Sound & Artistry: Market Square Concerts pulls the string on a new season.

August 31, 2017 | by Lori M. Myers

“One piano, two pianists, four hands.”

That’s how Artistic Director Peter Sirotin describes Market Square Concerts’ first event of the 2017-18 season, which kicks off this month.

The diverse program from the Varshavski-Shapiro Piano Duo features everything from works by Schubert, Chopin and Mendelssohn to the symphonic grandeur of Brahms and Stravinsky to George Gershwin’s “An American In Paris” (the group’s own arrangement, by the way).

“In some ways, hearing ‘An American in Paris’ performed by two pianists sharing one piano may give listeners a glimpse into the composer’s original ideas and intentions, as well as offer familiar melodies in a new world of timbres,” Sirotin said.

He’s also looking forward to the pair’s transcription of music from the Russian ballet “Anyuta” by composer Valery Gavrilin, which is based on a short story by Chekhov about marriage and class in imperial Russia.

“Gavrilin has created a whimsical score that captures the spirit of Chekhov’s satire beautifully,” Sirotin said.

He said that he didn’t have to think twice about including the Varshavski-Shapiro Duo in Market Square Concerts’ new season. He’d heard the Astral National Auditions winner at the Chamber Music America conference in New York last January, and, he said, their sound and artistry “blew me away.”

So, Sirotin is clearly enthusiastic about the premiere program. But he’s equally excited about the other concerts in the coming season.

One takes place in November, featuring the Amernet String Quartet, which will offer a special program to commemorate the tragic events of the 1917 Russian Revolution. One selection will be String Quartet No. 11 by Shostakovich. Another will be the String Quartet No. 2 by Tchaikovsky, which Sirotin lists as one of his own favorite works of Russian romanticism.

“It is filled with beautiful melodies, elegant dance rhythms and spirit of poetry,” he said. “The Shostakovich piece is, in my mind, a perfect work reflecting on the tumultuous first half of the 20th century from the vantage point of the hopeful 1960s.”

The January concert is another that Sirotin describes as special, as it will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cleveland Quartet Award. As part of this award, Market Square Concerts, along with only eight presenters nationwide, including Carnegie Hall, offers a debut opportunity every two years to a promising young string quartet. Every winner in the last two decades has gone on to develop a major career, and some have even won Grammy Awards. Two former winners, the Jasper and Jupiter String Quartets, will share the stage at Market Square Presbyterian Church for a performance of the magical and exuberant Mendelssohn Octet.

“Mendelssohn composed this piece at the age of 16, which is astonishing, and I doubt anyone would argue with me if I said that it belongs in the list of 10-best chamber music works of all time,” Sirotin said. “That piece is also particularly special to me because I had a privilege of performing it in school with one of my mentors, Earl Carlyss, a former violinist of the Juilliard Quartet.”

As in previous seasons, Market Square Concerts will collaborate with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and Messiah College on an artistic residency, this time featuring pianist Mark Markham. He will offer the community two performances of Ravel’s magical Piano Concerto with the symphony, vocal and piano master classes at Messiah College and a recital at Whitaker Center featuring Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B Minor, along with works by Scriabin, Rachmaninoff and Debussy.

“The reason for two master classes is Mark’s unique dual career as a concert pianist and one of the most respected vocal accompanists/coaches in the world,” Sirotin said. “Having spent two decades as a pianist of the legendary soprano Jessye Norman, Mark has tremendous experience and insight, which he will share with singers and pianists in the two master classes at Messiah College.”

Sirotin doesn’t have a magic formula for how he puts a musical season together. Sometimes, it has to do with the relevance of a piece to a historical anniversary. Other times, it’s just pure luck when he’s able to book a promising young talent right before a Carnegie Hall debut. But what is consistent is across-the-board artistic excellence.

“My aim is always to offer the right balance between familiar masterpieces, which seem to nourish music-lovers year after year, and music and performances which stimulate, as well as expand, a listener’s musical reference,” he said.

