Delco Council Slammed For Fiscal Irresponsibility — Delaware County (Pa) Council, July 3, again faced accusations of fiscal irresponsibility.
Moody’s has lowered the county’s bond rating due to its deficit spending and property owners can expect a tax hike of between 19 and 30 percent next year.
Charles Alexander of Marple brought up the numerous — and unnecessary — lawsuits in which the county has found itself and accused them of allowing this situation just to throw funnel money to Ballard Spahr.
Ballard Spahr is the Philadelphia law firm chaired by Mark Stewart who is the husband of Delco’s congresswoman, Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5).
Alexander said the suits are sapping the county dry.
Michael Straw of Media asked why Council is approving a $79,100 contract with Bonnie Hartley of InSync Services for leadership training when those tapped for it should have already had the skills when hired. He also wanted to know why the county is paying for yoga classes for its Health Department, which, by the way, has a $19 million budget and didn’t exist five years ago.
Kathy from Haverford said the county sheriff never shows up for work. She wanted to know why his salary is almost six-figures.
John DeMassy (phonetic) of Drexel Hill gave a bleak assessment of Council’s competence in money management.
“The more you pile on debt, the worse it’s going to get,” he said. “Raising taxes isnt’ going to fix the credit rating.”
The only solution is to control spending, he said.
Delco Council Slammed For Fiscal Irresponsibility