Resolution to Condemn the Actions of Three Democratic Council Members to Upper Darby Township Democrats
July 28, 2022
The leadership of Upper Darby Township Council—Council President Brian Burke and Vice President Laura Wentz, as well Councilman at Large, Matt Silva—have conspired together to act in ways that neglect the needs and desires of the Democratic party. They were elected by the Democratic voters of Upper Darby, but, upon election, have rejected the stakeholders, and values, of the Democratic Party. They have committed to a course of action that includes not only delaying American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund allocation, but also obstructing the business of the Council, denying virtually any opportunity to make real and important decisions that impact the lives of the residents of Upper Darby Township. For the last two months, Council President Burke has rearranged the agenda so as to exclude township updates from the Mayor and chosen to adjourn meetings even before the business of the township has been conducted. President Burke's elected responsibility is to hold public Council meetings. Abdicating that responsibility is a rejection of democracy and a dereliction of duty.
Despite repeated requests for meetings and communications, three Democratic members of council (Burke, Wentz and Silva) have cut ties almost entirely with this committee and refuse to communicate with ANY other elected Democrat, or committee leader. How are we to move forward, as a committee or even as a township, if a small minority of Democratic elected officials won't even meet or participate in their elected roles?
We are a political party that exists to get Democrats elected and thereby ensure that our common ideals, values, and ethics are an integral part of policies that are adopted. We have done that very well over the last few years, but we have very few tools to hold our elected Democrats to account. We cannot recall them. We cannot force them to resign. If elected Democrats choose to reject the values of those who elected them, the only option we have is to take our concerns to the people and vote them out. We have helped elect Brian Burke, Laura Wentz, and Matt Silva, and now they refuse to engage with the people who helped get them elected. Further, by not standing up for the values and ideals of the Democratic Party, they have betrayed our trust and the trust of the people who voted for them.
We, the Upper Darby Democratic Committee, therefore condemn the behavior of Brian Burke, Laura Wentz and Matt Silva in conspiring to hold the ARPA funds hostage and their attempts to disregard the processes, ideals, and ethics of our Committee and therefore resolve to
Ensure that Brian Burke, Laura Wentz, and Matt Silva do not hold elected office as Democrats again in Upper Darby Township and,
Continue to hold them accountable, during their remaining tenure as elected Democrats, when their actions do not reflect the values and ideals of our party.