Delaware County Council was excited to join Flight On Ice, Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, Chester City officials, and various elected leaders from across the county on November 29 to unveil the new Delco River Rink . 

The new pop-up outdoor ice skating rink is hosted by Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester and offers a season of festive family fun beginning on December 1, 2022 and running through February 26, 2023. 

Flight On Ice and its partners, Caesars Entertainment and Delaware County Council, worked tirelessly to make phase one of this economic development project a reality this year for the Delaware County Community. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to have a waterfront outdoor ice skating rink right in our backyard,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “Thank you to Flight Entertainment, Harrah’s and Visit Delco for sharing in the County’s vision to invest in the waterfront area and in the Chester community. This is a fun and festive experience for the whole community and we look forward to the positive impact it will have in Delco!” 

The pop-up attraction transforms Harrah’s main valet entrance space into a winter wonderland. 

Here are the Delco River Rink features at a glance:

• Full-size (60’x100’) recreational outdoor skating rink under the porte-cochere pavilion roof
• Heated indoor Ice Garden Bar & Event Space available for corporate and private rentals
• Affordable skate rentals
• Free on-site parking
• Festive music, lighting, video and decor 
• Delicious food and beverage offerings 
• Next level entertainment and a robust calendar of family friendly themed events
• Special community activation days 

“Building and operating outdoor ice-skating rinks is a significant investment for us, but we are sold on the County’s commitment and vision for revitalization of the Waterfront District in Delaware County,” said Jon Schaffer, President of Flight Entertainment and lifelong Delaware County resident. “We are thrilled to add our 6th and final area rink location for the 2022-2023 season to the Harrah’s property and hope to create a memorable tradition for visitors to enjoy for years to come. Our goal for year one is to get the rink open for skating with basic offerings and we can evaluate future expansion to possibly include a roller rink and other event concepts to make this a more permanent family-friendly community space year-round.”

Thanks to the partnership with Delaware County Council, single general admission tickets to skate are only $5, with $10 skate rentals (plus taxes & fees) for the entire season. Although tickets and rentals are available at the box office, Flight On Ice recommends reserving your sessions online in advance at flightonice.com, especially during peak holiday hours, to ensure getting on the ice in a timely manner. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates to save on rental fees. Skate sharpening services are provided at the rink. 

The Delco River Rink also offers several unique skating packages perfect for birthday celebrations, special events, school fundraisers, class trips and corporate team building days. Community Days will also be offered, allowing residents to skate for free. 

Delaware County Council will propose the FY2023 budget on December 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. during Council’s public meeting. A public hearing regarding the budget will be held on December 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the County Council Public Meeting Room. 

The FY2023 budget is the third consecutive budget that includes no new tax hikes as it makes unprecedented investments in the County's postCOVID future. Council is expected to consider the budget for final passage on December 14, 2022, at its public meeting at 6:00 p.m.

“With this year’s budget, Council is keeping the commitment it made when a new majority took office in January 2020: to be careful stewards of taxpayer money while making important, and long-overdue, changes to how the County operates and invests in its residents’ future,” said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “I am extremely proud that this year’s budget proposal not only holds the line on taxes for the third straight year, but it makes unprecedented investments in its infrastructure, operations, and services it provides to residents and workers.”

Over the last three years, Delaware County has made significant investments. From the opening of the County's new Health Department to building the County's first-ever HR system to creating the County's largest park at the Don Guanella site to rethinking public safety and how justice is delivered by removing the profit motive from our jail, Delaware County made fundamental changes while protecting taxpayers.

The newly proposed budget reflects the major changes and improvements the County has made, including the planning and implementation of programs and policies funded in previous years budgets. It also builds on the progress made as the County recovers and grows following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic continues to pose ongoing problems, thanks to science, vaccines, immunity, and ongoing public mitigation efforts—the County is emerging stronger in many ways due to investments made in previous budgets. 

Among the priorities and investments in this year’s budget are:

• A new “no wrong door” program which will dramatically improve the County’s ability to provide necessary services to residents no matter how or where they come into contact with government. Beginning with the County Health Department, visitors can obtain assistance and services from the County 24-hours a day through a central hub "Wellness Line.”
• The launch of a “Zero Waste” program, which will completely transform the County's approach to handling waste. Not only will “Zero Waste” create new economic opportunities, but it will put Delaware County at the forefront of communities taking action to protect their natural resources.
• The creation of a new landbank that will allow the County to reinvest in and revive underutilized and abandoned properties, allowing for affordable housing, new commercial development, and additional greenspace.
• The continued transformation of the county's HR system to focus on building career paths for new workers by increasing training, benefits, and pay to attract and retain highly qualified County employees.
• Remaining committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer resources by moving toward a “zero-based budgeting” model for certain government agencies.

