Eligible voters living at Fair Acres, some of whom have voted in every election since the 1940s, are being issued colorful identification cards, complete with a photograph and expiration date, which meet new Department of State requirements for voting on Nov. 6.

Delaware County Council and the Fair Acres administration are issuing the photo identification cards to residents at the county’s skilled care facility so residents are able to vote at the polling place on Election Day. Some Fair Acres residents do opt to vote by absentee ballot.

County Council Vice-Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., council’s liaison to Fair Acres, and Councilman Dave White, council’s liaison to the Election Bureau, visited the Staff Development Office at Fair Acres last week, where a camera and ID card printer is set up. The ID card is printed with the Fair Acres logo, the county seal, the individual’s name and photograph, and a current expiration date.

The first residents to receive their photo ID card included Dorothy Greene, 95, who spent most of her life in Broomall and always votes; Phil McLaughlin, 70, a Media native who has never missed an election; and James Wood, 47, an avid sports fan who also exercises his right to vote.

Lillian Obenland, 83, was happy to have the photo ID for many uses, but particularly to “make sure I vote to get the right person in office.”

Gloria Kluka, who turns 80 in September, said she has been voting since she was 21 and will be sure to vote in November.

“We value our residents at Fair Acres and we want to ensure that they enjoy the best quality of life possible, including the ability to exercise their right to vote,” White said.

Council, the Election Bureau and Voter Registration staff are working to inform residents about the new Pennsylvania Voter ID law, enacted in the spring. All voters will be required to show an acceptable photo ID, one with an expiration date that is current, to be eligible to vote at the polls in the Nov. 6 General Election. On March 15, Pennsylvania became the 16th state in the nation to require voters to show photo identification at the polls, starting with the November general election.

Current information on the Voter ID law is available at the state’s website at www.VotesPA.com and there is a link to that site on the county website at www.co.delaware.pa.us.

“This is a significant change in the way that people vote in Pennsylvania and it is our goal to ensure that the voting process is accessible and open to all registered voters,” White said. “In talking to residents, we recognize that people have questions, particularly senior citizens, and we want to be sure that people have the correct information on what constitutes acceptable photo ID, how they obtain a photo ID and how that impacts people who vote by absentee ballot.”

To prepare voters for the new requirement, the DOS has a special Resource Center section on its website, VotesPA.com, with various FAQ documents that detail the various forms of acceptable ID.

“Leading up to the General Election, we will provide information to help residents understand this new law. We plan to conduct outreach to senior centers and through our libraries and human service agencies to ensure that people are informed and can access the necessary identification,” White said. “We don’t want anyone to forgo their right to vote because they can’t access a photo ID.”

The councilman said senior citizens have already called the Voter Registration and Bureau of Election departments asking about the new law. Many questions are about absentee ballots.

There are new identification requirements for absentee ballots. Under the new law, voters must provide their driver’s license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number or a copy of an accepted photo ID when applying for an absentee ballot.

“Our goal is to make this a smooth transition for voters. We are ready to help with your questions,” White said.

White said information on the new requirements is available on the county website at www.co.delaware.pa.us. People can call 1-877-VotesPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit www.VotesPA.com.

The voter ID laws have been facing legal challenges in various states, including Pennsylvania, so it’s important for voters to stay informed throughout the election cycle.

Deadline to register to vote in the November General Election is Oct. 9; deadline to apply for a civilian absentee ballot is Oct. 30.

Responding to an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the greater Philadelphia region, the Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health Coordination is reminding parents to immunize their children as well as themselves against this highly contagious and preventable disease.

More than 200 cases are reported each year in Pennsylvania, mostly in children, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is a disease involving the lungs and airways that is spread through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
Pertussis is most severe for babies and about 1 in 20 infants with pertussis get pneumonia. The most common way to diagnosis pertussis is through a nasal swab.

The main symptom for pertussis is a chronic cough, which can be a rapid coughing followed by a high-pitched whoop as the person takes a breath.
However, not everyone with pertussis has a whoop, especially very young infants and symptoms may also be milder in older children and adults.

Symptoms usually start 5 to 10 days after exposure to another person with the disease, but may take as long as 20 days to start.           

