Delaware County is losing another icon.
Nick Micozzie is retiring. Upper Darby will never be quite the same.
Micozzie has represented the 163rd District in the state House for more than three decades.
The Republican last year was named to head the majority chairman of the powerful House Transportation Committee, and was crucial in the battle to get that massive $2.3 billion transportation package through the Legislature.
Just last Friday Micozzie was at Secane Train Station with Gov. Tom Corbett again delivering the goods - the OK for a massive expansion of the station.
The Republican is probably best known as a guy who was not in the least bit shy about delivering for his constituents. Simply put, Nick Micozzie brought home the bacon. Whether it was WAMS or redevelopment money, Upper Darby, Aldan and William Penn School District always got their fair share. And Micozzie is the reason why.
A few years back when the Upper Darby School District was up in arms over a proposal to make drastic changes in the curriculum - cutting art, music and library in addtion to staff cuts - it was Micozzie who found the money needed to stave off disaster.
The move means the end of an era in Upper Darby politics at the state level.
Longtime state Rep. Mario Civea, who likewise represented the 164th district in the township for decades, stepped down a few years ago and won a seat on County Council.
Civera could see the handwriting on the wall, in a changing demographic in the district.
Now Micozzie is hanging up his hat as well.
That's a lot of clout that benefited the citizens of Upper Darby and Delaware County in Harrisburg.
It will be very tough to replace.
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