Papenfuse Wins Re-nomination for Harrisburg Mayor; Council Incumbents Successful

May 16, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse makes his victory speech tonight at Midtown Scholar Bookstore.

Incumbent Eric Papenfuse secured the Democratic nomination for Harrisburg mayor today by a wide margin, putting him in a strong position to serve a second term.

With all precincts reporting, Papenfuse tallied 2,663 votes versus 2,048 for his nearest challenger, former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts.

In his acceptance speech, Papenfuse said he was “troubled” that the city appeared so divided during the election and that turnout was low.

“I’m committed to uniting this divided city,” he said, speaking at his business, Midtown Scholar Bookstore.

He also said he would make a strong effort to pass a home rule charter for Harrisburg in his next term.

“Home rule is the path to the city’s sustainable future,” he said.

For her part, Martin-Roberts appeared very disappointed in her second-place showing, as she gathered with about 30 supporters at the Harrisburg Elks Lodge.

“We ran a good, clean race,” she said. “We took the high road.”

She said she would “continue to serve the community,” but then took a jab at the people who didn’t vote for her.

“I respect the electorate,” she said. “If they want another term of misery, that’s fine.”

Gloria Martin-Roberts (second from right) speaks to her supporters, including city Treasurer Dan Miller, following her loss in the Democratic primary race for Harrisburg mayor.

Trailing the field were challengers Jennie Jenkins (506 votes), Lewis Butts (124 votes) and Anthony Harrell (74 votes).

No candidates ran for the Republican nomination. However, Papenfuse still could face a Republican opponent in the Nov. 7 general election based on Republican write-in votes, which were not tallied at press time. In addition, city resident Chris Siennick has said he plans to run in the general election as an independent.

In other races, Harrisburg City Council incumbents Ben Allatt, Wanda Williams and Shamaine Daniels each won Democratic nominations for four-year terms, as did challenger Ausha Green. No Republicans ran in the primary.

For city school board, Democratic incumbents Judd Pittman and Danielle Robinson won nominations for four-year terms, as did challengers Brian Carter and Carrie Fowler. Incumbent James Thompson lost renomination on the Democratic side but cross-filed, so will appear as a Republican candidate in the general election. Newcomer Percel Eiland ran unchallenged for the nomination for the board’s lone two-year seat.

Incumbent city Treasurer Dan Miller and incumbent city Controller Charlie DeBrunner ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. There was no Republican challenger for either office.

Several races for magisterial district justice were hotly contested.

Incumbent Barbara Pianka defeated newcomer Josh Feldman for the Democratic nomination for district 12-1-02. Both candidates cross-filed for the Republican nomination, but that race was too close to call at press time.

In Harrisburg district 12-1-04, incumbent Justice David O’Leary defeated former Harrisburg Treasurer Tyrell Spradley for the Democratic nomination. No Republicans competed for the seat.

And, in an open seat for district 12-1-05, Hanif Johnson came out ahead in a crowded Democratic field, defeating Harrisburg Councilwoman Destini Hodges, former Councilman Kelly Summerford and newcomer Claude Phipps. Only Phipps cross-filed on the Republican side, so he secured that nomination.

All of tonight’s winners must compete in November’s general election.

Reporter Danielle Roth contributed to this story.

This story was updated with late results to show that incumbent David O’Leary defeated challenger Tyrell Spradley for the Democratic nomination for magisterial district justice.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Drink Up: Volunteer crews head to the DeHart Reservoir this weekend to protect Harrisburg’s drinking water source.

May 16, 2017 | by Allison Moody

Volunteers will visit the DeHart Dam and Reservoir this Saturday for DeHart Day.

Volunteers get the chance to see where Harrisburg’s drinking water comes this Saturday at Capital Region Water’s second annual DeHart Day at the DeHart Reservoir property in Dauphin County.

Located about 25 miles north of Harrisburg in Clarks Valley, the 6-billion-gallon DeHart Reservoir provides the city’s potable water. Volunteers will collect litter, tour the property and eat a pizza lunch at the free event.

“DeHart Day is our opportunity to show our customers firsthand where their drinking water comes from, the work that goes into safeguarding the pristine DeHart Reservoir, and what they can do to protect this valuable resource,” Capital Region Water CEO Shannon Gority said in a prepared statement.

