‘Deana’s Law’ will deliver justice for victims of repeat DUI drivers
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 the family and friends of Deana Eckman. The 45-year-old Brookhaven woman was killed by a repeat drunk driver in February. Now those who loved her – her parents, husband and friends – are working to change Pennsylvania laws to spare another family the agony they have endured.
LAUREL: To state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown. He has taken up the mantle for Deana and is pushing Deana’s Law, a package of measures to attack the scourge of the repeat DUI offender. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Transportation Committee and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
DART: To the fear that has settled upon Norwood. Too many residents of the borough are getting sick, suffering from a variety of cancers and autoimmune diseases. People suspect problems from the old Norwood Landfill, but the Environmental Protection Agency informed more than 200 people who packed a community meeting that initial testing of the site showed it posed no health threat. Residents are not convinced. The EPA says it will continue testing.
LAUREL: To the nearly 250 people who packed that hearing to hear the results of the EPA testing. Obviously when talking about these kinds of health fears, it can be a distressing, emotional issue. Residents make they sure they delivered the message, but did so in a respectful manner. LAUREL: To Lt. Timothy Bernhardt. The veteran Upper Darby police officer was the pick of Mayor Tom Micozzie to be interim superintendent after Mike Chitwood steps down on Dec. 1. Big shoes to fill. We feel Bernhardt is up to the task.
LAUREL: To state Sen. Tim Kearney, D-26of Swarthmore, and county Emergency Services boss Tim Boyce. They held a confab at the 911 Center last week as they continue to push for answers in the string of incidents involving noxious odors that has afflicted several parts of the county. LAUREL: To the kids at
Ridley High School who snagged a top prize in PennDOT’s annual high school snow plow decorating contest. Of course the Ridley design prominently featured the school’s trademark “Rocking R” in the design.
LAUREL: To Sabold Elementary School in Springfield. The school recently was named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Well done.
LAUREL: Speaking of educational excellence, a huge thumb’s up to the six students at Saint Mary Magdalen School in Upper Providence who were named as Neumann Scholars by the Connelly Foundation.
LAUREL: To the students at Widener University who shared in the spirit of the season by making and serving a pre-Thanksgiving feast for those in need.
LAUREL: To the Knights of Columbus Peace Council No. 4518. Once again this year they served up a sumptuous holiday meal for the good sisters in the region. There are angels among us.
LAUREL: To Cheyney University. The nation’s oldest Historically Black College and University in Thornbury got some much-needed good news this week. They will keep their crucial Middle States accreditation. The school has taken its lumps in recent years, with dwindling enrollment and constant fiscal strife. But they now have a surplus and enrollment is on the upswing. Good for them.
DART: Speaking of education, a thumb’s down to Chester Community Charter School and its efforts to expand its presence in the Chester Upland School District elementary schools. An official of the Chester-Upland teachers’ union referred to the legal maneuver as a “takeover.” Public school backers are planning a rally next week, the day before a crucial court hearing on the matter.
LAUREL: Who would have thought that many people were interested in remaking Delaware County government. The new Democratic transition team put in place after Dems swept the county elections reports that more than 800 people have signed up to get involved in the 12 working groups taking part in the process.
LAUREL: To the six winners honored recently with the Delaware County Freedom Medal. They awards were handed out at the annual gala dinner. More than 600 people packed the Springfield Country Club to honor six great Americans. We add our salute!
LAUREL: To Delaware County Community College. The Marple school was honored again for the 10th consecutive year being named as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
LAUREL: To Kenneth Braithwaite. Talk about a local guy making good. The former Ridley Park resident and member of Ridley Park Borough Council has been serving as ambassador to Norway. Now President Trump is nominating him to be the next secretary of the Navy.
LAUREL: To the tradition of Turkey Bowl high school football games in Delaware County. It gets a bit complicated these days because of PIAA playoff conflicts, but some schools manage to continue this theme that has united generations. Good to see Ridley and Interboro, Chi and Sun Valley and other schools carry on this noble athletic quest.
DART: To the Eagles. They’re not giving fans a lot to be grateful for this year. The Birds continue to get carved up just like all those other turkeys did this week. Last Sunday they fell to another good team that looked eminently beatable. But the Eagles did very little on offense and lost to the Seahawks. Don’t blame this downturn on the offense. They’re doing their part. The offense has been MIA.
DART: To Joel Embiid. How is it humanly possible for the Sixers big man to play an entire game and not score a point. Embiid made amends – to a point – by scoring 33 in the team’s very next outing. But he needs to be more consistent.
LAUREL: To the Dallas Cowboys. How ‘bout dem Cowboys! Jerry Jones’ guys once again coughed it up on Thanksgiving Day, getting spanked by the Bills on national TV. Doing so means that if the Eagles can handle the lowly Dolphins Sunday in Miami, the Eagles will be back in a first-place tie in the NFC East and control their own destiny. A big thank you to the guys with those stars on their helmets.