Tag Archives: harrisburg

November News Digest

November 27, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Spradley Appointed Treasurer

Tyrell Spradley was named Harrisburg’s treasurer last month, ending a search that spanned more than two months.

A divided City Council selected Spradley following four rounds of voting, which included two other candidates—attorney Karen Balaban and former city councilman and controller Dan Miller.

Following his appointment, Spradley, 30, said he was eager to learn about and take on the part-time position, which pays $20,000 per year.

Harrisburg needed to name a new treasurer following the arrest in August of then-city treasurer John Campbell, who has been charged with theft from two organizations where he also served as treasurer.

Council first appointed accountant Timothy East to serve as Campbell’s replacement, but East withdrew his name after a personal bankruptcy came to light.

Spradley’s own eligibility was briefly called into question last month over issue involving his residency and the lack of a business license for an accounting company he owns. City officials later indicated those issues had been resolved.

Spradley will serve the remainder of Campbell’s four-year term, which runs until the end of next year.

Sinkhole Money Available

Some Harrisburg residents may benefit from a decision last month that allows federal assistance to be used to buy out homes endangered by sinkholes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ruled that municipalities could apply for aid to acquire sinkhole-prone structures.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said the city immediately would apply for a grant to provide relief for homeowners along the 1400-block of S. 14^th St., which has been devastated by sinkholes. There is no guarantee that Harrisburg will receive the money, as fierce competition is expected around the country for the grants.

Separately, Camp Hill-based Gannett Fleming last month issued more results of its sinkhole study in South Harrisburg.

The engineering firm told City Council that it had two options. The city could either buy out 27 houses in the middle of the most affected block or it could inject a substance beneath the surface to help stabilize the ground and prevent future sinkhole formation. Either option, both of which would include extensive road repair and relocating of residents, would cost about $4 million.

FEMA has put a cap of $3 million per project on its disaster allowance for sinkholes.

Schools Fail to Meet Performance Goals

Harrisburg public schools failed by a wide margin to meet academic standards set by the state-appointed chief recovery officer, according to state academic performance measures released last month.

None of Harrisburg’s schools met the academic goals for the 2013-14 school year set forth by Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno in an April 2014 amendment to his recovery plan for the district.

The state’s “Building Level Academic Score” uses a 100-point scale to measure school performance. Much like a student report card, a score above 90 is considered excellent, while a score below 70 is deemed poor.

The following list shows each school’s performance, followed by a bracketed number that includes Veno’s goals for each school for the 2013-14 academic year.

Math Science Academy: 75.9 [94.2]
Harrisburg High School SciTech Campus: 63.8 [72.3]
Foose School: 57.8 [59.8]
Scott School: 57 [62.4]
Melrose School: 53.1 [69.7]
Downey School: 49.4 [67.5]
Benjamin Franklin School: 44.6 [63.5]
Marshall School: 44.4 [61.4]
Rowland School: 42.6 [56.5]
Harrisburg High School: 39.7 [57.6]
Camp Curtin School: 39.6 [60.3]

Scores were based upon several measures, including students’ performance on state standardized tests, improvement since the previous year, graduation and attendance rates and, in the case of high school students, SAT and ACT scores.

Lighting Grant Approved

Harrisburg’s plan to upgrade its streetlights took a step forward last month, as the city announced that it had received a $500,000 grant for its LED streetlight project.

Several months ago, the Papenfuse administration applied for the Pennsylvania Energy Department Authority grant, which City Council then approved.

In related matters, the administration last month asked council to approve the hiring of Doylestown-based Suburban Lighting Consultants to provide engineering services for the LED project. It also asked council to OK the engagement of Pittsburgh-based The Efficiency Network, which would conduct an inventory of existing streetlights, as well as an audit of streetlight and exterior light utility bills.

Green Infrastructure Grant Received

Capital Region Water has been awarded a $125,000 state grant to develop a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan for Harrisburg.

The grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will allow Capital Region Water to evaluate using green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of runoff on the Harrisburg community, the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek, and the underground infrastructure it operates, according to Andrew Bliss, Capital Region Water’s community outreach manager.

Green infrastructure is a broad term for trees, gardens and other ways to help reduce runoff by absorbing rainwater.

Last month, Capital Region Water also marked the one-year anniversary of its takeover of city water and sewer operations.

In addition to the DCNR grant, Bliss said, the year included several other achievements, including a “Top 5” designation for best drinking water in the country; a bond refinancing that will save the authority $4 million over two years; progress on a comprehensive GIS mapping project; and the beginning of a $50 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment facility.

Midtown Distillery Proposed

Two city residents announced plans last month to open a small-batch distillery in Midtown Harrisburg in the blighted, historic “Carpets and Draperies” building.

Alan Kennedy-Shaffer and Stanley Gruen are due to appear this month before the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board in an effort to get a variance for the site at 1507 N. 3^rd St., which is not zoned for industrial use.

The partners plan a full renovation of the century-old building, which has sat empty for more than a decade. Their plan includes a bar and tasting room, in addition to a craft distillery that would make such spirits as whiskey, vodka, gin and rye.

If all goes well, they hope to open in mid-2015.

Parking Ordinances Updated

Motorists are on the hook to pay their parking fines, as the Harrisburg City Council last month updated its parking ordinances to conform to the city’s financial recovery plan.

Council needed to make technical changes to the city code to give operator Standard Parking the legal authority to enforce penalties. It also changed language to increase fines and allow non-currency forms of payment, such as credit and debit cards.

Standard Parking took over the city’s parking system in January, but council did not immediately update the city code. As a result, Harrisburg will receive about $200,000 less in parking revenue than anticipated this year.

