The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— April 22, 2022 (13th edition) ——
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Delaware County Council Passes Emergency Ordinance in Response to Crozer Health Closures | |
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On April 20, 2022, Delaware County Council passed an emergency ordinance requiring hospitals and long-term care facilities to provide notice to the County and develop closing plans when closing hospitals, significant units of hospitals, or long-term care facilities.
In response to a series of permanent and temporary service closures and suspensions by Crozer Health, the emergency ordinance requires 180-day notice to the County of a decision to close either all or most of the units of a hospital or certain “significant impact units” such as emergency departments, ambulance services, labor and delivery units, or behavioral health departments. In addition, a closure plan is required to be submitted to the Delaware County Health Department no later than 120 days from the anticipated date of closure.
“We are in an emergency response situation. The consistent reduction of services and programs over the past few months from the largest hospital system in the County has left our community with a void of resources,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “This ordinance allows our county and the stakeholders within our county time to prepare and find alternatives for vital services such as maternal care, drug and alcohol services, and advanced life support coverage to hopefully avoid any gaps in services.”
The ordinance specifies information to be included in a closure plan including plans for continuity of patient care, plans for diversion of emergency department patients to other departments, plans for dealing with medical records, and a formal communication and engagement plan with respect to the affected community. Failure to comply with either the notice obligation or the closure plan obligation would provide the basis for the County Solicitor to institute an action in court seeking either an injunction or the appointment of a special master to ensure compliance with the law.
The emergency ordinance specifies obligations to hospitals and long-term care facilities to provide Notice of Intent of plans to purchase, sell, or transfer ownership interest in a hospital or facility no less than 45-days prior to the anticipated transaction. The ordinance specifies information to be included in the Notice of Intent and the location of posting for such notices on the websites of acquiring entities and the Delaware County Health Department website.
“While the passage of an emergency ordinance is a drastic measure, it is both justified and necessary,” said Delaware County Vice Chair Elaine Schaefer. “We are in a true crisis that is centered in our most vulnerable communities. This ordinance allows time and planning for the transition for the thousands of Delco patients who would be directly and negatively affected by an abrupt termination of crucial services.”
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Delaware County Elections’ 2022 Primary Election Kickoff—Less than One Month until Election Day! | |
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Delaware County Elections continues preparations for the May 17, 2022, Primary Election. Final polling site assignments, ballot preparations, ballot mailings, and equipment testing are proceeding, and staff and volunteer training activities are well underway in anticipation of increased voter requests for services and information during the final weeks before Election Day.
The deadline to register to vote—for first-time voters in Delaware County and for voters who have already registered but need to update their address, name, or party affiliation—is Monday, May 2. The deadline for voters to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot (either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or a traditional absentee ballot) is Tuesday, May 10. Election Day itself is Tuesday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (which is also the cut-off for the County to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots). The last day for the County to receive Military and Overseas Absentee Ballots is Tuesday, May 24.
Voters are reminded that Pennsylvania has closed primaries. This means that under Pennsylvania law, voters who are registered as independents or with a third party will not be eligible to cast ballots at this primary. Because the May 17 ballots include only Democratic and Republican candidates—with no referenda questions or amendments—only voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties will be able to receive a ballot and vote.
Voters who wish to vote for a candidate in the May 17 Primary Election have until May 2 to update their registrations—with a change in party affiliation either to Democratic or Republican.
Sample ballots and a final list of candidates are available on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/sample. Easy-to-use polling place resources, including an interactive map, downloadable list, and a lookup tool, will be finalized shortly and can be accessed at delcopa.gov/polls.
Based on COVID-19 community-transmission data, wearing a mask is encouraged but optional for both voters and poll workers. Social distancing is encouraged when possible.
For additional details, please read the April 21 press release.
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1st Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference Held April 21 at Subaru Park in Chester | |
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The Delaware County Office of Sustainability hosted the 1st Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference on Thursday, April 21 at Subaru Park in Chester. The conference brought together local and regional sustainability experts and everyday ‘sustainability heroes’ to share experiences and ideas related to climate change, environmental stewardship, health, and sustainability through the lens of six sustainability focus areas: Health and Wellness, Climate Resiliency, Natural Resources, Transportation, Energy, and Zero Waste.