Market Square Concerts debuts its 2017-18 season on Sept. 24. For more information, visit www.marketsquareconcerts.org/concerts.

The Season at Market Square Concerts

Varshavski-Shapiro Piano Duo

Market Square Presbyterian Church

Sept. 24, 4 p.m.

Amernet String Quartet

Market Square Presbyterian Church

Nov. 11, 8 p.m.

Jasper and Jupiter String Quartets

Market Square Presbyterian Church

Jan. 21, 4 p.m.

Escher String Quartet

Temple Ohev Sholom

Feb. 25, 4 p.m.

Mark Markham

Whitaker Center

March 21, 8 p.m.

Calidore String Quartet

Market Square Presbyterian Church

April 28, 8 p.m.

Author: Lori M. Myers

Sunshine in a Pill: Do you need extra vitamin D? Or is it just hype?

August 31, 2017 | by . Rajinder Sahi

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

If you’re a healthy adult, the answer is most likely yes. But like many vitamins and supplements these days, questionable sources and articles tout bogus benefits from taking vitamin D supplements—and potentially put your health at risk.

Vitamin D’s primary importance is that it influences how well your body absorbs calcium. If not enough calcium is absorbed, the body must take calcium from its stores in the skeleton, which weakens existing bone and prevents the formation of strong, new bone.

Inadequate calcium significantly contributes to the development of osteoporosis. Many published studies show that low calcium intake throughout life is associated with low bone mass and high fracture rates.

Calcium is also needed for our heart, muscles and nerves to function properly and for blood to clot.

The Hype

Vitamin D gets into the body three ways: sunlight, food and supplements. Sunlight on your skin causes the body to produce its own vitamin D—the reason it’s sometimes called the sunshine vitamin.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, adults should have a daily intake of 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D up to age 70. Men and women over age 70 should increase their uptake to 800 IU daily. Like any vitamins, the best way to ensure adequate intake is to eat a varied diet and receive proper nutrition from healthy foods.

Increasing exposure to the sun is not recommended as a way to increase vitamin D because it increases the risk of skin cancer.

Recently, websites and other sources have been teasing the public with ideas that vitamin D is a cure for multiple conditions from depression and fatigue to heart disease and multiple sclerosis. However, there are no studies to support these claims.

On the other hand, regularly consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D has serious health risks. Vitamin D toxicity can cause non-specific symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, frequent urination and irregular heart rhythms. More seriously, it can also raise blood levels of calcium, which leads to vascular and tissue calcification, with subsequent damage to the heart, blood vessels and kidneys.

Deficient?

Most people in the United States are sufficient in vitamin D. Only about 8 percent of the population is at risk of deficiency, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to support routine vitamin D tests for healthy adults. People with signs or symptoms of vitamin D deficiency who have conditions that may require extra vitamin D, pregnant women, or people who live in a nursing home may require vitamin D deficiency screening.

So, who is most likely to have vitamin D deficiency?

Seniors. Their skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently, and they may not eat enough foods that have vitamin D.
People with dark skin. Pigment in the skin reduces its ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight.
People with certain conditions, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, and its absorption depends on the gut’s ability to absorb dietary fat.
People who are have had gastric bypass surgery. Changes to the upper small intestine where vitamin D is absorbed can affect a person’s vitamin D levels.
People who are bed bound. Limited sun exposure can lead to low vitamin D levels.

In general, the recommendation for healthy adults is to consume between 600 and 800 IUs daily depending on age.

Ask your healthcare provider if you think you need more vitamin D. Vitamin D is naturally found in some foods, such as salmon, beef liver and egg yolks. Vitamin D is also added to foods and drinks like milk, orange juice and cereal. Milk products such as cheese and ice cream are generally not fortified. The best way to get the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is in your diet.

Most people in the United States are sufficient in vitamin D. Only about 8 percent of the population is at risk of deficiency. There are no studies that show that healthy adults need vitamin D sufficiency screening or vitamin D supplementation. In addition, taking too much vitamin D can make you sick. If you think you need supplements, talk with your healthcare provider before you start taking them.