The city said it expects to receive as much as $2.5 million in parking revenue next year.

Playground Safety Grant

Harrisburg has received a grant that could lead to improved safety at five of the city’s playgrounds.

The $10,000 grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program will fund an inspection and safety audit of the Cloverly Heights and Royal Terrace playgrounds, as well as playgrounds at Norwood and Hollywood streets; N. 4^th and Dauphin streets; and Penn and Sayford streets.

The grant also will fund the creation of a routine playground maintenance and safety program and the training of city staff on program implementation.

Kim Re-Elected to 103^rd

Incumbent Rep. Patty Kim will serve a second term in the state legislature, as voters returned her to office last month in an uncontested race.

Kim ran unopposed in the general election for the 103^rd legislative district after beating challenger Gina Roberson in the Democratic primary in May.

In other election news, former Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson lost in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Scott Perry to represent the 4^th House district in Congress.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2423: B. Bisbano to C. Warble, $49,300

Benton St., 527: R. & A. Della Croce to S. Rea & M. Urgiles, $98,500

Berryhill St., 1954: C. Frater to M. Frater, $65,000

Cumberland St., 119: JB Buy Rite LP to S. Pritchard, $73,500

Duke St., 2614: PI Capital LLC to W. & A. Rivera, $88,900

Fulton St., 1710: N. Culver to Cartus Financial Corp., $107,000

Green St., 1615: R. & S. Aulakh to J. Scott, $92,500

Green St., 1902: WCI Partners LP to B. Garner, $180,000

Green St., 2024: Fulton Bank NA to J. Workman & J. Arawj, $139,000

Harris St., 213: J. Counterman to 8219 Ventures, $52,000

Herr St., 215: R. & E. Simons to Crested Enterprises LLC, $77,500

Hoffman St., 3206: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Skynet Property Management LP, $43,000

Holly St., 1840: Tassia Corp. to Capital Properties LLC, $40,000

Kensington St., 2422: PA Deals LLC to C. & S. Feggins, $68,000

Mulberry St., 1936: C. Doran & A. Burnett to I. Peredo, $64,900

N. 2^nd St., 513: T. & J. Male to Cricket Real Estate Enterprises LLC, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 2527: N. Myers to S. & A. Andrus, $193,500

N. 3^rd St., 2304: Harrisburg Ventures LLC to FD Harrisburg Holdings LLC, $2,213,700

N. 4^th St., 1733: PI Capitol LLC to G. Laudenslager, $100,000

N. 4^th St., 2336: S&T Renovations LLC to A. & A. Barras, $58,000

N. 4^th St., 2400 & 2402: M. Reed to E&K Homes LLC, $57,000

N. 4^th St., 2547: PA Deals LLC to J. Tucker, $61,000

N. 4^th St., 3228: A. Wlazlak to J. Tyson, $105,000

N. 4^th St., 3231: J. Crutchfield to J. Grant, $79,900

N. 7^th St., 2324 & 2350; 655 Seneca St.; 648 Curtin St.: M. Spangler to DAP 7 Curtin LP, $260,000

N. 16^th St., 1205: D. Griffin to C. & B. Orellana, $35,000

N. 17^th St., 817: G. Andrews to J. Jacob & T. Byrd, $120,000

N. 20^th St., 14: Kirsch & Burns LLC to LMK Properties LLC, $32,000

N. Cameron St., 1914: D. Marino to J. Pagliaro, $72,000

Norwood St., 916: M. Flickinger to Crist Holdings LLC, $38,000

Penn St., 1509: D. & D. Dreher to D. Walker, $127,000

Penn St., 1703: B. Houtz to L. Colestock, $155,000

Penn St., 1921: S. Vanscoyc to H. Elliot, $123,000

S. 3^rd St., 27: E. & R. Shore to Dewberry LLC, $190,000

S. 17^th St., 38: S. Ledesma & M. Figueroa to J. Renteria & C. Figueroa, $30,000

S. 25^th St., 713: S. Mosley to Kirsch & Burns LLC, $30,000

S. Front St., 595; 106 Tuscarora St. & 601 Showers St.: J. Barton to Dunkin & Associates LP, $250,000

State St., 231, Unit 202: LUX 1 LP to M. Abuel Jr., $134,900

Tuscarora St., 104: R. Rammouni & Touch of Color to J. Jones, $182,500

Verbeke St., 112: PA Deals LLC to M. & G. Modi, $125,000

Walnut St., 126: Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Assoc. to 126 Walnut Street LLC, $75,000

Walnut St., 128: Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Assoc. to 126 Walnut Street LLC, $75,000

Walnut St., 1854, 1856, 1858 & 1860: T. Vu & T. Tran to T. Van et al, $145,000

Local Spirits: Distillery Proposed for Midtown

November 12, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Two Harrisburg residents hope to transform this dilapidated building into the city’s first distillery since Prohibition.

In 2015, a new brewery and beer garden are slated to open in Midtown Harrisburg. If two city residents have their way, a distillery will be added to the mix.

Business partners Alan Kennedy-Shaffer and Stanley Gruen plan to open Kennedy Spirits, a distillery that would produce liquors such as whiskey, vodka, gin and rye. If all goes well, they hope to open in the historic “Carpets and Draperies” building at 1507 N. 3rd St. in mid-2015.

“We hope to be the first distillery in Harrisburg and Dauphin County since Prohibition,” said Kennedy-Shaffer, a former attorney for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and founder of the community group Harrisburg Hope.

Next month, the city’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board will weigh in on the proposal, which will require a variance as that area is not zoned for industrial uses. In addition to the production facility, the plan for the distillery includes a fully renovated building with a tasting room and a bar.

