The Delaware County Weekly

Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!

—— November 3, 2023 (93rd edition) ——

Sample Ballots, In-Person Polling Places, Correcting Flawed Vote-by-Mail Ballots, Naked Voting, e-Pollbooks, and more

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections is in the final stages of preparation for the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election and continues to work to ensure that voters are well-prepared to cast their ballot, have clear expectations of the election process, and experience a safe, sound, and secure Election Day.

On Tuesday, all Delaware County polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until 8:00 p.m.

As a reminder, registered voters from all political parties (Democratic, Republican, Independent, unaffiliated, other so-called “third parties”) are all eligible to vote in the Nov. 7, 2023 Municipal Election. Delaware County residents who are unsure if they are registered to vote, or unsure if their registration information is up-to-date (perhaps due to a recent change of address or change of name), can check their registration status on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Votes PA website at DelcoPA.Gov/RegStatus.

Below is a rundown of what Delaware County voters should know before heading out to the polls or a ballot drop box.

Sample Ballots 

Unsure which offices are up for election, and who are the candidates running for them? Voters are encouraged to review a Sample Ballot for their precinct before voting. This will help voters familiarize themselves with the candidates and reduce time spent voting at the polling place, which will expedite the process for all voters.

Personalized Sample Ballots, dynamically generated for each voter based on their municipality, ward, and precinct, can be viewed on the Delco Votes! website at DelcoPA.Gov/Sample. 

Roll Out of Electronic Pollbooks Begins

Delaware County Elections is beginning a phased rollout of new Electronic Pollbooks, also referred to as “e-pollbooks,” during the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election. Voters and poll workers at 168 of the County’s 428 precincts will be utilizing the new e-pollbooks in this election, with a full phase in of e-pollbooks by the 2024 Presidential Election.

The cutting-edge e-pollbooks modernize the voter check-in process and have multiple advantages over traditional paper pollbooks.

More info at DelcoPA.Gov/Pollbooks.

Correcting Flawed Ballot Envelopes

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections is responsible for reviewing all mail/absentee ballot envelopes that are returned before they may be opened, and the ballots can be counted. Mail/absentee envelopes with legal flaws are then segregated, and the Bureau attempts to contact voters to give the voter a chance to obtain a new ballot at the Voter Service Center or request a replacement mailed ballot, if time permits, or to cast a provisional ballot on election day.

Any mail/absentee ballot envelope with a legal flaw is disqualified. These flaws include unsigned, undated, improperly dated, unsealed, or not placed in the “secrecy envelope,” which then must be placed in the “Ballot Return Envelope.” By law, the Delaware County Bureau of Elections is prevented from processing the ballots from flawed envelopes.

Voters who receive notice that the ballot envelope has a flaw must correct the ballot in-person at the Voter Service Center, located on the 1st floor of the Government Center Building, at 201 W. Front St., in Media, PA. The Voter Service Center is open Mon., Nov. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Alternately, voters may cast a provisional ballot in the voter’s precinct polling place on Election Day.

Voters who included an email address on their applications should check their inbox (or spam box) for notification.

Election Day Issues

Voters who have questions or experience issues on Election Day can call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683). The hotline is staffed by trained employees prepared to answer Delaware County residents' questions and provide a variety of services, and is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Election Hotline will be open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. - 12 midnight.

Voters can also call the PA Department of State at (877) 868-3772. Interpreters will be available for PA voter calls.

Delaware County Council and the Director of the County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, COL. Arthur Jenkins announced that the County will once again be participating in Operation Green Light. 

Operation Green Light is a national initiative of the National Association of Counties to support military Veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many Veterans.

Government buildings, places of worship, homes, and businesses across the county are invited to shine a green light from November 6-12 as a symbol that Veterans are seen, appreciated, and supported. The Delaware County Courthouse will proudly be lit up green beginning on November 6th. 

Delaware County is home to over 35,000 Veterans who have bravely served our nation and is home to hundreds who are currently serving. Throughout history, our nation’s brave members of the military and their families have made immense sacrifices for our safety, security, and freedom. 

“Delaware County Council has immense respect, admiration, and gratitude for the men and women who have served, and who are currently serving our country in the Armed Forces,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “Their contributions and sacrifices are vital in maintaining the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and we encourage residents and businesses to participate by changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb to show our collective appreciation for our County’s heroes.”

