“Is this what a normal city is like?”
Someone asked me that question today about Harrisburg, remarking on the lack of drama in a place that has become known for it.
When TheBurg launched nearly six years ago, we began to cover the drama of the last days of the Steve Reed reign. Then there was the drama of the financial crisis and the unending drama of the Thompson administration. Last year, the election offered nearly a year of dramatic twists and turns.
But the new administration seems to be stabilizing into a day-to-day routine that, by Harrisburg standards, is positively dull. You may like Eric Papenfuse or you may not, but no one is going to accuse him of being Mr. Excitement. And governments tend to take on the sensibilities of their leaders.
Now, it’s taken a few months to reach this point. Upon taking office, Papenfuse wanted to make many changes, and change, by its nature, foments controversy. He lost a few of those battles (Gene Veno, anyone?), won a few more, and that change now is becoming institutionalized in such places as a new Housing Court and a revived economic development office.
Recently, the most controversial issue has been the proposed change in the zoning code, and most of that controversy has centered around the timing, the fact that the administration is trying to get it passed in such rapid fashion.
In this battle, I agree that the city needs a new zoning code, as the existing code is a Byzantine, confusing mess. However, I also understand the stance of several developers, who have complained that the new code was dropped on them without a chance for them to argue for changes, especially in areas of the city where they own property.
But outside of those guys, I’ve seen little indication that this issue has resonated with the broader public, which still seems most concerned with parking, a topic the administration can do little about. Even crime, which often spikes along with the heat in early summer, is not generating any more than the usual concern.
So, on this 4th of July weekend, we should be grateful that the fireworks will be happening over our heads and not within City Hall or in the neighborhoods. In fact, absent some big surprise, it might just remain quiet through the end of August, with the administration going about its business of running the local government. At that point, City Council returns from its six-week summer hiatus to take up the topic of–um–tax abatement.
Cue the drama, anyone?