“We are working with the Immunization Coalition, the state Department of Health, and our public health partners to raise awareness about pertussis,” said Mario J. Civera Jr., vice chairman of Delaware County. “We want all of our children to be healthy throughout the school year. We want to make sure that families know about pertussis and that they get the necessary immunizations, especially for their children.

“Those most at risk of complications are infants and also adults with compromised immune systems. This is a preventable illness. Prevention is our best weapon against this disease.”

The best way to prevent and control pertussis is through vaccination in children. Pertussis vaccine is given to children under the age of seven.
Children should receive four doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTAP) by 19 months and an additional dose before the kids start school.

In addition to the vaccinations, people are also reminded that immunity from their initial pertussis vaccine wanes after five to ten years. It is recommended that adolescents and adults get a combination of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellualar pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for booster immunization.

“The best practice is to check with your family physician and determine if you are fully immunized against pertussis,” Civera said. “People should ask their physician if they are up to date with the recommended vaccines which are Dtap for infants and children and Tdap for adolescents and adults.”

For more information about pertussis visit www.co.delaware.pa.us or visit www.vaccinesforlife.com. For more information about immunization recommendations visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Veterans now living at Fair Acres, Delaware County’s skilled care facility in Middletown, shared memories of World War II during a ceremonial event aimed at keeping the Spirit of ’45 alive — a spirit of self-sacrifice, courage and patriotism.

The Spirit of ’45 event was hosted Aug. 16 at Fair Acres by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, one of several hospice providers at Fair Acres, in cooperation with Delaware County Council and the Fair Acres administration.

Fair Acres residents and veterans of all wars were treated to an honor guard presentation, “Echo Taps,” a gun salute and a special cake depicting the famous VJ Day kiss between a serviceman and a nurse. The honor guard, “Taps” and salute were provided by members of Veterans of Foreign War Post 3461 in Media.

Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran and Council’s liaison to Fair Acres, said the goal of the Spirit of ’45 movement is to honor everyone for their collective and personal sacrifice during World War II, both those who served in uniform and those on the homefront who supported the troops.

“In 2010, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution recognizing the second Sunday in August as ‘Spirit of ’45 Day’ to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 14, 1945,” Civera said. “We take this time to thank our veterans, to honor them, and to tell younger generations their story of bravery and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.”

George Schiavo, a VITAS representative from Drexel Hill, joined Councilman Civera and state Rep. Nicholas Miccarelli in presenting certificates of recognition to all of the veterans in attendance. Fair Acres is home to 140 veterans of all wars, including 40 World War II veterans.

“We hope that the can-do attitude and commitment of ‘the Greatest Generation’ will help inspire a renewal of national unity in America at a time when our country must still meet historic challenges,” said Linda Frangipane, the veteran’s liaison for VITAS.

The Spirit of ’45 cake was cut by Fair Acres residents and World War II Army veterans Tom Trabacone, who served in the South Pacific, and William Sweeney, who landed on Utah beach on D-Day.

Also in attendance was U.S. Army Captain Jeremy Shiels of Havertown who is now serving with the Delaware National Guard. He attended with his grandfather, World War II veteran Michael Shiels, and also his father, Kevin of Villanova and young son Owen.

Fair Acres residents Michael Regan, an Army veteran of the Persian Gulf, Phil McLaughlin, an Army veteran of Vietnam, and Peggy Carey, a WAC (Women’s Army Corps) from World War II, were among the veterans honored at the celebration.

Delaware County veterans can now obtain a free veterans’ photo identification card at the Government Center in Media, enabling them to access discounts offered to veterans by various businesses, restaurants and services.

The new Veterans’ ID program was launched last Wednesday by Delaware County Council, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the recorder of deeds in a program also attended by several veterans.

The veterans’ ID card will be issued at no charge to all honorably discharged veterans from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at the recorder of deeds office, located in Room 108 at the Government Center.

The program enables veterans to register their DD-214 or equivalent military discharge document at the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, thereby providing a safe backup copy of this important document.

