I recently had a conversation with someone who isn’t from around here. As we were discussing the challenges that Harrisburg faces, the great divide of the river (which seemed absurd to him), and the things needed to make this place be the great place it can be, he said something that struck me as perfectly right.
He said, “All of your city’s problems are solvable. It’s just a matter of the will.”
When he said it, I knew instantly his simple words were complexly correct. All of the issues of this capital city can be fixed, but the will must be found to fix them.
Over the nine years I’ve lived inside of the city, I’ve oscillated in believing that will is here. I’ve witnessed incredible inspiration and vision to improve Harrisburg’s conditions. I’ve also watched as frustration with the situation has manifested into a supreme lack of motivation.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. There’s a will always apparent here in Harrisburg. There tends to be a strong will for power, authority and glory. People want it, and they go for it. However, that’s not necessarily the type of will the gentleman from out-of-town was talking about.
He was talking about a more collective type of will. He meant the will of a group of people to prioritize and organize, to strategize and get things done for the overall good of as many people as possible, not only for now but for the future. He was talking about rising above our differences and identifying common problems that we all share as citizens of this place.
And therein lies the real problem.
It’s been a sad sort of custom around here to not work together in any en masse fashion. There’s not really a broad sense of community. Sure, there are little pockets of community, but that too quickly becomes an “us” and “them” thing. Instead of combining resources, efforts and initiatives, it becomes a case of competition. Personalities take over projects, and pluralism becomes fragmentation rather than the creative force of the city.
Fortunately, though, there are times when this gets overcome.
One such time happened at the start of last month. On May 2, the Great Harrisburg Litter CleanUp occurred for the third year in a row. It’s a true grassroots initiative born from a coalition of people, organizations and businesses seeking nothing more than to make Harrisburg a cleaner, healthier place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.
While government is asked to help facilitate the cause, it’s not government or any one organization directing the whole thing. In fact, the Clean and Green Harrisburg coalition takes its cue from movements such as the City Beautiful movement of the early 20th century. That movement, in particular, epitomized the collaboration of the region’s businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, governments and residents to focus on one thing and one thing only—to fix the city of Harrisburg.
That’s precisely what happened last month for the common cause of picking up litter. In just four hours, more than 300 volunteers removed 16 tons of trash from the city’s streets, alleys and public spaces. They also successfully collected 3,600 pounds of discarded electronics and 665 spent tires. The entire effort was supported by a range of sponsors and benefactors, who donated money and the means to make it all happen.
The Great Harrisburg Litter CleanUp didn’t occur in one neighborhood or one section of the city. It happened citywide. In well-coordinated unison, residents of Allison Hill, Uptown, downtown and Midtown broke the stigma of separation and worked as one to rid Harrisburg of one of its greatest banes—litter.
It could be said the trash of Harrisburg is a symbol of the will of the people. A discarded and ignored piece of litter on the sidewalk is a sign of disregard and disrespect. It means people don’t care. It means people aren’t improving the situation. It invites more neglect and fosters an attitude of indifference.
Yet, at the same time, picking up that piece of litter or better yet, never throwing it on the ground in the first place, means the exact opposite. It means people care. It means people are keen on maintaining this place. It fosters an attitude of pride and dignity for the city and each other.
Litter is a major problem in Harrisburg, one of several, but, like any of the problems, it can be solved.
The question of whether or not this city can be fixed is not the question we should be focusing on. The most significant questions are:
- Do the people in and around Harrisburg have the will to make this city better?
- Will they join together and bring their efforts, talents, skills and time to do it?
- Will it be done?
As we all know, where there’s a will there’s a way. It’s just a matter of finding it.
Tara Leo Auchey is the creator and editor of today’s the day, Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com
