Tom Micozzie is not a happy camper. Neither is John McBlain.
Don't get me wrong. They, like everyone else in the region, are overjoyed at the arrival of Pope Francis for his historic two-day visit to the region on Saturday.
That's not what's bothering them.
It's who's going to pick up the tab that is on their minds.
Micozzie is mayor of Upper Darby Township, where 69th Street will be jumping both Saturday and Sunday as pilgrims head into the city on mass transit to see the pontiff. In addition, the Primos Train Station on the R3 Media-Elwyn line is one of only two stations on the line that will be used for passengers both getting on in the morning and departing at night.
All of this is going to cost the township a lot of money. Earlier this week, Micozzie put out a statement, along with the latest traffic plan, that put the cost to Upper Darby for police and other security measures at $200,000.
McBlain is a member of Delaware County Council. The county also is going to be seeing a fairly serious outlay of funds for the safety precautions put in place this week.
Both men were somewhat surprised when they read earlier this week that the City of Philadelphia had signed a contract with the World Meeting of Families organization that will see the agency pay the city $12 million for the costs incurred by the city.
So far, no such similar designation is being made for the suburbs.
You can read all the details here.
"As of now, neither the federal or state government has made any comitments or promised any reimbursement; nor has the World Meeting of Families promised any reimbursements of affected suburban governments," McBlain said.
He's now strongly suggesting that suburban governments that are incurring bills tied to the pope's visit to keep tabs on their costs in the event some state or federal aid becomes available.
Micozzie is taking it another step. He fired off a letter to the World Meeting of Families brass asking if they will be reimbursed for their costs. He says he has not heard back from anyone as yet.
At Primos Station, an estimated 4,000 riders will descend on the suburban rail line on Saturday and Sunday. On an average weekday, about 500 people board the train there.
Other municipalities that will have transit hubs in the county include Marcus Hook, Media-Upper Providence, and Radnor.
We'll let you know if anyone steps up to share the tab for the suburbs.
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We will once again have full live coverage of today's events at the World Meeting of Families, one day before Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia.
CLICK HERE for our daily live blog.
CLICK HERE for a look at road closures in the region.
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Here is the pope's schedule:
Here is the schedule for Pope Francis for his historic visit to the United States:
FRIDAY
• 8:30 a.m.: Addresses the U.N. General Assembly.
• 11:30 a.m.: Interfaith service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
• 4 p.m.: Meets with immigrant families at Our Lady, Queen of the Angels school in Harlem.
• 5 p.m.: Motorcade in Popemobile in Central Park.
• 6 p.m.: Celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden.
SATURDAY
• 9:30 a.m.: Arrival and greeting at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia International Airport.
• 10:30 a.m.: Celebrates Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Private event for for invited clergy and guests.
• 12:45 p.m.: Meeting with seminarians St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
• 4:30 p.m.: Speech on immigration and religious freedom at Independence Hall.
• Following the speech the pontiff will take part in Papal Parade of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Exact time to be determined.
• 7:30 p.m.: Takes part in final event of World Meeting of Families, the Festival of Families on the Parkway.
SUNDAY
• 9:15 a.m.: Meeting with international bishops at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
• 11 a.m.: Visit prisoners and families at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Holmesburg.
• Will take part in 2nd Papal Parade in the Afternoon on the Parkway, with exact time to be determined.
• 4 p.m.: Celebrates Mass at Eakins Oval. As many as a million expected to attend.
• 8 p.m.: Departs from Philadelphia International Airport.
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