Mayor's Message 11/10/2021

Mayor’s Message
November 10, 2021 

Good evening everyone,

It is my pleasure to congratulate everyone who was re-elected to Council last week, and we look forward to welcoming and working with newly elected Council Members Brian Andruszko, Andrew Hayman, and Meghan Wagner. And while we will recognize them more formally at a later date, I would like to thank Don Bonnett, Bob Gwin, and Tom Wagner for their years of dedicated service to the Council and our community. 

Tonight, we are discussing the 2022 budget for Upper Darby. For the second year in a row, we are proud to present a balanced budget with no increase in taxes. 

At the last Council meeting, CAO Vincent Rongione and Deputy CAO Alison Dobbins presented the preliminary 2022 budget. Right before this meeting, we held the first of two public budget hearings, which can be viewed on our YouTube channel.  

The second public budget hearing will be at 6 pm next Wednesday, November 17, here at the Municipal Building, 100 Garrett Road. We value and want to hear residents’ opinions regarding this budget, which reflects our commitment to reinvestment, revitalization, and reform in Upper Darby. 

I have two proclamations to present tonight; the first is in honor of Native American Heritage Month, which began on November 1st:

WHEREAS, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to recognize the importance of Native American cultures, contributions, history, traditions, and art; and

WHEREAS, this tradition was established in 1990, when former U.S. President George H.W. Bush declared the month of November as “National American Indian Heritage Month” now more commonly known as Native American Heritage Month; and 

WHEREAS, during Native American Heritage Month, we honor the Native American veterans and service members who have courageously served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces; and 

WHEREAS, the history of Upper Darby has been significantly influenced by Native Americans, especially the Lenni-Lenape tribe, whose people cared for the lands surrounding the Delaware River, including this area, for more than 10,000 years; and 

WHEREAS, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we encourage everyone to recognize the accomplishments and contributions that Native Americans have made to our society, and we are grateful to the local organizations who work with and in support of the Native American community.

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby Township, along with Township Council, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2021, as Native American Heritage Month in Upper Darby and encourage the entire community to participate in its observance.

The second proclamation this evening is in recognition of Veterans Day, which will be observed tomorrow:

WHEREAS, on November 11 of each year, we come together as a community and as a nation to observe Veterans Day and to pay tribute to the service of the brave individuals who have defended our country in times of conflict and peace;

WHEREAS, the theme for Veterans Day 2021 is “Honoring All Who Served.” All veterans make a sacrifice to serve their country, whether physically, emotionally, or by being away from their loved ones and missing important life moments; and

WHEREAS, 2021 also marks the centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb was initially dedicated by the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, with the burial of an unknown service member from World War I. Over the past century, additional unknown individuals have been buried at the Tomb, and the site has become a people’s memorial that inspires reflection on veterans’ service, valor, and sacrifice; and   

WHEREAS, we are proud to recognize and honor all past and present Upper Darby residents who are veterans, and we are grateful for their selfless service to our community and our country. We also appreciate all of the veterans’ organizations in Upper Darby, including the American Legion Post 214, the Archer Epler VFW Post 979, and the Marine Corps League 884 Upper Darby Detachment.

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby, along with Township Council, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2021, as Veterans Day in Upper Darby and encourage the entire community to recognize and participate in its observance.

Thank you and have a good evening.