Tag Archives: Dennise Hill

Harrisburg plans to clear homeless encampment, citing health, safety concerns

January 12, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Dennise Hill, Harrisburg’s director of building and housing development, spoke at Thursday’s press conference, flanked by other city officials.

Harrisburg plans to permanently shut down one of the city’s largest homeless encampments, citing concerns over sanitation and safety.

The city is giving people beneath the Mulberry Street Bridge, near Mulberry and Cameron streets, a week to vacate, after which the Department of Public Works will move in and clean up the area.

“Unfortunately, in order to clean up the full space, everyone currently residing there must leave,” said Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director, during a press conference on Thursday morning. “This is gut-wrenching. Nobody wants to do this, but it has to be done for the safety of everyone involved.”

The city estimates that 50 to 65 people are present in the encampment on any given day. However, “less than half” that number resides there permanently, said Randie Yeager, the director of Dauphin County human services. The city’s shelters will be able to absorb the displaced population, she said.

“Our winter overnight shelters are open and operating and we have not yet reached full capacity in any of those winter overnight shelters,” she said. “So, there are options for our homeless residents to enter shelters from 7 p.m. in the evening until 7 a.m. the next morning.”

The city, Maisel said, was forced to take action due to a severe rat infestation in the encampment, attracted to build-ups of trash and food waste. Public works employees recently were almost bitten during their twice-a-week cleanups at the site, said David West, public works director.

“The rats are very large. They’re jumping out of the trashcans. They’re jumping out of the dumpsters as my employees are trying to haul the trash away,” he said. “It is a very dangerous and hazardous situation that must be taken care of because it’s only going to get worse if we don’t do anything about it.”

The cleanup will begin late next week and take 24 to 48 hours to complete, involving both heavy equipment, such as loaders, and hand tools like rakes, West said.

Moreover, city police report “a recent spike in violent crime, drug usage and overdoses, sex workers, rapes, stabbings and shootings” in the area beneath the bridge, Maisel said.

Social service agencies that serve the homeless population have begun informing people of the city’s decision to clear out the area by next Thursday. After the area is cleaned up, people will not be allowed to return, Maisel said.

“We will have police patrolling the area in the days and weeks following to ensure no one comes back once the cleanup happens,” he said.

Dennise Hill, the city’s director of building and housing development and a board member of Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, praised the groups that provide services to the city’s homeless population, some of which the city and county help to fund.

“We are exploring alternative housing options within the city to support these efforts on a more long-term basis,” she said. “However, the safety and health hazards occurring at the encampment create a sense of urgency that cannot be ignored or delayed.”

Maisel said that, at this time, the city has no plans to clear out other homeless encampments, such as the sprawling camp beneath the I-83 bridge near the PennDOT building.

Yeager added that her department and other social service agencies conduct outreach daily with the area’s homeless population and that they will continue to do so, wherever people relocate to.

“All of our encampments have to be safe for everyone involved,” she said.

She added that, in Harrisburg, the homeless population has returned to pre-pandemic levels, after dipping following the outbreak of COVID-19. The increase, she said, has not been from people living on the streets, but people who have been displaced from their homes and are now living with friends and family, mostly due to the increased cost of rent for people on fixed and low incomes.

“The types of units available are not within their reach,” she said.

Maisel said that the city is considering “a semi-permanent type of solution for some of the encampment residents,” saying that potential plan still was in “the early stages.” He also said that city plans to unveil an affordable housing plan for people displaced by the rising cost of rent.

“There are things we’re working on here in the administration that hopefully help deal with some of the rent issues that people are discussing,” he said.

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Sweat & Sisterhood: Harrisburg women dance for health, fun, fellowship at Zoombalicious

December 29, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Sandy Johnson & Charisse Grayer

What puts the “licious” in Zoombalicious?

“You’ve just got to see it,” explained the class of women before cranking up their speaker in the Foose Elementary School gym on a Thursday night.

The group spread out in the gym and, as the music turned on, so did their energy. And they were right—you have to see it to understand the “licious.”

There’s something about Zoombalicious that has kept the dedicated group of women coming back time and time again to dance, sweat and push themselves. Several of them even made their commitment permanent—getting tattoos in honor of the class, reading, “Z Z 4 L” or “Zumba zisters for life.”

Some come because the program helped them lose weight or combat health issues, others like the dancing, and most all of them love the sisterhood bond that it provides.

“We have a tightknit following,” said instructor Sandy Johnson. “It’s more than just exercise. Some of them became family.”

Glowing & Growing

I think everyone in the class would agree—there’s no Zoombalicious without Johnson, the founder and instructor of the class. Her energy on the floor is unmatched, which is one of the biggest reasons why people love coming.

