Harrisburg City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to eliminate the public comment at the end of its meetings and allow people only to speak on city business at the beginning. Comments would be limited to three minutes and must be focused on agenda items before council that evening.

Does Harrisburg City Council not want to hear from it’s constituency about issues not related to matters on the agenda? Apparently so. This move makes the statement that We do not care to hear what you simpletons have to say and we’re going to ignore you publicly.

Sure, citizens are able to speak – for no more than three minutes- at the BEGINNING of each council session only on items that are on the agenda for that particular meeting.

But here’s the rub: oftentimes, the City Council Website isn’t updated in a timely fashion and the documents regarding the agenda of the meeting aren’t provided until AFTER the meeting.

So, essentially, Harrisburg City Council has told the citizens of Harrisburg that it doesn’t particularly care to hear their thoughts. And they have taken the time to create an ordinance against it.

Furthermore, because this new “rule” is already in place and will not likely be on the agenda again, citizens may NOT address council in the public comment portion of the meetings about this.

Now, I completely understand that there are a motley crew of characters that regularly attend meetings and bludgeon our council with drivel and redundant nonsense following each meeting and often need to be reminded of the three minute time limit- but for every one lunatic that addresses council, there are dozens more with valid, pertinent and meaningful comments to add to the dialogue about what’s hurting (or helping) this ailing city.

But isn’t the public comment portion of a city council meeting considered “due process”? Do we not have the RIGHT to publicly address our ELECTED officials?

City Council must remember that they sought office so that they may SERVE their citizenry. Seems more and more these days that our elected officials forget what the root of their position is: to SERVE the community. And how are they going to SERVE the community without knowing what’s on their community’s collective minds?

If I were sitting on that council, you bet your bottom dollar that you would have heard a pretty loud “NAY” from me on this one…

Clearly, I haven’t been writing much about local politics lately. For a few reasons, but most notably, I simply don’t give a shit anymore.

Time and again, I’ve been disappointed by the (in)action of our local elected officials. Sure, on the campaign trail, they’ll say “yes” more times than a townie in the local seaside bar when the ship of starved sailors docks. But once the pomp and circumstance ends and everyone goes back to their post-election-year lives, it’s a different story.

The same elected officials who made promise after promise on the campaign trail will feign forgetfulness when the points they promised are brought up to them again in, say, March.

Therefore, I just don’t care. I’m here to bring great concerts to this city and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I tried to get these liars and thieves to understand my plight with the Amusement Tax but their lack of action on my single cause- my only action-item, my “cross to bear” has made it crystal clear that they do not work for us. They are supposedly “public servants” but I’ve seen VERY little that would make me believe anything other than the fact that most elected officials have an agenda and a personal objective and if a constituents request or point fits into a pre-existing notion held by said official, then that citizen is in luck. The elected official will “champion” their cause. But if a citizen or group of citizens has a groundbreaking and innovative request of their local leaders and truly wish to see some change happen inside a poorly managed, cumbersome, ego-driven, narcissistic, sociopathic and “Napoleon Complex” riddled elected body, they’re shit out of luck.

ANYWAY…Roxbury and I were having a few beers at Spice and in walks Freshman City Councilman Kelly Summerford. If you recall, I wasn’t (and still am not) a Kelly Summerford fan. And his actions last night further cemented my idea that this guy is not working for the people and is so far out of touch that it’s hardly worth the effort to bring him up to speed.

But I’m here to do that. Kelly- this one’s for you, buddy. You see these words? These words you’re reading right now? On this website? The critical lashing I’m giving to you and the rest of the elected officials that are reading this as well? It’s within a “browser” on your “computer” that you had to “type” in the “address” of to “get here”. (Or, someone “emailed” you a “link” and you “clicked on it”) See it? Got it? THIS, my friend, is a BLOG. And I am a blogger.

You see, I’m spelling this out as if I’m talking to a six year old because time and again, you fucking politicians can’t get it right.

This is a blog. Go ahead. Click around. Use the search box in the upper right to look for your name. Or anyone in an elected position within the City of Harrisburg’s name for that matter.

