Hiker Heaven: A break, a bed and a chunk of history await the weary at the Doyle Hotel.

May 30, 2014 | by Kermit G. Henning

Postcards on display at the Doyle Hotel, sent from hikers who have past through.

“Visit the Doyle.”

That’s the word passed among hikers as they traverse the Appalachian Trail. The Doyle Hotel, “on the square” in the small Perry County town of Duncannon, is one of many places on the trail that is a must-stop for hikers, but the Doyle’s been around a lot longer than the trail itself.

Originally a three-story, wooden hotel built in the 1770s, it was a stopping point along the main route going north along the Susquehanna River and has a rich and storied history. It caught fire and burned to the ground in 1803, replaced by the current brick building. In 1880, it was purchased by Adolphus Busch of Anheuser-Busch fame, and it opened again as the Johnson Hotel in 1905. Busch died in 1913, and the building reverted to the Budweiser Company, but was quickly sold off, with many other places, when Prohibition hit in 1920.

The hotel then went through several private owners, finally becoming The Doyle in 1944 after Jim “Doc” Doyle won $444,444.44 in the Irish lottery. Doyle owned and operated the hotel into the 1990s. It again passed through two different owners until 2001, when current owners Pat and Vickey Kelly bought it.

Through the many years, The Doyle has hosted the famous (including Charles Dickens) and many ordinary folks, but its true calling came with the establishment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, known more familiarly as the Appalachian Trail.

The trail was conceived by Burton MacKaye, a forester from Connecticut, who wrote the original plan in 1921. The first section of the trail, from Bear Mountain to Harriman State Park in New York, opened in 1923. The trail was completed in 1937, from Mount Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It passes through 14 states, is maintained by 31 hiking clubs and is managed by the National Park Service.

In 1948, Earl Shaffer of York, Pa., became the first person to hike the entire length, walking south to north. He later did it north to south, becoming the first to do it in both directions. Finally, at the age of 82, he completed his third through-hike in 1998.

Approximately 1,200 hikers a year do some section of the trail. This includes between 400 and 500 through-hikers a year (though only 18 percent make their goal of the entire trail). Most hikers do the trail from south to north, starting in March or April and ending in Maine in late summer. An average through-hike takes five to seven months. The current record, posted above the bar at the Doyle, belongs to Matt Kirk of North Carolina, who did the entire 2,185 miles in 58.4 days—averaging an amazing 36 miles per day.

Throughout its course, the Appalachian Trail crosses many roads and through a lot of towns where hikers can stock up on food and supplies. Duncannon is one such town, and, when there, the Doyle Hotel is a must.

The Doyle gets hikers from all over the world.

“Germany is big,” says Pat Kelly, as almost 30 Germans a year stop by, as well as hikers from New Zealand, Australia and Japan—even a Buddhist monk from Korea. And at all times of the year. He had six through-hikers stop by in February.

All the hikers use unique trail names (very few real names are used) and leave and receive messages all along the trail. The Doyle has its own message board, along with a display of postcards sent by through-hikers who have completed the trail.

The Doyle is a no-frills hostel where hikers can get a bed, a shower and something to eat and drink. The food is great, the hospitality is unmatched, and the atmosphere is enhanced by the jukebox (programmed by the owner). There is also free Internet access and a pool table. Since the Kellys took over the hotel, they have been refurbishing the rooms with fresh paint and new beds and linens. There is even a free shuttle for the hikers to the nearby Mutzabaugh Market to stock up on food and other necessities for the trail.

Pat Kelly, originally from Shipoke in Harrisburg, retired from the cable TV industry and began cooking as a hobby. Taking over the hotel, he said, was an opportunity to share his passion with the public, and his mostly southern-inspired menu with daily specials has drawn both hikers and local diners in search of a good meal.

Kelly’s extensive menu includes popular favorites like his handmade one-third and one-half pound burgers, home-cut fries and super wings. He cooks up all his own soups, as well as a “hot” chili. Wife Vickey, a Mississippi native, serves up the generous portions and the warmest of welcomes. There are no tablecloths—just good food, a great selection of beer and fantastic people.