Dr. Rajinder Sahi is a doctor of internal medicine at PinnacleHealth. For more information about preventive services for adults, visit pinnaclehealth.org/phmg.

2 and Out? Harrisburg Council introduces term limits for mayor.

August 30, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse (left) confers with members of his staff following last night’s City Council meeting.

Former Harrisburg Mayor Steve Reed served seven full terms, leaving financial devastation in his wake when he finally left office after 28 years.

City Council President Wanda Williams says she now wants to prevent a future mayor from staying in office too long, accumulating too much power and thus endangering the welfare of the city. So, she introduced an ordinance last night that would limit future Harrisburg mayors to two terms.

“I don’t want that to happen again,” she said following the council meeting. “It’s not fair to residents or to City Council.”

The ordinance further would prohibit anyone who has served more than two years of a partial term from serving more than a single full term.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that, in general, he supports term limits for officeholders and might even consider them as part of a new Home Rule charter. However, he does not support this proposal because, he said, one branch of government cannot use term limits “to control” another.

“I think it’s unconstitutional as currently written,” he said.

In contrast, he said he might support a proposal that subjects all municipally elected officials to term limits.

Williams said that she might go for that.

“If he wants to consider council members, that’s fine with me, too,” said Williams, who, with 12 years on council, is the longest-serving elected official in the city government.

She emphasized that this proposal is not a dig at Papenfuse, who, in May, was nominated for a second term as mayor.

“If it had been (former) Mayor (Linda) Thompson, I would have considered it too,” said Williams, who placed the ordinance into the administration committee, which she chairs, for further discussion.

Williams took pains last night not to be too critical of Reed. However, the language of the ordinance plainly states that his longevity in office and consolidation of power created “a longtime imbalance of power between the legislative and executive branches of city government.” The proposed ordinance further asserts:

“The council of the city of Harrisburg hereby recognizes that this historical imbalance of power arose in part from the unchecked exercise of power by a prior mayor who, by serving seven consecutive terms of office, amassed extraordinary powers over governmental and non-governmental affairs within the city.”

In the end, it seems that Papenfuse and Williams may have grounds for a possible compromise.

“I’m not sure if it should be two or three terms,” Papenfuse said. “But I think there’s a benefit to term limits.”

Author: Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Council Backs Police, Votes for Protective “Riot” Gear

August 29, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

A large group of residents tonight unsuccessfully beseeched the Harrisburg Council to vote against funding new protective gear for police.

A resolution passed by City Council on Tuesday will allocate $65,000 for the Harrisburg Police Bureau to update its protective riot gear, but not until the city takes steps to create a policing task force.

Thanks to a last-minute amendment by Councilman Ben Allatt, the police will not receive their $65,000 until the city solicitor submits an additional resolution to council. That resolution will call for the creation of an eight-member task force, which will address community policing initiatives, police training and the creation of a civilian review board.

Police first requested new gear in June of this year, saying that Harrisburg’s status as a capital city makes it a frequent site of protests. They also said that their current stock of protective riot gear is 25 years old and inadequate.

The $65,000 will buy 30 head-to-toe armored suits, with individual shoulder, hand, leg, chest and shin guards that can be detached and deployed as needed. The suits also come with helmets, shields and riot sticks, according to Captain Derric Moody.

Council’s 5-1 vote on the amended bill, opposed only by Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels, came after a lengthy public discussion during which many residents criticized the funding request. Some said that a “militarized police force” could agitate hostile crowds, while others called for police to invest the money in programs that would build public trust.

Hillary Henson said that the goal of policing should be to prevent riots from occurring in the first place. She suggested that the funds be used for training instead of equipment.

“Police have many ways of limiting protesters other than riot gear,” Henson said. “They can coordinate with community organizers. A less adversarial relationship would increase everyone’s safety, including police.”

Others spoke about what they perceive as the community’s widespread mistrust of the police force.