The event begins at 9 a.m. at the DeHart Reservoir property. Attendees will spend the morning gathering litter from a segment of Route 325, CRW’s adopted highway that runs adjacent to the reservoir.

At 11 a.m., attendees will receive a free lunch from Dauphin Pizza and a tour of the DeHart Dam and Reservoir. The event gives Harrisburg residents a rare opportunity to tour the secured facility’s inner workings.

CRW will provide transportation to the reservoir from its customer service center at 100 Pine Dr., Harrisburg, leaving promptly at 8:30 a.m. T-shirts will be provided.

“We didn’t want transportation to be a barrier for anyone to participate, because obviously the DeHart facility is not in the city,” said Tanya Dierolf, CRW sustainability manager.

The first annual DeHart Day in 2016 had 40 participants, and organizers expect attendance to rise this year. This growth in popularity has positive effects, said Dierolf, but the event has a registration limit for safety and logistical reasons.

“Because we do have people on the road, we have to be very careful,” she said. “Safety is paramount.”

CRW took over Harrisburg’s drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems in late 2013 as part of the city’s financial recovery plan.

DeHart Day falls into CRW’s greater effort to protect the reservoir and surrounding forest. Last fall, it gave up development rights to preserve the DeHart Reservoir area.

So far, CRW has permanently preserved almost 4,000 of the property’s 8,200 acres by partnering with Fort Indiantown Gap, the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and the Nature Conservancy.

While CRW receives financial compensation for giving up these rights, “it does provide us the opportunity to continue owning and operating as we have been,” said Dierolf.

Capital Region Water also hosts monthly “Two-Minute Tuesdays” in partnership with local volunteer coalition Clean and Green Harrisburg.

“DeHart day is protecting the source of our drinking water,” said CRW community outreach manager Andrew Bliss. “This Two-Minute Tuesday cleanup is more about protecting our local waterways and our local infrastructure here in Harrisburg.”

One Tuesday a month, CRW uses social media to post about litter clean up in Harrisburg. Later that day, representatives go into a Harrisburg neighborhood, knock on doors and try to get as many volunteers as they can to participate in a 30-minute litter cleanup in their area.

“It’s amazing how much you can really clean up in just 30 minutes,” Bliss said.

May’s Two-Minute Tuesday will be held in the area of 13^th and Walnut streets at 5:30 p.m. on May 16.

Registration for DeHart Day 2017 closes today. To register, visit https://capitalregionwater.com/dehartday/#sthash.MhwScxk7.dpbs.

Author: Allison Moody

Burg Blog: Vote Here

May 16, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Campaign signs along Verbeke Street in Harrisburg.

And we vote.

Today, the people of Harrisburg go to the polls to conclude a once-anemic mayoral campaign that seemed to go from zero to 100 mph overnight.

It wasn’t long ago (last month) that I complained that the two assumed frontrunners, incumbent Mayor Eric Papenfuse and former City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts, were largely invisible from most voters. Boy, did that change fast.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve had three mayoral debates, endless social media posts by candidates and their surrogates and a flood of last-minute, often-entertaining, sometimes-vicious direct mail.

It may not be the way I would have run a campaign, but what do I know? I’m just a desk jockey with an opinion and some readers.

So, what are some takeaways from the just-concluded mayoral primary campaign, and what might we think about as we go to the polls today?

Campaigns Matter
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record on this issue, since I’ve written about it repeatedly. However, a well-run, committed campaign can make up for a variety of candidate ills.

Papenfuse and Martin-Roberts ran similar campaigns in the sense that the general electorate had little idea from them that an election was approaching until maybe three weeks ago. Then the floodgates opened.

Since then, Papenfuse has relied on a strategy of using the power of incumbency (another ribbon-cutting!) and the power of money (how much direct mail can one man send?) to spread his message that Harrisburg has been well served under his leadership and wouldn’t be under Martin-Roberts. For her part, Martin-Roberts has stuck to her message that she would represent all of Harrisburg, a slap at Papenfuse that, while perhaps effective months ago, hasn’t done much to expand her base since. Policy-wise, the positions between these two candidates are not far apart.

