More dirt on the mayor along with her picture in the window giving thumbs down to protesters
Thompson at Harrisburg's helm?
By Nancy Eshelman | Special to PennLive
on January 11, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated January 11, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Get out the crepe paper, blow up the balloons. Linda Thompson plans to kick off her re-election bid Tuesday.
What could be better for the city of Harrisburg than four more years of Linda?
Linda, who claims she is still in charge, making her the only one who doesn’t believe the state snatched away much of her power.
Linda, who can’t play nice with City Council, resulting in delays and lawsuits and repeated trips to court.
Linda, whose dream world promises a Harrisburg that’s free of its $340 million debt when the strawberry welcomes 2014.
Linda, who throws darts at former Mayor Steve Reed for causing a financial crisis, neglecting to mention she headed City Council during his reign.
Linda, who can’t play in the same sandbox as city Controller Dan Miller, whom she has called “that , evil little man.”
View full sizeUndeterred by a snowball strike to the City Government Center window Mayor Linda Thompson offers a double-thumbs down to the crowd gathered for the "Show Your Love for Harrisburg; Demand Linda Thompson Resign" rally. PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News/file
Linda, who has lost close to a dozen key staff, some of whom have criticized her for micromanaging, demeaning them, acting unprofessionally, and leading co-workers in all-but-forced prayer.
Remember Chuck Ardo, the former spokesman for Ed Rendell who joined Linda’s team and then left when he realized the captain was unable to call the plays? “She has no management experience,” Ardo said.
Remember Joyce Davis, a skilled professional with a 35-year career in journalism, including a stint as foreign editor for NPR, who said, “I see that there are serious issues with her personality? I see that there are serious issues with her mental capabilities. I see that there are serious issues with her ability to forge the type of relationships that would get her through these times.”
Davis walked out after two months on the job when an angry Thompson launched her eyeglasses in Davis’ direction.
And who among us with ever forget THE PICTURE? Linda in her red suit taunting protestors gathered outside her office, thumbs down, jeering at the crowd like some emperor sending a gladiator to his fate.
Keep in mind that Linda Thompson has her supporters. Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton raised a resounding cheer when he threw his support behind Thompson during a visit to the city in October.
Curiously, he pointed a finger at black men for tearing down Thompson.
“For years, you had a ‘mayor for life,’” Sharpton said. “Now you have a black woman for mayor, and insecure black men try to tear her down.”
Where that leaves the criticism of Joyce Davis, Chuck Ardo, Dan Miller and David Unkovic, the former state-appointed receiver, I don’t know.
Miller, apparently, plans to run against Thompson in the Democratic primary. Others may throw their hats in the ring too. If the majority agrees that Thompson is leading Harrisburg on a sink-holed-filled road to disaster, the primary will be the time to act.
Never forget how she snatched the office. Voters, thinking Reed was a shoo-in, stayed home, and by the time the November election rolled around, Thompson was the Democratic contender.
Registered Democrats who live in the city and aren’t happy need to stay alert for the next few months. As Harrisburg goes, so goes the region.
The last day to register to vote is April 22. The primary election is May 21. Don’t fall asleep.
The rest of us are depending on you.