“I’ve never seen nobody smile while they’re doing Zumba because you know it hurts,” said Lori Smith, a participant. “She has this glow when she does Zumba, and everybody just lights up from it.”

Johnson discovered Zumba around 2007, during the time that the dance exercise program took off and grew in popularity. She took a class at the East Shore YMCA and quickly started to stand out amongst her peers, as she would add her own flair to the moves, often earning her a spot up front leading.

“I feel like I’m in my own little place when I’m doing Zumba,” she said.

She loved dancing to the Latin music that typically accompanied Zumba, but wanted to switch things up once she got her Zumba license and started her own program. Johnson settled upon hip-hop and called her class Zoombalicious to distinguish it from traditional Zumba. Charisse Grayer, Johnson’s friend and fellow Zumba fanatic, joined her, leading the administrative side of the program.

The first class Johnson taught at a former dance studio downtown in 2013 was a packed house. But the program only continued to grow as she partnered with Harrisburg’s parks and recreation department to hold classes in local school gyms. Sometimes 80 to 100 women showed up to work out.

Just as Johnson had become hooked on Zoombalicious, the community did, too.

Participants started losing weight and improving their health. One woman lost 100 pounds.

“Health and wellness is very important, especially for women and women of color,” Grayer said. “Women of color don’t always get the same care.”

Zoombalicious student Gloria Ravenel, 62, found out years ago that she had high blood pressure and diabetes. She attributes her improved health to the class.

“I thank God for Zoombalicious because I might not be here today,” she said.

Here for You

Beyond the health benefits to the dance class, Zoombalicious has become a place for friends, new and old, to find community. It’s not uncommon to see students chatting after class, finding advice and comfort from their Zumba sisters, Johnson said.

“Every woman you see in here has a different background, a different upbringing, but when we all get together, you don’t see race, you don’t see income, you don’t see none of that,” she said.

The group has also participated in trash cleanups around the city and Christmas gift donation events and has given away free prom dresses to high school students.

Both Johnson and Grayer’s goal with the program is to give back to their community. Through their long-term dedication to leading Zoombalicious, they have influenced others to start their own fitness classes.

Traci-lyn Brown started attending the class about a year ago and loved the high intensity workout it provided. Just recently, she started her own step fitness program, “Xtreme Hip Hop.” Attending Zoombalious and seeing Johnson’s skill as an instructor gave her the confidence to lead her own class.

“They’re great women I can look up to,” Brown said.

Since COVID, Zoombalicious is still getting back into the swing of things, Johnson said. Class sizes are much smaller than they were before the pandemic, but that doesn’t stop her from bringing the energy.

“Even if I only have one person, it’ll be treated like a full class,” Johnson said.

In Zoombalicious, everyone is welcome, no matter their age or ability. Grayer will often model a modified, low-impact version of the night’s workout for elderly, disabled or injured students.

Some students have been at Zoombalicious since the beginning. Others are new, and some come and go as life changes.

“I’ll take a crazy job and my schedule won’t permit it for a while, but I’ll always come back anytime I can get here,” said Dennise Hill, a student and Harrisburg’s director of building and housing development.

The program has also changed somewhat over the years. In 2015, it moved under the city’s sports-related nonprofit, M.O.S.E.L.F. RBI, after it was on the brink of ending due to an expiring grant from Highmark. Students and instructors showed up to several city council meetings advocating for a solution and were successful. Then, this past December, Zoombalicious became its own nonprofit.

The common denominator during the ups and downs the program faced during the years? Instructors Johnson and Grayer. Their passion for the program hasn’t wavered.

“My family always gave back, and Charisse too,” Johnson said. “And being from the inner city, from Harrisburg […] and coming and giving back health-wise, it’s not tangible, but I’m here for you.”

To learn more about Zoombalicious, visit their Facebook page.

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Long-dilapidated Harrisburg mansion restored, will become apartments

November 15, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Executive Director of Historic Harrisburg Association David Morrison, Justin Heinly of Midtown Property Management, Harrisburg’s Director of Building and Housing Development Dennise Hill and contractor Eli Valencia of Valencia Construction cut the ribbon on the renovated Donaldson Mansion.

On a hillside in Harrisburg, a long-forgotten, historic building has received a huge makeover.

Officials cut the ribbon on Tuesday at the Donaldson Mansion, a four-story building at 2005 N. 3^rd St., that was recently restored after years of neglect and dilapidation.

Developer Justin Heinly, owner of Harrisburg-based Midtown Property management, purchased the over 5,000-square-foot building in 2018 and began construction and restoration work last year. The building will house six market-rate apartment units.

While crews are still putting the finishing touches on the property, Heinly expects a substantial completion by the weekend.