“We all know that there is a deep mistrust between police and community, and that’s our reality,” said city resident Amanda Arbour. “We want to invest in building trust, so use the money to provide training that the community has been asking for.”

Tara Stark Mueller said that the resolution should not pass unless the bureau holds open meetings with the community. Before council adjourned in July, Councilman Allatt asked Police Chief Tom Carter to organize public meetings with the mayor and representatives from the police force.

“If there have been meetings, I have been unaware,” she said. “To have this vote tonight would be a sign of mistrust between community and police,”

In private remarks, Carter said that he did not hold the meetings because Mayor Eric Papenfuse was on vacation. He said he would be open to planning them in the future if council requested it.

While the vast majority of residents who spoke on Tuesday opposed the funding measure, some said that protective gear is a necessity for any police force.

“We want our police to come home safely,” said Sharice Breyer, whose husband is a retired officer.

Breyer thinks that modernizing police equipment should be a priority now that the city has improved its finances.

“It’s time for our community to be on the same level as everyone else,” she said. “Officer Carter will have enough sense to know when to bring the riot gear out, and our officers need to be prepared.”

Jayne Buchwach, a resident of Allison Hill, made a unique request when she asked for more police on her street.

“You can get the gear and wear it in our neighborhood,” Buchwach said, pointing to shootings and drug activities as examples of recent crime. “We need police presence.”

Carter thanked the residents who spoke out against the legislation. He said their concerns opened an important conversation about the bureau’s community relationships. He then made a final case for why the police needed new gear.

Citing recent protests in Charlottesville, Va., where one woman died after violence erupted between white supremacists and counter-protesters, Carter said that police need to protect Harrisburg citizens from “outsiders” who join local protests. He added that since Pennsylvania is an open-carry state where protesters can lawfully carry firearms, the police need to take every precaution to keep the public safe.

“Charlottesville was bad because the police were not prepared,” Carter said. “If open-carry people turned weapons against the citizens of this city, you’ll look to police to do something. Our protective gear is to do that.”

After hearing final comments from the public, Council President Wanda Williams said that the resolution would “provide the city with the necessary tools” for facing hostile crowds. She said she would vote yes on the resolution, at which point Allatt submitted his amendment.

Under the amendment, the police will not receive their funds until council receives the resolution creating the citizen task force. That task force will include three community members (to be nominated by the mayor or council), two members of the city administration, one member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and two representatives from city council.

Council expects to have that resolution before its next legislative session on Sept. 12.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

So Much in SoMa: Downtown district prepares for its close-up.

August 29, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

The heart of SoMa: S. 3rd Street between Market and Chestnut streets

What’s SoMa?

Even long-time residents may not know that SoMa stands for “South of Market,” a longstanding attempt to add some urban cool to a few square blocks of downtown Harrisburg.

Harristown Enterprises, which owns much of the area, is trying to add new energy to the decade-old branding and marketing effort. At the same time, it wants the public to see how far the once-blighted neighborhood has come.

“A lot has happened over the years,” said Brad Jones, Harristown president and CEO. “We want to show that off.”

To that end, the company recently installed new decorative banners, is stringing up lights across S. 3^rd Street and is throwing a big block party on Thursday night with music, food and drink. It’s a debut of sorts for an area with several newly renovated apartment buildings, offices, retail spaces and restaurants.

About 20 years ago, an Urban Land Institute study recommended focusing on these blocks as a special district for revitalization, as it was one of the few downtown areas that retained its historic character of small, attached commercial buildings.

In the early 2000s, that effort began in earnest with the creation of International House and Bricco restaurant. That was followed by Messiah College’s Harrisburg Institute, the renovation of several buildings into student housing for Harrisburg University, the repurposing of a few old buildings into high-end apartments and the construction of the Blackberry Technology Center from a long-empty, dilapidated former hardware store, among other projects.

Jones estimates that, over the years, about $20 million has been invested in the area that runs from Market to Chestnut streets between S. 2nd and S. 4th streets.

