Emotions ran high on Wednesday morning as Erie City Council voted to rescind councilman Chuck Nelson's resolution capping the Erie Police Department's complement at 175 officers.

"I'm a little tired of his garbage," said Erie City Councilman Ed Brzezinski. "He plays this card all the time."

Council members Brzezinski, Mel Witherspoon and Liz Allen are upset over a comment Nelson made in an Erie Times-News article, prior to the vote.

"Here's the quote," said Allen, who read it during the meeting. "I think it's notable that between the mayor and three council members, we have four people who are supporting this in their 70s. This older generation has recognized that it's more dangerous for them but that's not because the community is changing, it's because they're changing," and I'm not quite sure what that means."

Allen says the comment is ageist.

"I always thought the term ageism, you know we have so many prejudices out there and biases," said Allen. "Now I'm experiencing ageism and I'm going to fight back against it."

"He attacked me personally," said Witherspoon. "I don't know if that's why we have the police officers here today."
According to Nelson, that's not the case.

"I wish during the council meeting they were able to better defend their positions then they were able to defend their age," said Nelson.

Nelson was out of town and unable to attend the meeting.

Reporter Jamison Hixenbaugh talked to him on Zoom.

"I don't see this as ageist," said Nelson. "We've got 10 elected officials in the city. Five of them are in the silent generation. We've got one boomer. We've got two gen x, and we've got two millenials. We are underrepresented for the future of this city, and a lot of our opportunities are being squandered with the short-sightedness that's dangerous for my children."

Erie City Council's next meeting is scheduled for September 21.