“It took a lot of effort to dig out the original history of this building,” he said.

The project will wrap up just in time for the “Old House Fair,” which will feature a tour of the Donaldson Mansion and other mansions on the block, along with a chance to talk with local restoration professionals. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. and is hosted by the Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) and Midtown Property Management, among others.

The mansion will also be part of HHA’s Candlelight House Tour on Dec. 11.

Inside the Donaldson Mansion’s turret.

The Donaldson Mansion dates back to 1887 and is part of a collection of four remaining historic mansions along the corridor known as “Cottage Ridge.” According to David Morrison, executive director of HHA, wealthy businessman and banker William Donaldson originally resided in the house. “Cottage Ridge” was one of the most desirable places to live in the city at the time because of its location on a hill with views of the Susquehanna River, Morrison said.

In the 1920s, the Donaldson Mansion was made into an apartment building and, since the early 2000s, has increasingly suffered more damage.

Heinly and his team worked to recapture the grandeur of the original mansion, completely restoring the façade, addressing structural issues and renovating the interior.

“Every piece of historical character left we tried to restore,” he said.

Heinly plans to begin renting out the apartments at the start of the new year.

The Donaldson Mansion is just one piece of what Heinly hopes is a larger revitalization of the neighborhood. He has already restored another of the “Cottage Ridge” mansions and has plans for other properties nearby.

“We are using it, hopefully, as an anchor of change,” he said.

For more information on Midtown Property Management, visit their website.

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Harrisburg to apply for millions in state COVID funding to renovate parks, Jackson Lick pool

July 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg plans to apply for state COVID relief money to support park renovation projects, including one at 7th and Radnor park in Uptown (pictured).

Harrisburg hopes to receive millions of dollars in state COVID relief funds and is asking for the public’s input on its proposal.

The city plans to apply for around $18 million in funds under the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Community Development Block Grant-COVID (CDBG-CV) program.

It is proposing to use the funding for park, pool and Public Safety Building renovations.

This grant program is separate from the federal American Rescue Plan Act money that the city has received.

In total, Pennsylvania was allocated $71,493,980 from the federal government’s CARES Act program to address COVID. Harrisburg will apply to utilize a portion of that money. Under the state’s guidelines, the city can use the money for public improvements and public facilities, public services, housing rehab and economic development. All projects must help respond to the pandemic.

Harrisburg has applied for COVID relief funding to support the following projects:

Renovate 7^th and Radnor Park: $4 million
Renovate public bathrooms and waiting room in the Public Safety Building: $1.5 million
Renovate Sunshine (Morrison) Park: $3 million
Renovate the Jackson Lick pool by turning it into a spray park: $5 million
Renovate Rumson playground: $2 million
Renovate the court area of Reservoir Park by adding handball courts: $1.1 million
Add a “spray park alley” to Reservoir Park: $1.5 million
Renovate the showers and bedroom areas of Fire Stations 1 and 2: $100,000

According to Dennise Hill, director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development, the proposed park projects address the need for social distancing and outdoor recreation during COVID.

The city must submit its application to DCED by Aug. 1.

Harrisburg previously received CARES Act funds directly from the federal government during the earlier stages of COVID. The money supported small business grant programs and a rent relief initiative. However, this round of funding would come to Harrisburg from the state’s allotment of CARES money.

The community will have the chance to comment on the grant application at two public hearings on July 18 and 19. Both will be held virtually on Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. The public comment period will remain open through July 29.

Any residents with disabilities or limited English proficiency that need special accommodations to access the meetings can contact the city’s Grant Director’s office at least 72 hours in advance at 717-255-3068 or via email at [email protected].

For the Zoom meeting login information for the public meetings, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg nears end of rent relief program, has funds for a few more applicants

April 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

During the pandemic, Harrisburg offered financial assistance to those behind on rent and utilities due to COVID.

The city’s rent relief program is finally nearing the end of its funding, but still has enough for a few more applicants.

According to Dennise Hill, director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development, Harrisburg has $60,000 left of its original $500,000 in federal funds. She encouraged those who may still be in need of financial assistance to apply. They have enough to help about 10 more applicants, she said.

“Now would be the time to apply,” Hill said. “We are here to help.”

Since Harrisburg first announced the rent relief program in Nov. 2020, about 175 applicants have received assistance, according to the city.

Dauphin County also disbursed rent relief funds for much of the pandemic, but has paused that program as much of the money has now been spent.

To apply for the rent relief program, contact Dennise Hill at (717)-255-6411.

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Harrisburg considers gun violence prevention strategy, prepares to disburse federal housing funds

April 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg City Council at Tuesday’s work session

At a work session on Tuesday, Harrisburg City Council addressed the recent spate of gun violence in the city, discussing a strategy that might offer help.

