Encore program -- Harrisburg financial crisis

Thursday, 22 December 2011 17:38

Encore program -- Harrisburg financial crisis

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, December 29:

A look at the top stories of the year on Radio Smart Talk continue Thursday.

2011 is a year all those who live in or govern the city of Harrisburg would rather forget. From beginning to end, Mayor Linda Thompson, city council and the state tried to find ways to end a financial crisis that threatened its solvency.

A debt tied to the city's trash burning incinerator of more than 300 million dollars was the main culprit. The city entered into what is called Act 47 – a state plan to help financially distressed cities, a majority of the city council filed for bankruptcy and finally the state enacted legislation to take over the city's finances and a receiver was appointed to do just that.

Harrisburg's financial woes was news not just locally or in Pennsylvania but throughout the country and indeed the world.

Through it all, Mayor Thompson was the face of the crisis. The mayor was called a polarizing figure and certainly controversy followed her where ever she went. This encore Radio Smart Talk features Mayor Thompson just before the council filed for bankruptcy and the state took over.

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comments

# cheryl 2011-12-29 10:56

The mayor continues to state "I am not an expert in bankruptcy, etc. " To lead in this situation, she must quickly become an expert in bankruptcy. When any of us in our jobs or lives are faced with a new challenge, it is our job to BECOME THE EXPERT so that our choices can be their best. Yes, leadership involves taking in the advice of "experts" but leadership also involves becoming an expert on the issues at hand to best lead.

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# Charles 2011-12-29 11:01

Having forced myself to listen to Mayor Thompson attempt to communicate several times now, I can only suggest that she take a speech communication class and learn what a conversation is truly meant to be. She comes across as extremely defensive, using a condescending tone and aggressive speech patterns like rapid speech to dominate the conversation in order to not allow the others involved to have a chance to respond to what she's said. A conversation is meant to be a friendly exchange of information, but in order for that to happen both parties have to have an open mind and be willing to except the opportunity to learn something they didn't know before. She is an intelligent, strong individual and could be an effective leader if she would learn to communicate her feelings and opinions in a more effective manor. Listening to her now though I can only say it's small wonder why no one wants to work with/for her.

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# Andy 2011-12-29 12:11

That was possibly the most unpleasant Smart Talk segments I've listened to. I too felt compelled to force myself to hear Mayor Thompson. It was difficult to discern ideas or direction or leadership through all of Thompson's course rhetoric. As mayor, if you are already having a difficult time expressing ideas, it would be in your best interest to ally with welcoming media. And as mayor (as per the post above), if bankruptcy is a major element you MUST consider, then you MUST gain some level of understanding and not just defer to council. Mayor Thompson want it both ways, to be a city savior if things go well or appear as victim if things go poorly. Thompson let the "governor" slip, but it is clear that she is putting political ambition ahead of Harrisburg's welfare.

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# Robert Colgan 2011-12-30 00:16

I missed this when it first aired but I was impressed with what I thought was a riveting piece of radio journalism.

A very complex woman, Mayor Thompson...
it is obvious she cares about Harrisburg, and wants to do well by her city.
She at times is feisty, aggressive, and somewhat impetuous in her answers, and her defensiveness (especially with Scott when she said she detected racism in him...? I SO wish he had challenged that statement on air to see what she was thinking) keeps the intensity on the highest setting. It must be very hard to work with her. Not an easy woman.

Still I ended up with a more positive image of the embattled mayor than I had previously had from TV or radio 10 second soundbites.
That she makes enemies is a given; that she really needs allies for Harrisburg is a necessity. I hope she finds them.

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