IT’S (TWO) PARTY TIME!
DEMS PREPARE TO FILL 2 SEATS ON COUNCIL, 3 ROW OFFICES AFTER HISTORIC WIN AT POLLS
MEDIA » As their swearing-in day approaches, Democratic winners of countywide say Republicans have been very gracious in preparing them to be mission ready.
On Jan. 2, a slate of Democrats – county Councilmen-elect Kevin Madden and Brian Zidek, Sheriff-elect Jerry Sanders, Controller-elect Joanne Phillips and Register of Wills-elect Mary Walk – will their oaths of office during elaborate ceremonies in Courtroom 1 at the Media Courthouse.
They’ll be the first Democrats to do so in decades. No Democrat has served on county council since the Home Rule Charter took effect in 1980, eliminating a requirement for minority party representation.
That fact has not been forgotten by the county government newcomers, although they say most of their attention has been on learning what they can about their respective offices.
“We’re very excited for the upcoming swearing in,” Madden said, “but, frankly, Brian and I have been busy since the days after the election meeting with people inside and outside county government so that we can hit the ground running when we officially take office.”
He was grateful that his GOP counterparts have been willing to assist the newcomers.
“I’d like to thank and acknowledge our soon-to-be colleagues on county council, as well as Executive Director Marianne Grace and many others within Delaware County, for being nothing but helpful in getting us up to speed on the state of affairs inside county operations,” Madden said.
Attempts to reach Zidek were unsuccessful.
County Councilman John McBlain, a Republican, said the incumbents reached out to Madden and Zidek a day or two after the November election and have met with them on several occasions.
“We wanted to provide them with as much information as we can,” McBlain said. “We will continue to do that ... I think it benefits everyone.”
He said he’s given the incoming councilmen tours of the courthouse and government facilities, allowing them to meet many of the department heads. They’ve also visited the Fair Acres Geriatric Center and there are plans to visit the 911 Center, the prison and other county facilities.
“It’s been a team effort,” McBlain said, explaining that Grace sat with Madden to review the budget in detail.
Other incoming Democrats repeated Madden’s sentiments.
“The current controller, Ed O’Lone, and his senior staff have been very gracious and spent some time with me,” Phillips said. “I would like it to have been formalized but I think it’s a new thing for everybody. I think it’ll be ready for me when I get there.”
She said she’s been introduced to people with different roles in the office and had major processes handled by the office explained to her.
Phillips said O’Lone and his staff spent several hours going through their routine and she shadowed him as well.
“You sense a little apprehension from people but for the people that are working hard, it will be exciting,” she said.
That’s something she herself is prepared to do.
“I think I’ll have a lot to learn and I’ll have to dig in when I get there,” Phillips said.
Sanders had nothing but compliments for incumbent Republican Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper, whom he defeated in November.
“She has been wonderful in the transition,” he said. “She’s been gracious. She’s been open and permitted to being available to any questions I might have or that may arise. She’s a great lady.’
Sanders said Hopper escorted him throughout the courthouse and introduced him to all of deputies who were there at the time.
“I couldn’t ask for any more of a reception in this transition than she gave me,” he said. “What I really liked about it is we do run on party tickets but it’s people first.”
He said he found an experience of good will there at various levels from political officials to special interest groups.
“They’re concentrating on something specific that will benefit everyone and I really like that and we have to support that,” Sanders said. “How can you not empathize with mothers of murder victims or (those advocating for) more responsible weapons causes? Opioid problems? These things don’t discriminate – they hurt everyone.”
Of his reception, he said, “It’s just been a lot of good will here in Delaware County.”
Mary Walk, incoming Register of Wills, likewise said her transition is going very well.
“I have met with the current Register of Wills (Jennifer Holsten Maddaloni) and chief deputy several times and have been introduced to the office staff,” she said. “I should be able to hit the ground running when I take office.”
Both Democrats and Republicans hope the cordial attitude continues.
“So far, the impression (incumbent county Councilmen) Michael (Culp), Colleen (Morrone) and John (McBlain) have given is that they share our priority that county council be an agent for progress in the community and they want to see a smooth transition to bipartisan governance in Delaware County,” Madden said. “We’ve been elected to run county operations and deliver services to the community as smoothly and effectively as possible, not to engage in endless partisan bickering. I hope that mindset continues when we take office.”
He said he plans to look for areas of commonality.
“We’ll prioritize areas where we can find common ground, and one of those areas I hope will be in bringing increased transparency and the highest standard of ethics to county government. In this time of transition, I think this is an area that benefits both sides.” McBlain said there hasn’t been a precedent for this situation. “It’s new,” he said. “I tell people it’s different, that’s all. It’s different, it’s a bit of a change but that’s OK.”
McBlain said the incumbents are open to hear the ideas that Madden and Zidek will bring, especially as the incumbents have a history of trying to fight a culture of, “Oh, that’s how it’s always been done.”
“They bring a lot of fresh new ideas,” McBlain said. “They bring skills and expertise to the table and we hope to use them.”