Council is considering a contract with the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, on behalf of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, for consulting services to study and combat group violence in Harrisburg.

“This is not the end all be all, but I think it’s an excellent start,” explained Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter.

The organization would study Harrisburg’s street violence, provide a strategy plan and assist with implementation. They would also work on identifying members of violent groups, attempting to speak with them, providing resources to them and assisting those who may wish to get out of the group, according to police officials.

“It’s getting the community buy-in to tell the members we are not going to take this anymore,” said Adrienne Hoffman-Lewis, crime analyst for the police.

The $210,000 contract would be for a two-year period and funded through grant money from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. According to Hoffman-Lewis, it would take three to four months for the strategy to be implemented once the contract begins.

Some council members wondered whether the program would be effective.

“This sounds like it could be promising in some ways, but it also just sounds like a lot of information gathering,” said council member Ausha Green. “What are we going to do with it?”

Council will further discuss the resolution at their next work session.

In other news, annual federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will soon be allocated to local organizations, once voted on by council at the next legislative session.

Harrisburg will divvy up these Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds allocated from both the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years. During the pandemic, the federal Department of Building and Housing Development did not allot these funds due to the influx of CARES Act funding that they instead worked to distribute.

The following organizations are recipients of the 2020 and 2021 ESG funds:

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, $50,000
Christian Churches United, $100,000
Shalom House, $50,000
YWCA, $50,000

The following organizations are recipients of the 2020 CDBG funds:

Justice House of Hope, $84,728
LHACC, $45,000
PAIRWIN (Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network), $39,220
Salvation Army, $75,000
The Worship Academy, $50,000

Additionally, $244,031 will go towards debt service, $425,000 for public improvement/public facilities, $344,746 for housing programs, $200,000 for demolition and $75,000 for the Dauphin County Library System.

The following organizations are recipients of the 2021 CDBG funds:

Center for Employment Opportunities, $25,000
AJB Drug & Alcohol, $48,586
Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, $35,000
The Rock Church, $100,000
Justice House of Hope, $15,272

Additionally, $240,000 will be used for debt service, $504,600 for public improvement/public facilities, $359,066 for housing programs and $218,000 for demolition.

The city will likely hold a workshop for potential applicants for the 2022 federal housing funds in mid-May, according to Dennise Hill, director of the Department of Building and Housing Development.

Also on Tuesday, council discussed a bill that would require Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission meetings to be recorded and shared publicly.

Currently, the meetings are documented by a court stenographer but transcriptions are not easily accessible and can be costly.

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MulDer Square home sold to low-income Harrisburg family, with more on the way

March 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Executive Director Gary Lenker, of Tri-County HDC, speaks about the organization’s recently renovated and sold affordable home.

A newly renovated home in Allison Hill soon will provide affordable housing to a local low-income family.

On Monday, officials from Tri-County HDC showcased their recently completed redevelopment project—a single-family townhome at 247 Hummel St.

The three-story building is the fifth rehabbed home by the organization as part of its revitalization efforts in the MulDer Square neighborhood of Allison Hill.

“I am very proud of this project and the fact that all five homes we sold were to low- to moderate-income buyers who are women,” said Gary Lenker, executive director of the organization. “The demand greatly exceeds the supply right now, so we are so happy to be able to add to the supply of affordable housing in a busy market.”

The Hummel Street home was recently sold to a family for $109,900, according to Lenker. The family will pay a mortgage of around $500 per month and will not be required to pay property taxes for at least 10 years, thanks to Harrisburg’s LERTA tax abatement program.

The four-bedroom home required a total rehab, Lenker said. In total, including purchasing and renovating the building, it cost the organization around $200,000.

Tri-County HDC first began the MulDer Square project in 2016, as a partnership with the city, state, Harrisburg Housing Authority and Brethren Housing Association. They have since completed five single-family home renovations, all of which have been sold.

Lenker also pointed out the several empty lots across Hummel Street—the sight of Tri-County’s next phase of the project. Where many blighted buildings once stood before being demolished, the organization will construct five new single-family townhomes and one single-family home. These new residences, which will have addresses from 238 to 246 Hummel St., with the single-family home on Kittatinny Street, will all be designed for homeownership.

To be eligible for homeownership, residents must make no more than 80% of the city’s medium family income.

According to Dennise Hill, the director of the Department of Building and Housing Development for Harrisburg, projects like these are needed in the city.

“Organizations like Tri-County HDC and others in the community are crucial to stabilizing neighborhoods,” Hill said. “They are good partners in the community to really invest in the community and work with the city as we are working on blighted areas.”

For more information, visit Tri-County HDC’s website.

