Ann O'Keefe on the Issues

Best Business Practices for Delaware County Council

When was the last time you accepted a bid to repair your home from only one contractor?

It’s time our County Council to be as responsible for your tax dollars as you are for your own investment and finances.

No bid contracts and pay to play business arrangements must end. The one party power addition is a financial detriment for all County residents.

Voters might think this is an easy fix. Yet, when our County’s political climate is one that encourages party patronage jobs, the one party machine with its “invested” interest will not let go without a fight.

Let’s stop the erosion of public confidence with elected officials. Electing a Democrat to Council would finally incorporate a two party system and provide oversight and increase accountability.

Best business practices and fiscal responsibility must be the standard for the transaction of all County government business.

An open transparent County administration is a healthy government for all County residents.

Our County’s Environment…


It is important that residents of Delaware County – “think green” and “live green”. It is also essential that our county government works with its residents, local businesses and environmental leaders to ensure that the quality of life in Delaware County is as good as it can be.

With Pennsylvania producing about 1% of the world’s man-made greenhouse gases, Delaware County needs to do its part to decrease these emissions. Neighboring counties are studying ways and introducing programs to help reduce greenhouse gases. County Council can make positive steps by investing in clean, efficient vehicles (i.e. hybrid and alternate fuel cars) reviewing and improving energy efficiency in county buildings, and requiring new buildings to meet energy efficient standards. County government should also be reviewing and investing in alternate energy sources. Purchasing a higher volume of energy from renewable sources is a sound investment not only for the environment but also for the taxpayer.

By taking these positive environmental steps now, our County would save taxpayers money while helping our environment.


Open Space and The Blue Route Divide …

Too often when discussing the issue of “Open Space”, people assume that land conservation is a concern in the western section of our County. On the contrary, “Open Space” is a county-wide issue and one that I frequently refer to as the “The Blue Route Divide.”

Our County must take steps to conserve and protect undeveloped tracts of land from over-development in our western municipalities. Protecting land tracts from anxious developers not only preserves the natural landscape but also lessens many serious environmental concerns such as stormwater management issues and increased traffic congestion. More homes… more people… more cars creating more gashouse emissions.

East of the Blue Route, we need to continue to revitalize and enhance established communities by committing to green space. Returning abandoned houses and lots into a green community area should be a continuing priority for County Council.

County Council must be diligent with the review of grants and environmental funds that can be used for all land protection and preservation. A two party County Council will make sure that there is coordination with the State and County municipalities so that all funding avenues are explored and utilized.

Residents should be aware that Delaware County is the only suburban county in this region that has not passed an open space bond issue. Current Council has appointed a task force to review these issues. However, Delaware County is not an island community in our Commonwealth. It is time to propose an open space referendum so Delaware County residents may decide.

Why a County Health Department

Delaware County remains the largest county in Pennsylvania (as well one of the largest counties in the United States) without a county public health department.  Currently, Delaware County relies upon a Department of Intercommunity Health staffed with four people who are not certified in public health or have a medical background.

Establishing a County Health Department would help ensure county wide health protection by uniformly overseeing health matters by through permitting, licensing and inspecting eating and drinking establishments, camps and campgrounds, mobile home parks, swimming pools, on-lot sewage systems and individual’s wells. County public health officials would monitor health status in order to identify ‘community’ health problems.  They would identify and investigate health problems and health hazards within the community.  They would also educate people about health issues.

Reasons for A County Health Department

The current system of relying upon the Department of Intercommunity Health does not provide a process for surveillance, investigation or monitoring health issues within the county.  The county does not employ a staff epidemiologist or even a physician as part of the existing Department of Intercommunity Health.  Residents rely solely upon Township health officers to enforce and provide some sort of oversight.

Significant numbers of health care experts believe that the only way to be prepared for a countywide health emergency is to have a county health department system in place.  The Pennsylvania State Department of Health is also concerned that it would be unable to effectively respond to the counties without health departments.

County public health professionals can mobilize community partnerships to:

• Identify and solve health problems that may arise.
• Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
• Link people to needed personal and environmental health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. 

Establishing a county health department is an investment for the health, safety and welfare of all Delaware County residents.