Chester County Press 02-18-2026 Edition and Destination Delaware

New housing development proposed for Oxford Borough

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

A proposed housing development was discussed at the Oxford Borough Council meeting earlier this month.

The borough’s Housing Committee has met for several years to discuss affordable housing, and as a result of that work the Church Housing Corp. (CHC) brought a proposal

to borough council.

Church Housing Corp. is celebrating four decades of providing housing and supportive services to seniors with modest means, families, individuals, and people with special needs. The group’s newest development, Pickney Hill Commons, recently opened in West Chester.

“We provide housing with financial peace of mind. Quality of life is an essential compo-

nent of our mission,” said Kathryn Evans, the Church Housing Corp. executive director. “We believe all people should have the opportunity to live with dignity and distinction while gracefully maturing in their communities. Programs are developed to meet the interests and needs of our residents. We also have social services which can coordinate daily support for each resident. These supports enable our

residents to live independently longer.”

The proposed development in Oxford, which would be called the Phoenix at Oxford, will be located at 651 Lincoln Street, not far from Wheeler Boulevard.

Evans was joined at the meeting by Church Housing Corp. director of development Tracy Patches and Kevin Dowd and Edmond Speitel Jr. from the Walters Group. That group will be build-

ing the affordable housing unit. Currently, they have 2000 developments under their belt in New Jersey.

Church Housing Corp. presented a rough concept of what the housing development might look like. There would be 48 family units. Each building has 24 units. The development also has a number of amenities including a gym, playground, picnic area, and basketball court. Washers and dryers are

also located in each apartment and appliances are all energy efficient. In terms of the architecture, the Walters Group is respectful of the other buildings in the community and the final designs will reflect that.

The attorney for the group has reviewed Oxford’s new zoning regulations and will be seeking clarification on green space, setbacks and building materials.

Unionville’s Silver Wolves to represent Pa. at inaugural FIRST event

Unionville High School’s Silver Wolves will travel from Chester County to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. this month as the only team to represent Pennsylvania in the inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) United States Governors Cup.

The Silver Wolves were selected from among 164 PA FTC teams, and the students on the team will participate in the state vs. state competition hosted by Experiential Robotics and The White House Office of Innovation on Feb. 20 and 21 at Constitution Hall. The competition will celebrate the next generation of

STEM leaders and showcase how FIRST inspires them to dream big, think boldly and build a better future.

Making the team

The origins of the Silver Wolves team can be traced back to when UHS senior triplets Brendan, Katherine and Robin Connolly were in the 2nd grade. These students and their parents helped create the team. Over the years, the roster expanded to include fellow teammates William Du, Sophie Li, Lincoln Farkas and Madelynn Rose Van Aken.

Kennett Square Borough considers rejoining regional fire commission

By Winthrop Rodgers Contributing Writer

Kennet Square Borough is actively considering whether to rejoin the Kennett Fire and EMS Regional Commission, according to people involved in the discussions. The timeline is not clear, but it is possible that it will happen.

“We haven’t voted on it, but I believe that the majority of the Council — if not unanimously — is

very open to asking for the Commission’s approval to get back into the Commission,” incumbent Kennett Square Borough Council President Bob Norris told the Chester County Press. “We’re in some of those discussions right now.”

“I strongly believe and support that it will come back, or will request the privilege to coming back to the Commission,” he added.

The borough was an

original member of the Commission, along with Kennett Township, East Marlborough, Newlin, Pennsbury, and Pocopson, when it was first established in 2017. As an inter-municipal body, the Commission oversees public funding for operating and capital

It is unclear when Kennett Square Borough might vote rejoin the Kennett Fire and EMS Regional Commission, particularly if it involves renegotiating the inter-municipal agreement. But the appeal of inter-municipal arrangements for emergency services is apparent across Chester County.

Philter and Nourish Markets: A partnership of to-go convenience

By Caroline Roosevelt Contributing Writer

Philter Coffee in Kennett Square has gone through many changes over its duration - weathering the pandemic years, adding retail space, and changing their menu while still maintaining the loyal customer base – and in the process has remained a southern Chester County hub for

almost a decade and a half.

Most recently, Philter has partnered with Nourish Markets to update their grab and go menu.

Nourish Markets, founded by Kevin and Sophia Macauley in 2021, focuses on providing organic, locally sourced, wholesome foods for the on-the-go customer. The Macauleys developed the idea for Nourish while living on the

Highland Orchards farm in Wilmington, Del. Noticing the difference in taste from the produce on the farm, versus the grocery store, inspired them to develop an elevated ready-made menu.

Nourish Markets’ items can also be found at Brew HaHa! locations throughout Delaware, and the company also currently runs a retail space out of Baltimore’s BWI Airport and is expect-

ing to supplement existing cafes in the Philadelphia International Airport this spring.

“We just started partnerships with businesses outside the travel space through like wholesale arrangements where we would complement or supplement cafes, or natural grocery stores, fresh food offerings,” said Kevin. “(Philter owner) Chris

Thompson was one of the first to give us a shot in it and it really has been working out.”

With just a few intersecting goals in mind, sustainability, accessibility, and, obviously, great flavors, Kevin and Sophia connected with local farmers to create a vendor list for fresh produce. They then collaborated with

Oxford...

