Dear Lansdowne Friends and Neighbors,
What a beautiful October! As the leaves change and the days become cooler, our community continues to celebrate and grow stronger. Council continues to remain busy this autumn working for the goals of building the Lansdowne Community.
This November and December, Council continues to work on a budget for next year and plans to retain the excellent services in Lansdowne in our sanitation department, police department, code enforcement and continue with investment in projects to continue the economic development and improvements in quality of life issues for all residents in Lansdowne Borough.
In the coming months, please note that Lansdowne Borough Council will be considering the following issues as highlights.
Public Safety:
First, I would like to thank Chief Ken Rutherford for his service as Police Chief to Lansdowne Borough and our police officers for the professionalism within our community. Over the past year, as our Chief of Police, Chief Rutherford has worked with Council under the guidance of Vice President Sinoe Naji-Taylor and the Mayor to earn accreditation for the Lansdowne Police Department and continues to work with our department to develop practical policies for the department and public safety solutions within the community
Also, Lansdowne Borough Council continues to work with our police officer’s union to settle the terms of the new contract with our officers.
Community Relations:
On September 30th, the Borough of Lansdowne hosted a career fair for a Celebration of Labor. The event organized by Councilmember William Griffin IV provided resources for individuals looking for a career pathway into the trades of technical education.
Council President Benjamin Hover, Vice President Sinoe Naji-Taylor, and Councilmember Will Griffin were joined by State Senator Tim Kearney, Upper Darby Councilmember Michelle Billups, and East Lansdowne Mayor Joe Bland to welcome the trades and support the career fair.
Thank you Councilmember Will Griffin for organizing the event. Thank you to the residents who attended. Lansdowne Borough Council wants to also thank the many labor organizations for coming to Lansdowne. Read more here…
On October 15th, Lansdowne Borough Council and Mayor Magda Byrne were delighted to host Traci Smith and Tracis’ BIO in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness walk in Lansdowne. Read more here…
On October 22nd, Lansdowne Borough Council and Mayor Magda Byrne hosted a dedication ceremony and celebration for Rap Curry Park “The Center.” Members of the Newman Hackett Curry family spoke about the legacy of Rap Curry and also the importance of “The Center” to the community and neighborhood in South Lansdowne. The celebration was well attended and numerous participants joined in the celebrations and participated in the 3 on 3 tournament. Thank you to Rylee Curry for helping to coordinate the event. Thank you to Khalil Shearlds and Leon Howard for coordinating the 3 on 3 tournament. And, thank you to Kia’s Cakes, Travers Food Market, and Leo’s Cafe for providing the cake and food for the event. Read more here…
Finance/ Administration:
Lansdowne Borough Council continues to work on the budget for 2024. At the Lansdowne Borough Council meeting on October 18th , Lansdowne Borough Council discussed the 2024 Budget with recognition of two sources of expenditures that require new sources of revenue: 1.) The expenditure for the contract with Narberth Ambulance Company 2.) An increase to the MMO—Minimum Municipal Obligation—to satisfy our obligations to the Police Pension Fund.
As a result of the increase, Lansdowne Borough Council is considering the possibility of an increase to the Earned Income Tax. To allow for this possibility, Lansdowne Borough Council voted unanimously to advertise ordinances to raise the Earned Income Tax to either a .25% increase or a .5% increase.
Lansdowne Borough Council will continue to discuss the budget through November and December. We encourage all residents to attend meetings and participate in the discussions.
Comprehensive Plan/ Facilities:
Lansdowne Borough Council is nearing the completion of the Comprehensive Plan. Over the past two years, the Comprehensive Plan Ad Hoc Committee has worked to provide surveys, public input sessions, focus groups among the many strategies to develop the plan. On October 11th, the Planning Commission held a public meeting for final review.
On November 8th, Lansdowne Borough Council will host a special meeting to host a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan. If there are no substantive changes, Lansdowne Borough Council will vote on the possible adoption of the plan at the November 15th Borough Council Meeting.
At the November 8th Special Meeting, Lansdowne Borough Council will also discuss the next stages of the facilities development.
Save the Date:
Please save the upcoming dates for many great events in Lansdowne and for informative meetings.
October 27th: Open Sound Lansdowne—7:00 PM-10:00 Lansdowne Landing (Rain Location: Twentieth Century Club)
October 28th: Borough Halloween Party—11:00 AM—Lansdowne Landing
October 31st—Halloween—Be safe! Happy Trick or Treating.
November 1st: Borough Council Meeting—7:00—Borough Hall
November 7th: Election Day
November 8th: Borough Council Special Meeting/ Public Hearing—6:00—Borough Hall
November 11th: Veteran’s Day Dinner—6:00—Twentieth Century Club; hosted by the American Legion Post 65
November 15th: Borough Council Meeting—7:00—Borough Hall
November 18th: Open Forum to provide feedback on Veteran’s Park design feedback—10:00 AM to 12 PM—Borough Hall
November 23rd: Thanksgiving—Borough offices closed.
November 24th (4-8) and November 25th (10-4)—A Bit of the Arts—Twentieth Century Club
Happy Halloween!
Hope to see you around town with the many ghouls, goblins, and creative costumes for Halloween! May the Red October continue with success. Go Phils! Go Birds!
Please remember to vote!
See you around town in Lansdowne!
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hover
President
Lansdowne Borough Council