Swarthmore Environmental Committee Spikes Lawnmower Ban
By Bob Small
Just a handful of citizens attended the June 26 Swarthmore Environmental Committeee Meeting to hear it declare it was not ready to move the proposed lawnmower ban forward at July’s meeting.
Actually, the proposed ordinance would ban all combustion-powered outdoor maintenance equipment (CPOME ). Battery-powered and electric devices remain legal.
Citizens overwhelmingly came out against it at the June 10 borough council meeting causing council to table it and return it to the environmental committee.
The proposed ban would have been the first in Pennsylvania, and received extensive coverage in local media.
Back to the important things in life like the Phillies.
Lawnmower Ban Topic Tomorrow In Swarthmore — The Swarthmore Borough Environmental Committee Meeting is meeting 7 p.m., tomorrow, June 26, in Swarthmore Borough Hall., 121 Park Ave, and will include discussion of the the proposed ban on combustion powered outdoor power equipment (CPOME).
The ordinance was tabled at the last council meeting.
There is public comment both at the start and end of the meeting but is only open to Swarthmore residents. There is a three minute time limit.
Let Delco Woods Be Only For Recreation — We were sent a two-year-old CBS Philadelphia news report from when Delaware County bought the Don Guanella property for use as a park.
We noticed that the people praising Delaware County Council then are ripping it now.
Let us keep the 213-acre property in Marple entirely recreational. No institutions. No offices.
Delco Sues Marple Over Park Rezoning — Charlie Alexander has let us know that Delaware County has filed its suit against Marple Township for rezoning the county’s Delco Woods park to exclusively open space.
Border Crisis Creates Enviro Worries; Happy Earth Day
By Joe Guzzardi
If Earth Day’s founders were alive to see the tattered remains of their noble mission, they would shake their heads in dismay. The essential requirement for a sound environment is a stable population, a basic guideline that the Biden administration has trampled on in its quest to destroy sovereign America. For three years, Americans have been lectured to about how the arriving migrants, a euphemism for illegal aliens, are simply searching for a better life. But that trite observation is incomplete. “A better life” means that illegal immigrants came to America to become consumers—of goods, services and, most critically to Earth Day advocates, the nation’s precious, scarce and irreplaceable natural resources.
Look back to January 1969 when Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson (D), the driving force behind Earth Day, and many others witnessed the ravages of Santa Barbara’s massive oil spill which eventually sent 9,000 gallons of oil per hour along California’s pristine coastline. For Nelson, who had long been concerned about the United States’ deteriorating environment, the massive oil spill was his defining moment in launching an activist movement. By the time Union Oil stopped the leakage, the spill rate hit 24,000 U.S. gallons per day, the worst spill in the nation’s history. Devastation was everywhere; oil-coated loons and Western grebes piled up along the unspoiled California coastline. Despite attempts to clean and care for the oil-slicked birds, conservationists estimated that 9,000 died. “The Santa Barbara incident,” Nelson said, “has frankly touched the conscience of the American people.” The disastrous spill motivated Nelson to launch a nationwide teach-in about environmental awareness similar to the teach-ins anti-Vietnam War protestors were conducting.
Environmentalists celebrated the first official Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and momentum to protect America the beautiful quickly surged. A decade later, the 1980 Earth Day event was held in Washington. D.C. across from the White House and capped ten years of new, major U.S. environmental laws that included the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Toxics Substances Control Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Earth Day spearheaded a decade of significant advancement— the Environmental Protection Agency’s formation and the banning of DDT and of lead in gasoline. During the 1980s, Earth Day’s reach expanded internationally. By 1990 Earth Day was global; environmental concerns activated two hundred million people in 141 countries. In 1995, President Bill Clinton gave Nelson the coveted Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
Today, environmentalists face a different but equally grave challenge than the one that concerned those decades ago. While not as dramatic as millions of washed-up dead waterfowl, unchecked population growth has an equally devastating effect on the environment. In 1970, the U.S. population stood at 203 million; in 2024, more than 336 million residents inhabit the U.S. The Census Bureau Population Clock shows that arriving net international migrants come at the rate of one every 27 seconds and represent the major population driver. The population growth formula: births, one every nine seconds, minus deaths, one every ten seconds, plus net international arrivals, one every 27 seconds, equals a net gain of one person every 20 seconds.
President Joe Biden’s welcoming open border policies which have allowed about 7.2 million illegal immigrants to resettle in the U.S. have exacerbated the population crisis, and have established an unsustainable, but nevertheless ongoing policy. Non-immigrant visa overstays add another 650,ooo-850,000 annually to the existing population. About 1.5 million got aways is a population concern and also a homeland threat. The U.S. has successfully lowered its fertility rate to 1.786 births per woman, well-below the previous 2.1 replacement level. But the advancement in lowering the birth rate is obliterated by the arriving illegal immigrants. While some social scientists are troubled by falling birth rates, low fertility offers advantages: easing ecological pressures, preventing overcrowding and reducing the infrastructure costs that come with a growing population. The ignored variable in the population growth formula is immigration.
