He’s outta here: Fred Reddig announced his retirement tonight from the state and as Harrisburg’s Act 47 coordinator.
Harrisburg soon will have a new recovery supervisor, as the city’s long-time Act 47 coordinator announced his retirement tonight.
Fred Reddig told City Council that he planned to retire from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) at the end of July, thus ending his 4½-year tenure as Act 47 coordinator.
“You’ve come a long way,” Reddig told council members. “City finances are very stable, but there are still challenges as we exit Act 47.”
Marita Kelley, a DCED deputy director who worked for the city as budget manager from 1988-91, will replace Reddig in the job.
Act 47 is a state program designed to assist and stabilize financially distressed Pennsylvania municipalities. The city has been in the program since 2010, including the three years it spent under state receivership.
Kelley, who has been on Reddig’s team for years, said that she does not plan any major changes.
“We want to stay the course and implement the recovery plan,” she said.
As it stands, Harrisburg is due to exit Act 47 at the end of 2018, though it may seek a three-year extension. Mayor Eric Papenfuse has said that he believes the city can only leave Act 47 responsibly if it’s able to retain the extra taxing authority allowed under the program, which likely means adopting a Home Rule charter.
Council members had nothing but praise for Reddig. President Wanda Williams, who originally opposed Act 47 status, credited Reddig for helping turn “a $683 million deficit to a surplus.”
“Through you, we’ve accomplished a lot,” Williams said. “I’d like to express a sincere ‘thank you.’”
Councilman Ben Allatt, chairman of the city’s budget and finance committee, expressed similar thoughts.
“Your input and expertise have helped us,” he said. “I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the city.”
Also at tonight’s council meeting, Allatt delayed a vote on a budget item that would have reallocated $65,000 for the Harrisburg Police Bureau to buy riot, or protective, gear. Chief Thomas Carter and Capt. Deric Moody brought a sample of the gear to the meeting so that council could see the outfits before voting on the resolution.
However, opponents of the resolution also showed up, asking the council to not approve the transfer that would finance the purchase of 30 “top to toe” riot suits.
“We feel that protesting has been criminalized over the past couple of years,” said activist Chris Siennick, who added that the $65,000 “could be better allocated to social services.”
Police are seeking the gear because, they say, their current equipment is inadequate and outdated, especially since protests, they believe, have become more frequent and more violent.
Council will now discuss the matter further at a July 5 worksession before possibly voting on the budget transfer on July 6, the final legislative session before the council’s six-week summer hiatus.
Author: Lawrance Binda
