If you’ve been reading what I write over the past five years, then you know I work to have a strong grasp on the city’s politics.
It’s a job I took upon myself, and not one I really set out to do. When I moved here, I was simply committed to being an engaged citizen. It was as basic as that. I picked up trash on my block and met my neighbors. I began to go to community meetings, talk to people, travel the city, learn ordinances, read documents, contact officials, go to City Council and school board hearings and ask a lot of questions of a lot of people. At one point, I began to write about it all, and that’s how it got bigger than just me, one citizen.
It became about a city.
My involvement in Harrisburg’s politics started with a sense of personal responsibility and evolved into a collective duty.
The word politics is derived from the Greek word politikos, which means “of the city.” The word “city” here means more than just a place. It’s a place along with its citizens. Polis (the city) and polities (the citizens) are inextricable from one another.
Looking to the origin of this concept, the ancient polises were relatively small places known as city-states. They were densely populated melting pots of cultures, ethnicities, religions and wealth. Because of these factors, the management of these municipalities—the politics—involved governmental considerations, as well as economic and social ones.
Aristotle declared politics a science. Seeing politicians as necessarily skilled craftspeople, he described an effective administration of the city as a thoughtful maintenance of law and community. Politicians should be experts not only in the rules of the land but in the make-up of the public. He basically believed there were best practices and necessary virtues to being a proficient administrative official.
More than once over the years, I’ve run this history lesson through my head. There are daunting days when it’s necessary to remember that politics doesn’t have to be as frustrating, nefarious and tiresome as it gets around here sometimes.
I also like to remind myself that rooted in politics is the notion that residents have a right and duty to manage the city. That’s actually the most political aspect of it all. Since citizens form the community that shapes the city, it’s the people who have the supreme authority of how things get done.
Now, how to collectively do that is the tricky part, especially in a reconstructing city like Harrisburg. However, that is precisely what gives us options to exercise this public power.
Of course, the most apparent way to do it is elections. After all, it’s our elected leaders who are the most public. They often have the most exposure and reach the most people inside and outside of the city. They are presented with a range of opportunities to network and influence processes, procedures and policies.
Traditionally, old-school rules and familiar faces have dominated Harrisburg elections. The same candidates tend to run and run again and, if they win, they tend to stay put for a long time. This is true at every level of government from local to state. Interestingly enough, it’s one of the most important things to note about this city—within five downtown blocks of one another, there are three seats of government. That’s always added a complexity to Harrisburg’s politics.
In fact, it could be said that politics around here has become like a club with unspoken rules of membership. And, yes, there are even dues, which manifests itself in ticket prices to events and campaign donations. I recommended you read a campaign finance report sometime and see how much information can be gleaned from the listing of who attends, donates and supports whom, not to mention how much. Campaign expenses are always worth noticing, too.
As a result of this political society that’s developed, more citizens don’t become involved. Not only don’t they run for office, they don’t pay attention. They shrug their shoulders convinced they have no say and either withdraw altogether or go along blindly with what they’re told.
This has been to the detriment of Harrisburg politics for generations.
There is an election in May. Since the middle of February, citizens have been circulating petitions to get candidates on the ballot and, by the end of this month, we’ll know who’s running in the primary for several seats in local government, including City Council and school board. Soon we’ll vote.
But, before Election Day comes, this city will be thrust into the intensity of the races, and we’ll see what Harrisburg politics is all about at this point in time.
As history teaches us, the essence of politics is the people of the place. So, whatever politics are produced, we should remember it ultimately reflects the will of the people.
If we don’t like how things are done, let’s change it. If we don’t like who’s in office, let’s change it.
In this election season, I call out to my fellow citizens and say, please engage. Pay attention and participate. Consider not just what the politics of the city is or has been, but what it can be.
Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com
