The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 20, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Happy Holidays to all of our Burg readers! In the midst of the festivities and busy-ness, take some time to check in on all of our community coverage from this week that you may have missed, our gift to you.

Bob’s Art Blog wraps up the year with some final artsy thoughts, featuring artists from Carlisle and Harrisburg.

The Broad Street Market announced that it is seeking a new market manager, our online story reported. The manager will oversee day-to-day operations of the market.

The Broad Street Market’s turnaround from last year’s fire and financial turmoil is commendable, says our publisher. He gives credit to the community for supporting the market through its challenges.

Dauphin County passed its 2025 budget, which included a property tax raise for the first time in 20 years, our online story reported. The increase will help fill a budget deficit.

Gifting local items is the perfect way to find one-of-a-kind treasures, while supporting your community. Our writer rounds up all of the best Harrisburg-area giftables, here.

Harrisburg has extended its Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement program, which aims to incentivize development. In his editorial, our publisher encourages the city to improve the much-needed initiative.

Harrisburg passed its 2025 budget, which includes no tax increase, our online story reported. The $142 million general fund budget includes infrastructure investments and personnel costs.

Heinz-Menaker Senior Center petitioned Harrisburg to give it some of its federal COVID relief money, our online story reported. The center’s director said that without financial support, the center may need to close.

Honey Bear Ice Cream opened in the Broad Street Market, our online story reported. The vendor offers dairy-free, gluten-free scoops and treats.

Lamont Jones, a Harrisburg City Council member, has announced his bid for mayor, our online story reported. Jones said he is running on the ideas of “change” and “progressive leadership.”

New Year’s Eve celebrations will return to downtown Harrisburg on Dec. 31, our online story reported. The festivities will include the traditional strawberry drop and fireworks.

Open Stage and Dr. David Bronstein, an arts advocate, have received Theatre Harrisburg’s Arts Awards, our online story reported.

Sara Bozich has her list of weekend events ready for you, here.

The Susquehanna Chorale announced its new director as Michael McCarthy, our online story reported. He was the former director of music at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where he led their choirs for 21 years.

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Burg View: A Modest (Tax) Proposal

December 20, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

On Wednesday, Dauphin County residents were stunned to learn that a massive property tax hike was headed their way, as the commissioners approved a 21.8% increase for 2025.

Indeed, the headline number is shocking—a one-fifth-plus hike in a single year.

Behind that number, though, is a very relevant fact. The county has not raised its property tax rate in 20 years, despite two decades of inflation.

Therefore, every $1 in tax levied in January 2005 is now worth about 62 cents.

Meanwhile, everything has gone up in price—from salaries to benefits to supplies to transportation. Over that time, the county’s purchasing power has fallen by one-third, which is not a sustainable way to finance anything, whether that’s a household, a business or a government.

In response, I’d like to put forth a modest proposal.

Governmental bodies, including Dauphin County, should aim to raise taxes in accordance with the annual inflation rate, which would help prevent the kind of sticker shock that residents are now experiencing. Governments may not be able to index directly, but the inflation rate could serve as a guide to the tax rate.

On one level, it’s surprising that this isn’t a common practice. It’s a simple, sensible solution that offers both officials and taxpayers long-term predictability, while helping to ensure that the government remains adequately funded. It also reduces the temptation for financial gimmickry as elected officials face growing budget holes over time.

On another level, it’s not surprising at all. Politicians hate raising taxes almost as much as their constituents hate paying them. It’s far easier to run for re-election saying, “I didn’t raise your taxes,” than by saying, “I raised your taxes” by 2 or 10 or 21%.

Dauphin County serves as a case in point. I’ve lived here since 2009 and, each year, I’ve received a press release saying that for the nth straight year (15, 16, 17, etc.), there will be no tax increase. Clearly, the commissioners wanted voters to know that their taxes weren’t going up.

Every year, I’ve thought to myself, “How long can this go on?” And now I have my answer.

Small, predictable tax increases are far more palatable than a total shock every couple of decades. It won’t solve all budget problems, as unforeseen expenses may crop up. However, it would serve as a baseline as both governments and taxpayers make their financial plans for the coming year.

I realize that this might not make for good short-term politics, but it would make for better long-term governance.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Honey Bear Ice Cream opens vegan scoop shop in Broad Street Market

December 20, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Natalie Wallace at Honey Bear’s Broad Street Market stand

The Broad Street Market’s newest vendor is an ice cream lover’s dream.

