Chester County Press 03-17-2021 Edition

Kennett schools will reopen for full in-person instruction on April 5

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

The Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) will return to full-time, in-person education on April 5. Parents will have the choice, however, to continue the full, virtual education for their children, which is known as Kennett Virtual Academy.

This comes after more than a year of closings and constant changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reopening process has been facilitated by a decrease nationwide, state-

wide and countywide in the number of COVID cases, as well as the recommendations by the Chester County Health Department that enable the superintendent and governing bodies of schools to make changes based on their own judgement.

During the school board meeting on March 8, Superintendent Dr. Dusty Blakey exhibited graphs showing that as of the end of February there were no cases of COVID among the KCSD staff and only one

‘We still have not felt the effects

in Chester County’

Vaccinations may be on the rise in Pa., but not here, Commissioners tell state

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Chester County stakeholders in the fight to vaccinate its residents against COVID-19 are giving notice to state officials about the amount of vaccines it has been making available in the county.

It’s not enough, and they have had enough.

In a statement released on March 12, County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michele Kichline issued a strong rebuke of the state’s distribution methods of the virus vaccine, stating that while they acknowledge that the pace of vaccinations across the commonwealth is on the rise, “we still have not felt the effects in Chester

County, and we know our residents are rightfully frustrated,” the statement read. “Our vaccine supply has been limited when compared with the capabilities of our Health Department to set up clinics and schedule vaccines across the whole of the County.”

To date, the Chester County Health

Star and Lantern will be newest addition at Kennett Creamery

Square Roots Collective to open new tavern in June

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

As if Square Roots Collective has not already made a significant social, natural and cultural impact on southern Chester County, the Kennett Square-based organization is about to unveil another notch in its growing catalog of community-based projects.

It’s opening up a tavern,

one that will not only serve drinks with names that will impress any mixologist, but one that will also honor the heroes of The Underground Railroad movement.

With a goal of opening in commemoration with the Juneteenth celebration this year, Square Roots Collective’s Star and Lantern will be an intimate cocktail bar located in the former site of a boiler room

at the Kennett Creamery on Birch Street in Kennett Square. The 100-seat venue will borrow some of its architectural design from the Creamery, combining the high ceilings and original stone walls with a menu and list of cocktails that evoke an era when the speakeasy served as a destination point for revelers.

“The entire theme of this

Candidates file for the Primary Election

Voters will see a lot of familiar names when they vote on Tuesday, May 18 as many incumbents are seeking re-election

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Primary Election is now just two months away and the races for various elected positions in southern Chester County are starting to take shape as candidates have circulated and filed the necessary nomination papers to have a spot on the ballot.

The Primary Election allows registered voters of each political party to select the candidates who will be nominated for the General Election. The Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 18, while the General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Here’s a look at some of the candidates who have filed for the upcoming election:

Borough Council races

In Oxford Borough, three incumbents are seeking reelection in a crowded field that is likely to remain that way heading into the

General Election. With four seats up for election in 2021, the Democratic candidates who have filed are incumbents Robert Ketcham and Ron Hershey, as well as Amanda Woolston and Mary-Laura Buchner Hulse. On the Republican side, Amanda Birdwell is seeking re-election and Michael McMurrough and Bill Fitzpatrick are looking to win their first election to Oxford Borough Council.

In Avondale Borough, the borough council candidates who have filed are Democrats Janet Watts and Michael Essmaker and incumbent Republican William Shore, Jr. Council president David Prosser is seeking re-election in West Grove Borough, as is council member William Temme. Lauren McDevitt, Leandria Hall, and Michael Ranieri have also filed for the Primary Election. Big changes appear to be

Phillies minor league history featured in new book

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

retirement.

During a typical year, baseball would provide Potter with the rhythms of summer, when he would watch as many games as possible and talk to the players, coaches, and scouts. He would take notes and chart data. He would write regular updates about the future Phillies that he was watching. And at the end of the year, he would

compile all that information into his Phillies Minor League Digest, a must-read book filled with notes, nuggets, statistics, photos, and Potter’s insights into the season. Each year between 2016 and 2020, the book arrived in the off-season. And then 2020 arrived, the pandemic hit, and suddenly there was no minor league season for

Potter to follow or write about.

He explained, “When play halted due to the pandemic and it was determined that there would be no minor league season, I decided to write a series of articles on my webpage on Phillies minor league history instead.”

He received a call from Larry Shenk, the retired,

longtime Phillies executive, who enjoyed reading the articles. Shenk suggested that the history of the Phillies minor league teams through the years might be a good subject for a book. “We chatted and decided to collaborate on writing the first and only Phillies minor league history book,” Potter explained. “He arranged to

among the student body.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Barber added that statistics show the spread in the Kennett School District municipalities comes essentially from outside the school community.

Still, Barber told parents, “If children are sick, keep them home.”

During the meeting, school nurse Diane Shannon addressed the health issues taking place in the upcoming schedule. She said that 20 percent of the staff have

Vaccinations

Continued from Page 1A

Department has requested 87,260 doses of the vaccine from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In a population of 524,989 –the 7th highest-populated county in the state – the department has received only 48,020 doses.

The county received 10,050 vaccine doses from the state’s health department last week, and of that number, 9,140 were sent to the Chester County Health Department -- 6,800 Moderna first and second doses and 2,340 Pfizer first doses. These represent woefully small numbers, given that the department said it has the capability to distribute as many as 25,000 does in a week with a few weeks’ notice.

The Commissioners’ statement shines a bit of reality to the “good news” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf shared in a release issued on March 12. In it, he praised the state’s COVID-19 vaccination roll out, specifically pointing to the decision by the state’s COVID-19 Task Force to secure 94,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines for the state’s educators, school staff and early childhood educators by March 28, as well as the progress the state is making on vaccinating Pennsylvanians in the Phase 1A stage.

Since the state order issued last month that directed vaccine providers

already been vaccinated and 50 more have had the first shot as of the date of the meeting.

With the reopening of the schools, she said that the rules for isolation and quarantine will remain the same – that is, enforcing a quarantine of 14 days after close contact with someone with COVID.

She added that Kennett has the widespread use of testing kits that can determine whether a student has COVID-19 or is just not feeling good.

When asked a related question that had been

to administer COVID-19 vaccines to ensure quick and efficient vaccinations, the state’s hospital systems now have enough vaccine to partner with counties to create county vaccination sites, the statement read, and the state has seen impressive improvements in its vaccine infrastructure and administration rates.

“Our 1A population contains some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and it is crucial that these individuals get vaccinated as quickly as possible,” Wolf said. “The Secretary of Health will also be issuing an Order that will require vaccine providers to make best efforts to schedule all 1A appointments by the end of the month. To assist them in achieving this goal, we will be providing greater visibility into their future allocations. This will allow them to schedule appointments with confidence in having sufficient supply to keep those appointments.”

County not receiving news of vaccine availability

These hopeful aspirations and projections of vaccine availability are not being felt in Chester County, the Commissioners said.

“We have not been given the two-to-three-week advance notice of vaccine availability as the Governor stated in his news conference, and as such have only scheduled appointments on a week-by-week basis to match our supply,” the statement continued.

submitted, Blakey said the district is aiming for all staff to receive the vaccine by the return date, but he cannot guarantee that everyone will have achieved total immunity by April 5.

Addressing conditions in the buildings, facilities director George Wolhafe reported enhanced cleaning and disinfection every night with HVAC running 24 hours every day. There have been increased filter changes, hand sanitizers all around the school and cleaning solutions in the classrooms.

“We feel really good about the measures we have in

“This keeps us from having to cancel and reschedule appointments if we do not receive the vaccine from the state to honor those appointments.”

From the time vaccinations were first administered in the county, 49,297 residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 43,315 have received their second dose -- numbers that include distribution by the county’s health department, hospitals and pharmacies. Of the total, 25,007 residents have received first dose of the vaccine from the health department, and 15,167 people have received their second dose from the health department.

Gov. Wolf stated that the state’s counties will be encouraged to work within their region to submit a proposal for a mass vaccination clinic, community vaccination clinics, mobile clinics or other strategy in the coming weeks, in order to vaccinate their region’s currently eligible individuals. The Task Force will review proposals and determine those that best demonstrate an ability to support a mass vaccination clinic.

“We know that county leaders and emergency management organizations have been working hard to put plans in place and make preparations for vaccination sites in their communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “We will be working closely with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania to create plans for these regional vaccine clinics.

Using the Johnson & Johnson supply to support regionally planned and facilitated mass vaccination sites, as well as quickly completing vaccine missions for critical frontline workers, means more “shots in arms,” Gov. Wolf said, while also helping seniors secure appointments and their vaccines ahead of the broader population.

place,” he said. Director of Math-Science Curriculum Lydia Hallman reported on plans for summer school, which she said has been expanded due to “learning loss” from the pandemic schedule alterations.

