It's been a long time since a Democrat has had a seat on Delaware County Council.
You have to go back to the mid-'70s, when the county passed the Home Rule Charter, which mandated that all five council seats be filled at-large. Bill Spingler is the last Democrat to sit on the council.
That's in the news again because there is a vacancy on Delco's ruling body. It was created when Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle won election to the state Senate, to fill the 26th District seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Ted Erickson.
Three Democrats have thrown their hat into the ring for the seat: Former Lansdowne Mayor Jayne Young, Media borough tax collector Bob Dimond, and the Rev. Keith Collins, from the Church of the Overcomer in Trainer.
Democratic Party boss David Landau sounded a familiar tune when it comes to hopes that a Democrat would be tapped to fill the position.
"The members of the Delaware County Council have a responsibility to serve all of their constituents regardless of party affiliation," he said. "I hope that they will seriously consider adding a much-needed minority voice to their ranks."
I hope he's not holding his breath.
I seriously doubt that's going to happen.
Republican Party Chairman Andy Reilly makes a good point. Since the people elected a Republican, McGarrigle, to the post, shouldn't his replacement also come from the GOP.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to have another voice at the table.
They must get tired of all those 5-0 votes. They don't even have maverick Andy Lewis around any more to cast the rarest of Delco Council items - a no vote.
So far there is no timetable for naming a replacement. Council Vice Chairman Mario Civera says they have received nine applications. No Republicans have gone public with a desire to be named to council. Civera says council will interview the candidates and make an appointment in early January.
Since McGarrigle came from Springfield, you might see a replacement also come from the township or the central part of the county.
Rocco Polidoro anyone? Nah, that's probably not going to happen either.
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