The Doyle Hotel is old, the building is tired, but it’s worth the trip. Rub elbows with the local crowd as well as the hikers. You might even want to visit on the summer solstice—it’s “Hike Naked Day.”

The Doyle Hotel is located at 7 N. Market St., Duncannon. Call 717-834-6789.

May News Digest

May 29, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Baltimore Named Councilman

The Harrisburg City Council last month named Jeffrey Baltimore as its newest member, filling a seat left vacant by the sudden death of Eugenia Smith.

Baltimore bested a field of 12 candidates, but not before a deadlocked vote was broken by Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

For six rounds, the council split its vote between Baltimore, accountant Alex Reber and former Councilman Kelly Summerford. After Summerford dropped out, the council remained torn between Baltimore and Reber, a key aide to former city controller and mayoral candidate Dan Miller.

Papenfuse then cast the tie-breaking vote for Baltimore, lauding him for his “dedication to education and youth,” his community spirit and his “extensive background in economic development.”

Baltimore once served in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development under former Mayor Stephen Reed. After leaving the administration in 2000, he worked for the state Department of Community and Economic Development and for the York County Economic Development Corp.

Currently, Baltimore is a postal worker, a building contractor and heads up BMORE U, a “personal training enterprise” that teaches that healthy living is key to a successful life.

The council seat had been vacant for about a month following Smith’s death on April 11.

Kim Takes Democratic Primary

Incumbent state Rep. Patty Kim is set to claim a second term after handily beating back a primary challenge.

Kim tallied 4,251 votes versus 1,172 for challenger Gina Johnson-Roberson in the Democratic primary for the 103rd legislative district, which includes Harrisburg, Steelton, Highspire and part of Swatara Township. She is likely to win re-election as the Republican Party failed to run a candidate for the seat.

In other local races, former Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson won the Democratic primary for the fourth Congressional district after running unopposed. She will face incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry in the Nov. 4 general election.

Harrisburg Councilman Brad Koplinski placed fourth in a field of five in his bid for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor. The victor, Philadelphia state Sen. Mike Stack, will run with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tom Wolf against Republican incumbents Gov. Tom Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley in November.

City Plans Light Fixes

Harrisburg plans to replace most of its streetlights by the end of the year, fixing a years-long problem that has left many streets in the dark, the city said last month.

Shortly, Harrisburg will issue a request for proposals to install energy-efficient LED lights for its 4,269 “cobra-head” light fixtures, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“I believe [the installation] can be done before the end of the year,” he said.

The $2 to $3 million project will be paid through funds from the city’s infrastructure silo, which was set up as part of its economic recovery plan.

The city also has 1,131 “acorn-style” fixtures. Those lights will be replaced in a later phase of work.

LED lights should save the city about $250,000 a year in energy costs and are as much as 10-times brighter than the existing lights, said Papenfuse.

In addition, Harrisburg has begun repairing and replacing the 72 broken light fixtures in the city, many of which have been downed by auto accidents or age. So far, seven fixtures have been fixed. This work will continue over the next few months, independent of the RFP.

Harrisburg also is asking for help from the community. On June 7, two groups—Historic Harrisburg Association and Lighten Up Harrisburg—will sponsor a Glow Run to help raise money to defray some of the cost of the light replacement. A new bulb costs $75 to purchase, plus the cost of labor, said city Treasurer John Campbell.

To find out more about the Glow Run 5K, see our story in this issue or visit https://historicharrisburg.com.

Trash-Cleanup Campaign

City Councilwoman Sandra Reid last month unveiled a new program of aggressive enforcement of Harrisburg’s trash and litter ordinances.

The program, nicknamed Operation C.O.P.E., would encourage citations for landlords and homeowners who improperly dispose of household waste or allow unsightly garbage to pile outside their properties.

“The days of you throwing out anything you want, wherever you want, whenever you want, are over,” Reid said at a press conference in City Hall.

Under Operation C.O.P.E., for “Clean Up, Observe/Organize, Provide, Enforce,” tickets would be issued for anything from leaving trash curbside on a non-pickup day to setting out garbage that is not properly enclosed in a lidded trashcan.

The program also would encourage volunteer groups to organize cleanup days in city neighborhoods.

