By James Roxbury
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Archive videos of Fred Clark.
Tuesday October 23, 2012 at 2:49 pm
During the October 4, 2012 PA Senate Local Government Committee hearing on the debt crisis of the Harrisburg Authority (THA), former THA Board member Fred Clark explained the process and procedure of the Board voting on financial transactions. Committee Chair Senator John Eichelberger asked Clark, "Who was guiding Authority members? What was it like when you were on the ground there?"
In corroboration with his testimony that Board members made decisions based on the advice of appropriate professionals, Clark told the Committee that every vote the Board made was preceded with a introduction by the Executive Director and a presentation by professionals who gave the Board rationale for how to vote. Clark declared that for every vote, "absolutely, unequivocally professionals there making a case for why and what we were doing."
However, listening to various audio recordings of THA Board meetings during Clark's tenure, his testimony is contradicted by his own apparent frustration at a lack of professional representation and explanation at public Board meetings. On February 22, 2006, for example, Executive Director Tom Mealy presented the Board with a resolution for an agreement between the ARM Group, Inc. and THA regarding a Wind Energy Project Study in an amount not to exceed $352,795.00. When Clark asked where the representatives of the ARM Group, Inc were, Mealy responded that they weren't asked to come.
What ensues is a tense discussion about the expectations put on the Board and the resentment of Board members for feeling as if they are being asked to "rubber stamp" resolutions put before them. At one point, acting Chair John Keller states, "I personally in my opinion feel the professional people that do business with the Authority have been taking this three man board for extremely for granted."
Both Clark and Keller proclaim they have been saying the same thing for a long time about the voting procedure.
Despite their protestations of the process, the Board unanimously approved the resolution put before them without professional advice on the matter. Therefore, it seems Senator Eichelberger's questions still stands, "Who was guiding the Authority members?"
by Tara Leo Auchey
"At any given time, on any given issue." _____________________________
"That was our involvement in the process, to approve it. To approve it."--Fred Clark
On October 4, 2012, the PA Senate Local Government Committee held its first public hearing examining the massive debt of the Harrisburg Incinerator. Former Chair of the Harrisburg Authority, Fred Clark, testified during the proceedings.
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Fred Clark before Harrisburg City council.
The Incinerator Retrofit. Did we know the project was unbonded. no.
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Fred Clark describes how he endorses Mayor Reed's Special Projects Fund and stands by the mayors plans to build a old west museum, a sports hall of fame, a National African American museum, and a aquarium.
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Published November 9, 2012.
For the first time, here is a chronological series of some of the discussions and integral votes of the Harrisburg Authority Board during the process of approving the Incinerator retrofit.
Notable to point out is Board member Fred absences, comments, and abstentions. He is absent for the May 22, 2002 and the August 27, 2003. He abstains on the September 25th and December 15th 2003 votes. Under the Public Officials Law, any board member who abstains must provide a basis for his abstention. Clark does not do this.
In 2000, Fred Clark introduced the Resolution that would begin the entire process.
November 16, 2000 Vote on Resolution 2000-016, the undertaking of the Project
May 22, 2002 Vote on Resolution 2002-006, Preliminary work on the Retrofit
June 26, 2002 Conversation about the "Big Kahuna," i.e. the Retrofit
August 27, 2003 Vote on Resolution 2003-007, Intent to move forward
September 25, 2003 Vote on Resolution 2003-009, Proceeding to Retrofit
photos by Natalie Cake