This year’s budget presentation continues critical transparency and disclosure of taxpayer spending. In addition to the budget being available, a new capital budget and data tables detailing the source and uses of all sources of funds—taxes, fees, capital, and grants—have been created.  

The Proposed Budget will be posted online after the public hearing on December 8, so any changes would be incorporated. 

For more information, please visit our Budget Management web page, linked below.

Delaware County Council reminds residents that various County agencies offer additional support and resources to the homeless, elderly, and vulnerable residents when harsh cold, snow, and freezing conditions take place during the winter season. When weather conditions pose a threat to individuals who are homeless, elderly, or medically fragile, a network of agencies works to help residents obtain shelter, food, and assistance. 

Several County agencies are prepared to help residents cope with extreme weather conditions, from sheltering the homeless to reaching out to the elderly. Council reminds residents about these services should they need assistance or if they know of someone who needs help.

The following Delaware County agencies assist people year-round and also during extreme weather conditions.

The Delaware County Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services 

This department partners with various agencies to offer additional services through the Homeless Services Coalition of Delaware County, a group of 90 individuals and organizations dedicated to providing services to the homeless. They also publish the Homeless Services Resource Guide that details a variety of services including shelters, housing, meals, treatment programs, and government services.

Human Services website: www.delcohsa.org/adultfamily.html

Human Services phone: (610) 713-2365

The County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) 

COSA extends outreach to senior citizens, including having case managers check on seniors who may be vulnerable. Tips on how to stay warm and safe during the winter are available on COSA’s informational weather line at (610) 872-1558.

COSA website: www.delcosa.org

COSA phone: (610) 490-1300

Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) 

CAADC is the county’s anti-poverty agency and can assist residents with obtaining shelter and meals. 

CAADC website: www.caadc.org

CAADC phone: (610) 874-8451

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) / PECO

LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills. PECO also offers programs for people experiencing hardship, a low-income usage reduction program, and discounted rates for low-income families.

LIHEAP website: www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx 

LIHEAP phone: 1-866-857-7095 (if hearing impaired call 711)

PECO website: www.peco.com 

PECO phone: 1-800-494-4000

Salvation Army, Chester Corps, and the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County

During cold weather, outreach teams and local authorities can take homeless adults to emergency shelter programs, which are operated by the Salvation Army, Chester Corps, and the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County.

Salvation Army, Chester Corps: (610) 874-0423

Community Action Agency: (610) 874-8451

Life Center of Eastern Delaware County: (610) 734-5770

The County’s 2022/2023 Cold Weather Plan can be found at https://delcopa.gov/pdf/ColdWeatherPlan22-23.pdf 

Residents are encouraged to register for the Delco Alert notification system which alerts residents of weather emergencies such as road closures, power outages, and other extreme weather situations. Register for Delco Alert at www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html 

A dozen “students" graduated from the George W. Hill Correctional Facility’s “Inside Out" program on November 29. The graduation ceremony was the culmination of a semester-long project featuring four incarcerated persons—the "inside" students—and eight "outside" students from Penn State Brandywine. The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program began in 1997 at Temple University and has expanded across the country. 2022 was the first year the George W. Hill Correctional facility participated in the program.

"Programs like 'Inside Out' help people who are being detained build their skill sets in preparation for their return to our community and establish a greater understanding of their experiences to ease their reintegration," said Laura K. Williams, George W. Hill Correctional Facility's Warden. "It is because of the effort of Professor Angela Putman and Administrator Kelly Shaw that experiences like this are becoming a critical part of Delaware County's plan to help those who have entered our criminal justice system break the cycle that leads too many to return to incarceration."

The graduation ceremony featured opening remarks from Warden Williams, Delaware County Councilman and the Chair of the County’s Jail Oversight Board Kevin Madden, Marilyn Wells Chancellor of Penn State Brandywine, Ann Schwartzman of Inside Out, and Penn State Brandywine Professor Angela Putman. Two students delivered remarks on the social issues of redlining and the treatment of people who are on the Autism Spectrum. Two other students, who were each nominated by other program participants, shared their experiences of the course and the impact it has had on them.  

“The passionate speeches reminded listeners that education is a right and mass incarceration is not rehabilitative,” said Warden Williams.