For the elementary school (all at Bancroft Elementary School) the district will offer a program with the Kennett Area YMCA that provides math and language arts in the morning with socialemotional and fun activities in the afternoon.

Also, for the elementary schoolers, there will be twoweek enlightenment courses

“With 200,000 Johnson & Johnson weekly doses coming to Pennsylvania starting the week of March 28 and our supply of Moderna and Pfizer continuing to increase weekly, today’s announcement is another special initiative that again is a step in the right direction to not only protect our most vulnerable population but also speed up our vaccine rollout,” he said. “Through the regional vaccination clinics, we will achieve greater access for seniors who have been struggling to find available doses and a more equitable distribution by allowing communities to direct doses to their most vulnerable residents and in April we will also be able to target our frontline, essential workers who have had no choice but to continue serving our commonwealth amidst this pandemic.”

Gov. Wolf explained that the Task Force is still working through the details of these next special initiatives and will announce more information before additional Johnson & Johnson allocations become available on March 28.

Waiting on the state

The Chester County Health Department also issued a statement on March 12, saying that while it supports Gov. Wolf’s plan to accelerate the state’s vaccine rollout plan, it is eager to accelerate the number of people it vaccinates, but awaits additional data from the state before it can do so.

“We have contracted with venues, and invested in staffing and mobile units to vaccinate upwards of 25,000 people a week with just two weeks’ notice, and 33,000 people a week with four weeks’ notice,” the department’s statement read. “We still need to be told what quantity of vaccine we will receive, and when, to know how many clinics to open and staff, and how many appoint-

in music, technology and mathematics, with YMCA activities in the afternoon.

For the middle school, there will be remedial courses for grades 6, 7 8 and 9 to prepare for the coming school year.

In the high school, the school will offer credit recovery for those who didn’t quite pass, five-week original summer school for those who need to make up failed classes and introduction classes in engineering design and career exploration.

In other business, two students received approval to

undertake the establishment of new clubs in the high school.

Sophomore Adrian Shevchuk proposed a boys volleyball club that would make use of the girls volleyball team equipment.

“Volleyball is a game that can last a lifetime,” he said, adding that seven potential members are confirmed, and he’s reaching out for an additional 10 participants.

Freshman Nevaeh Mains is proposing an African American History Club.

“I want to be able to teach about African American history,” she said.

ments to schedule for those clinics. “

The Commissioners echoed the concerns of the health department.

“We can certainly open up appointments by March 28th, per the Governor’s plan, but there are many questions that require answers, and quickly, if we are to accurately schedule appointments for everyone in Phase 1A by that date,” the Commissioners’ statement continued. “To begin with, we need to hear from the state how many vaccines we can schedule for beginning March 22.

“If the state does, in fact, send us greater supply, we are definitely prepared to open additional sites where Chester County residents can get vaccinated.”

Meanwhile, the state’s trend in the 14-day moving average number of patients hospitalized for COVID19 per day is about 4,500 lower than it was at its peak on Dec. 25, 2020, and also below what it was at the height of its spring peak on May 3, 2020.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

COVID-19 vaccination updates from the Chester County Health Department

Starting Monday, March 12, the department will be holding vaccine clinics at West Chester University’s Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center, the Kennett Square Fire Company’s Red Clay Room and The Kimberton Fire Company

Vaccination clinics for seniors will be held at the Phoenixville Senior Center, the Brandywine Valley Active Aging Center (formerly Coatesville Senior Center) and the Oxford Area Senior Center

All Chester County Health Department COVID-19 vaccine clinics are by appointment only, and individuals are contacted by the Health Department when they are next in the registration list “line” to schedule the vaccine. The department continues to schedule those people who have pre-registered for the vaccine on or before Jan. 17, 2021.

The Chester County Health Department COVID-19 Call Center can be reached by calling 610-344-6225, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Information is supplied in both English and Spanish.

Kathi Lafferty retires as Mushroom Festival coordinator

After 20 years of volunteer service, Kathi Lafferty has retired as the Mushroom Festival coordinator.

Her leadership over the years created a bond of trust between the board, the mushroom industry, and the Borough of Kennett Square. The community saw the Festival grow from a one-day, oneblock local celebration to a nationally recognized event that attracted upwards of 100,000 visitors to Kennett Square. With the help of many dedicated volunteers, the Festival grew into one of the largest and most prestigious events in Pennsylvania. Over the last few years Lafferty also created and then planned the annual Midnight in the Square/Mushroom Drop on New Year’s Eve.

“I am proud of how the Mushroom Festival has evolved over the last 20 years and the impact it has had in my community,” said Lafferty, reflecting on her tenure as its leader. “Since joining the Mushroom Festival Board for the 16th Annual Mushroom Festival, there are several things I advocated for that have enhanced the Festival.”

Lafferty recalled her first accomplishment was beginning the Mushroom Festival Grant Program.

“The Grant Program gave our sponsors a cause to support that would have good outcomes in the community all year,” she said.

To date, the Mushroom Festival has awarded well over $1.1 million to local non-profits and supported research on the health benefits of mushroom with such institutions as the City of Hope.

“That makes me very proud to have been a part of it,” said Lafferty. She supported the decision to start charging a modest entrance fee for the Festival. The funds raised from the entrance fees allowed the Festival to give even more back to the community through the grant program. She arranged for the Festival to partner with the Kennett High School Sports Boosters to staff the entrances. Then each year the Festival makes a sizable donation to the organization. One of the outcomes of this partnership is the stadium lights at the high school.

During Lafferty’s tenure, the Mushroom Festival was featured on Food Network’s “All American Food Festivals” show. The Festival was featured as one of America’s Best Food Festivals by Gourmet Live and won second place in the Reader’s Choice/ USA Today Travel contest. Travelocity also gave the Mushroom Festival the distinction as one of the top 10 festivals in Pennsylvania. Smithsonian Magazine featured the Mushroom Festival in a story about the most interesting cultural

events around the world.

After a suggestion from local PA State Representative John Lawrence, Lafferty, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, made it their mission to feature “The Mushroom Capital of the World” in a New Year’s Eve event. From the raising of funds, to the construction of a 700-pound stainless steel mushroom covered in LED lights, the vision came to life. Each year, the community gathers in the center of town to witness the Mushroom Drop. Neighbors meeting neighbors, friends meeting friends, the young and old, all there to celebrate the New Year and the famous mushroom.

Lafferty said it was time for her to step down and allow someone else to lead the Festival through the next few decades. Both the mushroom industry and the Borough of Kennett Square are changing, and the Mushroom Festival will need to evolve again to meet those changes. After having to cancel the Festival in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Festival restart is a good time to transition to another Festival Coordinator.

“I loved the Festival,” exclaims Lafferty. “There was just so much energy in Kennett Square. We had the best volunteers who would come out year after year to support us. It has always

Elections... Continued from Page 1A

coming to Kennett Square Borough Council, where the four incumbents who are up for election this year—Ethan Cramer, LaToya Myers, Dr. Brenda Mercomes, and Peter Waterkotter—are not included on the unofficial list of candidates on the Chester County Voter Services webpage. Kathleen Caccamo, Timothy Kerver, Samantha Ferraro, and Bob Norris have all filed for the Primary Election. Norris previously served on the Kennett School Board and as a supervisor in New Garden Township.

Mayoral races

Southern Chester County has four boroughs where mayoral races will be decided in 2021. Kennett Square

East Nottingham Township

Phillip Brenner (D)

Shelley McLeod

Meadowcroft (R)

Joseph Herlihy (R)

Thomas Faux (R)

Elk Township

Estace Walters (R)

Franklin Township

James Johnson (R)

Donna Dea (R)

Dawn Dowling (D)

Kennett Township

Whitney Hoffman (D)

Geoffrey Gamble (R)

Peter Doehring (D)

London Britain Township

Glenn Frederick (R)

Russell McKinnon (R)

London Grove Township

Christina Fanning (R)

Unexpired four-year term in London Grove Township

Stephen Zurl (R)

Lower Oxford Township

Kathleen Widdoes (D)

Robert McMahon (R)

been just one big, happy family. We were able to give visitors from near and far a great experience and give them a little education about Kennett Square’s mushroom industry. There is so much I will miss about planning the Festival each year, but it is time to move on.”

Located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, the Mushroom Festival is held the weekend after Labor Day. Attendance estimates are about 100,000 visitors over the two-day event. The mission of The Mushroom Festival, Inc. (a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation), is to promote the mushroom, educate consumers about the health benefits of mushrooms and to promote tourism in Southern Chester County, all while financially supporting local and regional charities through a grant process.

mayor Matt Fetick and West Grove mayor Stephen Black are both seeking re-election.

