Harrisburg, Pa. - Mayor Stephen Reed leaves office in January after leading Harrisburg for the past 28 years. On Thursday, he talked about the transition process and the challenges that lie ahead for Mayor-elect Linda Thompson.

Reed wished Thompson the best in her new job. "I just won't be a party to and have not been a party to people who will want to see her make mistakes," he said. "That does not serve a very good public purpose."

Reed and Thompson agree on one thing: her first priority after taking office is addressing the $283 million dollar incinerator debt. "Solve that and a whole lot of other issues, in part, get resolved at the same time," he said.

Reed proposed a solution last spring, but it stalled, he believes, for political reasons. "Now that the election's over I think there will be further receptivity in the part of all parties to now get on with action," Reed told reporters.

Reed pledges to make the transition at City Hall a smooth one. At least 25 of his managers have left or are leaving. Reed has told Thompson he would fill any of those vacancies with her people before she takes office.

Reed expects the new mayor will get a lot of on-the-job-training. "Like anybody coming into a whole new experience for which there really is no advanced training and certification, she'll grow into the post," he said.

Thompson takes office on January 4.

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