Hopefully, 2016 will deliver happiness for all
A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.
LAUREL: To 2016. Welcome Baby New Year. Did you by any chance bring a state budget with you? How about a new coach for the Eagles?
DART: To the sad list of names that accompanies our lead story today. Yes, the murder rate was down in Delaware County in 2015. It’s still too high. Indeed, death does not take a holiday.
DART: To the gunshots that rang out in the city of Chester all too often last year. There were 34 homicides in Delaware County last year. Of those, 24 occurred in the city.
LAUREL: To the Mummers. Nothing quite screams Philadelphia like strutting on New Year’s Day. Oh Dem Golden Slippers indeed. Always a welcome sight.
DART: To the fact that for years the parade left much to be desired in terms of diversity and inclusiveness. That is changing with the inclusion of several groups that joined the march this year. Welcome to all.
DART: To the Pennsylvania Legislature. Six months later, and still no state budget in place. Nice work if you can get it. They need to get back to Harrisburg right now and hammer out a new spending plan.
LAUREL: To Gov. Tom Wolf. This week he relented and at least released some emergency funding that will allow schools to reopen after the holidays, and also deliver much-needed relief to social services and counties that have been footing the state’s bill. But the fact remains
that’s this is truly half a loaf.
DART: To Chip Kelly. He arrived three years ago from the University of Oregon amid much fanfare. But after turning the team around, posting a 10-6 record and going to the playoffs in Year One, the Eagles have now regressed two straight years. This year, after Kelly pulled a power play to gain control of all personnel moves, they will have a losing record and miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Owner Jeff Lurie canned Kelly earlier this week, even before the team’s last game. It was the right call.
LAUREL: To Lurie. Sure, he was the one who set all this up. But he took decisive action when it was needed. Now let the rebuilding begin.
DART: To the end of the line for Media’s iconic Towne House restaurant. The landmark on Baltimore Pike now stands shuttered, but the memories will last forever.
LAUREL: For those wishing to get a piece of Towne House memorabilia and preserve some of those memories, you’re in luck. Much of the material that adorned the Towne House’s walls will be auctioned off.
DART: To the news that the merger of DuPont and Dow will cost 1,700 jobs in nearby Delaware. DuPont has been the backbone of the First State for generations, but this news put a damper on the holidays across the state and region. It’s an economic knockout.
LAUREL: To Cardinal O’Hara High School. The archdiocesan high school recently hosted an event at which a POW-MIA chair was dedicated, a reminder to all of the sacrifices of POW-MIAs. Never let it be said they don’t remember at O’Hara.
DART: To the never-ending saga of Monsignor William Lynn. After a state appeals court once again tossed out his conviction for endangering the welfare of children, Philly D.A. Seth Williams is asking the full appeals court to review the case. Lynn has served most of his three- to six-year sentence. Now he will look to clear his name.
DART: To past archdiocese officials, who clearly were more interested in protecting the image of the church than helping victims of priest sexual abuse. It turns out Lynn took the fall for superiors who largely escaped any legal ramifications for their actions.
DART: To Bill Cosby. It seemed to take forever, but after a litany of women came forward to lodge complaints, he now faces a felony charge of sexual assault in Montgomery County. It’s hard to believe how far “Dr. Huxtable,” a father figure to so many, has fallen.
LAUREL: It would be wise to remember that this is simply an allegation, one of a slew lodged against the famous comedian. And also to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. They used new material in a deposition to bring the charges against the Cos, just days before the statute of limitations would expire on that allegation as well.
LAUREL: To Fiore “Chick” Peticca. He has retired after serving 32 years as a Ridley commissioner. That’s a lifetime of community service.
LAUREL: To local author Robert “Bing” Bingham. He’s penned a book that recalls his days growing up in Lansdowne. It’s a great trip down memory lane for anyone familiar with the eastern end of the county.
DART: You just can’t beat Rose Tree Media for a little strife. The school board recently voted to OK a healthy bonus for Superintendent Jim Wigo, who has been under fire by groups who oppose some of his actions as leader of the district. Among them was the controversial move to banish a popular elementary school principal. Only one member of the board voted against the $6,667 bonus. Two others abstained.
LAUREL: To CASA. That stands for the county group that helps troubled young people put their lives back on the right path. They recently marked their 1,000th referral. Kudos to them.
DART: To the huge need for such services. Growing up has never been harder. Kids today have much, but they have problems previous generations never had to deal with.
LAUREL: To the Upland community. As usual, when asked, Delaware County residents responded to a plea for help. The borough police department led the charge to make sure a young girl and her family had a Christmas. Well done, folks.
LAUREL: To all those who donated to our annual Merry Christmas Fund. No, we did not hit our goal. But we did fill the coffers of the Chester Salvation Army to the tune of more than $30,000. We’ll be back for another drive next year.