In Oxford Borough, incumbent mayor Phil Harris is seeking a full, four-year term after being appointed to fill a vacancy. In Avondale, incumbent mayor Stephen Cummings is seeking the Republican nomination, while Susan Rzucidlo is a Democratic candidate who is seeking the nomination.

Supervisor candidates

Many townships will be electing supervisors in this election cycle. Here’s a list of people who have filed for the Primary Election along with the party that they are seeking the nomination from: East Marlborough

Township

Kathryn Monahan (D)

William Mullin (R) Unexpired two-year term in East Marlborough Twp Burling Vannote (D)

New Garden Township

Michael Loftus (R)

Troy Wildrick (D)

Edward “Ted” Gallivan, Jr. (D)

New London Township

Dale Lauver (R)

Penn Township

William Radar O’Connell (R)

Jay Ennis (R)

Ronald Hill (D)

Upper Oxford Township

Howard Reyburn (R)

West Nottingham

Township

Russell Lux (D)

Tiffany Bell (R)

May 3 is the last day to register to vote in the Primary Election. The Primary Election takes place on Tuesday, May 18.

To contact Staff Writer

Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

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Continued from Page 1A

tavern, from the art on the wall to the names of the cocktails to the stories on the menus are positioned to encoura ge curiosity around the history of The Underground Railroad,” said Square Roots co-founder Mike Bontrager, who introduced plans for the new venue at the Historic Kennett Square Economic Council’s March 12 online meeting.

“In this era when we all are longing for good stories around race relations, the story of The Underground Railroad is just a story of free Blacks and white abolitionists working together and risking all to help enslaved people find freedom.”

Symbols of the movement

The Star and Lantern gets its name from a blend of two symbols that were promi-

Phillies

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interview multiple former Phillies big leaguers and I reached out to current Phillies minor leaguers, coaches and administrators. We composed the entire book over a course of seven months.”

The result of Potter’s collaboration with Shenk is Life in the Minors, 5th Annual Phillies Minor League Digest, an historical book that details the franchise’s minor leagues from the first affiliate in Hazleton, Pa., to the current structure of minor league franchises that help develop the next generation of Phillies players.

The book details the history of 115 Phillies minor league affiliates—from Appleton (WI) and Huron (SD) to Magic Valley (ID) and Walla Walla (WA), and of course the longtime association with Reading (PA).

Among the many minor league team names featured in the book are the Mountaineers, Peaches, Manufacturers, Muckdogs, Papermakers, Johnnies, Red Barons, Threshers, Blue Jays, Marlins, and Padres.

The most prominent, obviously, is the Phillies.

nently featured along The Underground Railroad –the star, which served as a navigational tool, and the lantern, which was considered a sign of hospitality for those searching for their freedom along the route.

Bontrager said the Star and Lantern formed as a result of the creative intersection between two Square Roots Collective initiatives: The Creamery, its successful beer garden on Birch Street; and the Voices Underground Project, a partnership with Lincoln University that promotes the history of The Underground Railroad and racial healing through storytelling.

In many ways, Bontrager said the Star and Lantern will be reflective of the Project’s mission.

“Our purpose has been to harness the power of these stories, to understand how we got to the racial divide in our country, and to shift the attitudes so that people

Mike Schmidt, Bobby Wine and Rick Wise. Adam Haseley and multiple current Phillies minor league players also share their experiences in the game.

Additional stories are included from other minor league personnel, including managers, coaches, executives and broadcasters.

“The highlights of the book are each of the stories we were able to tell, the cities where the Phillies played, how minor league baseball evolved and all of the people it touches,” Potter explained.

“The true story though is always the people. One that shouldn’t go overlooked is Allen Greenwood’s story. He’s a Unionville resident who played briefly in the Phillies system, and his story is a very real testament to the majority of the players who were minor leaguers, yet never made it to the big leagues.”

of different backgrounds can begin to lean toward each other rather than leaning away,” he said. “That happens best through engagement and through invitation. While the intangible goal of Voices Underground is racial healing through storytelling, our tangible goal is a public memorialization or a monument that can serve as a focal point for people who are interested in those stories.”

A ‘thirst’ to learn more

Bontrager said that the tavern will serve as an invitation to spark the curiosity of its visitors.

“It’s our hope that people will want to learn more,” he said. “They’ll want to go the Kennett Heritage Center. They will want take the tours that the Kennett Underground Railroad Center provides. Our whole goal [with the tavern] is to subtly encourage a thirst to

learn more about our history, and take one more step in our journey toward racial healing.”

The tavern is the latest in a series of Square Roots Collective’s initiatives, which together help articulate the group’s mission to collaborate with other agencies to create a holistic network of opportunity, education and activity. In addition to The Creamery

great Dick Allen

signed him. He made quite an impression early on by homering in an exhibition game between the Reading Phillies and the big league club. Schmidt is quoted as saying that starting his career at the Double-A level challenged him to work harder and helped him reach the majors a year earlier than he would have.

Andersen joked that the highlight of his minor league career was being called the "ace" on a Williamsport Tomahawks team that went 48-91 in 1976. He also noted that he led the team in hitting by going 1-2—a robust .500 batting average—plus a walk.

As any Phillies fan knows, Larry Andersen’s unique insights into the game of baseball are priceless. Andersen enjoyed a 17-year pitching career and is now a color analyst for Phillies’ radio broadcasts. He described his experiences in baseball this way:

Life in the Minors, 5th Annual Phillies Minor League Digest features interviews with Phillies legends about their time spent in the minors, including stories from Dick Allen, Larry Andersen, Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Charlie Manuel, Mickey Morandini, Jimmy Rollins,

Phillies fans will love some of the memories and insights that are included in the book. Dick Allen, one of the top hitters in franchise history, recalled playing shortstop during his first year in the minors when he played alongside his brother Hank, who was also part of the Phillies’ organization. Hank recalled seeing Dick get hit by a pitch that caused him to miss several weeks. Hank and Dick would both go on to make it to the big leagues.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt was sent to play for the Reading Phillies six days after the organization

Manage

“I was traded, released, loaned out, sent down, optioned out, purchased and a free agent six times. When you figure the buses, the flights, apartments, hotels and motels, small locker rooms including trailers, fast food restaurants and dive bars due to our $5.00 a day meal money allowance…well, that’s life in pro baseball.”

Shenk joined the Phillies organization in 1963 as the director of public relations and was named the vice president of public relations in 1981. He remained in that role until he took on an advisory role in 2008. He writes his own Phillies insider blog. Potter, a retired Pfizer executive who previously lived in Chester County, first published an annual Minor League Digest following the 2016 season. He is the site owner and the writer of the baseball blog philliesbaseballfan.com.

Life in the Minors, 5th Annual Phillies Minor League Digest has a fan in Pat Gillick, a Hall of Fame executive who was general manager when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series.

and the Voices Underground Project, its projects include the Kennett Trails Alliance, an initiative to physically link the Kennett community to natural surroundings and neighborhoods; Maple Grove Housing, a partnership with local municipal, business, and nonprofit sectors to address affordable housing; the Kindergarten Readiness Initiative, that provides educational opportunities to children from underserved neighborhoods; the Birch Street Project, a plan to develop the street as a cultural attraction; and the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network, a collaborative group of local leaders united to address poverty in the community.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Gillick’s playing career is featured in the book.

“This is really a unique book,” Gillick said in a press release. “No other book to my knowledge covers the minor league history of any team. My career concluded with the Phillies, but I intermingled with many of their legends when I was a minor leaguer. My first manager was Billy DeMars. In every league I played, the Phillies had a team. I played against guys like Pat Corrales, Lee Elia, Norm Gigon, Ray Culp, John Herrnstein, Dick Allen, Dennis Bennett and Danny Cater.”

The foreword for the book is written by lead broad-

caster Tom McCarthy, who began his broadcasting career as the voice of the Trenton Thunder. He shares some memories of his own experiences in the minor leagues.

Jim Peyton is the editor. Photo contributions to the annual digests have been made by Cheryl Pursell (Lehigh Valley), George Youngs Jr. (Reading), Michael Dill (Jersey Shore) and Mark Wylie (Clearwater).

The 355-page book is now on sale on Amazon, and it is available in color and black and white editions. A portion of the proceeds will go to Phillies Charities, Inc. Star and

New Garden Township: A new “there” there

Throughout the halls, back rooms and meeting forums of our local municipalities, bean counters elected to office abound to an almost absurd and comical extent.

Most, if not all, are voted to their respective positions in order to do just that – count up the rubles, francs and shillings of their government and measure each and every decision against whether even the smallest of ideas affects the township’s account. While all of this bottom line tallying is quietly necessary, it often places a paralyzing chokehold on those officials who were elected to lead and yet chose to allow their township’s respective budgets to dictate the course of their time in office.

