RST: Harrisburg’s Wild West auction roundup

(Harrisburg) — The capital city’s massive, often-ridiculed Wild West Artifact collection languished for years in a public works building.

Now, the pieces that once gathered dust together will be scattered across the world, purchased by bidders at a seven-day auction last week.

The auction netted the city some $2.7M. It will be used to pay down the Harrisburg’s debt as it struggles to become financially sound.

On Tuesday’s Radio Smart Talk, we’ll speak with Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s Auction Co., about some of the more interesting items that crossed the auction block, and whether the sale presented any surprises.

We’ll also hear from Bob Philbin, Harrisburg’s Chief Operating Officer and Mayor Linda Thompson’s Chief of Staff.

Philbin has said the auction represents a “symbolic transfer” from the city’s “rocky past.”

We’ll also be joined by Tara Leo Auchey of Today’s the Day Harrisburg.

She will offer insight on what people in the city are saying about the auction and Harrisburg’s economic recovery efforts.