Without question, challenger Jennie Jenkins has run the most dynamic campaign. Months ago, while the other campaigns were napping, she was out hustling for votes. As a result, I expect her to perform pretty well when the votes are tallied tonight, and she may even play a spoiler role in determining the next mayor of Harrisburg.

The Debates
Typically, I don’t regard candidate debates as having a big impact on a race since they’re often attended by the usual assortment of activists and super-voters who’ve already made up their minds. However, this race may be an exception.

All three mayoral debates were well attended and televised, which makes my little civic engagement heart go pitter-patter. But they also gave thousands of people exposure to the candidates in a way you simply can’t get from your 20^th piece of horrible direct mail.

Reasonable people may disagree with my analysis, but I thought that Papenfuse had three solid debates, with the final one at H*MAC his strongest, as, as the incumbent, he showed a mastery of policy and detail that none of the challengers could touch. Martin-Roberts seemed to go in the opposite direction performance-wise, congenial in the first debate but appearing upset and defensive in the last.

I thought that challenger Lewis Butts was consistently Lewis Butts, a big thinker, a dreamer, unorthodox in style and impractical in substance. Jenkins may have had the worst combined performance, not doing particularly well in any of the three. And she certainly had the worst single moment when she gave a halting, unsure response when asked, in the third debate, about her past tax-payment problems.

Over the course of the debates, I noticed the greatest growth from challenger Anthony Harrell. Most residents first encountered the newcomer at the initial debate. But he quickly established an identity as a no-nonsense, law-and-order type, perfecting that image by the third debate. His soldierly manner, full-throated support of gun rights and tendency to start answers with the phrase, “My fellow American patriots,” may not appeal to everyone, but it may appeal to enough conservative registered Democrats (yes, there are some) that he could do much better than I would have imagined a month ago.

The Attacks
I would date the start of this campaign to November, when Martin-Roberts declared her candidacy before a packed room at the National Civil War Museum. There, she stated what she hoped would be her path to victory—a claim that the current mayor (she never actually said his name) did not represent all of Harrisburg. In that sense, the campaign began on a negative.

And, indeed, she has continued that line of attack. This criticism, though, has had two problems. First, it seemed to peak early as, in the debates, Papenfuse tried to dilute it by repeatedly stating his efforts outside of Midtown. Secondly, if voters don’t agree with her supposition, Martin-Roberts has offered little other reason to vote for her. Meanwhile, Papenfuse has tried to mend some of the frayed relationships from earlier in his term, countering, with some success, another criticism.

Papenfuse eventually found his own line of attack—that a vote for Martin-Roberts was a vote to return to a more troubled time in Harrisburg’s recent history. The Papenfuse campaign may have overstated former Mayor Steve Reed’s support of Martin-Roberts, which, as far as we can tell, was limited to a single fundraising plea. However, it cannot exaggerate the involvement of James Ellison, a former Reed crony and Linda Thompson strategist who serves as her treasurer and key campaign adviser. Papenfuse’s attacks may not steal any of Martin-Roberts’ vote, but it may help solidify his own support or motivate some fence-sitters to flip the lever for him.

Turnout
Ultimately, all close elections depend on turnout, and this one should be no exception. Ellison is regarded as a master of getting out the vote, so we’ll see if he retains his touch or if his involvement has turned into a negative. In my opinion, Ellison has violated a cardinal rule of the political operative–stay out of the limelight, which belongs to the candidate. His social media posts, which include some reckless, accusatory comments, have done no favors for Martin-Roberts.

The x-factor in his election may end up being new voters. Fresh faces are everywhere and, since the last mayoral four years ago, a number of new apartment buildings have filled up. The involvement of first-time voters may upend the best calculations of old-time political watchers.

As you venture to the polls, please remember that the battle for Harrisburg mayor is not the only primary race out there. In the city, four council seats and five school board seats also are at stake. In addition, there have been heated contests in races for magisterial district justice and judgeships.

The polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The weather is fantastic. Get out there and make your voice heard!

Author: Lawrance Binda

Art lovers, rejoice! 50th Annual ArtsFest returns with a twist.

May 12, 2017 | by Yaasmeen Piper

bright purple flower surrounded by line of other flower yard decorations

An artist at last year’s ArtsFest made these metal lawn decorations.