Over the last decade, the most profound and lasting municipal, civic and social progress of southern Chester County has been measured by the work of our elected dreamers, the men and women of our local governing boards and councils who have managed to look first at the bottom line and then bravely reach for the heavens. Their accomplishments dot our towns and landscapes: witness

the business revitalization of Kennett Square Borough; the purchase and permanent preservation of land in Kennett Township; the continually forward motion of progress in downtown Oxford; and several other initiatives by elected officials too many to mention within this space.

During that time – in a decade-long highlight reel of achievements from one municipality to the next –the work of one township has stood clearly and consistently above their neighbors.

Ten years ago, New Garden Township and its Board of Supervisors were on the brink of relinquishing a sizable chunk of the township’s prized and available acreage to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), whose preliminary plans forecasted the arrival of what would have become a concrete wasteland of box stores and parking lots. It was a concept that was overwhelmingly rejected by the township’s residents -- and one easily 25 years past its prime – but some board members applauded the idea, thinking that it would increase tax ratables in the township, while others voted

in favor of the plan simply because they feared that PREIT would drive the township into litigation if they voted against them.

Thanks to a combination of a citizen-led brigade of opposition and the company’s wish to sell off many of its properties, however, the deal fell through. In April 2019, PREIT sold the undeveloped land parcel to JP Morgan Chase for $11 million – $8.25 million cash and $2.75 million in preferred stock.

A few years later, a new group of supervisors took their seats, and with a renewed sense of vision, leadership and a lot of wise investments, they began to redefine the township.

The board, made up of Steve Allaband, Richard Ayotte, Randy Geouque, Pat Little and Michael Loftus – as well as township manager Tony Scheivert -- heard then New Garden Township Police Chief Gerald Simpson call for the establishment of a regional police department, and even more broadly, the need to create a new home for the regional police.

Within two years, the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department was formed, and in 2018, its $5 million facility opened. Seeing the need to expand their residents’ increasing

need for a walkable park, the township wisely invested in a two-phase plan to upgrade New Garden Township Park. Witnessing the decaying infrastructure of its wastewater system and the taxpayer funding required to maintain it, the board voted to sell the system to Aqua PA for the sum of $29.5 million, which after four years of negotiations, was finally settled late last year. Now flush with capital from the sale, the township is using the funds to pay off the cost of the police facility, as well as continue to invest in the upkeep and expansion of its intricate system of nature trails, as well as look for more opportunities to purchase and preserve township land as perpetual open space.

In 2018, the Board of Supervisors, under Scheivert’s leadership, entered into what may become the most sound investment made by a local municipality in the last several decades. After years of back-and-forth negotiation, the township purchased the 137.5-acre St. Anthony in the Hills property for $1.5 million in December 2018 from St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wilmington.

Guided by the wish to serve succeeding generations, the

Guest column

board made the choice to give new life to a neglected part of its past, and through the work of a consultant, is now orchestrating the future of a property through commitment, vision and the people’s ideas. Neglected trails and walkways once over-run with growth will someday join the township’s trail system. The long-dormant structures of a popular miniature golf course will someday be used again by families. An empty pool will soon become the home of a beautiful swimming and recreational facility, with a restaurant and other amenities. An old Greekstyle ampitheater is on the planning docket to be converted into an outdoor movie theater.

The future of New Garden Township is just beginning, but it rests entirely in the hands of its leaders. Allaband, Little and Loftus, now joined by fellow supervisors Kristie Brodowski, David Unger and new township manager Ramsey Reiner, are charged with the responsibility to properly usher in the development of the proposed White Clay Pointe, whose planned footprint of commercial and residential

growth will occupy nearly 200 acres along Route 41. In order to do so, they must steer the development’s design in a way that it will lend itself seamlessly to the rest of the township, not dominate the landscape. They must adhere to the standards of success that their decisions have already yielded: to maintain an appreciation for open space; to create a proper balance of commercial and residential opportunities; and to orchestrate a viable and walkable connection to Saint Anthony in the Hills.

Criticizing her native Oakland for its provincial and vacuous culture, Gertrude Stein once wrote, “There is no there there.” Long thought of as merely a drive-by municipality with very few reasons for an out-of-towner to pay a visit, New Garden Township is emerging as the new “there” for southern Chester County. The there is there in New Garden Township, and it has been built on the foundation of vision undertaken by its leadership. On the heels of this foundation, we patiently wait for its future to fully arrive.

Open government is key to honest government

By Ken Paulson

When government fails, it’s the rare public official who says, “Oops. My fault.”

That’s human nature, particularly for officials in the public eye who may have to run for office again. No one wants to be held directly responsible for letting the public down.

Case in point is the recent catastrophe in Texas, when unexpected winter storms left four million homes without power, ruptured pipes and tainted the water supply for many.

Texas’ energy grid essentially collapsed. While Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was quick to blame frozen wind turbines, the cause was much more complex than that. To

truly understand how things went so terribly wrong will require time, study and research.

So, too, with the coronavirus vaccine distribution. In this state and others, residents are frustrated with the slow rollout of vaccines. Is it poor distribution? Politics?

A flawed strategy? These are literally matters of life and death.

But how do you get to the truth when public officials so rarely step up to take direct responsibility for failures?

The answer is public records. And public meetings. And access to the information that taxpayers deserve.

States throughout the country have laws that guar-

antee access to government records and meetings, but the details vary widely and there are many statutory exceptions. New challenges to access emerge every year in virtually every state.

The need to fight for government transparency is reaffirmed each year during Sunshine Week, a national awareness event overseen by the News Leaders Association and keyed to the March 16 birthday of James Madison.

The fourth president of the United States drafted the Bill of Rights – including the guarantee of a free press – in 1791.

That journalism connection reflects the role news media play in the free flow of information, but it unfor-

tunately can also leave the public with a sense that Sunshine Week reflects the concerns of a single industry.

To the contrary, access to government information is critical to every American who cares about the quality of his or her community, state and nation.

It’s important to see government employees – including elected officials – as the people we hire through our tax dollars to do a good job for all of us. If you run a business or hire a contractor, you wouldn’t hesitate to demand a full understanding of how something went wrong. That should be exactly our relationship with government.

Getting that information, though, requires public

meetings where residents can ask questions. It also means access to the documents that led to a poor decision. Words on paper can be much more forthright than the dissembling of politicians. It’s critical that we hold government accountable, for better or worse. (It’s also important to acknowledge when government leaders are doing a good job.)

How can you help? I have two suggestions. First, keep doing exactly what you’re doing at this moment. Read and support your local newspaper. Local journalists, more than anyone else, will stand up for your right to information. Facebook will not be going toe-to-toe with your mayor.

Second, when you believe government isn’t doing its job, demand an explanation. Ask to see the documents. Attend public meetings. And above all, support legislative efforts to make government more transparent. It’s too easy for officials who have failed us to point fingers, blame the media and wait for their side of the partisan fence to rally to their defense. We deserve better. We all pay taxes to support the work of government. We should get our money’s worth.

Ken Paulson is the director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, a lawyer and a former editor-in-chief of USA Today.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccines? We have answers.

By Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath

Many Americans have questions about COVID-19 vaccines – and rightfully so. There’s lots of information out there, and researchers are learning new details about the virus daily.

But the science is very clear: Getting communities vaccinated is a crucial step to returning to “normal” life.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines:

Should I get the vaccine with pre-existing conditions?

People with certain pre-existing conditions, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, are more likely to experience severe complications from contracting COVID19. For this reason, they’re strongly encouraged to get

vaccinated. In clinical trials, the COVID-19 vaccines showed similar safety and effectiveness in folks with some underlying medical conditions as in patients without pre-existing conditions. Talk to your doctor in more detail about your specific concerns before getting vaccinated.

Are there side-effects to the vaccine?

Yes, it’s possible to have side-effects to the COVID19 vaccine. Side-effects vary depending on the individual and the vaccine. Many people may have mild side effects, including pain or redness at the site of the injection, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, fever, and chills. Most let up within a day. Although rare, some people have reported allergic reactions to the vaccines. An extraordinarily tiny fraction of vaccine recipi-

ents have experienced anaphylaxis -- a severe allergic reaction that can impair people’s breathing. However, you’re about six times more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to experience anaphylaxis from a COVID-19 vaccine. Speak with your doctor or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more details.

Where do I get vaccinated?

The federal government is delivering vaccine shipments in bulk to states, which are then responsible for distributing the doses to different vaccination sites, such as pharmacies and clinics. Therefore, the vaccine is available in different places in different states. Depending on your state, you may be able to get the vaccine at a healthcare site (like a doctor’s

office, pharmacy, hospital) or a temporary clinic (like a school gymnasium, community center, church, or library).

