Harrisburg's Mayor and the controller were back in court Tuesday, battling over the sale of city artifacts.
This lawsuit is just another example of how Harrisburg's elected officials are at odds.
In Commonwealth Court, a judge heard arguments from the Mayor and Controller about the city selling its Wild West artifacts. They disagree on how to do it.
"It's a shame that we're even here," said City Controller Dan Miller.
Jason Hess, the Harrisburg Solicitor, said the battle is taking too long to resolve. "This process has been going on too long."
Both sides seem to agree; this lawsuit is unnecessary. So why is it happening? The mayor's office says it's a political smokescreen by the Controller who is running for Mayor.
But the Controller says it's all about the Mayor following the law. "It's about internal controls. We've seen what a lack of internal controls has done to our city financially. We are insolvent and this is the reason why."
At stake are the wildest artifacts purchased by former Mayor Stephen Reed. Both sides want to sell them. But the Mayor sued the Controller because he won't sign off on the sale since City Council did not approve which auction house would sell them.
But the mayor says Council did approve the sale and therefore, doesn't need to approve which company does it.
Hess said the amount of time the battle is taking is hurting the city. "Any further delay will further hamper the city's receipt of much needed proceeds."
The artifacts are expected to bring in about $1 million.
As far as the cost to the city for the lawsuit, the Controller's Attorney is working for free and the city solicitor said today he gets paid a salary so he's be working anyway. The judge should make a decision sometime this week, but this is only to determine what happens with the artifacts, until the case goes before a three judge panel.
This lawsuit is just another example of how Harrisburg's elected officials are at odds.
In Commonwealth Court, a judge heard arguments from the Mayor and Controller about the city selling its Wild West artifacts. They disagree on how to do it.
"It's a shame that we're even here," said City Controller Dan Miller.
Jason Hess, the Harrisburg Solicitor, said the battle is taking too long to resolve. "This process has been going on too long."
Both sides seem to agree; this lawsuit is unnecessary. So why is it happening? The mayor's office says it's a political smokescreen by the Controller who is running for Mayor.
But the Controller says it's all about the Mayor following the law. "It's about internal controls. We've seen what a lack of internal controls has done to our city financially. We are insolvent and this is the reason why."
At stake are the wildest artifacts purchased by former Mayor Stephen Reed. Both sides want to sell them. But the Mayor sued the Controller because he won't sign off on the sale since City Council did not approve which auction house would sell them.
But the mayor says Council did approve the sale and therefore, doesn't need to approve which company does it.
Hess said the amount of time the battle is taking is hurting the city. "Any further delay will further hamper the city's receipt of much needed proceeds."
The artifacts are expected to bring in about $1 million.
As far as the cost to the city for the lawsuit, the Controller's Attorney is working for free and the city solicitor said today he gets paid a salary so he's be working anyway. The judge should make a decision sometime this week, but this is only to determine what happens with the artifacts, until the case goes before a three judge panel.