Diane White, a youth counselor and community leader with deep roots in the city of Harrisburg, announced July 30 that she will challenge incumbent mayor Stephen Reed, who is running jointly as a Republican and Democrat, in the fall election. Strengthening neighborhood businesses, building a world-class school system and improving quality of life are the main themes of White's campaign.Diane's announcement speech:
My name is Diane White and I am here to announce my candidacy for Mayor for the City of Harrisburg. I am running as a candidate of the Green Party. Thank you for coming today, and a special thanks to the members of the Dauphin County Green Party for working so hard to make this all possible.
I'm proud to call this city my home. I grew up here, and I'm not planning on going anywhere. I'm running for mayor because I'm worried about our future. I'm worried our city is being sold, piece-by-piece, to the highest bidders. And I'm worried that many of our neighborhoods are being left behind.
I'd like to mention that my opponent, The Honorable Mayor Steven Reed will is running as both a Democrat and a Republican. At least I know what party I belong to. Although Mayor Reed has done a lot during his tenure to change the complexion of the City, the days of one-party rule by the old boy network must end. We must move on. Democracy only works when people have a choice.
My campaign represents the leadership and core values needed to protect the quality of life for all of our communities. I come here today with hundreds signatures from concerned Harrisburg voters who agree that I should be running. Voters from every ward and precinct are supporting my campaign. Going door-to-door and talking to everyday people, I've heard nothing but encouragement and excitement. People are thrilled to have a voice representing our neighborhoods - white voters, African-American voters, Latinos, Asian Americans, gays and Lesbians, people of every age and economic standing. If you listen closely you can hear the winds of change blowing in the City of Harrisburg. I'm not here to blow smoke and make noise; I'm running to win.
These are the issues I plan to address during this campaign: our children, neighborhood empowerment, and creating jobs.
Our schools are in turmoil. We are all striving for the same thing, the best education system in the country. What we have achieved is a storm of administrative bickering and character assassination that benefits no one and is hurting our kids. Our kids are far too important to be pawns in pointless political games. The real irony is that while we squabble over what's best for the children, the kids are being completely left out of the process. Not only are the children being left out, they are also being denied access to the support and services they need to become successful adults.
Children need outlets, recreational and social activities. Where do they go and what do they do for fun? Whatever happened to the neighborhood playgrounds, bowling alleys and movie theaters? What happened to "The Park"? Where do they ride their bikes? Where do they go skating? Where do they learn to play the piano, to draw, to paint? Where do we expect their creative juices to come from? Where do they learn the socialization skills we expect them to have? Is it any wonder that they are hanging out on the block?
We must offer real alternatives to the street corners. When I am your mayor, I pledge is to do just that.
For years the city has been administering Community Development Block Grants monies. These grants come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They cannot be acquired without input from neighborhood organizations. Traditionally, the city has partnered with neighborhood organizations and businesses to secure these funds. Ultimately the city ends up controlling these funds. The cash is often diverted from the neighborhood projects for which they were originally intended. The people who were responsible for securing the funds are left with little or nothing. I believe that these organizations should control their own purse strings. Progress is one thing; exploitation is another.
My mom always told me, when you give a dance, you've got to pay the band. All debt must be paid sooner or later. The source of revenue for most our debt is through taxation. I do not believe that bulk of the tax burden should be borne by those least able to pay it. Let me give you an example.
Currently, Harrisburg is exempting some large corporations from many of their tax responsibilities. We've all heard the term "corporate welfare". It does not seem fair to me for Penn National Insurance Company to receive tax breaks while our middle class, working people and homeowners and renters foot the bill. I would rather a corporation earn its exemptions.
I am all for attracting business to the area and the creating jobs. Everyone benefits from an expanding economy. However, it is a fact that most new jobs are being created by small businesses. I say we do all in the city's power to support our small businesses, to nurture them and help them succeed. The corporate giants can certainly take care of themselves.
Does anyone really know the state of the city's financial affairs? Certainly most of us don't. As your mayor, I will open the books, all the books, and will demand accountability at every level of city administration. It's our tax money, and we work hard for it. We have the right, and the responsibility, to ensure every penny of our hard earned money is accounted for and spent wisely.
Harrisburg has adopted an approach to property taxation which emphasizes and taxes the value of land and potential building values, as opposed to the "what's there" approach. After adopting this new system Harrisburg went from being the second most depressed city in the USA in terms of urban blight to an award-winning "All American City". The count went from 5,000 boarded up buildings to less than 400. The Green Party has always been a champion of this tax shift and applauds the City for adopting it.
However, it's my observation that many homeowners and renters in blighted neighborhoods do not reap the benefits of the tax shift. This must be addressed and corrected. It is my promise to you to do just that.
I am running as a candidate of the Green Party because the people of Harrisburg need a choice. I offer a history of proven leadership. The White administration will work tirelessly for neighborhood control of neighborhood business, a world-class school system, and will fight to protect and improve our quality of life.
I know how to work, and I know our neighborhoods. Ask anyone. My roots in Harrisburg run deep, very deep. Many of my friends are here now, or at least will watch on TV. Hi Mom! And those people I don't yet know I look forward to meeting. We're going to run a clean, hard fought campaign, and my volunteers and I will be knocking on a lot of doors. I invite anyone to contact me at any time with any concern. My campaign is about people, not about political machines. Let me hear from you.
On a final note, let me just say that debates between candidates are crucial in any fair election. The Honorable Mayor Steven Reed, I'm sure, shares that view. I look forward to debating Mr. Reed at anytime, in any forum.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your support. Here's a toast to the future: to our kids, to our neighborhoods, to our beautiful City of Harrisburg. Now let's get to work.
Diane White was born on October 12, 1953 at Harrisburg Hospital. She is a graduate of William Penn High School Class of 1971, West Virginia State College B.S. in Social Work 1975, St Francis College MA in Personnel Administration/Industrial Relations 1990.
Ms White attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and was a Commissioned Officer in the PAANG and USAR. She has been employed by the YMCA , SURE Project, PAL, the City of Harrisburg Parks & Recreation, Youth Urban Services, Family &Children Services, Harrrisburg High School, Keystone Service Systems, Youth Advocate Program, Abraxas.
She worked Armed Security for The PA Air National Guard and TMI via Burns Security.
Ms White was an owner and operator of “The Hut” and D&E Cooler Company.
Ms White has over 25 years of Human Service experience including casework, counseling, coaching, community organizing, human resources, managing and supervising.
Ms White is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Harrisburg Chapter of West Virgina State College Alumni Association, The National Association of the Self Employed, The American Legion Post 0733.
Source: Green Party of Pennsylvania