Kennedy-Shaffer said he considered several options that would not have required a zoning variance, such as locating along the N. Cameron Street industrial corridor or in the suburbs. However, he said he rejected those ideas because he is committed to Harrisburg and to Midtown, where he lives. He also believes that a small-batch distillery would fit well into the continuing revitalization of the neighborhood.

“It’s in a perfect location,” he said. “There’s plenty of parking around, but a lot of people will just walk from Midtown or even downtown.”

The three-story industrial structure was built in 1910 as a factory that manufactured carpets, draperies and related products. The dilapidated building has sat empty for more than a dozen years, passing through a number of owners. It currently is owned by Mechanicsburg-based Mussani & Matz Co., which bought it in 2007 for $190,000, according to Dauphin County property records.

Sale of the building to Kennedy Spirits LLC will be contingent on the company receiving its zoning variance from the city, said Kennedy-Shaffer.

Kennedy-Shaffer and Gruen said they have several investors interested in the project, but hope to secure others as they expect the cost of the building renovation to exceed $1 million. They also are looking for qualified candidates to serve as their master distiller.

Both partners said they see synergy between their proposed distillery and other businesses that will open soon in the same neighborhood. Zeroday Brewing Co. (formerly Alter Ego Brewing Co.) expects to open early next year at the rear of Midtown Cinema at 250 Reily St., while the Susquehanna Art Museum will open a block away in January. The Millworks, which includes a farm-to-table restaurant, a beer garden and artist studios, also will debut early next year across from the Broad Street Market.

“So far, the community has been extremely supportive and encouraging,” said Kennedy-Shaffer. “Most people welcome the prospect of drinking spirits made right here in the city of Harrisburg.”

Currently, Kennedy-Shaffer and Gruen are collecting signatures from neighbors to demonstrate support for their business.

For the past five years, Midtown residents thought that a new federal courthouse at N. 6th and Reily streets might act as a catalyst for the neighborhood, said Gruen. But that project, he added, has been delayed indefinitely, necessitating new ideas to spur the local economy.

“We want to add to the neighborhood,” he said. “We hope this will bring life to the street.”

Trail Fix: For 60 years, a group of volunteers has taken a stretch of the Appalachian Trail into its care.

October 30, 2014 | by Sarah Moesta

A 20-minute drive north of Harrisburg up PA-225, and you’re there—the tree-shrouded Appalachian Trail, pothole-free and quiet except for the occasional squirrel or rabbit in the leaves.

The 20-mile section of the Appalachian Trail that runs north of the city on Peters Mountain is clean, and the branches of the tall trees weave together, creating a “green tunnel,” as experienced through-hikers call it.

The Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, comprised of 431 nature-loving volunteers, is responsible for the maintenance of this stretch of trail. That means that, on any given day, members might be picking up trash, leading hikes or doing major manual labor, like carting construction supplies for miles into and out of the trail.

“We want to encourage people to be active in the club,” said member Karen Balaban.

This year, SATC celebrates its 60^th anniversary, an event marked by numerous activities, such as a trail photo contest and a special hiking trip. Members of the club also did a “60 Miles for 60 Years” hike, in which 59 volunteers collectively hiked a total of 60 miles of the trail contiguous with the SATC’s section. At the club’s annual banquet, attendees received mugs proudly emblazoned with the SATC’s special 60^th anniversary logo.

Notably, the club is responsible for the Peters Mountain Shelter, which sits about three miles from the southernmost point of the SATC’s 20-mile stretch. Unlike most trail shelters, which are often small, three-sided lean-tos, the Peters Mountain Shelter is structured more like a cabin, with a full roof and a loft for extra sleeping space. Some added perks to this shelter: there’s a bear-proof storage box for food in the back, a contained fire pit and a well-maintained privy just a short walk away.

SATC maintains the shelter to keep it safe and clean for the many through-hikers who pass through—those hiking the entire 2,200-mile length of the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine. SATC volunteers cut down trees that are too close to the shelter and pose a risk of falling. They also remove trash from the site, although, as the trail operates on a “leave no trace” policy, they prefer if hikers remove their own trash.

Hikers who make shorter treks on the trail also benefit from SATC’s work. For example, club volunteers constructed a large number of stone steps to help hikers make their way through the trail’s steeper, trickier areas. In addition, volunteers make frequent trips along the trail to pick up cans and bottles that have been left behind.

More strenuous projects are completed on work trips. Club volunteers take part in work trips as needed, and volunteer support is critical. This fall, the club will replace the old roof on the Peters Mountain Shelter, a project that will need plenty of volunteers to complete. The new roof will be made from durable aluminum, which will hold up well against the weather.

The most difficult part of work trips is getting supplies to and from the site. Volunteers have to carry their supplies onto the trail by hand and then move them back out when they’re finished. Sometimes, volunteers have to make multiple trips in and out of the trail to move all of their supplies. Because of this, the process can take a long time.

For those less inclined to sign up for heavy lifting, the club has something for everybody. SATC sponsors hikes that vary in length and difficulty. Also, there are club meetings and events for those more interested in the social aspect. Though SATC is the only Appalachian Trail Club in Dauphin County, members don’t have to live in the area. Some hail from places as far away as West Virginia.

SATC hopes to have members that stay involved and active. The group also tries to educate members and hikers about good outdoor habits and to keep the trail clean and safe. Above all, though, SATC wants to get people in the Harrisburg area outdoors—enjoying the trail whenever they can.

Learn more about the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club at www.satc-hike.org.

Rail Revival: Regional rail would greatly improve the quality of life in the Harrisburg area.