More information on Operation Green Light, visit the Operation Green Light for Veterans web page on the National Association of Counties (NACo) website.

Residents are invited to attend Media's annual Veterans Day parade being held on Friday, November 10. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. outside of the Media Theatre and proceed down State Street to the front of the County Courthouse, where a ceremony will be held.

This year, Colonel Arthur L. Jenkins, Delaware County’s Military and Veterans Affairs Director, will proudly serve as the Grand Marshall.

The annual Veterans' Day Parade, a cherished Delaware County tradition, serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to honoring the brave men and women who have selflessly dedicated themselves to serving and protecting  our nation. The parade is a unifying event that brings together our community in a spirit of solidarity, and allows us to stand side by side, to honor those who have defended our nation.

Veterans have made significant sacrifices for our country. From missing family milestones to facing the perils of war, they deserve our utmost respect and recognition. The parade is a collective expression of remembering these sacrifices and ensuring they are never forgotten.

The parade also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the needs of Veterans and their families. It encourages our community to support programs and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans.

Please mark your calendars and join us for this special occasion to celebrate Delco’s heroes! We encourage you to bring your friends and family to celebrate the bravery and dedication of our Veterans. Let us come together as a community to honor and support those who have selflessly served our nation.

Active members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Veterans, and their families are invited to join County officials in the raising of the U.S. Marine Corps flag on Thursday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. in front of the Courthouse located at 201 W. Front Street in Media. The flag will fly from the flagpole in the courtyard of the Government Center and Courthouse complex for a week.

The flag will be raised to commemorate the anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps which was established on November 10, 1775. The flag raising is being held on November 9 rather than November 10 since the Courthouse will be closed on November 10 in observation of Veterans Day.

Throughout the year, the County raises flags in honor of all branches of the military and invites active members of the military and Veterans to join in the flag raisings. The Army flag was raised in June, the Coast Guard flag was raised in August, the Air Force flag was raised in September, and the Navy flag was raised in October to commemorate the anniversaries. The U.S. Marine flag will be the last Armed Forces flag raised this year.

Council expresses deep gratitude to those who have served or are serving in the military protecting and defending our country.

Delaware County Council unanimously approved the use of an additional $2,730,124 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support the Whole Home Repair Program (WHRP) that provides income-qualified homeowners with necessary health, safety, and accessibility-related home repairs and modifications up to $50,000 per home. 

These funds, in combination with nearly $4.4M in original funding from the PA Whole Home Repair Act (SB-1135) that became law in July of 2022, now provide Delaware County with a total of $7.12M to be used towards the preservation of affordable housing and workforce development initiatives. 

The program will be administered by Habitat for Humanity’s local affiliate office, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware counties (Habitat MontDelco). Through this program, Habitat MontDelco will help the address the County’s aging housing stock, preserve naturally occurring affordable homeownership, and prevent qualifying homeowners from being displaced due to deferred and cost-prohibitive home repair and maintenance.

“Our homes are where we raise families, spend time with loved ones, and become members of the community and every resident deserves to live in a home that is safe and affordable,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “The Whole-Home Repairs Program provides essential funding for residents in need and we’re thankful that Habitat MontDelco will be administering these funds here in Delaware County.”

WHRP works with locally vetted and insured contractors to implement scopes of work determined by Habitat MontDelco’s internal home inspection team. The program also has the ability to utilize Occupational Therapists in instances of mobility challenges or other disabilities for which accessible home modifications will increase safety, health and/or accessibility on either a remedial or preventative basis.

Eligible services include, but are not limited to: roof repair and replacement, water heater replacement, porch repair and replacement, plumbing repairs, minor electrical repairs, bathroom repairs, zero-step entry solutions, grab bars and handrails, door widening, and stair lifts.

Delaware County Residents Encouraged to Take Advantage of the Program

Income-qualified homeowners in Delaware County are encouraged to take advantage of this program. To be considered eligible, Delaware County applicant(s) must:

• Own a home in Delaware County which must be their primary residence
• Be willing to partner with Habitat MontDelco by upholding the terms of the program agreement with Habitat MontDelco, and being responsive, helpful and hospitable to staff, vendors and volunteers
• Have a current homeowner’s insurance policy in place for the home
• Provide verification that they are current on Property Taxes and Mortgage payments
• Have a total gross household income below a specific amount, based on the household size (income levels range from $62,500 for a single-occupant household to $117,850 for a household with 8+ members)

To receive an application, eligible residents must first submit an inquiry with the program, available online.

