UPDATE:
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce released this statement today:
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A Harrisburg City Council Member is fuming hot mad over a video that makes fun of the City and Mayor Linda Thompson. It was shown in front of hundreds of people at a Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Wednesday night.
The video shows people dressed up as Mayor Linda Thompson and other city officials, singing about the financial crisis and making fun of it all. Council member Sandra Reid finds this appalling.
The woman in the video looks like Mayor Linda Thompson, but it's actually a Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce member dressed up as the mayor, making fun of her. There were others, who joined in to make jokes about the city's financial crisis through song.
"We are the world, we are the city, we are the ones who can't see the light of day, so let's start giving. There's a choice we're making. our problems are unsolved, it's true we're asking for your cash, that's all we need," they sang.
The video was shown at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce awards dinner in front of hundreds of people, including state lawmakers. Harrisburg City Mayor Linda Thompson and council members were not invited.
"49,000 people that live in the city are not laughing at David Black's jokes right now," commented an angry Sandra Reid, who is a member of Harrisburg City Council.
Harrisburg council member Sandra Reid wants Chamber President David Black to resign.
"People are struggling to make ends meet, we have street lights we can't have replaced, damaged sewer lines we can't afford to fix, events we can't afford for children in the parks, it's not a laughing matter," Reid told us.
With the attention of 400 people in the room, Reid says the chamber could have relayed a different message.
"It doesn't matter who likes it she's the Mayor," Reid continued. "She is the Mayor, she was elected by the residents of the city and to defame her and to mock her and belittle her, as a black woman with political aspirations, i find that offensive."
Harrisburg Regional Chamber President David Black says the evening is designed for fun and a good time. The video was not meant to be offensive and being lampooned is part of political life."
Black says he has no plans to resign. We also contacted the Mayor's office, Linda Thompson said she's not interested in talking about the video.
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A City Council member is fuming mad over a video which makes fun of the City of Harrisburg's financial crisis and Mayor Linda Thompson.
It was shown in front of hundreds of people at the annual Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Thursday night.
Harrisburg Chamber President and CEO David Black says, look we were only having fun.
The video wasn't meant to be offensive.
It looks like the Mayor the Harrisburg, but its actually a member of the Harrisburg Chamber, acting like her.
Some would say the video shown at the annual Harrisburg Chamber Awards dinner makes fun of Linda Thompson as well as the city's financial crisis.
David Black, the Chamber President and CEO, says quote ‘the evening is designed for fun and a good time it wasn't meant to be offensive. Being lampooned is part of political life.’
Council member Sandra Reid tweeted Thursday:
‘It is narrow minded thinkers like himself that stood on the sidelines and watched this city get exploited of their resources.’
‘How can he represent the Harrisburg region which includes the Capitol City and mock the fiscal plight.’
Her last tweet read, ‘I think it's time for him to resign from the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce.’
Chamber President Black says he has no plans to resign. We also contacted Mayor Linda Thompson's office Thursday for comment. The response was ‘She is busy and isn’t interested in commenting.”
The story doesn't end there, as later we will have a sit down interview with City Council members.
The video, which will be attached later, has exclusive video from the meeting, and there is also a video from the Chamber attached to this story.
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce released this statement today:
From the Desk of David Black:
Upon further reflection, I am issuing an apology if the skit at the December 5th, 2012 Chamber & CREDC Awards Night has offended anyone. That was clearly not the intent. The event is designed to honor some great people in our region, who have done some extraordinary things and deserve recognition as well as have a few laughs. For those who are upset, I apologize. We believe in our City and its future.
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A Harrisburg City Council Member is fuming hot mad over a video that makes fun of the City and Mayor Linda Thompson. It was shown in front of hundreds of people at a Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Wednesday night.
The video shows people dressed up as Mayor Linda Thompson and other city officials, singing about the financial crisis and making fun of it all. Council member Sandra Reid finds this appalling.
The woman in the video looks like Mayor Linda Thompson, but it's actually a Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce member dressed up as the mayor, making fun of her. There were others, who joined in to make jokes about the city's financial crisis through song.
"We are the world, we are the city, we are the ones who can't see the light of day, so let's start giving. There's a choice we're making. our problems are unsolved, it's true we're asking for your cash, that's all we need," they sang.
The video was shown at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce awards dinner in front of hundreds of people, including state lawmakers. Harrisburg City Mayor Linda Thompson and council members were not invited.
"49,000 people that live in the city are not laughing at David Black's jokes right now," commented an angry Sandra Reid, who is a member of Harrisburg City Council.
Harrisburg council member Sandra Reid wants Chamber President David Black to resign.
"People are struggling to make ends meet, we have street lights we can't have replaced, damaged sewer lines we can't afford to fix, events we can't afford for children in the parks, it's not a laughing matter," Reid told us.
With the attention of 400 people in the room, Reid says the chamber could have relayed a different message.
"It doesn't matter who likes it she's the Mayor," Reid continued. "She is the Mayor, she was elected by the residents of the city and to defame her and to mock her and belittle her, as a black woman with political aspirations, i find that offensive."
Harrisburg Regional Chamber President David Black says the evening is designed for fun and a good time. The video was not meant to be offensive and being lampooned is part of political life."
Black says he has no plans to resign. We also contacted the Mayor's office, Linda Thompson said she's not interested in talking about the video.
___________________________________________
A City Council member is fuming mad over a video which makes fun of the City of Harrisburg's financial crisis and Mayor Linda Thompson.
It was shown in front of hundreds of people at the annual Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Thursday night.
Harrisburg Chamber President and CEO David Black says, look we were only having fun.
The video wasn't meant to be offensive.
It looks like the Mayor the Harrisburg, but its actually a member of the Harrisburg Chamber, acting like her.
Some would say the video shown at the annual Harrisburg Chamber Awards dinner makes fun of Linda Thompson as well as the city's financial crisis.
David Black, the Chamber President and CEO, says quote ‘the evening is designed for fun and a good time it wasn't meant to be offensive. Being lampooned is part of political life.’
Council member Sandra Reid tweeted Thursday:
‘It is narrow minded thinkers like himself that stood on the sidelines and watched this city get exploited of their resources.’
‘How can he represent the Harrisburg region which includes the Capitol City and mock the fiscal plight.’
Her last tweet read, ‘I think it's time for him to resign from the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce.’
Chamber President Black says he has no plans to resign. We also contacted Mayor Linda Thompson's office Thursday for comment. The response was ‘She is busy and isn’t interested in commenting.”
The story doesn't end there, as later we will have a sit down interview with City Council members.
The video, which will be attached later, has exclusive video from the meeting, and there is also a video from the Chamber attached to this story.