October 30, 2014 | by Sloan Auchincloss

Imagine riding your bicycle to a regional rail stop. After a short wait, a sleek, self-propelled, articulated railcar arrives. Its double doors open, and you board. While locking your bike to the on-board rack, the railcar glides towards your destination.

For quite a few American cities, this is a reality—a transportation connectivity in an urban core featuring light rail or streetcar service that encourages intermodal transfer by pedestrians, bicyclists and autos. The national trend towards building and/or expanding rail transit coincides with a current demographic shift back to urban living. Harrisburg should take advantage of that movement by building a rail transit line, thereby improving the region’s attractiveness to present and future residents.

Downtown streetcar service, for example, was a major factor in the selection process for the Republican Party’s 2016 National Convention site. The GOP dropped from consideration Columbus, Ohio, which has no passenger rail service of any kind. Both Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kansas City, Mo., which are building new streetcar lines, put in vigorous bids. But the winner was Cleveland, which has both light rail and a metro line. By the way, ArcelorMittal’s plant in Steelton supplied rails for Kansas City.

There are four cities in Pennsylvania that currently provide rail transit: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Scranton (seasonal). Harrisburg should be next on the list. Crisscrossing rail lines built by former Pennsylvania and Reading railroads intersect major trip generation points. Railroad roadbeds are wide enough to accept additional trackage for commuter purposes so as not to interfere with current operators’ (Norfolk Southern and Amtrak) daily turns.

This writer is cognizant that rail transit has been the subject of study at various times since 1979, but policymakers were reluctant to “break new ground.” This was understandable as studies recommended expansive civil works with huge costs to match.

Most cities that have implemented rail transit have started small, adding on as systems gained popularity. Tucson, Ariz., and Charlotte, N.C., began their light rail systems with small, vintage trolley operations. CapMetro, Austin, Texas’ single-line diesel railcar operation, is planning expansion. Harrisburg, with Capital Area Transit as the operator, can and should follow those examples with a modest construct. A viable first line, covering major ridership points, might be as follows:

West Shore Transfer Center (West Shore Plaza), 3^rd & Hummel (Lemoyne), City Island Parking Garage (accessible by the CAT-owned trans-Susquehanna bridge), PinnacleHealth, Amtrak Transportation Center, State Government Complex (7^th & Herr streets), Pennsylvania Farm Show and Harrisburg Area Community College.

On May 2, I attended a day–long conference at Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s headquarters in Philadelphia. Speakers and panelists described how rail transit can and does improve the quality of urban life. Research cited at the conference stated that millennials (young adults) and the elderly are gravitating to cities for the convenience of proximity to jobs and access to walkways, bike lanes, bike tracks and transit. Many young people are postponing the rite of passage of buying cars after college.

Quality of life is critical to the vibrancy of conurbation. Harrisburg needs this vitality in order to attract people who right now really want to live in an urban setting.

Establishing a regional rail system, even the starter line described, will require significant capital funding. Federal and state sources are first options, but there are creative financing packages that are available to augment conventional government grants. Options include CMAQ grants (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality), Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts funding, state and county funding matches, and private participation through development rights.

Oregon successfully used the latter by leveraging development rights along Portland’s light rail downtown-to-airport line to contractor Bechtel Corp. Private foundations have also contributed to rail transit projects. Both Cincinnati and Detroit, for example, are foundation grantees for their downtown rail lines.

Capital outlay for any transportation project may seem daunting. However, rail transit earns its keep by delivering the following benefits:

Construction and operation will return to the community at a ratio of $4.25 (wages, taxes and purchases) for each dollar invested (i.e. $100 million paid out would ripple through the local economy at $425 million; source: U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics).
In energy savings, a rail car can move more people per BTU than any other transport mode.
A rail line takes up less land than a highway; therefore, more land can go on the tax rolls, which, in turn, broadens the region’s property tax base.
A rail line provides a transport redundancy for emergency management, which can be critical for disaster relief. Plus, motive power is a handy source for emergency electricity. One 3,000-horsepower, diesel-electric locomotive can power up 1,000 homes.
Best of all, research by Dena Belzer of Strategic Economics, Berkeley, Calif., cites that improved health outcomes accrue to regular users of rail transit.

Let’s get Harrisburg into the big leagues of Cincinnati, Kansas City and Austin. But to get from imagination to actuality, policymakers must champion the cause. I hope they do because rail transit would deliver a major economic and lifestyle boost for Harrisburg.

Sloan Auchincloss is a principal of the Auchincloss Family Fund.

A Time for Giving Back: During Thanksgiving season, please remember those less fortunate.

October 30, 2014 | by Tara Leo Auchey

It’s a month of thanks.

Thanks for food, for good health, for warmth, shelter and comfort. For family and friends.

However, not everyone has these things.

When I walk around the city, I can see it. I can see the people who are in need of the very thing so many of us take for granted.

Some of those in need are neighbors. Others are people passing by.

My travels bring me face to face with poverty of all configurations. It’s all types, styles, colors and ages of people. While sometimes I can attempt to assume why such and such person is so deprived, the truth is I don’t know everyone’s stories of ailment and hard luck.

I do know some stories, though. I have conversations with residents and talk to them about what it means to struggle financially and not to be able to provide the most basic human needs for themselves or their families.

When I hear their stories, I remember when my own family struggled and required assistance. I recall feeling the shame of our need and the anxiety of day-to-day worries about seemingly simple things like food and shelter.

Need, poverty and homelessness are said to be society’s invisible banes, yet, if your eyes are opened in the City of Harrisburg, it’s evident that they’re not invisible.

As a city, there are greater concentrations of poverty and need typical to urban areas. In Harrisburg, this is further intensified by the fact that it’s also the county seat for services and programs.