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Home Is Where Her Heart Is: Lillie Williams helps Harrisburg-area residents with a safe place to stay

March 31, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which tore through Puerto Rico in 2017, Lillie Williams met a family who had lost everything to the storm. Social security cards, birth certificates, anything important was gone.

When the family made it to Harrisburg, Williams was working in property management. She was tasked with getting them an interpreter and helping them find shelter.

“Seeing the smile on their faces just to have a home again, that was a reward, to me,” Williams said. “It made me feel like I was in the right place at the right time.”

For over 20 years, Williams has dedicated her career to helping Harrisburg-area residents feel at home. It’s her passion, because she was once in the shoes of many of her clients.

Williams works as the interim director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development and is also the project director of asset management. In other words, she’s busy. Much of her time is spent working directly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), budgeting and distributing city and federal funds to the community and local organizations.

In the past, she worked for a few property management and real estate investment groups, as well as the Cumberland County Housing Authority. Much of her career was spent managing affordable housing properties and assisting low-income clients.

“There were some families that didn’t have any hope,” she said. “They didn’t have hope that they could get a place or could afford it. They were overwhelmed.”

Passion Project

As a young girl, Williams grew up in Harrisburg’s Uptown and Allison Hill neighborhoods and moved just outside of the city as she got older. She remembers a time when her family lived in affordable housing.

When I asked her, over a Zoom call, if that experience had an impact on her career choice, it was like a light bulb went off.

“You know, I never thought about that until you just said that, but you’re right,” she said. “Wow, I guess you’re right because I’ve always been a helper. That (affordable housing) helped my mom, and that’s what I saw, so that’s what I did.”

It was like these two pieces of her life just clicked.

She went on to tell me that it wasn’t her only experience with affordable housing. At 18 years old, as a young, single mother, Williams moved out on her own. She remembers a time when she paid $23 in monthly rent.

“When I moved out, I was paying over $1,000 rent, and I bought my own home,” she said. “I set goals for myself, and anybody can do it.”

Williams’ story helps her relate to many of the people she now serves in her role with the city. She said that 70% of Harrisburg residents are low-to-moderate income, the population that DBHD generally serves.

In addition to working with HUD and providing financial help to residents, Williams’ team also oversees the “Lead Safe” abatement program and Housing Rehabilitation Program.

“This department is very important, and I’m very proud of it,” she said. “We try to help the community as much as possible.”

According to Dennise Hill, deputy director of DBHD, Williams leads by example.

Hill is Williams’ right-hand-woman. Their offices are connected by a door that often remains open, so they can talk about work or even chat about their kids. Over the few months Hill has worked for the city, the pair has become friends, she said.

“It’s amazing—we complement each other really well,” she said.

Like Williams, Hill’s passion is housing. Growing up in Steelton, her parents always welcomed into their home kids who needed a place to stay. Her parents’ values stuck with her and shaped what would become her life’s work.

Before coming to the city, Hill worked in a women’s shelter—a job she loved. She was nervous about switching careers, but working with Williams and the team has affirmed her decision.

More Work to Do

The 11-person DBHD team is more like a family than co-workers, Hill explained. Some, like Hill, are newer adoptees; others are longtime members.

During the pandemic, they’ve worked hard, pivoting to focus on distributing federal CARES Act funding to renters, food pantries and shelters, among others.

Williams has been busier than ever.

With a national and local crisis of people struggling to pay rent during the pandemic, Harrisburg’s rental relief program has been one of Williams’ main focuses. For months now, she has gone through hundreds of applications, distributing money to tenants in need. By March, about 100 households had received money. She estimated that, by the time the total of $500,000 is used up, around 200 families will benefit.

It can be stressful and includes a lot of guidelines and paperwork, she said, but she’s happy to do it.

“This is so important, and it affects so many people’s lives,” she said.

Williams credited her team, saying they’ve handled this “to a tee.”

In December, COVID-19 hit the team hard, she said. Four staff had family members who died from the virus. Everyone else had to step up, and Williams did what she always did—lead by example.

“There’s no task she wasn’t willing to help with,” Hill said. “She was consistently checking in on everyone. Keeping us in a good place mentally was important.”

Even with all the work the pandemic has put in Williams’ lap, she still takes time to pause, greet Hill in the morning, and ask her about her daughter.

During our Zoom call, I could see the many files pinned to Williams’ corkboard in the background of her office. I heard a few pings from her computer, email notifications, as we talked. I knew she probably had a hundred things to do that day, but she paused to talk and laugh with me.

As much as Williams is doing now, she said she still has a lot to do for Harrisburg.

“I see myself being able to help more people,” she said. “From where I came from to where I am now, I’m very proud of myself, and I still have more work to do.”

