While they continue to look for another miracle in Upper Darby, today they will be celebrating a miracle of their own in Trainer.
Gov. Tom Corbett will be in Delaware County - and he's bringing good news for a change. He won't be talking about his budget, which will soon be in the crosshairs in Harrisburg as the Legislature gets down to the business of adopting a fiscal plan against a July 1 deadline.
And he likely will not be making a stop in Upper Darby, where parents are beseeching him to sit down with them to discuss cuts in the Upper Darby School District, some of which they believe are rooted in his bare bones budget plans.
No, today the governor will join County Council and a host of dignitaries in Trainer to celebrate a new life for the idled ConocoPhillips refinery.
The company announced late yesterday after the close of business that they were selling the facility to Delta Air Lines.
That was music to the ears of people like Denis Stephano, the union boss who has tirelessly sought a new owner since ConocoPhillips announced back in September that they were shutting down and seeking a buyer for the plant.
Today that miracle comes to fruition. You can read all about it here.
All indications are that the plant will be a fully operational refinery. That translates to about 400 jobs saved.
The news is not nearly as good nearby in Marcus Hook, where the iconic Sunoco refinery still sits as a rusting hulk, a forlorn symbol of a business that's hit hard times.
Yesterday Sunoco announced some news of its own. The company has been sold to a Texas pipeline company. But the sale is not expected to change Sunoco's decision to get out of the refinery business.
Their deal with the Carlyle Group for joint operation of their South Philly refinery remains in effect. But they indicate they still have no offers for the Marcus Hook plant, and will continue to explore "other options" for the site.
In the meantime, there is great joy in Trainer. Their dream has come true. Call it the miracle on the Delaware.
I couldn't be happier to roll out an old headline I've used from time to time.
For Trainer, the Lower End of Delco and lots of workers whose futures are tied to the ConocoPhillips plant, this one is for you:
IT AIN'T OIL OVER!
Bravo!
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