Ruth Abbe, a nationally renowned expert on zero waste, delivered the keynote address, and the day-long event featured panel discussions, presentations, and plenty of opportunities for discussion and networking.
The conference also included a tour of Subaru Park and the stadium’s organic garden, an electric vehicle ‘ride and drive’ demo, and a short Sustain Delco Award Ceremony.
Representatives of Bryn Mawr College, Drive Electric Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS), the Penn State Agriculture Extension, the Pennsylvania Resources Council, the Office of Environmental Justice, the Delaware County Health Department, Conscious Connections, Inc., and members of the Chester County Planning Commission, the Montgomery County Planning Commission, and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) participated, with opening remarks and introductions provided by Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Chester City Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, Delaware County Executive Director Howard Lazarus, Delaware County Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke, and Rob Fogel, Local Government Liaison from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Residents are invited to watch the Sustainability Conference via the County’s YouTube Channel linked below.
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Delaware County Celebrates Earth Day | |
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Delaware County Council urges residents to join with friends and family to celebrate Earth Day, held annually on April 22. This weekend, several activities and events will be happening throughout the county, including tree plantings, park cleanups, workshops, and festivals.
Here are a few local events.
SMEDLEY PARK - EARTH DAY PLANTING
On April 23 at 9:00 a.m., fifteen trees purchased by the PA Horticultural Society will be planted near the back lot athletic fields. The Earth Day Planting is a collaboration between Delaware County Parks & Recreation Department, Penn State Extension & Friends of Smedley Park. Participants include Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Shed Stewards of Chester and Delaware Counties. Volunteers are welcome.
GLEN PROVIDENCE PARK – CLEAN UP DAY
On April 23 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a community clean-up sponsored by the Keep
Media Green Coalition & Friends of Glen Providence Park. Volunteers are welcome. Please bring gloves and appropriate footwear.
DON GUANELLA PROPERTY – CLEAN UP DAY
On April 23 at 9:00 AM, there will be a community clean-up sponsored by Save
Marple Green Space. Volunteers are asked to meet at the white office building parking lot next to Home Depot on Reed Road. Bags will be provided, but please bring gloves and sturdy trail shoes or work boots.
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Delaware County's Path Toward Zero Waste: Public Workshop Series
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In accordance with Act 101 of Pennsylvania Law, Delaware County has begun the process of updating its 10-year Municipal Waste Management Plan, last updated in 2013. Currently, the majority of the county’s non-recycled trash (370,000 tons/year) goes to the Covanta incinerator in Chester, with an additional 30,000 tons per year going to the Rolling Hills Landfill in Berks County.
The updated Municipal Waste Management Plan will guide the County’s transition from the reliance on incineration and landfills to sustainable methods of materials management using Zero Waste practices. This will maximize feasible waste reduction of municipal waste and source-separated recyclable material and ensure that the County has sufficient processing and disposal capacity for its municipal waste for the next 10 years.
This comprehensive plan will also support the development of the County’s waste and resource management goals, which will be included in the Delaware County Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
To help ensure that the new plan reflects the priorities of the residents, businesses, and institutions within Delaware County, the public is invited and encouraged to attend a series of public workshops, held both in-person and via Zoom, that will provide participants an opportunity to give input and share ideas.
For additional details and to register to participate, go to delcopa.gov/workshops. The Zoom link for online participation will be provided upon the completion of the registration process.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1: GOALS & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
April 28, 6:00 p.m.
Upper Darby Township Sellers Memorial Library
76 South State Rd., Upper Darby, PA 19082
PUBLIC WORKSHOP 2: ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES
May 26, 6:00 p.m.
Norwood Public Library
513 Welcome Ave., Norwood, PA 19074
PUBLIC WORKSHOP 3: DRAFT PLAN ELEMENTS
June 30, 6:00 p.m.
Ridley Township Public Library & Resource Center
100 MacDade Blvd, Folsom, PA 19033
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Native Rain Garden Installed at Upper Darby's Kent Park as Part of Earth Day Activities | |
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In celebration of Earth Day, Delaware County Parks & Recreation, led by Mark Manfre, joined the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), the Delaware County Conservation District, Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative, the Darby Creek Valley Association, and Upper Darby Rain Gardens on Earth Day to install a native rain garden in Upper Darby’s Kent Park to better manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
The new Kent Park rain garden is part of a comprehensive stormwater management initiative led by PRC and is one of several rain gardens being constructed in southeastern Pennsylvania this spring.