For more information about the Harrisburg Department of Building and Housing Development, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov/office-of-building-housing.

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News Digest: A roundup of news events from the prior month.

June 28, 2013 | by Admin

New COO for City

Robert Philbin will fill the post of Harrisburg’s chief operating officer/chief of staff until the end of Mayor Linda Thompson’s term, it was announced last month.

Philbin served as Thompson’s spokesman for almost two years before leaving in February to accept the post of marketing/communications officer for Capital Area Transit (CAT). He said he plans to return to CAT after his stint as COO.

The COO post was open after the sudden departure of Ricardo Mendez-Saldivia, who served about one year. Mendez-Saldivia was the city’s first COO, a position created as part of Harrisburg’s financial recovery plan in an effort to bring more professional management to city operations.

During his six-month tenure, Philbin said he would focus on continuing to implement the city’s financial recovery plan, crafting a budget for 2014 and helping with the transition to a new administration. The job pays an equivalent of $110,000 annually.

“I’m honored to serve the city during this historic period of fiscal recovery and transition, and I look forward to working closely with Mayor Thompson and her administration in the coming months,” Philbin said.

Philbin’s career with the city has been a rocky one. He took the communications director post in 2011, the fourth person to hold that job in over 2½ years, soon becoming a close aide to Thompson. City Council struck the job from the 2012 budget, leading him to work without pay all of last year. Council reinstated the position in 2013 only to have Philbin leave for CAT shortly afterwards.

Fee Hikes on Tap

The Harrisburg City Council last month boosted fees for a variety of services, such as answering false alarms, taking out building permits, renting park space and hanging banners.

The hikes, approved unanimously, were in response to suggestions made last year by Maximus Inc., one of several firms assisting the city in its financial recovery. In many cases, the fees had not risen in more than a decade, said Councilman Brad Koplinski.

For instance, the fee for a second false burglar alarm goes from $10 to $50; for a fourth false burglar alarm from $35 to $100. The permit fee for a plumbing fixture and trap increases from $15 to $25.

City Council members said they didn’t want to raise fees, but that the city needed to consider every option to increase revenue. Raising long-stable fees is part of the receiver’s financial recovery plan for the city.

Harrisburg Threatened with Fund Cut

The state House last month passed a budget plan that would slash the amount of direct state funding Harrisburg receives from $2.5 million to $496,000.

That money flows into the Fire Bureau budget for compensation to protect the Capitol complex. The bureau estimates that it costs Harrisburg about $4 million annually to provide emergency fire service to the Capitol complex.

State Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin County), state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) and Mayor Linda Thompson all said they would work hard to restore the funding for the cash-strapped city before the state budget is finalized.

“At a time when the city is already struggling to maintain safety, this painful cut to fire protection funding further jeopardizes the safety of Pennsylvanians and adds to the burden of the city’s fiscal crisis,” said Kim.

Harrisburg already faces an operating budget deficit of around $3 million this year. The proposed funding cut would widen that gap considerably.

School Unions Agree to Cuts

Harrisburg’s two school unions have signed off on a plan to cut staff salaries as part of the financial recovery package for the debt-laden school district.

Both the Harrisburg Education Association (HEA) and AFSCME Council 13 last month tentatively agreed to salary and benefit cuts of 5 percent, said school Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno. Already, Harrisburg school district personnel have not received regular raises for the past two years.

AFSCME, which represents non-instructional staff, originally rejected the offer, leading Veno to plan layoffs. The union later reversed itself, stating that members objected more to tougher evaluations and performance standards than to the salary and benefit cuts.

At press time, the memberships of both HEA and AFSCME had yet to ratify the agreements.

A third group representing school administrators also agreed to the cuts, said Veno.

Vacant Lot Ignites Dispute

A dispute over the use of a vacant lot at the corner of 6^th and Herr streets could come to a head this month.

Bethel AME Church had run a commercial parking operation out of the lot until 2010, when its temporary variance to the zoning code expired. In May, the church applied for another temporary variance, but some members of the Fox Ridge neighborhood near the lot raised objections.

Ted Hanson, whose house abuts the southern edge of the lot, said the church falsely claimed “community support” for the commercial parking plan.

“Not one of the signatories on the church’s petition resides in Old Fox Ridge,” he said.

He added that the church historically has not made any effort to develop the lot appropriately, as past variances have required. On a website, foxridgeneighbors.org, Hanson also called into question Bethel’s appeal to make the lot tax-exempt, saying the church already owes nearly $6,500 in back taxes on the property.

Bethel AME declined to comment.

The application was to be considered at a meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board on June 17, but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute due to an error in the public announcement. The board’s next meeting is July 22, though Geoffrey Knight, the city’s zoning officer, said an earlier date is being sought to review the application.

