This one’s for the dogs.The City of Harrisburg passed a new tethering law that is the toughest in the state.

• PennLive–Anti-tethering law clears Harrisburg City Council three days after deaths of neglected dogs
• Philly.com–Harrisburg council approves first city anti-tethering law
• CBS 21–Harrisburg passes one of the toughest dog tethering laws in the state
• Fox 43–Harrisburg city council votes in favor of dogs’ rights

On the SEC and HBG.Philly.com–PhillyDeals: SEC spares individuals in Harrisburg case

Election 2013.The days leading up to the May 21st Primary are all about campaign finance, last minute pushes, and fact checking.

• Reuters–Ghosts of incinerator bond deal haunt Harrisburg election
• Pittsburgh Post Gazette–Harrisburg woes play big role in city’s mayoral race
• WHTM 27–Harrisburg mayoral candidates talk bankruptcy vs. receivership
• PennLive–Harrisburg City Council fundraising: Allatt has 30 percent of total in 10-candidate field
• The Sentinel–Campaign finance: Who’s the front-runner for Harrisburg mayor?
• PennLive–Split vote? Harrisburg neighborhood voter survey suggests close mayoral election
• PennLive–Eric Papenfuse’s jobs creation claim – a fact check
• PennLive–For mayor of Harrisburg, Democrat Eric Papenfuse: PennLive’s endorsement
• WHTM 27–Harrisburg mayoral candidates make final campaign push
• PennLive–Harrisburg school director candidates forum draws 50 to Midtown Scholar

It passed.With an unanimous vote approving the Chief Recovery Officer’s Plan, we see if recovery can truly happen at Harrisburg School District.

• today’s the day Harrisburg–The Board Voted Yes and Harrisburg School District CRO Begins to Act
• WHTM 27–Harrisburg School Board approves recovery plan

River city.That’s what Harrisburg is so it’s important to be mindful and aware of the Susquehanna. Central Penn Business Journal–EPA: Susquehanna River water quality uncertain

Another Shady McCoy shady headline. City of Harrisburg’s born and raised LeSean McCoy has some bad press, again.

• ESPN–LeSean McCoy faces lawsuit
• USA Today–LeSean McCoy’s agent denies Eagle assaulted woman
• NFL.com–Eagles’ LeSean McCoy sued for alleged assault
• Philly.com–What to make of the LeSean McCoy lawsuit
• CBS 21–McCoy denies ‘party bus’ assault allegation

Public Safety and Crime.

• PennLive–Harrisburg Police will charge owners of dogs killed last weekend
  
• WHTM 27–Man, dog shot in Harrisburg
• PennLive–Weeks after Allison Hill man’s death, homicide ruling still pending

Points for the City of Harrisburg to ponder.

• The Atlantic Cities–The Inequality of Urban Tree Cover
• Scientific American–Want to be happier and live longer? Protect green spaces
• Salon–Are streetcars the future of public transportation?
• Washington Post–Doing away with food deserts in the District
• Princeton University–Freshmen dig into challenges facing urban education

On Friday, May 17, 2013, the Harrisburg School Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the Chief Recovery Officer’s Recovery Plan issued on April 26th. To access the Recovery Plan, click here.

In the week leading up to the vote, the greatest concern School Directors seemed to have with the Plan was the inclusion of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position. “I feel the Superintendent is the CEO of the District,” Director Kenneth Mickens said during a May 6th Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.

He wasn’t alone in his objection. Both Directors Jennifer Smallwood and Danielle Robinson expressed similar discomfort at the position in the Recovery Plan.While Mickens requested a title change, Robinson declared, “I’m not concerned about the title. I’m concerned about the authority of the Superintendent.”

As outlined on page 42 of the Recovery Plan, a CEO will be hired to run the school district’s “administrative and financial operations,” leaving the academic initiatives to Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney.

While there wasn’t objection to this divide of duties, the issue was one of jurisdiction. The CEO does not answer to the Superintendent, but rather to the School Board and the Chief Recovery Officer. In fact, the Plan describes the two positions—CEO and Superintendent—as “co-equal.”

