Harrisburg City Council Slams Receiver For Health Officer Exit

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Dauphin County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HARRISBURG – The capital city’s restaurants might not be inspected during the next year because officials won’t spend $10,000.

That is, at least, the contention of some Harrisburg City Council members who blamed receiver William Lynch for losing a highly competent health officer to a better-paying post in a neighboring municipality.

Lynch was appointed to guide Harrisburg through the Act 47 recovery process brought on by the municipality’s $370 million debt and operating deficit.

For months, Lynch, his team, elected officials and city administration have presented a united front as they negotiate lower-cost deals with bondholders and city unions, as well as the sale of the incinerator and lease of public parking garages.

Read more:  http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/harrisburg_city_council_slams.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Free Speech Is One Thing, Vagrants, Another

BERKELEY, CA — Hardly a stranger to political movements, this is a city that has championed free speech, no nukes, the antiwar movement and now: no sitting on the sidewalk.

During years of economic downturn, cities across the country have reported rising vagrancy and rushed to pass laws banning aggressive panhandling, giving food away in public parks and even smelling foul.

This bastion of populist politics is no exception.  The City Council and mayor have put a measure on the November ballot that would ban sitting and lying on commercial sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the risk of a $75 citation.

“These laws are an example of a startling national trend to criminalize homelessness,” said Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, an advocacy group.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/20/us/berkeley-targeting-homeless-proposes-ban-on-sidewalk-sitting.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us&_r=0

Scranton City Council Targets Parking Garages, Meters

The beleaguered Scranton Parking Authority may have its five parking garages under outside management as soon as today, Scranton City Council announced Thursday.

Meanwhile, council also introduced a proposed ordinance Thursday to terminate on Oct. 8 the city’s parking-meter cooperation agreement with SPA, under which SPA receives 10 percent of meter revenues.

Both actions – one dealing with parking garages and the other dealing with meters – would remove all control of SPA’s two revenue streams from the SPA’s board, which is appointed by Mayor Chris Doherty, according to council President Janet Evans and council solicitor Boyd Hughes.

Regarding outside management, the SPA’s new court-appointed receiver, former Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo, is expected to hire a firm called Central Parking, Mr. Hughes said during council’s meeting. He said Central Parking is the second-largest parking management company in the nation.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-targets-parking-garages-meters-1.1369583

Scranton City Council Holds Hearing On Recovery Plan

In a first in several years, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty on Thursday attended a city council meeting that was a public hearing on their joint revised recovery plan.

The mayor – who usually bears the brunt of a barrage of negative comments and criticism from council and some regular attendees at weekly council meetings – had not attended a council session in about six years, council President Janet Evans said.

However, the city’s financial crisis has finally made for some strange bedfellows between the mayor and council majority, who usually are mortal political enemies. After months of a bitter mayor/council stalemate over revising the city’s Act 47 recovery plan that would be acceptable to banks and the city’s recovery coordinator, Pennsylvania Economy League, the mayor and Mrs. Evans reached an accord July 27. As a result, she said she asked the mayor to attend the hearing, and he agreed.

“It was a milestone,” Mrs. Evans said of the mayor’s appearance. “We’re very pleased to be working with him.”

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-holds-hearing-on-recovery-plan-1.1360066

Former Coatesville City Manager Discusses His Termination

Editor’s note:   Sounds so familiar!

COATESVILLE, PA — More than five weeks after he was fired, former City Manager Gary Rawlings discussed recently why he was let go, the situation with the city’s police department and other issues.

City Council never provided the public with a specific reason as to why they terminated Rawlings on June 11. Rawlings said he, too, was never provided with a reason from council for his eventual dismissal.

“I was never given a reason and can only assume,” said Rawlings, who served as manager for 13 months.  “I guess it was that they were unhappy with my style.  But I tried to draw a line between my responsibilities and theirs based on the city charter.  When it came to personnel matters, I told them they had to stay out of it or else they could get in trouble.

”Rawlings said council was “too involved” in the day-to-day management in the city.  He said the council never set goals for him even though it was part of his contract.  He said council should “set goals and then step back” when hiring a city manager.  He said the next manager will also need more time to develop.

“Thirteen months is not enough time to judge someone’s management style,” Rawlings said.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20120723/NEWS01/120729924/former-coatesville-manager-discusses-his-termination&pager=full_story

After Early Bumps, Reading Mayor And City Council Say They’re InTune

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The relationship between Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer and City Council got off to a rocky start, he and council members admitted Tuesday at a Berks County League of Women Voters breakfast.

But now they’re ready to move on to implementing Spencer’s agenda of making the city safer and cleaner, encouraging economic development and getting the finances in order, they said.

“The impression that the president of council and the mayor hate each other is not true,” Council President Francis G. Acosta said. “All of us on council would like to see the mayor succeed and attain his goals.”

About 20 league members attended the event in Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave.