Harrisburg-based Honey Bear Ice Cream opened on Thursday in the market’s stone building, serving dairy-free, gluten-free scoops and treats.

“This is our community outpost,” said owner Natalie Wallace. “This space for us is really all about supporting and thanking our local community here in Harrisburg.”

Since 2021, Honey Bear has churned unique, rich ice cream, holding pop-up events in its mobile trailer and stocking freezers at small businesses across the region. All of Honey Bear’s ice cream is vegan, swapping dairy for alternatives like coconut products. The Broad Street Market stand marks the business’s first brick-and-mortar location.

Located right inside the market building’s front doors, Honey Bear’s stand features a large counter with plenty of stools for sitting and enjoying a house-made waffle cone or sundae.

“I wanted to invite people to sit and stay,” Wallace said.

Honey Bear’s ice cream freezer will regularly feature 16 flavors, with staples like vanilla and chocolate and rotating seasonal offerings. For the holiday season, flavors like gingerbread cookie and holiday road are available.

Wallace also announced an upcoming partnership with Little Amps Coffee Roasters. Starting in January, Honey Bear will offer espresso service at its market stand with authentic Italian-style affogatos, lattes and other coffee drinks.

Specialty gluten-free pastries, like cinnamon buns and cookies, will also hit the Honey Bear menu board occasionally in small batches.

For Wallace, the opening in the Broad Street Market is significant as the market continues to recover after last year’s fire, which closed the brick building and cut down on foot traffic in the stone building. When she announced Honey Bear’s new location, she said there were still people who hadn’t realized the market was open at all since the fire.

“It was a big thing for me to encourage people to come back,” she said. I love Broad Street Market and it’s been through a lot. For me, this is showing we support the market.”

Just next door to Honey Bear’s stand, another vegan vendor, Harrisburg-based Ve’Lightfully Vegan, is slated to open soon, as well.

On Honey Bear’s opening day, customers lined up to get the first scoops at the market, showing Wallace that people have been waiting excitedly for the stand and are happy to see it open. She looks forward to seeing how the scoop shop model works and how she may be able to replicate it and expand in the future.

“Already, I feel like it’s worth it, and it’s working,” she said. “I just feel really grateful.”

For more information about Honey Bear Ice Cream, visit their website or Instagram page.

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New Year’s Eve strawberry drop, fireworks planned for Harrisburg

December 20, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Fireworks in Harrisburg (file photo).

It’s almost time to ring in the new year.

Harrisburg will hold its annual New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31 downtown, featuring the traditional strawberry drop and fireworks display.

The free event, which runs from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., will take place in the MLK City Government Center and on N. 2^nd Street, between Blackberry and Walnut streets.

In addition to the midnight strawberry drop and fireworks, there will be a DJ, hot cocoa and a kids glow party, with balloon animals, face painting, a balloon drop, snacks, a kids’ dance off and more.

Community members and groups can submit photos of themselves, and short messages, to the city to be displayed on a big screen throughout the night. Photos must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 23 at noon.

Downtown street parking is free after 5 p.m. Parking at the Market Square Garage is $10 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg. N. 2nd Street will be closed, from Chestnut to Walnut Street, beginning at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 19, 2024 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Honey Bear Ice Cream opens at the Broad Street Market! Savor the Season Food Tours start in Hershey Worth noting: 3rd in the Burg (and last SoMa Pop-Up ever); loads of holiday activities Things on my agenda this weekend: A day in Lititz (stay tuned to IG), and then it’s Christmas, baby!

For your weekend planning

Our final 3rd in the Burg in SoMa is Friday
5 Festive cocktails for your holiday celebrations
Your Guide to local Holiday Markets – just a few left!
My#ShopLocal Gift Guide!
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

I just ordered more Maker canned wine (Brut Bubbly!) – you save 15% when you buy through my link
Are you on my email list?
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Harrisburg council member announces bid for mayor

December 19, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Lamont Jones

A Harrisburg legislator has thrown his hat into the ring for next year’s mayoral election.

City Council member Lamont Jones announced on Thursday that he would run for mayor on a platform of “change” and “progressive leadership.”

“Today, as I declare my intention to run for mayor, I do so with the utmost gratitude for a city’s faith in me to serve, and in their desire for me to lead,” Jones said, in a statement. “I believe running for mayor allows our city an opportunity for a new era–a new chapter in a city that for too long has operated on traditional, yet outdated and oftentimes counterproductive, policies and procedures.”

Jones has served one year on city council as the chair of public safety.