More projects are planned. For instance, Harristown has contracted with Harrisburg-based K&W Engineering to develop a comprehensive streetscape design that likely will include elements like new street furniture, greenery and stamped concrete accents.

Going forward, Jones said he’d like to see more boutique-style retail in the area, which would fit in well with the area’s restored brick rowhouses and small commercial buildings.

“It’s always had all the elements of a really neat neighborhood,” he said. “It just needed things to be filled in.”

The Night Light Pop Up Party, produced by Harristown Enterprises and SaraBozich.com, takes place 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, on S. 3rd Street between Market and Chestnut streets.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg gains new teachers, but the numbers still don’t add up

August 28, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

Benjamin Franklin High School on 6th Street in Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg School District has reduced its district-wide teacher shortage since the beginning of the summer but still began the school year with 12 unfilled positions, according to a district spokesperson.

Kirsten Keys, public relations coordinator for the district, said that most of the vacancies are at the 9th to 12th grade level, specifically at John Harris High School campus.

At the start of the summer, the district had 40 vacant teaching positions. School officials intensified recruitment efforts by holding the district’s first-ever hiring fair, which took place July 13 at the Lincoln Administration Building on State Street. The event allowed district recruiters to interview more than 115 candidates in person and via video call. Keys said that the hiring fair ultimately brought the district between eight and 10 new teachers, since not all applicants who interviewed met state standards.

She said that the district considers the fair “a big success” and plans to host another in 2018.

Teacher shortages are a perennial problem among districts in Pennsylvania, where the number of graduates from teacher-training programs has declined in the past four years. According to data from the state Department of Education, the number of newly certified teachers has fallen from 16,631 in 2013 to 6,125 in 2015.

As the number of qualified teaching applicants has declined, retirements have increased as baby boomers age out of the workforce.

Pennsylvania schools can obtain an “Emergency Permit” from the state, meaning that if they advertise for a position and find no qualified applicants, they may hire an applicant who has not obtained a Pennsylvania teaching certification. The candidate must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved college or university and must meet all other eligibility requirements, according to the Department of Education website.

Keys said that the district currently employs 28 teachers who were hired under an emergency permit. They will fill other vacant positions with short- or long-term substitutes that they find through a professional substitute agency.

Staffing a school doesn’t end with the recruiting and hiring process, however. Harrisburg schools have struggled in the past with teacher retention. More than 50 employees resigned last year, despite a new, district-wide mentorship program meant to promote retention.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

Plant Party: VeggieFest to take root in Strawberry Square.

August 28, 2017 | by Admin

Customers peruse goods at the HBG Flea in Strawberry Square this winter. Strawberry Square will host the first Harrisburg VeggieFest on Saturday, September 23.

Herbivores in Harrisburg, rejoice: the city’s first festival showcasing vegan and vegetarian food is coming downtown this fall.

VeggieFest, an all-inclusive exposition featuring plant-based foods, craft drinks and healthy lifestyle products, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Strawberry Square on 3rd Street. The ticketed event will also include demonstrations and speakers, according to Sara Bozich, an organizer.

Bozich said that she and Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square, have been talking for years about bringing a healthy living festival to Harrisburg.

“We wanted to do something new for the community,” Bozich said. She added that the event is open to anyone—vegan, vegetarian, or curious carnivore—who wants to learn about a plant-based, locally sourced lifestyle.

Bozich reported that she has received great interest in VeggieFest from local and regional businesses. The growing lineup (confirmed vendors are listed below) includes craft breweries, cideries, restaurants and vegan/vegetarian-friendly food providers, as well vendors selling handicrafts and plant-based body products, she said. Vendors will pay a $25 fee for a spot in the venue, and local non-profit groups can sign up for free tables.

Brendalynn Armstrong, co-owner of Zeroday Brewery, supports the locally focused lifestyle that VeggieFest promotes.

“The focus of this event is healthy living, and we at Zeroday believe that beer can be integrated into a healthy lifestyle,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong added that most of Zeroday’s craft beers are vegan or vegetarian, and all are brewed with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.

