Delaware County Council wishes everyone a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17, is the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle who lived during the fifth century.



The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.

Interestingly, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland but in America. Historical records show that a St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration was held on March 17, 1601 in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.

In honor of this popular tradition, Delaware Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, and Councilwoman Christine Reuther were thrilled to join District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Register of Wills Rachel Ezzell Berry, Director of Emergency Services Timothy Boyce, and other state and local elected officials at the 2023 Springfield Township Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 11.

Thousands of Delaware County residents joined the festivities despite the cold and rain, with many fraternal, school, church, and community groups, boy scout and girl scout troops, fire companies, high school marching bands, Irish Dance groups, pipe and drum bands, string bands, and local business entertaining the crowd along the mile-long parade route.

Congratulations to the Springfield Fire Company, who served as the parade’s Grand Marshal in honor of their recent 100th year of service to Springfield Township.



It was a pleasure meeting many of the residents along the parade route! 

As we enter the spring season, the Delaware County Health Department reminds residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets against ticks. Spring marks the beginning of an uptick in tick activity and when the weather gets warmer- outdoor activities increase. 

Ticks can spread illnesses including Lyme disease and can potentially make you or your pets very sick. Whether you are hitting the walking trails, tending to your garden, or out for a walk with your dog, ticks can bite and cause minor or serve health issues for humans and pets.

There are ways to prevent tick bites and the diseases associated with them. 

First, know their habitats!

Ticks are typically found in wooded areas, in areas of high rodent and animal activity, and high vegetation. Larval and nymphal ticks can be picked up from leaf litter or any organic ground cover as well as low woods edge vegetation. Adult ticks generally climb onto grass, shrubs, or high vegetation and wait with its forelegs stretched. This position is called “questing”. As a tick’s prey passes by and brushes up against the questing tick, it can latch on and feed. 

Secondly, protect yourself!

When out in nature, stay on the beaten path and out of thick, overgrown vegetation when ticks are active. There are also many repellents available. DEET may not be as effective for ticks as it is against mosquitos. Picaridin is an active ingredient shown to be an effective repellent at 20% in the products that contain it.

Another effective repellent is Permethrin. When applied to clothing, Permethrin is not only good at repelling ticks, but it also kills them. When using Permethrin, it is important to remember that it must be applied to clothing and dried before putting them on! Protective clothing is also key to preventing tick bites. Clothing like long sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats are protective against bug bites and you can further protect yourself by tucking your pants into your boots. 

Check for Ticks!

Always check for ticks when returning from areas that resemble the habitats described above. Tick bites are most commonly found in and around your hair, ears, under arms, belly button, waist, legs, and behind the knees. If a tick is found burrowed in the skin, do not use alcohol or repellents, as they may regurgitate infected saliva into you.

To remove a tick that has burrowed into the skin, use tweezers to grasp the tick by its mouthpart and pull directly out. After the tick is removed wash the area, and if a rash appears after, seek medical attention. 

Delaware County Office of Sustainability to Hold Four Public Open Houses for Sustainability Plan

The Delaware County Office of Sustainability continues to work to set innovative goals and impactful actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and set Delaware County on a path to a more sustainable future.

Over the past eight months, the County’s Office of Sustainability has been working with community advocates, partners, and experts to identify needs and define actions along six areas of focus: Natural Resources, Energy and Efficiencies, Transportation, Zero Waste, Climate Resiliency, and Health and Wellness.

All of this hard work has been fueling the creation of the County’s first-ever Sustainability Plan!

The County and the Office of Sustainability will be holding four public open houses—three in-person and one virtual—to gather feedback from the community about the goals, targets, and actions that have been drafted to-date. 

We want to hear from you! 

Attendees will hear a short presentation about the planning process will have the opportunity to view displays and materials regarding the six focus areas, and will be invited to provide their ideas, concerns, and suggestions to help shape the final version of the Sustainability Plan.

Members of the public are invited to attend. 

Upper Darby One Center

100 Garrett Road

Upper Darby, PA 19083

Wed., March 29, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Chester City Community Room

1 Fourth Street

Chester, PA, 19013

Tues., April 4, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Media Community Center

301 N. Jackson Street

Media, PA 19063

Thurs., April 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Virtual Session

Mon., April 10, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

See link for details.

For questions or more info about the open houses, please visit the Sustainability website at www.delcopa.gov/sustainability/sustainabilityplan or email Becca Yurkovich, Sustainability and Resilience Manager, at yurkovichr@co.delaware.pa.us. 

Delaware County Council declared March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month during its March 15 public council meeting. 

Developmental Disabilities Month is designated to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of life, as well as the awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities may face. 

