Upper Darby is a lot. It’s dense, it’s diverse, and it’s arguably one of the most complicated political landscapes in Pennsylvania. If you’ve spent any time driving down Market Street or navigating the 69th Street Terminal, you know this isn't just a suburb—it’s a massive community with the heartbeat of a city. For a long time, the leadership here felt like it was stuck in a different era. But things shifted recently. Edward "Ed" Brown, the current Mayor of Upper Darby, stepped into a role that is as much about fixing old plumbing—literally and figuratively—as it is about high-level policy.
He didn't just stumble into the office.
Brown took the oath of office in early 2024, following a period of significant turnover and, frankly, some pretty loud political drama. He replaced Barbarann Keffer, who chose not to seek reelection after a tenure that saw both progress and some heavy friction with the township council. Brown’s arrival wasn't just a change in name; it was a change in vibe. He came from the Upper Darby School Board, where he served as president, which means he already had his "battle scars" from dealing with budgets and public outcry.
People often forget how big Upper Darby actually is. It’s the sixth-largest municipality in the state. Managing it is like trying to fly a plane while people are still trying to bolt the wings on.
The Road to the Mayor’s Office: Why Ed Brown Matters
To understand the Mayor of Upper Darby, you have to understand the transition that happened in 2023. The election wasn't just a Republican vs. Democrat thing; it was about the identity of the township. Brown, a Democrat, ran on a platform of "One Upper Darby." It sounds like a campaign slogan you’d see on a lawn sign (because it was), but for people living there, the division was real. You had neighborhoods that felt ignored and a township building that often felt like a fortress.
Brown’s background is actually in IT and cybersecurity. That’s a weirdly perfect fit for local government. Why? Because government is essentially a series of outdated systems that need an upgrade. He spent over 30 years in the private sector, working for companies like Vanguard and AmeriHealth Caritas. When he talks about "efficiency," he isn't just using a buzzword. He’s talking about how the township actually processes a permit or tracks a trash truck.
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Honestly, the transition from school board to mayor is a brutal one. On a school board, you're worrying about curriculum and taxes. As Mayor of Upper Darby, you’re worrying about the police department, the fire department, the sanitation workers, and why the snow hasn't been cleared on a specific side street in Bywood.
Breaking Barriers
It’s also worth noting—and this is a big deal for the community’s history—that Ed Brown is the first Black mayor in Upper Darby’s history. In a township that has seen its demographics shift massively over the last thirty years, this was a "finally" moment for many residents. It signaled that the leadership was finally starting to look like the people living in the row homes and the apartments, not just the folks in the older, more established pockets.
The Massive Challenges Facing the Mayor of Upper Darby
Let's be real: Upper Darby has problems. You can't fix decades of systemic issues with a single inauguration. One of the biggest hurdles Brown inherited was the financial transparency issue. There was a huge blow-up regarding how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were being tracked. It led to a lot of finger-pointing between the previous administration and the council.
Brown had to walk into that room on day one.
His focus has been largely on "re-professionalizing" the township government. That sounds boring, right? It's not. It means hiring people who actually know how to run departments instead of just filling seats. He brought in new leadership for the CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) position, aiming to stabilize the day-to-day operations.
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- Public Safety: This is always the #1 issue. Between retail theft at 69th Street and general neighborhood safety, the police department is under a microscope.
- Infrastructure: The township is old. The pipes are old. The roads are tired.
- Economic Development: How do you get businesses to stay in Upper Darby instead of fleeing to the cheaper suburbs or the trendy parts of Philly?
Brown has been pushing for a more "business-friendly" atmosphere, but that’s a slow burn. You don't just flip a switch and have a booming downtown. You have to clean the streets first. You have to make people feel safe walking to their cars at 8:00 PM.
What the Mayor Actually Does (and Doesn't) Control
There is a common misconception that the Mayor of Upper Darby is a king. He’s not. Upper Darby operates under a Home Rule Charter. This means the power is split. The Mayor is the executive—he runs the departments and implements the laws. But the Township Council? They hold the purse strings.
If the Council doesn't want to fund a new park, the Mayor can't just write a check. This has been the source of most of the "Upper Darby Drama" you see on Facebook groups or local news. It’s a constant tug-of-war. Brown’s strategy so far has been much more conciliatory than his predecessors. He tries to bridge the gap, but politics is a messy business, and the Council is rarely a unified front.
He’s also the face of the township in Harrisburg and D.C. When there’s federal money for "green" initiatives or transportation, it’s Brown out there shaking hands and making the case for why Upper Darby deserves a slice of the pie.
The Focus on Youth and Community
Coming from the school board, it’s no surprise that Brown is obsessed with "youth engagement." He knows that if kids have nothing to do, they find things to do—and those things aren't always great for the community. He’s been a big proponent of revitalizing the recreation centers and ensuring the libraries are more than just places to borrow books. They need to be community hubs.
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Is It Working? The Public Perception
If you ask ten people in Upper Darby how the Mayor is doing, you'll get twelve different answers.
Some people love the new transparency. They like the town halls. They like that he actually shows up to community events and doesn't just hide in the municipal building. There’s a sense that the "vibe" has shifted toward being more inclusive.
Others are impatient. They want the taxes to go down (spoiler: they rarely do in Delaware County) and they want the trash picked up at the exact same time every week without fail. There’s also the lingering shadow of the "Old Guard." There are still people who are resistant to the changes Brown is trying to implement, viewing them as too progressive or too "Philly-centric."
But honestly? The guy is a worker. You’ll see him at a 5k run one morning and a high-tension council meeting that night. He seems to understand that in a place like Upper Darby, showing up is half the battle.
How to Get Involved with Your Local Government
You shouldn't just Google "Mayor of Upper Darby" when you're mad about a pothole. If you actually want to see change, you have to engage with the system Brown is trying to run.
- Attend Council Meetings: They are usually held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. They are often long, sometimes boring, and occasionally explosive. It’s where the real work happens.
- Use the "Upper Darby Request" System: Don't just complain on Nextdoor. Use the official channels to report issues. It creates a paper trail that the administration has to track.
- Join a Board or Commission: There are vacancies on things like the Zoning Hearing Board or the Library Board. This is where you actually get a seat at the table.
- Stay Informed via the Official Newsletter: The township has gotten much better at digital communication. Sign up for the emails so you aren't relying on neighborhood rumors.
Actionable Insights for Residents
If you're looking to navigate the current political climate in the township, keep these things in mind:
- Be Specific: If you are contacting the Mayor's office, have your facts straight. Don't just say "the neighborhood is bad." Say "the street light at the corner of X and Y has been out for three weeks and the ticket number is 12345."
- Understand the Cycle: Major projects (like the new community center) take years, not months. Check the capital improvement budget to see what's actually slated for your neighborhood in the next 24 months.
- Vote in the Primaries: In Upper Darby, the primary is often where the real decision is made. Don't wait until November to pay attention to who is running for Council or Mayor.
Upper Darby is at a crossroads. With Ed Brown at the helm, the township is betting on a mix of corporate efficiency and community-focused leadership. Whether that’s enough to tackle the deep-seated financial and social challenges of the area remains to be seen, but the era of "business as usual" at the 100 Garrett Road building seems to be over. If you live there, now is the time to pay attention. The decisions being made in the Mayor's office today will define what the township looks like for the next twenty years.