Harrisburg Again without Health Officer

Harrisburg lost its Health Officer last month after the city, acting on the instruction of receiver William Lynch, declined to raise the position’s annual salary from $40,000 to $50,000.

The officer, Cornelius Johnson, left the post to accept a $50,000-per-year offer for the same position in Susquehanna Township.

The Health Officer conducts routine inspections on Harrisburg restaurants and food vendors to ensure they are complying with health codes. The city is currently seeking someone to fill the position at a starting salary of $42,000. In the meantime, inspections will be conducted by other codes officers employed by the city.

City Council President Wanda Williams expressed regret over Johnson’s departure and criticized Lynch and Mayor Linda Thompson for not ensuring the position offered competitive pay.

“City Council did everything it could to try to retain him,” she said.

Recently, Harrisburg has had trouble filling that position. The health officer post was vacant for more than a year before Johnson took the job.

Councilwoman Susan Brown-Wilson praised Johnson’s abilities, adding that he was Susquehanna’s “number one choice” for the job.

Lynch, however, pointed out that all other city employees are experiencing a pay freeze and stressed that making an exception for one employee would have a “corrosive” effect.

Another Independent for Mayor

Air Force Staff Sgt. Nate Curtis last month announced his candidacy for Harrisburg mayor, the second independent in the race.

At a press conference in the Pennsylvania State Museum, he said his political party affiliation will read “Curtis for Mayor” on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

Curtis grew up in Harrisburg, where his mother worked at a number of restaurants around the city. His father, whom Curtis said he met when he was a teenager, was a homicide detective with the police department.

Curtis recently returned to the city after a tour in Afghanistan and said he was distressed to find “my hometown at war with itself.” In 2007, his brother Dax was murdered in the foyer of his apartment on Woodbine Street.

His priorities as mayor, he said, would be addressing education and blight and cutting the city’s budget, including a 10 percent pay cut to the mayoral salary and a dismissal of the mayor’s security detail.

The race to replace Mayor Linda Thompson has grown increasingly crowded. Midtown Scholar Bookstore owner Eric Papenfuse captured the Democratic nomination for mayor in May, and Uptown resident Nevin Mindlin also is running as an independent.

City Controller Dan Miller, who lost the Democratic primary, narrowly won the Republican primary based upon 196 write-in votes. At press time, he had not announced his intentions for the general election.

Broad Street Market Loses Manager

Harrisburg’s historic city market is again without a manager as Dennise Hill left after less than a year on the job.

The board of the Broad Street Market confirmed Hill’s resignation, saying that Market vendors were informed of the departure, but refused further comment on this personnel issue.

The Market has had great difficulty retaining top staff, with the past three managers all serving very short stints.

Restaurant Roundup

Harrisburg-area foodies got a triple treat last month as two long-promised eateries and a café made their debut.

The month started out strong as Little Amps Coffee Roasters opened its second location at the corner of N. 2^nd and State streets on June 1. Little Amps first rocked Harrisburg’s gourmet coffee market in October 2011 with a storefront in Olde Uptown, and its new downtown spot offers the same fresh-roasted coffee along with a selection of goodies and sandwiches from Yellow Bird Café.

In mid-month, Taco Solo began serving tacos and salads from a central location at the corner of N. 2^nd and Locust streets. The downtown taqueria is the inspiration of Juan and Lisa Garcia, owners of the popular Mexican restaurant El Sol, who wanted to bring their cuisine to the takeout crowd.

About a week later, owner Sri Kumarasingam gave a culinary nod to Midtown in the form of Pastorante, a new pasta-themed restaurant at 1012 N. 3^rd St. The completely renovated space features an open kitchen, homemade pastas and numerous creative Italian dishes and pizzas. The storefront has been empty for years, last housing the greatly missed Italian Market.

Speaking of Midtown: Fine diners will be delighted that Char’s Tracy Manor will begin to serve Sunday dinner starting July 7. Until now, Char’s only served Sunday brunch, which will be suspended. Also, the beautiful riverside restaurant at 1829 N. Front St. now features live outdoors music on Friday and Saturday nights, 7 to 10 p.m.