Each Memorial Day weekend, ArtsFest takes over the banks of Harrisburg’s Susquehanna River. This year, the 50^th annual festival returns with some new attractions.

In addition to artists displaying and selling hand-crafted goods, attendees can enjoy a flea market, live jazz music, film screenings and craft beer during the free three-day event.

“Come to Harrisburg,” said Melissa Snyder, executive director of the arts nonprofit Jump Street. “Enjoy the wonderful art, the great music and incredible food along our beautiful Susquehanna River.”

Event organizers expect more than 35,000 attendees will peruse the wares from local and national artists specializing in jewelry, pottery, photography, painting and more.

For the first time, Harrisburg’s monthly arts market, the HBG Flea, will host HbgFest, a festival within the festival.

“You’re going to be amazed at the quality of the work right here in our own backyard,” Snyder said. “HBGFest inside ArtsFest will bring the passion of HBG Flea to present a snapshot of the best of art and handiwork from our own Harrisburg local artists.”

Jump Street Executive Director Melissa Snyder and Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced the details of ArtsFest this morning.

Some might say that another craft at ArtsFest is the food, as 32 food trucks will offer a variety of cuisines and dishes.

The main stage at Kunkel Plaza will feature local school bands and other local favorites. Jazz musicians will perform with JazzFest, hosted by Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz, on a stage near the Walnut Street Bridge.

FilmFest also returns this year. The three-day festival, sponsored by Moviate Underground, will feature films ranging from documentaries to comedies and animation.

“Screenings are all free for everyone to attend,” Snyder said, “They create an atmosphere unlike any other film festival.”

Younger attendees can enjoy games and performances during KidsFest. Each day between 12 and 5 p.m., Gamut Theatre’s group, Popcorn Hat Players, will perform in the children’s section of the festival.

ArtsFest welcomes two additional partners this year.

With a special treat for beer-lovers, Camp Hill-based Ever Grain Brewing Co. will bring their craft beer to BeerFest in the Civic Club of Harrisburg.

Capital Region Water, Harrisburg’s water authority, will help ArtsFest reduce waste and water usage with a free tap water bar.

“We’re trying to cut back on our impact on the environment,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “We’re going to be encouraging people to our reusable water bottles and try to avoid all the plastic bottles that usually fill the festival.”

Festival-goers can bring their own water bottles or purchase one from Jump Street and Members 1^st.

Find free street parking all day Sunday and Monday, a federal holiday. Use the code LUVHBG with the ParkMobile app to score four hours of free street parking Saturday. The Market Square parking garage will be available for $10 each day of the festival.

This story was updated on 1:45 p.m. on May 15 to correct errors relating to JazzFest and the Kunkel Plaza main stage.

Author: Yaasmeen Piper

Final Mayoral Debate: Candidates throw last punches, address campaign issues

May 12, 2017 | by Danielle Roth

Harrisburg’s five mayoral candidates made a final push for votes last night in a concluding mayoral debate that turned heated at times.

Moderators Blake Lynch and Mark Hall, an ABC27 reporter, kept the debate civil, though the town hall-style event at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center kicked off to a feisty start.

Moderators Blake Lynch, left, and ABC27 Reporter Mark Hall, right, stand in front of mayoral candidates, from left to right, Lewis Butts, Gloria Martin-Roberts, Mayor Eric Papenfuse, Anthony Harrell and Jennie Jenkins.

Challenger Gloria Martin-Roberts started her opening remarks by separating herself from two former mayors, who both have indicated support for her, as well as her campaign treasurer, James Ellison.

“My name is not Linda Thompson, it’s not James Ellison and it’s not Stephen Reed,” Martin-Roberts said. “Some of you may be confused by the negative mailers that you have received over the past couple of weeks…They’ve had their time.”

She then criticized a PennLive article about a letter that Reed sent to encourage a friend to donate to the Martin-Roberts campaign. She said she did not ask Reed to write the letter to request the donation.

Likewise, incumbent Mayor Eric Papenfuse responded to campaign rhetoric from the Martin-Roberts camp. He referenced a Facebook post from Ellison that claimed Papenfuse purchased properties while mayor.

“I have not purchased any investment properties since taking office,” he said, adding that his wife also has not purchased any properties since he was elected mayor in 2013. “This is a ridiculous falsehood of my character.”