The Vegetable Hunter, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant on N. 2nd Street, will showcase some of its vegan menu items at VeggieFest. Owner Kristin Messner-Baker plans on bringing side salads and sandwich samples, as well as craft beers from The Vegetable Hunter’s in-house brewery.

“We only serve a vegan and vegetarian menu so this is an exciting opportunity to reach out to people who may not have been to our restaurant and brewery,” Messner-Baker said.

Jones, who counts four vegans among his family members, said that he wanted to host a plant-based food festival after attending similar events in other cities. He believes that VeggieFest can raise the profile of healthy living in Harrisburg.

“We wanted to highlight that this city is vegan and vegetarian friendly,” Jones said. He hopes that at least 200 people will be able to attend the event.

The event was first promoted as the Harrisburg VegFest, but Bozich said that she and Jones rebranded to avoid confusion with vegan festivals by the same name.

Tickets for the event are $20 for the general public and $10 for students or designated drivers. Bozich and Jones say that the cover charge allows them to host an all-inclusive event that will also give back to the community.

“Your ticket price is going to get you a lot for that $20,” Jones said, referring to the samples, tastings, and entertainment available to ticket-holders.

Bozich added that the ticket proceeds will help cover overhead planning costs. She also noted that Harrisburg’s VeggieFest includes a philanthropic component: Proceeds from the event will benefit local nonprofit JumpStreet, an arts development organization in Harrisburg.

The Harrisburg VeggieFest will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, from 12 to 5 pm in Strawberry Square. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit hbgveggiefest.com.

Sponsors
Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District
Giant Food Stores
Weis Markets
Reiki by Rickie
Geico Insurance
Weis Markets
Healthy Grocer

Brewery/Cidery
Zeroday Brewing Co.
Boneshire Brew Works
2050 State Brewery
Jack’s Hard Cider

Restaurants/Food
Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar
VRAI
The Vegetable Hunter
Yak N Yeti
Supernola
The Fountain of Juice

Vendors
Grape Cat Vegan Clothing and Accessories
Free and Thriving
Kyle’s Cactus
young living essential oils
Renewal Kombucha
Animal Advocates of South Central PA
Harrisburg Area YMCA Center For Healthy Living

Author: Lizzy Hardison

Note, August 29: This story has been edited to include a quote from Kristin Messner-Baker.

Your Next Rep.: Six residents apply for open Harrisburg council seat.

August 25, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Next week, Harrisburg City Council will select from six applicants to fill the vacant council seat.

Six city residents want to be the next Harrisburg City Council member, as the deadline passed today to submit applications for the open seat.

The applicants include a former city councilwoman and several residents who have run previously for elected office. They are:

Joshua Burkholder, a former CBS21 News reporter who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress last year and now works as a multimedia digital artist at Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

Christopher Conroy, a political newcomer who manages a medical practice affiliated with PinnacleHealth.

Jennie Jenkins, a former Harrisburg police officer who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for mayor last May.

Dave Madsen, a tax account collections technician with the PA Department of Revenue who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for council in May.

Brian Ostella, a long-time member of the city’s audit committee who previously ran unsuccessfully for Harrisburg treasurer.

Patricia Stringer, a former city councilwoman who since has run unsuccessfully for another seat on council.

Residents had until noon today to declare their interest and submit applications to serve on the seven-member body. The seat became vacant earlier this month following the resignation of former Councilman Jeffrey Baltimore.

On Thursday, beginning at 5:15 p.m., council will choose from among the six applicants. Candidates will be given one to two minutes to explain why they’re interested in the seat. Afterwards, council members will nominate one candidate of their choice. Council then will interview the nominees before voting for their selection.

The new council member will only serve a four-month appointment. The Dauphin County Democratic and Republican committees are slated to select their own nominees, who will appear on the general election ballot in November for a two-year council seat to serve out the remainder of Baltimore’s term. The winner of the election will take office in early January.

