ABC27 anchor Dennis Owens addresses mayoral candidates, pictured left to right, incumbent Eric Papenfuse, Anthony Harrell, Lewis Butts, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Jennie Jenkins.
With less than a week until Harrisburg’s Democratic primary, Harrisburg’s five mayoral candidates leaned into the big ideas of their platforms at last night’s live-broadcast debate.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse and challengers Anthony Harrell, Lewis Butts, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Jennie Jenkins responded to questions fired from a panel of four local journalists, including TheBurg’s Editor-in-Chief Lawrance Binda.
The night started with Binda asking the candidates where they stand on the issue of a home rule charter, which potentially could change the governing structure and taxing abilities of the city.
Martin-Roberts said she would work with City Council, saying that it would not be a decision she would make alone.
In her opening statement, she emphasized her vision to be a collaborative leader, which played out in many of her answers including her position on establishing a home rule charter for the city.
“I’m indecisive,” she said. “The home rule process is something the community will decide by vote…Before we go that far, we need to educate the community about home rule.”
Papenfuse criticized Martin-Roberts’ mention of being indecisive.
“We cannot afford to have a mayor who is indecisive,” he said. “Yes, we need home rule. We need to have a serious conversation about it.”
Jenkins said that a home rule charter would “tax and fee the residents out of existence.”
Papenfuse responded that Jenkins “doesn’t understand home rule,” adding that the city must come up with an exit strategy to leave Act 47. A home rule charter would allow the city to keep taxing powers granted by Act 47.
For 90 minutes, the panel, which also included Christine Vendel of PennLive, Emily Previti of WITF and Jason Scott of the Central Penn Business Journal, fired targeted questions aimed to illuminate candidates’ understanding of some of the complexities of the mayor’s position. ABC27 anchor Dennis Owens moderated the debate with more than 130 attendees seated in the ballroom of the Hilton Harrisburg.
When responding to a question about how two potential state laws would affect the city’s gun ordinances, Harrell established himself as a “2nd Amendment” candidate.
“I do carry and obey all laws this country puts down,” he said. “All of us should carry our own weapons.”
While questions didn’t explicitly touch on crime and safety in the city, Harrell brought many questions back the issue of “securing the city.”
“We must make this city safe and secure, then we can work on these great ideas,” he said.
Jenkins, who said she would aggressively lobby to change the city’s parking situation, said she would not lobby state lawmakers deciding on gun policies that could put the city in costly legal situations.
“I’d abide by all the laws that’d be enacted,” she said.
Some creative questions pointed to warmer topics, such as how often each candidate visits the Broad Street Market.
Martin-Roberts, who moved to Harrisburg as a child, called the market her nursery.
“I start on Thursday and eat my way through to Saturday,” she said. “I eat anywhere in the Broad Street Market except the floor.”
Papenfuse said he goes at least one a week and eats pierogi, pizza and Greek cuisine. He transitioned into how his administration worked to turn the market into an independent nonprofit last December.
“It’s an example of everything going right in Harrisburg,” he said. “Its success mirrors Harrisburg’s success.”
Butts said he’s a fan of the “hard-fried oysters,” adding that each neighborhood should have a market.
Harrell and Jenkins also said they visit the market at least once a week.
Voters can learn more about the candidates at the final debate, which is 7 p.m. tomorrow at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center and is sponsored by ABC27. Or voters can hope to run into them at the market.
Author: Danielle Roth