According to the most recent U.S. census numbers, of Harrisburg’s 50,000 residents, 31.7 percent live at or below the national poverty line. That’s compared to 13.1 percent statewide.

This past summer, the Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness conducted its annual “Point-in-Time Survey,” which measures homelessness in the city. Of the 530 surveys administered, 297 people who responded were homeless. Of those individuals, 49 were veterans. Ninety-nine children were documented as homeless, too.

Twenty-five percent of the people who were homeless were employed. In fact, if you listen to the stories of poverty and need in the city—or anywhere for that matter— you will find that they are not “bums” as society used to so arrogantly label them.

They are people like you and I. They are challenged with illnesses, disabilities, domestic abuse, addiction, divorce and job loss.

Their plights could be any one’s plight. It could be anyone of us impoverished and in need. And it could happen at any time.

For those of us fortunate not to struggle with acquiring the most basic needs, this month of thanks is an especially good time to consider what poverty and need are. It’s an appropriate time to ponder ways to help combat it.

First and foremost—and this bears repeating—keep in mind that people who are living in poverty and homelessness are people, too. They do not necessarily ask to be pitied. They certainly don’t deserve to be patronized or ignored.

When my husband and I first moved to the city, there was an apparently homeless man who lived directly behind our home in the alley. Every morning, he packed his belongings into a shopping cart and walked around the neighborhood, always keeping to himself. He never spoke to anyone and kept his head down when passing by. Every evening, he unpacked his things and laid them out in neat piles surrounding his sleeping bag. He was perfectly nestled right outside of our back gate.

At first, we were concerned for our safety, as were our family and friends. A couple of days after moving in, we called the police. An officer came to our front door, and we proceeded to tell him we didn’t want police action—the man was truly doing no harm. But we did want to make a record of the situation.

We asked if there was an agency we could call for assistance, but the officer shrugged, saying, if the man wanted help, he probably would seek it.

“Just move his things when he’s not there,” the officer suggested.

My husband shook his head no. “Then I’ll be the one accused of doing wrong,” he joked. “Those are his things. I won’t touch them.”

It was our view that the man was a person with rights, too.

One day, we walked back with food in hand, but he was no longer there, and we never saw him again.

At the time, I didn’t know all of the resources I know today. Now, if that gentleman were living behind my house, I would know whom to call.

It’s something we should all become familiar with—the resources and options in Harrisburg.

A key to combatting poverty and homelessness is becoming aware of the network of local people, organizations and information. One of the most useful things we can do as citizens is help fellow citizens connect to resources.

Of course, this is a season of giving, so give your donations and time to those places.

While far too many of us have a tendency to turn away from poverty and homelessness, probably the most significant thing you can do is look someone in the eye, smile, and ask, “How are you?”

Because, like you, they are people, too.

Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com

October News Digest

October 29, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Treasurer Turmoil Continues

Harrisburg’s newly appointed treasurer stepped aside last month after the city learned that he had filed for personal bankruptcy.

City Council selected accountant Timothy East in late September to fill the post left vacant following the resignation of former city Treasurer John Campbell. East was one of six applicants deemed qualified for the office and one of four ultimately nominated by members of council.

East did not reveal the 2011 bankruptcy during his interview before council. The issue arose later when he needed to be bonded for the job. He was never sworn in.

The city now must re-start the process of selecting a city treasurer.

Campbell resigned in early September following his arrest on charges of theft from two nonprofit organizations unaffiliated with the city. The new treasurer will fill out the remainder of Campbell’s term, which runs through next year.

Note: An October news digest article about the city treasury incorrectly attributed a comment to the controller’s office, saying the office had reviewed the treasurer’s books and “found no anomalies.” To date, the controller’s review of treasury, involving questionnaires about treasury’s internal controls, has not yet been completed.

Arborist Position Created

Harrisburg soon will have someone looking after its trees, as City Council approved the new position of arborist.

The post, which will pay no more than $50,000 a year, including benefits, will be funded by the city’s Host Municipality Benefit Fee Fund, money that Harrisburg receives for being the host site of a regional waste facility, namely the incinerator now owned and operated by the Lancaster Solid Waste Management Authority.

The arborist will help ensure the health of the city’s extensive tree canopy. Among the arborist’s first jobs: the removal of about 200 dead trees identified in the city’s recently completed tree inventory.

In addition to hiring an arborist, City Council approved other administration priorities for the Host Fee Fund: $55,000 for a portable road salt shelter; $32,000 for liners for several leaking trash trucks; and $25,000 for charges relating to the city’s comprehensive plan.

Before the allocation, the city’s Host Fee account totaled about $400,000, according to Bill Cluck, chairman of city’s Environmental Advisory Council. The city should receive another $100,000-plus into the fund soon, said Cluck.

The city receives $1 for every ton of trash processed at the facility. The money then is set aside for environmental projects.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse admitted that the spending from the Host Fee Fund had been ad hoc this year. However, he said he would propose a 2015 budget that will set priorities for use of the monies going forward.

School Resource Officers Urged

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month urged the city school district to reinstate the school resource officer program, saying it would help make the student environment safer.

The administration has drafted a proposal for rebooting the program, which was suspended several years ago by the school district for budgetary reasons. The administration’s proposal would cost about $500,000 a year, the cost borne by the district.

He made the proposal following the sexual assault last month of a student just a block away from Harrisburg High School. He reiterated it after four teenagers, including three high school students, were arrested for allegedly trying to hold up two state assemblymen on a Midtown street, an altercation that resulted in gunfire between the suspects and the lawmakers.

Collection Agency Hired

Harrisburg last month agreed to hire a collection agency to recover some of the back business taxes and fees owed to the city.