Following his nomination as a Democratic nominee for council during the primary, Jones’ eligibility was challenged by a lawsuit that cited his past criminal convictions as disqualifying him for office. However, Jones successfully defended his candidacy, was later elected to office and received a pardon from the state for his convictions, which dated back 20 years.

Jones is the founder of Jones Resources, which helps find jobs for people with criminal backgrounds. He has also served as an activist for those re-entering society after prison.

While on council, Jones has spoken in support of issues around combating gun violence and supporting local, minority-owned contractors in city construction projects, among other topics.

According to Jones, if elected, he will seek to provide a new vision and direction for the city.

“I’ve been honored to serve as an elected city councilman committed to ensuring that we see that change,” Jones said. “I’ve worked tirelessly with community residents and officials alike to bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Now the time has come to push the envelope further, with hopes of bridging a new gap—that of a mayoral leader working with its council.”

The primary election for mayor will take place in May, with a November general election.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Burg View: Market on the Mend

December 18, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

What a difference a year can make.

At this time last year, Harrisburg residents were rightfully outraged by the state of the Broad Street Market.

The gutted brick building sat as a charred shell, untouched since the July fire. Work on the temporary market crept along at a snail’s pace. The market board was in disarray, its manager flailing. There was a question over whether the stone building, untouched by the fire, could even stay open, as the market had no money to pay its bills. It was down to its last $14,000, with a huge and growing operating deficit of $160,000.

Fast-forward 365 days, and the turnaround is remarkable.

Last week, the reconstituted market board approved a budget that anticipates a surplus for 2025. The temporary market tent is fully operational, new vendors are opening in the stone building, and all delinquent bills have been paid.

How did this happen?

Two words: community and competence.

Last year, faced with ineptitude, apathy and finger-pointing, the Harrisburg people revolted.

Upset, motivated residents stepped up, pushing to get appointed to the market’s board. They then opened the books, exposing the ugly truth inside, which, a few months later, led to the arrest of the former executive director.

The new board then put in financial controls, made changes to operations, opened up their meetings, and ensured adequate insurance coverage. Several members even volunteered to serve as de facto market managers, just to save the market money.

It was a painful, difficult process, but exposed just how terribly the market had been run and overseen. It was a necessary first step in righting the ship.

At the same time, individuals and organizations donated money. Businesses and tradespeople gave freely of their time and services. A property owner donated land for the interim market. Several creditors forgave or deferred payment. The city’s legislative delegation secured a state grant to help the market get back on its feet.

As a result, the market is looking at much brighter days. For 2025, the budget includes funds for infrastructure improvements, the hiring of a full-time manager and the resumption of marketing, with no rent increase for vendors, who, a year ago, were facing down a possible doubling of rents.

The market now expects to end 2025 about $100,000 in the black.

Almost exactly year ago, reflecting on the Broad Street Market’s horrendous 2023, I wrote these words:

“If I had one New Year’s wish for Harrisburg, it would be that, in 2024, the negative market news reverses, with the good making the bad a distant memory.”

Looking ahead, the market still may face difficult times, as the rebuilding of the burned-out brick building has just begun. We have a good two years of ups and downs before the work will be done and those big, heavy doors can open again.

Having said that, sometimes, wishes do come true.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Dauphin County passes budget with first tax increase in 20 years

December 18, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Dauphin County Administration Building

Dauphin County has a budget for the new year, which includes a tax increase for the first time in two decades.

The county commissioners on Wednesday approved a $222 million general fund budget for 2025, including a 21.8% property tax hike to address a budget deficit.

This is the first increase in the county portion of the property tax in 20 years.

The tax represents a 1.5 mill increase, taking the millage rate from 6.8 to 8.3 mills, a measure that county officials said is needed to fill a budget deficit. Without imposing the raise, officials said that the county would run out of general fund money this year.

According to Budget and Finance Director Chris Davis, the county originally projected that there would be a $54 million budget deficit for 2025, but reduced that number to $15.9 million using cost-saving measures, debt restructuring and increasing revenue.

“We have taken steps to restructure debt; we figured out a way to cut expenses; we figured out a way to eliminate positions; we figured out a way to make investments and see returns,” said Commissioner George Hartwick. “We’ve also figured out a way to put ourselves in a positive outlook moving forward. I would hope that this attempt to address the structural budget deficit won’t have to be revisited for a couple of future years.”

Hartwick said the county’s goal would be to not have to raise taxes again in the following year.

