Meet The Candidates

BRUCE J. HANSON

Richard K. House
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

Currently, I am completing my 2nd year of employment with the Harrisburg Senators Baseball Team as their Director of Community Relations. Prior to that, I was employed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 20 years in the capacity of a State Investigator and mid-level administrator. Presently, I am completing my 3rd term on Harrisburg City Council. As the Senior member and Council President, I utilize my experience, professional managerial background to the advantage of the community, while working constructively with the Administration to ensure Harrisburg’s future.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

During my three terms on Council, I have become more politically astute and more tuned in to practicing a policy of inclusion, so that every part of the Harrisburg Community is represented in the workings of the future of this city. I have always maintained a sense of professional decorum and have endeavored to provide public service while working closely with neighborhood and community organizations, as Council President and while chairing numerous standing committees.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

I am seeking my fourth consecutive term, because I have demonstrated the commitment and have provided invaluable leadership to Harrisburg’s legislative body, and the furtherance of an agenda of progress, equity and opportunity. City Council must deal with some very complex and challenging issues, that I feel are well served by the experience I bring to the position. I have served the citizens of this city for the past eleven and a half years with a great sense of pride and integrity. Hopefully, that will earn their confidence in my reelection to council.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

I pledge to continue working with the administration in a positive and professional manner, while recognizing the differences between the Executive and Legislative branches of city government. I will continue to pursue economic development opportunities that will benefit the citizens of Harrisburg. I will continue practicing a policy of inclusion for all citizens of Harrisburg, regardless of differences on a particular issue. We will amicably agree to disagree.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

Provide me with the opportunity to present my position in a fair and open-minded forum.

Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

As a trained social worker (BASW from Shippensburg and MSW from University of Kansas), I have worked in various settings, including Rape Crisis Services, child care, child development, prevention of child abuse, lobbying and policy development, hospice, home health care and association management. Some of the most important social work I have done has been in volunteer settings as a parent involved with the schools, working to dismantle racism, and as a school board member. Social work provides me with a framework to listen, to look at many sides of an issue, to ask questions, make assessments, and to include people in the decision making process. I have worked not only in Harrisburg, but also in Topeka, Kansas and Charlotte, North Carolina.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

My personal ethics and practice include the belief that checking things out with other people is important. I have surrounded my self with diverse groups of people who care about me enough to tell me truthfully what they think about my actions and behavior. While I may not always agree with their assessment, I get plenty of opportunity to look at myself and my actions.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

People in Harrisburg can judge me based on my record as a school board member from 1987-1994. What I think I bring to public service is an ability to include groups of diverse people in decision-making, willingness to listen, ability to assess situations and ask tough questions, willingness to consider new and creative alternatives, optimism and vision of a city that can work for everyone. As a School Board member, I worked with others on a community planning day involving over 200 people in setting priorities and an agenda for the district, as well as opening up the budget process to involve community members.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

A major issue is how city resources – financial and human – are garnered and used. While a budget will have been passed by the time I take office, I will start looking at how money is spent and used. Of specific concern and attention will be looking at the list of houses on the repository list and seeing if there are ways they can be “sold” as affordable housing; looking at how we can restore bulk trash collection; and assuring all neighborhoods have basic city services such as street cleaning, police services, trash removal. How employees are treated and how they view city residents is also of concern to me. An underlying important issue is to have a framework to address racism when it occurs. 

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

Citizen involvement is key in accountability. I encourage the citizens to attend City Council meetings. I firmly believe that “when the people lead, the leaders will follow.” Organize and show up at City Council meetings to hold me accountable.

John Sider
Republican Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

My professional background has a great deal with what got me interested in running in the first place. I am the Branch Manager of the Downtown Harrisburg Branch of Fulton Bank with responsibilities for the 3rd and Calder Street office also. What I spend most of my time doing is making loans to small businesses and helping people do get mortgages to buy homes. I spend a lot of time with people who live and have their businesses in the City and I learn a lot about what is happening. What I was seeing more and more are how many people who could afford to buy a home with the help of a mortgage but had never really pursued it because they thought they couldn’t or they were intimidated by “the system.” There were also many people who wanted to start businesses in the City yet didn’t know where to start or how to put their best foot forward. I believe home-ownership and small business to be the most powerful economic and neighborhood development tools there are. Banks have not always done a very good job reaching out to people in the city and I believe that negative perception still lingers. Today, there are many programs available to help with these things and yet not many people know about them. I am seeking a City Council seat because I believe having a little bigger platform to speak from would allow me to get the message out about the many programs available to help people get into homes, what a great value City properties can be (especially those the City has completely renovated) and hopefully, to demystify the whole process of buying a home. I believe the City of Harrisburg has a great future ahead of it but it won’t be as bright as it can be without a high home-ownership rate and a friendly atmosphere for small business.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

As a citizen, I find it very disturbing to be constantly picking up the paper and reading about the latest embarrassment concerning one of the City Council members. Though this kind of behavior is certainly not unique to our City politicians, we can do better. Personal integrity is an easy thing to promise and yet, it can be a hard thing to measure. My pastor defines integrity as “the way you behave when no one is looking.” My goal is to be someone our citizens can be proud of even when no one is looking.

