Towns on the edge: In 3 Delco municipalities, demographics & harsh politics cloud the climate

Gun crime in Darby, however, continues to be a setback. In September, Mayor Helen Thomas declared a state of emergency and issued a temporary all-ages curfew in the Third Ward, forcing even adults to be inside their homes after 9 p.m. County investigators are also looking into why a Darby councilwoman's handgun was found in a car rented by a felon.

"Things are going good, and that's only because we're not letting negative people stand in our way and bring us down," said Darby Council President Janice Davis. "We are moving along. We're trying to build Darby up. Businesses are coming in, and we don't have time for nonsense."

But will the truce last? Or will the political infighting re-ignite once again, driving away investors and developers?

"Politics works with compromise. Our country was built on one big compromise," said Leahan, the school board member. "If you're coming into the situation and are not willing to compromise, then that's going to make the issues harder, more divisive, and nothing gets done."

As to why compromise is so scarce in these boroughs, nobody seems to know.

"If I could answer that, I'd become the best mayor in Delaware County and keep the position for life," said Jones-Butler, the Yeadon mayor. "I simply can't understand why they have such a hard time coming together. But it has to be worked out eventually, because we can't keep going on like this."