Read more:http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=374259

Easton Mayor Applauds Crime Reduction, Economic Development

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Editor’s note:  Will we ever see a headline like this with POTTSTOWN in it?????

Mayor Sal Panto Jr. believes there is much to applaud in Easton, Pa. — a falling crime rate, promising redevelopment projects — but also much yet to do.

Panto outlined his vision for 2012, and mentioned some of the successes of 2011, in a “state of the city” speech Wednesday night before City Council, noting an 11 percent drop in crime overall, and a 37 percent drip in violent crime since 2006.

“Easton is becoming safer for families,” Panto said.

It is a theme he has stuck with in the march to redevelop the downtown into a place to work, eat and live, not just visit from time to time. Panto talked in the speech of a 24/7 downtown, which he said can only happen with new development drawing in full-time residents.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-state-of-the-city-20120222,0,5829329.story

Easton mayor: Intermodal Project Costs Rise By $5.8 Million

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The price tag for Easton‘s proposed intermodal center and future home of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame Museum leaped by nearly $6 million, according to Mayor Sal Panto Jr.

In a presentation to City Council on Wednesday night, Panto said the complex, which would house a Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority intermodal hub, retail space, offices and at least one restaurant, would cost $25.8 million, considerably more than the $20 million budget approved by council last year.

Panto said the additional costs reflect needed extras like an urban park, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, a third-floor with open office space, and improvements to the look and feel of S. Third Street.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-council-intermodal-20120208,0,5894861.story

Pottstown Councilor Jody Rhoads Sworn In For Second Term

I had the pleasure of witnessing Man of the People, Jody Rhoads get sworn in this morning for his second term as Pottstown Sixth Ward Councilor.  Congratulations to Jody for a spectacular win!  See photo’s below!

 

Jody writes:

 

For my Oath of Office I had various options to choose from.

I made the decision to have our newly elected Magisterial District Judge, Scott Palladino, administer my Oath of Office.

I am looking at : 1-A new term

                                  2-A new year

                                  3-A new Judge

                                  4-My ceremony being the first on the list

                                  of 2012 for District Court  #38-1-11

  

   

  

  

Easton Going Another Year Without Tax Hike

Easton City Council on Wednesday approved a budget that holds taxes steady while taking on the burden of funding community revitalization programs abandoned by the state or struggling for self-reliance.

With no increase in the levy, the 2012 budget represented an easy victory for Mayor Sal Panto Jr., who had a like-minded council behind him and in November won a second consecutive term — and fourth overall — promising fiscal austerity.

Council unanimously approved the $28.8 million financial plan, which member Jeff Warren called a conservative budget for maintaining the tax rate at 24.95 mills

Read more:  http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-city-council-adotps-budget-20111214,0,1169263.story

Harrisburg Under Control Of State Appointed Receiver

David Unkovic, most recently chief counsel of the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development, was named by Gov. Tom Corbett to lead Harrisburg quickly out of financial distress. He will be assisted by the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge.

At a press conference, Unkovic deflected concerns about his past, including 23 years at the firm of Saul Ewing, which represents Assured Guaranty, the largest insurer of Harrisburg incinerator bonds.  He’s also worked for other firms that have ties to the incinerator debacle, including Public Finance Management and RBC Capital Markets…

Read the rest of the story… http://www.theburgnews.com/Index.html

Harrisburg Moving Closer To State Financial Takeover

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 185 – 9 in favor of a bill that will allow a state-appointed receiver to take control of Harrisburg’s finances.

It is also very liked this bill will overwhelmingly pass in the PA State Senate!

Harrisburg is a financially distressed community under ACT 47.  City Council has refused to comply with recommendations made by the Act 47 team and the mayor’s proposal was also vetoed.

PA State Senator Jeff Piccola is leading the charge for a state takeover.  Harrisburg is hundreds of millions of dollars in debt from a failed incinerator retrofit.

Governor Corbett is expected to sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

Harrisburg City Council Rejects Act 47 Plan And Mayor’s Plan – State Takeover Likely

Harrisburg City Council rejected the Act 47 plan, and now they have rejected Mayor Linda Thompson’s plan one last time.  Critics say the mayor’s plan is basically the same plan as presented by the Act 47 team.

Rejecting the mayoral plan means the original plan will end up being enforced by the Commonwealth.  Council is delaying the inevitable.  However, denying the plan gives naysayers the ability to distance themselves from the plan should it go badly.  This amounts to a CYA move for the no votes on council and the ability to come back and say “I told you so!” later.

Governor Corbett says he will sign legislation to appoint an oversight board to enforce the state recommended financial recovery plan.  Harrisburg is $310 million dollars in debt from a failed retrofit of the city’s incinerator.

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson’s Recovery Plan Gets Cool Reception From City Council

Harrisburg, Pa — It may be a difficult road ahead for Harrisburg’s latest financial recovery plan, as several council members tonight voiced significant concerns over Mayor Linda Thompson’s Act 47 alternative.

