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WHEREAS, Jerry Kraynick has operated his bicycle repair shop, Kraynick’s Bike Shop, in Garfield for over 40 years where it has become an institution in the bike scene as well as the community; and
WHEREAS, Jerry learned bike repair from his father, who owned a shop that operated for over 30 years in the Hill District, Squirrel Hill, and lastly Oakland; and
WHEREAS, Jerry takes a different approach to running his business, preferring to keep a part-business/part-community-bike-school model, offering to teach anyone who wants to learn to fix their bike rather than have it done for them, keeping the shop accessible for all; and
WHEREAS, the positive, altruistic environment Jerry provides to the community allows residents to rub elbows with people from all walks of life, learning from each other and building lasting friendships; and
WHEREAS, for many years Jerry and his crew of volunteer mechanics have participated in the “Bikes for Kids” program, which repairs gently used bikes and distributes them to children during the holiday season; and
WHEREAS, upon announcing that he was selling this much beloved space and retiring, many bike enthusiasts in the city worried if the shop's laid back atmosphere would change; and
WHEREAS, vowing to keep the attitude of the bike shop the same, Peter "Rocky" Christobal, who came to Pittsburgh with a medical degree and became a long time volunteer at the shop, has stepped forward and hopes to become the new owner; and
WHEREAS, Peter is working to raise enough funds to buy the building outright, ensuring the unique customer-centric model can continue; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Jerry Kraynick for his contributions to the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 to be “Jerry Kraynick Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.