Resolution Condemning the Racist Conspiracy to Deny Positions of Power to Upper Darby Council Members of Color

July 28, 2022

The Upper Darby Democratic Committee condemns the actions of Council President Brian Burke.

President Burke conspired with Council Vice President and Council Member at Large Laura Wentz; Council Member at Large Matt Silva; Council Member Representing District 1, Meghan Wagner; Council Member Representing District 2, Lisa Faraglia; and Council Member Representing District 3, Brian Andruszko, in selecting white leadership and membership for the committees of consequence on Council.

According to the 2020 Census, Upper Darby Township’s population is 46% white. The majority of the population, 54%, is comprised of people who are Black or African American (34.2%), Asian (12.8%), Hispanic or Latino (6.4%), or two or more races (4.3%). Council President Burke has denied the Council members of color equitable membership on the Council committees that wield the most power and influence, namely Finance and Appropriations; Planning, Zoning and Building Codes; and Law and Government. President Burke has effectively contravened the Upper Darby electorate’s choice of diverse representation with strong Democratic values. President Burke’s recent action of appointing one person of color to one of these committees is not equity and does not reflect our township. It is doing the bare minimum.

We call on President Burke to reassign Council members to the Council committees so that they reflect the community at large and to distribute leadership equitably.