City Council voted unanimously to engage Pittsburgh-based eCollect Plus to collect delinquent taxes such as the business privilege tax, business license fee, mercantile tax, zoning review fee, health license fee, amusement tax and parking tax.

The company’s fee will range from 20 to 25 percent of the amount recovered. However, it must recover at least $376,000, which is 10 percent of the city’s average business and mercantile tax collections over the past three years, to receive any compensation.

eCollect specializes in tax collections for Pennsylvania municipalities. Its client list includes Chester, McKeesport and Hanover Township.

HMAC Gets Funding

After years of trying to secure financing, the owners of the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center have received the funding that they believe will allow them to complete the renovation of the expansive arts space.

Michael Giblin, an HMAC principal, confirmed that he and his partners—John Traynor, Gary Bartlett and Chuck London—closed on financing that will allow them to add a restaurant, a 700-person entertainment space and a rooftop bar to the building at N. 3^rd and Herr streets. The restaurant will be designed and managed by Rehoboth Beach, Del.-based Highwater Management.

HMAC opened in 2009 with a single entertainment space and bar called Stage on Herr. However, the project remained uncompleted after hitting funding snags as banks scaled back lending in the wake of the financial crisis. The facility has been on the sheriff’s sale list numerous times over the past five years, though was never publicly auctioned.

The century-old building was originally Harrisburg’s Jewish Community Center. It later housed the city’s Police Athletic League. It had sat empty for many years before Traynor, Bartlett and London bought it from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority in late 2007.

SAM Opening Set

The Susquehanna Art Museum has set Jan. 16 for the opening of its new building in Midtown Harrisburg.

SAM will debut the 20,000-square-foot facility with an exhibit titled, “Open: Icons of Pop Art from Niagara University.” The show will feature art on loan from the university’s Castellani Art Museum, including works from such seminal mid-20^th century figures as Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Marisol and Roy Lichtenstein.

The new museum includes the original, fully renovated Keystone/Fulton bank building at N. 3^rd and Calder streets, plus an addition built in the former bank parking lot. It also will feature the Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art, a sculpture garden and a new mural by Messiah College professor Daniel Finch.

For the past several years, SAM has been without a permanent home, mounting exhibits in a gallery in the State Museum. It long exhibited in the Kunkel building downtown before that building was redeveloped.

Enterline Appointed Chief

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month named department veteran Brian Enterline as the new chief of the city’s Fire Bureau.

Enterline had been acting chief since his appointment a year ago by former Mayor Linda Thompson. He has served for 14 years with the department.

Heavy Equipment Bought

Harrisburg last month purchased two pieces of heavy equipment: one for road maintenance and the other for firefighting.

City Council approved the lease/purchase of a new Case 580 SN Loader Backhoe from Mechanicsburg-based Groff Tractor and Equipment. After a trade-in of an existing backhoe, the net sales price will be $47,425, amortized over 60 months.

Council also OK’d an intergovernmental agreement to buy a 1984 Sutphen Pumper Fire Engine from Swatara Township. The used pumper will cost $3,500.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2252: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. to E. Waters, $58,000

Adrian St., 2445: C. & T. Phillips to G. Goneste & G. Niguse, $70,000

Adrian St., 2459: M. Sopp to B. Rotta, $70,000

Barkley Lane, 2524: J. Paul to Codi Tucker, $53,200

Bellevue Rd., 2042: L. & S. Freeman to D. Miller & M. Heagy, $91,000

Brookwood St., 2610: Scottsdale Commercial Partners LP & Brickbox Enterprises Ltd. to University Park Plaza Corp., $230,000

Capital St., 1200: J. & D. Fuhrman to 8219 Ventures LLC, $70,000

Elder St., 821 & 808 S. 26^th St.: GR Sponaugle & Sons Inc. to AIS Property Management LLC, $939,500

Green St., 1900: WCI Partners LP to J. Bovender & J. Van Horn, $192,500

Green St., 1938: WCI Partners LP to I. Brea to O. Sanchez, $201,000

Green St., 2133: D. Ware to M. Brown, $40,000

Hale Ave., 420: V. Ly to Luckylan Properties LLC, $30,000

Harris St., 205: Arthur A. Kusic Real Estate Investments to J. Heinly, $100,000

Herr St., 256: C. Wilson to N. Hench & R. Wetzel Jr., $125,000

Hillside Rd., 109: L. & K. York to W. Morgan Jr. & A. Winans, $254,900

Hoffman St., 3133: S. Harvey to M. Sobkowski, $62,000

Hoffman St., 3235: Harrisburg Television Inc. c/o Allbritten Communications to WHTM Acquisitions LLC & Revac Inc., $598,400

Holly St., 1823: J. Johnson to S. & D. Fenton & Exit Realty Capital Area, $56,000

Hudson St., 1152: PA Deals LLC to Amboy MAA Properties LLC, $104,000

Kensington St., 2241: F. Marsico to L. Murphy, $40,500

Kensington St., 2400: M. Eck to R. Murphy, $49,000

Lewis St., 101: R. Alexander to T. Arora, $75,000

Market St., 2048: S. St. Clair Jr. to R. Monzon & L. Trinh, $35,000

North St., 216: E. & R. Maff to R. Lamberson, $75,000

N. 2^nd St., 1307: B. Winpenny to V. McCallum, $68,900

N. 2^nd St., 2101: JAD Development to SMKP Properties LLC, $229,000

N. 3^rd St., 1126: Cornerstone Realty Management LLC to BCG Holdings LLC & Lehman Property Management, $310,000

N. 3^rd St., 1200: Cornerstone Realty Management LLC to Keuka LLC & Lehman Property Management, $575,350

N. 3^rd St., 1626: C. Hoffman to C. Grilli, $119,000

N. 4^th St., 1630: PA Deals LLC to M. & J. Leahy, $48,000

N. 4^th St., 2032: M. Stransbaugh to A. & A. Gault, $81,000

N. 12^th St., 54: D. Schubert to J. Achenbach, $44,000

N. 19^th St., 43: Kirsch & Burns LLC to LMK Properties LLC, $52,669

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 202: C. Shoemaker to R. & A. Chappelka, $185,000

