It's far from scientific, but we've been running a reader poll on GoErie.com that asks whether Erieites are too pessimistic about their community.

The results suggest that many of us feel we have a confidence problem. More than 6 in 10 respondents -- 62.5 percent as I write this -- say we are too pessimistic.

I see this as a good sign.

The majority of those who are responding to the poll believe Erie has more going for it than the locals give it credit for.

Now, if we can only get those pessimists to see their community from another perspective ...