HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
Several officials in Harrisburg city government went face to face Thursday night with one of the state lawmakers backing a state takeover of the city. It was a community forum at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg hosted by the group Harrisburg Hope.
Republican State Representative Glen Grell of Cumberland County was questioned and criticized by city officials and residents who are upset about a plan he has sponsored that would take over control of the city, since the mayor and city council have not been able to agree on a financial recovery plan.
"I flinch a little bit when I hear takeover," said Grell. "It is a drastic step and I can't say enough, nobody wants it to go that way."
Grell said it appears necessary because of the current stalemate in Harrisburg city government.
Some gave Grell credit for showing up at the meeting. It was definitely not a pro-takeover crowd, which included city residents and some city council members.
"I believe that anything that removes the elected officials from the process has to be wrong." said City Councilman Kelly Summerford.
"Not one time did you come to city council and ask us about why it is that we of the four voted the two Act 47 plans down," said City Councilwoman Wanda Williams.
"The mayor took the initiative to call me and ask, once my name was affiliated with the legislation, came in to talk to me about what her concerns were," Grell responded. "I didn't feel it was my responsibility to contact members of city council."
Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller has been upset that the state took away the option to pursue bankruptcy and a commuter tax; something that has helped other distressed cities.
