M A Y O R E L C O M
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JADRIAN KLINGER
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WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
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The
State
City: of the
AN INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR ERIC PAPENFUSE
Harrisburg’s new mayor sheds light on his governing style and his vision as what it will take to turn Harrisburg around.
BY JACQUELINE G. GOODWIN, ED.D.
As I walk into Harrisburg City hall to interview Mayor Eric Papenfuse, I am pleasantly surprised to find no metal detector or an uninformed security guard facing me. Instead, I am greeted by volunteers who smile as they welcome me to the building, making sure I know where I am going. When I ask why there were several chairs set up on one side of the room, the volunteers say it is leftover from a media conference that just wrapped up. When I ask if there is a release from the media conference, they eagerly handed me a copy. As I walked to Mayor Papenfuse’s office all I could think of was, “Boy, have things changed since the last administration. As I walk into the Mayor’s second floor office, Director of Communications Joyce David warmly greets me, asking if I would like to have a cup of coffee or a bottle of water. Then Mayor Papenfuse appears. He immediately shows me to his office and asks me to sit down. I am reminded of the fact that this is his third day on the job. Capital Watch: Tell me about Eric Papenfuse. Mayor Papenfuse: I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1971 to an elementary-school reading teacher and a stategovernment archivist. I graduated from Yale University where I earned both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. I taught Latin at Central Dauphin East and Linglestown Junior High Schools. My wife Cathy and I have three children, Clara, 11; Everett, 9; and Chauncey, 5. We moved to Harrisburg in 1999 after Cathy accepted a post as Assistant Professor of History at Messiah College. We own the Midtown Scholar Bookstore and a 50,000 square-foot book warehouse on North Sixth Street stocked with more than one million books. My company is among the region’s largest national and international shippers of books. One of my employees will be managing the business during my tenure as mayor. Capital Watch: Why did you decide to run for mayor? Mayor Papenfuse: If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would be part of the political process in Harrisburg my answer would have been a lot different than it was when I decided to throw in my hat in the political process. Basically, the circum-
stances facing Harrisburg compelled me to run for office. After observing our elected leaders in action I believed there was a place for a different type of leader, one who could lead the city down a different path. I knew I had to step up to the plate to actively bring people together. The city was dysfunctional, and I felt that as a father and a businessman I had to make it a better place for people to live and to work Capital Watch: What type of leader are you? Mayor Papenfuse: My leadership style relies on open and honest communication and collaboration. That means making civic dialogue and conversation with the public a priority. It also means open and honest conversation with all stakeholders in City Hall, including City Council and department heads. Unfortunately, there has been a history of infighting and gridlock in City Hall. I don’t want this to happen under my tenure as mayor. I want to prioritize good communication with City Council and department heads. I also want City Council to be viewed as an independent branch that exists on equal footing with the executive branch. City Council’s voices must be heard and respected.
Capital Watch: How do you plan to work with City Council? Mayor Papenfuse: I have already made it a point to have a one-on-one conversation with each member of City Council. I wanted to hear their vision for the future of Harrisburg. I also included City Council in the transition team process so that they would have a hand in shaping the recommendations by those teams. I didn’t want City council to be surprised at any of the allocations that we are requesting. As mayor, I am going to establish a positive working relationship with City Council. I know there will be times when we are going to disagree on issues, but I want to have a healthy back and forth as we go about deciding issues. My role is to get the mayor and City Council on the same page so we can reach consensus on what’s best for Harrisburg. One of the first things I will do is move City Council out of the basement where conditions are not the best to an upstairs location upstairs. City Council deserves a beautiful office where members can conduct business in a positive manner.
WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
Capital Watch: What are your priorities as mayor? Mayor Papenfuse: I have a lot of priorities, but I have to say the first priority is reopening of the city budget. However, the budget sets other priorities such as public safety and economic development among others. Unfortunately, we don’t see any additional streams of revenue so we are going to have to reallocate funds from somewhere else. That will be the initial focus of the rest of the month, figuring it out. Over the holidays the seven transition teams put their ideas into a report. We then took those reports and put into one report which will soon be released. This report will guide us through the budget process. However, I believe there needs to be an emphasis on economic development. We need a long-term plan to grow Harrisburg’s tax base and bring new revenue into the city. We need to make Harrisburg a city where people want to live and work. We need to reestablish a new zoning code, and we need to get all of our neighborhoods to assess their needs and desires and encourage neighborhood organizations to grow. I am also proud to announce that former Lebanon Mayor Jackie Parker will be heading the new Office of Community and Economic Development with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber will be paying her salary for 2014. Capital Watch: Speaking of public safety what your plans in this area? Mayor Papenfuse: A new police chief, Tom Carter, will be sworn in tomorrow. We will also be announcing a new public safety team. Susquehanna Township’s police chief will help with the transition, spending a few days a week coaching Harrisburg police to help make the force stronger. Dauphin County commissioners are also contributing $37,000 to the new public safety project to help offset police equipment costs. Through a new community
ERIC PAPENFUSE Age: 42 City Born: Baltimore Party: Democratic Education: Yale University with bachelor and master’s degrees in history and government Year Moved to Harrisburg: 1999 Occupation: Businessman Family: Married with three children police strategy we will improve how our police officers are deployed and how they are perceived in the community. We also plan to bring new recruits in training and will add 20 more police officers. Capital Watch: You have stated that you believe in microloans for small business. Please explain how this concept can help Harrisburg. Mayor Papenfuse: Microloans are quite useful to small businesses that are looking for a small line of credit to expand. Mayor Reed had a small revolving loan fund program but it was misused and turned into a real problem. Then Mayor Thompson shut the program down. We need to put a different emphasis on the fund and include the ability to make microloans a reality. It is my understanding that there is some money available under the fund. And we need to find the money that was loaned and not repaid under the previous fund. This had not happened. In order to make microloans there has to be money in the fund.