I would also argue that there are personalities that can be helpful in governing. We live in a democracy and that means there really isn’t anybody who can get their way 100% of the time. I think it’s important to have patience, to welcome and be able to listen to views radically different from your own. I think politicians need to remain humble, to be constantly reminding themselves that they serve the people and not the other way around. I also think it’s important to be able to lay politics aside sometimes and relate to people as people. Too often there are what seem to be bitter personal disputes within City Council and while I am not naïve enough to think that will all go away, I will work hard to keep my disagreements professional – not personal.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

The best thing I offer voters is focus. As I said in my announcement speech: “I am not running to be somebody, I am running to do something.” I am not trying to be all things to all people, I am running solely on the things I really believe I can help with: increasing home-ownership, creating a friendly atmosphere for small business in the City and advocating for responsible City and School District budgets. My banking background has given me the knowledge to get people into homes, to consult with small business and a comfort with finance and budgets. I have worked hard to put together a good network in Central Pennsylvania, which I believe is a helpful asset in “getting things done”. This year I will graduate from the Fox School of Business at Temple University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. I have been appointed to numerous related community boards including the MLK Development Corporation, The Capital Region Lender’s Coalition and the Mayor’s own Business Revolving Loan Program. These issues have interested me for a long time and I am working on them now and will continue to do so even if I am not elected. As I mentioned earlier, I believe being elected to the Harrisburg City Council would allow me the opportunity to be more effective. 

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

I would hope my answers to the above questions have given you a clear indication of the issues that interest me. The first thing I would concentrate on however is to work on improving home-ownership rates in the City. I believe now is an opportune time to get into homes as we do not know how long interest rates will be this low. Mortgage rates are hovering near a 30-year low and locking that kind of rate in right away could be very beneficial to families for many years to come. Currently the City owns over two dozen homes that it has completely renovated including new windows, security systems, some even come with new appliances! Right now, while interest rates are low, many can be had for as little as $250 a month. There are even closing cost assistance programs available through the Dauphin County Commissioners. What I envision doing is going out and marketing these programs myself in churches, community centers, board meetings, rotary clubs etc, etc. I would like to take a hard look at the programs and see if anything can be streamlined and made simpler. If elected, nothing would make me happier than if people came to know me four years later as “the guy who knows how to get you a home in the City.”

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

I would recommend a slightly altered version of your September 1998 cover. My picture under the banner “Biggest Liar Alive”…

Wendi J. Taylor
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

I became interested in city government while the city hall reporter for the Patriot-News Company. As a former newspaper reporter, I have covered both local and state government for newspapers in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie and Scranton. I have a background in accounting, was a small business owner, a newspaper reporter and am currently working as a Revenue Research Analyst for the PA Department of Revenue. I understand how government is supposed to work and I can analyze problems and find solutions.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

I am guided by my faith tradition and will stand up for what is right for the people. My team members – Evelyn Daniel Warfield, and Rebecca Fox Myers – and I were part of the successful citizen lawsuit that ruled that the mayor had illegally spent the $7 million proceeds from the sale of the water system. 

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

My interest in city government is not a passing fancy. I have been attending City Council meetings since 1986. I have 12 years worth of budgets and 15 years worth of news clips. I understand the issues and know their history.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

I want to give the citizens of Harrisburg a voice in their government and work with them to restore financial responsibility to the city, deliver good customer service, and promote ideas that make living in the city safe and affordable by managing our waste without the incinerator and bringing the water bills under control.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

As a City Council member, I serve at the pleasure of city residents and pledge to represent them. Should I leave them out of the process, I expect them to remind me of my pledge, and if I don’t listen, to un-elect me the next chance they get.