The budget and tax increase both passed by a vote of 2-1 with Commissioner Mike Pries voting against both.

This year’s spending plan is an increase from 2024’s budget of $220.7 million.

Salaries and benefits make up the largest portion, over half, of the budget. Salary increases are included for all union contract employees in line with the terms of their collective bargaining agreements. Non-union workers will get a 2.95% raise. The budget established a $16 per hour minimum wage for all county employees.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg passes 2025 budget; no tax increase in plan

December 18, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday

Harrisburg has solidified a spending plan for the new year.

City Council on Tuesday approved a 2025 general fund budget of $86.9 million, which does not include a property tax increase.

The total budget equals $142 million, including a $21.7 million neighborhood services fund budget, among other budget categories.

Some of the largest expenditures in the 2025 budget include personnel costs and capital expenditures, such as roadwork and construction. Specific projects include money for the Broad Street Market rebuild and the FNB Field stadium upgrades for the Harrisburg Senators, which are both expenditures supported by grant funding.

City officials also previously told TheBurg that the budget is still impacted by post-pandemic challenges such as a loss in parking revenue, business privilege taxes and property taxes, all affected by remote work. This year, officials said, federal COVID funds, interest accrued from those funds and cost-saving measures like in-house construction work help offset the losses.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council members made amendments mostly to salaries and raises for city employees. Council eliminated proposed raises for several positions in the office of the mayor, saying that role responsibilities did not change to warrant an increase, and for the deputy director of treasury. For the latter, council expressed frustration that the treasury office’s hours would not be extended to match city hall hours. Council also lowered numerous other proposed raises for manager-level positions that were over 2%.

Additionally, council eliminated the city-funded portion of the interim director of building and housing development’s salary, about 10% of the overall salary, the rest of which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Council members justified the decrease by saying that they haven’t seen substantial work completed under interim director Gloria Martin-Roberts’ leadership and that they believed she has exceeded her time in what should be a temporary position, along with other concerns.

Additionally, council decided to remove funding for the Police Bureau’s director of community engagement and relations position, which has been vacant for several months, but was due to have a new director beginning work in the coming weeks. Council members said that they believed the position was repetitive and unnecessary.

In other small changes, council voted to add funding for two part-time advisors to council’s youth commission and added $59,000 to the host municipality fee funds, which may be used to help fund a new Harrisburg youth sports program.

Council made other small amendments before voting, 5-1, to approve the budget. Council member Shamaine Daniels voted against the budget, and Council member Jocelyn Rawls was not present.

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Harrisburg senior center appeals for city funds to keep it running

December 17, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Executive Director Les Ford addressed media and community members at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center.

A Harrisburg senior center is pleading with the city for funds to remain open.

At a press conference on Tuesday at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center, Executive Director Les Ford made his case for why the center should receive a portion of Harrisburg’s federal COVID relief money.

In November, the city proposed giving $250,000 of its share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which is currently in Harrisburg’s general fund, to the senior center. That money was originally earmarked by City Council to go to senior programming. However, council had concerns about how the decision was made to award the total allocation to Heinz-Menaker and why there was no application process for the funds.

City officials and Heinz-Menaker representatives stated that Heinz-Menaker is the only full-service, stand-alone senior center in the city, while members of council stated that according to Dauphin County information, there were several others.

According to Ford, the center, which opened in 1992, will not be able to operate for much longer without the funds.

“We are in a crisis right now. We accrued debt during COVID, specifically related to COVID activities,” he said. “We did our part to help during COVID. Now, we are looking to build back better.”

Ford said that the center has long relied on county, state and local funds to stay afloat, but began to really struggle financially during the pandemic, as they ramped up their Meals on Wheels services and other community assistance.

With the city money, Ford said, the center could pay off its debt accrued during COVID and begin building back its programming.

“It really shouldn’t be a discussion,” said Eric Jackson, a pastor at Kingdom Embassy Church in Harrisburg. “There should’ve been at the top of the list, a priority, this particular center.”

Without an infusion of funds, the center may be able to make it into the new year, relying on remaining county COVID-relief funds, but will likely run out of money to operate in the first quarter, Ford said.

“I would be downhearted,” said Mildred Watts, who crochets hats for premature babies and weaves mats for the homeless in the center’s craft room. “This is my life in here.”

Several council members have stated that they don’t have an issue with Heinz-Menaker receiving funds, but rather have concerns about why all of the money is being given to them.

Ultimately, council has to vote on how to distribute the $250,000 in ARPA money for senior programming.

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Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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