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At this point, they are concerned about the impervious surface requirements and want to make sure they provide enough space for

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“As we’ve grown up, each of us has found a balance in filling a role that the team needs and that aligns with what our own passions are,” said Sophie Li.

That synergy earned the team the top spot at last year’s Pennsylvania FTC Championship, where the team captained the winning alliance and also received the coveted Inspire Award.

Mastering the robot

To prepare for the 2025-26 FIRST Design Challenge, Decode, the Silver Wolves focused on rigorous brainstorming of everything their robot needed to do and every possible way to do it. “It’s tempting to start dreaming up a robot in your head,” said Katherine Connolly. “But, at this stage, it’s important not to rule out any ideas.”

The team then developed prototypes to test their theories before working together to design, code and build their robot by hand. It must operate on its own for the first thirty seconds of the match before a student driver takes the controls for the final two minutes. For the Silver Wolves, it’s not just about performing well.

“It’s cool that we’re competing with teams from across the country,” Robin Connolly said of competing in the Governors Cup. “We also really like get-

recreation. They also discussed height restrictions. They will be looking for direction from borough officials moving forward.

Oxford Borough Council president Kathryn Cloyd was happy to see that

they would have 24-hour support services for the residents. They also offer counseling, financial programs, information on how to save and more to help residents begin the housing process.

Oxford Borough’s solicitor Stacey Fuller said they would need to get a fully engineered sketch plan and she would be happy to sit down with representatives from Church Housing Corp. and the the

Walters Group for discussions about the project and the borough’s regulations. The plans would also likely need to be reviewed by both the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission.

It will be a lengthy process to get plans approved and the new housing constructed, but that process is now underway. “It sounds like we are ready to move forward,” Cloyd said.

ting a lot of opportunities to compete because every time we compete, we learn new things.”

Meeting the moment

Between Qualifiers and Worlds, the evolution of the team is constant. The students will do everything from making small changes to their driving strategy to total mechanical rebuilds.

The Silver Wolves plan to debut the second edition of their robot at the Governors Cup. In FIRST’s signature “Coopertition” model, the team will compete in a preliminary round on Friday, Feb. 20 for their chance at a place in a playoff alliance on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Regardless of whether they walk away Champions

of the Governors Cup, Brendan Connolly said that the team has already won.

“When we started, I saw other teams’ robots and thought they were so mechanically above us,” he said. “I wanted to get to that level. So, I sat down, watched tutorials and taught myself. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from this is the value of hard work. Robotics has shown me I can do anything if I just dedicate myself.”

As the team heads off to Washington D.C., they carry with them their equipment and the pride of an entire community that has watched them evolve over the years.

“To see the Silver Wolves represent the Commonwealth at the inaugural Governors Cup is a

“One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from this is the value of hard work. Robotics has shown me I can do anything if I just dedicate myself.”

~ Brendan Connolly, a member of Unionville High School’s Silver Wolves

thrill for all of us at UHS, ” said Unionville High School principal Pat Crater. “These students have spent years dreaming big and thinking boldly, and it is an honor to watch their hard work and dedication culminate in a trip to the U.S. Capitol. We are incredibly proud of Brendan, Katherine, Robin, William, Sophie, Lincoln, and Madelynn.”

Philter

and Nourish Markets...

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celebrity chef Robbie Jester to develop an exciting, flavorful menu. You may recognize Jester from the Neflix show “Pressure Cooker,” and Food Networks’ “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Chopped.” He currently owns Pizzeria Mariana and In Jest Private Chef and Events based out of Wilmington.

“Megan started Harvest Market’s grab and go program, and we recently brought her on over the summer to really help us improve and work on our menu as if we continue to grow,” Kevin said.” Bushnell was instrumental Nourish Markets’ Blueberry Overnight Oats is a popular choice for grab-andgo customers.

In addition to Philter, Nourish Markets items can be found at Brew Ha-Ha locations throughout Delaware. in connecting Nourish with Philter, who had been looking to compliment and add on to the existing menu.

Recently, Nourish brought on Megan Bushnell as executive chef and kitchen manager, who brings over a decade of experience as a chef at Harvest Market in Hockessin to Nourish.

So what are the grab and go favorites? According to Macauley, the most frequently reordered items include the Blueberry Overnight Oats, the Apple Pie Overnight Oats, and the Vegan Glow Wrap. Check out their additional salads, wraps, and sweet treats available at the counter. As far as what’s in store for the Philter menu, Macauley mentions that they will start rotating in seasonal additions to the menu as well as meat options. Currently, the

and

expenses at the Longwood, Kennett, and Po-Mar-Lin fire companies.

However, the Kennett Square Borough Council voted unanimously — a 5-0 vote with two members absent from the meeting — on June 29, 2023 to leave the Commission at the end of that year over concerns about the cost-sharing agreement between its members.

At a mayoral candidates town hall sponsored by the Chester County Press in October of last year, Mayor Matt Fetick explained that the borough wanted to ensure that it could control its own budget. He said that if the other municipalities in the Commission voted to increase their contributions to the fire houses, the Borough would have been obligated to do so by the same amount.

“My biggest concern was with the document between the municipalities,” said Fetick. “For the last several years, we underfunded fire and EMS. They had a lot of catching up to do.”

“We can’t have that exposure out there to an unlimited number,” he said, referring to the increases that were being considered at the time.