Linda Thompson
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

I am the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of LOVESHIP, a non profit 501c-3 organization that in stills love, inspires hope and provides the most basic fundamental human rights - education, housing and economic and workforce development training to minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals – especially impoverished single females who head households. In my current position as a president, the daunting challenges, obstacles, yet great opportunities I address daily parallel those identified in the City of Harrisburg’s Consolidated Plan. Facing these challenges head on and seizing the moments of opportunities equips me with first hand knowledge of not only the contributing factors, but methods of developing viable solutions to overcome these factors. The experience I gained from prior and current leadership responsibilities include developing budgets, creating policies, designing and implementing projects designed to address obstacles that impact community growth. With refined skills and keen ability to understand government branches that have the authority to enact laws would prove to be a valuable assets to the City Council and the residents of this community. Prior to LOVESHIP, I was the Vice President of the Urban League of Metropolitan Harrisburg, and a marketing consultant at 1400 The Touch Radio. I interned at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a research liaison for the late Honorable David P. Richardson, Jr. As an intern with Honorable Frank T. Oliver, I aided Attorney Stanley Mitchell in legislation proposals.

I currently chair the program committee of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg and a Commissioner of Harrisburg Human Relations. I am a board member of the South Central Youth Council and Local Workforce Investment Board, and a local talk radio host. A board of trustee and chair of Civic committee at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church.

With the results of the changed millennium, our next spectrum of challenges is even greater, if this community is to move t the next level of growth. Strong leadership will once again be needed to insure that the quality of life for all residents continues to experience an upward growth. I possess a unique combination of skills, training, insight and wisdom to provide the type of leadership necessary to uphold the level of leadership that is vital to the City Council.

Strong leader ship is needed and I am a visionary who has demonstrated over the last fifteen years that I am a responsible issue driven community leader capitalizing on my background as an effective communicator and businesswomen, with deep moral compass. My prior and current work history will strengthen and enhance my capabilities as a City Council member, by the following:

1) As a noted founder, President and Chief Officer I bring to the table refined skills in economic development and workforce development; therefore I will prove to be effective and beneficial in aiding the Mayor in developing additional and alternative revenue. Which I believe provides added value to the community who soldiers on “No new taxes” or No more tax increases”.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

There is a scripture in the Bible that says when a man becomes a man he puts away childish things. Life is like a coin you can choose to spend it any way you wish, I choose to spend my time and talents with leaders and builders. My personal laundry remains at home and in the confines of privacy. Be assured I will not traffic in human misery at the expense of economic gain, nor let policy, personalities, politics and procedures get in the way of intellect objectivity.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

The fact that I am a social entrepreneur, who through innovativeness renovated my childhood home and purposed it to be a corporate wall in the urban community to inspire others, instill new hope, love and offer meaningful training and acquire knowledge that will empower individuals to increase their economic self-sufficiency. I just don’t talk the talk I walk the walk. With proven acquisition skills, and the ability to work with diverse populations, I have been privileged to be exposed to great opportunities that will continue to pave the way to close poverty, homeownership, underachievement, underemployment, unemployment, gender, and technology gaps that become opportunities for the greater good. Many of my opponents have not been exposed nor made themselves available to the opportunities that allowed me to engage in roundtable discussion, implementation, planning and development processes that bring about, economic and workforce development growth for our region’s economy, nor have I witnessed any of them in these circles. My involvement in these important circles did not happen over night. Diligence, tenacity, stick-to-it ness, and hard work contributed to this benefactor and as a result I am able to effectively advocate for the voiceless and the powerless and work collectively with people of all genders, ethnicity, religious, social/political status. Few of my opponents possess the rare qualities that I possess and have had little to no exposure and experiences with the types of accomplishments and contributions that I have made in this community. My horizons are broad based and I am noted for my effective leadership in key government, private and social arenas. I am recognized on a state local and national level.

In order to be an effective leader one must have the ability to attract and pull down and leverage effective private/public relations and resources for “Common Goals for Community Progress”. I believe that my success speaks for itself. Many have told me that I am an inspiring road map to finding and living our true purpose. Of all the candidates I distinguish myself as one of today’s most, successful young up and coming leaders, who possesses passion and zeal for fairness, and will be one of the most influential leaders who bring the disparate worlds of politics, spirituality and business together.

Understand that education equals economic empowerment and the surest passport to a man/woman dignity is a decent paying job, I have successfully authored a program called Opportunities Unlimited OU! which is designed to instill hope and love in youth 14-21 and provide them with job readiness training, basic computer training, life skills and case management to ultimately divert them from negative societal images and eradicate or close the young minority incarceration gap.

Having an educated and skilled labor force is critical to this regions economic growth, and global competitive positioning. I support the urgent need for stabilizing and restoring our public education system. Do I support advocating taking away a person’s fundamental basic human rights? No!