Kelly, technology has allowed people like me all over the globe to express our opinions and otherwise unreported facts that mainstream media doesn’t report on. We write these things on blogs. I am not anonymous. You saw me in person the other night. I shook your hand. Blammo. You know who I am.

Now, THIS PAGE however, is NOT a blog. That page linked from those words is what is called a “Message Forum”. BIG, BIG difference between a Message Forum and a BLOG. On a message forum, it’s much easier for a “poster” (or someone who writes things and gets them displayed on said Message Forum) to remain anonymous. It’s simple to create a screen name and post different, disparaging comments about  a plethora of topics. Everything from whether or not Linda Thompson is a qualified leader or not to who has the best cheeseburger in town. That’s what  a message board is for.

But if these elected officials don’t even know what a BLOG is, how can we expect them to lead our city into a more fruitful time?

It’s simple, guys- this is the year two thousand and ten. “Teh Internets” has been around for decades now. And blogs have been here for over ten years. Get to know them.

Blogs and bloggers CAN be your friends. Adversaries. Allies. Or, they can be your worst enemies. It’s your choice, really. I told you guys the other night that I think that EACH of you council members SHOULD have a blog. You SHOULD communicate with the public who elected you. That’s what you’re HERE for .

YOU serve US. Not the other way around.

So there you have it Kelly, Linda and whoever else was unclear about exactly what a “blog” is.

There was a full house in the conference room at the Zembo Mosque tonight.

It was the Landmark Neighborhood Association’s “Meet The Candidates” night.

If you’re not familiar, the ” Landmark Neighborhood Association” covers, essentially, the fourteenth ward.

So the host was on home turf.

All of them were there.

Linda Thompson, Les Ford, Nevin Mindlin, Joe Brown, Fran Harris, Michael Thomas, Danielle Hairston, Patty Kim, Kelly Summerford, Eric Papenfuse, Pat Stringer…and in the last inning, Wanda Williams and Mayoral-incumbent Steven Reed arrived.

Each candidate was given five minutes to answer two questions- chosen by the Landmark Neighborhood Association and delivered to (most) participants at least seventy-two hours prior to the event.

The candidates were asked to answer (in five minutes time) the following questions: how to make sure residents across the city receive the same level of services, and how to improve the performance of the Harrisburg School district.

The way that I’m about to describe my analysis of the candidates replies to the questions is based on the following:

1. The candidates appeared preparedness for the questions.

2. The candidates answers’ relevance to the questions.

3. The candidates general demeanor while speaking to the attendees.

4. The candidates projected confidence, passion and honest energy.

5. And, ultimately, my belief in the candidates genuine motives for running for a new (or repeated) position serving his or her community-

The Mayoral candidates answered first…

(Enjoy)

Les Ford: I really like Les. And I really want to vote for him. But I can’t get past the notion that his wife Sheila is running (and writing) his campaign.

Obviously, anyone who’s paying attention knows full-well that Les and Sheila have an axe to grind with regard to the School District. Les Ford is a very smart man and has absolute leadership abilities…but based on the delivery of his answers tonight,  I really don’t know if he’s the right man for the job of Mayor of Harrisburg.

The strong point of his answers (though, I’m not sure how relevant they were) was that he’d like to “listen to the community”

That’s a strong point.

Nevin Mindlin was next.

Again…I want to believe in Nevin. But I didn’t hear the passion. I didn’t hear the gumption that I’m looking for in a Mayoral candidate. Nevin Mindlin said “This is why I’m not running for Mayor [of Harrisburg]. I’m not running because I need a career. I’m not running because I need a pension”.

He proceeded to throw obvious and slow-pitch hits back to the audience of roughly 150. Transparency and accountability. “Customer/Citizen” metaphorical-comparison focus. Manager/employee comparisons. But I’m not 100% sure his passion is there. He wants to run for Mayor…but I’m not convinced of what he’d do with the position if elected.

Linda Thompson.

Oh, Linda.

Your delivery is (almost) believable.

The vocal-urgency is there.

Most of us give you a pass with your pronunciation or complete fabrication of words.

It seems like your heart is in the right place.

But I can’t shake the “Kill Whitey” demeanor of your delivery.

