Politics heats up U.D. Council meeting
UPPER DARBY >> Politics dominated a recent township council meeting, with two Kent Road residents argued about campaign tactics and alleged unlicensed rental properties owned by a councilman, while two other men had nothing but praise for Sixth District Councilman Sheikh Siddique.
Council member Laura Wentz, D-At large, was also criticized for a post on her Friends of Laura Face book page.
Olivia Taylor, 404 Kent Road, challenged the accountability of the entire council for allowing Siddique to continue as a councilman for allegedly owning 20 different rental properties not licensed or inspected for years.
“It’s an outrage,” Taylor said. “There ought to be some accountability. He’s done nothing but rip this township off and it’s a slap in the face to the women (tenants) he took advantage Wentz of.”
Siddique denied the woman’s claim, saying all the properties are properly licensed. That prompted Taylor to shout out, “It’s a little late.”
According to information obtained through right to know from the township, some of the properties are co-owned by Siddique and Penn Bangla and owe almost $60,000 in property taxes and sewer and trash fees, some dating to 2012.
Richard Blye, 274 Kent
Road, criticized Siddique for allegedly sending a black man into a black community to campaign on his behalf, claiming the councilman was playing “dirty politics.”
Siddique countered that he
campaigned by himself.
Ibtekhar Hossaur and Ali Quali, spoke independently of their gratitude to Siddique for his contribution to the community and their mosque.
“Mr. Siddique is always there and tries to resolve issues and problems,” Quali said.
Barbara DiLossi, 8 Copley Road, gave council members a
copy of Wentz’s post dated May 12 charging the post was “very inappropriate, highly prejudicial and divisive.”
“I was horrified to see something like this from one of my elected officials,” DiLossi said. “Instead of working to bring a community together, to me, this post is further dividing us as individuals, as neighbors and in some
cases, friends.”
She highlighted a few: “vote as if your skin is not white, your spouse is an immigrant, your son is transgender, your brother is gay, your sister is a victim of gun violence, your water is unsafe.”
Wentz did not comment on the woman’s objection.
Under council business, officials approved removal of eight
parking meters on the 4200 block of Ferne Boulevard, Drexel Hill, the soon to be new access street for the Drexelbrook Holiday Inn.
“It’s a safety issue,” Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Judge Jr. said when the request was presented. “We’ve spoken to all the businesses (on Ferne) and they are happy with it. The parking area will be redesigned.”