Make no mistake economic development coupled with workforce and education development are the bedrocks for our community’s economic, social and political stabilization and continued growth. Besides my teammate Eric Waters none of the candidates can have at minimum 25 youth (an under populated vote) call them by first name, admit they have a trusting relationship, who can honestly say is a positive influence in that youth’s life and that youth would be willing to help that candidate win the election. I am a native, who is stable have seen and experience the good and bad times of the community and I am visionary, contributor and generator for 21st century. I have a great attitude, I am a server, I set goals and I am committed to growing the community for the betterment of all. Significant accomplishments have been made collectively and individually “amidst odds and seemingly impossible” and I am one of them. I am very well received and like in my community and this is why I feel that I am the best candidate for City Council. I speak in humbleness.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

Helping adults attain economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment, homeownership, business creation (increase women own businesses) and wealth accumulation is the cornerstone of my political platform. Or “Personal agenda”. The plan is meet with key officials colleagues for buy- in support, explore current policy, explore land use opportunities, and explore public/private resource leverages.

However, a prudent and wise political “Elect” leader does not share publicly he or she wants to accomplish, “his/she just performs like the ant. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard and be wise, which having no over guide or overseer, or ruler, just does what is right”! Proverbs 6.6 

“Common Goals for Community Progress!”

I wish to leave and indelible, delightful and enduring legacy as a leader of all the people creating new opportunities for others and preserving the existing accomplishments.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

First I would note that my “campaign promises” to this community would not be based on lies, symbolic gestures, photo ops, political rhetoric, and campaign slogans. History has proven that little else matters to those who are not reaping in the prosperity boats. History also has proven that people of all colors vote their pocketbooks. I would hope that you would use a very simple yardstick to measuring my city council bona fides.

Judge me on my good character and good deeds and forgive me when I make mistakes.

I will try not to make the kind of mistakes that would increase viewership.
From the mouth of the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, the distinguished poet from Calcutta, India, and it goes like this:

“I slept and dreamt / That life was joy / I woke and saw / That life was duty / I acted, and behold! / Duty was joy.” 

Evelyn R. Warfield
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

My professional work history is very diverse. I have worked in the private sector for both non-profit and for-profit companies. I have also worked in state and federal government and can bring a balanced view to the council position.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

My personal ethics would not allow me to do anything that would bring disgrace to my office or myself.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

I am the best council candidate because I have been attending council meetings for over 10 years. I know the issues and will not need on the job training.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

My personal agenda in running for city council is to provide better government. I promise to read the legislation and ask questions before I vote on an issue. I promise not to be a rubber stamp for the administration. I have a proven track record of trying to right wrongs when I see them happening. I was one of thirteen taxpayers to win a lawsuit against Mayor Reed over the spending of the $7 million proceeds from the water system.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

I welcome being held accountable. I would encourage citizens to attend council meetings to voice their support or opposition to my positions. If citizens believe I have not been accountable to them, I would expect them to vote me out of office.

Eric Waters
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

Click Here to see attached curriculum vitae

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

First and foremost, it all comes down to work ethic. Some people, honestly, do not have the wherewithal to handle this type of thing. Although City Council is considered part time employment, an elected official of that status MUST apply the same energy and thirst for success that he or she has for their own personal and familial success. City Council is full time. This is a capital city. We, as elected officials, must begin thinking outside of the box. Harrisburg, being centrally located in terms of geographical access to major cities, has the ability to be the NEXUS or the bridge to these major cities. We should allow the positive influences from these cities to flow down stream into our river. Then, we can all drink from the fountain.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

Let’s do the math. I am what I do. Can everyone say that? I live in Harrisburg. I was formally educated in Pennsylvania. I work for the local school district in a capacity where I reach thousands of OUR children per day. Ask around. They all know “Mr. Eric”. I understand what third wave (technology) economics is all about and feel that many facets of that pedagogy can be applied to Harrisburg. I believe we can embrace a progressive attitude while maintaining the historical quality of Harrisburg. My education, my age, technology and new ideas make this time ripe for a man of my background. I look forward to embracing the challenge and look forward to serving the residents of Harrisburg. 

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

I don’t have what anyone may call a “personal agenda”. I’m here to be a voice for those unheard in the City of Harrisburg. Whether, Black, Asian, White, or Hispanic, I am here to represent the people of Harrisburg. All people. I want to be a vehicle by which ideas are shared by all and represent this City like it is a CITY. It’s all about raising the bar and standards.

The improvement in the Harrisburg School District over the past several months should begin to open the eyes of many who are considering moving into the City. The many ideas our Mayor has for the City’s future calls for an educated group who can think and act expeditiously. There is no more time to waste on childish behavior, feuds, or second guessing. It’s game time and there is a new team.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

If my game appears to look nasty....Send me to a local minor league farm team in Halifax.

