Media Politician 'Forced To Resign' After Becoming Delco's Public Defender

MEDIA, PA — Weeks after becoming Delaware County's new chief public defender, Taylor Dunn has resigned from Media Borough Council after being advised he can't legally do both.

Dunn, a Democrat, became Delco's public defender on July 20 — six days after the County Council voted to appoint him to the position. For the prior five months, he served the role in the interim.

He was also in the midst of the first year of his elected term on Media Borough Council.

Dunn temporarily held both positions. But state law prohibits chief public defenders from holding any elected office that gets compensated — Media pays Borough Council members $2,500 a year.

The Borough Council discussed Dunn's resignation during a special meeting on Aug. 10. The governing body approved it last Thursday.

"I spoke to our (Media Borough's) solicitor and the county solicitor and could not find a way around it," Dunn said at Thursday's meeting. "So unfortunately, I am forced to resign."

Media Borough Council must appoint a replacement within the next month. They plan to fill the vacancy at the Sept. 17 meeting.

Applications are open for residents who are interested in the position. Candidates will be interviewed Sept. 9 and 10.