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.
Kevin M. Madden 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.
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.
Christine A. Reuther reminded everyone that Tuesday was primary election day.
Delco Council Threatened With Tar and Feathering Delco Council Threatened With Tar and Feathering Delco Council Threatened With Tar and Feathering