The veterans’ ID card will certify that veterans have provided the necessary documentation to support their military service. The ID card then enables veterans to access discounts offered by local businesses as a way of showing their appreciation to veterans for their service to the country.

However, to receive a photo ID card, the veteran must present a DD-214 or equivalent military discharge issued under honorable conditions and a current photo ID card such as a driver’s license.

“This is just one way that we can show our appreciation to veterans of all ages who bravely served our country in all branches of the military,” said County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran.

“We have heard from our veterans that a photo ID card would be helpful to them, and we

recognized that this was a service we could provide at the county level,” Civera said.

At the same time, the county is conducting outreach to businesses who offer veterans discounts in order to list them on the county website for Veterans Affairs.

Businesses interested in participating in the veterans discount program can contact the County Veterans Affairs office at (610) 891-4539.

The discounts are at the discretion of the business and will be posted on the Veterans Affairs website for an initial time period of one year. The site will be updated on a regular basis, so new businesses can be added at any time.

Each business will also receive a certificate of participation to display at their location.

“This is a great example of how county government can partner with members of our business community to provide a benefit for our veterans, and it gives businesses another way to advertise and reach customers,” Civera said. “Whether they served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, other deployments or here in the United States, we owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans, and this is one way of showing our appreciation.”

Civera was the first veteran to be issued a Veterans ID card at the county office. He also listed his business, Civera’s Deli in Upper Darby, on the discount site.

He explained that veterans who cannot locate their DD-214 or military discharge documents can apply for a copy through the Veterans Affairs office, located on the ground floor of the Government Center. This process can take several weeks.

For more information about the Delaware County Veterans ID Program, or any other veteran’s services, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 610-891-4645 or visit the website at www.co.delaware.pa.us.

All of those obsolete or defective computers and televisions in the house can be properly disposed of when Delaware County holds a Household Hazardous Waste/E-Waste Recycling Event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Upper Chichester Municipal Building, 8500 Furey, Upper Chichester.

This is the fourth and final Household Hazardous collection for 2012. Delaware County residents are invited to remove toxic products from their homes along with computers, televisions and other small electronic appliances and safely dispose of them at the Household Hazard Waste collection event.

There will be no other collection events until the spring of 2013, so if people are moving or cleaning out their homes, this is the perfect opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste such as pesticides, propane tanks, gasoline, motor oil, fungicides and antifreeze.

Delaware County Recycling Manager Sue Cordes said residents should be aware that starting on Jan. 24, 2013, the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) of 2010 will go into effect and it will be illegal to dispose of covered devices such as: computers, laptops, monitors and televisions curbside for trash pickups. Haulers will no longer be allowed to accept these items at the curb.

“Consequently the Oct. 13 collection is a good time to dispose of these electronic devices,” Cordes said. “With the growing number of electronic devices that are entering the waste stream, we saw a growing need to recycle these items responsibly.”

Rapid changes in technology, falling prices and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste. She said small appliances that will be accepted at the Oct. 13 event include stereo/DVD systems, microwaves/toasters, blenders/mixers, power tools, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, electric typewriters and adding machines. Items, which contain Freon, will not be accepted. Businesses are not eligible to participate.

Delaware County Council Vice-Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., Council’s liaison to the Solid Waste Authority, said the Household Hazard Waste collection events provide opportunities for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste in a safe, environmentally-sound manner.

“Delaware County has always been environmentally conscious. Even before it was mandated, we started one of the first curbside recycling programs in the state in the 1970s,” Vice-Chair Civera said. “Now we recognize the importance of recycling or properly disposing of all of these electronic items, or e-waste. Some of these electronics contain elements that are contaminants and dangerous to our environment.”

It is estimated that the United States tosses away 3 million tons of electronics each year

In addition to e-waste, categories of products to take to the Household Hazardous Waste

Collections include: flammables, pesticides, caustics, rechargeable household batteries, lead-acid batteries and propane tanks which weigh less than 20 pounds.

Residents may also take oil-based paint, paint thinner, varnish, kerosene, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, weed killers, fungicides, items containing mercury and cell phones.

Products which won’t be accepted at the collections are any unidentifiable waste, latex paint, asbestos, biological waste, explosives, gas cylinders, alkaline batteries, PCBs, pressurized CFCs and radioactive waste.