He asked Martin-Roberts to admit to the falsehood and have Ellison take down his Facebook post.

Martin-Roberts said she would not have Ellison take down the post. She pulled out several mailers sent by Papenfuse’s campaign that link her to Harrisburg’s old guard, while saying, “This is lack of character.”

Later in the debate, Martin-Roberts did say sorry.

“I apologize for losing my temper,” she said.

Challengers Jennie Jenkins, Anthony Harrell and Lewis Butts also addressed issues that have arisen over the course of their campaigns, as moderators fired questions from the community during the second half of the 90-minute event.

Jenkins addressed her termination from her position as police officer with the city. Last year, Jenkins entered a county program meant for first-time offenders charged with nonviolent crimes. This came after the city suspended her in 2013 after accusing her of taking $7,000 from the Police Athletic League.

Moderators asked why she entered this program if she maintained her innocence in the theft case.

“It was a way I could move on with my life,” she said, adding that she spent two-and-a-half years without income while tied up in the lawsuit.

Moderators bluntly asked Harrell, “Who are you, and where have you been?” They followed up and asked specifically about his community or church involvement aside from his two well-known biographical details: that he served in the armed forces and now studies full-time at Central Penn College.

“I lived in the community, purchased from stores, and I send my children to schools,” he said.

Butts touted his Harrisburg First plan, which includes a citywide Wi-Fi network, a shopping mall at PennDOT and, most notably, a hydroelectric dam in the Susquehanna River.

He called himself the “revenue candidate.”

“The hydro-power dam [would bring in] a lot of extra money for roads, scholarships and anything that we need,” he said.

With the final mayoral debate complete, voters get the last word on Tuesday, May 16, with the primary election.

Author: Danielle Roth

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 11, 2017 | by Sara Bozich

It’s been a busy week in Pittsburgh, shooting interviews for Poured in PA. We return tomorrow, and I have a low-key weekend on deck.

Saturday morning will begin as usual, then I’m hitting the HYP Home Tour (weather permitting, I’ll be honest), and by night — well, we’ll be following our hockey playoff watching traditions.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Race for Mayor: Candidates lean into platforms at last night’s debate.

May 10, 2017 | by Danielle Roth

Older white man (Dennis Owens) addresses five candidates dressed in professional attire. Harrisburg Young Professional sign is in front of their panel.

ABC27 anchor Dennis Owens addresses mayoral candidates, pictured left to right, incumbent Eric Papenfuse, Anthony Harrell, Lewis Butts, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Jennie Jenkins.

With less than a week until Harrisburg’s Democratic primary, Harrisburg’s five mayoral candidates leaned into the big ideas of their platforms at last night’s live-broadcast debate.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse and challengers Anthony Harrell, Lewis Butts, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Jennie Jenkins responded to questions fired from a panel of four local journalists, including TheBurg’s Editor-in-Chief Lawrance Binda.

The night started with Binda asking the candidates where they stand on the issue of a home rule charter, which potentially could change the governing structure and taxing abilities of the city.

Martin-Roberts said she would work with City Council, saying that it would not be a decision she would make alone.

In her opening statement, she emphasized her vision to be a collaborative leader, which played out in many of her answers including her position on establishing a home rule charter for the city.

“I’m indecisive,” she said. “The home rule process is something the community will decide by vote…Before we go that far, we need to educate the community about home rule.”

Papenfuse criticized Martin-Roberts’ mention of being indecisive.

“We cannot afford to have a mayor who is indecisive,” he said. “Yes, we need home rule. We need to have a serious conversation about it.”

Jenkins said that a home rule charter would “tax and fee the residents out of existence.”

Papenfuse responded that Jenkins “doesn’t understand home rule,” adding that the city must come up with an exit strategy to leave Act 47. A home rule charter would allow the city to keep taxing powers granted by Act 47.

For 90 minutes, the panel, which also included Christine Vendel of PennLive, Emily Previti of WITF and Jason Scott of the Central Penn Business Journal, fired targeted questions aimed to illuminate candidates’ understanding of some of the complexities of the mayor’s position. ABC27 anchor Dennis Owens moderated the debate with more than 130 attendees seated in the ballroom of the Hilton Harrisburg.

When responding to a question about how two potential state laws would affect the city’s gun ordinances, Harrell established himself as a “2^nd Amendment” candidate.