Sure, poverty-stricken and crime-ridden neighborhoods need more attention than places like Shipoke.

But if you utter one more word about “minorities” in a city whose population is nearly seventy percent African American and twenty five percent Caucasion…I might just choke on my chicken wing.

And do us non-denominational a favor: leave the God shit out of the campaign forum.

My vote won’t go to the most-pastoral.

And then, we went on to the council-candidates.

(I’ll try to summarize these in a sentence or two)

Patty Kim said that her opinion of the best way for the future Mayor and Council to work together is to work out their differences behind closed doors.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Does a boss and his General Manager fight in front of the staff?

Of course not.

Neither should our Mayor and Council.

Do what’s best for the general-good of the city…and you’ll see a happy community.

In my experience with dealing with Council and the Administration, Patty Kim has been. hands-down, the most accessible, resourceful, and dependable public servant to hold a position in the current administration. Therefore, she’ll most likely get one of my four votes for council this coming May 19th.

Pat Stringer:

Do we need another Vera White?

Look…Pat Stringer would be a great candidate for Woman Who Most Resembles My Grandmother…with the Baking of The Cookies and the Cooking of The Pasta.

But I would never vote for this woman as a member of a representative council of the citizens of this city.

Fran Harris.

Has never run for- nor has she held a- public office.

She doesn’t even have kids.

But something about this woman exudes confidence. She has a warm and welcoming aura about her. I’m going to need to see her again, but so far…she’s off to a good start. Fran Harris has potential to be a great City Council member for Harrisburg.

Joe Brown:

Was this guy serious?

No, seriously..

Was this guy fucking serious?

Dude, I don’t care who your cousins are.

And yeah, you’re a physically-big guy.

But you can’t bully your way into a position of authority in this city. (Or maybe you can)

Michael Thomas:

So, look.

I heard about the pot-bust.

And most of us know about your bankruptcies.

And that mortgage?

Yeah, it’s no secret.

So it’s no surprise that your rambled, unrehearsed, forced replies to tonight’s questions left us all wondering: “He said what!?”

Your only saving grace was your support of reform to the Police and Fire residency requirement.

But even that was old-hat.

Mike Thomas needs to show some sincerity in his delivery if he wants to secure my vote.

Kelly Summerford.

Creepy and full of shit.

If you believe in what’s good for this city..do not vote for this man.

Eugenia Smith.

I really appreciated what she had to say about supporting the family unit. I was pleasantly surprised by her candor. I’d like to know more about “Gina” Smith.

Danielle Hairston.

Was my second surprisingly intriguing candidate of the night. Another ousted-school board member, I was almost moved by her sincerity in improving the overall environment of the school district. “I have integrity” and “I am an informed decision maker” were the two resonant quotes of her presentation.

Eric Papenfuse.

Eric is, without a doubt, my number one vote for Harrisburg City Council in the coming election. Everything about this man screams honesty, integrity and unfettered dedication to making the City of Harrisburg a wonderfully prosperous place to live.

And late to the game were-

Wanda Williams.

“I’m sorry I was late to arrive. There was a Budget and Finance committee meeting and I’m happy to report that we’re [the City of Harrisburg] operating with a 1.7 Million Dollar surplus!”

Really?

Are we, Wanda?

Posturing like that won’t win votes.

Sure, on your paper we may be in a surplus…but anyone who lives here knows that there are more potholes in our streets than Kettle Corn vendors at Kipona Fest. We know there are more prostitutes roaming the streets on an average Thursday night than there are police officers. We know that the Incinerator is costing this fine city more than one million dollars a month.

Pardon my Ebonics, but…who you tryin’ to fool?

Mayoral-incumbent Steven Reed.

Was on the muthafuckin warpath tonight.

Steve Reed delivered an 11th our missive (after arriving late due to a Thousand Dollar A Plate fundraiser at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center) which, no doubt, rattled the confidence of Ford, Mindlin and even Stone Cold Thompson.

The guy’s been in office for twenty eight years.

And it’s gonna take a heluva lot more than bible-thumping, education-touting and, well, passive income bragging to defeat him…

Still got four weeks to go.

And color-me-stupid if this ain’t one heck of an intense administration race in Harrisburg.