Page 12 - 2020 Annual Report_v1.1

STEPHEN R. REED MEMORIAL BENCH
Following the passing of longtime MAC
Board Member and former Mayor of
Harrisburg, Steve Reed, on January
25, 2020, the MAC Board of Directors
began to brainstorm a way to honor
his dedication to Midtown while also
benefiting the neighborhood. We had
many ideas ranging from events at the
Sunken Garden to a plaque on the Broad
Street Market. After discussions across
several board meetings and COVID-19
limiting event options, we finally had that
“aha” moment. A decision to purchase
and install an outdoor bench with a
memorial plaque outside of the Historic
Harrisburg Resource Center (HHRC)
was unanimously approved shortly
thereafter. The bench was chosen for
the following reasons:
1. A CAT bus stop is located just outside
of the entrance to the HHRC without
any type of seating for bus riders.
The installation of a bench would
give bus riders a place to sit while
waiting for the bus to arrive.
IN MEMORIAM
The Historic Midtown Neighborhood lost two
prominent and respected neighbors in 2020, both
of whom proudly served on the Midtown Action
Council Board of Directors throughout the last 40
years. Our neighborhood is stronger today thanks
to their dedication to the City of Harrisburg and
Midtown neighborhood. Although they will be
missed, our memories of Steve Reed and Charles
Peguese will always be remembered by MAC.
Midtown Action Council • 2020 Annual Report • Page 11
2. Upon learning of the pending bank
closure, Mayor Reed was instrumental in
transitioning the HHRC building to the
headquarters of the Historic Harrisburg
Association. It is fitting the bench be
placed here, a place that Steve envisioned
would become one of the cornerstones
of our neighborhood’s community.
3. We feel strongly that of all of the ideas we
discussed, Steve would have been in favor
of installing a bench in our neighborhood.
The inscription on the plaque affixed to the
bench reads as follows:
Remembering our Friend and Neighbor
Mayor Stephen R. Reed, 8/9/48 – 1/25/20
This Bench is the Gift of
The Midtown Action Council, 8/9/2020
MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
August 9, 1948 - January 25, 2020
Steve Reed was much more than a mayor and civically minded resident to those of
us who served on the Midtown Action Council. He was also our friend, neighbor, and
a longtime committed board member — rarely missing a meeting even while battling
cancer. His positive impact on MAC set the stage for where our organization is today.
Steve was responsible for us obtaining 501(c)(3) status, supporting grant opportunities,
and ensuring that our meetings strictly adhered to Robert’s Rules of Order. To this day,
we still hear his words at the end of each meeting: “You don’t need to second a motion
to adjourn.” Although his legacy will be debated at length, our board is grateful for
how engaged he was with MAC over the years, giving our community group everything
he had, just as he did for the City of Harrisburg.