“I do carry and obey all laws this country puts down,” he said. “All of us should carry our own weapons.”

While questions didn’t explicitly touch on crime and safety in the city, Harrell brought many questions back the issue of “securing the city.”

“We must make this city safe and secure, then we can work on these great ideas,” he said.

Jenkins, who said she would aggressively lobby to change the city’s parking situation, said she would not lobby state lawmakers deciding on gun policies that could put the city in costly legal situations.

“I’d abide by all the laws that’d be enacted,” she said.

Some creative questions pointed to warmer topics, such as how often each candidate visits the Broad Street Market.

Martin-Roberts, who moved to Harrisburg as a child, called the market her nursery.

“I start on Thursday and eat my way through to Saturday,” she said. “I eat anywhere in the Broad Street Market except the floor.”

Papenfuse said he goes at least one a week and eats pierogi, pizza and Greek cuisine. He transitioned into how his administration worked to turn the market into an independent nonprofit last December.

“It’s an example of everything going right in Harrisburg,” he said. “Its success mirrors Harrisburg’s success.”

Butts said he’s a fan of the “hard-fried oysters,” adding that each neighborhood should have a market.

Harrell and Jenkins also said they visit the market at least once a week.

Voters can learn more about the candidates at the final debate, which is 7 p.m. tomorrow at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center and is sponsored by ABC27. Or voters can hope to run into them at the market.

Author: Danielle Roth

TheBurg Podcast, May 5, 2017

May 5, 2017 | by TheBurg Editor

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

May 5, 2017: This week, editor-in-chief Lawrance Binda and city reporter Danielle Roth pick apart Tuesday’s mayoral debate and discuss each candidate’s performance. Binda catches listeners up to speed with Friends of Midtown’s City Council forum, which he moderated, and the State’s corruption probe into the Harrisburg Incinerator. Binda and Roth discuss President Donald Trump’s weekend visit to Harrisburg.

Subscribe to TheBurg Podcast on iTunes and Google Play.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme music. Check out his podcast, the PRC Show on iTunes.

Find the stories referenced in this week’s podcast, plus candidate Q&As and a list of upcoming debates:

Mayoral Debate: Veteran candidates talk experience, others try to make a mark.

Burg Blog: One Down

Take Your Pick: Harrisburg City Council and Mayoral candidates to debate, participate in forums

Mayoral Candidate Q&A: Candidates outline visions for Harrisburg.

Harrisburg in the Balance: 6 candidates vie for 4 seats on City Council.

This Is the End: State closes Harrisburg corruption probe with suggestions, not charges.

Burg Blog: Wrong Place

Burg Blog: Promises Made

Burg Blog: Last Words

Tour Beautiful: HYP Home Tour ventures to leafy Bellevue Park.

May 5, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

One of the many lovely homes that will be featured this month during the HYP Home Tour in Bellevue Park.

In Harrisburg, there are a few annual events that you can mark your calendar by: the holiday parade, the summer festivals and, each May, the HYP Annual Home Tour, organized by Harrisburg Young Professionals.

This year, the Home Tour, for the first time, travels up to Bellevue Park, a leafy, rustic enclave of large homes and beautiful gardens that outsiders rarely get to see.

If you’re unfamiliar with this neighborhood, Bellevue Park was laid out in 1910 at the height of the “City Beautiful” movement. Renowned landscape architect Warren Manning designed the neighborhood’s layout, including the “reservations” (common green areas) and ponds that fill in the spaces between home lots and along roads. The area features winding lanes, wooded streets and many natural elements.

For this year’s event, guests will get to tour 17 homes, each with a one-of-a-kind story. Each home will be partnered with a unique food and drink sponsor from the local area. There also will be an after-party, with food and live music, held at the Bellevue Park Community Center.

Proceeds from Home Tour benefit the HYP “Home in the City” program, which provides $1,000 grants to qualified HYP members who are purchasing a home in Harrisburg. In 2016, the organization provided $9,000 to HYP members through the program.

“This has been one of our longest-running events, and, by far, the most impactful in the Harrisburg community,” said Joe Tertel, 2017 HYP president. “We have the opportunity to bring hundreds of individuals to an area in the city that they may not be aware of. From these types of events, we hope to bring awareness to the uniqueness of architecture and history that our city provides.”

