Month: March 2024

Delco Told Prison Bosses Retaliated Against Guards Who Met With Councilman And Exec Director— Frank Kwaning, president of the Delaware County (Pa) Prison Employees Independent Union, yesterday, March 6, praised county Executive Director Barbara O’Malley and Councilman Richard R. Womack for their recent tour of the county’s George Hill Correctional Facility and the point they made to privately talk with correctional officers.

Kwaning said, however, the prison administration retaliated against those officers after the county officials left.

Womack said that he was appalled to hear that and asked Kwaning to supply him with specifics.

Kwaning, a 14-year-veteran, of the facility was among the 68 fired after the County took over the facility in April 2022. He and 12 other former correctional officers filed a federal lawsuit, Feb. 29, saying their termination was improper.

Ms. O’Malley, earlier in the night, said major upgrades have been planned for the prison and that she would investigate all complaints. She said, however, she was satisfied with how things were going there.

The rank and file have long been warning council of dangerous conditions at the facility.

Oaths

Carris Kocher of Concord during public comments took issue with Solicitor Jonathan Lichtenstein’s claim that only elected officials were required to take oaths of office. She read to him state law that specifically cited clerks and deputies.

She also asked why the county needed process servers outside the elected constables, who are recognized law enforcement officers.

A Concord man brought to council’s attention a matter of suspicious zoning in his township.

Delco Prepares To OK $74.5 Billion Bonds — Delaware County Council, yesterday, March 6, held the first reading of an ordinance to allow it to issue general obligation debt of $74.5 billion to pay for infrastructure projects.

Solicitor Jonathan Lichtenstein said it was not expected that the entire allowable amount be borrowed.

The maximum interest rate allowed would be 6 percent.

Council also recognized March as National Women’s Month albeit the definition of a woman was left undefined.

The county-owned Fair Acres Nursing Home in Middletown was recognized for having been declared one of the nation’s best nursing homes by Newsweek magazine.

Council approved 31 consent items. These included an agreement of sale with Commonwealth Land Title Company to buy 123 N. Olive St., Media for $775,000 and a contract with WGL Energy services to become part of the Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeastern Pennsylvania for five years at 67 cents per megawatt hour.

Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer commented and expressed great approval at the latter one.

Public Defender Again Criticized

Former public defender John Baldini (phonetic) of Upper Darby again criticized how Chris Welsh is running his old department. He took issue with statements by councilmembers defending Welsh last month.

Baldini said things are much worse. Judges previously had three public defenders of varying degrees of experience and the younger ones were mentored by the older. Now indigent defendants have access to just one inexperienced attorney, he said.

Delco Prepares To OK $74.5 Billion Bonds