Applicants wanted to fill Upper Darby council vacancy
UPPER DARBY » An open call has been announced to fill a vacancy that will be left by Upper Darby Councilwoman Barbarann Keffer when she is sworn in as mayor on Jan. 6.
The mayor-elect announced that any qualified and interested township resident looking to fill her at-large seat on council through 2021 is asked to submit a resume or statement of interest to UDTransition@gmail. com no later than 12 p.m. on Dec. 27.
A decision should be made in the new year with a new Democratic majority of the 11-person council.
“I’ve been going doorto-door here for a decade talking about openness and transparency and that’s what people want and that is exactly what I am going to deliver in this process,” said Keffer in a press release. “Upper Darby residents deserve the very best serving them in their government and I am confident that our council will do a thorough and fair job appointing my successor.”
Keffer wanted to help the process along as the township transitions into a new era of Democraticrule after being a Republican stranglehold for generations. The appointment is set to be one of the first key decisions the council will make with Republicans in the minority.
In November, Democrats claimed four of five seats on council with only Matt Silva losing his challenge to Republican incumbent Lisa Faraglia in the 2nd District race. Only Sheikh Siddique, of the 6th District, was the Democratic incumbent to win (unopposed) in the elections. At-large victors Michelle Billups and Brian Burke plus 4th
District challenger Danyelle Blackwell are all firstterm Democrats who will be sworn-in with Keffer on Jan. 6. They will join party members Councilwomen Sekela Coles (7th District) and Laura Wentz (at-large) and 5th district Councilman Bob Gwin to form a 7-3 majority to pick Keffer’s replacement. Republican council members Faraglia, Don Bonnett and Tom Wagner round out the slate that will help choose Keffer’s replacement.
If the Democratic majority elect to appoint one of their party members to the vacancy, the party will hold an 8-3 majority.
“I’ve been going door-to-door here for a decade talking about openness and transparency and that’s what people want and that is exactly what I am going to deliver in this process.”
— Barbarann Keffer