“Rain gardens reduce flooding and stormwater pollution, improving water quality in our streams and rivers for aquatic life and recreational users,” according to PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman. “Since rain gardens feature water- and drought-tolerant native plants, there is little or no need to water plants after they are established in a rain garden.”
Rain gardens are shallow, planted depressions that collect runoff from impervious surfaces and allow it to infiltrate into the soil. The areas are planted with deep-rooted native plants and can absorb 30% more water than a traditional lawn. By capturing and absorbing runoff from yards, roofs, and paved surfaces, rain gardens reduce the amount of water entering storm drains during rainstorms, which helps improve water quality. Rain gardens can filter many common pollutants in stormwater runoff and provide habitat for many birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.
Flowers and shrubs planted include: Penstemon, Amsonia hubrichtii (bluestar), Echinacea Purpurea (purple coneflower), Monarda fistulosa (Bee Balm), Rudbeckia triloba (Brown Eyed Susan), Button Bush, and Silky Dogwood.
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PA CareerLink® Delaware County to Host Two Youth Job Fairs at Local YMCAs | |
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PA CareerLink® Delaware County, in partnership with Delaware County Workforce Development, is hosting two youth-oriented job fairs with a focus on summer employment, internships, apprenticeships, and other seasonal and post-graduation opportunities.
The first of the two job fairs—dubbed “Job Fair for Youth I” and “Job Fair for Youth II—will be held on Thursday, April 28 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Springfield YMCA in Springfield. The second job fair will occur five days later, on Tuesday, May 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Ridley YMCA in Secane.
Both job fairs are expected to feature over thirty businesses from the Delaware County area looking to fill hundreds of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. Representatives of trade unions, the hospitality industry, retirement communities, educational institutions, summer camps, and restaurants will be in attendance. Positions offer competitive employee benefits, opportunities to gain experience in the workforce, and opportunities for advancement.
The current slate of registered employers includes: American Wood Design, Carpenters Local 255, Chester Community Charter School, Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, Delaware County Transportation Management Association, Delta Marriott Hotel Philadelphia Airport, Discovery Place Preschool, Drexelbrook Catering, Dunwoody Village, Educational Data Systems, Inc., Future Stars Summer Day Camp, Heron Companions, Liberty Coca-Cola, Merion Cricket Club, S2STEM, Strybuc Industries, The Radnor Hotel, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and White Horse Village, with additional employers continuing to be added.
JOB SEEKERS: BRING YOUR RESUME!
No registration required! Job seekers are advised to bring copies of their resume. On-site interviews will be held for strong candidates and same-day hiring may occur for some positions. Job seekers can also visit the Job Readiness & Resource Table for information on obtaining PA Minor Work Permits, helpful resume advice, as well as general job search and interview tips.
EMPLOYERS: RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!
Space remains for employers for both job fairs. There is no fee to participate; employers participating in one or more job fairs will be provided with one table and two chairs.
Employers interested in registering can contact Allison Francis Barksdale, Employer Engagement Manager with Workforce Development at BarksdaleA@co.delaware.pa.us.
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Delaware County Recognizes April as Autism Acceptance Month | |
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Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, affecting more than five million people, including 1 in every 54 children in the country. It is a complex mental condition and developmental disability and while extensive research has been done, a great deal of research and information is still needed by doctors and scientists.
National Autism Awareness Month was declared in April 1970 to educate the public and to encourage resources for research, early detection, education, support services, and inclusion of children and adults on the autism spectrum. Last year, the Autism Society of America changed the title to “Autism Acceptance Month” to foster a more accepting culture with a focus on shifting awareness to acceptance and building an inclusive society where individuals with autism are celebrated.
Delaware County and its partners are dedicated to identifying solutions and offering resources to support the needs of individuals with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. We commend the County’s staff, partners, and advocates who work each day with residents with autism and their families, caregivers, friends, and educators.
Council is proud to join with communities across the country in recognizing April as Autism Acceptance Month and we encourage all residents to continue to support individuals with autism, helping them to lead fulfilling lives and to celebrate differences in our community.
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