Mayor's Message 9/22/2021

Mayor’s Message
September 22, 2021

Good evening everyone,

Tonight I will ask Council for their support of two departmental director appointments: Timothy Bernhardt as Police Superintendent and Joe Martin as Public Works Director.  Superintendent Bernhardt can be sworn in tonight and Director Martin is taking a professional development course as we speak and I can swear him in tomorrow.

Tonight Council will also vote on an ordinance to establish a Planning Commission for Upper Darby. The Planning Commission will ensure community input on development projects much earlier in the process than previously. Prior to this ordinance, Upper Darby was the largest municipality in Pennsylvania without a Planning Commission and creating one was part of my campaign platform. Meetings are open to the public and the members are residents of our township. 

The Upper Darby International Festival is Saturday, October 2nd, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Five Points Intersection at 100 Garrett Road, right outside the Municipal Building. We are grateful to our generous sponsors who are making this year’s Festival a reality, and we will be featuring a variety of great food, music and cultural performances, and more at this free and family-friendly event. We are looking for a few more volunteers for the Festival; if you are available to help, please email festival@upperdarby.org or call 610-734-7712. Also, you can follow the Festival’s Facebook page for additional updates, including the announcement of this year’s performer line-up. 

Fire Prevention Week is October 3 through October 9, 2021. This year’s theme is "Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety." Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer and his Department are planning a Township Wide Fire Drill on the afternoon of Monday, October 4th. This will entail a mock fire drill at a house in Upper Darby, where the occupants will use their escape plan to exit the house, and the Fire Department's response to the drill. A community fire prevention event is also scheduled between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, October 1st at Observatory Field, located at St. Laurence and West Chester Pike. Free food and other refreshments will be available. 

We will be holding our next Identity Theft Protection Event for Upper Darby residents at Upper Darby High School on Saturday, October 9th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will be accepting paper items for shredding, with a limit of two boxes per vehicle, as well as electronic waste, such as old laptops, cell phones, and small electronics. We are not able to take televisions. This event will also feature a drug take-back van in partnership with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.  

Lastly, I would like to read a proclamation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, which began last Wednesday. 

WHEREAS, Between September 15 and October 15 each year, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America; and

WHEREAS, This tradition started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988; and 

WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the middle of September instead of at the start of the month because September 15th coincides with national independence days in several Latin countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica celebrate their independence day on September 15th, followed by Mexico on the 16th, Chile on the 18th, and Belize on the 21st; and 

WHEREAS, America has always drawn its strength from the contributions of a diverse people. People of Hispanic backgrounds are advancing our economy, improving our communities, and bettering our country. During Hispanic Heritage Month, let us renew our commitment to ensuring ours remains a society where the talents and potential of all its members can be fully realized; and to honoring the achievements of Hispanic Americans in Upper Darby and across the United States.  

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby, along with Township Council, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 2021, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Upper Darby and encourage the entire community to recognize and participate in its observance.

Thank you and have a good evening.