Tony Wright
Democratic Candidate

1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council Member.

I am an account representative for Keystone Health Plan Central, one of the state’s largest health maintenance organizations. Non-profit and government experience is well represented on Council, but there is currently a lack of private business experience. My private sector orientation will bring much needed perspective and balance to the city council. My background in business has taught me to deal with complex issues, operate with accountability and apply a results-oriented approach to solving problems.

With Keystone, I work closely with area business executives and benefits managers to create effective healthcare plans for thousands of mid-state employees. As the primary liaison to my existing clients, I direct annual account retention efforts, coordinate and perform open enrollment meetings and help develop and deliver company training plans for new account representatives. Prior to joining Keystone, I served in a sales position at Electronic Data Systems in Camp Hill. My career began as a sales manager for Hartman Motor Cars, a major Harrisburg auto dealer, where I maintained a $1 million dollar product inventory, trained sales staff and directed administration duties for the dealership and the Central Atlantic Toyota Distribution network.

My business experience will add another dimension to City Council – and be a valuable asset as we continue Mayor Reed’s record of progress and economic development in conjunction with area businesses in all areas of the city.

2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?

As a new-comer new to city politics, I bring no outside agendas or previous baggage to the Council. I am not blindly allied to any group, individual or cause. I will be objective about our problems, focusing only on the welfare of Harrisburg and its people.

In my business career and personal life, I strive to set the highest standards of behavior. I seek to be professional, committed and courteous. I cannot control the ethics and beliefs of others, but if elected to City Council I pledge to adhere to the highest possible standards of integrity.

I believe this election affords us the chance to elect city leaders who can set a new standard for performance. I believe all of us on the Reed Team are leaders who can put past problems behind City Council and set a new standard.

3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council and why?

I am a strong candidate for City Council for several reasons. First, I bring a much-needed skill set to the job – my private sector background and experience. At a time when the city needs to continue a remarkable run of economic development, my business experience will be an asset.

Second, I’ve lived in the area all my life and am a long-time resident of the city of Harrisburg. I know the city, its people and the issues we face. As a resident of the Allison Hill neighborhood, I can appreciate both the assets and the challenges of the City.

Harrisburg must be made desirable to young people and young families for us to prosper in the future. To do that, City Council must work constructively with the City school district administration and staff to craft creative solutions for City youth.

I will bring optimism and enthusiasm to the job. I have no sense of ingrained pessimism or convenient excuses why “it can’t be done.” There is little we cannot accomplish with the proper will.

I’m encouraged by the strong show of support my candidacy has already attracted among individuals committed to, and involved in, efforts to improve our city. My candidacy is endorsed and supported by Mayor Stephen Reed. My campaign committee includes many people involved in Harrisburg Parks Partnership, the Harrisburg Young Professionals and other groups dedicated improving life in Harrisburg.

I am one of a new generation of leaders for Harrisburg. That’s why I’m running for a seat on City Council in 2001.

4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council?

Three key issues must be addressed if we are to move Harrisburg forward.
First, we must expand progress and revitalization to all areas of Harrisburg. This takes many forms: economic development, certainly, but much more. It involves increasing the quality of life in our neighborhoods – building parks, cleaning blighted areas, forming neighborhood groups, allying with others to share ideas and successes.

We cannot immediately attract new businesses to every corner of the city. But we can improve every corner, while working to build the infrastructure for economic development in the future.

Second, we must build effective, ongoing partnerships with key community groups. Too often individuals and organizations influencing city affairs work without collaboration, or even at cross-purposes. I will work to resolve past differences and build consensus among those who can move us forward.
Third, we must set the highest standards for character, integrity and leadership among our elected officials. There can be no progress where the people of Harrisburg doubt the abilities and motives of our public servants.

The stakes are high – we must assure that the renaissance begun by Mayor Reed nearly 20 years ago continues and expands. Voters in this election, I believe, have a clear choice between an administration with an active, positive agenda and record of success and another side without such an agenda. That is why I am pleased and proud to stand with Mayor Reed in the quest to continue progress in Harrisburg.

5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable for the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?

As a member of City Council, I will strive to do the very best job I can. I will be accountable to the people of Harrisburg, and the public and the press will rightly scrutinize my performance and behavior. I will work hard to operate in an open, accessible manner and listen to the people who elected me to the job. If I do not live up to my obligations, those people will have the opportunity to express their will in the subsequent election. And, Scot, you can feel free to take a really bad picture of me and print it in MODE if I fail to live up to what I’ve said.

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