Reid has also planned for a new position of “solid waste education enforcement technician,” who will bear primary responsibility for ticketing property owners for improper disposal.

The position, which was budgeted for in 2014 at a $40,700 salary, is currently unfilled and will remain so at least until the city lifts its temporary hiring freeze. Nonetheless, Reid said she hoped to begin stepping up enforcement in late July or early August.

City Hall Donations Received

Harrisburg last month received several donations to improve City Hall and the Public Safety Building.

Penn National Insurance donated $5,000 to help make repairs and renovations to the downtown building and will repair the flag post in the courtyard that was damaged recently when a car struck it, said city spokeswoman Joyce Davis.

Touch of Color Flooring soon will re-carpet the public hallway on the second floor, she said. Harrisburg-based Touch of Color already has installed new carpeting in the Public Safety Building’s Emergency Operations Center and walkway from City Hall, as well as in the main elevators.

In addition, the College Club of Harrisburg recently donated $100 to the City Hall Beautiful Fund, which has received other donations from individuals throughout the Harrisburg area, according to the city.

The family of the late Gov. George M. Leader has donated labor and materials to renovate the police bureau’s roll call and break rooms, in addition to providing new appliances for the break room, the city said.

“We continue to see area businesses and individuals step up to show support for Harrisburg’s recovery,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “The outpouring of local and regional support to help our capital city thrive is truly heartening. We encourage other civic-minded businesses throughout the region to join in this important program to maintain our government center.”

West Shore Hospital Opens

PinnacleHealth’s West Shore Hospital opened last month in Mechanicsburg, the first new hospital to be built in central Pennsylvania in decades.

The five-story, 188,000-square-foot facility features 108 private rooms, seven operating rooms and a 12-bed intensive care unit. Services offered include acute and emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics, surgical services and chronic disease management.

“We are excited about the opening of the West Shore Hospital and our ability to provide area residents with access to world-class care close to their homes,” said Michael A. Young, PinnacleHealth president and CEO. “The hospital represents a new chapter in healthcare that will touch the lives of West Shore residents for decades to come.”

The hospital campus offers a walking trail available to the public. The scenic, paved footpath is divided among its one-mile distance for exercise and respite.

West Shore Hospital is expected to create 500 new healthcare jobs by 2017, said PinnacleHealth.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2510: U.S. Bank National Association to Nish Properties, $35,000

Bellevue Rd., 1901: Anthony Properties LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $67,500

Benton St., 543: PA Deals LLC to L. Shoffner & T. Samsel, $37,500

Berryhill St., 1701: Unilever Manufacturing US Inc. to Philadelphia Macaroni Co., $1 million

