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The Delaware County Digest
Your source for the latest news from Delaware County | September 19, 2025
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Delaware County Council Approves Resolution to Establish Human Relations Commission
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Delaware County Council voted unanimously during the September 17 County Council Regular Public meeting to approve Resolution 2025-10, establishing a County Human Relations Commission (HRC).
The resolution marks a historic step forward in protecting residents from discrimination and promoting equity across the County, while laying the groundwork for a more detailed ordinance to follow.
Councilmembers described the measure as both symbolic and practical -- sending a clear signal that Delaware County is committed to standing against discrimination in all its forms, while beginning the careful work of designing a commission that fits the County’s unique needs.
The resolution establishes the commission itself, while a companion ordinance -- expected to be introduced later this year --- will provide the legal framework and enforcement authority to ensure its effectiveness.
Council noted that the ordinance will require two readings and must align with state law, the County Charter, and existing practices of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Taking the resolution step first ensures that the process of recruiting and training commission members can begin without delay, even as the ordinance is finalized.
Councilmember Christine Reuther acknowledged the lengthy process and the public interest, noting that the resolution signals Council’s intent to move forward while the ordinance is refined. “This is a complex issue, and we want to get it right,” she said, noting that recent revisions -- such as aligning age discrimination protections with federal law -- required restarting the legislative process.
Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer emphasized the importance of the measure in today’s climate. “I wish we lived in a world where we didn’t need to establish a commission like this, but we don’t,” she said. “This is needed locally, here and now.” Schaefer also noted that mediation should be a key tool of the commission, pointing to other jurisdictions where more than half of complaints are resolved quickly through that process.
Councilmember Kevin Madden highlighted both urgency and caution. “We want to protect residents, but we also want to make sure the commission is structured in a way that works for Delaware County.” Madden added that if cases languish for years at the state level, a local commission could provide faster resolution.
What the Resolution Establishes
Under Resolution 2025-10, the Human Relations Commission will be composed of 7 to 13 volunteer members, appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by Council. Members will serve staggered three-year terms and may include up to three non-voting ex officio members to broaden representation.
The Commission’s responsibilities will include:
- Meeting monthly to address issues of equity and discrimination.
- Promoting education, outreach, and improved relationships across all communities.
- Conducting studies and issuing an annual report to Council.
- Cooperating with public and private organizations to strengthen inclusivity.
Once an ordinance is adopted, the Commission will also be vested with the authority to investigate and address discrimination complaints related to housing, employment, education, health care, and public accommodations.
Protected classes will include race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, veteran status, source of income, use of service animals, and status as a survivor of domestic or sexual violence.
Council Vice Chair Richard Womack, who has spent decades fighting for civil rights, called the vote “second nature.” He added, “I’ve been a victim of discrimination many times in my life, so I support this resolution, and we want to make sure this is also done cost-effectively while protecting our residents.”
Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor described the measure as “an important first step in ensuring equity and fairness across Delaware County.”
The resolution took effect immediately. Council expects to introduce the companion ordinance later this year to provide the full statutory framework.
To read County Resolution 2025-10, visit the County website at DelcoPA.Link/HRC-2025-10.
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Delaware County Office of Sustainability Unveils Zero Waste Plan at Packed Council Meeting
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A packed house filled the Delaware County Government Center in Media on September 17 as residents, advocates, and municipal leaders heard County Sustainability Officer Rebecca Yurkovich present Delaware County’s updated Zero Waste Plan.
The 69-page document—an expansion of the County’s 2023 Sustainability Plan—takes a deeper dive into the County’s waste stream, expanding on how the County can dramatically reduce waste, modernize systems, and align environmental goals with public health and cost savings.
“This plan guides our transition toward zero waste, while also identifying opportunities to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and protect both environmental and community health,” Yurkovich told Council and the public. Developed from 2022 through 2025, the plan is rooted in extensive community engagement: 20 listening sessions, three in-person workshops, three online workshops, and three advisory committees, yielding more than 500 touchpoints with residents and stakeholders.
That outreach helped define a shared, internationally peer-reviewed definition of zero waste—conserving resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery without burning or polluting air, land, or water—and shaped ten guiding principles that center environmental justice, strengthen local green jobs, and commit to science-based, transparent decision-making.