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Capital Watch: do you have any other plans to bring additional revenues into Harrisburg’s coffers? Mayor Papenfuse: We need to develop a list of sponsorship opportunities that could help pay for many of Harrisburg’s events and other needs. For example, the Fourth of July fire works. By creating public/private funding sources we could help fund special projects, equipment needs and events. I am also calling on a renewed emphasis on grant writing. I’ve asked all department heads to help bring additional resources into the city through grants. I have also looked into reviving the Harrisburg Parks Partnership which Mayor Reed relied on. This was a private foundation which supported Harrisburg’s parks. Capital Watch: How to you plan to emphasize positive things like arts and culture? Mayor Papenfuse: I am a big believer in the arts, culture and tourism because all of these things are major sources of revenue. We need to allocate resources and better market our events. We need to promote the good things by selling the city. Lenwood Sloan will serve as the director of arts, culture and tourism, which is a new division that will assume duties of the former Department of Parks and Recreation. Capital Watch: Is there anything else you would like to add? Mayor Papenfuse: Is there anything else you would like to add? As the year progresses there will be more operational changes and these, I believe will result in positives for Harrisburg. My campaign was based on collaboration. I truly believe that by working together, everyone will benefit in the long run. Under my administration, Harrisburg will once again be open for business. CW
CONGRA TULA TIONS MAYOR PAPENFUSE
WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
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Mayor’ s report
offers insights as to how
Harrisburg can improve
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ayor Eric Papenfuse has released the final report from the seven transition teams, which offered analyses and recommendations on how to improve the operations of city government in his administration. The 17-page report is chocked full of references to deficiencies throughout including a lack of a “coherent contract management system” and “inadequate citywide grants management program” to references that computers are outdated and lack newer technology. The report uses the word “dysfunction” over and over, and states numerous times that various departments suffer from inadequate capacity and resources. On the positive note, the report does offer solutions as to how Harrisburg’s governance can be improved.
“This report represents hours of hard work from very dedicated people who want to see Harrisburg rise out of its problems and become the model capital it should be,” Papenfuse said in releasing the report. “I would like to again thank all of those who contributed to this document and assure them that their ideas, suggestions and warnings will serve as a guide for our administration.” The final report was prepared by Robert Melville, who has worked with transition teams throughout the country to ensure citizen engagement in the transition process.
Melville served as facilitator for some of the transition team meetings and provided guidance to the transition chairs. Karl Singleton and Joyce Davis served as co-chairs of the transition process. More than 70 people were involved in the transition teams and included community activists, leaders of nonprofit organizations, educators, business people, political leaders and youth. The teams spent several weeks following the November general election engaged in meetings, compiling information and organizing notes for the final report.CW
REQUEST THE REPORT To request a copy of Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s transition team report email goodwinpin@comcast.net.
Congratulations Mayor Papenfuse. We are confident that you will lead the City of Harrisburg to new heights.
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WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
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Papenfuse sworn in as Mayor of Harrisburg
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ric Papenfuse, a Harrisburg businessman and community activist, was sworn in as Mayor of the City of Harrisburg on Jan. 6 in the lobby of City Hall. The simple swearing-in ceremony was intended to send a strong message to the citizens of Harrisburg and to surrounding communities of the new Mayor’s resolve to lead a frugal, efficient and responsive government. “The people of Harrisburg are ready for serious and dedicated leadership,” Papenfuse said. “This is not the time for parties and pomp. This is the time for hard work and sacrifice.” Papenfuse did not hold an inaugural ball, breaking from the custom of previous administrations. With his wife Cathy at his side, Papenfuse took the oath of office administered by Judge Marsha Stewart. Judge Jeannine Turgeon administered the oath of office for City Council President Wanda Williams, City Council Members Ben Allatt, Shamaine Daniels and Eugenia Smith; and for new Controller Charles DeBrunner. Members of the Harrisburg Police Honor Guard and of American Legion Post 733 led the posting of the colors to open the event, and Mayor Papenfuse and his children led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Micah Sims provided the invocation, and Rev. Walter Dockens offered a benediction to close the ceremony. After the swearing-in ceremony, Papenfuse led the media on a tour of City Hall and the Public Safety Building to highlight the reasons for his decision to keep his inauguration simple. “Conditions are deplorable at City Hall and in areas where our dedicated police officers come to work every day,” he said. “We want to start a fund to help repair and maintain the seat of our government, which should be a focus of pride for the entire region.” Papenfuse said a new fund to allow companies and individuals to contribute toward the upkeep of City Hall and the Public Safety Building will be crested early in his term. CW
Congratulations Mayor Papenfuse
Skelly and Loy congratulates Eric Papenfuse on his new role as the Mayor of Harrisburg. Skelly and Loy is proud to have called Harrisburg our home for the past 45 years. In that time, our geographic reach has extended globally, but we’ve never forgotten our roots. We have worked closely with the City to help them meet their engineering, environmental, and technology needs to make Harrisburg a better place to live. We look forward to continuing in that same vein with our new Mayor.
