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Clifford DeBaptiste

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Clifford DeBaptiste
56th Mayor of West Chester
In office
January 1994 – 7 January 2002
Preceded byThomas Chambers
Succeeded byRichard Yoder
Personal details
Born
Clifford Evans DeBaptiste

(1924-05-19) May 19, 1924 (age 100)
Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Republican (while mayor)
Spouse
Inez Elizabeth Manning
​
​
(m. 1950; died 1990)​
Children3, including Lillian
EducationFort Benjamin Harrison Military School; Eckles College of Mortuary Sciences, Philadelphia, PA[1]
Alma materWest Chester University Lincoln University
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceArmy
Years of service1951-1954[2][3]
RankSergeant Major

Clifford Evans DeBaptiste (born May 19, 1924) is an American politician and funeral director who served as mayor of West Chester, Pennsylvania, from 1994 to 2002. A Republican at the time, he was the borough's first black mayor.[4] He is often credited for beginning the revitalization of the borough.[4][5] DeBaptiste has honorary doctorates from West Chester University and Lincoln University.[4][6]

Early life and education

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DeBaptiste was born in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania in 1924 and grew up in the Atlantic City, New Jersey area.[4] DeBaptiste served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954, reaching the rank of sergeant major.[4][7][8] DeBaptiste earned a Bachelor's degree in Science from West Chester University and a Master's degree in Human Services at Lincoln University.[4]

Professional career

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DeBaptiste began directing funerals in West Chester in 1954 and opened his own funeral home in January 1965. His business, DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc., had six locations at its peak but currently has two, one in West Chester and another in Bryn Mawr.[8][9][10] DeBaptiste held positions on many local boards, including the West Chester University Board of Trustees and the board of the First National Bank of West Chester.[10] He also chaired the Pennsylvania Board of Funeral Directors.[10]

Political career

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DeBaptiste entered politics in early 1993 by announcing his candidacy to replace popular Democratic mayor Tom Chambers, who was not running for reelection. He earned the endorsement of the local Republican committee in March, and later the nomination.[9][11] His opponent in the race was Democratic candidate Wayne Burton, an associate professor at West Chester University.[9][12] DeBaptiste promised to attract business to West Chester and improve the borough's image.[13] In what was described as a stun to Democrats, DeBaptiste won the election with 56 percent of the vote.[12][14] DeBaptiste's campaign spent over ten thousand dollars to win the election, a record at the time.[14][15]

Clifford DeBaptiste became West Chester's first black mayor, a distinction he described as insignificant.[6][10][12]

DeBaptiste proclaimed April 24, 1994 "Clean up West Chester Day", to improve the appearance of downtown West Chester.[16] The event is now held every year.[17]

During DeBaptiste's term, the commercial exodus from West Chester began to reverse, with businesses that had considered leaving the borough choosing to stay, and others announcing their entry into West Chester.[18][19][20][21]

DeBaptiste ran unopposed in the 1997 Mayor's election.[22][23]

In 1998, DeBaptiste controversially vetoed a borough ordinance that would have further regulated landlords. The law would have required property owners to discontinue the leases of tenants who were convicted of two or more property violations in a twelve-month period.[24][25] Some accused DeBaptiste of a conflict of interest, as he was a landlord himself.[25]

In 1998, DeBaptiste announced "West Chester 200: Celebrating Our Past and Building Our Future", a yearlong event celebrating the borough's 200th anniversary in 1999.[8][26] During the event, the first firework show was held in the borough since the American Revolution.[27] The celebration also raised $400,000.[27]

Under DeBaptiste's tenure, the borough police were criticized multiple times for mishandling minorities.[28][29] The complaints led DeBaptiste to create a racial sensitivity committee.[30]

DeBaptiste was credited for getting the University, borough government, and West Chester Chamber of Commerce to work together in each other's interests.[27]

When DeBaptiste left office, the number of restaurants in the borough had increased by 380%, and almost fifty percent of the West Chester Police Department had joined the force under his watch.[4]

DeBaptiste was succeeded as mayor by fellow Republican Richard "Dick" Yoder on January 7, 2002.[31]

DeBaptiste became a Democrat during the Obama administration.[4]

Legacy & Honors

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DeBaptiste is generally remembered positively and is often credited with beginning West Chester's downtown revitalization.[4]

DeBaptiste was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the West Chester Chamber of Commerce in 1984.[8]

DeBaptiste was given an honorary doctorate by West Chester University in 1999.[4]

A plaza at West Chester University is named after DeBaptiste, as well as a lecture series.[4][32][33]

A residential street in West Chester, "Debaptiste Lane", is named after the former mayor.