The plan details 129 specific actions distilled into 17 key initiatives across four tracks: Policy, Shifting Culture, Curbing Waste, and Building Better Systems (infrastructure). Each action is tagged with a timeframe—short-, mid-, or long-term—along with lead and partner entities so municipalities, institutions, businesses, and residents can better identify opportunities get involved to push the plan forward.
Examples include model ordinances on single-use plastics and construction and demolition debris; transfer-station upgrades that increase diversion services like recycling and composting and reduce local emissions; and permanent options for the collection of hard-to-recycle materials and e-waste, and more. If implemented in full, the plan projects an 82 percent diversion rate—more than doubling current performance.
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Yurkovich emphasized that achieving zero waste is a collective effort, noting that while most implementation will occur at the County staffing level with grant support, a shift in culture around wasting and community participation remains essential for the success of this plan.
The plan emphasizes a phased approach to implementation, with larger infrastructure investments—such as organics processing or countywide collection—built gradually through pilots, partnerships, and grant funding. Keeping costs manageable for municipalities and residents is a key design principle, alongside linking zero waste to broader County priorities: lowering costs, boosting efficiency, improving health, and protecting vulnerable communities most affected by pollution.
Council members praised both the rigor of the plan and the breadth of public involvement. “It sets attainable, aspirational goals for the long term,” said Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer. “The only way to change reality is to start somewhere, and that’s what this is—a thoughtful, written plan to hold ourselves accountable and move forward.” Schaefer also thanked the Sustainability Commission and its subcommittee, the Solid Waste Authority advisory committee, and the Zero Waste advisory group for “countless hours” of work and singled out Yurkovich for leading the effort.
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Councilmember Kevin Madden called the presentation “the tip of the iceberg,” pointing to the extraordinary amount of work behind the summary. He said some actions can move quickly while others depend on significant investments, particularly in processing infrastructure. “For too long, Delaware County has relied on fragmented municipal approaches, lacking County-level leadership,” Madden said. “This plan is a major step forward. Rebecca, your leadership has made this possible, and it’s a milestone for our future.”
Councilmember Christine Reuther spoke to the practicalities of implementation as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Solid Waste Authority. “Trash is complicated,” she said, noting that certain aspirations require state law changes or municipal buy-in. She cited the Authority’s ongoing work to modernize transfer stations, expand landfill capacity, and establish a permanent electronics recycling location—services that move beyond the current patchwork of occasional events. “There are no perfect answers, only better answers,” Reuther added. “This plan provides a roadmap, and we need that.”
Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor closed the discussion by thanking Yurkovich, County staff, and community members for shaping a plan that is both ambitious and grounded. The message to residents, businesses, and municipalities was clear: Delaware County is stepping into a leadership role, and success depends on everyone doing their part—imperfectly at first, consistently over time—to move the County toward a zero-waste future.
Fittingly, the final page of the plan captures its essence with a quote from environmental advocate Anne Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing Zero Waste perfectly, but we need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
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Register of Wills Vincent Rongione Highlights Innovation, Community Outreach, and Fiscal Responsibility in Update to Delaware County Council
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Vincent Rongione, Esq., Delaware County’s Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, presented a comprehensive update on his office before a packed house at the September 17 County Council Public Meeting. In a presentation that mixed humor with detail, Rongione highlighted how his office serves residents through life’s most significant moments while modernizing operations and staying under budget.
The office, which employs about 20 staff, interacts with residents more than 25,000 times each year through probate appointments, marriage licenses, Orphans’ Court filings, and inheritance tax collections.
Demand for certified marriage records more than doubled in 2025 as residents prepared for the federal REAL ID deadline, a surge that pushed the office to expand its capabilities, including adding a Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator to strengthen public engagement and get critical information into residents’ hands.
“We’ve made it our mission to be visible in the community, from senior expos to press conferences,” Rongione said. “Getting information into people’s hands before they even need our office makes those big life transitions less stressful.”
Council Vice Chair Richard Womack praised that hands-on approach. “You and your team don’t just process paperwork — you take the time to walk residents through complicated moments. I’ve heard from community members who say the Register of Wills staff went above and beyond, and that matters.”
In addition to day-to-day service delivery, the Register of Wills Office plays an important fiscal role. It is one of the few revenue-generating departments in County government, bringing in over $2 million in 2024 on a budget of less than $1 million. “We were about 15 percent under budget last year, and we’re on track for the same this year,” Rongione reported. The office also processes $6–7 million a month in state inheritance taxes, though only a small fraction returns to the County.