About 15% of the world’s population lives with a disability and inclusion is necessary. Disability inclusion allows us to understand the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society, and it helps us to work to offer people opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires. 

“Delaware County Council is proud to declare March as Developmental Disabilities Month and recognize the contributions of people with disabilities who are valued community members, co-workers, family members, and friends in our county and to also commend those in the community who ensure residents with developmental disabilities can lead full and productive lives,” said Councilwoman Christine Reuther. 

Council commends the advancement of services provided by the County’s Department of Human Services, the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office. Council also recognizes the families, providers, partners, and County staff who strive to ensure that every resident feels like a valued member of the community. Working together, we’ve opened many doors, improving the lives of those living with developmental disabilities and it’s important that we keep doing so. 

The public is invited to view the free screening of the award-winning documentary film Aftershock, which powerfully examines the deadly maternal health crisis now facing women of color in the United States. 

The film explores the systemic reasons why Black and Brown women face significant health disparities and are three times more likely to die during childbirth. 

After the screening, a panel discussion with Shanna Williams, Founder of S.W. Doula, Stephanie Reese, Delaware County Health Department, Dr. Lisa Brown, Axia Women’s Health, and Carolina Alshon, The Foundation for Delaware County, will be held to help attendees better understand the historical and current issues related to Black maternal mortality and the impact on the Black community, and work to develop strategies and ideas to implement change in perinatal care with regard to Black families. The discussion will be moderated by Simmee Myers, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Delaware County Community College. 

The event is presented by the Foundation for Delaware County, Delaware County Health Department, and the Maternity Care Coalition and will take place on Wed., April 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Delaware County Community College.

Interested participants must register to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Physicians, nurses, therapists and social workers can earn Continuing Education (CE) credits.

We hope to see you there.

More about Aftershock

Directed by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt, Aftershock takes an eye-opening look at the maternal health crisis facing women in the United States and intimately follows the stories of black women whose deaths during delivery and postpartum were preventable. 

The film sheds light on the history of neglect and abuse towards women of color in America due to structural racism, and illustrates how the victims’ families, birth workers, activists and doctors are working to improve maternal care in the United States through legislation and changes to the medical system. 

Aftershock was awarded the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact for Change at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Visit the Aftershock website at www.aftershockdocumentary.com to learn more about the film, watch a preview, and get information about how to take action. The film is also available to stream via Hulu.

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and members of the Delaware County Health Department Team were honored to participate in the first annual Chester Women’s Health Conference held at Widener University on March 11. 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the event theme was “Protecting Our Health to Preserve Our History”. With over 150 women from Chester and the surrounding area in attendance, the conference offered health promotion activities, workshops, and resources. Women who are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the health and well-being of women in our community participated, including keynote speaker WDAS-FM Legend and Stroke Survivor Ms. Patty Jackson.

The conference was a collaborative effort planned and sponsored in partnership by the City of Chester, Widener University, Keystone First, the Black Equity Coalition, the Foundation for Delaware County, and the Delaware County Department. 

The conference can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here or clicking the image below.

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and Barbara Nicolardi, Director of the County’s Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting for the opening of Surrey Services for Seniors in Broomall. 

The new facility provides an inviting space for seniors in Delaware County to enjoy activities and programs, cooking and nutrition demonstrations, and a game room. It will also provide a home for the Surrey Academy to train caregivers in the county.

As some of our residents retire and age, they may be looking to stay active and to become more involved in the community and some may struggle with tasks that were once easy or have difficulty living alone. That can not only be extremely physically challenging-but it can also affect a person’s mental health as they transition into phases of older life.  

The COVID-19 pandemic also created additional challenges for older adults, and three years later- the aftermath of the pandemic continues to negatively affect some seniors. In addition to the dangerous health problems caused by the virus itself, the social isolation brought on by the pandemic has engendered a public-health crisis. A study conducted by the AARP Foundation, found that: For adults 50 and older who have experienced social isolation during the pandemic, half report feeling less motivated, 41% report feeling more anxious than usual, and 37% have felt depressed.  

The impact of social isolation on seniors and the critical need to bring seniors together again safely has been a major concern at Surrey and they have worked to alleviate the negative impact of social isolation. They realize the vital importance of social interaction, and the restorative effect of bringing seniors together to share meals, pursue fitness, and participate in group activities. 

County Council was able to utilize ARPA funding to assist Surrey with building a new location in Delaware County to assist seniors in our county. 

For the past 40 years, Surrey has been helping older adults to live with independence and dignity. Council is grateful for community partners such as Surrey Services for Seniors who work to provide an enhanced quality of life for seniors across the county. 

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website