Each February, Americans observe Black History Month, which was founded by Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, and the “Father of Black History,” to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and recognize the central role they had in shaping U.S. history. 

Delaware County is fortunate to have numerous members of the community, schools, organizations, and faith-based groups who work to educate, celebrate, and promote Black History and culture through education and the arts.

County Council is proud to recognize the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our history, who have helped move our country toward a more equal and just society. This month, we celebrate the men and women, across the nation and here in Delaware County, who have struggled and sacrificed to guarantee freedom and rights for future generations. 

The contributions of Black Americans and their endeavors to learn and thrive throughout history and make unforgettable marks in our Nation as artists, scientists, educators, business people, influential thinkers, members of the faith community, athletes, and political and governmental leaders, reflects the greatness of our country.

Numerous Black History Month Tributes and Events are being held throughout the County.

• Delaware County Council recognized February as Black History Month in Delaware County during its Feb. 1 public meeting. Click here to read the Council Resolution.

• Delaware County is proud to share a documentary, titled “Learning our History, Celebrating our Future,” that illuminates the past struggles of Black Americans in the county. Dating back to some of the darkest periods of American History, this video explores the efforts of Delaware County residents who fought for equal rights for all Americans. The video also explores what efforts the community and County Government are currently making to improve the lives of its all residents across the county. Click here to watch “Learning our History, Celebrating our Future”.

• The County is also hosting a screening of the Documentary We Been Here, produced by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated Chester (PA) Alumnae Chapter. The documentary looks at the history of Black Americans in Delaware County, and their historical and contemporary contributions. Date/Time: Friday, February 24, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Widener University Founders Hall, Room 109. Click here to register for the We Been Here screening.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is hosting several wellness programs throughout the county.

• DCHD is partnering with Main Line Health to offer Blood Pressure screenings on Fri., Feb. 24 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon at the Yeadon Wellness Center, located at 125 Chester Ave., in Yeadon, PA.

• DCHD is partnering with the American Heart Association to host an online webinar on Fri., Feb. 24, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Delaware County residents interested in attending this virtual event must register. Click here to register for the webinar.

• DCHD, Delaware County Citizen Corps, and Keystone First are offering two free Hands-Only CPR classes at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center in Chester on Fri., Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. – 12 noon and 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

BOOK READINGS AND STORYWALK

County Council has partnered with Delaware County Libraries to create a virtual book reading to share with students across the county. Find a comfy spot and hear about a book that was written to inspire and encourage black communities! Click to watch the virtual book reading.

Delaware County invites families and children from across the county to celebrate Black History Month in Rose Tree Park. The park and Delaware County Libraries are featuring a book celebrating Black History as part of its StoryWalk® experience. The exhibit features Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Frank Morrison. This captivating children’s book, written by a local author, chronicles Baylor's rise to basketball stardom in spite of the obstacles he faced in the segregated cities of his childhood and throughout his career.

Located in the upper field behind the amphitheater stage at Rose Tree Park, StoryWalk® is a children's book exhibit that is spread out page by page across 18 reading stations along an approximately quarter mile trail in Rose Tree Park, located at 1671 N. Providence Rd. in Media.

The exhibits are free and open during park hours. 

BLACK PUBLIC HEALTH PIONEERS

The Delaware County Health Department is celebrating Black History Month by recognizing a Delaware County Black Public Health Pioneer in February!

Each Thursday, DCHD will detail the careers and accomplishments of selected Delaware County Black public health community members and will showcase how their work has benefitted community health for the residents of Delaware County. These Black Public Health Pioneers will be featured weekly on DCHD’s social media pages and website!

Click the button to read more!

Media Borough will become a sea of green on Sunday, February 5, when Delaware County’s “Birds Pep Rally Parade” kicks off at 3:00 p.m. on State Street. Kane Kalas, the son of the late legendary Philadelphia broadcaster Harry Kalas, will serve as emcee. 

“Everybody’s Hometown” invites the entire community to come out this Sunday and wear their green team spirit and cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles as they prepare to take on Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 12 in Arizona.

