The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— December 23, 2022 (48th edition) ——
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Delaware County Council wishes residents a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!
We hope your holidays are filled with laughter, good health, joy, and creating memories with those you love!
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Please note that both the Delaware County Courthouse and the Government Center Building will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. | |
Happy Hanukkah! Annual Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Village Held December 18 | |
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Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, began at sunset on Sunday, December 18, and continues through sunset on Monday, December 26.
To help celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah, Delaware County Council, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, County Controller Joanne Phillips, and elected officials from the PA State Senate, State House, and Media Borough joined Rabbi Tzvi Altein of the Chabad of Delaware County at the 8th Annual Grand Menorah Lighting celebration outside of the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon was honored with lighting the first candle of the Menorah.
We wish our residents a very Happy and Healthy Hanukkah!
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Prior to the Menorah lighting, Chabad of Delaware County and participating Media businesses created a Hanukkah Village along State Street, with Ten Thousand Villages, Kenny’s Flower Shoppe, Zen Nails & Spa, Homesewn, Little People Consignment Boutique, Game On State, the Media Free Library, and the Law Office of Deborah Truscello opening their doors for a festive afternoon of family-fun activities, including Hanukkah story time, Hanukkah Face & Nail art, Menorah making, candle making, donut decorating, Lego dreidels, and an olive press workshop.
Thank you to the many residents and volunteers who came out tonight, as well as the Media Fire Hook and Ladder #1 for once again participating in the Gelt Drop!
| Pictures from the 8th Annual Menorah Lighting and the Hanukkah Village |
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Congregation Beth Israel of Media Celebrates the Beginning of Hanukkah with New Solar Array Dedication Ceremony | |
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Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, Delaware County Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke, and members of the Sustainability team joined Rabbis Nathan Martin and Linda Potemken and the Congregation Beth Israel of Media on the first day of Hanukkah to celebrate the recent installation of a 26 kW solar array at their synagogue on South New Middletown Road in Media.
The 61-panel solar array is expected to meet the vast majority of the synagogue’s electricity needs for years to come by providing renewable electricity directly from the sun. Solar States, a Philadelphia-based certified B-Corp and two-time “Best for the World Nominee” solar installer founded with a dual mission to “install solar and educate the next generation” completed the installation in November.
The installation of the solar array is the latest phase in nearly a decade of greening and sustainability work undertaken by the Congregation Beth Israel of Media to lower its carbon footprint by over half since 2006. Changes have included an upgrade to the efficiency of internal and external lighting, the conversion of an inefficient oil furnace heating system to high-efficiency gas, and the installation of heat pump systems (ductless mini split AC units). These sustainability efforts resulted in the awarding of Green Synagogue Certification by Greenfaith, a grassroots multi-faith movement addressing climate change.
“This Hannukah, we not only celebrate our people’s ‘first miracle of energy efficiency’ where the light lasted eight times as long as expected, but we also rededicate ourselves to the important work of creating Jewish communities that are more sustainable and aligned with our Jewish value of being Shomrei Adama, caretakers of the earth,” said Rabbi Nathan Martin. “Given the crisis we face in the world around the warming of our planet, the time to act is now.”
“We commend Congregation Beth Israel, Rabbi Nathan, and Rabbi Linda for their efforts,” said Delaware County Chief Sustainability Officer Francine Locke. “This installation and the related energy efficiencies they’ve achieved can serve as a model for faith communities, houses of worship, and non-profits that want to move towards a sustainable future.”
“With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, synagogues and other non-profits are now eligible for a 30% direct payment for the installation of solar technology, making this a more feasible and attractive option for other faith communities.
For more information on solar panel installations, visit the Solar States website. To see how the project came together, watch the short video presentation on the Congregation Beth Israel of Media YouTube channel. For more information about faith-based efforts to address climate change, visit the Greenfaith website.
About Congregation Beth Israel of Media
Congregation Beth Israel, located in Delaware County, PA, is a Jewish congregation affiliated with the Reconstructing Judaism movement. The synagogue identifies as “a vibrant, welcoming community committed to a Judaism that nurtures our members, engages in lifelong learning, and actively works to repair the world (tikkun olam).”
|  | Installation of 26 kW solar array and dedication ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel of Media. Pictured: State Senator Tom Kane, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Rabbis Nathan Martin and Linda Potemken, Delaware County Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer and (bottom right) members of the Office of Sustainability including Danielle Floyd and Francine Locke. |
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Delaware County Health Department Reminds Residents to be Mindful of Respiratory Illness Spread During Holidays | |
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The Delaware County Health Department reminds residents to take precautions as respiratory illnesses continue to rise during this holiday season.