In their applications, candidates were asked to state why they want to serve on City Council. Their responses were as follows:

Burkholder: Working closely with the public in the media and during my run for Congress, I recognized in myself the strong desire to become involved in my community and take part in issues that affect so many lives. I listened to the people and began to realize that their voices weren’t being heard, and they were not being represented by those they trusted to do so. It is vital to stay close to the community and listen to the concerns of the constituents and to make government and its process accessible to all people. I have been a part of the Harrisburg community for many years and I would like to take on a role that will improve the quality of life for our people.

Conroy: I am born and raised in Harrisburg, and feel a strong commitment to the continual improvement of our city. I believe that as the city continues to grow and change, we citizens must contribute all of our personal skillsets to our government so that it is fully responsive to the needs of each and every person living here. I would like to bring my understanding of new technologies to engage new avenues of growth for Harrisburg. The committee on which I would chair, if chosen, is working on precisely the issue for which I have ideas.

Jenkins: I want to represent the public, while balancing the well-being and interests of the city.

Madsen: I want to be a councilman that works for everyone and makes sure every voice is heard in city hall. If elected to the council, I will push for real change that will preserve our city for future generations. I would like to work with members of council and the mayor’s office to ensure that Harrisburg is set on a stable path.

Ostella: I am interested in serving on Council because I want to help the citizens of Harrisburg. I believe true leadership is found in serving others and Harrisburg needs more leaders who are willing to serve and do what is best for the whole, not just what is best for themselves. I believe that my government, corporate and nonprofit experience make me qualified to help serve all of the stakeholders in Harrisburg. Whether they are a citizen, a business owner, a government official, and/or a visitor to our city, they all have a voice in how the city’s policy decisions impact them.

Stringer: I have always wanted to serve the residents of Harrisburg by representing them in a professional manner, engaging them civically, speaking out on their behalf and assisting them with any concerns relating to the city of Harrisburg.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Leaf Us Alone: Susquehanna Twp. residents unswayed on Harrisburg composting proposal.

August 25, 2017 | by Lizzy Hardison

Harrisburg hopes to turn this area in Susquehanna Township into the city’s new composting facility.

Harrisburg mayor Eric Papenfuse came to Susquehanna Township on Thursday with an apology, but still found few supporters for a controversial waste disposal project the city seeks to build on an old school site.

Papenfuse appeared at the Township’s Board of Commissioners workshop meeting to defend the city’s application to build a composting facility at 1850 Stanley Rd. The property, which is owned by the Harrisburg school district, already houses a small composting site.

Papenfuse said that the proposal would expand and improve the existing facility, satisfying a state Department of Environmental Protection mandate that the city have its own composting plant for leaves, lawn debris and woody waste.

The mayor offered to scale back the permit application to help appease community concerns. However, township residents, citing concerns about public health, remained skeptical of the city’s intentions.

“Everything is suspect, and my trust has been destroyed,” said resident Pat Thompson, who called the proposal an issue of environmental justice for the largely African-American neighborhood nearby, citing research that shows that a disproportionate number of waste facilities are located in predominantly non-white neighborhoods.

Resident Jamie Folks pointed out that any agreement that the city reaches with the township could be revised under a future administration. Papenfuse said that the city does not intended to compost food waste at the facility, but Folks said that a future mayor could pursue a different plan.

“We might take food scraps out of the application tonight, but that permit allows for all sorts of things,” she said.

She asked for the creation of a permanent advisory council composed of Susquehanna Township residents with oversight of the facility.

Harrisburg submitted a preliminary permit application to the DEP on April 13 for a facility that would compost food and plant matter. More than 60 residents came to a July 22 commissioners meeting to stand against the project, and the board unanimously passed a resolution opposing the permit application.

Since the land is owned by the Harrisburg school district, the city has the power to go ahead with the project even without approval from the township. At last night’s meeting, however, Papenfuse insisted that community input was essential to the project’s evolution.