The Birds Pep Rally Parade will include the Mummers, music and marching bands, floats, and much more. The parade will begin in front of the Media Theatre (104 E. State St., Media, PA) at 3:00 p.m. and proceed down State Street spreading team spirit to everyone along the way! 

Prior to the parade, musical entertainment will be provided by recording artist and son of Phillies Hall of Fame sportscaster, Kane Kalas and his band in front of Spasso’s restaurant (1 W. State St., Media, PA) at 2:30 p.m. The musical selection will include swingin’ American Songbook titles from Kane’s debut album, High Hopes. 

Delaware County Council reminds residents that various County agencies offer additional support and resources to the homeless, elderly, and vulnerable residents when harsh cold, snow, and freezing conditions take place during the winter season. When weather conditions pose a threat to individuals who are homeless, elderly, or medically fragile, a network of agencies works to help residents obtain shelter, food, and assistance. 

During Code Blue conditions (below 32 degrees) expanded outreach services are implemented. Outreach staff will circulate in areas frequented by homeless persons. The goal of the Outreach Team is to locate homeless persons and bring them to safety in a warm facility. Overflow shelter beds will be utilized for identified homeless persons. Outreach services are provided by Horizon House, Inc. 24 hours a day, on a rotating 5-day schedule. Horizon House can be contacted at (267) 671-4357.

Several County agencies are prepared to help residents cope with extreme weather conditions, from sheltering the homeless to reaching out to the elderly. Council reminds residents about these services should they need assistance or if they know of someone who needs help.

The Department of Human Services, Adult and Family Services 

This department partners with various agencies to offer additional services through the Homeless Services Coalition of Delaware County, a group of 90 individuals and organizations dedicated to providing services to the homeless. They also publish the Homeless Services Resource Guide that details a variety of services including shelters, housing, meals, treatment programs, and government services. Contact Human Services at (610) 713-2365.

The County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) 

COSA extends outreach to senior citizens, including having case managers check on seniors who may be vulnerable. Tips on how to stay warm and safe during the winter are available on COSA’s informational weather line at (610) 872-1558. You can contact COSA directly at (610) 490-1300.

Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC) 

CAADC is the county’s anti-poverty agency and can assist residents with obtaining shelter and meals. Contact CAADC at (610) 874-8451.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) / PECO

LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills. PECO also offers programs for people experiencing hardship, a low-income usage reduction program, and discounted rates for low-income families. Contact LIHEAP by phone at 1-866-857-7095 (if hearing impaired call 711), and PECO at 1-800-494-4000.

Salvation Army, Chester Corps, and the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County

This office extends outreach to senior citizens, including having case managers check on seniors who may be vulnerable. Tips on how to stay warm and safe during the winter are available on COSA’s informational weather line at (610) 872-1558.

During cold weather, outreach teams and local authorities can take homeless adults to emergency shelter programs, which are operated by the Salvation Army Chester Corps (610-874-0423), the Community Action Agency (610-874-8451) and the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County (610-734-5770).

Delco Alerts!

Residents are encouraged to register for the Delco Alert notification system, which provides residents with timely alerts regarding weather emergencies such as road closures, power outages, and other extreme weather situations. 

Cold Weather Plan Department and Agency Websites

100,000+ Vote-by-Mail Ballot applications to be mailed next week

Preparations are underway for the May 16, 2023 Primary Election.

Vote-by-Mail Applications

Next week, the Delaware County Bureau of Elections will begin mailing more than 100,000 vote-by-mail applications to those voters who qualified for—or requested an application for—a mail-in or absentee ballot for the 2023 election cycle. This mailing is expected to be completed Feb. 6. 

This mailing will consist of applications—not ballots. The specific races, and the possible inclusion of ballot questions and constitutional amendments that may appear on the Primary ballots, are not final. Delaware County ballots will include a combination of contests and candidates for State Court judges, District Attorney, County Council, and Magisterial District Judges, and local school and municipal contests.

