The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch Ranks Harrisburg In Top Ten – Best Cities For Business

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Our beleaguered capital city shot up 25 places on WSJ‘s MarketWatch‘s Best Cities For Business annual ranking.  Harrisburg ranked 34th in 2009 and 9th for 2010.

Criteria changed this year which helped Harrisburg achieve a much improved place on the list.  Tourism, military GDP and personal income helped propel Harrisburg to a Top 10 spot.  Harrisburg also has a high ranking of Russell 2000 companies, Forbes Private Companies and of course, Hershey Foods in its suburbs.

More changes are expected next year that could make it difficult for Harrisburg to maintain a Top 10 spot as economic stability will weigh in more heavily next year.  We all know the City of Harrisburg has some problems in that area!

Washington, D.C took top honors this year.  Pittsburgh ranked 18th, Philadelphia ranked 29th, Allentown and Lancaster tied at 63rd place and Scranton came in at 100.  The survey included 102 cities with metro areas over 500,000.

I would say that is a decent showing from Pennsylvania!

Phoenixville Raises Property Taxes, Adds Per Capita Tax And Scraps July 4th Fireworks

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Phoenixville Borough Council has passed a 2011 budget with a 9.9% property tax increase.  No police officers were laid-off but there were 5 casualties in other departments. Raises for borough employees are not happening in 2011 and employee health insurance co-pays were increased.

Council is bringing back a per capita tax (eliminated more than 10 years ago) which will amount to $10.00 for each borough resident over 18 years of age.

The budget vote was deadlocked at 4-4 but Mayor Scoda voted “yes” to break the deadlock and pass the budget.

Phoenixville residents are also looking at increases in sanitation fees, water rates and sewer rates.  In addition, Council removed fireworks funding for the Fourth of July celebration in the borough from the 2011 budget.

Harrisburg International Airport Passenger Traffic Up Over 2009

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Air travel is improving!  Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) is projecting a 14% increase in passengers over last Christmas.  Last month traffic was up 12% over November 2009 and year-to-date the airport has seen 7.3% increase in passengers.

Full body scans and pat-downs had no impact on air travel over Thanksgiving.

McNabb Speaks Out – Feels Disrespected

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So good old Chunky Soup finally opens his yap about getting demoted to third-string QB for the Redskins.  Of course, McNabb blames Coach Shanahan for not giving him a chance and for leaking news to the media before he was aware.

First of all, your performance this season should have been a clue that things were not exactly going according to plan.  I think this is the worst season I remember for McNabb.  It’s been a downward spiral.

As far as being disrespected, I think you need to put your big boy pants on and own up to the fact you have been a huge disappointment to the Redskins.  Maybe they feel a little disrespected by your abysmal performance this season.  Andy Reid is not around anymore to coddle your ego and make excuses for you.  Plus the rest of the Eagles team is outstanding and propped up your inconsistent behind week after week.

So Donovan, you have nobody to blame for the predicament you find yourself in except you.  The rest of the NFL is not as nice as Andy Reid!

Retire!

Fast Eddie Throws Himself A Goodbye Party

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Oh please!  Get real!  I suppose nobody else will throw your sorry self a party!

On January 2nd, at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, the Beach Boys will be the headling act for Ed’s thanks for letting me screw up your state for eight years retirement party.  Fortunately, we have term limits for governor of Pennsylvania!

Rendell’s campaign committee is “footing the bill”.  Ed just wants to thank everybody who “stood by him” over the years, according to Michelle Singer, Executive Director.

I would expect about ten people at this shindig if that’s the case, Michelle.