For additional information and a full list of recycling events and items that are accepted, visit the Delaware County website at www.co.delaware.pa.us and go to recycling, or call the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority at (610) 892-9627.

The Delaware County Solid Waste Authority’s second electronic recycling event where nearly everything with a power cord will be accepted , will be held April 27 at the Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building.

The only items with a power cord which won’t be accepted are large appliances and appliances with Freon or mercury or use gasoline.

County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. said the “Electronic Friday Recycling Event” will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the municipal complex. 8500 Furey Road, near Chichester Ave. in the township’s Boothwyn section.

Items which will be accepted include microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, electric can openers, hair dryers, curling irons, and electric tooth brushes. All power tools, with the exception of those powered by gasoline, will be accepted.

The collection is also for computers, peripherals, copiers, printers, monitors, cell and cordless phones, TVs, modems, record players, stereo/tape/CD and DVD players, speakers, electronic typewriters, electronic cash registers, adding dictaphones, paper shredders, computers, cable and power cords.

Items which contain Freon, mercury or use gasoline, large appliances, which are not acceptable. Also banned are stoves, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and thermostats.

The event is open to residents of Delaware County as well as to small businesses in the county. However, small businesses, wishing to participate, must register prior to the collection with the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority

The authority can be contacted at (610) 892-9627. Further information can be found on the Solid Waste Authority’s website at www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle.

The 2012 Delaware County Council kicked off the new term in office with a strong focus on strengthening the business and employment climate in Delaware County.

The current County Council is chaired by Thomas J. McGarrigle of Springfield, with Mario Civera Jr. of Upper Darby as vice-chairman and fellow Council members Colleen P. Morrone of Concord, John P. McBlain of Aldan and David J. White of Ridley Township.

All of the current Council members are either small business owners or have extensive business experience.

“One of the most critical challenges for County Council during tough economic times is putting people to work and keeping people in work,” McGarrigle said. “Job creation and job training are two major goals that we want to address.”

The new Council took office on Jan. 3, and immediately asked for an economic development blueprint to be developed jointly by the Delaware County Commerce Center and Office of Employment and Training.

All of the Council members know firsthand the economic challenges facing County residents. In addition, they all have experience as municipal leaders serving in their communities, which continually face budgetary concerns and issues of smart development balanced with preservation of open space.

At the Jan. 18 County Council meeting, Councilwoman Morrone announced that Council has asked Frank Carey, the county’s director of Employment and Training, and Patrick Killian, director of the Commerce Center, to work together to create a local economic development strategy.

Meetings are now ongoing to develop a strategic process to position county government in the most effective role it can play in economic development.

According to officials, County Council is committed to public safety and will partner with District Attorney Jack Whelan and the law enforcement community on such initiatives as homeland security, Internet safety, protection of senior citizens and safe schools.

County Council also intends to hold the line on government spending through the use of technology, energy efficiency and conservative fiscal planning.

County Council meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the County Government Center, 201 W. Front St., Media. Council also holds some evening meetings in the community to make it more convenient for residents to attend a Council meeting.

On March 14, County Council will meet at 6 p.m. at the Chadds Ford Township Building, 10 Ring Road. Members of the public are encouraged to come out and get to know their County Council leaders.

The second of four household hazardous waste collections to help Delaware County residents remove toxic products from their homes will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Transfer Station in Marple Township.

Residents of the five-county area under a regional collection program are permitted to take acceptable products for disposal to the site, located on Sussex Blvd. at Marpit Road, according to County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr.

There is no charge to residents to drop off the acceptable materials.

County residents can take acceptable products to locations in the five-county area as part of a coordinated regional household hazardous waste education, collection and management program, according to Civera.

Household hazardous waste products can be found in the home in the bathroom, kitchen, living areas, garage, basement and utility room, she said.

Categories of products to take to the household hazardous waste collections include flammables, pesticides, caustics, toxics, rechargeable household batteries, lead-acid batteries and propane tanks which weigh less than 20 pounds.

