Council, School Board Members Elected
Election Day unfolded with few surprises in Harrisburg, as most city offices were uncontested for the general election.
Last month, incumbent Danielle Bowers and newcomers Crystal Davis and Lamont Jones won three, four-year seats on Harrisburg City Council. The Democrats were unchallenged as no Republicans ran in the race.
Likewise, incumbent Treasurer Dan Miller faced no Republican opposition and won another four-year term.
The Harrisburg school board race also was not competitive, as Democrats Ellis R. Roy, James Thompson, Doug Thompson Leader, Terricia Radcliff and Autumn Anderson all won four-year terms running unopposed.
For magisterial district justice, Matthew Pianka won the race for District 12-1-02, with almost two-thirds of the vote. He was unopposed on the ballot but faced opposition from Autumn Fair, who ran a vigorous write-in campaign.
For District 12-1-04 newcomer Mikaela Sloan won running unopposed, as did incumbent MDJ Hanif Johnson in District 12-1-05.
Democrats Flip County Commissioner Board
Democrats last month flipped the Dauphin County board of commissioners, taking an unexpected majority.
Challenger Justin Douglas narrowly won the third seat on the three-seat board, polling ahead of sitting Republican commissioner Chad Saylor by 147 votes.
On Election Day, Douglas held a 42-vote lead, a figure later revised up by more than 100 votes after all provisional and outstanding absentee ballots were tallied. Therefore, next year, Democrats will hold a 2-1 majority on the board for the first time in a century or more.
“I am profoundly grateful to the voters who have proven that local elections wield significant influence and that the voice of the people can bring about transformative change,” Douglas said. “This win is a testament to the power of community-driven politics, and I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility.”
Otherwise, two long-time incumbents—Democrat George Hartwick and Republican Mike Pries—were both re-elected for four-year terms.
Elsewhere in the county, Republican Nick DiFrancesco defeated Democrat Fred Faylona for treasurer, while Democrat Bridget Whitley bettered Republican John McDonald for clerk of courts.
For recorder of deeds, incumbent Republican Jim Zugay narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Tami Dykes.
In other county races, the Republican incumbents—District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti, Controller Mary Bateman and Register of Wills Jean Marfizo King—all won, running unopposed.
Harrisburg “Best Place” for Retirement
The Harrisburg metro is the top place for retirement in the nation, according to a new report.
Last month, U.S. News & World Report issued its annual “Best Places to Retire” in the United States in 2024, ranking the Harrisburg area first among the country’s 150 most populous metropolitan areas.
“It’s great to see a national publication recognizing what we already know, living and working here everyday, that Harrisburg is one of the best places to live and retire in the country,” responded Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.
According to U.S. News, Harrisburg took the top spot based on metrics such as affordability and health care.
“While Harrisburg isn’t necessarily regarded as affluent, it has a more affordable housing market and a lower cost of living than many of the East Coast’s larger metro areas,” according to the report.
In all, U.S. News based its ranking on six factors: affordability, health care quality, happiness, desirability, job market ratings and retiree taxes. Affordability was weighted most heavily and, for 2024, was expanded to include the comparative cost of general goods, as opposed to just housing.
Harrisburg moved up one spot from last year, when U.S. News ranked it No. 2 in the nation for retirement. The metro displaced Lancaster, which fell from No. 1 to No. 3 in the 2024 list. In all, Pennsylvania cities took seven of the top 10 positions.
Parent Task Force Formed
Harrisburg is employing the help of local parents to address an important issue.
Mayor Wanda Williams last month announced the creation of a Parent Task Force to discuss youth safety and violence prevention.
“So many of the issues we face in this city start within the walls of someone’s home. In some cases, families don’t even have that much,” said Williams in a statement. “We cannot parent from city hall, but we can be a helping hand and a listening ear, and that is what I want to come out of this task force.”
The task force includes Williams, City Council member and chair of the public safety committee, Ralph Rodriguez, Capt. Russell Winder, who oversees community policing in the Harrisburg Police Bureau, and a representative from the Harrisburg School District. City parents can sign up to participate, as well.
The city held the first meeting last month and will hold successive meetings the second Wednesday of each month, starting Jan. 10, in council chambers in Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center, 10 N. 2nd St.
At the meetings, parents will be able to speak with city and school district officials to discuss neighborhood and family concerns and to help seek ways to prevent violence, according to the city.
Home Sales Dip, Prices Rise
Home sales in the Harrisburg area slipped in October, but prices went up, in the latest report on previously owned houses.
In the three-county region, 514 homes sold, a decrease from 589 in October 2022, as the median sales price increased to $267,000 from $245,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).
In Dauphin County, sales totaled 229 homes compared to 302 in the year-ago period, as the median price rose to $229,000 from $218,500, GHAR stated.
