Mayor Keffer Hosts Third American Rescue Plan Town Hall in Upper Darby
Published on August 15, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org
Mayor Keffer Hosts Third American Rescue Plan Town Hall in Upper Darby
Upper Darby, PA: On Monday, Mayor Barbarann Keffer hosted a town hall meeting that built on the first ARPA town hall held on January 13th of this year and many other public meetings afterward. The purpose of Tuesday’s meeting was to allow for continued public input on the use of ARPA funds awarded to Upper Darby Township. Leadership from various departments in the Township, including Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer, Superintendent of Police Tim Bernhardt, and the township’s engineer, were present as well as and key community stakeholder who spoke to the public about crucial projects which qualify for ARPA money.
Mayor Keffer stressed in her opening remarks the importance of the ARPA funds for the Township. “The ARPA funds are a unique opportunity for local governments to make strategic and long term investments in our infrastructure, enhance our financial stability, and help mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of these funds is for us to reinvest in our community,” Mayor Keffer said. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to make incredible improvements, investments, and upgrades for our residents, but it will only be successful if we get moving now and get moving together.”
The Mayor has put forward robust spending plans - including grants for small businesses, vehicles and equipment for first responders, new and improved parks and open spaces, gun violence prevention programming, a new, first ever, Upper Darby Community Center, and much more, no fewer than ten times since January only to have a slim majority of Council vote against these much needed initiatives.
Now, the Mayor has proposed a series of 6 narrowly tailored ordinances, one for each ARPA approved budget category, so that the public can better appreciate the plan and priorities and more easily participate in the process.
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