Will there be justice for Harrisburg? That's the million-dollar question asked during a special community forum Wednesday night.
People filled a bookstore to talk about the city's continuously rising debt problem and how a solution will affect them.
Governor Tom Corbett didn't want this meeting to happen. In fact, just days before the forum, the state wrote a letter to the organizer of ‘Harrisburg Hope’ demanding it to stop.
The Midtown Scholar book store is filled with frustrated, worried, and fed up people who just want answers: especially to the number one question of whether there will there be justice for Harrisburg.
City spokesperson Bob Philbin says yes.
"At some point in time there will be penalties, fines, etc, but we're talking about a multi-year process to get to that point," explained Philbin.
The city has a crushing $330 million incinerator debt, rising at $1 million a month in interest.
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer started ‘Harrisburg Hope’ to give the community a voice, one which many people believe state receiver William Lynch refuses to hear.
"Mr. Lynch only wants to hear one voice and that's another thing,” commented Occupy Harrisburg leader Jackie Wilson. “The city has never been represented."
"Involving stakeholders of wide variety is critically important,” believes resident Hope Primas. “Otherwise there could be issues of polarization. He is a leader and I think it's important that he has a presence."
The state appointed Lynch to find a financial solution for the city when Harrisburg officials couldn't work it out with creditors.
"So far, there has been little progress toward resolving the debt crisis,” added Harrisburg Hope President Alan Kennedy-Shaffer. “Although there are talks about tax increases proposed by General William Lynch. Now legislative hearings held by senate and there are rumors about possible indictments with criminal involvement of those who created the debt."
City spokesperson Bob Philbin believes there is a clear end in sight to finally ending this financial crisis, there's a plan in place.
That plan is expected to be released at the mayor's State of the City Friday. CBS 21 News will be there and we will bring you the details.
People filled a bookstore to talk about the city's continuously rising debt problem and how a solution will affect them.
Governor Tom Corbett didn't want this meeting to happen. In fact, just days before the forum, the state wrote a letter to the organizer of ‘Harrisburg Hope’ demanding it to stop.
The Midtown Scholar book store is filled with frustrated, worried, and fed up people who just want answers: especially to the number one question of whether there will there be justice for Harrisburg.
City spokesperson Bob Philbin says yes.
"At some point in time there will be penalties, fines, etc, but we're talking about a multi-year process to get to that point," explained Philbin.
The city has a crushing $330 million incinerator debt, rising at $1 million a month in interest.
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer started ‘Harrisburg Hope’ to give the community a voice, one which many people believe state receiver William Lynch refuses to hear.
"Mr. Lynch only wants to hear one voice and that's another thing,” commented Occupy Harrisburg leader Jackie Wilson. “The city has never been represented."
"Involving stakeholders of wide variety is critically important,” believes resident Hope Primas. “Otherwise there could be issues of polarization. He is a leader and I think it's important that he has a presence."
The state appointed Lynch to find a financial solution for the city when Harrisburg officials couldn't work it out with creditors.
"So far, there has been little progress toward resolving the debt crisis,” added Harrisburg Hope President Alan Kennedy-Shaffer. “Although there are talks about tax increases proposed by General William Lynch. Now legislative hearings held by senate and there are rumors about possible indictments with criminal involvement of those who created the debt."
City spokesperson Bob Philbin believes there is a clear end in sight to finally ending this financial crisis, there's a plan in place.
That plan is expected to be released at the mayor's State of the City Friday. CBS 21 News will be there and we will bring you the details.