Boas St., 302: J. Hammer to M. Cantwell, $134,900

Briggs St., 209: J. & S. Brellos to C. Delozier, $39,900

Derry St., 2336: Mahe Enterprises LLC to E. Hernandez, $48,000

Green St., 1801 & 1803: B. Winpenney to Heinly Homes LLC, $190,000

Green St., 1834: L. & A. Lara to WCI Partners LP, $55,000

Green St., 1839: SCS Partnership to WCI Partners LP, $1.8 million

Green St., 2047: T. & J. Leonard to A. & A. Selkowitz, $175,000

Hoffman St., 3221: S. & S. Keo to W. Wood, $75,000

Holly St., 2020: B. Budesheim to W. & L. Brown, $51,000

Kelker St., 435: A. Krawczyk to E. Gish, $112,500

Kensington St., 2128: W. Scott to T. & S. James, $58,000

Kensington St., 2240: S. Lascara to D. Murphy, $31,000

Kensington St., 2316: D. Andres Jr. to B. Kelley, $40,218

Lewis St., 309: H. Lonon et al to J. Laing, $65,000

Market St., 315: Susquehanna Bank to 26th Street LLC, $82,000

Muench St., 210: K. Kingston et al to WCI Partners LP, $225,000

Muench St., 236: Bank of New York Mellon Trustee to WCI Partners LP, $53,500

North St., 260, 262: R. & T. Hanna to TJC East Properties, $370,000

N. 2nd St., 1901: Pharma Enterprises LLC to WCI Partners LP, $225,000

N. 2nd St., 2131: M. Owens & S. Luci to J. & R. Miller, $87,500

N. 3rd St., 2317: Centric Bank to Sam Hill Properties LLC, $49,636

N. 3rd St., 2319: Centric Bank to Sam Hill Properties LLC, $61,091

N. 3rd St., 2419: S. Pierce to M. & S. Kreines, $138,000

N. 7th St., 1641 & 1803: Aizen LLC to US Recycling LLC, $350,000

N. 16th St., 520: Trusted Source Capital LLC to M. McWilliams, $30,000

N. Front St., 2837, Unit 201: M. Seipos to R. & L. Barry, $77,000

Paxton St., 1640: J. Booth to C. Barboza, $52,000

S. 4th St., 19: Mater & Mater to S. Mater, $175,000

S. 14th St., 361: J. Rodriguez to Urena Diaz Property, $33,000

S. 14th St., 400: D. Boyle to J. Rodriguez, $40,000

S. 15th St., 916: D. White to R. & A. Mortha, $83,000

S. 25th St., 610: M. & B. Sumy to I. Yolov, $57,000

State St., 1624: M. Guerrero to WLW Holdings LLC, $58,000

Summit St., 160: P. Bayer to J. & J. Domenico, $30,000

Swatara St., 1316: D. & J. Boyle to K. Daniel, $32,000

Verbeke St., 252: A. O’Neal to A. Kennedy-Shaffer, $169,900

Vernon St., 1451: D. & J. Boyle to J. Rodriguez, $30,000

Wyeth St., 1403: S. Guszick III to M. Miller, $116,000

Harrisburg property sales for April 2014, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Papenfuse to Perform 1st Same-Sex Wedding

May 27, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

A scene from last week’s rally at the Capitol after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse will perform his first same-sex marriage ceremony tomorrow, according to his office.

Papenfuse said that he will wed Terry F. Toothman and Joseph J. Villone, former long-time city residents who have been a couple for 38 years. Both men spent their careers working in Harrisburg.

The wedding will take place in the atrium of City Hall at 4 p.m.

“The honor is all mine in being asked to perform the ceremony,” Papenfuse said. “And I welcome all couples that would like to wed at City Hall. I have already performed several marriage ceremonies and am delighted to do so for any couple that wants to make this public commitment.”

Papenfuse has received several other requests to preside over same-sex marriages, which will take place over the next few weeks, according to his office.

Fire Drill

May 23, 2014 | by Paul Barker

Early Wednesday morning, just south of the spot in Uptown Harrisburg where Wildwood Park meets Industrial Road, a thin cloud of smoke from a scorched brick building drifted up through rain. Nearby, a fire engine flashed its lights silently. Across a parking lot, seven or eight fire cadets, half-accoutered, stared out of a garage at the dreary weather, like stringers on the sidelines of a muddy game.

It was the beginning of a long day of live burns, part of the training regime of Harrisburg Area Community College’s 51st Fire Academy, whose number includes the 13 newest recruits to the Harrisburg fire bureau. The cadets, in their ninth week of training, had taken a first pass at the exercises the week before; this round would be their last preparation before formal national testing. “We give them as realistic as they can be safe with,” said Perry Pierich, one of the coordinators. “If it goes wrong—here, nothing happens to you, but if you miss a victim, or the fire doesn’t go out right, or the hose comes off in a pile, or you drop something, that’s a big deal, because that’s a big deal if they do that when they leave here.”

At the garage, engines pulled up and unloaded cadets from the previous shift. Fresh from dousing the indoor blaze, they carried the smell of wood smoke with them. Meanwhile, back at the training ground, instructors started another burn, igniting half a bale of hay and some piled wooden skids in a second-story room. Soon yellow-gray smoke poured from the metal window shutters, and orange spears of flame licked out around the edges. Truck sirens wailed, but only briefly—a 50-yard drive, and the cadets were on the scene, calmly unloading ladders.

Ron Givler, who has taught in HACC’s program since 1984, stood out of the rain under a nearby shelter. A pair of cadets tested a locked door, one of them tapping with the blunt end of an ax blade. Givler, a former industrial firefighter for Bethlehem Steel, explained that firefighters must learn to “read doors,” that is, quickly assess whether they open inwards or outwards. Sometimes instructors flip the practice doors, he said, just to keep cadets on their toes.

