Mayor's Message 10/6/2021

Mayor’s Message
October 6, 2021

Good evening everyone,

This past Saturday, we held the 4th annual Upper Darby International Festival at the Five Points Intersection at 100 Garrett Road, right outside this building. I am pleased that we were able to come together as a community for this year’s Festival, which featured eight captivating performances, more than 50 vendors, and a Kids Zone sponsored by the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County. The 2021 International Festival drew in an estimated 3,000 people, and we hope to welcome even more next year. We are grateful to our partner, Friends of the Tower Theater District, and generous lead sponsors, Aqua and Xfinity, for their support. We also distributed hundreds of “World in One Place” masks. We will continue to distribute them at future community events. 

This upcoming Saturday, October 9th, is our next Identity Theft Protection Event at Upper Darby High School, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will be accepting paper items for shredding, with a limit of two boxes per vehicle. We will also accept electronic waste, such as old laptops, cell phones, and small electronics. Please note that televisions will not be accepted at this event. The Delaware County District Attorney’s drug take-back van will also be onsite to collect unused prescription drugs.

I have two proclamations to present tonight; The first is in honor of Fire Prevention Week, which began on Sunday, October 3rd and continues until Saturday, October 9th:

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk of fire; and

WHEREAS, smoke alarms detect smoke and carbon monoxide before people can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire. Smoke alarms that work properly cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and

WHEREAS, the 2021 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” effectively serves to remind us it is important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; and 

WHEREAS, Upper Darby Township is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those who are living in and visiting our community. Residents should be sure that everyone in the home understands the sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and knows how to respond to them; and

WHEREAS, first responders in Upper Darby and Delaware County are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, Upper Darby residents who are responsive to public education measures are better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes. 

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby Township, do hereby proclaim October 3 through October 9, 2021 as Fire Prevention Week in Upper Darby, and I encourage the entire community to to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” for Fire Prevention Week 2021 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Upper Darby Township fire and emergency services.

The second proclamation this evening is in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed during the month of October:

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pervasive issue across Upper Darby, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the United States, and the world, with implications for personal and community health; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence does not discriminate and affects all communities regardless of age, race, disability, gender identity, or socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS, considering medical expenses, lost productivity, legal costs, and property loss and damage, domestic violence costs victims nearly $82,000 over their lifetime and collectively costs the United States $3.6 trillion; and

WHEREAS, research shows that by creating communities where people are connected, supportive, and care for one another can reduce incidents of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, in Upper Darby, individuals and organizations play a part in supporting people impacted by domestic violence, providing services including therapeutic, legal, educational, housing, advocacy, and medical services. The Upper Darby Police Department is committed to shaping their practices to further support victims of domestic abuse and to limit its effect on our community. 

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby Township, do hereby proclaim October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I urge all residents to become involved in efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence and to recognize the impact of domestic violence in our community.

Thank you and have a good evening.