Midstate faces tough decisions on Election Day

It may be hard for Harrisburg voters to get energized about Tuesday's mayoral race. After waking up for nearly three decades to the steady hand and predictability that came with Mayor Stephen R. Reed, voters must decide whether Republican Nevin Mindlin or Democrat Linda Thompson should succeed him.

Mindlin is the Pennsylvania Bar Association's legislative director. He spent 16 years as a policy staff member in the state House and eight years on Gov. Tom Ridge's policy staff.

Thompson has been a City Council member since 2001 and its president since last year. She is the president and chief executive officer of Loveship Inc., a nonprofit that assists the poor.

Mindlin insists Harrisburg needs an inclusive comprehensive plan, economic-development programs in all neighborhoods and better enforcement of zoning and building codes. He supports reducing the city's tax abatement program from 10 years to five years and selling the failed incinerator and possibly City Island or other assets to offload some $300 million in city debt caused by the incinerator.

Thompson wants to focus more energy on depressed, urban neighborhoods to grow the city's tax base and stimulate the economy. She, too, supports tax abatement programs for businesses; however, she wants consultants from the state's Early Intervention Program to help determine how best to pay down debt. She'd like to hold onto assets, but would consider leasing City Island.

Despite Thompson's experience, her goals appear off target. Offering home-buying assistance and helping neighborhood-based businesses is admirable, but eliminating debt and helping businesses grow downtown needs to be the priority. Also, she too heavily relies on her campaign manager, attorney James Ellison, head of the Harrisburg Authority board, which oversees the incinerator, and she has been hostile to those who confront her. She frequently dodges questions and interviews, appearing more interested in controlling information than leading a city.

Mindlin has been refreshingly transparent and approachable, which businesspeople should find comfort in. His role in helping craft Keystone Opportunity Zones, which offer tax breaks in specific redevelopment areas, shows his flair for business development. His public policy background has put him in much bigger rooms with bigger players than Thompson has dealt with.

Entering a new era of leadership, especially in a time of economic pain, requires a consensus builder and one who is fair, open and determined to put the best interest of all areas of the city and its economic engine at the forefront.

For that, Mindlin receives our endorsement.

In York, Democrat Kim Bracey and Republican Wendell Banks are running for mayor. Bracey's experience as the city's development director gives her a clear advantage over Banks, who has unsuccessfully run for office in a host of other cities and whose top priority is to bring an NFL franchise to York. Banks is unrealistic and untested; Bracey has a clear plan for the city's economic future.

We endorse Bracey.

In Lancaster, Democrat Rick Gray is fighting to retain his seat against former Mayor Charlie Smithgall, a Republican. Smithgall has tenure in city government and a knack for small business; however, it is Gray's economic development priorities and regional approach that gives him the advantage.

Therefore, we endorse Gray for mayor.