It was a day of firsts on Jan. 3, 2022, at the swearing-in and reorganization sessions of the Delaware County Council.

By the time the reorganization was completed, the council was the most diverse ever seen in county history, with a female chairman and vice-chairman, and two African American members.

The historical event started with a 10 a.m. Induction Ceremony in The Honorable John V. Diggins Ceremonial Courtroom at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

President Judge Kevin F. Kelly presided over the ceremony, which included the swearing-in of new councilman Richard Womack, Jr.

He joined incumbent Councilmembers Kevin M. Madden, Monica Taylor, Elaine Paul Schaefer, and Christine Reuther on Council.

The reorganization meeting took place immediately afterward.

Dr. Monica Taylor was elected by her colleagues as chairman of County Council, replacing incumbent Brian Zidek, who opted not to seek another term.  Dr. Taylor had served as vice chairman for the past two years.

The vice-chairman position went to Councilwoman Elaine Paul Schaefer.

About Councilman Womack

Voters elected Councilman Womack to a four-year Council term in the November 2021 General Election.

He previously represented the Second Ward on the Darby Township Board of Commissioners, serving since 2009.

He was vice president of the Darby Township board in 2015 and president in 2018.

Councilman Womack has also served as an advisor to the President for community and religious affairs for the National AFL-CIO, a federation of 55 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women.

He has received the National NAACP “Labor of the Year Award,” the A. Phillip Randolph’s “Community Activist Award,” the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist “Labor of the Year Award” and the Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Social Justice Award.”

Other offices

Newly re-elected County Controller Joanne Phillips was also sworn in for a second four-year term at the ceremony.

Her Oath of Office was administered by Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly D. Eckel and the introduction was by her sister, Carol L. Roberts.

The presentation of the Certificate of Election was done by Controller Phillips’ brother, James E. McPhillips, and the Bible she was sworn in on was held by Mary J. Walk, the Director of the Office of Judicial Support.

The invocation was given by Reverend Warren D. Mays, Sr., of the Second Baptist Church of Media.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by United States Army Veteran Maura A. “MO” Gillen and the National Anthem was performed by Dean Fagiolo, a Media Theater student.

Newly re-elected Councilman Kevin Madden, Sherriff Jerry Sanders, and Register of Wills Rachel Ezell Berry were sworn in during small private ceremonies prior to the public swearing-in.

Find out more about county council and county government.