The cadets tipped ladders up to the second-story windows. “When you’ve got—we call ‘em your brothers—going in, you make sure you put staircases in every window,” Givler said. He recounted a case of New York City firefighters who jumped to their deaths after an apartment fire got out of control, trapping them on an upper floor. “We teach ‘em, they’ve got to learn how to save themselves, because the cavalry is here, it’s not coming.”

A cadet knelt a dozen or so feet from the structure and started putting on a mask. Givler approved. It was important to keep the entire scene in view, he said. “We want them to not get focused on that fire itself, but on the whole goal.” The cadets entered the building, and a couple of minutes later, the shutters flew open and long jets of water arced out of the windows.

Brandon Trygar, of Northumberland County, one of 13 Harrisburg fire recruits in HACC’s 51st Fire Academy.

A short while later, the smoke had mostly subsided, and the tinder could be seen through the window, smoldering with subdued flames. In the garage, the returning cadets shed their gear, while the other shift, rested, suited up for a victim rescue. The station manager of WHBG-TV approached one of the cadets with a camera, prompting ribbing from the others. “Real American Heee-roes,” someone sang. “Here’s to you, Mr. You-Got-Caught-On-TV.”

Brandon Trygar, from Northumberland County, stood with his helmet off in the garage bay, steam rising from his head. The instructors had added obstacles since the first round of live burns, he said, such as a boarded-up door. It was 10 a.m., and there were still many exercises to come. “There might be more tricks up their sleeve,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Harrisburg Soon to Have 311 Number for City Services

May 22, 2014 | by Paul Barker

Jeffrey Edwards, Harrisburg's director of IT, left, and Phred Barber, network administrator for the city, at a press conference Thursday in the mayor's city hall office.

Jeffrey Edwards, Harrisburg’s director of IT, left, and Fred Barber, network administrator for the city, at a press conference Thursday in the mayor’s conference room in city hall.

Harrisburg is on track to have a new 311 information system for non-emergency government services, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said Thursday, thanks to the state Public Utility Commission’s approval of a city petition to administer the three-digit dialing code.

The 311 code, whose use will be restricted to Harrisburg residents, will connect callers to a centralized, automated directory of city services. Under the existing system, residents either would need to look up the numbers of individual city departments or, as often happened, would simply dial 911 with non-emergency calls, tying up the county’s dispatchers.

Papenfuse recommended the adoption of a 311 system during his campaign for office last year. In March, the city submitted a petition to the PUC, who announced its approval Thursday following a 5-0 vote by its commissioners.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Papenfuse suggested the PUC’s approval had come more swiftly than expected, although Robin Tilley, an information specialist with the commission, later said that the city didn’t actually require PUC approval to use the 311 code.

Papenfuse also added Thursday that certain infrastructure upgrades necessary for running the system were well underway. In the next two to three months, the city expects to replace its phone system with one that will be able to accommodate 311 calls. The city also recently replaced its previous Internet provider, Windstream Communications, with Comcast. According to Fred Barber, a network administrator in the city’s IT department, the change will both improve city hall’s download speeds by a factor of 75 and save around $3,000 per year.

The 311 dialing code, assigned for use nationwide by the FCC in 1997, has been implemented in cities such as Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York. Tilley, from the PUC, explained that the code would work for landlines located in Harrisburg, as well as some, but not all, cell phones, depending on the caller’s provider and the location of its towers. Cities can also provide a direct 10-digit number to cell phone users in case the 311 code doesn’t work, Tilley said.

On Thursday, Papenfuse held up the plans for the 311 system as an example of how his administration has prioritized communication with city residents. He also used the press conference to celebrate an “exciting rebranding” of Harrisburg, in the form of a five-minute music video, “Harrisburg Be Happy,” that was released earlier this week.

Produced by volunteers, including Ryan Grigsby, who designed the city’s new website, Cory Cross, who provided camera equipment free of charge, and Michelle Green, a local director, it features clips of city residents and officials, including Papenfuse, the police chief and the City Council president, dancing to the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. On Wednesday, the video was posted to YouTube, where as of this writing it had registered more than 2,500 views.

