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Delco Council Threatened With Tar and Feathering Over Delco Woods Mental Facility — About 150 packed Delaware County (Pa.) Council’s meeting room, tonight, April 17, to protest the possibility of a former Don Guanella building being used to house mental patients.

The county acquired for a park the 213-acre property between Sproul and Reed roads in Marple via eminent domain from the Catholic Church in 2021.

The price tag was $22 million.

About 170 undeveloped acres were zone residential. The rest was zoned institutional and contained a facility for boys with mental disabilities.

The tract was officially named Delco Woods, April 3.

On Monday, Marple Township rezoned the property to all open space in response to what the county was considering. Marple also rejected requests by the county for certificates of occupancy for three buildings. Two would have been for office space and one for the mental patients.

The county says it will sue to keep the institutional zoning.

Tonight, County Executive Director Barbara O’Malley said Delco is still considering other locations for the mental health facility but the Delco Woods site has significant advantages. It is already owned by the county and has buildings that might serve has a secure housing facility, she noted.

Sandy Garrison, chief of Human Services and Community Support, said the county has funding for a mental health facility but can’t get a program running. She says they have investigated 25 locations with none being satisfactory.

Ms. Garrison said the facility would be staffed 24/7 and have time secured locks. It would be used to transition people who had been receiving a high level of care to being able to function in the community.

There are 25 persons in Delco who need such a place, she said. They range in age from their 20s to their 70s.

Ms. Malley also addressed vehemently denied the rumors that the building would be used to house illegal aliens.

Shouts from the crowd showed that many doubted her claim.

Kevin M. Madden then chimed in.

“You might not like us because we have a D after our name,” he said.

This angered the crowd even more and hoots of scorn filled the room.

Madden also said that just a “sliver” of the property would be used for the facilities.

Charles Alexander of Marple, whose postings on Chuckles Sports have kept Delco’s policy regarding illegal aliens front and center, was the first during public comments. He brought up a vote taken Jan. 8, 2020 in which the county consented to a refugee resettlement program sought by President Trump.

He said things are getting worse and the county is ignoring why.

Concerning health facilities, he said that there were 10 hospitals in Delco when he was born. Now it’s down to “three OK ones and a travesty.”

“You have awakened a sleeping giant,” he said.

He quoted Congresswoman Maxine Waters infamous call to harass Trump Administration officials and applied it to Council.

Sharon Devaney of Haverford Township asked council if they had read the paperwork she presented at the last meeting concerning her auto accident involving an illegal which left her crippled.

“I was a Democrat,” she said pointedly addressing Madden’s earlier claim that the complaints were political.

“We want the truth,” she said. “We want everyone to get a long.”

James Small quoted Edward Snowden regarding conspiracy theories and said he didn’t trust council. He asked that they resign.

Howard Alexander of Marple, Charlie’s father, also said he was a former Democrat. He said the last Democrat for whom he voted was a “Muslim queer“. He wanted to know how many council members had taken money from George Soros. Alexander threatened them with tar and feathering.

Kathy from Haverford said the councilmembers have violated their oaths of office and outright lied about Delaware County not being a sanctuary county.

She said the council’s Facebook page prohibits comments claiming concern about “misinformation” and the policy violated Supreme Court rulings.

“You’re a bunch of hypocrites,” she said.

She asked why the county is using the money it received as part of opioid lawsuit at Philadelphia hospitals.

“Why no rehabilitation at the prison?” she asked. “They are human beings.”

Joy Schwartz of Upper Darby noted that while the letter regarding refugee resettlement concerned the Trump Administration, they are ignoring the massive influx of illegals that is occurring under Biden.

She pointed out that Biden is literally flying the illegals in. She said they are not vetted for disease or criminal records.

“They are being staged,” she said. She said even the county is not involved they know about it and can do something about it.

Michael Gowdy of Marple brought up some scary points from the taxpayer view regarding Delco Woods’ purchase. He asked that it be confirmed in litigation that the Philadelphia Archdiocese is challenging the $22 million price set by the county during the eminent domain acquisition. Solicitor Jonathan Lichtenstein confirmed that it was. Gowdy noted developers had offered the Church $45 million and $35 million for the property, and the county might be on the hook for double what it expected.

That wouldn’t be counting the $2 million in interest it would have to pay if it loses.