One month ago, on March 22, the United Nations observed World Water Day, an event that should raise consciousness about how immigration-driven population growth has dried up vital water bodies. The final scorecard: Roughly 40 percent of wells have hit all-time lows since 2010. The seven states that signed the Colorado River Compact in 1922 had a combined population of 2.8 million in 1900. Their combined populations today exceed 62 million. More immigration means more sprawl—people need water for personal consumption. Homes, hospitals and schools must be built. If immigration is not reduced, the West’s arid regions will have millions more people, fewer farms, and more expensive, and perhaps severely rationed water. The Colorado River loses 19.3-million-acre feet of water per year to cities, farms and evaporation, roughly the amount of water used by the 50 largest U.S. cities each year. The river can be saved but not without significant reductions in water use, especially from the irrigated agriculture industry which could adversely affect the nation’s food supply.
Although some media outlets have reported on the open Southwest and Northern borders, few have emphasized that chain migration allows illegal immigrants, once they obtain legal status, can petition non-nuclear family members. Once on U.S. soil, they may either grow their existing families or begin new ones. Within two decades, chain migration and new family formations could increase the 7.2 million aliens by a multiplier of three. Princeton University researchers established the three-times multiplier. Within a generation, today’s non-existent border enforcement and foolish immigration laws policies will eventually lead to twenty-one million new residents whose histories are linked to illegal immigration.
Immigration is politics’ third rail. But Nelson considered population stabilization a key component to environmental stabilization. To immigration expansionists, Nelson said, “It’s phony to say, ‘I’m for the environment but not for limiting immigration.’”
Joe Guzzardi is an Institute for Sound Public Policy analyst. Contact him at jguzzardi@ifspp.org
Delco Council Threatened With Tar and Feathering Over Delco Woods Mental Facility — About 150 packed Delaware County (Pa.) Council’s meeting room, last night, April 17, to protest the possibility of a former Don Guanella building becoming a home for mental patients.
The county got 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 and it was to be a park.
About 170 undeveloped acres were zoned 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, reacting to the county, rezoned the property to all open space. Marple also rejected county requests for occupancy certificates 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.
Executive Director Update
Last night, County Executive Director Barbara O’Malley said other locations for the mental health facility are still being considered but Delco Woods has significant advantages. The county already owns it and it has buildings that might serve as secure housing.
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 a facility would be staffed 24/7 and have time secured locks. It would be used as a stop for those about to return to community who had been receiving high level care.
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 vehemently denied the rumors that the building would be used to house illegal aliens.
Shouts from the crowd showed that many doubted her claim.
“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.
Public Comment
Charles Alexander of Marple, whose postings on Chuckles Sports have kept Delco’s illegal alien concerns in the spotlight spoke first during public comments. He brought up Jan. 8, 2020 action in which the county consented to a refugee resettlement program.
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 councilmembers 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.
Tar and Feathering
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 noted that the council’s Facebook page prohibits comments in violation of Supreme Court rulings.
The council’s explanation for the policy is to stop “misinformation.”
“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, council fails to understand things have changed. It is ignoring the massive influx of illegals occurring under Biden.
Biden is literally flying in illegals, she said. They are not vetted for disease or criminal records.
“They are being staged,” she said. She said even if the county is not directly involved they know about it and can do something about it.
Tax Bomb Looms?
Michael Gowdy of Marple brought up some scary points for taxpayers regarding Delco Woods’.
He asked that it be confirmed that the Philadelphia Archdiocese is challenging the $22 million price set by the county during the eminent domain acquisition.
Solicitor Jonathan Lichtenstein did so.
While Lichtenstein refused to discuss the litigation details such as the price the former owners value the land, Gowdy noted developers had offered the Church $45 million and $35 million for it.
This could mean that county might be on the hook for double what it expected to pay, he said.
That wouldn’t be counting the $2 million in interest it would have to pay if it loses.
Joe Finio 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 originally declared unusable and wondered what had changed.
Trish Adams of Delco Skatepark Coalition said the master plan called for a skatepark where the buildings are.
Tom Flocco, citing video posted by Charles Alexander showing HIAS Pennsylvania collecting food and clothes for illegal in Delco, asked the county to address non-government organizations.
He mentioned a rumor about illegals living at the McIntosh Inn in Middletown.
Council Accused Of Disrespect
Colleen Labalty (phonetic) was another who said the council was losing trust.
“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 said.
She suggested council consider the shuttered Glen Mills School 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.
Republican Chairman Speaks
Delaware County GOP Chairman Frank Agovino of Springfield said that what happened in Marple two days earlier compelled him to speak.
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 those who fought for the park thought council would keep its promises.
A man who said he had been an EMT said the safety precautions at mental health facilities often fail. He said noted that he had taken many to the county’s existing mental health facilities and took them back again after they walked away.
A man said the original plans for the building area called for a community hub with recreation facilities.
Proximity To Schools
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.”
Marc Giosa says he has sold real estate for 23 years.
He say it’s not uncommon for someone to pay $50,000 or $100,000 over list price to buy a home in Marple.