Councilmember Christine Reuther pointed to this fiscal stewardship as a model. “At a time when the County is watching every penny, the responsiveness of this office has been a huge help. Vince has made sure revenue is coming in on a timely basis, and that kind of leadership really matters.”
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Since his appointment in January 2024, Rongione has emphasized professional development and staff innovation. He pointed to Chief Deputy Jason Kutz — a Delaware County resident with an MBA from Drexel University — for bringing business acumen and systems expertise that have helped modernize probate and scheduling processes. He also praised First Deputy Julie Everett, who has served the County for 25 years, calling her “the epitome of a public servant,” as well as Orphans’ Court Supervisor Kara Boland and paralegal Nyoka Sifontes, both promoted within the past year.
“We’ve focused on growing our staff and creating meaningful career paths, so our employees can better serve Delaware County,” Rongione explained.
Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor thanked Rongione for his leadership. “You’ve worked to make the office more efficient and user-friendly, and we continue to hear positive feedback from residents who have interacted with your staff. It does show.”
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Councilmember Kevin Madden noted that even while under the weather, Rongione brought energy to the presentation. “We all appreciate the passion you’ve brought to your office, and the focus on delivering the best possible service to our residents.”
Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer echoed her colleagues’ praise, adding with a smile, “We do have the best Register of Wills in the country!”
By the close of his presentation, Rongione returned to his central theme: that government can and should be a force for good in people’s lives. “We help residents navigate life’s biggest moments — whether joyful or painful. That’s a responsibility we take seriously, and one we’re proud to carry out on behalf of Delaware County.”
For more information about probate, marriage licenses, or the guardianship process, please contact the Register of Wills office at (610) 891-4400, by email at regofwills@co.delaware.pa.us or online at DelcoPA.Gov/ROW.
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Cheers for Delco’s Birthday: A Three-Day Celebration of History, Hometown Pride, and America’s Upcoming 250th
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Delaware County has some birthdays coming up — and everyone’s invited!
Cheers for Delco’s Birthday is a countywide, weekend-long celebration running September 26–28, 2025. Over three days, residents and visitors can enjoy everything from birthday cake on the Courthouse steps and Happy Hours at local favorites, to rolling sculptures racing in Media’s first-ever Delco Downhill Derby and the inaugural Delco 10 Miler.
It’s a celebration of community pride and a preview of the historic excitement building toward America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.
This year’s festivities highlight two milestones: the 236th birthday of Delaware County, founded on September 26, 1789, just 13 years after America declared independence, and the 130th anniversary of the Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS), which has long preserved the stories, artifacts, and traditions that define Delco. With America250PADelco leading a broad community effort, the weekend will honor the past while looking ahead to the once-in-a-generation celebration of 2026.
The fun begins Friday, September 26, with a day of birthday events in Media and across the county.
At 11:00 a.m., the Delaware County Historical Society will host a free Open House at its headquarters on Front Street in Media. Visitors can explore rarely seen treasures, including original deeds from William Penn, papers from Declaration of Independence signer John Morton, and early Crozer family records.
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The centerpiece event follows that afternoon. At 4:00 p.m., residents are invited to gather on the steps of the Delaware County Courthouse for the Birthday Cheers Remarks & Cake Cutting. County and state officials, America250PADelco leaders, and community partners will unveil new America250 banners — Forging Freedom: Delaware County’s Role in the American Experiment — carrying the themes Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness. The program will include a festive cake-cutting and community rendition of “Happy Birthday,” along with the launch of Delco Volunteers 250, a new initiative encouraging residents to contribute time and talent to semiquincentennial projects.
Friday evening continues with a ticketed DCHS 130th Anniversary Reception at the Delaware County Institute of Science, followed by Cheers for Delco’s Birthday Happy Hours at restaurants, bars, and wineries across the county. A portion of proceeds will support DCHS and America250 programming leading into 2026.
On Saturday, September 27, Media will host the debut of the Delco Downhill Derby. Edgmont Street will transform into a rolling stage of creativity as teams send whimsical, human-powered sculptures racing downhill. The Derby is about imagination and spirit rather than speed, with entries inspired by local landmarks, culture, and humor. Families are encouraged to line the street for this unique parade of hometown pride.
