On Tuesday, February 28th a City of Harrisburg taxpayers group, Debt Watch Harrisburg (DWH), held a public forum on the Receiver's Recovery Plan to highlight various initiatives within it. Moderated by Tara Leo Auchey, the panel consisted of Harrisburg Authority board member Bill Cluck and DWH founder attorney Neil Grover.
At the time, Commonwealth Court had not yet approved Unkovic's Plan, and Cluck and Grover addressed pros and cons they observed in the Receiver's approach to solving Harrisburg's fiscal crisis. In forewarning Grover said, "I think he is trying the best he can to do the right thing, but I know that he could be gone." Cluck referred to push back Unkovic was experiencing from the City's creditors, namely the bond insurer AGM and Dauphin County which share the same lobbyist Stan Rapp of Greenlee Partners. "The lobbyists are lobbying Governor to fire the Receiver."
On March 30th, David Unkovic submitted his resignation to the Commonwealth Court. Two days before his resignation, the Receiver spoke out against the political pressure he was encountering. --Tara Leo Auchey.
Photo/Natalie Cake