Residents may take oil-based paint, paint thinner, varnish, kerosene, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, weed killers, fungicides, items containing mercury and cell phones.

Residents should not mix materials. They should tighten lids on all containers. If containers are leaking, they should be packed in a larger container with newsprint to absorb the leaks.

Products should be brought in original containers with labels.

Products which won’t be accepted at the collections are any unidentifiable waste, latex paint, appliances, asbestos, biological waste, explosives, gas cylinders, alkaline batteries, PCBs, pressurized CFCs and radioactive waste.

Latex paint as well as joint compound, roof cements, asphalt sealers, caulking compounds and aerosol cans can be discarded with other residential trash. No tires or commercial or industrial waste will be accepted.

Other collections in Delaware County will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13, at Rose Tree Park and on Oct.15 at the Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building.

Rose Tree Park is on Route 252, north of U.S. 1, near Media. The Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building is at 8500 Furey Road, near Chichester Ave., Boothwyn.

The first collection was held on March 24 at the Emergency Services Training Center on the Darby Township-Folcroft Borough border.

Computer equipment, fax machines and portable televisions, as well as small appliances, will be collected on Sept. 13 in Rose Tree Park and on Oct. 13 at Upper Chichester in connection with the household waste collections scheduled for those days. They will not be accepted at the collection on April 21 at Marple Township’s Transfer Station.

An electronic recycling collection will be held on Friday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building.

Organizers recommend residents take their materials to the collection site nearest their

home. The program will be conducted as scheduled regardless of weather conditions.

A list of materials that will be collected, a full list of collections for the five-county area and directions to those collection locations are posted on the County’s Green Pages section of the County website, www.co.delaware.pa.us/green, under “Waste and Recycling.”

For additional information, contact the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority at (610) 892-9627.

Beef jerky, breakfast bars, socks, powdered drink mix, magazines and holiday greetings – anything that might make life more comfortable for service members overseas were collected by Delaware County Council and turned over to the Herbert W. Best VFW Post 928 to be shipped to troops through the VFW Post’s “We Care” program.

County Council and county employees collected cartons of items that were turned over to Thomas Brown, immediate past district commander for the VFW, and Nick Constantine, program coordinator for Herbert W. Best VFW Post 928, Ridley Township, at the Dec. 5 County Council meeting.

“We ship packages to servicemen and women in Afghanistan the third Thursday of each month,” said Brown. “You don’t read about our troops as much in the news anymore and I just wish the public would remember these guys.”

At the Delaware County Government Center, the departments of Veterans Affairs and Public Relations have collected and mailed hundreds of holiday cards and gifts to service members as part of the Armed Services Tribute Board initiative.

This year, County Council partnered with the VFW post, which uses monetary donations collected during Poppy Month in May to cover the mailing costs. Volunteers collect and pack up the donations, fill out the U.S. Customs slips, and mail the packages overseas.

“We get names of troop members from people in the community,” Constantine said. “We also send cartons to chaplains and medics, and to the U.S. hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where the service personnel wounded in Afghanistan are treated before coming home.”

Council Vice Chair Mario J. Civera Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran, thanked the VFW members for their generous efforts.

“Anything we can do to help the soldiers who are making a sacrifice to protect our freedom, anything to help them be more comfortable, this Council is committed to doing,” Civera said.

Constantine said the Herbert Best Post started the “We Care” project several years ago in partnership with a young woman who wanted to support soldiers in Iraq.

From January 2009 until November 2012, the Herbert Best Post has sent 436 boxes, weighing 9,841 pounds, and costing $6,303 in postage, to local troops overseas. Constantine said 678 volunteers have donated 1,550 hours to the “We Care” program.

“It is extremely rewarding to work with people who give their time and effort to support our soldiers,” Constantine said. “The soldiers become our family and we receive wonderful thank you letters from them.”

Constantine said people interested in donating items for the care packages or volunteering their time to package the donations can contact him at (610) 544-1066.

Vice Chair Civera reminded people that any residents with a friend or family members from Delaware County who is serving overseas is invited to post their photo on the Delaware County Armed Services Tribute Board. For information contact the county Veterans Office or Public Relations at (610) 891-4931.