The celebration concludes Sunday, September 28, with the inaugural Delco 10 Miler: Park to Pitch. Starting at Rose Tree Park at 8 a.m., the 10-mile course winds through Media and Nether Providence before finishing at Subaru Park in Chester. All 1,200 bibs sold out quickly, with runners coming from across Delco and beyond, but residents are encouraged to cheer along the route. Proceeds benefit Delco Arts, Delaware County Parks & Recreation, and the HEADstrong Foundation.
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Together, the weekend marks the official kickoff to Delco’s role in America250 — connecting history, community, and celebration in one unforgettable three-day series of events.
For details, visit the America250PA Delco website.
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Delaware County Honors 78th Anniversary of U.S. Air Force with Flag Raising at Government Center
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Delaware County Council, veterans, and community members gathered today at the Government Center in Media to raise the United States Air Force flag in honor of the branch’s 78th birthday. The ceremony recognized the Air Force’s proud history, its continuing mission, and featured a special tribute to the pioneering legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
COL Arthur L. Jenkins, Jr., Director of the County’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, led the ceremony alongside Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Vice Chair Richard Womack, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Controller Joanne Phillips, and members of local veterans’ organizations, including several American Legion chapters. The ceremony also included a stirring performance of the National Anthem by the County’s own Charnee Washington.
Master Sergeant Tanya Harris of the County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs reflected on the Air Force’s formation in 1947, its evolution from the Army Air Corps, and its leadership in technology and innovation — from the P-51 Mustangs of World War II to today’s advanced stealth aircraft. She emphasized the Air Force’s continuing mission to “Fly, Fight, Win” and the dedication of the men and women who serve.
Harris also noted the groundbreaking role of SSgt Esther Blake, who in 1948 became the first woman to enlist in the newly established Air Force, paving the way for future generations of women to serve.
Special attention was given to the Tuskegee Airmen, the trailblazing Black pilots who broke barriers during World War II, flying with distinction and challenging discrimination both in the military and at home. The family of 1LT William E. Rice, a Tuskegee Airman, attended the ceremony. Born in Morton and a lifelong Delaware County resident, 1LT Rice served his country with honor and distinction — a hero from right here in our community.
His daughters, Janice Rice Robinson and Annette Rice, were joined by family friend Lisa Lockley, representing the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Association. Ms. Robinson offered remarks on behalf of her family, thanking Council for honoring her father and his fellow Airmen.
| Dr. Taylor expressed her gratitude for the Air Force and its place in American history, saying: “As Council Chair, and as a representative of our local government, I am deeply grateful for the service of all who have worn the uniform of our nation’s military — and today, especially, for the men and women of the United States Air Force — those who have stood, and flown, in harm’s way in times of both war and peace. It is my honor to say, THANK YOU, on behalf of Council, and the County.” | | |
Council emphasized that today’s ceremony is part of an ongoing tradition to honor each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with the Navy flag to be raised in October.
Happy Birthday to the United States Air Force — and thank you to all who have served, past and present.
| | Honoring 78 years of service — Delaware County raises the U.S. Air Force flag at the Government Center alongside veterans, families, and community partners. | | Take Part, Spread the Word, Stay Connected | |
Cheer On the Inaugural Delco 10-Miler!
The inaugural Delco 10-Miler kicks off Sunday, September 28, at 8:00 a.m., starting in Rose Tree Park and finishing at Subaru Park. Registration is closed, but residents are encouraged to line the course through Media, Nether Providence, and Chester to cheer on runners in this exciting new community tradition. Click Here for Race Details
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Serve on the Hero Scholarship Fund Board!
Delaware County is accepting applications for eight vacancies on the Board of Directors of the Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County, Inc. Since 1977, the Fund has provided scholarships to children of fallen police officers and firefighters. Applications are due in the next few days. Click Here to Apply
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Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month in Delaware County
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! One free card opens the door to 28 Delaware County Libraries—packed with books, tech, programs, and more. Celebrate with us at Read at Rose Tree on September 24 from 5:30–7 PM, or stop by any branch to sign up today! Click Here for more Information
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Revolutionary Reads: Explore the American Revolution Through Literature
Revolutionary Reads returns with The Painter's Fire by Zara Anishanslin, this year’s Community Read selection. Join Delaware County Libraries and partners for book clubs, library programs, and a free public author event on Wed., Oct. 15, 6:30 PM at Widener University. Copies available at your library. Click Here to Learn More.
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