Heated public comments target council over taxes and a councilmember’s finances

A crowded public‑comment period at the Delaware County Council meeting on Jan. 21 centered on property‑tax increases, county spending and pointed accusations directed at Chair Richard Womack.

Charles (Charlie) Alexander opened the public‑comment period with a string of allegations against the council and named elected officials, accusing them of costing taxpayers "hundreds of millions," losing a court case tied to a property (referred to from the podium as the Don Juanella/Delco Woods matter), and practicing nepotism. "Resign you ignorant lying commie tyrant," Alexander said from the podium, prompting the moderator to call for order.

Several residents and community leaders pushed back against that tone and urged civility. State Rep. Regina Young (representing parts of Philadelphia and Delaware counties) told the room, "We all have division...My hope is that you're following the movement of government and not necessarily just the personal lives of people." Multiple speakers urged constituents to make appointments with council members to pursue constructive solutions.

Other commenters criticized county tax policy and the council’s schedule changes: speakers said the county tax bill is 19% higher than last year and cited a compounded 50% increase since 2023. Residents asked the council to restore evening meetings to improve accessibility. Several speakers highlighted individual cases: the loss of a longtime homeowner’s house in Upper Darby (Gloria Gaynor) drew multiple references as a symbol of hardship caused by tax sales and collection practices.

Defenders of Chair Womack also spoke. Michelle Scofield noted that Womack "is on a current and approved payment plan" and framed payment plans as lawful and common; several other residents, including veterans and union representatives, described personal experiences supporting Womack. An executive who identified herself as the executive director of Schuylkill River Greenways said her nonprofit used Paycheck Protection Program assistance during the pandemic and urged listeners to check facts before levelling accusations.

Solicitor Aubrey and other officials reminded the public of legal limits on the county's ability to intervene in tax‑sale proceedings. "We are unfortunately limited by the law," Aubrey said, adding the solicitor's office will review whether additional interventions are available around the time of tax sales. The chair and council members acknowledged the public's concerns and invited continued engagement, while also noting that some remedies may require state‑level changes.

The meeting moderator repeatedly cautioned speakers to keep decorum; public‑comment time was capped at three minutes per person and the moderator warned against back‑and‑forth exchanges from the floor.