Visit your state health department website or www.covidvaccinefacts. org/states to learn where and when you can receive a vaccine.

Will I still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing after I get vaccinated?

Yes. Research shows vaccines protect individuals from contracting and experiencing severe reactions to COVID-19. However, it’s possible to spread the virus to people post-vaccination. Until we know for sure there is minimal risk of infecting others post-vaccination, you should continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

More questions?

Visit www.covidvac-

cinefacts.org to find a comprehensive list of answers related to vaccine technologies, clinical trials, the FDA-approval process, and more.

Michelle McMurryHeath, a physician scientist, is president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. She previously served as a senior official in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Regulatory Health, the top science and health legislative aide for Sen. Joe Lieberman, and on President Obama’s science transition team.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF PENNSYLVANIA

This notice contains information about questions that will be on the ballot in the Municipal Primary to be held on May 18, 2021.

The ballot questions propose three separate amendments to the Constitution of Pennsylvania, based on a joint resolution of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.

If one or more of the ballot questions is approved by a majority of the people voting on it, each amendment approved will become law.

amendments during the 2020 session and approved them for a second time during the 2021 session of the legislature, as required by Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution.

This public notice is part of the process of amending the Constitution of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is required to publish:

• A copy of the joint resolution proposing the amendments.

• The text of each question that will be on the ballot.

• Attorney General explaining the purpose, limitations and Commonwealth.

Text that appears in bold print are the changes to the words of the Constitution that are proposed by the General Assembly. If the amendment is approved, the words underlined would be added to the Constitution and the words in [brackets] would be deleted.

If you need help reading this advertisement or need the text of the proposed amendment in an alternative format, call or write the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Election Services and ra-elections@pa.gov.

Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth

JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2021 – 1

Proposing separate and distinct amendments to the Constitution of Pennsylvania, in declaration of rights, providing for prohibition against denial or abridgment of equality of rights because of race and ethnicity; in legislation, further providing for action on concurrent orders and resolutions; and, in the executive, providing for disaster emergency declaration and management.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby resolves as follows:

Section 1. The following separate and distinct amendments to the Constitution of Pennsylvania are proposed in accordance with Article XI:

adding a section to read:

§ 29. Prohibition against denial or abridgment of equality of rights because of race and ethnicity.

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the race or ethnicity of the individual.

Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of both [question of adjournment] questions of adjournment or termination or extension of a disaster emergency declaration as declared by an executive order or proclamation, or portion of a disaster emergency declaration as declared by an executive order or proclamation, shall be presented

according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill.

§ 20. Disaster emergency declaration and management.

(a) A disaster emergency declaration may be declared by executive disaster has occurred or that the occurrence or threat of a disaster is imminent that threatens the health, safety or welfare of this Commonwealth.

(b) Each disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor under subsection (a) shall indicate the nature, each area threatened and the conditions of the disaster, including whether the disaster is a natural disaster, military emergency, public health emergency, statute. The General Assembly shall, by statute, provide for the

manner in which each type of disaster enumerated under this subsection shall be managed.

(c) A disaster emergency declaration under subsection (a) shall be extended in whole or part by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly.

(d) Upon the expiration of a disaster emergency declaration under subsection (a), the Governor may not issue a new disaster emergency declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts and circumstances without the passage of a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly expressly approving the new disaster emergency declaration.

these proposed constitutional amendments, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such newspapers constitutional amendments.

these proposed constitutional amendments, the secretary of the commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such newspapers constitutional amendments. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall:

election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly.

general or municipal election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly.

election which meets the requirements of and is in conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and which occurs at least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the General Assembly.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT –ARTICLE III, SECTION 9 RELATING TO TERMINATION OR EXTENSION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS

Ballot Question

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration—and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration—through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?

Joint Resolution No. 2021-1 proposes to amend Article III, Section traditional legislative procedure by allowing the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration or a portion of such declaration without needing the Governor’s approval.

Representatives and Senate must be presented to the Governor for his approval or veto. Resolutions for the adjournment of the General Assembly are exempted from this process. If the order, resolution or vote is approved by the Governor, it becomes law. If the Governor vetoes the resolution, it does not become law unless two-thirds

amendment would create an additional exception to this customary legislative procedure for concurrent resolutions to terminate or extend, in whole or in part, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor.

recent ruling of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which held the Pennsylvania Constitution prohibited the General Assembly from disaster emergency declaration without presenting it to the Governor for his approval. It will change the law to allow the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration through a concurrent resolution approved by only a majority of the resolution to the Governor for his approval or veto.

The proposed amendment is limited in that it only changes the traditional legislative process for terminating or extending disaster emergency declarations issued by the Governor. The amendment will not alter the current legislative procedure with respect to which orders, resolutions or votes of the General Assembly must be presented to the Governor for his approval on any other subject matter.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – ARTICLE IV DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MANAGEMENT

Ballot Question

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?

Joint Resolution No. 2021-1 proposes adding a new section to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Constitution. This amendment incorporates disaster emergency declaration and management powers directly into the Constitution by:

• Granting the Governor authority to declare a disaster emergency declaration by proclamation or executive order;

• Requiring each declaration to indicate the nature, location and type of disaster;

• Granting the General Assembly authority to pass laws providing for the manner in which each disaster shall be managed;

• Limiting the duration of a Governor’s declaration to 21 days, unless otherwise extended, in whole or in part, by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly;

• Preventing the Governor, upon the expiration of a declaration, from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts, unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution expressly approving a new declaration.

Currently, disaster emergency declaration and management powers are delegated by statute to the Governor. The Governor has the sole authority to issue and manage all disaster emergency by the Governor. The General Assembly may override a Governor’s disaster emergency declaration by concurrent resolution that must be presented to the Governor for his approval or veto.

If approved, the amendment would transfer certain of the Governor’s existing authority to respond to and manage disaster emergencies to the General Assembly. The Governor would retain the authority to issue an initial disaster emergency declaration but days. The sole authority to extend a declaration would lie with the General Assembly; presently, this power rests with the Governor. the Governor from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts without the approval of the General Assembly. The Governor would no longer have unilateral authority to manage disasters, but would have to do so consistent with the laws passed by the General Assembly.

If approved, the General Assembly would be required to pass new laws establishing the manner in which each type of disaster shall be managed. If added to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the

unconstitutional or by the approval of a subsequent constitutional amendment.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – ARTICLE I

Ballot Question

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?

Joint Resolution No. 2021-1, if approved by the electorate, will add a new section to Article I of the Pennsylvania Constitution. This amendment creates a constitutional prohibition against restricting or denying an individual’s equal rights under Pennsylvania law because of race or ethnicity.

Generally, inclusion of this amendment within the Pennsylvania or ethnicity is an essential principle of liberty and free government. This amendment applies to all Pennsylvania state, county and local governmental entities, and guarantees equality of rights under the law. The amendment, if enacted, will become a part of the Pennsylvania Constitution. As such, its provisions must be applied consistent with the other provisions of the Constitution.

This equal right to be free from racial or ethnic discrimination will Constitution or corresponding federal law. If the current federal protections proscribing racial or ethnic discrimination are abolished, the prohibition against such discrimination will remain in the Pennsylvania Constitution. The amendment is limited in that it creates a right only under Pennsylvania law.

Once added to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the right to be free from racial or ethnic discrimination under the law cannot be unconstitutional or the approval of a subsequent constitutional amendment. If approved, the General Assembly may pass new laws to implement the amendment, but it may not pass a law inconsistent with it.

LIVING HISTORY

Living History: Thomas McKean, the ‘Forgotten Founding Father’

By Gene Pisasale

How many people do you know of who: 1) served as the governor of two states, 2) fought in a major war which changed the course of history, and 3) wrote the Constitution of his state? Chester County native Thomas McKean did all those things and much more. Born in New London Township on March 19, 1734, Thomas McKean was one of the most gifted politicians of his time. He participated in early debates over American independence from England, showing his dedication to “the cause” (as George Washington called it) by serving in the local militia during the Revolutionary War.

McKean was educated at Reverend Francis Alison’s New London Academy in New London Township, Chester County, one of the earliest schools in the American colonies.

Alison had other students who later became famous: George Read and James Smith. All three men, including McKean, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1789 also was a student of Alison’s. The New London Academy later moved from the township and became the Newark Academy in Delaware, which itself was the forerunner of the University of Delaware.

At age 16, McKean went to New Castle, Delaware to study law. He was admitted to the Bar of the Lower Counties (as Delaware was then known) in 1755; the next year he was admitted to the Bar of Pennsylvania.