The borough had other competing priorities for its budget and was “capped out,” as Fetick termed it at the town hall, in terms of what it could contribute. As a result, it received financial relief of $114,000 for fiscal year 2023 from the other members.

Fetick said that other municipalities “were understanding about that issue… But I think, again from my side, it was always about the risk that if that didn’t happen. It just exposed us to numbers that we couldn’t manage.”

The three fire companies overseen by the Commission continue to serve Kennett Square Borough even though it is no longer a part of the Commission. Instead, it has a two-year contract with the borough to provide fire and EMS services through the end of 2026.

But withdrawing from the Commission has done little to contain costs. In 2023, when it left the group, the borough paid $457,957 for fire and EMS services. In this year’s Commission budget, it paid a fee of $868,882.77, which will increase to $976,018.90 in the budget that the Commission adopted for 2026.

These cost increases are caused by a number of factors, including past underfunding and delays in capital expenditures, inflation, and the rising expense of fire equipment. The fire companies are also dealing with increased call volume and have come to rely more on career firefighters, who cost more than volunteers.

Norris said that the most important consequence of withdrawing from the Commission was that the borough no longer has a voice in decision making.

“We’re still paying into it as if we were a Commission member, we just don’t have a vote, which, to me, is silly,” Norris said. “So,

let’s get back in there. Let’s work with our neighbors. I mean, we all depend on each other.”

However, he agreed with Fetick’s stance that some of the provisions of the original commission agreement should be reconsidered.

“Some of the initial provisions of the original Commission just need to be reconsidered and tweaked… to realize that things have changed since it started,” he said. “The borough is hoping the Commission will consider a maximum annual [cost] increase.”

Representatives from remaining municipalities in the Commission have formed a working group to look into the issue and what sort of arrangements need to be made.

“I am thrilled that the borough is potentially interested in rejoining the Commission. I’d say the other members of the Commission are similarly involved, and that we just need to make sure that things are fair and equitable,” said Richard Leff, who was the outgoing chair of the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors at

the time of the interview. Leff’s term on the Board of Supervisors has since ended.

Leff pushed back on the idea of a cost increase cap and indicated that all six municipalities will have to work through a range of considerations about their past and future relationship.

“I don’t think we can do [a cap] and I don’t want to get into a situation where one municipality can basically hold the others at bay,” he said.

One administrative hurdle for the borough’s readmission is that such a process does not exist in the Commission’s by-laws. That must be crafted and voted on by the representatives of the five remaining municipalities before any other formal steps can be taken. Then the Kennett Square Borough Council will have to take a public vote on the question of rejoining.

Leff said that the situation has also given the Commission an opportunity to think more broadly about what procedures should be in place in case new municipalities outside the original

six want to join. It is unclear when the Borough might vote rejoin the Commission, particularly if it involves renegotiating the inter-municipal agreement. Kennett Square’s current contract with Longwood runs through the end of 2026 and the Commission needs to set a budget for 2027 no later than September.

The borough’s withdrawal from the Commission and possible return shows that regionalization of fire and EMS services is hardly a straightforward process, but one that involves much trial and error.

However, the appeal of

inter-municipal arrangements for emergency services is apparent across Chester County. Nearby West Grove and Avondale fire companies are in the midst of discussions about how to work as a single unit, which could include merging the two into a single entity. Kennett Township and others are looking into ways to regionalize local police forces.

“Hope springs eternal that we can come up with some agreement that not only the borough thinks is in their interest, but might move things forward in terms of the Commission and how we function too,” Leff said.

KIMBERLY ANNE COLLINS-NEIL

Kimberly Anne Collins-Neil, age 54, passed away at her home in West Grove while surrounded by her family and friends on February 2, 2026. While Kim enjoyed her career as a lawyer, her greatest joy was becoming a mother to two beautiful children, Isabella and JT Neil. Kim also was a loving “Mom” to a multitude of animals and she loved all of them equally and passionately.

Kim will be remembered as a very caring, nurturing, and thoughtful person. She was loved by many people, and the world is a lonelier place without her in it. She will be missed for her beautiful smile, her wit and sense of humor, and her ability to “take the high road” in stressful situations—almost always, LOL.

Kim is survived by her children, Isabella Neil and Jeffrey “JT” Neil; her “stepson” Zac Pappas; her best friend since day one, Alysia Price; her brother Michael Collins, sister-in-law Cristi Collins and her “bestest buddy” nephew, Mikey Collins; many close friends; several loving cousins; and last but certainly not least, her two lovable and stinky furry companions, Tux and Stiffie.

You are invited to visit with Kimberly’s family and friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21 at Loch Nairn Farm at 514 McCue Road in Avondale. Her life celebration will begin at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home of Kennett Square. To read her full obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Much-needed help for firefighters and first responders

In this week’s Chester County Press, we conclude a series of stories about the triumphs and challenges that some of the local fire and EMS departments are facing. Call volumes are up, costs are increasing for everything, and it’s harder than ever for fire companies and ambulance divisions to recruit volunteers.

There was a time when small, largely agricultural communities could rely on volunteers to respond to the relatively small number of calls for emergency assistance.

That’s not the world we live in today.