Photo Credit: Penn State University Brandywine/Bill Tyson

Over the past three years, the County has moved to change how it addresses public safety and reduce recidivism. This year, Delaware County reassumed control of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility to remove the profit motive around incarceration and invest in the long-term health of residents. Local jails, like Delaware County's, house people who either have been accused of a crime and are awaiting a court hearing or have received a sentence of less than two years, typically for a relatively minor, non-violent offense. Nearly all will soon return to the community and pragmatic results-focused policies are key to reducing recidivism. As many as 60 percent of the inmates at any time are recidivists, usually for minor crimes or parole violations.

The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program began in 1997 as a semester-long university class held in a prison, involving campus-based students and incarcerated students. It was offered through Temple University. Inside-Out is designed to create opportunities for men and women, inside and outside of prison, to have transformative learning experiences that emphasize collaboration and dialogue, inviting participants to take leadership in addressing crime, justice, and other issues of social concern.

To learn more, please visit the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program website.

Photo Credit: Penn State University Brandywine/Bill Tyson

The Delaware County Park Police are proud to announce their 7th annual “Blue Christmas” Toy Drive. 

New, unwrapped toys will be collected through December 22 at various locations across the county for children in need this holiday season.

Residents and County employees are asked to donate new, unwrapped gifts for children ages 2-16. The gifts will be donated to Delaware County’s Children and Youth Services, Healing Hats and Toys, and to local families in need. 

“All children deserve to feel joy on Christmas morning,” said Delaware County Park Police Chief John Deihl. “For children in foster care, those battling cancer and other illnesses, and those experiencing hard situations, Christmas can be a difficult time. We hope the small gesture of giving them a gift to open on Christmas morning brings them some happiness.”

Donations are being accepted at the following locations:

• Delaware County Government Center (201 W. Front Street, Media / Ground floor lobby)
• Delaware County Park Police/69th Street (20 S. 69th Street, Upper Darby / 3rd floor)
• Chester District Court (529 Penn Street, Chester / Desk at the main lobby)
• Sharon Hill Probation Office (1600 Calcon Hook Road, Sharon Hill)
• Bureau of Elections at the Union Power Plant (2501 Seaport Drive, Chester)
• The Fronefield Building (201 W. Front Street, Media)

Thank you to Delaware County employees and residents who help to make Christmas a little merrier for some children this year!

Delaware County Councilman Kevin Madden was proud to join the Delaware County Housing Authority, Pennrose Management Company, Trinity Health PACE, Mercy LIFE, and the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development during a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 30 in celebration of the opening of the new Kinder Park senior care facility. 

The new facility, located in Ridley Township, will provide affordable housing as well as all-inclusive medical and social services for up to 250 seniors and family members in Delaware County. Additionally, Mercy LIFE Kinder Park will create about 50 jobs in the healthcare, transportation and social services sectors.

Created in 2014, the project greatly expands affordable senior care in our community and provides much-needed space for families caring for aging relatives. Delaware County provided almost $10 million to help make the new facility a reality, working with several partner organizations to plan, develop, and finalize the project. 

“I’d like to commend the Delaware County Housing Authority for shepherding this development, Pennrose Management Company for being our partner in the development and the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development,” said Councilman Madden. “I’d also like to thank the Trinity Health Team—including its President Dan Drake and Executive Director John Mikus—for their dedication and vision to bring senior programs to where seniors live.”

The 250 new residences at Kinder Park, located within the Delaware County Housing Authority Senior Building, will help ensure that Delaware County continues to be a place where people want to live and a place where residents can afford to live, while providing qualifying seniors with a variety of services that support independence.

Services provided through the Mercy LIFE social Work team include: 

• Transportation
• CounselingCaregiver Education
• Finance Management & legal support
• Home-delivered meals, meal-planning, and nutrition support
• Light housekeeping and assistance with bathing and dressing
• Recreational activities, including arts & crafts, day trips, yoga, aerobics, bingo, computers, dance parties, holiday celebrations, and more

154 units are designed for families who need space for their children to grow or for those caring for an aging relative, while 96 units reserved for seniors and the attached senior care center are important for retirees, who deserve to have a good, safe, and affordable home where they can age in place.

In addition to Councilman Kevin Madden and Lawrence Hartley, Executive Director of the Delaware County Housing Authority, speakers at the ceremony included Dan Drake, President & CEO of Trinity Health PACE, Make Dambly, CEO of the Pennrose Management Company, John Mikus, Executive Director of Mercy LIFE Kinder Park, Suzanne Januszeski, Regional Vice President of Trinity Health PACE, Robin Wiessman, the Executive Director of Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Councilman Kevin Madden, Jamie Bauchenaur, Deputy Secretary for the PA Department of Long Term Living, and Matt Heckles, Regional Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

During the event, Mercy LIFE recognized a caregiver of generous spirit, in honor of National Caregiver’s Month. Selfless caregiver Emma Santiago was presented with the Dedicated Caregiver Award. She was celebrated for her commitment to advocating for seniors by a large crowd of supporters. 