McKean had a superb legal mind and was an active participant in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, where he and his friend, Delaware resident Caesar Rodney were vocal supporters of the “one state, one vote” policy which Congress later adopted in its proceedings.

McKean had active ties to both Pennsylvania and Delaware. He and his first wife lived at 22 The Strand in New Castle. After she

died, McKean re-married, and with his second wife he resided at the northeast corner of 3rd and Pine Streets in downtown Philadelphia. It was a short walk for him to the Pennsylvania State House, where he was a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congress, and active in the struggle for liberty. He served in several important positions, including the Secret Committee (procuring supplies and material), the Claims Committee, the Treasury and the Qualifications Committee reviewing officer appointments to Washington’s Continental Army. McKean’s claim to fame came when Delaware’s delegates to the Second Continental Congress were about to vote regarding independence. When his colleague from the Academy, George Read, indicated he was against the motion, “cancelling” McKean’s vote to approve, he knew he had to do something. The colonies desperately wanted to show unanimity in their deliberations. On July 1, 1776, McKean urgently requested that Caesar Rodney attend the meeting to break the tie and put Delaware in the “approved” camp. A messenger traveled ninety miles to Rodney’s house outside Dover, imploring him to come to Philadelphia. Rodney rode all night through a rainstorm and arrived the next day, casting his vote in favor of independence.

Shortly after his vote, McKean left to join the Fourth Battalion of the Pennsylvania Associators, forerunner of today’s 111th unit of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Associators supported Washington’s army defending New York City. Because of his absence, McKean was not present when most delegates signed the Declaration in August 1776; he penned his name later. John Adams thought very highly of McKean, saying he was: “… one of the three men in the Continental Congress who appeared to me to see more clearly to the end of the business than any others in the body.”

McKean had an important influence on his adopted state of Delaware. As a member of their Legislature, he’d led the way for official separation from Pennsylvania. When he was selected to draft the new state’s founding document, he rode from Philadelphia to Dover, spending the night in a tavern, where he single-handedly wrote the Delaware Constitution. It was adopted on September 20, 1776—the first state Constitution ratified after the Declaration of Independence.

After Delaware’s President (Governor) John McKinly was captured by the British following the Battle of the Brandywine, McKean served briefly as Delaware’s Governor. Decades before multi-tasking became the rage, McKean used his talents as the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court while he was serving as Governor of Delaware. Although he did not attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, he was a delegate to Pennsylvania’s ratifying convention, where he argued successfully

for approval. Due to his popularity in both states, McKean later served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from December 17, 1799 to December 20, 1808. McKean is memorialized in many places. McKean County, Pennsylvania was created in his honor in 1804. Thomas McKean High School in New Castle County, Delaware is named for him, as is a street in downtown Philadelphia and a dormitory at the University of Delaware. If you want to see his roots, take a drive on Newark Road near New London. A simple blue and gold historical marker stands by the side of the road amidst the rolling hills of Chester County. While you cannot see the many contributions he made during the fledgling years of our republic, if you listen

to the wind blowing across the fields, you can almost hear his voice… requesting a critical tie-breaking vote early in our nation’s history and bringing life to the principles he cherished.

Gene Pisasale is an historian and author based in Kennett Square. He has written ten books and lectures on historical topics throughout the Philadelphia area. His latest book is Forgotten Founding Fathers: Pennsylvania and Delaware in the American Revolution.” His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale.com and on www.Amazon.com. He can be reached via e-mail at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

EUGENE POWELL

Eugene “Scott” Powell, Jr., a resident of Narberth, Pa. who formerly lived in Unionville, passed away on March 10. He was 72. Born in West Chester on Aug. 28, 1948, he was the son of the late Eugene “Scotty” Powell, Sr. and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Powell.

Surviving is his sister Sally and brother-in-law Dan, his nephews Dan, Jr. and Michael, and his grand-nephew Evan and grand-niece Amelia, all of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Scott grew up in the Unionville area and, like his father before him, played basketball while attending Unionville High School. He graduated in the class of 1966. He attended West Chester State and graduated with a degree in physical education.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1976. A career salesman, he worked for Pipe Express, and made many contacts throughout the tri-state area.

Many summers were spent with his friends in Avalon and at the Jersey Shore. He liked taking winter trips to South Florida and South Beach, in particular. A long time art and music fan, he lived close to the Main Line so he could frequent the many art galleries and jazz clubs from West Chester to Philadelphia.

Interment will be private at Unionville Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home.

Please visit Scott’s online memorial by going to www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

MARY EMMA PAYNE

Mary Emma Payne, 81, of Lincoln University, passed away March 9 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was the wife of the late Edward Payne.

Born in Lincoln University, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Viola Palmer Jones.

Mary was employed with People’s Bank in West Grove as a bank teller. She was also employed as a sales auditor at LIT Brothers Department Store in Philadelphia.

She was a member of the Enon Missionary Baptist Church in West Grove where she was a deaconess and a missionary.

Mary enjoyed crocheting, cooking and wordsearch puzzles.

She is survived by two brothers, Monroe William Jones of West Chester and Franklin Jones of Kennett Square; one sister, Edith Jones of Lincoln University; two nieces who were her caregivers, Barbara Johnson of Christiana and Marcia Caldwell of Oxford; sister-in-law, Sondra Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Palmer, Ralph Jones, Lewis Jones and George Jones; and four sisters, Florence Wise, Shirley Tackett, Brenda Boddy and Patsy Smith.

Friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. at 86 Pine St. in Oxford.

Services are private.

Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

DAVIS HOWELL

Davis “PopPop” Howell, 79, passed peacefully at his Avondale home while surrounded by his loving and caring family on March 10. He was the husband of Doris “Dottie” Howell, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. Davis was born in Bel Air, Md. and grew up in Avondale. He was the son of the late Derwood Howell and the late Ethel Cox Howell.

He was a truck driver for Republic Refuse Company for over 40 years, retiring in 2007.

Davis was a lifetime member of the Avondale Fire Company. He served as a firefighter for more than 50 years and was presented with a service award for reaching that milestone in 2020.

Davis helped to protect and save multi-millions of dollars worth of property damage by fighting fires over the years and saved countless lives while on the ambulance. He also delivered three babies during his time. He also served as the longtime assistant engineer, trustee and director on the board. He loved working with the junior members to keep them safe. Avondale’s Tanker 23 was his favorite piece of equipment to operate. He took great pride in mowing the acres of grass at the new firehouse on Gap-Newport Pike.

In addition to his wife, Dottie, he is survived by his daughter, Angeline Teoli and her husband John Teoli III of Lincoln University, a granddaughter, Kimberly Teoli and her husband Bill Gordon of Wilmington Del., and a grandson, John Teoli IV of Philadelphia.

Davis was so proud of his family and loved to brag about the accomplishments of his family members. He is also survived by three sisters, Jean Marrs of Avondale, Anita Mertz and Joan Colbert and one brother, Richard Howell from the Boyertown, Pa. area and a sister-in-law, Ester from Bally, Pa., and many nephews and nieces. He was also “PopPop” to many others, especially Ron Cogdill and Andrew Cogdill and their families.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace.

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He was proceeded in death by his brothers, James Howell, Frank Howell, and his twin brother Dean Howell. Family and friends are invited to his graveside service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 at the New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery along Route 896 in New London Township.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Avondale Home Town Heroes Wall Fund, 110 Pomeroy Avenue, P.O. Box 247, Avondale, Pa. 19311or to the Avondale Fire Company, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale, Pa. 19311.

To view the online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

JAMES KNOX REYNOLDS

James Knox Reynolds, known to friends as Jim, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Jan. 27, while surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for, and loved.

The Scottsdale, Az. resident was a beloved husband and best friend of Betty (McMann) Reynolds.

He was predeceased by his five brothers, Stanley Gilbert Reynolds, Newell Taylor Reynolds, Francis Wayland Reynolds, John Oxenbridge Reynolds, and Harold Youmans Reynolds Jr. He was also predeceased by his parents Harold and Elizabeth.

Jim was born in San Diego but spent most of his childhood living in Redlands, Ca. Following his four older brothers’ Naval service during World War II, Jim served in the U.S. Navy after his high school graduation. He completed his degree in agronomy at the University of California, Davis, where he played football and was an Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity member. It was at UC Davis where he met the love of his life, Betty.

After marrying, Jim commenced his career, working for Del Monte for four years in Molokai, HI. He then pursued a lengthy career with DuPont, which resulted in his family residing on both coasts in the U.S. He also took his family along when DuPont transferred him to Tokyo, Japan, and Geneva, Switzerland. After a 29-year worldwide career with DuPont, James retired and started his own consulting business, Agriventures, Inc. This second career lasted for over 20 years. He enjoyed advising various global enterprises that benefited from his recognized negotia-

MARK A. FOOTE

Mark A Foote, 59, of Perryville Md., passed away on March 8. He was born and raised in Oxford. He was the son of the late Marie Kirk Foote Ham, and stepfather Nathan Ham.