The 2017 HYP Home Tour takes place on Saturday, May 13, noon to 5 p.m., in Bellevue Park. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit www.hyp.org.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Burg Blog: One Down

May 4, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Tuesday’s debate shook awake a rather sleepy mayoral campaign in Harrisburg, one that, until then, was marked by little more than Facebook posts and midnight runs along N. 3^rd Street to plant signs.

It was the end of the “phony campaign” (to use a war analogy), when, with great anticipation, the sides stare each other down but little happens face to face.

For the first time, in an awkwardly laid-out room at HACC’s Midtown II building, all five candidates were present, sitting close to one another, to answer a barrage of questions from CBS21’s John Hanrahan and PennLive’s John Micek and Christine Vendel.

So, what did we learn?

From a superficial standpoint, we didn’t learn much that we hadn’t already read from the candidates’ websites and social media posts: Lewis Butts has never met a development gimmick he doesn’t like; Jennie Jenkins thinks she can sweet talk SP+ into turning the parking system back over to the city; and all the challengers think the city could be safer and cleaner.

But, on a deeper level, there was more to learn.

First of all, the debate exposed something that had been simmering beneath the surface for months—that the old, Reed-era Harrisburg establishment has coalesced behind challenger Gloria Martin-Roberts.

During the debate, Martin-Roberts was asked, for instance, about former Mayor Linda Thompson, a long-time ally who circulated a nominating petition for her. In responding, Martin-Roberts defended Thompson’s tenure, saying “she did quite well” despite “some hiccups with personality,” which may be the most generous analysis of Thompson’s term I’ve heard.

Martin-Roberts also was asked about James Ellison, who is serving as her campaign treasurer. Ellison has been a fixture around Harrisburg for about 20 years, serving as counsel and chairman of the Harrisburg Authority, as counsel to the Harrisburg school district and as a top campaign aide to Thompson.

In one of his most noted actions, Ellison voted to approve the final bond issue to retrofit the Harrisburg incinerator, doubling the facility’s debt load, an action also supported by Martin-Roberts as a councilwoman. He also advised the school district’s board of control that it legally could fire former Superintendent Gerald Kohn, though 16 months remained on Kohn’s contract, a measure driven by Thompson and supported by Martin-Roberts. Kohn eventually won a $1.2 million settlement for wrongful termination.

But it’s not just Ellison. City Treasurer Dan Miller, who served on City Council during that same period, also supports Martin-Roberts. And, just recently, it was revealed that Reed himself sent out an email encouraging a friend to donate to the Martin-Roberts campaign.

Papenfuse mentioned some of this during the debate, as he feels that Harrisburg’s old guard wants back in power, a group he’s battled for years. For her part, Martin-Roberts said that neither Thompson nor Ellison would serve in her administration. That said, Martin-Roberts certainly is not distancing herself from Harrisburg’s recent, troubled past, an interesting decision that voters will have to weigh seriously.

Secondly, voters got to look at several of the challengers for the first time. I generally wasn’t impressed by their performances, though I’d say Jenkins presented better than Anthony Harrell or Lewis Butts. Jenkins had a few rough patches, but probably did well enough to continue the momentum she’s built up over the past few months.

Without question, Jenkins has run the most visible and energetic campaign among the mayoral hopefuls. While I don’t always agree with her tactics, I can’t deny that she’s run a solid campaign, beginning early and continuing over months with consistent effort. I doubt this will be enough for her to win, though it may be sufficient to play the role of spoiler.

Conventional wisdom has it that Jenkins will take more of the vote away from Martin-Roberts than Papenfuse. I don’t disagree with that, but it remains to be seen just how much support she’ll earn citywide and, thus, how many votes she’ll grab from her fellow challengers.

Because of this, I thought we’d see Martin-Roberts go after Jenkins more directly. I’ve been told that that’s not her style, though I’ve seen her, as a councilwoman, be plenty tough.

With the first debate behind us, we move on. Next is the HYP debate at the Hilton Harrisburg on Tuesday, and I’ll be on the reporter panel for that. It will be interesting to see if the gloves come off, if the candidates decide to shift what they say and to whom they direct their fire.

Author: Lawrance Binda

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