Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

A Reasonable Balance: City, citizens share the job of making Harrisburg function.

Screenshot 2014-04-30 10.15.37“It is now the moment when by common consent we pause to become conscious of our national life and to rejoice in it, to recall what our country has done for each of us, and to ask ourselves what we can do for our country in return.”

John F. Kennedy paraphrased this original statement by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes into what most of us are more familiar with:

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Kennedy’s quote, in particular, has been explicitly and implicitly directed to the people of Harrisburg more than once over the past few years. The onus becomes ask not what your city can do for you, but what you can do for your city.

While it’s an eternal statement that evokes a sense of civic responsibility and loyalty, for some Harrisburg residents, it’s increasingly losing its power.

Right now, there is a high demand being put on the citizens of Harrisburg, and that demand is spreading to citizens beyond the city’s limits, and, logically so, because Harrisburg does not exist in isolation of its surroundings.

It exists as the capital city of Pennsylvania, in the County of Dauphin, center of the region. Thus, it makes sense that, as a region, we are being asked to be patient, to be helpful, and to be willing to sacrifice for the good of the capital city and its future.

Yet what about the other part of the equation?

As we recall what the city has done for us, it’s difficult to be motivated to give even more than we already have when the balance of give-and-take feels so askew.

In return for our patience, aid and sacrifice, what is it that we can expect from the city of Harrisburg?

Such a loaded question.

To be sure, the answer will depend on who is asked. Increasingly, though, to many residents, commuters and visitors, the answer is simple.

Each and every citizen expects to be safe and sound.

Beyond the obvious services of police and fire, we must recognize what else is included in public safety and well-being. It encompasses not only a sense of protection from harm, but also clean and sanitary streets, well-lit ways, defense against blight and sound infrastructure.

These are the basics that we citizens pay for, the cost of our taxes for the services of safety and well-being. Ideally, the services should at least equal the cost. This is what the city should be able to guarantee us in return for our residency, along with our patience, aid and sacrifice.

The perception, though, is that we are not guaranteed these basic services, and, unfortunately, reality keeps giving us examples proving that perception to be true.

The trash, the blight, the broken and burnt-out lights, pitted streets and the negligent property owners—these are signs of the demise of a city.

Absolutely, the good stuff exists here in Harrisburg, but it’s tough for it to persevere when the basics seem to be slipping between the cracks of disintegration.

Unmistakably, it’s going to take the efforts of everyone—citizens and government—to make the city prevail over its challenges.

However, who should do what? What is up to the citizens, and what is up to the government?

Currently, those lines are blurry.

Out of City Hall, we hear a variety of news, but, when it comes down to it, public trash cans overflow, blight continues to rot, lights aren’t on, streets worsen and property ordinances are profusely neglected.

Of course, we all know there is a deficient city workforce to accomplish all that needs done.

With a lack of people in place to do it all, it’s essential the lines of duty and action be as clear as possible.

Residents, business owners, commuters and visitors need to be encouraged to do their part—to pick up litter, to follow the laws, to report wrongdoings and to hold the city accountable.

And, on the city’s part, it needs to focus its efforts to empty the trash cans, turn on the lights, fix the streets and enforce the rules.

We must strike a reasonable balance of duty and action.

Otherwise, the potential prosperity of this capital city—a symbol of national governance and American independence—will be threatened by delinquency and excessive demand on the public.

Then both Holmes and Kennedy will undoubtedly roll over in their graves each time someone quotes them here in Harrisburg.

Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of todays the day Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com.

 

Continue Reading