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The Politician and the Publisher
Strange political bedfellows

Over the years there has been much speculation regarding the unholy alliance between Stephen R. Reed and Annette A. Antoun.  It's not like he actually needs the endorsement of The Paxton Herald.  click here to view the May 2001 primary election results

The number one question: “What does she have on him?”

While some of the theories advanced are wildly entertaining, we suspect in truth there are no smoking guns.

Even if Antoun had evidence against the Mayor, who would believe her?  It's not like  in her oft proclaimed "journalistic integrity" has much credibility.

Rather, we think the association stems from an aspect in the Mayor’s basic character that Annette is exploiting to her own ends to the detriment of sound public policy.

We’ve heard Mayor Stephen R. Reed described in terms ranging from worshipful to “colorful.”  Reed is many things, but above all, he is loyal.

It is that quality, normally seen as a virtue, that Antoun has exploited for decades.

The Faustian bargain was struck years ago when Reed was first seeking public office.  Antoun bet on the right horse and supplied him with office space, funding and editorial support.  In Annette’s mind, she created Steve Reed.

In turn, she has been rewarded with the Mayor’s loyalty and he, in turn has been able to influence the editorial policy, such as it is, of The Paxton Herald.

We well remember the rampant decay pervading Harrisburg during Reed’s first mayoral campaign.

At the time, Old Fox Ridge was fighting a stupid plan advanced by Reed’s predecessor, Tim Doutrich which would have leveled the entire neighborhood to provide parking.  see: Old Fox Ridge

Reed spoke eloquently against the plan to sacrifice urban neighborhoods and pledged he would oppose the expansion of commuter parking into Old Fox Ridge.

Like Antoun, we bet on the right horse.  That was then.  This is now. 

Perhaps he has forgotten the commitment he made to us some two decades ago during a mayoral debate in the Fellowship Hall of Messiah Lutheran Church. We remember.  We intend to remind him.

We know Steve Reed is capable of better.  He has shown that time and again.  He has set the the gold standard for public service. All too frequently we in Harrisburg have had front row seats to the implosion of political careers locally and statewide.

We want the old Steve Reed back.  We needed him then, we still need him.  

Update, July 2002:

Reports from reliable sources indicate Mayor Reed is beginning to tire of Annette's antics.

Even loyalty has limits and despite her entreaties Reed's character will not permit him to intervene in the enforcement of the city's property maintenance codes on Antoun's behalf.  Editor's note: We had hoped that was true, but evidently on July 19 Reed went to bat for Antoun and interfered in the legal process (See Chapter 13 -- "The city has withdrawn the charges...")