There are strict benchmarks the superintendent will need to make in the Recovery Plan to demonstrate progress of implementation. Veno told the concerned directors that the CEO will relieve Knight-Burney to accomplish her mandated goals. “I don’t want this Plan to be voted down because of the pecking order issue of the CEO,” he said. Veno also went on to say, “If page 42 is the only issue, then I did a good job.”

Although no director publicly stated opposition to the cost of a CEO, which page 42 explains, some teachers did, questioning how the Plan include 5% cuts to staff salaries and benefits for two years but also include the additional position.

The recruitment and first three years of salary for the CEO will be funded by the Financial Recovery School District Transitional Loan of $6.44 million, which will also be the source to jumpstart several other initiatives such as the changes to the Cougar Academy Cyber School and the “rightsizing” of the school buildings. This rightsizing includes consolidating buildings to reconfigure the K-8 setup and transportation costs associated with this.

This Transitional Loan was not available to the district if the School Board of Directors had voted down the Recovery Plan.

For more coverage of the May 17th vote, see PennLive’s Emily Previti’s article: Harrisburg School District approves recovery plan, secures $6.4M loan

Immediately after the approval, Chief Recovery Officer Gene Veno released the following Action Items declaring these steps must begin immediately in order to propel the Recovery Plan forward.

As released by Gene Veno, Harrisburg School District Chief Recovery Officer:

My recovery plan is designed as a roadmap to academic improvement while stabilizing district finances – without closing a single building, furloughing a single teacher, cutting a single sport or eliminating a single arts class in 2013-14.  We must act now, and I intend to start with these action items.  We can do better, and we will!

Action Items:

1. Meet immediately with the Harrisburg School District insurance broker. I would like to hold the vote on the health care benefits contract. I am looking to cut $1 million in health care costs and maintain benefits.


2. Meet with unions immediately to begin ratifying agreements.

3. Make sure social workers are certified so we can begin drawing ACCESS funds.  Request a report on certification of district social workers.

4.  Ensure that principals are certified for levels they are administering (no Elementary Certification at Senior High Level)

5.  Evaluate Assistant Principals.  Why not establish title of Dean of Education instead of Principal?

6.  Change system allowing a simple passing grade immediately. Staff directed to review, revise and advise a timeline for implementation.

7.  Determine ways to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills they need before moving to next grade level.

8.  Publicize middle school reorganization showing why this is a good plan for students.

9.  Research if a grades 5-8 configuration is BEST middle school plan prior to making change.

10.  Determine if early retirements would reduce cost to district.

11.  Call for round-the-clock meetings to bring the budget in balance. Harrisburg School Board has a ways to go in balancing its budget.

12.  Commence meetings in July with all bond holders to address bond debt.

13.  Commence negotiations with Capital Head Start in July for the 2013-14 programs. We need a curriculum that meets the needs of our K-3 classes. I will also consider bringing back K-3-4 in the HSD.

14.  Request additional funds from the no interest financial recovery transitional loan allotment when submitting plan to Secretary of Education for final review and approval.

15.  Expand cyber schools to all grade levels (K-12).  A time line for implementation is needed from administration.

16.  Publicize the buildings which are for sale.

17.  Schedule meeting immediately with EL Realty to terminate lease at administration building.

18.  Conduct a feasibility study to ascertain if Lincoln Elementary is the best location for the HSD Administration Office.  The relocation needs to be completed sooner than 2014, and we should conduct an analysis in placing Alternative Education Classes in the Administration Building.

19.  Ensure that the NRG heating/cooling system will work prior to commencement of August classes.  I want a report immediately.

20.  Ensure all classes will have books in place one month prior to school start date.

21.  Secure grants immediately.

22.  Begin parent involvement immediately.  We need programs established by both school administration and community.

23.  Identify and publicize what the Harrisburg School Foundation can do for our schools.

24.  Meet with the Rotary Club to discuss how they can do more for our children.

25.  Meet with Chamber of Commerce president to encourage business leaders to step up and do more for the HSD.

26.  Meet with all non-profits to seek their financial and in-kind assistance for our children in need.

27.  Meet with all corporations doing business in the city.  We need transportation assistance, computers and support for after school programs/equipment.   I want each corporation and employees to ADOPT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL or ADOPT JOHN HARRIS. Corporate leaders and their employees need to reach out and help us.

