Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor joined Senator Tim Kearney, Senator John Kane, Senator Anthony Williams, Representative Gina H. Curry, Representative Leanne Krueger, Representative Jennifer O’Mara, and Representative Mike Zabel, to discuss new legislation that will prevent financial looting of Pennsylvania hospital systems by private-equity and for-profit companies. The package of bills was created in response to decisions made by Prospect Medical Holdings—the parent company of Crozer Health—to close numerous departments, cut healthcare staff, and discontinue services within several Delaware County hospitals.

“The County has immense concerns about the devastating impact that the sudden loss of critical services would have on our community and we are doing everything in our power to ensure there isn’t a gap in services,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Council is working with local legislators to ensure and protect the integrity of local healthcare systems and protect residents from suffering the repercussions of decisions by private-equity firms that are rooted in a motive for profit rather than what is best for our community.”  

More information, including a video of the press conference, can be found on Senator Kearney's website (see button below).

Delaware County Council joined District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Sheriff Jerry Sanders, Executive Director Howard Lazarus, Parks and Recreation Director Marc Manfre, the County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Lauren Footman, and other County leaders to raise the Juneteenth flag in Rose Tree Park in Media on June 15. 

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and it’s important that communities celebrate the day. 

“Juneteenth serves as a day for residents to celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States and an opportunity for our entire community to learn more about African American history, which will contribute to a deeper understanding of the experiences that have shaped African Americans and our Country,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “As residents see the flag soaring in the wind—our hope is that it’s a reminder and reflection of what we have struggled through and what we have achieved as a nation. It also reminds us of the work that still needs to be done.”  

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, which had legally freed slaves on January 1, 1863, almost 2½ years earlier. Many slaves, particularly in Texas and other southwestern states were not informed of the Emancipation Proclamation until General Granger’s announcement.

In 1980, Texas became the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday. Since then, most other states, including Pennsylvania have declared Juneteenth a state holiday. In 2019, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law Act 9, formerly House Bill 619, which designates June 19 as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” in Pennsylvania.

The Juneteenth flag was raised at the Delaware County Courthouse and Government Center, as well as at Rose Tree Park, which will be the site of the County’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration being held from 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19. 

The celebration, hosted by Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and Taylor Made Vets will feature headline performances by Dell-P and the Children of Adam Band, as well as artistic performances from local students. The celebration will also showcase some of Delaware County’s local business owners selling artwork, jewelry, crafts and more, various food trucks, and resources from local organizations across the county.

The event is free for residents of all ages and will be held rain or shine.

Watch the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at Rose Tree Park

Delaware County Council and Delaware County Controller Joanne Phillips were honored to be joined by U.S. Army Veteran and Director of Delaware County’s Military and Veterans Affairs John Sheaffer, and Army Veteran Dartanyun Wilkins-Harvey on June 14 to raise the U.S. Army flag.

The flag was raised in the courtyard of the Delaware County Government Center and Courthouse complex to commemorate the anniversary of the U.S. Army, which was established on June 14, 1775. 

It will fly from the flagpole in the courtyard of the Government Center and Courthouse complex throughout the week.

Military flags will be raised at appropriate times later this year in observance of the U.S. Coast Guard on August 4, 1790; the Air Force on September 18, 1947; the Navy on October 13, 1775; and the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. 

Council extends its gratitude to all of those who have served or are serving, protecting our country.

Delaware County Council will discuss proposed and approved spending of funding that the County has received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) during a public discussion scheduled for Monday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the County Council Public Meeting Room located at 201 West Front St., Media, PA.

Delaware County will receive a total of $110M from the program to help respond to the COVID-19 emergency. By law, all ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026.

ARPA funds may be used to provide necessary government services or fund ongoing operations impacted by COVID-19, adopt and implement needed public health measures, respond to the pandemic's negative economic impact, provide additional pay to eligible workers performing essential work, and make investments in the County's infrastructure.

The ARPA discussion is open to the public and will also be streamed live on the County website (see button below).

To make decisions about how best to use these funds, Delaware County Council wants to hear directly from Delaware County residents and business owners about their priorities. Please email ideas and suggestions to ARPA@co.delaware.pa.us.