He was the husband of Susan Gotschall Foote, who passed away Sept. 25, 2017.

Mark graduated from Oxford Area High School as part of the class of 1980.

He was employed by Commodore Computers in West Chester, EB Investment Corp, and Acme Markets in Oxford.

He enjoyed going to Wesley Church every week, playing video games, and getting some fresh air down by the water. He is survived by his sister, Paula Foote Henderson of Fort Myers, Fla. and many nieces and nephews. A private interment will be at Oxford cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

tion skills and sales and marketing experience—notably, Gowan Co, I.Pi.Ci. SPA, MESEI & Company, Ltd., and PHT International Inc. He retired, for the most part, in 2008.

Jim’s witty humor and positive influence was appreciated wherever he traveled. He enjoyed sing-alongs and playing the ukulele, guitar, and piano. He loved a good nap, often. Watching football was a favorite pastime. There are also many adventures on the golf course that family and friends will recall.

Jim will be forever remembered by his wife of 65 years and his children, Marcia (Michael), Robert (Patrice), and Nina (Jeffrey). Papa Jimmy also leaves behind eight precious grandchildren, Forrest (Lindsey), Grace (Berkeley), Waverly, Robbie, Faith, Marlena, Mackie, and Owen, and the following great-grandchildren Emily, Allison, and Robin.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and community at Maravilla (Scottsdale) and Hospice of the Valley. The family is incredibly grateful for Barbara Koss, who served as Jim’s private caregiver. The devotion shown by all who cared for Jim is a heartwarming blessing, and the family thanks God for the gift of Jim’s life and the time they spent with him.

A private family memorial service will be held honoring Jim, with a Celebration of Life announced in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Maravilla Education Fund in c/o James K. Reynolds (Arizona Community Foundation, MEF, 2201 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 4058, Phoenix, Az. 85016), or a charity of personal choice.

EVELYN P. CUBBAGE

Evelyn P. Cubbage, a resident of Lincoln University, Pa., passed on Feb. 27 at her home. She was 80. She was the wife of William Cubbage. Born in Avondale, she was the daughter of the late Adnell and Sara Watson Lee. She was a member of the Enon Missionary Baptist Church in West Grove.

She is survived by her husband; and four sons, Kevin Havelow, Matthew Havelow, George Havelow, III and Greggory Havelow; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Edith Neal of Delaware and Marion Minor of Florida.

She was preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey W. Havelow; three sisters, Dorothy Murray, Ida Wilson, Kathleena Warren; and four brothers, Oliver Lee, Adnell Lee Jr., Robert Lee and Lewis Lee.

Services are private due to COVID-19 restrictions. Interment will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MILDRED C. BOYD

Mildred C. Boyd died peacefully with her family by her side on March 10. She was 99.

She was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 13, 1921 to William S. and Helen Regina (Young) Cox.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Lawrence J. Boyd, Sr., and her cherished daughter Joan Marie Boyd Davis.

She is survived by her sister, Doris C. Strasser of Dania Beach, Fla; her loving sons, Lawrence J. Boyd, Jr. of Chula Vista, Ca. and John Stephen Boyd (Eleanor) of Avondale; and her adoring grandchildren, granddaughters Stephanie Davis Andrew (Daniel) of Forest Hill, Md. and Cathleen Davis Luce (John) of Middleburg, Va; great-grandchildren Jacob Davis Andrew, Benjamin Ross Andrew, Alexander Lawrence Andrew, and Julia Davis Luce; and great-great-granddaughter Nova Sky Andrew. Mildred grew up in Philadelphia and then Oxford,

which is where she met the love of her life, Lawrence J. Boyd, Sr.

They married on Valentine’s Day in 1942. They went on to build a warm, loving family and shared 47 wonderful years together.

She worked at National Vulcanized Fiber and Pensupreme. She enjoyed day trips shopping and sightseeing, visiting family out of state, the beach, and the mountains.

She was kind, charitable, wise, and had a sharp mind full of information and life experience. She nurtured, loved, and supported her family every day, and the family members are all so grateful to have had her in their lives for so many years.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Oliver H. Bair Co. Funeral Home at 8500 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082.

The services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

MADELINE BRISON

Madeline Brison, 90, of Toughkenamon, went home to be with the Lord on March 5.

She was the wife of the late James Irving Brison, who died in 1999, and with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Born in London Grove, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Bowman and Eleanor Davis Bowman. She received her education in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Madeline was a domestic engineer for several private families. She also worked in several local drinking establishments as a barmaid and manager, with her tenure at Sam’s Inn being the longest one. She retired from The Country Butcher where she was able to flourish with her self-taught cooking skills, ultimately acquiring the name “The Potato Salad Lady.” She excelled in handmade crafts, participating in craft shows, then eventually having in-home shows and weekly yard sales. Madeline was a member of the Wednesday Night Mixed Bowling League. She enjoyed the great sounds of B.B. King, Aaron Neville, smooth Jazz, and various gospel artists.

She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters; Joyce M. Bladen (Dennis) of Newark, Del, Joan M. Thomas and companion (Joe) of Parkesburg, Joanne M. Carter at home; two sons, Robin J. “Bubby” (Robin) of Elkton, Md., Richard C. (Nydia) of Lincoln University; four sisters, Mary Clayburn of Las Vegas, Nev., Ernestine Garner of Gap, Pa., Roberta Bowman of Avondale, Harriett Shockley of Coatesville; 10 grandchildren, two of whom she reared, Robert S. Brison (Jacqueline) of Kennett Square, Michael J. Brison and partner (Jason) of Chestertown, Md., and 14 great-grandchildren who she adored.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sons, Robert J. and Ronald I. and her fur baby, Roxie.

You are invited to visit with Madeline’s family and friends on Saturday, March 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church of Avondale, 218 Ellicott Road, Avondale, Pa. 19311. Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks are required and social distancing will be followed.

Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to Active Day of Kennett Square, 500 Old Forge Lane Suite 503, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (1-800-FUNERAL). To view her online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

PEARL G. COCHRAN

Pearl G. Cochran, 86, of Peach Bottom, entered into rest on March 11. Born in North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Claude C. and Nancy M. (Greer) Osborne.

Pearl was a loving daughter, wife, mother, mom-mom, and great-mommom, and her family was the most important thing in her life.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, gardening, and helping others.

She is survived by three daughters, Cindy Harnish of Willow Street; Cathy Zimmerman of Dupont, Pa.; and Jennifer Cochran of Peach Bottom.

Also surviving are four grandchildren, Callie Cash, Christopher Harnish, Johnathan Zimmerman, and Anthony Zimmerman; two great-granddaughters, Gwendolyn Cash and Emelia Harnish; and one great-grandson, Brendon Zimmerman.

She was preceded in death by Robert S. Cochran, her husband of 59 years, and three brothers, Cordus Osborne, Herbert Osborne, and Raymond Greer.

The arrangements are being handled by Dewald Funeral & Cremation Services, 227 West 4th Street, Quarryville, Pa. A private interment will be at the discretion of the family. Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa. 17604, or a charity of your choice.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www. dewalds.com.

Kindness counts

Avon Grove Charter School students recently completed a

It’s

Avon Grove Charter School (AGCS).

Students in grades K-12 recently concluded a kindness-focused fundraising campaign. In three short weeks, AGCS students performed over 5,975 acts of kindness for their families, friends, neighbors, essential workers, and local community non-profits and raised over $80,000.

AGCS and the Parent

Teacher Organization (PTO) were seeking an alternative to its traditional fundraisers and found success in Raise Craze. The premise is to spend time serving others, not selling.

Service is a core tenet of AGCS, and Raise Craze offered a unique opportunity to bring the entire school community (both virtual and in-person learners) together in a fun and engaging way while spreading positivity and kindness in and around the local communities.

School officials are proud of the creative ways the students shared kindness in the community. In addition to individual acts of kindness, each grade partnered with a local non-profit.

Raise Craze works this way: Students selected at least three acts of kindness to complete during the first three weeks of February. Students sent emails through the platform

to family and friends seeking donations to the school. Here are just a few of the ways the students brightened people’s days:

• Shoveling driveways for neighbors and family;

• Writing thank-you notes to teachers, first responders, and healthcare workers;

• Decorating mailboxes to say thank you to mail carriers;

• Returning neighbors’ garbage cans on trash day;

• Leaving water and snacks by the front door for delivery drivers;

• Baking cookies and checking in on our neighbors;

• Donating canned goods and soup to the SOUPer Bowl Canned Food Drive benefitting Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene, The Bridge, and Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center;

• Donating shoes to the Booster Club Shoe Drive;

• Donating toiletries to the Shevlin Family Foundation;

• Donating items to Canine Partners for Life; and

• Donating items to Lasata - A quiet place.