28.  Find funding for one or two musical play to be held at John Harris in 2013-14.

29.  Make sure yearbooks are ordered and this issue is behind us.

30.  MARK MAY 17 AS THE BENCHMARK FOR WHEN CHANGE OCCURRED IN HSD.

Wildwood Park to Remain Closed to the Public through Sunday, May 19

HARRISBURG, PA (May 16, 2013) –Wildwood Park, owned and operated by Dauphin County, will remain closed to the public through Sunday, May 19, 2013 while crews continue to clean up fuel that seeped into the park’s wetlands after a nearby tanker truck fire in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

Due to the park closure, programming has either been postponed or relocated:

• Programs scheduled for Central Dauphin Middle School and Infinity Charter School on May 15, 16 and 17 have been relocated to Fort Hunter Park.
• The Humane Society of Harrisburg Walk, scheduled for May 18, will be held at the Humane Society of Harrisburg, Grayson Road Shelter, 7790 Grayson Rd., Harrisburg.
• Both the Natural Badge Scout Workshop and Sierra Club meeting on May 19 have been postponed.

“At this point, we are cautiously optimistic that the cleanup will be very successful thanks to the efforts of the many agencies who responded,” said Dauphin County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Jeff Haste.

“The park will not reopen until we’re absolutely sure that it’s safe for the public,” said Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries. “Crews are still on the scene cleaning up the remaining pockets of fuel and getting the park ready to reopen.”

Wildwood has received assistance from many organizations, including HazMat, Environmental Products and Services, Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, Inc.

The environmental impact will continue to be monitored. Booms are still in place along the banks of the lake to absorb the product, and will remain in place for about one month as a precaution. Approximately 10 acres of the park’s 200 acres were impacted by the fuel leak.

Since the accident, multiple agencies have canvassed the park to determine the impact to wildlife and conduct animal rescue. Late last week, PGC officers rescued 11 fuel-coated ducklings and goslings from the marsh, although none of them survived.

“Today, the focus is on cleanup,” said Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III. “But in the coming weeks and months, the focus will be on monitoring the environmental impact and ensuring that wildlife is protected.”

A determination will be made Monday, May 20 whether the park will open to the public next week.

Employment Opportunity: Codes Enforcement Officer

This is why:

Dan Miller is the only candidate for mayor with both the desperately needed fiscal knowledge and the political understanding of how Harrisburg can and should be operated. The recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) debacle, staining both Reed and Thompson, is a perfect example of the need for his abilities. He’s one of the very few people who understands the scope of the city’s financial mess, and he has the savvy and guts to find and implement the hard solutions.

Dan was the first to blow the whistle about Reed’s fiscal mismanagement and has continued the complicated investigation of the city’s many fiscal woes. A person of integrity, he has consistently acted to protect the taxpayers.

Dan first went to the Patriot News in 2007 about city fiscal irregularities. His research revealed that Reed’s claim about the Senators Baseball team was a whopper. The Senators lost millions during the time the city owned the team, contrary to Reed’s assertion that the team made millions.

Another one of his notable actions while on City Council, was his vote against borrowing additional money for the incinerator. Dan was the only member to say no.

Mayor Linda Thompson voted to borrow money in lock step with Reed’s requests.

Knowing that the incinerator’s debt and operations were severe problems, Dan also took the time to meet with Covanta officials in Lancaster, to learn about their successful Lancaster plant and their views on the Harrisburg plant.

He is a perennially optimistic, hard-working person who recognizes large issues and then focuses on them. For example, Dan was instrumental in defeating the sale of the Harrisburg parking facilities to Frydman during Reed’s administration. He took the time to read the entire proposal, which included gems like this: Council approval would be required for Frydman to raise parking rates, but if Council denied the request, then the city would pay them the value of the denied raise. Though faced with high powered lawyers and the Reed people pushing the deal, Dan successfully rallied opposition.

With experience at a Fortune 500 firm and on Wall Street, Dan has run a downtown Harrisburg business that assists scores of businesses annually. He has put that knowledge to work for Harrisburg

A CPA with an M.B.A., Dan has worked in finance for over 30 years, running his own business for 23 years. Invested in Harrisburg, he owns five city properties.