Most fire and ambulance divisions are now relying on professional, paid staff to do the necessary work, and that means increased costs for local, cash-strapped municipalities.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and state officials have been touting increased state funding for firefighters and first responders. The governor’s proposed 2026-2027 budget includes a new, $30 million investment that would nearly double the state funding for fire departments throughout the state. The funding would be distributed through competitive grants that would provide critical financial support to both volunteer and career fire departments statewide by funding major equipment purchases, training, facility improvements, debt reduction, and other essential operational expenses.

Local municipal governments are struggling to fund the operations of fire departments and ambulance divisions, and increased state funding is an effective way to ensure that Pennsylvanians in every community are protected.

Kudos to the Chester County Drug Court Team

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office recently shined a spotlight on the successes of the county’s Drug Court Team that works to help a very specific group of people— non-violent offenders suffering from drug addiction. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office presented the Chester County Drug Court Team with a Commendation Award for its commitment to addressing substanceuse disorders through a treatment-focused approach in the criminal justice system.

The Chester County Drug Court Team combines the efforts of President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, and Adult Probation and Pretrial Services. The program was founded in 1997, and since its inception,1,652 people have completed the program—a 62 percent completion rate. Approximately 95 percent of those who completed the program were employed at the time that they graduated, and 87 percent of those that completed the program were arrest-free for at least the next two years of their life. We applaud the Chester County Drug Court Team for the efforts at providing people a helping hand as they attempt to get back on the right track.

Chester County Press

Kids like me are proving democracy isn’t just for adults

By Emily Brubaker

On Veterans’ Day, middle schoolers from 39 states competed to be crowned the next champion of the National Civics Bee.

I was fortunate enough to emerge as the champion of 2024’s inaugural edition of the Bee. As I walked off the stage then, it hit me that I, an eighth grader from Alaska, had just shown the country that young people can and should shape our democracy.

My journey into civics started with something deeply personal. I was born with a congenital condition that requires costly dental procedures. Too often, insurance companies refuse to cover them.

Instead of just accepting that reality, my family and I began working to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act in Congress. I told my story to lawmakers, explained why the bill mat-

WeBy State Rep.

Aerion A. Abney

In 1788, when western Pennsylvania residents petitioned the General Assembly to create Allegheny County, four of the petitioners were free Black men.

In the 1800s, Pittsburgh was home to many stops on the Underground Railroad, and the neighborhood now called Lower Hill, then dubbed Arthursville, was a major stop. Railroad agents included barber John B. Vashon, believed to be the city’s wealthiest Black man at the time.

A century later, during the Civil Rights Movement, the corner of Centre Avenue and Crawford in Pittsburgh became known as Freedom Corner; it was the meeting point for protesters who marched on City Hall and Washington.

These are just a few of the many chapters of Black history in Pittsburgh, the city I live in and represent in the state House of Representatives. It’s history we must remember.

Unfortunately, our federal government is doing everything it can today to erase Black history.

In a textbook example of doublespeak, the Trump administration has taken

tered and asked them to act. Now, the bill has bipartisan sponsors in the House and Senate.

Civics isn’t just about textbooks or history tests. And it’s not something we have to wait until we’re adults to do.

The National Civics Bee brought together students from across the country to test our belief in our own power to make a difference. The chance to win a $100,000 scholarship called the Bill Daniels National Civics Award was certainly a draw, too.

During the competition, I loved seeing young people care about how our government truly works.

Sometimes, my classmates ask, “Why should we learn civics if we can’t even vote yet?” My answer is simple. Civics is the toolkit for shaping our communities and our country.

Anyone can learn the

basics: how a bill becomes law, or what local municipal bodies or school boards have the power to do in their communities. Anyone can speak up by writing to their lawmakers or sharing their ideas with elected officials.

Anyone can get involved by helping at polling places on Election Day or volunteering in their community.

Anyone can inspire others to become civically active and help friends, family and other community members understand why self-government matters.

Civics is the tool that lets us build the future we want.

Too many students never get a front-row seat to our democracy in action.

Civics education often gets squeezed, buried between test prep and other subjects.

The National Civics Bee was launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Daniels Fund to change that.

Adults have an impor-

tant role to play. They can make civics a real priority in classrooms, support programs like the Civics Bee, and listen when young people speak up. For me, the Civics Bee is just the beginning. I’ll keep working to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act and encouraging my peers to step into civic life now, not later. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Young people don’t have to wait until adulthood to bring about change. We can start right now. And our country will be stronger for it.

Emily Brubaker is a ninth grader from Anchorage, Alaska, and the 2024 National Civics Bee champion. Applications for the 2026 National Civics Bee are open until February 3. For more information, visit NationalCivicsBee. org. This piece first ran in Newsweek.

must face, not erase, Black history

many troubling steps to “restore truth and sanity” to American history. What that really means is they are squelching public spaces that explain our country’s legacy of racism to new generations.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed,” wrote James Baldwin, one of the great chroniclers of the Black experience in 20th century America. “But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

It’s critical—especially at a point in time when the White House is mounting an all-out attack on diversity—that we face our history.

This month marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which should be a time for us to remember our shared American story, but in Washington, D.C., it’s noticeably different this year.

President Trump opened Black History Month by posting a shameful, racist meme on his social media platform depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as apes.

At the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which typically hosts an array of Black History

Month programming but is now controlled by Trump, nothing whatsoever has been scheduled on Black history.