“I apologize for how this issue was communicated, and I take responsibility for it,” Papenfuse said, pledging to consider input from the meeting and return with a revised permit application that would be more acceptable to residents.

Papenfuse also defended the choice to build the facility at the Stanley Road site.

“Harrisburg is a small city, and most of it is in the flood plane,” Papenfuse said, reiterating that the city could not find a project site within its own borders.

John Rarig, Harrisburg’s recycling coordinator, insisted that residents would not notice any noise, odor, pests or traffic resulting from the project. He cited comparable facilities in Camp Hill and Swatara Township as evidence that the facility would not affect neighboring home values. Finally, he asked for public trust that the city comply with DEP regulations protecting air and water quality.

“We have nothing to gain from doing this wrong,” Rarig said.

One obstacle that Papenfuse faced last night was a general skepticism of city public works projects. AJ Overton, a Harrisburg resident who has family in Susquehanna Township, asked about the health hazards of the project. Overton grew up in the South Harrisburg neighborhood bordering the city’s incinerator, and she said that she has a chronic lung condition as a result of its air pollutants.

Amy Warnagiris echoed Overtin’s wariness.

“Your administration is the victim of past consequences,” Warnagiris said, addressing Papenfuse.

She said the township has been suspect of the city administration since it began the permit process in April.

“The lack of communication to us did not help,” she said. “The first permit did not go well, and I don’t know what it will take.”

Susquehanna Township residents were not the only ones who came out to oppose the facility. Rhonda Mays spoke on behalf of a community group from Allison Hill, which borders the proposed site south of Arsenal Boulevard. She said that Allison Hill residents have not received the same information as Susquehanna Township citizens, though they fear they will absorb some of the traffic and noise pollution from the project.

In an informal show of hands at the end of the meeting, about half of the people in attendance said they still opposed the project. Papenfuse remained optimistic that he could change their minds.

“We are hopeful that we can continue to work on a revised application that may be acceptable to you,” Papenfuse said, rejecting comparisons to the incinerator and adding that the composting facility carries “no health danger at all.”

Township residents, however, seemed unconvinced.

“You are ignoring us completely,” one resident said in exasperation. “We want nothing to do with it.”

In his final public comment, Papenfuse conceded that the city might need to consider alternative sites.

“There may come a time when this is deemed to not be in the best interest of the city or Susquehanna Township,” Papenfuse said. “We do not want to do something you don’t want.”

Speaking after the meeting, however, Papenfuse said that there are no alternative sites currently under consideration. He explained that building on the Stanley Road property would be mutually beneficial to the city and the school district, since the site is unsuitable for a school but fits the needs of the compost project.

The Stanley Road property, which was sold by the state to the school district decades ago, is bound under an educational covenant that requires it to be used for educational purposes. To comply with the property’s covenant, the facility would accommodate school trips and be used in the district’s environmental science curriculum, he said.

He also elaborated on the terms of the lease with the school district, saying that the city would pay a nominal fee—“maybe a dollar”—for use of the land.

Papenfuse could not offer a concrete timeline for the project, but insisted that the city needs its own composting facility. Currently, Harrisburg sends its lawn waste to a compost plant in Swatara Township. However, the DEP mandates that a municipality of Harrisburg’s size have its own dedicated site for leaves and wood waste.

Author: Lizzy Hardison

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 24, 2017 | by Sara Bozich

Gorgeous weekend ahead!

Hey I’m actually home this weekend, and I think we’re doing something super fantastic like painting the nursery. Actually, I believe Friday, we’re river-bound with friends, then Saturday I’m back to my NSP/BSM routine. Plus I’m hoping to stop by Calicutt’s Customer Appreciation Day.

Obviously, you don’t want to miss this year’s Merlot/Flash Gourd’n Release Party – starring Spin Doctors, Gin Blossoms & Blues Traveler – at The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey!

Beautiful temperatures and sun are the stars this weekend, so check out the list of festivals and events, get outside and enjoy!

What are you doing this weekend?

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What are you doing this weekend?

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