Dan is independent and not owned by any business interests, law firms or developers. He is running a grassroots campaign, not beholden to any PACs. Since July 2012 more than 350 individuals have contributed to his campaign, mostly at the $100 level. Dan’s largest donor contributed $1,500 and he recently returned a $1,000 check to a contributor because it made him feel “uncomfortable.”

Dan takes the time to help people, but never mentions these efforts in public. He’s not a politician, so he doesn’t capitalize on these deeds.

For example, Summit Terrace Association contacted Dan because they did not understand some paperwork they were dealing with. Dan counseled them, then completed and filed their 990 tax form for free. His firm continues to do the filing at 50% of the cost. A resident called him to complain about a front yard on Second Street that was very neglected by the landlord. So Dan and his partner spent several hours cleaning it up.

He is civic-minded, having volunteered for the Central Pennsylvania Literacy Council and served on the advisory committee of WITF, and was on the board of the local Planned Parenthood and a member of the Dauphin County Authority Board. Dan’s unpretentious. He drives a 1997 Saturn and walks or bikes to work. He and his partner shovel the sidewalks of their home and their four rental properties as well as doing most of the maintenance themselves.

Harrisburg residents are terrifically lucky that a candidate of this quality and gumption has arisen at this time. Let’s embrace him.

Elizabeth Johnson has lived in the city for over 30 years and been a government worker since 1986. She has served on the boards of the Harrisburg Public School Foundation, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and the Community Checkup Center, all city organizations.

Janet Day has been a city resident for 27 years. She works as a registered nurse and has served on the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School’s board.

Habitat Signs Deal for New ReStore in Harrisburg

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area announced today that a location has been selected for the affiliate’s new ReStore. The new store, which will sell donated household items, will be located at 800 Paxton Street in Harrisburg. For those familiar with the area, the location will be in the old Troegs Brewery building, across the street from Pennsy Supply.

“We are so thrilled being able to sign a lease for the ReStore and really excited about the location,” said Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director Eve Wachhaus. “We needed a spot which would be accessible to both the east and west shores. This spot also provides us with the space we need for the store as well as an abundance of parking spaces. Now, we will work as hard as we can to get the store open.”

Harrisburg ReStore General Manager Bill Wood plans on having the store in operation in 60 days. Most volunteer groups working with Habitat will be directed to assist in preparing the new ReStore over the next few months. Power washing of the facility is already underway and items that will eventually be offered for sale have begun to arrive at the new store location.

The ReStore will be a separate business entity that supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area. The income generated from the business goes toward expanding the capabilities of new home builds and critical home repair programs. ReStores recycle overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials that are donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals. These items are sold to the public or used in the affiliate’s construction projects.

The ReStore will also accept donations of fixtures, furniture, appliances, tools and other surplus items and offer them to the public at bargain prices. The ReStores also serve society by reducing the resources consumed and by minimizing the waste going into landfills.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the country operate retail stores, variously called Re-Stores, Home Stores or similar, to provide financial and material support to their business operations. Currently there are more than 500 Habitat ReStores operating in the United States and Canada.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area’s goal is to eliminate poverty housing here in Central Pennsylvania through new builds, re-habs and critical home repairs. More than 220 families have been helped since the local affiliate was founded in 1986. Everything raised for Habitat stays right here in the area. If more information is needed, visit our web site at www.harrisburghabitat.org

I’ve been a Harrisburg resident for over 23 years, and during that time I’ve seen our city spiral into debt through both the incinerator debacle and our crisis within the school district. I’ve seen crime become an ever increasing concern and our streets fill with garbage. Through it all I’ve seen our leaders argue, posture, and side with special interests, instead of working together for the betterment of our community. I’ve seen our leadership fail us on so many levels, and we simply can’t afford to continue down this path. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.

That’s why I’m running for Harrisburg City Council.

I have a deep concern for the future of our city, and understand the struggle we all face just making ends meet every day. Our residents have been asked time and again to bear the burden of poorly made financial deals, and now it’s time for us to take back the reigns and demand fiscal responsibility.