This comes a year after the president ordered the Smithsonian Institution and the Secretary of Interior to conduct a review to the end influence of what it calls “divisive, race-centered ideology.”

In Philadelphia, Trump’s order led to the recent dismantling of a slavery exhibit at the President’s House, which commemorated the Black people enslaved by President George Washington at Independence National Historical Park.

Columnist Jenice

Armstrong of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that the removal of the slavery exhibit “hurts my soul.”

She added, “It would hurt President Donald Trump’s soul, too, if only he had one.”

Also in question has been the fate of a notable photograph of a whipped slave whose back is covered in thick scars after reports that the photo was ordered removed from a national monument in Georgia.

At national parks, the Trump administration has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from the list of

annual free-entry days. Yet it added to the list Trump’s birthday, which falls on Flag Day. There are still institutions committed to preserving Black history, and we must continue to support them. I recently accepted an appointment as a board member at one of these institutions, the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, and I’m proud to have done so.

Heinz History Center exhibits include “From Slavery to Freedom,” which covers 250 years of African American life and history and the fight for civil rights in Pittsburgh. It’s an in-depth exhibit where visitors can learn about Pittsburghers such as Maj. Martin L. Delany, who during the Civil War became the highest-ranking Black field soldier in U.S. history, and Daisy Lampkin, a civil rights activist and leading organizer in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. They are part of the real story of America’s diversity, a story that is painful, heroic, and complicated—but certainly worth preserving.

State Rep. Aerion A. Abney represents Allegheny County’s 19th Legislative District.

AMERICA at 250

by Gene Pisasale

AMERICA AT 250: Miracle at Philadelphia

By Gene Pisasale Contributing Writer

“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States… should unite in forming a system of national Government…”

~ George Washington, A letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, February 7, 1788

After the Revolutionary War was settled, many colonists thought their nearly decade-long struggle might be over. Far from it. The 13 colonies considered themselves independent entities, even though they were loosely bound together by the Articles of Confederation.

Despite having won the war, enormous challenges lay ahead—namely, how the colonies would exist together in a cohesive governmental framework, how they would all act in case of attack, rules for conducting commerce between them and what laws would prevail if disputes arose between the states. Some historians now privately wonder whether spiritual intervention got them to agree on a national framework binding them all together.

In Miracle at Philadelphia , Catherine Drinker Bowen details the personalities involved in crafting the U.S. Constitution, including

James Madison, a scholarly expert on the history of governments who is considered its “architect”; James Wilson, Madison’s equal whose knowledge of law helped shape the final document; Robert Morris and Alexander Hamilton, whose recommendations concerning revenue and the funding of the new government were hugely instrumental in the formation of the banking system; and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, whose Connecticut Compromise helped finalize states’ representation in the new system. The debates started on May 25, 1787, and lasted nearly four months through the sweltering Philadelphia summer.

Appointing General Washington to oversee the Convention was a stroke of genius, putting his stellar reputation behind the proceedings. Yet the dialogue was, at times brutal in attacks on the character of the attendees. Representatives of the smaller states believed they would be overruled by the more populous ones. At one point, Gunning Bedford, Jr. of Delaware shouted, “I do not, gentlemen, trust you!” Patrick Henry, whose “Give me liberty, or give me death!” helped spark the revolution, refused to attend the Convention, saying “I smelt a rat.” Samuel Adams, who many considered the “loudest voice”

for independence, also did not attend, distrusting centralized authority. John Hancock, George Mason and Richard Henry Lee were among those who were highly skeptical of a system which might take away their freedom. Getting men from different backgrounds and geographic regions to agree on such a document seemed a Herculean task.

It was. The delegates— deemed Federalists who supported the Constitution and anti-Federalists who opposed the Constitution— debated every nuance for and against forming a centralized government. They would later be adversaries, but Alexander Hamilton and James Madison here argued together quite vehemently that the nation had no cohesive framework, states were fighting against each other over commerce, taxes and regulations, struggling to survive, we had no national currency, no banking system, the country was deeply in debt and couldn’t even pay its bills. In short, America in 1787 was a mess. How could it hope to come together and solve its many problems?

Historian Forrest McDonald in The Economic Origins of the Constitution stated that adopting a moniker was a cunning move. “… the choice of the name ‘Federalists’ by the friends of the Constitution was… a bit of political strategy. The Federalists were really nationalists on the issue of ratification. The real federalists were those who preferred the confederation existing under the Articles to the general government proposed by the Constitution. Nonetheless, the labels ‘Federalist’ and ‘anti-Federalist’ stuck…”

It was brilliant. Calling those who were against the Constitution “antiFederalists” implied they were fighting against their own state authority, yet the debates raged on. Some were praying that Divine Providence would help.

Of the 55 men who had agreed to attend the Convention, only 39 signed it on September 17 and the outlook was quite uncertain, but in the summer of 1788, God showed up. The Federalists finally won the day with approval by the 9th state—New Hampshire—on June 21. Mid-Atlantic states had led the way: Delaware was first to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, and Pennsylvania was not far behind on December 12.

Two out of the first three states to ratify (Delaware and New Jersey) did so unanimously, and all three ratified in the same year the Constitution was written—a much needed stamp of approval. As a whole, the Mid-Atlantic states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland) had by far the highest average approval percentage (87.9 per cent) of all the states. Yet a review of

the voting shows just how perilously close to failure we came. A total of 1,648 votes were cast at ratifying conventions or assemblies. A swing of just 23 votes, or 1.4 per cent of the total, would have led to disapproval of the Constitution, leaving the nation in chaos. Perhaps “miracle” is the best descriptor for what occurred.

