Burg Life

Linda Thompson’s Phone Call

October 23, 2008 by yosh

Anybody who is paying attention knows that many posts on the Pennlive forums are deleted for no clear reason other than that they were critical of the establishment. Often it is in these deleted posts that critical bits of information about the inner workings of local politics are revealed. It is not Pennlive’s place to determine whose voice gets heard in discussions of our local government.

We here at Burg Life believe so dstrongly in this point that we are launching a new feature here on the blog. When we see Pennlive posts that contain something worth knowing, but we feel that it is the kind of information that Pennlive might censor, we will take the proactive step to repost the material here.

And to start this off, we bring you the observations of Pennlive regular and Harrisburg activist TattooJim:

First let me say I struggled with posting this. Heck, I struggled processing the phone call for a couple of hours. It started here on PL, so I thought it would be appropriate to continue recording it here.

Council President Linda Thompson called me on my cell phone yesterday morning around 11:15. We had some pleasantries and then she began speaking about a post I submitted on PL. I think I was the Al Sharpten post.

The conversation quickly became one sided. Her shrill, angry delivery was actually scary. I can’t speak to exact content because I just woke up (I work second shift) but she was going OFF. Racism was thrown in, Penn Live contributors are “losers” was thrown in, at least one Bible reference to the “belly of the beast” was thrown in, it was actually shocking.

When she took a breath I said that the way she made Dan Miller leave his seat at the council bench and speak at the citizen’s podium was appalling.

Ms Thompson started saying the word “appalling” and repeated it 3, 4 times escalating her volume and shrill factor until she hung up on me, without any ability for me to respond. Man she HUNG UP ON ME!

Do you really want a person representing you, with this kind of anger and hostility at her core? I don’t anymore. You shouldn’t either.

Man I was, and am, totally amazed that she would talk to a constituent this way. I supported her re-election, but now, no more. She needs to go. I’ll donate money, provide server space, and provide web design help to a ham sandwich that runs against her.

I’m a nobody. No political power, no influence, nothing. I’m just a regular guy. Nothing more, nothing less. I just type a lot and share my thoughts here. In the interest of full disclosure I do donate the cost of the domain names, hosting, and maintenance of the city council website to the public at no charge. I swear I was ready to yank that support but then the citizens of Hbg would suffer, so I could never do that.

Let me say, I am not racist, but I do question authority regardless of your resume. Anybody that knows me will back me up. If you don’t agree with her and you’re white, you’re a racist. I would argue to Ms Thompson, you should look in the mirror. You are the racist madam President. Chewing me out for my opinion and eventually branding me a racist is sad Linda, just sad. I forgive you. You need help, your anger isn’t healthy. You’re problems aren’t with me, or my opinion. They are in your heart. I’m no threat to you. You are a threat to you. Please don’t call me and yell at me ever again. I don’t respond well to that.

Oh, and before I close let me thank Darnell for forwarding my comments to Linda. No problem man I stand by my views, that’s why I use my name and not some pseudonym. I just find it curious that you sent my post to Linda. You’re starting to look like a lap dog, hope that isn’t the case man, I’ve always liked you.

~ Tattoo Jim

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

What has Central PA learned from the Smoking Law?

September 12, 2008 by yosh

Today our fair Commonwealth joined the legion of other states, nations, and municipalities in asserting our rights to clean air by banning smoking in (most) indoor places. The Patriot News was out in force with a team of reporters instructed to light up in bars and restaurants around the midstate. These first-person stories, along with more traditional reporting, did a respectable job of recording the day for prosperity. Amid the stories a trend emerged in people’s reaction to the prohibition.

[Deb] Dunant, however, said she was angry. “The last time I checked, this wasn’t Russia. It bothers me that, as an adult, I can’t have the choice.”

Did she really just compare Pennsylvania smoking policy to Russia?

One of Dukes’ employees, Toni Mitterlehner, said she doesn’t need the state’s protection after 22 years of working in restaurants. ”My opinion is they’re taking our rights away. We might as well go to Russia,” she said.

And this woman is doing it too!

Russia? Really? So one would assume from these assertions that Russia must have draconian smoking policies. While there are many countries worldwide that prohibit the use of tobacco, Russia is not one of them. The reality is that sixty percent of male Russians are smokers, and a pack of cigarettes costs roughly 25 cents. Russia looks more like smoker’s paradise than any place left on Earth!

So central PA smokers: rather than complain about the loss of your rights, go join your comrads in Russia for one last cigarette!

Posted in Eating Out | 3 Comments »

Gallery Walk

September 10, 2008 by darkburg

Sunday september 7th was a beautiful sunny day. Perfect for walking the city and visiting the local galleries. While I wasn’t able to go to all the galleries I made it to a few. The most lively spot on the walk was Rambo fair (second time its been held by my account). This year rambo fair was held on verbeke street between second and penn. they had live music, and arts and crafts booths set up with their respective artisans selling their wares. The mantis gallery hosted the event as they did last year. The event was on north street last year in front of the mantis’s old location. Mantis is currently using the front room of Albert Michaels a restoration company on the corner of penn and verbeke. Open only on the first friday of the month, this was a bonus opportunity to see what they had on the walls.

Next we headed for the progressive galleries show at the maennerchor on north street. progressive routinely host events there, like the one coming up on the night of the 13th. This space is great. We’re talking a.c., a bar with inexpensive drinks, a d.j. and a lot of art to see and admire. While a little tamer than the saturday night shows it was a great time. As usual the art was excellent.