Just as we’re all accountable for our actions, I will hold our city government accountable.

I’m running a self funded, self managed campaign free from special interest ties. I am beholden to no one. Here’s what I stand for:

• I was not in favor of the EIT tax increase and will vote against it when it comes up for renewal. We must strive to make our city an attractive place to work and live, thus expanding our tax base. Increasing taxes on those already suffering is not the answer.

• I will fight for an investigation into the legality of the Incinerator debt. We must hold those involved responsible for their actions. The SEC charges were a start, but we cannot let that make us complacent to the fact that there are still many questions that need answered.

• I believe it’s imperative that we invest in our city’s youth. Our city’s future lies in their opportunities for education. We must recognize that all children regardless of ability have gifts that we can nurture. We must encourage our children and provide them with the motivation and the tools to succeed.

• I vow to work hand in hand with the many volunteer groups working hard in our city, to support and promote the services they provide. We have an abundance of great resources already in place, but they lack both recognition and support from our cities leadership.

We have a great community here in Harrisburg; I know that for a fact. I’ve been invited into many homes and was shown an abundance of warmth and kindness during my campaign. This kindness has bridged the gap of culture, race and religion. Our divide is not nearly as large as many think.

One thing we all share is concern for our city’s future, and I believe in the people of Harrisburg. We need our elected officials to lead by example and inspire the community to come together. With your support, I plan to do just that.

For more information about my campaign and ideals, please visit www.votedrum.com.

Wildwood Park Remains Closed in Wake of Fuel Spill

HARRISBURG, PA (May 13, 2013) –Wildwood Park, owned and operated by Dauphin County, remains closed to the public while crews continue to clean up fuel from a nearby tanker truck fire seeped into the park’s wetlands.

About 75 percent of the fuel that leaked into Wildwood Park has been cleaned up. Booms are still in place along the banks of lake to absorb the product and will remain in place for about one month as a precaution. Approximately 10 acres of the park’s 200 acres were impacted by the fuel leak.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to monitor the cleanup and conditions at the park.

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) officials and members of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, Inc. have been canvassing the park to conduct wildlife rescue. Late last week, 11 ducks and geese died due to fuel exposure. No dead fish or frogs have been found.

The park will be closed until further notice.

PRIDE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA TO OFFER FREE CRUISE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, VETERANS & FAMILIES IN 2013

Harrisburg, PA – 2013 marks the 25th Anniversary season for the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society and the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat. As a community service organization, the Riverboat Society has always offered a free monthly cruise during the summer to the Lebanon VA Hospital. As further thanks to current and past members of the military, the Riverboat Society is excited to announce that it will be extending FREE ADMISSION on any 45 Minute Public Sightseeing Cruise during the 2013 season to veterans, active duty members of the military, and their immediate families, with appropriate ID. These cruises occur from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2013, and weekends in the fall.

Over 200,000 American troops will be returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next couple of years. Some of them are members of the PA National Guard, and we wanted to recognize their serve to not only the Commonwealth and nation, but to the Riverboat Society. Each year, the PA National Guard conducts launching and retrieval of the Pride into and out of the water for the Society, and without their help, we would be unable to offer this iconic feature of the Harrisburg skyline.

The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat celebrates 25 years of heritage in the Harrisburg area, and to commemorate this occasion, we salute our veterans and current active military members and their families with these free cruises!

Being a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society operates the Pride as a service to the community. In particular, we are happy to show our current and past members of the armed forces how much they really mean to us! The Pride is essentially the “Community’s Boat,” and without continued public support, the Pride will be unable to fulfill its mission and continue to offer wonderful cruises and events for our veterans and others in the community. Donations and contributions are always welcome!

To learn more about the Pride of the Susquehanna, or to discover how you can support our mission, please visit www.HarrisburgRiverboat.com or call 717-234-6500.

Notes: There were reports of shots fired and juveniles fighting. There was an attempt to lure a child into a motor vehicle. One of the assaults was the double stabbing on N 6th St and one was a sexual assault. There was a propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle; and the discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure (1400 S 15th St- same apt complex where this weeks homicide occurred). Someone reported juveniles breaking windows. Busy week.

compiled by Jan Konkle