Delaware County Council thanks these partners for their invaluable contributions in working to build a County we are all proud to live in and call home.

For more information, visit the Mercy LIFE Kinder Park website, linked below, or call (215) 339-4747.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that every 20 minutes an older adult in the U.S. dies from a fall, and that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. 

To help address this issue, the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in collaboration with the Delaware County Department of Parks and Recreation, Crozer Health and the PA Department of Aging is offering the evidence-based Healthy Steps Program for those 60 and older living in Pennsylvania. 

This free program, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, helps reduce the risk of falls by helping participants address fears while educating and equipping them with the right tools to make a difference in their lives.

The Healthy Steps Program focuses on:

• Environmental & Home Safety
• Exercises to Increase Strength, Balance, and Flexibility
• Foot Health
• Health Status/Disease States
• Maintaining an Active Lifestyle
• Mental & Spiritual Well-being
• Nutrition
• Sensory Deficits (vision & hearing)
• Side Effects of Medication
• Social Connectedness

Research has found that adults who completed the Healthy Steps Program lower their risk of a fall significantly by 15%.

Program Details (Registration Required)

Healthy Steps is a FREE two-session program that will be held at the Redwood Community Center in Upland Park. All program costs, including the Healthy Steps workbook, are covered by COSA.

The sessions are scheduled for Tues., Dec. 13, and Wed., Dec. 14. An appointment-only Physical Skills Assessment will be provided to registrants on Mon., Dec. 12.

Redwood Community Center in Upland Park

280 6th St., Brookhaven, PA 19015

• Pre-Session Physical Skills Assessment: Mon., Dec. 12 (Time TBD, by appt. only)
• Session #1: Tues., Dec. 13, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Session #2: Wed., Dec. 14, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

To register, contact Ellen Williams, COSA Health and Wellness Program Manager, by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937. Registrants must provide their name, address, phone number and email address.

Reminder: The Delaware County Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, and the Delaware County Bureau of Elections is holding a final Election Campaign Sign Recycling Event this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center in Sharon Hill.

All campaign signs (plastic-coated, cardboard, and vinyl signs) and accompanying metal stands will be accepted free-of-charge.

Hope to see you there.

Election Campaign Sign Recycling Event

Saturday, December 3

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center

1600 Calcon Hook Road, Sharon Hill, PA 19079 | Map

Delaware County Libraries have begun a new lending partnership with Penn State University Libraries’ Vairo Library at Penn State Brandywine. As a result of this new partnership, Delaware County residents are now able to use their Delaware County public library cards to check out items at Vairo Library at Penn State Brandywine following a simple account registration process.

Library users from any of the Delaware County Library System’s 28 locations may use their existing public library card to check out books and other items from Vairo Library and other Penn State University Libraries locations after a simple registration process.

To register, community borrowers will visit Vairo Library at Penn State Brandywine, where they will create an account and provide a valid driver’s license or other state-issued ID at Vairo Library’s service desk to establish borrowing ability within the Penn State University Library system. 

“We are pleased to be able to offer our cardholders easier access to the resources of the Penn State University Libraries through this partnership,” said Catherine Bittle, director of Delaware County Libraries. “The collaboration will provide additional opportunities for our community to increase their skills and knowledge for work, life, and educational goals.” 

Once created, the user’s new account will enable them to request and renew books and other items. In addition, the online account will give them on-campus access to University Libraries-licensed digital content, including hundreds of library databases, when using Vairo Library computer workstations or workstations at any other University Libraries location. 

“As a land-grant research library system, Penn State University Libraries provides Pennsylvania residents with borrowing privileges for our collections. We are thrilled to make that access easier for Delaware County public library users through this new collaboration,” said Mary Fran McLaughlin, Vairo Library reference librarian. 

Registered community members may borrow up to 100 library items from Penn State for a period of 28 days and may renew items up to three times. Some library items, such as DVDs and technology equipment, may have shorter lending periods. 

Users are encouraged to check hours of operation before visiting Vairo Library or any Penn State library.

The Vairo Library at Penn State Brandywine is located 25 Yearsley Mill Road, in Media. Call (610) 892-1380 with questions.

Image courtesy of Michael McDade

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website