In 2022, DeBaptiste was given an honorary doctorate by Lincoln University.[6]

On 16 February 2024, House of Representatives member Chrissy Houlahan gave a brief speech in DeBaptiste's honor while on the House floor.[34][35]

DeBaptiste celebrated his one hundredth birthday on 19 May 2024. The party drew nearly one thousand guests, including State Senator Carolyn Comitta and former State Senator Andy Dinniman. DeBaptiste was also gifted the honorary title of "Mayor Emeritus" at the event.[5]

Electoral history

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Mayor of West Chester, PA, 1993[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford E. DeBaptiste 1,438 56.22%
Democratic Wayne Burton 1,120 43.78%
Total votes 2,558 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic
Mayor of West Chester, PA, 1997[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford E. DeBaptiste 1,825 100.00%
Total votes 1,825 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

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DeBaptiste was married to Inez E. Manning from 1950 until her death in 1990. DeBaptiste has three daughters, including the 62nd Mayor of West Chester, Lillian L. DeBaptiste.[8][38] DeBaptiste has been a lifetime member of the NAACP, and is also a Prince Hall Mason.[8][39] He is a Christian.[8]

References

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  1. ^ DeBaptiste, Clifford E. (May 13, 1993). "Voter's Guide; Municipal Offices". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  2. ^ "Clifford DeBaptiste, 90, celebrates 60 years in business". Daily Local. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  3. ^ "History & Staff". DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. West Chester and Bryn Mawr. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Small Talk: Some living Black History: Former West Chester Mayor Clifford DeBaptiste". Daily Local. 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  5. ^ a b "Huge 100th birthday celebration for Mayor Clifford DeBaptiste". Daily Local. 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. ^ a b c "West Chester's first Black mayor awarded honorary doctorate from Lincoln University". Daily Local. 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  7. ^ "Clifford DeBaptiste, 90, celebrates 60 years in business". Daily Local. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "History & Staff". DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. West Chester and Bryn Mawr. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  9. ^ a b c Lloyd, Lem (March 11, 1993). "W. Chester to get new mayor who could have new powers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 99, 106. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Eckhoff, Jeff (October 20, 1993). "West Chester assesses two who seek the Mayor's post". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Boles, Anne L. (February 4, 1993). "GOP Mayoral candidate pledges clean campaign in West Chester". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Henson, Rich (November 3, 1993). "GOP makes major gains in races across suburbs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  13. ^ DeBaptiste, Clifford E. (May 13, 1993). "Voter's Guide; Municipal Offices". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Petersen, Nancy; Boles, Anne; Lloyd, Lem (November 4, 1993). "Republicans reassert dominance in county with election victories". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 115, 116. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Mayor campaign was priciest ever". Daily Local. 2001-11-08. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  16. ^ "Neighbors Briefing". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 14, 1994. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  17. ^ "Spring community Cleanup | West Chester Borough, PA - Official Website". west-chester.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  18. ^ Prusher, Ilene R. (February 5, 1995). "Senior-care center won't leave West Chester after all". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Prusher, Ilene R. (June 23, 1995). "Woolworth building will be retail center". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 131, 136. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Smolowitz, Peter (January 13, 1998). "West Chester coffee shop fills niche". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 69, 71. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Smolowitz, Peter (January 22, 1998). "Brew-pub owners say it won't be a WCU hangout". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Petersen, Nancy (November 6, 1997). "Democrats make Chesco inroads". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Election '97". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 6, 1997. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "The Week in Review". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 25, 1998. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Smolowitz, Peter (January 23, 1998). "Landlords help keep regulation off books". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Smolowitz, Peter (April 17, 1998). "W. Chester plans bicentennial bonanza". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c Herman, Kate (February 1, 2001). "Mayor takes pride in cooperative spirit". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 77, 79. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  28. ^ Prusher, Ilene R. (August 2, 1994). "W. Chester police face complaints". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Gelb, Jonathan (July 25, 2001). "At W. Chester rally, police treatment of blacks is criticized". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Sensitivity training suggested". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 8, 2001. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  31. ^ Gelb, Jonathan (November 8, 2001). "Chesco Democrats find little cheer in election". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  32. ^ Hostutler, Mark (2018-02-24). "West Chester's First African-American Mayor Gifts $50,000 to WCU in Honor of Frederick Douglass". VISTA.Today. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  33. ^ "North Campus Map" (PDF). West Chester University. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "Houlahan Honors West Chester's First Black Mayor in House Floor Speech". U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan. 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  35. ^ Pugh, Maryann (2024-02-17). "West Chester's Centenarian Luminary, Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste, Honored by Representative Chrissy Houlahan". MyChesCo. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  36. ^ "The winners and losers in Chester County's municipal contests". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 4, 1993. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "Election '97". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 6, 1997. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "African American Mayors of Chester County". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 13, 2001. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  39. ^ "Out and About". The Philadelphia Tribune. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
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