Welcome, Mayor Papenfuse. Harrisburg Corporate Headquarters 449 Eisenhower Boulevard, Suite 300, Harrisburg, Pa 17111-2302 (717) 232-0593 | www.skellyloy.com
WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
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Papenfuse Administration’s key staff THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT, WELL, YOU KNOW.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse has appointed the following people as key members of his staff. They include: • Karl Singleton, Senior Advisor for Education and Youth • Neil Grover, City Solicitor • Bruce Weber, Finance Director • Aaron Johnson, Director of Public Works • Catherine Stetler, Special Assistant to the Mayor • Joyce M. Davis, Communications Director for City of Harrisburg “We have assembled a highly-qualified and professional staff to carry out our commitment to the people of Harrisburg for a more responsive government dedicated to public service and community engagement,” Papenfuse said. “I am confident they will serve the city well during this critical period.” Mayor Papenfuse also appointed two members to the board of the Capital Area Transit Authority (CAT). The new board members are Lenora Smith, a Harrisburg attorney, and Kathy Possinger, Executive Director of Tri County Community Action.
CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR PAPENFUSE Benchmark Group Media Is Behind You.
Here’s to great things, Mayor Papenfuse.
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3400NORTH 6TH STREET, HARRISBURG, PA 17110 (717) 233-0109
PAVONE.NET
Dr. K. Jameson Lawrence, Esq., CEO/Managing Partner
Congratulates Harrisburg’s New Mayor, Eric Papenfuse 2023 N 2nd St #301, Harrisburg, PA 17102 | (717) 972-8300
CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR PAPPENFUSE Let’s Power Up Harrisburg Together www.pplweb.com
WELCOME MAYOR PAPENFUSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 CAPITAL WATCH
Mayor Papenfuse announces public safety team
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Water Preservation Takes Perseverance Our New Mayor Has The Same
A
new public safety team was announced by Mayor Eric Papenfuse the day after he was sworn in as Mayor of Harrisburg during the swearing-in ceremony of Thomas Carter as Police Chief of the City of Harrisburg. Derek Moody, a 20-year-veteran of the force, also was sworn in as police captain. At a press conference following the swearing-in, Mayor Papenfuse provided details of a comprehensive plan to organize a public safety team, which will include Susquehanna Police Chief Robert Martin as Public Safety Consultant and David Botero as the new Community Policing Coordinator. Botero has served as Contract Monitor and Community Liaison for Dauphin County. The new public safety collaboration includes support from Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, George Hartwick and Mike Pries, and District Attorney Ed Marsico. Dauphin County officials are contributing $37,000 annually tothe Harrisburg Police Department to offset equipment costs. “We are bringing a great deal of firepower to public safety in commissioning a team of professionals to tackle crime in our city that will benefit the entire region,” Papenfuse said. “Chief Carter is the right person to lead the police department at this time. Chief Martin’s collaboration will strengthen regional cooperation in public safety and David Botero will ensure citizens are informed and engaged in creating safer communities.” Martin will work closely with Chief Carter as a consultant over the next six months to develop a community policing strategy and to strengthen Harrisburg’s police department, Papenfuse said. Under the agreement with Susquehanna Township, Martin will spend two days each week working with Chief Carter and Harrisburg Police at no cost to the city, Papenfuse said. “Susquehanna Township is underwriting costs for Chief Martin to spend one day per week in Harrisburg, and the Chief has agreed to use his personal time for the additional day,” Papenfuse said. “This is a great start to our push for greater regional cooperation.” As Community Policing Coordinator, Botero will revitalize citizen involvement in fighting crime by supporting neighborhood watch programs and initiatives to engage parents and youth in public safety, Papenfuse said. In the Public Safety reorganization, the city’s codes enforcement department will move into the Police Department under the supervision of Chief Carter. “This will allow for stronger codes enforcement that will help improve public safety and reduce crime,” Papenfuse said. “All of these changes show our commitment to moving quickly and strategically to make Harrisburg a safe and beautiful city.” CW
Advancing Clean Water for Pennsylvania
Welcomes Mayor Papenfuse
4400 Deer Path Rd, Ste. 106, Harrisburg, PA 17110 www.nucapa.org
Congratulations
Mayor Papenfuse! THE HERSHEY HARRISBURG REGIONAL VISITORS BUREAU We look forward to working together to cultivate tourism as an economic driver for Harrisburg by continuing to promote the rich history, events and cultural experiences to visitors outside the region.
visithersheyharrisburg.org