After an inquiry has been submitted, Habitat MontDelco will notify the homeowner and send an application form when funding is available that is applicable to the home’s needs as described by the homeowner.

Per the funding guidelines, all projects must be identified by the end of 2024 and all funds must be spent by the end of 2026. This means that as applicants are qualified and projects are approved, through 2024, Habitat MontDelco will have to make determinations as to the severity of home repair need and prioritize more urgent cases in their sole discretion in order to meet grant obligations and timelines. This may result in approved projects having a waiting period prior to implementation.

Please note: The WHRP is not designed to be an emergency or crisis-based resource, as it does involve a waiting period. Delaware County residents experiencing urgent or imminently dangerous issues within their home should dial 211 or visit pa211.org.

For more information about the program and about Habitat MontDelco, visit their website.

Short Video About Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties

Delaware County Council recently announced that the County’s Planning Department is working to implement Vision Zero Delco: Drive Safe, Roll Safe, Walk Safe. The Vision Zero initiative is a global transportation strategy adopted by over 40 U.S. cities that promotes safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all residents and aims for the elimination of traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

To help ensure the successful adoption of this strategy, and to ensure that residents have a voice in the process, Delaware County is now rolling out its Safety Ambassador Pilot Program. This program calls upon Delaware County residents — as many as 15 residents with an interest in addressing issues of traffic safety involving our roadways — to serve as Safety Ambassadors. 

The Ideal Safety Ambassador is Someone Who:

• Cares about traffic safety 
• Wants to make Delaware County a safer place for walking, rolling, biking, taking transit, and driving.
• Is invested in the community (someone who lives or works in Delaware County)

What Does a Safety Ambassador Do?

Safety Ambassadors will help us make our roads safer for everyone, and will interact with friends, neighbors, and members of their community by conducting engagement activities in their community between November 2023 and April 2024. These activities may include:

• Hosting neighborhood meetings
• Setting up a table at a local community event
• Having a coffee chat with residents after worship services 
• Creating social media content to help spread the word
• Collecting stories about how safe people feel on Delco roads

Each Ambassador will receive a stipend of at least $1,000 as they play a crucial role in the public engagement process. Safety Ambassadors are expected to commit approximately 55 hours for engagement activities and training in total.

Training Will be Provided!

Ambassadors will receive specific engagement and canvassing training so they can gather feedback from people walking, rolling, or taking public transportation along high injury corridors and intersections. The purpose of this program is to make sure residents who might not otherwise participate are engaged and heard in the planning process. 

Interested? How to Become a Delaware County Safety Ambassador.

Residents interested in learning more about the Safety Ambassador program and how to participate can complete a brief survey (takes about 10 minutes to complete). Over the next few weeks, Delaware County will contact selected residents and discuss participation and training.

Want more Information?

Check out the Vision Zero Action Plan for Delaware County website at delcopa.gov/VisionZeroDelco to learn more. 

Delaware County Council is excited to announce that the America250PADelco Committee, in partnership with Delaware County Libraries and Widener University, is hosting Patrick Spero, author of the 2023 Revolutionary Reads Community Read book selection Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776, at an Author Visit & Reception on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at Widener University.

Each year through 2026 — the U.S. Semiquincentennial (aka America’s 250th birthday!) — the America250PADelco Committee will select one book title connected to the history of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution to serve as that year’s ‘Revolutionary Reads Community Read,’ and celebrate that book with a book event featuring the author and members of the community.

The book selection events are just one way the America250PADelco Committee is helping the community understand Delaware County’s unique role in history leading up to and after the American founding in 1776.  

“The Revolutionary Reads program presents an opportunity to reflect on our past and consider lessons learned for our present and future,” said Andrea Silva, Director of the America250PADelco Committee. “The 250th Commemoration aims to amplify lost and under-represented stories the American people. This book features lesser-known stories of Native Americans and people living on the frontier of the American West during the early history of our country. It was a tumultuous time.”

