Barring any unforeseen and highly unusual events, Eric Papenfuse—husband, dad, small business owner, property developer, employer, hard-working campaigner for change and winner of the May 21 Democratic primary—will become the next mayor of Harrisburg after the November general election.
Elections matter, particularly on a local level. The proper functioning of ”the government we see”: police, fire, trash pick-up, water, sewer, local roads, schools, building codes, zoning and the like are determined—to a large extent—by the choice of the citizens at the local ballot box. These government functions are important, consequential and worthy of our time and attention.
Eric’s victory is a major one for Harrisburg and signals a sea change in the power structure and direction of our city. This victory and the pending, hoped-for resolution of the municipal debt crisis mark a turning point in the city’s fortunes. This election will be remembered as an inflection point when things began to turn for the better in our local government, when the citizens of Harrisburg voted for change. There is a great deal to do, but we have started on the task.
Eric’s victory means the triumph of a diverse good-government coalition. A look at the results shows Eric won in wards across the city, from north to south and in-between. Perhaps most significantly, he was often the second place vote-getter in wards where Linda Thompson and Dan Miller alternated their victories. That is telling of his broad base of support. His coalition victory marks the coming together of people across various lines of race, class and interest groups. Contrary to the belief in some corners, the victory shows that good government, hopeful government, pro-business and pro-community government can be one in the same. We needed that message, a hopeful, positive one of working together, to make this city strong again. Together, we can change. Together, we will change. Together, we have changed.
Coming on the heels of victories by state Sen. Rob Teplitz and state Rep. Patty Kim last fall, Harrisburg will now have solid good government advocates in important leadership positions in our local and state governments. The fact that these leaders can and will work together for positive change is fantastic news not only for our city, but for our region and our state. Clearly, for our region to reach its full potential, we need a well-run capital city. Clearly, all of Pennsylvania would rather see its capital city in the national news for some reason other than fiscal crisis and SEC violations. We are about to move in that direction to the benefit of all.
We also learned that some critics, mostly in the suburban media, but also in some political corners of the city, have it completely wrong. There is no need to be “skeptical” when business leaders from across the city and region come together to support good government policies that work. Don’t worry: the citizens of Harrisburg get it. It’s not “big money,” as some failed politicians claim; it’s economic development. The citizens get that we need jobs and investment and that we need more people to live and work here. The voters get that we should try policies that work, regardless of labels and misplaced criticism. They get that we need hope over lawsuits, pettiness and cynicism. The citizens of Harrisburg want results, and they want leaders to work together. Their votes have been loudly heard. City Council and the school board will no doubt take note: the time for bickering and delay is over. The time for positive change has arrived.
Finally, we also learned what it means to be gracious in defeat. Coming in third place is no easy pill to swallow for anyone who loves her job and her city, as Mayor Thompson does. So to you, Mayor Thompson, we say “thank you” for the respect you showed all the citizens of Harrisburg in your concession speech. Thank you for the promise of a smooth transition and for holding your head high. Indeed, we all share your hope that a solution to the debt crisis will be announced in the next several months under your watch and with your help. If a solution is reached, you will have played a helpful and important role in changing the city and starting it down a new path of fiscal recovery that your successor can and will follow.
J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.