Joe Finio (phonetic) of Marple said people of all political views united to save the park. He said the county made a solemn promise that it would be used entirely for recreation. He said the buildings were not usable but now they are saying they are.

Trish Adams of Delco Skatepark Coalition said the master plan called for a skatepark where the buildings are.

Tom Flocco expressed concerns about non-government organizations based the video posted by Charles Alexander on X showing HIAS Pennsylvania collecting food and clothes for illegals. He mentioned a rumor about illegals living at the McIntosh Inn in Middletown.

Colleen Labalty (phonetic) was another who said people were losing trust in Council.

“I don’t understand how people lose their morals,” she said. “How they sell out.”

She noted her husband was a legal immigrant.

“Stop with the Democrats and Republicans,” she said. “We are all people.”

Denise Manley (phonetic) of Marple said the debate was about safety, not mental health.

She accused council of laughing and “snickering under their teeth” during the comments.

“It’s not about Republican or Democrat,” she siad.

She suggested council look at the shuttered Glen Mills School as a site for a mental facility.

Susan Long of Maple dittoed her regarding the disrespect council was showing.

“You brought up the ‘D’, Mr. Madden,” she said.

Delaware County GOP Chairman Frank Agovino of Springfield followed her. He said he felt compelled two days earlier in Marple. He said he wanted to let the Marple resident and township government that he fully supports them.

Scott Thomas of Marple said that council has no right to be concerned about “misinformation.”

“It’s our government that gives us the most misinformation,” he said.

He noted that one of the big causes of mental health issues is the drugs flowing across our open borders.

Jim Castaldi (phonetic) described himself as one of the “most middle of the road speakers”.

It’s safe to say the jig is up,” he said.

He said they thought council would do what the promised with regard to the park.

A man who said he had been an EMT noted that he had taken many to the county’s existing mental health facilities, then took them back after they walked away.

A man said the original plans for the building area called for a community hub with recreation facilities.

Sam Lassiter (phonetic) of Marple said he would not bring his young children to a park next to a mental facility.

He had worked in mental health, he said.

“Let it be a park,” he said. “It’s next to two schools.”

Mark Giosa (phonetic) says he has old real estate for 23 years. He say it’s not uncommon for someone to pay $50,000 or $100,000 to buy a home in Marple. He says he has seen first hand how a mental facility will cause home prices to plummet.

“This will affect property values,” he said.

“It is within walking distance of two schools,” he also noted.

Gregg Miner of Upper Chichester said he was surprised to learn that Delaware County was a sanctuary county.

He asked council to compile a report showing how many illegals come into Delaware County; their effect on crime; and their fiscal impact.

Liz Piazza of Upper Providence, the GOP candidate for the 165th State House Seat which includes Delco Woods, said he was there to support Marple Township.

“What you are doing to Marple is unacceptable,” she said. “They put their trust in you.”

She noted that she grew up in Marple and that her son still lives there.

Patricia Bleasdale of Glen Mills said what the council is doing builds distrust.

Dave Clark of Ridley also noted trust is an issue.

“What is troubling the United States as a whole is the bait and switch tactics used by the political class,” he said.

Joanna of Brookhaven said it was crazy to put a mental institution where a park is.

Demetrius of Maprle said there was a group home on his street for those with mental issues and they get out.

With public comments over, Lichtenstein passionately and angrily took issue with claims that the 2020 letter was for bringing in illegals.

He said the motion was passed at a council meeting and was not something done “in the middle of the night.” He noted it was a request from the Trump administration, and designed to help legal refugees many of who served along side Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer repeated what she said at the last council meeting that she opposed any governmental use for the park.

“I truly feel the frustration of the community and share in their goals,” she said.

She said she was hopeful that they will find a better place for the mental health facility.

Madden agreed that the issue was trust.

“We’re just doing our best,” he said.

He noted that county’s lawsuit is just to preserve their options and they don’t have any “blueprint in place” on what to do with the buildings.

He also said the county would use all 40 acres that it is trying to keep zoned institutional.

Councilman Richard R. Womack said he appreciated everyone coming out. He said he heard their concerns and would work to find another place.

Councilwoman Dr. Monica Taylor also thanked the crowd and reiterated that nothing has been carved in granite.

Christine A. Reuther reminded everyone that Tuesday was primary election day.

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