Former Harrisburg Receiver David Unkovic To Join McNees Wallace & Nurick

Since his time as Receiver of the City of Harrisburg, David Unkovic has worked with Pennsylvania State Senators explaining the capital city’s financial dilemma, testified during the Senate Local Government Committee hearing on the matters, presented his white paper “Municipal Fiscal Distress: Causes and Solution” at the The Bond Buyer’s Second Annual Symposium on Distressed Municipalities in Rhode Island, and spoken to a variety of groups on topics of his experience and expertise.

Now he is joining the law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC to practice in its Financial Services and Public Finance Group at its Lancaster office.

Unkovic resigned from his position as the Receiver on March 30, 2012, a move that not only put him in the national spotlight, but also the City of Harrisburg.

Before being the first-ever municipal receiver in Pennsylvania, Unkovic was Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development  (DCED). He had previously worked as a bond attorney at Saul Ewing, LLP for 27 years before leaving to be a managing director and chief compliance officer of PFM Asset Management LLC. From 2008 until taking the job with DCED in 2011, he practiced at Cozen O’Connor where he specialized in Public & Project Finance and Capital Markets. Unkovic is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

A Second City of Harrisburg Official Enters the PA Lieutenant Governor’s Race

Brenda Alton, Director of the City of Harrisburg Department of Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment is running for Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor. She is also Senior Pastor at Kingdom Embassy Church.

In the race for Lieutenant Governor, she joins fellow City of Harrisburg citizen City Councilor Brad Koplinski who announced his run in February.

While now official statement has been issued, it’s said that Alton will make her formal announcement on Friday, June 21st at the State Capitol. It is unknown whether or not Alton resign her position as Director of Parks, Recreation, and Enrichment while she campaigns.

• See Alton’s campaign facebook page: VoteBrendaMAlton
• See Alton’s campaign twitter page: @BrendaMAlton

Nate Curtis To Announce Run for Mayor of Harrisburg

As released by Cold Spark Media:

Nate Curtis To Announce Candidacy

For Harrisburg Mayor

Harrisburg – On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., Nathaniel R. Curtis will announce his candidacy for Harrisburg mayor in 2013.

Nate Curtis is a Harrisburg native and resident of midtown seeking the office of Harrisburg mayor. From the time he turned 17 years old, Nate Curtis has served in the United States Air Force and currently ranks as a Staff Sergeant. Curtis is running for mayor as an independent, and his political party affiliation will read “Curtis for Mayor” on the ballot.

What: Nate Curtis Harrisburg Mayor announcement
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania State Museum, Memorial Room, Floor 2, 300 North Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17102

For questions on site, please call Colleen Weldon at (203) 300-2507.

Harrisburg Bureau of Police Report: Citizen Fights Back

 released by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police: 

City of Harrisburg
Office of the Chief of Police
McCormick Public Services Center
123 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1614

Pierre Ritter (717) 255-3103
Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE

Type of Incident: Assault investigation

Date / Time: 06-15-2013 at about 2300 hrs.

Location: 1900 block of Penn St.

Investigating Officer: Criminal Investigation Division

Injured person: Black male, 56, Midtown resident

Suspect: Two Hispanic males, 20s, one wore a red shirt and the other a shirt with blue and orange stripes.

Charges: Pending

Narrative: On 06-15-2013 at about 2305 hrs. patrol officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Penn St. on a report that a person had been assaulted. The officers met the injured person as he was being placed into an ambulance. A group of neighbors addressed the officers, saying that the assailants were two Hispanic men who were trying to open car doors. The neighbors complained that their block is dangerous due to the many street lights that are not working.

The officers went to the Harrisburg Hospital and spoke with the injured man. He said that he was on his porch and noticed two men walking on the street and trying the door of every car that they passed. He yelled out to them to leave the cars alone. The men replied with some comment that they were at a friend’s car. The man went inside and got a stick of some kind and went back out. He confronted the men again and was met with challenging comments. The man stood on the sidewalk and was approached by the men and after an exchange of comments the suspects attacked the man. They punched and kicked him repeatedly. The man was able to use his stick to hit the assailants. The assailants ran off.

The man was treated for multiple contusions and abrasions and an injured ankle.

The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Lt. Robert Fegan at 717-255-3114, email rfegan@cityofhbg.com to reach City detectives.

Anyone may also call the Dauphin County Police dispatch at 717-558-6900 and ask for a City detective.

Two Weeks Worth of Crime Stats for the City of Harrisburg: 5/27-6/2 & 6/3-6/9

ast week’s crime report is combined with the previous one.