Hospital visits related to a variety of respiratory illnesses — most notably Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 — have greatly increased during the month of December in Delaware County and across the country. Delaware County has had almost the same number of hospital visits during the first two weeks of December (1,812) as we had during the whole month of November (1,828).
While children are impacted significantly by these illnesses, adults actually make up the majority of hospitalizations, with those over 65 years of age suffering disproportionate admissions.
So, before you head off to see Grandma and Grandpa this weekend, please take into consideration you could spread more than just cheer this year.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home and avoid trips to relatives who could suffer severe health consequences.
- Avoid traveling to multiple locations in a short period of time, as it is possible you can catch and carry to your next destination.
- Wear a well fitted mask when you are indoors among large numbers of people.
- And if you have not received your flu shot yet, it is not too late. Flu season can continue to get people sick well into the spring.
Happy Holidays and best wishes to you and yours from the Delaware County Health Department.
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A Year of Historic Changes at George W. Hill Correctional Facility | |
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During the December 14 Regular Public Council Meeting, George W. Hill Correctional Facility Warden Laura Williams provided an update to members of County Council and the public on the ongoing, historic changes at the facility and the plans to continue the progress being made.
In April, following a multi-year process of study and planning, the County reassumed control of the facility from a private management firm which was incentivized to profit from incarceration and did not place a priority on rehabilitation. George W. Hill houses people who have been accused of a crime and are awaiting a court hearing, or who have received a sentence of less than two years and it is a priority of the County to prepare them to be released back into the community and give them the tools they need to be healthy and contributing members of society.
Since April, under the leadership of Warden Williams, the jail has:
- Increased the number of Correctional Officers
- Instituted mental health and behavior change programs
- Added a full-time instructor for education services
- Secured a new healthcare provider
- Switched food service
"Delaware County is striving to become a national leader for its work in transforming how we handle detainees and prepare them to become productive members of our community when they are released," said Warden Williams. "There has been a great deal of progress and I commend the George W. Hill Correctional Facility team for their work and dedication in helping us transform the prison.”
In her presentation to Council, Warden Williams highlighted a few of the steps the jail will undertake next year, including:
- Continuing to increase the staff and expand and improve training
- Making significant upgrades to the physical plant, including a new roof and new dining facilities
- Improving access to technology
- Increasing services for youthful offenders
- Enhancing services for medications with opioid use disorders and other substance use/abuse disorders
- Increasing education to include parenting, relationships, job readiness, and life skills
- Expanding partnerships with local universities
- Increasing community engagement and stakeholders for ease of re-entry and re-integration
"The tremendous strides that have been made over the eight months since the County assumed control of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility are clear evidence that it is possible to fundamentally rethink how public safety and justice are delivered in Delaware County," said Councilman Kevin Madden, who also chairs the Jail Oversight Board. "While we know there is much work to be done, we are proud of what we have accomplished, and we owe thanks to the many people who have been partners with us over the last three years, from the initial planning and studying phase through its ongoing operations. All that hard work is paying off."
Over the last three years, Delaware County has begun to fundamentally change our public safety and justice systems to create a safer community, including long-overdue reforms to our juvenile justice system.
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George W. Hill Correctional Facility Staff and Incarcerated Persons Work Together to Provide Holiday Cheer | |
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The staff at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, under the leadership of Warden Laura Williams, worked to create some holiday joy for the incarcerated population this week by putting together small holiday gift bags that were distributed to the population on Thursday.
Volunteers from the staff were joined by Delaware County Executive Howard Lazarus, Delaware County Coalition for Prison Reform Attorney Robert Keller, and a half-dozen incarcerated persons who spent hours putting together the festive holiday bags earlier in the week.
In all, over 1,300 holiday snack bags, were created, including an assortment of honey buns, cookies, crackers, granola bars, pop tarts, chips, instant coffee packs, peanut butter, oatmeal, hot chocolate, ramen soup, and a pair of socks.
The items were purchased using inmate welfare dollars with Jail Oversight Board approval for the expenditure. The effort, which involved holiday music and sing-alongs, also served to save the County money, since similar holiday gift bag efforts in recent years involved more expensive pre-assembled bags purchased through the commissary vendor.
“It’s a small gesture, but one that makes a big difference and helps bring a little more holiday joy to our population and to our staff,” said Warden Williams. “I want to thank everyone who made this a great success.”
|  | Holiday gift packaging at George W. Hill | |
Delaware County Council Approves 2023 Budget | |
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Delaware County Council unanimously approved the County’s FY 2023 budget at the December 14 public meeting. This year’s budget, which holds the line on taxes for the third consecutive year, represents a significant step forward for the County as it transitions from the planning process of the last two budgets to funding ongoing, successful, and improved County operations in 2023.