Cumberland County had 242 home sales, a small decrease from 254 last year, as the median price shot up to $321,000 versus $283,000 the prior October, GHAR said.
In Perry County, 34 homes sold compared to 26 last October, as the median price rose to $250,000 versus $229,000, according to GHAR.
The pace of sales was nearly unchanged, as “average days on market” stood at 18 days versus 19 days in October 2022, GHAR stated.
So Noted
EA Media Solutions last month announced its formation as a new media planning and buying agency. The agency is led by two area advertising industry veterans: Jennifer Andren and Yvonne Evans. For more information, visit www.eamediasolutions.com.
Elementary Coffee Co. and Little Amps Coffee Roasters last month released the collaborative “Phoenix” coffee blend, with proceeds helping to benefit the Broad Street Market, which suffered a devastating fire in July. The coffee is available for purchase at the retail locations of both Harrisburg-based companies.
Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads debuted last month in the Broad Street Market’s stone building. Owners Dave and Kaci Shirey offer both traditional and creative pies, including several with smoked meats and homemade barbecue sauces, a specialty gained from their long-time food truck, Piper Belle’s BBQ.
santāl skin held its ribbon cutting in late October at its new location at 3540 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill. Owner Natalie Feaster runs the “medical spa,” which focuses on results-driven skin care products and services. For more information, visit www.santalskin.com.
Sprocket Mural Works and Carole DeSoto have been named the 2024 recipients of the Awards for Distinguished Service to Arts in the Capital Region, an annual honor bestowed by Theatre Harrisburg. Since its founding in 2014, Sprocket has mounted over 100 murals throughout central Pa., while DeSoto has supported and volunteered with numerous area arts organizations over many decades.
In Memoriam
Nevin Mindlin, a former candidate for Harrisburg mayor, died last month at age 76 at his home in Fort Myers, Fla. Mindlin was the Republican nominee for mayor in 2009 and then ran briefly as an independent in 2013. Mindlin was a staunch critic of what he perceived to be excessive spending under long-time Mayor Steve Reed and of a plan to monetize municipal parking assets to pay off the city’s deep indebtedness. He also co-founded Debt Watch Harrisburg, a taxpayer-watchdog group active during the city’s financial crisis, and the nonprofit Covenant Community Corp., which supported numerous community projects, especially in Uptown Harrisburg. Originally from Bethlehem, Mindlin lived in Harrisburg for about 40 years before moving to Florida several years ago. He is survived by his partner, Jean Cutler, his three sons and six grandchildren.
Changing Hands
Allison St., 1507: 23 Hickory LLC to Kingston Three Properties LLC, $140,000
Bellevue Rd., 1960: R. Ortiz to Easy Exit Home Solutions LLC, $50,000
Berryhill St., 2432: PA Deals LLC to K. Dodson, $125,500
Boas St., 1928: BSR Rental Trust to S. Nieves & C. Goodman, $135,000
Calder St., 205: Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC to M. Parker & R. Artuso, $199,900
Capital St., 905: S. Mull to J. Elliott, $182,000
Carnation St., 1729: E. Tesfa to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $65,000
Cumberland St., 213: W. Hoover & B. Shoemaker to 213 Cumberland St LLC, $173,500
Derry St., 1127: K. Purnell to T. Carberry & T. Versano, $73,000
Derry St., 2131: Global Reach LLC to O. Campoverde, $143,000
Duke St., 2523: T. & R. Scott to G. & T. Haubert, $179,000
Emerald St., 313: G&W Rentals LLC to P. Thomas, $129,900
Emerald St., 518: SPG Capital LLC to Flip Vision LLC, $74,500
Emerald St., 623: SPG Capital LLC to V. Baker, $90,000
Forster St., 1824: S. Orr to Balaci Properties LLC, $81,500
Forster St., 1914: Big Band Investments LLC to L. & L. Morales, $88,000
Fulton St., 1405: S. Orwan to C. Bindzi, $150,000
Green St., 807: T. Wetzel & H. Potteiger to H. Wehry, $270,000