Changing Hands: May Property Sales

Briggs St., 1608: T. Simmons to Fannie Mae, $61,911

Capital St., 1007: 3rd Street LLC to CJ Good LLC, $125,000

Cumberland St., 216: D. Maguire Trust to P. Wambach III, $117,500

Derry St., 1711: J. Mendoza to D. Patel, $36,432

Green St., 1628: C. Lex to M. & A. Collins, $90,000

Hale Ave., 433: T. Bryant to G. & C. Speroff, $72,500

Hanna St. 110: Donna C. Flath Trust to M. Knouse, $150,000

Harris St., 625, 641, 643 & 1521, 1523, 1525, 1527 Wallace St.: J. Close to

U.S. GSA, $63,600 each

Harris Terr., 2481: PA Deals LLC to S. Hill, $66,000

Hoffman St., 3028: V. & C. Piatos to J. Hull & L. Downs, $140,000

Holly St., 1849: B. & K. Kreps to D. Reed, $69,900

Hudson St., 1256: J. Fabiankovitz to Lemoyne Land Corp. Inc., $45,000

Hummel St., 224: V. Mainardi to Brethren Housing Assoc., $48,500

Kensington St., 2135: S. Orfanelli to A. Segin, $45,000

Kensington St., 2147: PA Deals LLC to J. Gaidos, $67,900

Liberty St., 1404, 2021 Holly St, 2651 Jefferson St. & 1826 Briggs St.:

Shokes Enterprises & R. Shokes Jr. to R. & D. Requa, $201,000

Locust St., 103 & 105: Front & Locust LLC to Browser Properties, $150,000

Maclay St., 524: W. Grannison to 524 Real Estate Holdings LLC, $100,000

Manada St., 2003: D. Barrick to M. Jackson, $63,000

N. 2nd St., 1225: J. Van Allen to M. & L. Day, $120,000

N. 2nd St., 1404: Kyzer Rentals LLC to Tang Liu Realty LLC, $100,000N. 2nd St., 2405: PBE Companies LLC to M. & R. Lindquist, $140,000

N. 2nd St., 2533: J. & V. First to K., C. & E. Meisinger, $120,000

N. 2^nd St., 2619: R. Davis Jr. to D. Skerpon & C. Baldridge, $225,000

N. 15th St., 17: B. Miller to Wofford Enterprises Ltd., $50,000

N. 15^th St., 1217: PA Deals LLC to A. Plowman, $79,900

N. Cameron St., 101, 101 Rear, 109 & 111 Hancock St.: C. Green to R. & S.

Otto, $269,000

Oakwood Rd., 2309: M. & S. Gruin to M. Knopf, $245,000

Penn St., 1523: K. Thralls to E. Jones & J. Lindgren, $134,000

S. 12th St., 1442: Beneficial Consumer Discount Co. to N. Sanchez, $42,500

S. Cameron St., 1119: River Rescue to Statewide Enterprises LLC,

$385,000

Verbeke St., 210: K. Leitner to R. Katsifis, $90,000

Sales data is collected from Dauphin County records and is assumed to be accurate.

Movers & Leaders

August 11, 2012 | by Admin

New manager at market
Dennise Hill has been hired as the new manager at the Broad Street Market, 1233 N. 3^rd St. Hill had been economic development and neighborhood coordinator for Steelton Borough.

Russell named director of Harrisburg Mall
St. John Properties Inc. named William Russell for the new position of director, Harrisburg Mall, just across the city line in Swatara Township at 3501 Paxton St. In a joint venture with Petrie Ross Ventures, Baltimore-based St. John Properties acquired the one-million-square foot property in June. Russell was formerly vice president of property management and development for Maryland-based Hill Management Services, Inc.

Dykehouse named Hershey Med CIO
Penn State Hershey Medical Center named Rod Dykehouse as new chief information officer. He previously served as CIO for both UCLA Medical Sciences and Froedtert Health System, an academic partner of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Tom Abendroth, M.D., who has served as the medical center’s CIO since 2002, is now its first chief of medical informatics. He will guide efforts to leverage Penn State Hershey’s electronic medical record to improve clinical care delivery and advance clinical research.

Barrett to depart AACA
Michael J. Barrett, executive director of the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, intends to leave the museum later this year. His departure is consistent with the plans he made known to the museum’s board of directors at the time he was hired, according to AACA. The board thanked Barrett for his service and contributions to the museum. AACA said the board will immediately begin a search for a new executive director. For more about the museum, visit www.AACAMuseum.org.

Morgan elected to Central Penn College board
Brad Morgan, vice president of cost and capital efficiency at Ahold USA, which operates Giant Food Stores, LLC, in Carlisle, was elected to the Central Penn College’s board of directors at the most recent board meeting on May 17. Morgan has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and finance.

Drapp earns volunteer service medal
Capt. Brian T. Drapp, commanding officer of the Naval Sea Logistics Center in Mechanicsburg, has been awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for ongoing exemplary contributions to the community. Drapp was recognized for accomplishments while president of the Navy Supply Corps Foundation’s Mechanicsburg chapter the past two years. He has lead and mentored for Harrisburg High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, worked to double the amount of financial donations made to charitable organizations, and assisted in the creation of the Mechanicsburg Chief Petty Officer Association, among other contributions.

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