“Widener University is pleased to partner with the Delaware County Libraries and America250PADelco to once again host a distinguished scholar who illuminates less examined roots of the American Revolution," said David Leaman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Widener University. "Dr. Spero’s well-researched study shows how white colonists’ animus toward Native Americans on the ‘western frontier’ (including the area that is now Pittsburgh) helped drive forward the war for independence from the British. Learning history like this is not always comfortable but it is history we benefit from knowing.”

Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776 

Register Today!

Delaware County residents are invited to join the 2023 America250PADelco Community Read. Registration is required.

The book is also available on the Libby App, from Delco Libraries or Main Point Books in Wayne, PA. Revolutionary Reads will also include Book Club in a Bag totes for checkout at Delaware County Libraries locations, book clubs hosted at libraries and other organizations across Delaware County, and there are two events planned for the public to participate in conversations about this story.

More about America250PADelco 

America250PADelco is the local, nonpartisan project uniting Delaware County to promote our history, boost civic engagement, and bring together special 250th Anniversary festivities leading up to the U.S. Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. The America250PADelco project is managed by the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board in partnership with Visit Delco and with fiscal sponsorship provided by The Foundation for Delaware County. 

For information about, programs and events, visit www.america250padelco.org or follow us on Twitter @America250D, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/america250padelco, and Instagram @america250padelco.

Delaware County residents are urged to provide feedback regarding the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ feasibility study regarding their planned construction of a 1,400 feet long levee along the eastern bank of the Cobbs Creek in the Eastwick section of Philadelphia. The levee plan is intended to reduce the risk of flood damages to homes, property, and public infrastructure. 

The proposed levee — intended to reduce the risk of flood damages to homes, property, and public infrastructure in that area of Philadelphia — could nevertheless negatively impact Delaware County communities along the waterway.

Potential Impacts on Delaware County Include:

• Increased flood waters
• Increase in flood water velocity  
• Environmental impacts, such as disrupting wildlife habitat and soil erosion  
• Downstream sedimentation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft report [Click here] for the Eastwick Flood Risk Management Study. The public is invited to read the report and provide feedback so that the concerns of all stakeholders can be addressed.

Feedback from the public will help Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Planning Department develop a response to the levee proposal and to potential future work intended to address flooding in the region.

Here are some additional ways the public can provide feedback:

• Attend the Nov. 9 Open House: Thurs., Nov. 9, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Academy Park High School, 300 Calcon Hook Rd, Sharon Hill.

• Submit Comments by Email: PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil

• Submit Comments by Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1650 Arch St., Phila, PA 19103

• Take the Survey: Click the Public Survey button below.

The deadline to submit feedback is November 30, 2023.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will be holding ‘Walk-In Flu Shot Wednesdays’ vaccination clinics over the next three Wednesdays in November, providing free flu vaccinations to all residents ages 3 and older at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon. No appointments are needed. 

Flu vaccinations are free to everyone — with or without insurance — while supplies last.  

Walk-In Flu Shot Wednesdays:

• Wed., Nov. 8: 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 
• Wed., Nov. 15: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  
• Wed., Nov. 22: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  

Please note that all other immunizations provided by DCHD require appointments and have eligibility requirements. 

Please contact the DCHD Wellness Line for more information by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.

The Delaware County Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, and the Delaware County Bureau of Elections will again be holding Election Campaign Sign Recycling Drop Offs at Rose Tree Park in Media on November 17 and 18.

During the last two election cycles, Delaware County has been able to divert over 3,000 pounds of plastic and an additional 3,000 pounds of metal from the waste stream.

“The recycling of election signs is one way for our residents to divert waste from landfills—saving taxpayers’ dollars and protecting the environment,” said Delaware County Office of Sustainability Director Francine Locke. “There is no “away” when we throw something in the trash—it must go somewhere, so recycling the plastic, metal, and cardboard from these signs is one way to go green and Sustain Delco.”

During this two-day event, all campaign signs (plastic-coated, cardboard, and vinyl signs) and accompanying metal stands will be accepted free-of-charge. All collected materials will be recycled. No registration required!

Election Sign Recycling Drop Off Days

Rose Tree County Park, 1671 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063 | Map

• Friday, November 17: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 18: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Please note that signs do NOT need to be dismantled for collection, and registration is NOT required. Hope to see you there - and please spread the word!

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

Delaware County Weekly Past Editions