May 27th through June 2nd 

• 13 Criminal mischief/vandalism
• 19 Thefts (4 from motor vehicles)
• 8 Robberies
  • 5/27–2000 Market St, 3:55 AM
  • 5/28–1600 Market St, 11:59 PM
  • 5/29–14th and Regina Sts, 9:18 PM
  • 5/29–1800 Briggs St, 3:45 PM
  • 5/29–1800 Derry St, 3:55 AM
  • 5/31–1300 Market St, 7:04 PM
  • 6/2–15th and State St, 9:53 PM
  • 6/2–500 S 19th St, 1:50 AM
• 9 Burglaries
• 20 Assaults (1 was a rape)
• 1 Prostitution
• 1 Arson
• 3 Shootings (1 was a homicide)

Notes: Shots fired reported by police- 2. One was an incident with two cars hit, one was occupied. Charges were attempted robbery, reckless endangerment. The second was shots fired into a house. Charges were attempted homicide, reckless endangerment.

June 3rd through June 9th 

• 7 Criminal mischief/vandalism
• 21 Thefts (6 from motor vehicles)
• 12 Robberies
  • 6/3–800 N 2nd St, 10:15 PM
  • 6/3–17th and Market Sts, 11:50 AM
  • 6/4–Kline Village, 10;30 PM
  • 6/6–3rd and Walnut, 11:29 PM
  • 6/6–1st blk S 2nd St, 2:26 PM
  • 6/7–2900 N 7th St, 9:52 PM
  • 6/7–Kline Village, 2:27 AM
  • 6/7–200 Hale Ave, 1:30 AM
  • 6/8–1800 Market St, 12:16 AM
  • 6/8–800 N 16th St, 2:24 AM
  • 6/9–1100 Market St, 12:54 AM
  • 6/9–17th and Market St, 9:30 PM
• 17 Burglaries
• 17 Assaults (One was a rape)
• 1 Shootings
• 1 Homicides (stabbing)
• 1 other–cruelty to animals

Notes: Shots fired reported by police- 1 – charge, attempted homicide

compiled by Jan Konkle 

Job Opportunities: Open Positions With the City of Harrisburg Government

The following job openings have recently been posted on the City of Harrisburg government website. Click the title below for job description and application:

• Employment Opportunity: Administrative Assistant – Bureau of Water
• Employment Opportunity: Health Officer – Bureau of Codes
  

Agenda: Harrisburg City Council Legislative 6/11

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Agenda: HBG City Council Committee, Building & Housing Committee 6/12

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Agenda: HBG City Council Committee, Community & Economic Development 6/10

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Police Investigate a Corrupt Organization in the City of Harrisburg

As released by the City of Harrisburg Bureau of Police:

PRESS RELEASE 

Type of Incident: Corrupt Organization investigation

Date / Time: 03-25-2013 to 05-30-2013

Location: D& L Groceries at 1501 Herr St.

Investigating Officer: Harrisburg City Police Vice Unit

Victims: City residents

Suspect: Hakim Williams, B/M/26, 1700 block Herr St.

Charges: Corrupt Organization / Prohibited Activities

Narrative:

On or about 03-25-2013 the Police Bureau Vice Unit began investigating activity at the D& L Grocery Store. Citizen complaints provided information on various activities at the store.

Undercover detectives posing as street level criminals sold over $2,000 worth of cigarettes to Hakim Williams who was operating the store. He was allowed to believe that the cigarettes were stolen. Williams then sold the same cigarettes at a very high profit margin.

The detectives bought marijuana and untaxed bottles of liquor from Williams at the store.

During the investigation Williams was observed driving a vehicle although his license is suspended.

The Vice Unit executed a search warrant at the store on 05-30-2013 and seized evidence. A number of Dept. of Welfare identification cards and PennDOT driver licenses were also found.

The Dept. of Welfare, Liquor Control Enforcement, and Dept. Of Treasury investigators are continuing inquiries.

 Williams was seen carrying a handgun while working in the store. He is listed as having a permit to do so but the situation was considered dangerous due to the illegal activity that he engaged in. The license to carry a firearm and the license to operate a business in the City of Harrisburg are being investigated.

 Residents are cautioned to this situation. The area around store has been a gathering point for young people and even children.

The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Cpl. Gabriel Olivera at 717-255-3130, email golivera@cityofhbg.com or Lt. Robert Fegan at 717-255-3114, email rfegan@cityofhbg.com to reach City detectives. Anyone may also call the Dauphin County Police dispatch at 717-558-6900 and ask for a City detective.