My third stop was brass monkey studios. While primarily a tattoo shop (an excellent one at that) they double as a gallery. the art definitely reflected a tattoo influence. Hip and cool and worth the visit. This spot is on north in the same place were mantis used to be. The guys that run the place are talented, pretty cool and have fashioned the space well. I always enjoy visiting them.

The final stop on my walk was arts at 510. 510 third street to be exact. This gallery is a classically run gallery with a frame shop in the back. This is another can’t lose stop. The art is always good and the atmosphere’s upscale. They also had chocolate chip cookies out and I love chocolate chip cookies.

Unfortunately I was out of time and had to end my tour of hbg galleries. I heard pleasant reviews from friends who made it to other venues. It seems that all in all this years gallery walk was a good time for all. I hope those of you who checked it out had a good time and will continue to support local art. Those of you who didn’t…….well come on get on board! We have tons of talent in this region and it can only be realized if we support it as a community.

Posted in Music and the Arts | 1 Comment »

What ever happened to Simply Turkey and More?

September 3, 2008 by yosh

When lunchtime rolls around, I’m lucky to have seemingly endless options of fine eateries downtown to satisfy my palate (one of the many perks of working in the city). I’ve got my usual spots that I like to rotate between to keep things interesting. One spot on my list was the ever-popular Simply Turkey and More, which was located on the first floor of Strawberry Square. As was pointed out on the Spotoblog, this always-busy lunch spot rapidly shuttered its doors in early July.

Instead of tasty turkey sandwiches, all the public was served in this departure was a cryptic note indicating that they would be reopening on the second floor in late July. I heard a number of rumors circulating about the rapid exit of this favorite spot. Some claimed that the former restaurant’s location was slotted to be eaten up by the expanding Harrisburg University project. Others whispered that Simply Turkey was to reemerge on the second floor with its own separate seating area.

Well, late July came and went, and August passed by with nary a whisper about the fate of the turkey. Now September has arrived, and, as far as I can tell, nobody is in the process of opening a new eatery on the second floor of Strawberry Square. So what gives?

The case of the disappearing sandwich shop looked like it might remain a mystery until today. While casually perusing the Department of Revenue’s delinquent business tax list (an odd pastime, I know), there it was, right in front of me. Simply Turkey and More owes $24,261.28 in delinquent taxes. Maybe that has something to do with the relocation delays…

Posted in Eating Out | 3 Comments »

Harrisburg City Budget — A Surplus?!

August 27, 2008 by yosh

Harrisburg is really lucky to have a citizen like Darnell Williams. Darnell dutifully attends city council and committee meetings, giving a voice to the concerns of average citizens and taking copious notes. Afterward he posts these notes on the Pennlive forums and makes them available for download. He always signs off on his notes with the line: This write up was never meant to be a “word for word” dictation of the meeting. However, the notes provide a more thorough look at the work of our city government than the coverage in any local news outlet, and it sure beats sitting through all those meetings in person!

Earlier today, Darnell posted his notes from last night’s City Council Legislative Session. Most of the proceedings looked to be pretty standard stuff, but one paragraph stuck out:

Wanda Williams will have a Mid Year Review of the City Finances on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 at 5:15 PM. Wanda says that the City has a surplus of finds[sic] of $342,000. The Honorable Wanda Williams will give details of why at the meeting.

That one made me do a double take, and it left me wondering what’s going on with the budget in this notoriously cash-strapped city. I guess we will just have to wait until September to get to the bottom of this…

Posted in Politics | Tagged City Council | 2 Comments »

burg life is………

August 26, 2008 by darkburg

burg life is …… what? well this blog as burg life is an attempt to explain, examine, and uncover or lives and the lives we lead here in harrisburg. for instance critical mass is this week. friday at six o’clock, front and walnut. this is a great event to be part of. no registration needed, no one is in charge, and anyone can join in on the ride. that is the very point of the event. a community ride to show support and bring awareness to bicycling and bicyclers. we are here and we are part of the existing traffic scenario.

so far the ride has been with a relativly small group thirty or so at the last ride. the group seems to move at around ten mph a pace good for most any level of rider. so don’t shy away come out and join us. this is life in the burg. see you on friday.

Posted in Other Events | Tagged Burg Life, Critical Mass | No Comments »

What is Burg Life?

August 24, 2008 by yosh

Burg Life is about carving out a niche in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — a place both passed over and vitally important. We live here and work here. While we grumble at times about the state of affairs around town, ultimately, we stay here because we know that this is a great place to be.

But it could be better…

Burg Life is a way to give voice to the vision of where Harrisburg will be tomorrow. It is about seeing opportunities all around us, even in our limitations. It is the reclaiming of “OUR” in “our city”, and owning the “PUBLIC” in “public space”, “public works”, and “public safety”. And it is recognizing that we all hold an obligation to future generations to leave them with a quality place to call home.

We are not in this alone.

Burg Life extends beyond a few bloggers, just as it extends beyond the city line. Harrisburg lies at the center of a metropolitan area with 640,000 residents, and we’re in this together. We regularly cross municipal lines as we go about life. Harrisburg is interdependent with its neighbors, and creative solutions to what ails us will recognize that.

We’re having fun!

Burg Life knows that this our one shot at life, and we’re enjoying ourselves. Our nights are as busy as our days, and there are too many things to do. Burg Life isn’t looking for a scene. It recognizes that we are the scene, a bunch of like-minded people seeking out that communal experience and a place to be.

We are Burg Life.

Posted in Deep Thoughts | No Comments »

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