Even with ratification, huge obstacles lay ahead. anti-Federalists demanded the creation of a list of liberties guaranteed to citizens. This was accomplished with the Bill of Rights— the first ten Amendments to the Constitution—ratified on December 15, 1791. It was 81-year old Benjamin Franklin who accurately voiced his continuing concerns after he and the other delegates signed the document in the Pennsylvania State House, in the same room where the Declaration of Independence had been signed. A woman came up to him as he was leaving the building and asked him what kind of government they had created. He said: “A republic, madam—if you can keep it.”

What the Founding

Fathers achieved is truly extraordinary. British Prime Minister William Gladstone described it as: “… the most wonderful work ever struck off… by the brain and purpose of man.” James Madison was proud of what he and his colleagues had accomplished, saying: “Nothing has excited more admiration in the world than the manner in which free governments have been established in America…” Today, 238 years later, we can all be thankful for their efforts producing a document which has withstood the test of time so well.

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His 12 books focus mostly on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s most recent work is “Sandy Flash and the Trail of History,” showcasing the fascinating people, places and events of this region over more than 300 years. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale. com and also on www. Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

Counties neighboring Philadelphia file joint brief in support of city’s lawsuit to restore slavery exhibits at historic site

Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties filed a joint amicus brief in support of the City of Philadelphia’s court filings seeking to restore the slavery exhibits at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, which the U.S. National Park Service recently removed.

The counties’ legal filing describes their proximity to and shared history with Philadelphia, their connections to the nation’s founding, and the importance of maintaining honest and inclusive representation of history at nationally significant sites,

particularly in the year of America’s 250th anniversary. The President’s House, at 6th and Market streets, marks the site of the nation’s executive mansion in the late 1700s, where Presidents Washington and Adams both lived and worked, along with their households.

“Montgomery County is proud to stand with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and the leaders of the other collar counties to say no to the erasure of our history,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

“Instead of whitewashing our history, we should be taking action to ensure that all members of our community, no matter their backgrounds, can live the American Dream. We must stand firm on our convictions that our history makes us stronger, better, and braver.”

“Attempts to erase evidence of our history do not heal the stains of the past – quite the opposite, they make us weak and vulnerable to repeating our failures,” said Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, chair of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners. “In Bucks

County, with our place in American history firmly rooted, we resist temptation for self-delusion and instead confront our faults head on, resolving always to do better tomorrow than we did yesterday. Only then can we achieve our country’s founding vision of equality for all people.”

“We will not stand by as the federal government attempts to rewrite history by breaking the law,” said Commissioner Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners. “Chester County was an important part of the Underground

Railroad, home to the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the birthplace of civil rights leaders. In filing an amicus brief, we continue our commitment to acknowledging the abhorrent legacy of slavery and working to remedy it.”

“Delaware County is proud to stand with Philadelphia and with our neighboring counties to fight back against more unlawful and unconscionable federal overreach,” said Delaware County Council chair Richard Womack.

“Our history is imperfect,

but it is ours, and the federal government can’t rewrite it or ignore it the moment they find it inconvenient.”

The law firm Ballard Spahr LLP represented the counties on a pro bono basis.

“Attempts to erase and rewrite a nation’s history is a threat to democracy and cannot go unchecked,” said Ballard Spahr’s Philadelphia managing partner Marcel Pratt, who previously served as Philadelphia City Solicitor. “A society that edits its history, instead of continuing to learn from it, is bound to repeat its worst mistakes.”

Incyte Corporation seeks a Manager, Business Information Services CRM MDM & Application Support (MBISCMAS-AKN) in Chadds Ford, PA. Provide administration & configuration of CRM systems. Hybrid, telecommuting permitted 1 day/wk from w/in the area of intended emplymt. Reqs BS+3 yrs rltd exp. Will accept a BS equiv. thru combination educ/ exp determined by prof. eval. service. Email resume to aguntz@incyte.com. Must ref job title & job code in the subj line.

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of CAROLYN ANN

PARK, a/k/a CAROLYN A. PARK, late of Chester Springs, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TES -

TAMENTARY on the above

Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to JOHN J. PARK, as Executor, of 894 Mount Eyre Road, Newtown, PA 18940 c/o William D. Brick, Esq. Brick & Patel LLP 600 Fifth Ave., 14th Floor, New York, New York 1020.

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF HAZEL L. PROPST, DECEASED. Late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, PA

LETTERS of ADMINISTRA -

TION CTA on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to KAREN M. PROPST, ADMINISTRATRIX

CTA, c/o Carolina R. Heinle, Esq., 724 Yorklyn Rd., Ste. 100, Hockessin, DE 19707, Or to her Attorney: CAROLINA R. HEINLE MacELREE HARVEY, LTD. 724 Yorklyn Rd., Ste.

100 Hockessin, DE 19707

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ESTATE NOTICE

Letters Testamentary have been granted in the Estate of ELAINE J. TYSON, late of Caln Township. All persons having claims or demands on the Estate are requested to make them known, and all persons indebted to the said decedent are requested to make payment without delay.