Reel St., 2719: J. Eby to E. Tilahun, $51,000

Reily St., 255: C. Ruegsegger & S. Kauffman to E. Harman, $139,000

S. 19^th St., 901: L. Zaydon Jr. to CSP Group LLP, $285,000

S. 19^th St., 1101: PA Deals LLC to Amboy MAA Properties LLC, $98,000

S. 27^th St., 701: Fannie Mae to A. Brinkley, $87,900

S. Cameron St., 535: J. Strohecker to Capitol City Holdings LLC, $175,000

Susquehanna St., 1622: D. Remm & E. Goshorn to R. & G. Harris, $116,000

Wilson Parkway, 2600: A. Sias Jr. & S. Gibbs to M. Cabrera, $50,000

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

Danger Zones

October 16, 2014 | by Paul Barker

Nothing quite lures the shark in a reporter like a crime story, and one this week, though it lacked the scent of blood, offered plenty to feast on.

On Tuesday night, a few minutes before 11 p.m., a 15-year-old boy and a Democratic state lawmaker exchanged gunfire on a residential block in Midtown Harrisburg. According to a statement by the lawmaker, Rep. Marty Flynn of Scranton, he was walking with another representative to an apartment they rent on 2^nd Street when the boy approached, pointing a gun at them and asking for their wallets.

Flynn drew a handgun of his own and fired two shots; the juvenile fired one. Then, the statement says, they “ran in different directions.” No one was injured.

Aside from the usual intrigue accompanying a crime, what made the incident so appetizing to the press? First, there was the fact that six people were involved in the incident, four of them minors. Along with the second lawmaker, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, there were allegedly three additional perpetrators, one of them 15 years old like the shooter, the others 17.

Then there was the interest in the lawmakers themselves—first-termers whose names sound like a Marvel superhero and his alter-ego. Flynn, a former Lackawanna County prison guard, also has a past that includes training in mixed martial arts and boxing.

Capitolwire.com, a subscription news service covering the statehouse, broke the story in the middle of the night, after a reporter picked up a tip while monitoring a late-running Senate session at the statehouse. By Wednesday morning, every newspaper in the Commonwealth was interested, and even some of the seasoned reporters couldn’t help but get caught up in the sensationalism.

“Two lawmakers involved in shoot-out with robbers near Capitol,” ran the headline on Philly.com, suggesting that whatever went down was a good deal heavier than three misfires and a mutual decision to flee the scene.

But the truly sensational headline came in the local paper of record, the Patriot-News, whose front page in the Thursday morning print-edition proclaimed Harrisburg “Dangerous for anybody.” Below the fold—lest the absence of subject and verb confuse readers—a second headline clarifies exactly what is dangerous, and for whom: “Capitol staffers are urged to avoid city streets.”

The lower headline was derived from a quote by Tony Aliano, chief of staff to the Republican Speaker of the House, who, we are told, counseled “representatives seeking advice” in the wake of Tuesday’s incident to “avoid the streets of Harrisburg until they get the situation under control.” What “situation” is being referred to here, I’m not sure; given the lawmakers involved in the shooting were Democrats, I think the “situation” might be the Republicans’ horror that the latest poster-child for the right to carry is a straight-laced former boxer of the opposing party.

But the Aliano quote didn’t come from Aliano. It entered the pages of the Patriot secondhand, by way of the spokesman for the House Republicans, Steve Miskin. Which leads to a question: Did anyone at the Patriot pause to consider whether a secondhand quote from someone barely connected to the incident deserved to dictate the tone of an entire article?

Moreover, on what authority are Miskin and Aliano—not to mention Flynn, whose own quote, “I don’t feel safe walking the streets in Harrisburg,” also graces the story—making pronouncements about crime in the city? To put this another way, would a quote from the city’s police chief belong in a story on the prospects of a Senate bill?

I was at the press conference Wednesday afternoon in city hall at which the mayor and Chief Thomas Carter discussed Tuesday’s shooting. Because I was there, I heard other quotes and facts about the incident which might have earned a more prominent place in the next day’s reporting. For starters, there were the comments from Mayor Papenfuse, who kicked things off by praising what he saw as a case of “excellent police work.” As it turned out, the police department had placed extra officers in the area after a similar incident Monday night, and they apprehended three of the four alleged criminals within five minutes of receiving the 911 call.

Twice in the day after Tuesday’s exchange of fire, I passed by the block where the shooting occurred. The first time was after Wednesday’s conference, when my editor and I took a detour up the street by car. There we encountered a middle-aged couple who live in one of the many well-kept buildings on the block. They had heard the shots, they said, and like many of their neighbors had immediately called the police. They told us one of the shell casings had been recovered from the sidewalk in front of their home. They said they were always impressed by the Harrisburg police, whom they thought deserved more credit. They did not seem the least bit rattled.

The second time was later that night, around 11 p.m., the same time as the shooting the night before. This time, I was in the neighborhood because I live there, a few doors down from the apartment rented by Bizzarro and Flynn. At the end of the block where the shooting occurred is the Midtown Tavern, my neighborhood bar. A small crowd was there, most of them for the Giants-Cardinals game. The shooting, if it troubled them at all, seemed to be outweighed by the $2 drafts on special and the 40-cent wings.