Mailed copies can be sent to:

ARPA Public Suggestions

c/o Howard Lazarus, Executive Director

Delaware County Courthouse and Government Center

201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063

Delaware County recently launched a series of three public workshops to gather community feedback as part of an effort to update the County’s 10-year Municipal Waste Management Plan, last updated in 2013, to help ensure that the County has sufficient processing and disposal capacity for its municipal waste for the next decade. The new plan will guide the County’s transition to sustainable methods of materials management using Zero Waste practices.

On April 28, the first of the public workshops was held at the Sellers Memorial Library in Upper Darby Township, with nearly 50 Delaware County residents and stakeholders focusing on the development of clear goals and guiding principles for the plan. At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants had successfully agreed upon a working draft inclusive of a core set of guiding principles.

On Thursday, May 26, the second of public workshops was held at Norwood Public Library and featured a robust discussion of potential Zero Waste initiatives for reducing waste and increasing recycling and composting.

Now, residents and local businesses are asked to participate in the third and final workshop in the series, scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 30, at the Chester City Hall Community Room. Participants will review the elements of the plan and provide guidance to the implementation and funding strategies.

Guest speaker, Marvin Hayes, program manager of the Baltimore Compost Collective, will talk about the work of the collective which provides life skills mentorship and first-time employment for area youth. The Compost Collective collects food scraps from local customers and creates compost for the Filbert Street Community Garden, the largest community garden in Baltimore. 

Marvin Hayes is passionate about his work training the next generation to become environmental champions, helping their community to get closer to zero waste. “’Compost: Learn, so we don’t have to burn,’ that’s our motto,” Hayes says. 

The workshop will include an open house and discussion of draft elements of the Zero Waste Plan. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited and registration is required.

To help ensure that the new plan continues to take shape reflective of the priorities of the residents, businesses and institutions within Delaware County, the public is strongly encouraged to participate.

As with the first workshop, the June 30th workshop will be held both in-person and via Zoom. Participation in the prior workshops is not a prerequisite for participation the final workshop, and fresh voices are welcome. Pre-registration is a requirement for participation (either in-person or via Zoom) in the workshop.

For additional details and to register, visit delcopa.gov/workshops. The Zoom link for online participation will be provided upon the completion of the registration process.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP 3: DRAFT PLAN ELEMENTS

June 30, 6:00 p.m.

Chester City Hall Community Room

1 Fourth Street, Chester, PA 19013

Reminder! Delaware County Council unanimously approved the “Delco Strong Summer Camp Solution” program for 2022, providing $100,000 in assistance to Delaware County parents and caregivers looking to return to the workforce. The popular program, first launched in 2021 by the Delaware County Office of Workforce Development and the Delaware County Commerce Center, provides unemployed residents up to $1,000 in financial credit towards the cost of a child’s summer camp so parents are better able to focus on their search for employment and return to work. 

The “Delco Strong Summer Camp Solution” program is helping reduce barriers experienced by families that are struggling to find work—a situation made more challenging by the summer closure of schools and the difficulty in finding adequate child care to allow them the time and energy to conduct a successful job search. While caregivers seek employment or transition back to the workforce, they will have the peace of mind knowing that their children are safe and in a positive environment. 

The program not only benefits caregivers, but also the children who are offered rewarding and enriching summer experiences. Unemployed parents in Delaware County will receive up to $1,000 in credit towards the participating summer camps, to be applied towards attendance fees and other fees charged by the camp.

Councilwoman Elaine Schaeffer, echoing the sentiments shared by all County Council members, spoke to the urgency of making these new funds available to Delaware County families in need. “We know that many parents in Delaware County continue to struggle to get back into the workforce. With schools closed for the summer, unemployed parents without access to childcare will be challenged to find the time to search for work. This program is exactly what hardworking Delaware County families need to help them bounce back.”

Unemployed residents of Delaware County with children under the age of 15 are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Summer Camps are also encouraged to participate in the program by applying on the PA CareerLink® Delaware County website at https://pacareerlinkdelco.org. 

Participating camps include Boys & Girls Club of Chester in Chester, Camp Garrett in Newtown Square, Camp Phoenix in Chester, Camp Media Theatre in Media, Chef Dad’s Table in Broomall, the Darlington Fine Arts Center in Garnet Valley, camps at the Delaware County Community College in Media, Summer Discovery at Newlin Grist Mill in Glen Mills, and several YMCA camps in Lansdowne, the Ridley area, and in Springfield. A complete list of approved camps is provided on the website and will be updated as new camps are added.

Program details, including application requirements, eligibility, and deadlines are available online (see button below).

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website