“With this year’s budget, Council is building on the commitments we made when we first proposed significant improvements to how Delaware County government works, how it provides services equitably, and how we can work to make our county a place where people want to live, operate a business, and visit” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Many of these improvements are long overdue and by being careful, thoughtful stewards of taxpayer’s money, we are not only meeting today’s needs, but also building the foundation for a stronger county for years to come.”
The newly adopted budget reflects the transition from the crisis management required to respond to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic to more strategic planning that will allow the county to better manage its costs even while it continues to implement the major priorities of returning the prison to public management and launching a certified health department. While the virus 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 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.
- 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.
- A continued commitment to being careful stewards of taxpayer resources by moving toward a “zero based budgeting” model for certain government agencies.
The adopted FY 2023 Budget can be found on our website at delcopa.gov/budget.
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Delaware County Celebrates Completion of Seventh Street Bridge in Chester | |
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Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther joined PennDOT Assistant Construction Engineer Robert Magee, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Senator John Kane, Chester City Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, and members of Chester City Council on December 20 to celebrate the completion and re-opening of the Seventh Street Bridge in Chester.
The reconstruction of Delaware County Bridge 186, on West 7th Street in Chester, began in 2018. The original bridge was a two-span steel bridge and was constructed in 1920. At the time, the bridge was weight restricted and couldn’t support heavy vehicles including emergency vehicles, school buses, and delivery trucks.
Construction began on the bridge in September 2018 and the scope of work included:
- Conversion of the bridge from two span to one span
- Conversion of the bridge from steel to concrete
- Installation of a new sidewalk along the bridge
- Relocation of existing utilities
- Installation of protective fencing
- Preservation of the viaduct wall which is a historic feature
"After more than four years of the bridge being closed- we are absolutely thrilled to be standing here this afternoon to officially open it,” said Councilwoman Christine Reuther. The re-opening of the 7th Street Bridge is important for the city and the residents of Chester. The bridge connects the city on both sides of the Chester Creek and is a key milestone in Delaware County's ongoing efforts to make critical investments in the future of our County.”
The new bridge ensures that vehicular and SEPTA bus access connects the city on both sides of the Chester Creek and it also serves as an important link to the downtown area by providing a safe walkable option for nearby residents. Heavier vehicles such as emergency vehicles, school buses, and delivery trucks can also now use the bridge.
Councilmember Reuther noted that in Delaware County's Comprehensive Plan, improving the safety and capacity of our transportation network is a key goal of the County. Due to the passage of the federal 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the County and the commonwealth can make advancements to offset the growing deferred maintenance backlog.
With the opening of the Seventh Street Bridge, all three County owned bridges that are in the City of Chester are now all in good condition- a critical and necessary infrastructure improvement for Chester residents, Chester City businesses, and for those who commute through Chester.
Of the 43 bridges owned by the County, only 8 bridges remain in poor condition. As of 2023, 4 of those structures will be under construction in early 2023 and the remaining 4 structures will be under a phase of design in 2023. The work is being planned and completed in coordination with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, PennDOT, and the state and federal delegations to advocate for increased funding to invest in our roads, bridges, and highways.
“Through our bridge program, we continue to demonstrate good use of federal and state dollars to improve the safety of the County’s transportation network,” said Reuther.
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Did you Know? Delaware County Libraries Offer Free Passes for Over 40 Museum & Attractions | |
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The Delaware County Library system, with nearly 30 branches located throughout the County, offers no-cost museum passes to over 40 regional museums, zoos, and gardens.
Museums and attractions include the Elmwood Park Zoo, Tyler Arboretum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the National Constitution Center, the Mütter Museum, the Wharton Esherick Museum, the Battleship New Jersey, Eastern State Penitentiary, and many more!
Museum passes provide free admittance for the number of people specified on each pass (typically multiple adults and children). Passes can be checked out for 3-7 days, depending on the library, and require a valid library card. There may be a fee for parking at some museums and attractions.
To reserve a museum pass, review the list of passes (linked below), choose a date, and call the library that has the pass to reserve it.
Note that passes must be picked up and returned to the owning library. Museum Pass policies vary by location so contact your local library for details.
Don’t have a library card? Sign up for one online today or visit your local library!
This program is partially sponsored by The Library Foundation of Delaware County.
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Free passes available for the following regional museums and attractions... | | | | |