It bears mentioning that the Patriot’s coverage was not totally one-sided. On Thursday afternoon, the online paper ran several follow-up stories, including one with the headline “Crimes targeting random victims still relatively rare in Harrisburg.” Reading between the lines, however, you see it’s a story in part created by the earlier coverage; it includes a comment from the mayor’s spokeswoman, who is quoted as being unhappy with “sensational and misleading” headlines.

In any case, the calculus that led the paper to step out first with headlines like the one in print is all-too-evident on the Web page: the “relatively rare” hook, as of this writing, had drawn six comments and two shares on Twitter, up against the 210 comments and 309 Facebook shares drawn by its “I don’t feel safe” counterpart.

Even the follow-ups, though, point back to the original problem. That the paper should spend further energy on the story just to balance out prior coverage shows what’s really at issue. It’s not simply the harm that front pages like this morning’s do by distorting what it’s really like to live in the city. It’s the good they fail to do, by diverting resources—and good reporters—towards sensation and drama and away from what matters.

Along this line, let me suggest an area of inquiry, inspired by this week’s events, that could use a few more notebooks and pairs of eyes: three of the four juveniles charged in the attempted robbery were students in the Harrisburg school district, where, over the past two years, 247 teachers and 28 administrators have either resigned, retired or been furloughed.

Might this exodus of experience, and its effect on school and student morale, have something to do with the recent state intervention in the district, under which a Republican-appointed official cut benefits and salaries? It almost sounds like a question for a spokesman at the Capitol.

An earlier version of this article referred speculatively to a “news peg” on which a Patriot-News article, “Crimes targeting random victims still relatively rare in Harrisburg,” was based. The phrase “a story the earlier coverage created” has been changed to “a story in part created by the earlier coverage”; the reference to the story’s news peg has been removed.

City Approved Clear-Cutting on Riverbank

October 14, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda and Paul Barker

The denuded riverbank along the 2900-block of N. Front Street in Harrisburg.

A new bed and breakfast is slated to open next year in Harrisburg and, thanks to the city, its guests will enjoy spectacular views of the Susquehanna River.

The city today confirmed that it gave its blessing to a private contractor to clear-cut about 80 yards of embankment on city-owned land along the Susquehanna River on the 2900-block of N. Front Street.

Director of Public Works Aaron Johnson approved the removal of the trees and undergrowth from the hillside and banks of the river after B&B owner Michael Wilson of Lisburn requested permission to clear the area, said Joyce Davis, the city’s director of communications.

The trees and undergrowth, which Davis said were removed by Stoner’s Tree Service on Sept. 23, blocked views of the river from the future B&B across the street.

Wilson purchased two historic mansions at 2909 and 2917 N. Front, once part of the Mary K complex, at auction last April and proposed to develop them into a bed and breakfast. The city’s Zoning Hearing Board approved the proposal late last month.

Wilson did not return a phone call requesting comment on the removal, which included dozens of trees and more than 100 separate trunks, some of which grew in clusters.

Initially, Davis told TheBurg that she believed a permit had been applied for to conduct the tree clearing, but later said that no permit was required for the work.

Neil Grover, the city solicitor, said he was reviewing the circumstances surrounding the tree removal, including whether the area in question was a part of Riverfront Park.

A city parks and recreation ordinance forbids people from damaging or removing trees in city parks, while a separate ordinance requires people to obtain a permit before trimming or removing trees along city streets or highways.

Among the city’s obligations is to ensure that the bank will “hold itself together” after the removal of trees and brush, Grover said. According to Davis, several of the trees were already dead, and stumps were left in to prevent erosion.

Lisa Kasianowitz, a community relations coordinator with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said her agency had not been notified of the tree removal. She added, however, that no state permit would be needed unless the contractor had to enter the river with heavy equipment, if construction were performed on the embankment or if fill material were added.

This story has been updated with the date of the tree removal and the name of the company that performed it.

Midtown Meters to Go Live Next Week

October 9, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Twelve parking meters along several blocks in Midtown Harrisburg will go live on Tuesday, the city’s parking operator said late today.

Park Harrisburg said the newly metered area includes the area bordered by Verbeke, Harris, Susquehanna and James streets, including the N. 3rd Street commercial corridor. The company has installed the multi-space meters over the past few months, but has not yet activated them.

All Midtown meters are priced at $1.50 an hour, half the rate of the downtown meters. In addition, the first 15 minutes of time at the newly metered spaces will be free, said Park Harrisburg. For quick store visits, motorists can select an option of only 15 minutes of free parking, then can add time if needed.

Park Harrisburg received the Harrisburg parking concession as part of the city’s financial recovery plan. It has been installing multi-space, digital meters since March in downtown and then Midtown Harrisburg.

The newly metered area covers about 88 parking spaces in Midtown along and near N. 3rd Street.

Click here for a map of all the metered spaces in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg Mayor Delivers “State of the City”

October 8, 2014 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse today delivered a wide-ranging State of the City address, discussing what his administration has accomplished since taking office in January and what it expects to do going forward.

The address before several hundred people at the Harrisburg Hilton touched upon many topics: from his personal health to the city’s debt; from employee morale to tax abatement; from infrastructure to City Council relations. He also implored all who care about Harrisburg to get more involved in improving the quality of life in the city.

“Join us, as we all work together to ensure Harrisburg’s future prosperity,” Papenfuse said, concluding his speech. “We are a strong and resilient city. Together, we can make a difference!”

For the full text of the seven-page address, click Papenfuse 2014 State of the City.

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