RONALD T. TYSON & CAROLE L. TURANSKY, c/o The Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Personal Representatives. Barry S. Rabin, 797 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 13, Downingtown PA 19335, Attorney. 2p-4-3t

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. NOTICE IS HEREEBY GIVEN THAT Bids for Contract No. 1, Asbestos Abatement and Related Work at the Kennett Consolidated School District’s Greenwood Elementary School will be received by the Designated Person for the Board of Education, Environmental Control Systems, Inc. at the Kennett Consolidated School District Administrative Offices located at 300 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 by 2:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time), on March 13,

2026. Bids will be opened and evaluated for the Public-School Board Meeting. The Board of Education and/or the Engineers assume no responsibility for bids that are mailed or misdirected in the delivery process. Bidders must be pre-qualified by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and have Certifications to perform any type of asbestos work in accordance with the provisions of the ASBESTOS OCCUPATIONS ACCREDITATIONS and CERTIFICATION ACT. ACT 194-1990.

Drawings, Specifications and other contract Documents for the proposed work are on file in the office of Environmental Control Systems, Inc, at 950 Sussex Blvd, Broomall, PA 19008, (Voice 610-328-2880). Drawings and Specifications will be furnished for a fee of $50.00 US upon application to Environmental Control Systems, Inc. at the MANDATORY PREBID to be held at 4:00 PM on March 5, 2026, at the Greenwood Elementary School, 420 Greenwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Meet at the Main Entrance. Directions can be found on the internet.

All bidding shall be in conformance with Pennsylvania State Laws, pertaining to “Public School Contracts Law” and are required to comply with all requirements of Federal, State, Local and current Applicable EPA/DEP regulations.

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to waive informality in the bidding process if it is in the interest of the Board of Directors to do so.

By order of the Kennett Consolidated School District Board of Directors, Chester County, PA. Wayne R. Pistoia, MSE, NSPE Designated Person for the Kennett Consolidated School District Project #KCSD/GES2026

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF ELWOOD J. BALDWIN a/k/a ELWOOD J. BALDWIN, III, DECEASED. Late of Londonderry Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned,

who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to LISA BALDWIN REYNOLDS, 50 W. Belmont Dr., Hockessin, DE 19797 and KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS, 14 E. Welsh Pool Rd., Exton, PA 19341, ADMINISTRATRICES, Or to their Attorney:KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS KRISTEN MATTHEWS LAW 14 E. Welsh Pool Rd. Exton, PA 19341

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF JOAN DELANEY, DECEASED. Late of East Whiteland Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to PAUL DELANEY, EXECUTOR, 425 Dartmouth Ln., West Grove, PA 19380, Or to his Attorney: ANITA D’AMICO D’AMICO LAW, P.C. 65 S. Third St. Oxford, PA 19363

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF THOMAS F. COLLIGAN a/k/a THOMAS F. COLLIGAN, JR., DECEASED.Late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to LAURIE O’CONNOR, EXECUTRIX, 18743 Dembridge Dr., Davidson, NC 28036, Or to her Attorney:ANITA M. D’AMICO D’AMICO LAW, P.C. 65 S. Third St. Oxford, PA 19363 2P-18-3T

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CIVIL ACTION – LAW NO.: 2024-10830-RC

TO: David B. Taltoan, and all

persons having or claiming to have any right, lien, title, interest in or claim against 265 South Mount Airy Road, Valley Township, Chester County, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320.

TAKE NOTICE THAT GS Mortgage Holdings X, LLC has filed a Complaint in Action to Quiet Title in the aforesaid Court as of the above term and number, and praying the Court to adjudicate and decree their title and right of possession to said premises, more particularly described in the said Complaint, indefeasible as against all rights and claims whatsoever, and you are hereby notified to file an Answer within twenty (20) days following the date of this publication, in default of which an Order may be entered as prayed for against you, requiring you to take such action as may be ordered by the Court within thirty days after the entry of such Order in default of which final judgment shall be entered.

If you wish to defend, you must enter a written appearance personally or by attorney and file your defenses or objections in writing with the Court. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you without further notice for the relief requested by Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS NOTICE TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER AND WISH TO RETAIN ONE, PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER LISTED BELOW: LAWYER REFERAL SERVICE (610) 429-1500 CLYMER MUSSER & SARNO PC Christopher A. Sarno, Esq. 408 W. Chestnut Street Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 299-7101 2p-18-1T

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Keystone Community Alliance Oxford, LP has submitted a Remedial Investigation Report/ Cleanup Plan/Final Report to the Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast Regional Office, to demonstrate attainment of the site-specific

standard for a site located at 642 Lincoln Street, Oxford Borough, Chester County. Keystone Community Alliance Oxford, LP has indicated that the remediation measures taken have attained compliance with the site-specific cleanup standard established under the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act. This notice is made under the provision of the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, the Act of May 19, 1995, P.L. #4, No. 2. 2p-18-1T

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Borough of Oxford will meet on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, commencing at 5:30 p.m., at the Borough Building, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, Pennsylvania, to hear the following: THE CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION OF COLLEEN BOROUGHS. The property is 55 S. 3rd Street, UPI No. 6-4231. The property is owned by EBHI Investments, LLC, and is located in the Town Center (TC) – 1 District of the Borough. Colleen Boroughs, a tenant of the property, seeks conditional use approval pursuant to §27-21.1 (Use Regulations) and Table 21.1 (Permitted Use Table) and §27-23.21 (Recreation and Entertainment, Indoor), of the Oxford Borough Zoning Ordinance to permit the operation of an Indoor Arcade on the property, in accordance with the standards of Article 42 (Conditional Uses) of the Zoning Ordinance, and any other such relief deemed necessary. All persons desiring to be heard may attend and be heard. If you are a person with a disability wishing to participate in the aforementioned meeting and require auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to observe or participate in the proceedings, please contact the Borough at 610-932-2500 to discuss how your needs may be best accommodated.

OXFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

GAWTHROP GREENWOOD, PC

Stacey L. Fuller, Solicitor 2P-18-2T

Byers and Clark honored as top students at Oxford Area High School

The Oxford Rotary Club recently honored Oxford Area High School students Emma Byers and Kiernan Clark as the Rotary Seniors of the Month. Clark said that he is honored to be selected as a Rotary Senior of the Month. He is a lifelong resident of Oxford and takes pride in being a part of the community. He is very involved in extracurricular activities in school and in the community. He takes numerous AP and Honors courses and serves as the vice president of the Class of 2026. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, and the Chester County Student Forum. Clark is also a leader in the school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and an ambassador

for the Morgan’s Message Foundation. He is a four-year member of the Oxford swim team and a four-year captain of the Oxford lacrosse team. He received First Team AllChes-Mont honors along with the George A. Kruse Sportsmanship Award. Clark works as a head lifeguard at the Jennersville YMCA and as a groundskeeper and maintenance technician at the West Nottingham Academy. He volunteers as a lacrosse coach through the Oxford Youth Lacrosse program. He attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and said that his faith is the most important aspect of his life. That led to his commitment to attend Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he will be studying mechanical engineering and playing lacrosse for the

Falcons. Messiah gives him the perfect opportunity to further both his faith and education while also playing lacrosse. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in the design and production of prosthetics, with the ultimate goal of being able to create advanced prosthetics for veterans.

Byers is a member of the National English Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the Student Council. She belongs to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Byers played on the Oxford Area High School varsity volleyball team and a club volleyball team. She is also a member of the Cornerstone Presbyterian Youth Group, and she is a volunteer at the child care program at her church.

LCH earns top federal review and national quality accreditation

LCH Health and Community Services announced two major milestones that solidify its position as a premier provider of high-quality, integrated healthcare in Southern Chester County as a leading community health center. LCH has successfully passed its rigorous Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Operational Site Visit with zero findings and has been officially awarded the Health Outcomes Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The operational site visit is a comprehensive threeday audit conducted by HRSA to ensure Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) meet nearly 100 stringent service, clinical, and financial requirements.

Achieving a result of “zero findings” is a rare and prestigious distinction, signaling that LCH operates at the highest level of federal compliance and fiscal responsibility.

“Receiving top marks on our HRSA Operational Site Visit is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of the dedication our team brings to our community every day,” said Ronan W. Gannon, CEO of LCH Health and Community Services. “It confirms that patients in Southern Chester County can count on LCH for high-quality, reliable care — and that we’re committed to continuously raising the bar.”

LCH also earned the NCQA Health Outcomes Accreditation. This accreditation recognizes organizations that use datadriven strategies to identify and eliminate challenges to accessing healthcare. It recognizes LCH’s approach to addressing those challenges, such as language, housing, and transportation, to ensure every patient achieves the best possible medical outcome.

Together, these

West Chester Restaurant Week returns Feb. 22 to March 1

Foodies throughout the area are already looking forward to the return of the highly anticipated West Chester Restaurant Week, which will run from Sunday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, March 1. For eight days, downtown West Chester will transform into a premier destination for food lovers, featuring exclusive multi-course, prix fixe menus from some of the area’s most celebrated dining establishments. Participating restaurants will offer curated lunch and dinner experiences priced between $40 and $60, providing an accessible way for diners to

experience high-end eating experiences, signature house favorites, and innovative new seasonal dishes.

“West Chester has firmly established itself as a regional culinary hub, and Restaurant Week is the perfect time to celebrate the chefs and staff who make our downtown so vibrant,” said John O’Brien, the executive director of Downtown West Chester.

“Whether you’re a lifelong resident or visiting for the first time, this event encourages everyone to explore a new cuisine or return to a beloved favorite, all while supporting our local independent businesses.”

Diners are highly encouraged to make reservations

in advance, as tables at popular locations fill up quickly. For a full list of participating restaurants, menu details, and reservation links, please visit www.downtownwestchester.com/ restaurantweek. Downtown West Chester is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of West Chester Borough’s beautiful downtown. By hosting community events, supporting local small businesses, and maintaining a beautiful, walkable environment, the organization ensures that West Chester remains a popular place to stay, shop, dine, and explore.

recognitions highlight operational integrity and clinical impact. LCH proves it is a vital resource capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. With these honors, LCH continues to expand its reach, offering primary care, pediatrics, women’s

Academy, a highly selective national leadership and mentorship program held at Walt Disney World. Only 100 students are chosen nationwide. Nidhi is health, behavioral health, dental care, and more to members of the community, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

For more information about LCH Health and Community Services and its national recognitions, visit LCHStayHealthy.com.

actively involved in community service and youth leadership, and her selection represents a major achievement for the local community.