Harrisburg City Solicitor Phil Harper has resigned his post effective immediately.

Harper confirmed the move in an interview this morning, ascribing his decision to "philosophical differences" with Mayor Linda Thompson that he felt were preventing him from representing the city with peak effectiveness. "There was an inability to provide the kind of support that I felt I needed to give her, simply because she's just unaccepting of certain realities," Harper said.

He did not go into detail, citing the nature of his work as the city's top lawyer. But generally, Harper pointed to problems like an inability to compromise that kept certain issues from moving forward.

"It could be different," Harper said. "You don't have to give up your perspective. You don't have to give up your point of view, your philosophies or your belief systems. ... But you do have to work with people."

UPDATE: Mayor Thompson released a statement via e-mail this afternoon:



"Today, Mr. Harper tendered his resignation ten months shy of the expiration of his term as city solicitor. While in this administration, he has been at the helm of litigation matters on behalf of the City of Harrisburg. We wish him well in future endeavors. Recruitment for the city solicitor position will take place immediately. Effective today, February 8, 2011, Jason Hess has been named the acting city solicitor.”

Harper, 47, came to city government in 2005 as a deputy city solicitor in 2005. He became acting solicitor in October 2008, replacing Steven Dade, and then was confirmed as solicitor last fall.

Thompson's spokesman Chuck Ardo resigned last week, saying he and the mayor differed in how the media relates to the city, among other matters.