Corbett: Same-Sex Marriage Here to Stay

May 21, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

A scene from yesterday’s celebration of same-sex marriage rights at the Pennsylvania Capitol.

The right for same-sex couples to marry will not be taken away, as Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett today said he will not appeal the federal court ruling that struck down the state’s prohibition on gay marriage.

Corbett today released the following statement. It says that, while he personally does not support same-sex marriage, he would not appeal yesterday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, as an appeal likely would not be successful.

Statement Regarding the Opinion of Judge Jones in the Whitewood Case

“I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision.

“As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.

“Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that Commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.

“It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.”

Harrisburg Mayor Ready to Perform Same-Sex Marriages

May 20, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse speaks at a recent event.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse today said he stands ready to perform same-sex marriages after a federal court struck down Pennsylvania’s gay marriage ban.

Furthermore, he said he “welcomes” the ruling by U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, which was issued earlier today.

“This is an historic ruling, and one that I wholeheartedly welcome,” Papenfuse said. “The doors of City Hall are open to all couples who want to wed.”

Papenfuse has performed several wedding ceremonies in his first months in office, and he said will wed same-sex couples who request it.

Jones’ ruling was the fourth state ban to be struck down over the past month.

Click here for more information on this story.

Harrisburg Mayor: The Lights Are Coming Back On

May 14, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg has begun repairing light fixtures throughout the city, including this one in Riverfront Park in Shipoke.

Harrisburg plans to replace most of its streetlights by the end of the year, fixing a years-long problem that has left many streets in the dark, the city said today.

Shortly, the city will issue a request for proposals (RFP) to install energy-efficient LED lights for its 4,269 “cobra-head” light fixtures, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“I believe [the installation] can be done before the end of the year,” he said.

The $2 to $3 million project will be paid through funds from the city’s infrastructure silo, which was set up as part of its economic recovery plan.

The city also has 1,131 “acorn-style” fixtures. Those lights will be replaced in a second phase of work.

LED lights should save the city about $250,000 a year in energy costs and are as much as 10-times brighter than the existing lights, said Papenfuse.

In addition, Harrisburg has begun repairing and replacing the 72 broken light fixtures in the city, many of which have been downed through auto accidents or age. So far, seven fixtures have been fixed. This work will continue over the next few months, independent of the RFP.

To find out more about the Glow Run 5K, visit https://historicharrisburg.com.

Peacemaker

May 13, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Jeffrey Baltimore, right, takes the oath of office as Harrisburg’s newest City Council member.

“I only want to serve. I want to do the best job I can for the people.”

Jeffrey Baltimore spoke those words following a whirlwind evening that saw him plucked from the audience and ushered in as Harrisburg’s newest councilman. No one seemed more surprised by the selection than Baltimore himself, a postal worker who had served for years as a mid-level official in former Mayor Steve Reed’s administration.

Dressed in denim, Baltimore, after taking the oath of office, gingerly approached the plush chair last occupied by Eugenia Smith, whose sudden death last month shook her council colleagues and the city itself. Baltimore sat down, and council President Wanda Williams patiently explained some procedure to him, offering a little background on the rather complex issues they’d be voting on that night. Just minutes in office, a steep learning curve ahead, Baltimore held equal authority to the other six members of council.

There are certain people who are well known in Harrisburg’s political circles. Of the four finalists for the council seat, two would fit that category: former Councilman Kelly Summerford and Alex Reber, who helped run former Controller Dan Miller’s recent mayoral campaign. Two would not: Baltimore and Michelle Blade, a retired conference facilitator and moderator.

So then why did the relatively unknown Baltimore prove successful, especially over Summerford and Reber, both well-connected and politically savvy? In the end, Baltimore’s selection seemed to be equal parts quality, politics and serendipity. Let’s begin with serendipity.

Last evening’s council meeting started with an unsettling revelation. Previously, council said it had received 12 applications for the open seat, which it winnowed to the four finalists. Actually, 16 were sent, the city revealed, as four were caught behind an anti-virus firewall, unceremoniously dumped into a spam folder. So, four applicants, who may have been well qualified, were immediately shut out.

