The sign under former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, said it all, Delaware County is at the center of this year’s presidential election.
Just one week from Election Day, Trump stopped in Drexel Hill on Tuesday for a roundtable discussion at the Drexelbrook on critical issues for the Republican Party with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as moderator of an event put on by Building America’s Future.
About 500 people gathered in the main ballroom to cheer the man who was the 45th, and for those in attendance hoping to be the 47th, president of the United States.
Trump was joined by six Delaware Valley residents who spoke about issues and concerns.
Trump began the event with a review of what he called the successful rally he held at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening, though some in Pennsylvania and elsewhere were not happy with a warm-up comedian’s insult of Puerto Rico.
Trump then moved to what he called the failures of the Biden/Harris administration, including the high cost of living, crime and the border.
Trump regaled over his endorsement by the Border Patrol agents union.
Noting the event was touted as a discussion of seniors concerns, Trump said criminals from other countries are the biggest senior concern, noting that it is a senior roundtable and what they want to do is make it safe, for everybody.
Trump spoke briefly about the border wall, saying Mexico did pay for it in one manner because Mexican soldiers helped guard workers while it was being built. He said if reelected he will get the wall finished.
Others at the table
Following his remarks, the six people at the table asked him questions or told him their concerns for the nation.
Retired Upper Darby Police Officer Donald Clark went first.
During his 32-year career Clark rose to the rank of lieutenant before retiring in 2020. Clark said he wouldn’t want to go back on the street again and he has spoken to fellow officers still on the job who suffer from burnout.
Clark attributed it to a lack of respect and a trickledown effect of lawlessness from Philadelphia and leniency there on the part of prosecutions.
“What we need is to bring back law and order,” Clark said.
Joe Rooney, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel from Abington, praised Trump for his recovering after the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
He has true grit, Rooney said.
Others who spoke included Dr. Kathleen Maguire from Upper Southampton, who said that while she works in health care it was difficult caring for her 83-year-old mom who lived in the Poconos, and who wanted to spend the rest of her life there.
As the mother’s health deteriorated, it was an issue they were not able to get federal help with because of the mother’s main asset, a large home.
Maguire also said her mother chose keeping her home. Her family supported her, but it was difficult.
Maguire said it took 2½ years to get a case manager, and it was difficult to navigate this system.
Trump said that if she should need help, he could provide it. He also, as a person interested in real estate, asked what became of the house, which had a leaking roof. It was still empty, Maguire said.
Ted Murphy, an attorney, spoke about issues for veterans care medical care and said health care given to illegal immigrants is taking away from low-income residents and homeless veterans.
Dr. Maribel C. Valdez spoke about a Medicare hotline, which she praised.
Trump asked Valdez why she is retired. She said she had an aneurism and had to retire.
Valdez who is also originally from Puerto Rico said the island stands behind him. That issue has been contentious in recent days following the Madison Square Garden rally.
The Trump supporters
Among those on hand to see Trump was Steve Johnson of Drexel Hill. He was wearing matching “Make Delco Great Again” hat and shirt. He said he was excited to see Trump in his hometown.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said. Asked about the election, he was upbeat, “I’m feeling pretty confident, but we shall see.”
Another person on hand to see Trump was Lisa Leedom, who is a committee woman from Levittown.
She has been to a number of Trump’s rallies, including Wildwood and at the Liacorous Center at Temple University, and was excited to see him again. She sported a red, white and blue cowboy hat and a red Trump hoodie.
After the panel members spoke, Trump took a few photos with those on stage and then was off to Allentown for a large rally there.
Frank Agovino, chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party, said having the former president in Drexel Hill continues the momentum for volunteers.
“Republicans have been doing great things over the year. Really, this is the icing on the cake,” he said. “There are a lot of volunteers here. It’s a nice reward for them.”
Agovino said Trump knows he needs to do better in Delaware County.
“We’ve worked alongside the Trump campaign and are doing everything to get him there,” the chairman said.
Agovino also talked about the slate of local candidates, and that with the presidential election turnout is the main thing. He said the party is doing better with registration over the past few months with 1,100 new Republicans signed up last week, alone.
He said they are also seeing parity with mail-in ballots and early voting.
“We’re clearly seeing the momentum, we just have to keep it going. … There’s a week left,” he said.
Dems, police report
Asked if they have a comment about Trump visiting Delaware County, Colleen Guiney, chair of the Delaware County Democratic Committee, released this statement: “I’m not sure why the Trump campaign is visiting Drexel Hill today, as most candidates seek to rally their supporters. In 2020, President Biden won Upper Darby Township with a vote margin of more than 35,000 votes. I look forward to a higher margin this year for VP Harris, particularly if the former president continues his divisive messaging.”
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said significant township police and fire resources were utilized for the event.
“We’re assisting the Secret Service. The state police are here with us as well. So far we don’t have any problems,” he said at noon. “No protesters, and everyone who is here is behaving themselves.”
Bernhardt said he will advocate for the PAC that put on the roundtable to pay for public safety at the event.
“It’s a big burden to us. We have to cooperate with the Secret Service and it’s a lot of manpower. A lot goes into it. We’ve been working since last week planning with the Secret Service. Hopefully that PAC (Building America’s Future) comes up with some money and they pay up.”
Bernhardt said the day went well for the department.
“A few passionate people back and forth, but no issues,” he said in a text.