 

Councilman Brad Koplinski complained that the mayor did not explore the potential of implementing a 1 percent, county-wide sales tax, nor did her plan include any concessions from bond insurer AGM…

 

To read the rest of the article and other coverage of Harrisburg’s Act 47 status, click here:

http://www.theburgnews.com/

 

 

Lansdale Looks To “Beef Up” Economic Development Committee

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Lansdale Borough Council is looking to expand the size of their Economic Development Committee (EDC) in the next two months.  The EDC will expand to seven members, four of whom will be borough residents or borough business owners.  The other three members will be council members, by appointment.  The chair of the EDC will also be a councilor.

The strength of the EDC is that this committee is borough business focused by cutting red tape and being an advocate for business and not government focused.  The idea is not to create another budget item.

Wednesday evening, council gave approval to create an ordinance to formally establish the committee.  This came about by changes in legal requirements when council passed an economic incentive development ordinance last year.  The economic incentive development ordinance gives discounts on electricity purchased from the borough to qualified businesses.  Ordinance language mandates that any business who is interested in this program needs to go before the EDC.  Officially establishing this committee by ordinance was connecting all the dots.

The Lansdale Business Association (LBA) will also continue to stay involved with this committee by hopefully continuing to have an LBA member on the EDC.  The EDC will also be working closely with the Communications Commission.  The newly created Communications Commission is tasked with creating a “marketable brand” for the borough.  Initially the EDC and the Communications Commission will be working together to create an image and branding for Lansdale.

Once these tasks are completed, the EDC will take the newly developed brand image and market Lansdale.  The Communications Commission will be responsible for technology, signage, the website, attracting technology and keeping residents updated.

We give this well thought out effort, with expanded resident involvement, two Roy’s Rants thumbs up!

Harrisburg Mayor And City Council At War Over Budget

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Controversial Harrisburg Mayor, Linda Thompson, is refusing to sign Harrisburg City Council’s proposed 2011 budget.  Mayor Thompson thinks the proposed $56 million dollar budget is deeply flawed because it underfunds the police and fire budgets.

According to Thompson, she found $4 million dollars worth of errors in the budget and she asserts this budget does not even provide for sufficient fuel to power the city’s emergency vehicles.  Thompson was quoted as comparing the proposed budget to throwing spaghetti against a wall to see if it sticks.

Mayor Thompson can veto the budget, use as line-item veto or let it pass but refuse to sign.  She has until Tuesday to make a decision.

Harrisburg was accepted into the Act 47 program in December, thereby officially making our state capital a financially distressed municipality.

What Can Pottstown Learn From Scranton?

This is certainly news we do not read about often!  Scranton City Council unanimously adopted a $74.9 million dollar budget that features a 10.55% property tax decrease AND a 25% decrease in mercantile and business privilege taxes.  The budget restores 44 of 69 positions which had previously been recommended to be cut. 

Mayor Chris Doherty submitted a $75.5 million dollar budget to council in November which included 69 jobs being eliminated.  Mayor Doherty has until December 24^th to act of council’s $74.9 million dollar budget.  Council has a veto-proof majority so any attempt to veto the budget by Mayor Doherty would be symbolic.

Scranton, PA                                        Pottstown, PA

Population – 71,944   2009 estimate                Population – 21,421   2009 estimate

Land area – 25.2 square miles                          Land area – 4.83 square miles

2011 Budget – $74.9 million dollars                2011 Budget – $39.3 million dollars

Police – 150 officers                                         Police – 47 officers

Est. 2008 median income – $32,794                Est. 2008 median income – $45,941

Est. 2008 per capita income – $19,034            Est. 2008 per capita income – $24,044

City-data crime index 2009 – 306.7                City-data crime index 2009 – 454.7

After carefully reflecting on the above figures some questions may develop.

How does a city 3 1/2 times our size (population) and 5 times our size in land area have a lower crime rate with less police per 1000 people?

How does a city 3 1/2 times our size have a budget less than twice as big?

How does a less affluent city in terms of median and per capita income reduce property taxes 10.55% and reduce business taxes 25%?

Any thoughts?????

Demographic information from City-data.com

Harrisburg Authority Plays Tooth Fairy To City

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The Harrisburg Authority has unanimously approved a payment to financially distressed Harrisburg City in the amount of $3.8 million dollars! 

The Authority, you may remember from earlier posts, created the $288 million dollar debt on the incinerator which has all but sent the capital city of Pennsylvania to the poor-house.  By some stroke of luck or Divine Intervention, the Authority has funds a-plenty in its water division.  The Authority is assuring the public that their “gift” to Harrisburg will not raise water rates for 2011, exhaust reserves or threaten capital projects

Seems only fitting that the Authority comes up with the money.  This infusion of capital reduces the city’s year-end deficit to a more manageable $1 million dollars. 

The $3.8 million dollars will be used toward city payroll and a big stack of unpaid bills!

Kudos to The Authority for doing the right thing by the citizens of Harrisburg!