Green St., 1316: R. Massey to Harrisburg Dream Homes LLC, $75,000
Green St., 1625: B. Shoemaker to A. Corby, $255,000
Green St., 1939: A. Koser to K. Hancock, $260,000
Hale Ave., 403: C. & A. Bullock to A. Ranjan, $120,000
Herr St., 1718: M. Imler to A. Middleton, $85,000
Hunter St., 1605: S. Scott to A. & M. Burkhart, $144,000
Jefferson St., 2552 & 619 Radnor St.: Teamsters Local 776 to NASR Consultant Group Inc., $415,000
Kensington St., 2115: T. Mason to T. Thai, $52,000
Kensington St., 2266: H. Alcantara to G. Aponte, $135,000
Liberty St., 1343: SRC Capital LLC to RosaRuth Properties LLC, $62,000
Logan St., 2230: L. Murrell & E. Bey to L. Rivera, $80,000
Logan St., 2345: Enterprise 0 LLC to Ginsberg Holdings LLC, $62,500
Luce St., 2311: C. Dellmuth to Paramount Sol LLC, $105,000
Luce St., 2357: DTJ Associates LLC to T. Nguyen, $125,000
Market St., 2046: Twelfth Root LLC to Annn Investment LLC, $105,000
Naudain St., 1638: M. Holston to A&K Investments Partnership LLC, $70,000
North St., 260: TJC East Properties LLC to A. Sachs, $261,000
North St., 1613: Y. Refae to L. & P. Weeks, $105,000
N. 3rd St., 514: S. Wojdak & J. Malady to MWH North of Liberty LLC, $120,000
N. 3rd St., 1700: SF Rentals LLC to Z. & S. Pelkey, $199,950
N. 4th St., 2138: J. Almonte to K. Chea, $142,500
N. 6th St., 2517: B. Debeljak to A. Spence, $150,000
N. 6th St., 2604: Zion Management LLC to Z&E Holdings LLC, $120,000
N. 6th St., 2656: L. & L. Wade to M. Gomez, $75,000
N. 6th St., 2665: SPG Capital LLC to C. Bowers, $134,900
N. 16th St., 1019: A&K Investments Partnership LLC to A. Disla, $200,000
N. 16th St., 1200: W. Morton to C. Alcantara & P. Rodriguez, $110,000
N. 16th St., 1201: R. Vega to J. Morales, $135,000
N. 18th St., 72: Link Investments Properties LLC & Premier Property Management to Global Reach LLC, $66,000
N. 18th St., 84: D. & R. Requa to A. Levejac, $55,000
N. 18th St., 815: Dobson Family Limited Partnership to J. Warren, $91,200
N. 18th St., 1001 & 1800 Boas St.: Harrisburg School District to Fernandez Realty Affordable Homes LLC, $240,000
N. 19th St., 719: J. Roberts to S. Cyprys, $95,600
N. Front St., 1601: BBHQ LLC to Third Street Realty Co., $625,000
Oxford St., 609: L. Williams to N. Hufford, $120,000
Penn St., 1723: JD CPW 2013 LLC to B. Hall, $175,000
Race St., 556: J. Wheaton to C. Wheaton, $200,000
Reel St., 2734: MS AM Properties Inc. to I. Bah, $140,000
Seneca St., 652: C. & D. McKee to D. Boyle, $58,000
South St., 105: 608 N. Third LLC to J. Unti, $150,000
S. 12th St., 1522: SPG Capital LLC to A. Wood, $95,000
S. 14th St., 309: L. Reyes to 3DSt LLC, $110,000
S. 14th St., 339: A. Araujo to A. Moreta, $90,000
S. 15th St., 27: SRC Capital LLC to E. Rivera, $62,000
S. 16th St., 900: C. Gillespie to P. & B. Singh, $100,000
S. 16th St., 902: B. Owens to JR Soto Construction LLC, $125,000
S. 16th St., 904A: B. Owens to A. Bouhach, $84,000
S. 19th St., 1340: S. Orr to M. Clarke, $135,000
S. 25th St., 602: D. Glatfelter to M. Orea & L. Luna, $110,000
S. 25th St., 732: H. Alcantara to P. Bullock, $155,000
S. Front St., 591: M. Follett to T. Buehler, $265,000
State St., 1410: S. Kochis to SNB Real Estate Solutions LLC, $90,000
State St., 1618: D. & T. Welsh & Habitat for Humanity to R. Tracey, $143,800
State St., 1907: S. Branch to DTJ Associates LLC, $65,000
Susquehanna St., 1716: S. Goodman & R. Xu to E. Helmick & G. Baldwin, $171,000
Swatara St., 2113: S. Orr to A. Spence, $110,000
Swatara St., 2148: N. Cole to J. Colon & Y. Mendez, $115,000
Sycamore St., 1725: M. & N. Bria to W. Winters & C. Deane, $120,000
Sylvan Terr., 134: Enterprise O LLC to Sky Resort Rentals LLC, $60,000
Verbeke St., 226: J. Murison to C. McCoy, $199,900
Verbeke St., 1424: SPG Capital LLC to P. & T. Eiland, $149,900
Whitehall St., 1849: Best By LLC to Zac Penn LLC, $55,500
Wiconisco St., 626: C. Boddie, D. Branch & A. Haygood to M. Morgan, $55,000
Harrisburg property sales, October 2023, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.
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