Visit the Delaware County 'Vote-by-Mail Ballots' web page on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vbm for information regarding vote-by-mail ballots, including applications.

Citizens who need to register for the first time—or who need to file updates of their registration name or address—have until Monday, May 1 to register or file updates. Voters may register or file changes online at delcopa.gov/registration or in person at the Voter Registration office on the first floor of the Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St. in Media, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Official Nomination Petition Packets Now Available

Updated 2023 nomination petition packets—inclusive of the official candidate declaration, blank signature forms, financial interest documents, filing fact sheets, and general instructions and details—are now available for download from the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/candidates.

The first day for candidates and their supporters to circulate nomination petitions is Tues., February 14, and the last day is Tues., March 7.

All prospective candidates are also strongly encouraged to consult with a solicitor who is versed in the election code and campaign-finance requirements.

Please note: The County has been alerted that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued this order involving changes to Magisterial District Judge (MJD) lines. Changes “effective” Jan. 2024 will be reflected on the 2023 ballots so that candidates may be elected to begin serving in Jan. 2024.

Primary Overview 

Primary elections are held each Spring to allow voters to select their party’s nominees for the fall general election ballots.

As in all counties in Pennsylvania, only voters whose registrations are affiliated with the Democratic Party may vote a Democratic Primary ballot, and only those whose registrations are affiliated with the Republican Party can vote a Republican Primary ballot. Voters with any other affiliations will be allowed to vote a “third party ballot” that will list only referendum questions. If there is no referendum, third-party voters will not be able to cast ballots at the Primary. 

For more information about voting in Delaware County, please visit the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote or call the Delaware County Elections Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE.

The Delaware County Department of Emergency Services' 911 Center reminds drivers to be prepared for ice, extreme cold, and harsh road conditions.

Before You Go!

• If you haven’t already done so, prepare a winter emergency travel kit. If you have made one- make sure that it is fully stocked.
• Listen to weather and travel advisories.
• Visit www.511PA.com or call 511 for updates.
• Pack a cell phone and be sure it's charged.
• Remove snow and ice from your hood, roof, and windows.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
• Do not drink and drive and always wear your seat belt.

While You’re Traveling!

• Turn on your headlights when your wipers are on­ it’s the law.
• Watch for wet looking roads—they could actually be frozen (referred to as black ice.)
• Use low beam lights in cases of heavy or blowing snow.
• Do not use cruise control on snow-covered roads.
• Slow down and increase following distance and avoid sudden stops and starts.
• Use extra caution on bridges and ramps where ice can often form without warning.
• Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line.
• If you do become stranded, it's recommended that you stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep the downwind window cracked open.
• Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes.

Hey, Let’s be Careful out There!

Even if you don’t have the time to put together a winter emergency travel kit, please consider including some extra warm clothing and gloves, a blanket, an ice scraper, sand, non­perishable food, and anything else you may need to accommodate family traveling with you (special medication, baby supplies, pet food, etc.). You can never be too safe.

Reminder! The 11th annual Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Community Recreation and Environmental Center (aka, the CREC) in Haverford. 

The summit will focus on trails and on-street bicycling and pedestrian improvements and plans in Delaware County and the vicinity, and will feature presentations by regional planners, local governments, advocacy groups, and consultants. 

The free summit is open to all residents and organizations interested in learning more about trails and open space in Delco, though registration is required. To register, visit the Trail Summit registration* page on the Haverford Township Parks & Recreation Department website (linked below).

2023 Philadelphia Western Suburbs Trail Summit 

The Community Recreation and Environmental Center (CREC)

9000 Parkview Dr., Haverford, PA 19041

Sat., Feb. 4, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

*If you encounter a problem registering online, you can sign in at the door.

Last week, we asked readers to send us feedback regarding our Delaware County Weekly e-newsletter and we received numerous responses providing invaluable insights and ideas—so many that we haven't had time to respond to everyone... yet!

If you haven't responded but still wish to share your thoughts, please email us at AskDelco@co.delaware.pa.us.

What works? What is interesting to you? What would you like to see more of?

We look forward to hearing from you!

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website