of impact are famous or are talked about in history books. More often than not they have shaped dozens of people near them and changed the trajectory of their lives by being present, sharing knowledge, being an example and creating opportunities. I’ve known many such women who did that for me.

Alright - here’s my ChatGPT caricature.

"Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man."

Statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, parents of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot and killed by a border patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24.

It’s official! I was sworn in as Erie County Executive this morning. We are having an inaugural celebration this Friday, January 9 from 6-9 pm at the Warner Theater. There is no cost to attend but we ask that you RSVP to [email protected] just so we know much food to prepare.

It was almost a year ago that I decided that I was going to run for Erie County Executive. It’s been quite a year. I’ve met so many wonderful people who truly and deeply care about making Erie County a great place to live. They want good jobs. They want their county government and all of the services that it was created to deliver to work for the people. I’m so humbled and grateful that you’ve put your trust in me to work toward that reality. Tomorrow, at 10:00 am I will be officially sworn in. I am excited to take this step and go on this journey with all of you. I cannot thank you enough for all of your encouragement and support.

Last night I was honored to attend the New American Jamboree. We listened to young students recite the pledge of allegiance from across the world who each made their way here from across the world to make Erie their home. We watched African Youth Dancers showcase their skills and light up the auditorium. We beared witness to Saeedallah Omer Khan, a young man from Afghanistan share his experiences and his dreams for his future. We nodded in agreement with Daria Devlin and Dr. Natalyn Gibbs as they explained how crucial this time is for the City of Erie and Erie Public Schools. We ate delicious food from Afghanistan, Syria, Africa and others. But more than anything else we joined together in fellowship and conversation about how we make Erie better for all of us. It was a joyful, wonderful, and inspiring evening and I was so grateful to attend.

This is in our back yard. I’ve lived in Erie for 12 years now and every time it snows I just think it’s the most beautiful setting. Granted, I don’t always feel that way driving in the snow, but to look at it is calm and peaceful.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and Director of Operations for the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences at Mercyhurst University, Brian Fuller, speak at Veterans Day ceremonies at the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ home this morning. Mr. Fuller spoke about commitment, duty and honor and asked all of us to reach out to a veteran that shaped our lives. I took his advice and called my father to thank him. My father was drafted into the Vietnam Conflict and served in the Army.

I have had the privilege to work with Mr. Fuller on four separate projects through CIRAT and the Bee Hive at Mercyhurst University and can unequivocally state he is an asset to our community. Thank you, Mr. Fuller, and to all of our Veterans for your service and sacrifice. We owe you a debt we can never repay.

I was honored to attend the opening ceremonies for the 71st Annual Model United Nations Conference Friday night — my daughter Emily’s fourth year participating! The students’ passion, leadership, and understanding of global issues never cease to impress me. Thank you to Saeed Taraky for a thoughtful and inspiring keynote address, and I was glad to help provide pizza for the social event in the evening from Donatos!