Delaware

Delaware County Council greenlights 23% property tax hike

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Delaware County Council greenlights 23% property tax hike

‘Have you lost your minds?’: Proposed Delco tax hike meets fierce resistance at council meeting

During the public hearing, community members urged elected officials to find another way to fill the county coffers and avoid fiscal issues.

Kim Rankin, of Newtown Township, said the modern-day cost of living will make any tax hike hard to handle. She asked council to consider what an increase will mean for lower middle-class households like hers.

“I’m fighting every day to pay my bills and I can’t afford anymore,” Rankin said.

Nicholas Gualberti, of Springfield Township, said he understood taxes are a “necessary evil” but he wondered if there was a potential compromise that could lessen the impact on working-class Delco residents, especially younger people who cannot afford homes.

“It’s mind-blowing,” he said. “It’s discouraging to me as a young person because I make good money and it’s not the point. But it’s disheartening for all the younger people who want to keep Delaware County going and remain in Delaware County and work in Delaware County and take part in the traditions. Why would I stay here?”

Michael Straw, of Media, urged elected officials to make cuts to the budget.

“I want to raise a family here but I can’t do that if you’re going to burden us all with more costs for a ballooning government that can’t live within its means,” Straw said.

People took turns demanding answers from council members and accused the process of being devoid of transparency.

“Have you lost your minds?” Daniel Murphy, of Newtown Square, asked.

Democrats wrested majority control of Delaware County Council in 2019 for the first time since the Civil War. The new majority shepherded the creation of the county health department, the deprivatization of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and the establishment of various new programs and initiatives.

Delco was previously the largest county in the country without its own health department.

One meeting attendee used his time on the floor to applaud the council’s approach to governing, which differed from the GOP administrations of years past.

“I support this council and all of the programs I’ve heard you propose and implement over the last several years,” Mike Hoppus, of Upper Providence said. “You’ve been very transparent. These same people that are complaining about these taxes, were not here when you talked about the health department. They probably weren’t here when you talked about green space. They probably weren’t here when you talked about why we need a public prison.”

But many slammed the changes as a symbol of overspending and mismanagement. Some saw the tax hike as a broader rebuke of the party’s relatively new reign.

“The reality is this council has chosen to dramatically increase the size of government without a common sense plan to fund it,” said Frank Agovino, chair of the Delaware County Republican Party. “In short, whether you like it or not, this is your government now, in its entirety. And to say anything less insults the intelligence of voters.”

Solutions? Delco will establish budgetary commission

Marc Luca, president of Aqua Pennsylvania, said during public comment that Delco should reconsider the company’s offer to purchase the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA).

In 2019, the then-GOP-controlled wastewater authority initiated efforts to sell the system to Aqua — the same year that Democrats moved to take control of the County Council. The parties agreed to a $276.5 million agreement.

The new council majority almost immediately moved to stop the sale.

“Aqua and DELCORA already have an agreement of sale which will resolve the need for a tax increase, while reducing the annual DELCORA rate increase. We see it as a win-win,” Luca said.

Madden immediately threw water on the proposal as a “devil’s bargain.” Reuther balked at the idea of Aqua taking control of the wastewater system. She said as an Aqua customer herself, she’s seen her water bill rise 400%.

“DELCORA is not the problem here,” Reuther said. “The problem is a structural problem.”

Taylor said the county will establish a budget commission going into next year’s cycle.

“This commission will be focused on creating revenue enhancements, developing cost containment measures and reviewing our budget documentation for clarity, consistency, transparency and ease of use for our residents,” Taylor said.

The process to apply will be available in January.

Taylor said Delco is developing a real estate tax deferral program as well as a first responder tax rebate program.

“We have heard your calls to keep Delco a place where families can buy a house and raise a family,” Taylor said. “We want that too. We are going to leave this county with a stable and balanced budget, quality services, bridges, parks and trails to be proud of, and an experienced workforce that cares. It is not easy work in these difficult financial times, but with your help, we can achieve it.”

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Delaware

Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Date Posted: Saturday, December 13th, 2025

The Delaware State Police have arrested 39-year-old Neal Barnes, 52-year-old Anthony James, and 51-year-old Kevin Walker, all from Dover, Delaware, for felony drug and gun charges following three search warrants in Dover.

On December 11, 2025, members of the Kent County Drug Unit executed search warrants at three residences on the 60, 70, and 100 blocks of Vanessa Drive in Dover. The search warrants were obtained following an investigation of Neal Barnes, Anthony James, and Kevin Walker for the distribution of illegal narcotics from their residences. During the search warrants, all three suspects were detained inside their respective homes without incident, and a child was present in Walker’s residence.

During a search of Barnes’ residence, detectives found the following items:

Approximately 2.76 grams of cocaine
Approximately 99.76 grams of crack cocaine
9mm handgun and ammunition
.38 caliber handgun and ammunition
Digital scales
Drug paraphernalia

During a search of James’ residence, detectives found the following items:

Approximately 19.88 grams of crack cocaine
Approximately 52.59 grams of cocaine
Drug paraphernalia
$2,472 in suspected drug proceeds

During a search of Walker’s residence, detectives found the following items:

Approximately .69 grams of heroin
Approximately .35 grams of methamphetamine
Approximately 11.77 grams of crack cocaine
Approximately 31 ecstasy pills
Approximately 14 acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride pills
Approximately 21 buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual films

Barnes was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $57,000 cash bond.

Neal Barnes

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

James was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $146,000 cash bond.

Anthony James

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Walker was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $39,500 secured bond.

Kevin walker

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 5 counts
Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with a Child in the Dwelling

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Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Delaware

PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

Published

22 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

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Delaware

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.