'Silver Linings' in the State of Delaware County

Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented the 2013 State of the County address this week.

Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented the 2013 State of the County address at a Delaware County Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Towne House Restaurant in Media on April 9. McGarrigle highlighted economic success stories and presented an update on the Local Economic Development (LED) strategy for the future. McGarrigle listed many economic "silver linings" in Delaware County including redevelopment of the refineries, new retail stores in Upper Darby, the Quarry Development in Haverford, new hotels coming to Springfield, Tinicum and Ridley, and the U.S. Open coming to Merion Golf Club in Haverford. Read more about the address here.

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Delaware County Students Honored by Council

Three students were recognized Wednesday by the Delaware County Council for setting an example to other students and the community.

Editor's Note: The following information was provided to Patch by the Delaware County Public Relations Office: Three students received Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) Awards from County Council and the Youth Council of the Delaware County Workforce Investment Board for their outstanding leadership and commitment to the county community, serving as a role model to other youth, galvanizing their peers as well as others to give back to the community and succeeding despite difficult barriers and challenges. Recipients Andrew Miller (2nd from left), a junior at Penn Wood High School, Lansdowne, Shanae Harmon (center), a sophomore at Smedley STEM High School, Chester, and Melanie Horton (2nd from right), who accepted for her daughter, …

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County, Police, PennDOT Kick Off Holiday Safe Driving

The 'Operation Safe Holiday' campaign kicked off in Delaware County on Dec. 12 in front of the county courthouse.

PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), police and Delaware County officials kicked off regional impaired and aggressive-driving enforcement at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media last week as part of “Operation Safe Holiday,” a campaign encouraging safe driving through the holiday season. Police discussed the use of sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and regular traffic safety patrols to crack down on motorists who are driving aggressively or driving while impaired. The Pennsylvania State Police and hundreds of municipal police departments statewide partner with PennDOT during “Operation Safe Holiday” to increase traffic safety enforcement from Thanksgiving through the New Year’s holiday.  The Pennsylvania DUI …

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Service Member Added to Delco Military Tribute Board

The Delaware County Council added United States Navy LS3 Kevin Michael Cucchi to the Armed Service Tribute Board recently.

Voter Photo IDs Issued to Fair Acres Residents

Delaware County Council and the Fair Acres administration are issuing the photo identification cards to residents so they are able to vote on Election Day.

Eligible voters living at Fair Acres, some of whom have voted in every election since the 1940s, are being issued colorful identification cards, complete with a photograph and expiration date, which meet new Department of State requirements for voting on Nov. 6. Delaware County Council and the Fair Acres administration are issuing the photo identification cards to residents at the county’s skilled care facility so residents are able to vote at the polling place on Election Day. However, some Fair Acres residents do opt to vote by absentee ballot. County Council Vice-Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., council’s liaison to Fair Acres, and Councilman Dave White, council’s liaison to the Election Bureau, visited the Staff Development Office at Fair…

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Delco Council Renews Online Tutoring Program for Library Members

Live Homework Help offers K-12 tutoring to members of the 28 Delaware County Library System institutions.

Delaware County Council renewed the county library system’s subscription for Live Homework Help at Wednesday morning’s meeting. Delco Council Vice-Chairman Mario J. Civera said the year-long subscription renewal cost the county $66,695. The Tutor.com service offers one-on-one online tutoring with professionals in subjects ranging from English to physics and can be accessed at home in addition to at the library. Older students also have access to a career-counseling component as part of the program. “We anticipate approximately 10,000 sessions in the upcoming year,” said Director of Delaware County Library System David Belanger. Belanger said usage grew from 5,400 sessions in 2010 to 9,500 in 2011. Nationally, there have been more than 8 …

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Delco Council Cautions Residents About West Nile Virus

Delaware County Council and the county's Department of Intercommunity Health warn residents regarding the West Nile virus and ask for their aid in its prevention.

This year's first detection of a West Nile virus-carrying mosquito in Pennsylvania was the earliest since testing began in 2000, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  Several counties, including Delaware County, have now found infected mosquitos. Delco was fortunate to have no human cases of the virus last year and county officials are taking measures to replicate that success.  "Staff is working to keep the mosquitoes under control, but you can take some simple steps in your backyard to help," said Intercommunity Health Director Maureen Hennessey-Herman at last Wednesday's Delaware County Council meeting. Herman has been coordinating the West Nile Surveillance and Control Program 13 years now. Councilwoman…

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VOW To Hire Heroes Act Benefits Unemployed Veterans and Employers

The federal legislation went into effect July 1, and aims to lower the unemployment rate of veterans and reward the companies that hire them.

The VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act intends to help veterans between the ages of 35 and 60, especially ones with service-related disabilities, find training and employment. Nearly 900,000 veterans across the United States find themselves unemployed since returning home from service, according to the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs.  "It's sad that the unemployment rate of veterans has generally remained three points higher than that of equivalent age groups of civilians," said County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera.  Delaware County Council announced their support for the legislation and the joint effort between employers and job-seeking veterans at a council meeting last Wednesday.  The services …

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Delco/SPCA Standoff

Delco Extends Chester County SPCA Contract, For Now

Delaware County extended its agreement with the Animal Protection Board for an additional six months to take care of stray animals.

At Wednesday morning's Delaware County Council meeting, the council agreed to continue paying the Animal Protection Board $30,000 a month until Dec. 31, 2012, when they will then consider the possibility of a five-year contract, said Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera.  The Animal Protection Board, established last July to oversee a new animal control facility to be built in Darby Township, consists of first- and second-class township respresentatives, a police representative and a union representative.  State law makes the handling of stray animals the responsibility of both the state and municipalities.   The facility was projected to be completed by May or June at a cost of $1.2 million, but when the estimated cost jumped to over $2 million…

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County Seeks Residents' Opinions On Park System

Delaware County currently spends $2.77 per person, per year, on county parks. An online survey is available for residents to give input for county planning purposes.

Delaware County residents are being asked to take an anonymous online public survey to guide county Planning and Parks departments in the development of its Open Space, Recreation and Greenway Plan. The survey, hosted by SurveyMonkey, solicits opinions on county and municipal parks, trails and public/private open spaces and inquires about frequency of use and for what purposes they're used. It’s estimated to take about 10-15 minutes and runs through July 4. “Your answers to the following survey questions will help guide the planning for future parks, recreation and open space projects and policies that aim to improve quality of life and enhance recreation opportunities in Delaware County,” the survey introduction states. “Responses will …

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