He say, however, thathe 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 Defends Marple
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 Marple said there was a group home on his street for those with mental issues and they get out.
Council Response
With public comments over, Lichtenstein angrily took issue with claims that the 2020 letter concerned illegals.
He said it was for legal refugees many of whom had served alongside Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lichtenstein said the motion was passed at a council meeting and not “in the middle of the night.” He noted it had been done at the request of the Trump administration.
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 said the county would not 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.
Marple Zones All Delco Woods Open Space; Rejects County Request To Use Building To House Mental Patients From Prison — The Marple (Pa) Commissioners voted 6-0, last night, April 15, to zone the 213-acre former Don Guanella tract all open space.
The commissioners also voted 6-0 to reject certificates of use and occupancy for three buildings on the site sought by Delaware County. Two were wanted for office space. The third was to be a secured 28-bed mental facility for patients who would otherwise be housed at the county prison.
As the second vote was a late agenda addition, the board rescheduled another vote for Monday, April 22, allowing proper advertising.
They want to play it safe, 1st Ward Commissioner Joe Rufo said.
Abstaining from all votes was 6th Ward Commissioner Mike Molinaro. He cited a conflict as he is a county assistant solicitor.
The land was acquired by Delaware County in 2021 and has been renamed Delco Woods. Promises were made by County Council to save it as open space despite it zoned residential and institutional.
The property is between Sproul and Reed roads.
About 40 acres on Sproul Road with buildings for a Catholic Church institution for boys with mental disabilities was the institutional zoning.
Attorney Nick Caniglia, representing the county, said his clients had no objection to changing the residential zoning for the woodland but demanded the institutional section stay.
Close to 100 raucous residents filled the meeting room. Several shouted suspicions that the county would raise the number of mental patients at first chance.
The building for the beds in is 60,000 square feet.
The board noting the unanimous support for rezoning suggested public comment be skipped.
There were no objections but some still took the microphone.
One man said he arrived as immigrant from Sicily in 1977. It had taken him two years of paper work. He was responding to the rumors that the county secretly seeks the buildings to house Biden’s border breakers.
A resident suggested the county use one of the shuttered hospitals as a mental facility.
Charles Alexander of Chuckles Sports asked if the county would put probation offices in one of the buildings.
A woman who led a community youth group said that all her teenagers were vehemently opposed.
A Cedar Grove Road woman said the county has created an atmosphere of distrust with the citizens.
Republicans Liz Piazza, who is seeking the 165th District Pennsylvania House, and Alfe Goodwin, who wants the 5th Congressional District seat were there to support the residents.
GOP legislative candidates Liz Piazza and Alfe Goodwin were on had to give residents support.
Discussion continued after the meeting ended. Delco Council might get a crowd Wednesday
Marple Planners Recommend Don Guanella Tract Be All Open Space –The Marple Planning Commission, March 28, voted to recommend that the entire 213-acre county-owned Don Guanella tract between Sproul and Reed roads be zoned open space.
Half the land had been zoned institutional. It was the site of a Catholic Church facility for boys with mental disabilities before the county bought it in 2021.
About 30 people were in attendance due to rumors that it would used by the county to house illegals.
Residents implored the planners to recommend that camping and tents be prohibited on the property.
The Marple Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the matter, April 15.
PECO is planning a $12 million investment in Swarthmore as part of a larger statewide electricity initiative that calls for removing lots of trees.
You can call the plan “We Kill Trees To Go Green”
The current utility poles are 35 feet tall, and PECO wants to replace them with fifty footers.
The assessment at the Nov. 15 borough council is that 124 trees must go, most of which are decades old. PECO promises to replace them with 2-and-a-half-foot saplings
PECO refuses to use underground electrical lines it was revealed despite their use in Springfield and at Swarthmore College.
PECO cites higher costs as among the reasons they don’t want to tunnel in the dirt in the borough.
Swarthmore Borough Council has been in negotiations with PECO, but has not found a way forward as of last night’s meeting.
In keeping with our tradition, Swarthmore residents are beginning to organize, with letters and phone calls as the first salvo in the battle.
While PECO has not approached my block yet, but we don’t know that they won’t. To be clear, my household is not involved with the organizing.
There are numerous other examples of PECO’s attempts to destroy trees in a similar fashion. A few are listed below.
Yes, you read that right. In a ballot question this past election day, Westtown residents voted 3,459 to 1,745 (67 percent) to approve a tax increase for the preservation of Crebilly Farms as one of Chesco’s major open spaces.
The earned income tax rate goes from 1 percent to 1.08 percent and the real estate tax rate increases from 3.5 mills to 3.92 mills.
Crebilly farms is the site of the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777, then the largest single-day battle of the American Revolution, which was won by the British/Hessian forces. This victory led to the British occupation of Philadelphia.
The estimated cost of the tax increase for a household earning $100,000 would be an additional $80 in local earned income tax. A household with an assessed house value of $250,000 would pay an additional $105 per year.
The Natural Lands Trust hopes to land about $2.5 million in grants, and says they are well on their way to doing that.
The Daily Local News of Chester County has been ovewhelmed with letters.