In terms of quality, Baltimore, by some measures, is well-positioned for this role. He served for years in the Reed administration, ending his tenure in 2000 as acting deputy director in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. In that capacity, he administered Reed’s revolving loan fund program. He then took jobs both in the state Department of Community and Economic Development and in the York County Economic Development Corp. For the past seven years, he has worked as a building contractor, a mail carrier and an advocate for healthy city living.

But it’s perhaps the political dimension that seemed so fascinating in his selection. Through six rounds, Reber received three votes, Baltimore two and Summerford one, with council members refusing to change their votes despite the gridlock. Then Summerford took to the public microphone, withdrawing, as he said, for the good of the city.

With Summerford out, Councilwoman Sandra Reid switched her vote to Baltimore, tying the tally at three. With all rounds expired, it was up to Mayor Eric Papenfuse to break the stalemate. He rose from his seat, went to a microphone and firmly declared his support for Baltimore. With that, the man from the Reed administration completed his unlikely reintroduction to the body politic.

Immediately, the press and onlookers began to speculate on Papenfuse’s vote. Was Baltimore’s selection a swipe at the mayor’s former political rival, Dan Miller? Was it, as PennLive columnist Matt Zencey seemed to imply in a tweet denounced by several council members, partly racially motivated?

Personally, I found it fascinating that Papenfuse cast his deciding vote for the man who, for years, headed up Reed’s revolving loan fund, which loaned public money to private businesses. Just a couple of years ago, during a weekend-long program on Harrisburg history held at his Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Papenfuse characterized the fund as a source of corruption in the Reed administration. In a promotional blurb for the program, a Midtown Scholar brochure stated that the money was given to an assortment of unproven and unsavory businesses. Indeed, many of the businesses that received loans never paid them back.

For his part, Papenfuse told me today that his vote for Baltimore was proactive, that he admired his “dedication to education and youth,” and that he seemed “well-connected to the community and independent-minded.” He said he also was impressed with Baltimore’s “extensive background in economic development.”

Speaking with me, Baltimore said he cared greatly about his community and only wished to serve the people. He seemed genuinely overwhelmed by his selection and vowed to be a conscientious, attentive member of council. In addition, as Reid pointed out when promoting Summerford, City Council should have more than one member from Allison Hill, the city’s most densely populated area. Baltimore, who lives on 17th Street, provides that geographical diversity.

However, I believe the greatest immediate benefit to the city would be if the appointment helped smooth the rocky relationship that has been building between the administration and a majority of City Council. Upon his election, Papenfuse vowed to work closely with council. However, the growing animosity between the two bodies has begun to resemble the antagonistic, dysfunctional relationships during the Reed and Thompson administrations.

In voting for Baltimore, Papenfuse sided with members of council who have opposed many of his initiatives, starting with a battle over the budget and growing after police arrested the Bishop Augustus Sullivan for code violations after his church partially collapsed. Last week’s strange public spat between city official Karl Singleton and council President Wanda Williams demonstrated just how frayed the relationship had become between administration and council.

Baltimore may end up being a fantastic councilman–or he may not. However, both sides should use this opportunity to re-set their relationship. To progress, Harrisburg needs its branches of government to respect one another and try to get along. The inability of the mayor and council to communicate and cooperate has been a continuing problem for years, leaving residents caught in the middle of a seemingly endless feud.

Baltimore, both as a symbol and through his actions, could offer a way to break free from this escalating hostility. He could even make it a priority to promote understanding between city officials, helping them seek common ground. The administration and City Council legitimately will never agree on everything, but, for the city to move forward, peace needs to be made.

City Receives Gifts to Improve City Hall, Police Bureau

May 12, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

City Council chambers in Harrisburg City Hall.

Harrisburg has received several donations to improve City Hall and the Public Safety Building, the city said today.

The family of the late Gov. George M. Leader has donated labor and materials to renovate the police bureau’s roll call and break rooms, in addition to new appliances for the break room, the city said.

“We continue to see area businesses and individuals step up to show support for Harrisburg’s recovery,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse, who will officially announce the gifts tomorrow at a press conference. “The outpouring of local and regional support to help our capital city thrive is truly heartening. We encourage other civic-minded businesses throughout the region to join in this important program to maintain our government center.”

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