ABC27 WHTM Mayor Thompson: City leaders relevant to financial recovery plan

Mayor Thompson: City leaders relevant to financial recovery plan

Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson supports state receiver David Unkovic's financial recovery plan. She says although he has the final say on financial matters, she has been relevant and and will remain so going forward.

Mayor Thompson said David Unkovic has kept city leaders in the process from the beginning. She gives him credit for meeting with elected officials and soliciting their input as he put his recovery plan together.

 She said council was reckless in getting rid of key positions and line items when they passed their budget. She also said Unkovic did the right thing by putting some of those jobs back in his recovery plan.

Thompson and other city officials say Unkovic kept his promise to work with city leaders.  And they feel they have a relevant role going forward.
        
"He needed the mayor and her administration to help him put together a sound plan so I have been very effective and he has respected my knowledge and leadership," Thompson said.

A big recomendation David Unkovic made in his recovery plan was for the city to hire a chief operating officer.  Mayor Thompson said she has started the interview process and hopes to have someone in place within 60 days.