Mayor's Message 5/4/2022

Mayor’s Message 

May 4, 2022

Good Evening.

Happy Firefighter Appreciation Day, I would like to thank all of our firefighters for their work to keep our community safe. 

The Township is co-hosting an Expungement Clinic and Second Chance Expo along with State Representative Gina Curry. The event will be held at Watkins Senior Center, tomorrow, Thursday, May 5th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. The clinic does require prior registration which can be done by filling out the digital registration form, which can be found on our facebook page, Upper Darby Township - Government. 

This Saturday, May 7th, Upper Darby is partnering with The Red Cross on a Sound the Alarm event which will launch from Cardington-Stonehurst Fire Station 36. Any Upper Darby residents may request a free fire alarm and installation by calling the Upper Darby Fire Department, 610-734-7674, or filling out an alarm request form at the link here: https://www.upperdarby.org/smokealarmrequestform

We have some great news! The township has received a grant from TASA, the Transportation Alternative Set Aside, for $1.3 million dollars for the modernization of Garrett Road from Lansdowne Avenue to Naylors Run Park to make it safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. In recognition of this, on Saturday, May 14th, Upper Darby is hosting a Mental Health & Wellness Fair at the 69th Street Rec Area from 11am-3pm. I will also be reading a proclamation in honor of this month of awareness for those who are struggling with mental illness:

WHEREAS, People from all backgrounds live with mental illness and other mental health challenges, both nationwide and in Upper Darby; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50% of Americans will experience mental illness in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Research has shown that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in a given year and 1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression; and

WHEREAS, Unresolved mental health issues can manifest in a variety of conditions and behaviors including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and addiction, and

WHEREAS, There is no single cause of mental illness but a number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, like early adverse life experiences, such as trauma at an early age; and

WHEREAS, Mental and physical health are equally important to a person's quality of life and are inherently tied together.

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Upper Darby Township and urge my fellow residents to recognize and participate in its observance.

Lastly, I would like to wish mothers and guardians a Happy Mothers Day.

Thank you.