Swim club developers propose to renovate and manage two venues in New Garden

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Several months ago, the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors gave Splash Surf Club owners

John McKenzie and Nick Reynolds the keys to the forlorn and empty swimming facility at Saint Anthony in the Hills, with the license to bring the old pool back to life.

Piece by piece and one excavation at a time, McKenzie and Reynolds are turning an underused eyesore into what many expect to become one of the major destinations in the township. The venue will convert the location into a vacation at home, reminiscent of a week in a tropical resort, complete with hot tubs, cabanas, lounges and a restaurant.

After they gave the board an update on the progress being made at their new Splash Surf Club at the board’s March 15 online meeting – which is expected to open on Memorial Day weekend of this year

– McKenzie and Reynolds then unwrapped two more potential projects they are proposing for Saint Anthony in the Hills: to invest their own capital to renovate and then manage the building known as the Stables, as well as upgrade the large miniature golf

course, known for its grand and stately hole-by-hole architecture.

Twin proposals for Saint Anthony in the Hills

Renovation of the building, which is tentatively being called “The Stables in the Hills,” would convert the T-shaped facility into a fully-operational catering, conference center and banquet hall that would become available to the public for various events. In addition, the company would hire an executive chef to manage the facility and as many as 60 additional staff.

If approved by the board, the timeline for the estimated $1.3 million project would begin in April with the clearing of the existing grounds. In May, renovation plans and architectural renderings would be unveiled, as well as a social media campaign, followed by renovation of the existing structure in June. The project would then kick off construction on a proposed ballroom in September with a completion date slated for next February, followed by a grand opening next March.

At an estimated cost of $185,000, McKenzie and Reynolds would provide much-needed landscape and structural upgrades to the 18-hole miniature golf course – tentatively called

“Castle Mini Golf in the Hills” – in order to convert the facility into a new entertainment center, with full-service concessions that include the hiring of 15 to 20 employees.

As part of the perks of the proposed new course, New Garden Township residents would be allowed to use the facility for free from Monday through Thursday, and receive a 50 percent discount on all other days.

If approved by the board, clean-up of the course would begin in April, architectural renderings would be made available to the township in May, and construction would begin in June and be completed by this September.

“We have invested a lot of time and capital into [the Splash Surf Club], and because we are there each and every day, we see other buildings on the property, particularly those that we drive by in order to get to Splash,” Reynolds said. “We feel it’s very important to make the rest of the park as compatible to the same high standards we’re creating for Splash. We want to recreate the ‘wow’ factor that we’re developing at the pool.”

Splash Surf Club progressing toward late May opening

McKenzie and Reynolds also brought the board up to

date on the progress of the Splash Surf Club. As of the middle of March, the project now includes the construction on new in-ground hot tubs; the demolition of the area that will become the new restaurant, as well as the current pool complex; the construction of new pools, a new pool deck and new diving boards; the purchase of its Chester County liquor license for its restaurant and lounges; the hiring of executive chef Dean DuPuis and kitchen staff for its restau-

rant; the completion of the first phase of landscaping features and painting; and the purchase of several items of furniture and equipment, which should be arriving in April.

Addressing the issue of how the facility plans to control noise that may carry to neighboring developments such as Somerset Lake, McKenzie said that he and Reynolds have hired a sound company to best place and point music speakers to increase sound abatement.

McKenzie said that he and Reynolds have witnessed a great momentum leading up to the facility’s opening.

“We have had a great response from the people in New Garden Township, who are taking advantage of the ten percent off discount that is available to them,” he said. “We do decibel readings on our own to identify where the noise travels.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Chester County Sheriff’s Office responds to increased demand for license-to-carry firearm permits

In the third and fourth quarters of 2020, the demand for permits to carry concealed firearms skyrocketed in Chester County. The demand continues and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps to double the number of applications processed.

To keep up with the increased demand for License-to-Carry (LTC) permits, the sheriff’s office has added weekend hours to allow more applications to be processed, and is piloting a second satellite location which officially opened March 1, that will double the number of applications

that can be processed.

The sheriff’s office also made other improvements over the last year, including:

• Adding an electronic payment method to serve applicants who desire a permit, but do not have cash on hand at their application appointment;

• Implementing an online appointment-scheduling system that allows applicants the ability to schedule appointments 24/7; avoids the expected problems, and likely security issues, that an in-person, first come-first served system would bring, especially with the huge increase in demand of peo-

Mazza inducted into

National Society of Leadership at Kutztown University

Brianna Mazza, a resident of Oxford, has been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success as part of the Fall 2020 class at Kutztown University.

To be inducted at Kutztown University, students must attend an orientation, a three-hour leadership training seminar, three success networking team meetings and three speaker broadcasts featuring leading figures delivering success-related

messages to members. Mazza is among 110 Kutztown University students who have been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success as part of the Fall 2020 class.

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The campus is located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful east Penn Valley in Berks County.

ple wanting LTC permits; allows the sheriff’s office to be compliant with COVID protocols and avoids having large numbers of people congregating in the lobby of the Justice Center and in and around the office; frees up staff to focus on processing applications, rather than answering telephone calls to schedule application appointments; and

• Purchasing additional cameras and computer equipment, and training additional staff, in order to accommodate the increased demand for licenses.

In 2019, the sheriff’s office issued a total of 5,704 LTC

permits. In 2020, the sheriff’s office issued 6,072 LTC permits. As of mid-February 2021, the sheriff’s office had processed 1,059 permits, and there are currently 4,300 additional applicants already scheduled for an appointment for a permit.

“The increase in license-tocarry permits has escalated to the point where we cannot meet demand with one office that is open Monday through Friday,” said Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox.

“The only way to try to keep up with the demand for LTC applications is to extend our hours, add more staff and a second office.

“We will assess how the pilot program and other changes we have made meet the demand, while continuing to explore additional solutions.”

The sheriff’s office is looking at additional methods for speeding up the processing of LTC applications, including the use of private vendors who offer online, cloud-based solutions to assist sheriff’s offices in processing gun permit applications (noting that LTC records are protected by stringent state confidentiality laws and any data breach brings with it significant penalties and ramifications). In 2019, the sheriff’s office processed, on average, two new LTC permit application every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This amounted to approximately 50 new applicants served daily. While at the start of the pandemic some surrounding counties stopped processing LTC applications, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office continued to process applications for gun owners whose licenses were about to expire, even after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf granted an extension on LTC renewals.

Lopez-Jimenez and Morlang named top students at OAHS

Oxford Area High School students Andres Lopez-Jimenez and Nicole Morlang were recently honored as Oxford Rotary Club Seniors of the Month for February.

Andres, known as A.J. and son of Nancy and Harold Lopez, is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and the yearbook staff. He has played alto sax in his school bands since fourth grade, and is currently a member of the marching, symphonic and jazz bands.

A.J. recently earned the rank of Eagle from the Boy Scouts of America, completing a project where he designed, managed and built an inclusive garden on the grounds of Luther House in West Grove, enabling

residents of the retirement community who use wheelchairs and walkers to enjoy gardening. In his free time, A.J. enjoys being outdoors, particularly hiking, as well as writing and making films.

A.J., whose favorite subject is chemistry, plans to attend college after graduation but has not yet decided on a major. He has been accepted to Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh, and his other choices included Drexel University and Juniata College.

Nicole, daughter of Wendy and Phillip Morlang, is a member of National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, serving as treasurer, and the Helping Hands community service club. She has played soccer since

February.

childhood and is a fouryear member of the varsity, and also competes in the distance events in track and field.

After graduation Nicole plans to attend college and is undecided on a major, although she is considering chemical engineering. She has been accepted to the University of Delaware and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and has several other choices including Penn State, Pittsburgh, Lehigh, and Villanova universities.

UNDER THE AGE OF 18. IN THE FAMILY COURT, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, 2019-DR-04-671 SUMMONS, NOTICE OF HEARING, EXPLANATION OF THE RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY. Non-Emergency Removal Action TO: DEFENDANT YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and you are not required to answer the complaint in this action, a copy of which is hereby served upon you and to serve a copy of your answer upon Plaintiff through its attorney at Anderson County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 827, Anderson, South Carolina 29622, within thirty (30) days from the date of service, and if you fail to answer the complaint, Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the complaint. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED pursuant to S. C. Code Ann. §63-7-1620 (2) (Supp. 2008), that you have a right to legal counsel in these proceedings. If you are unable to afford legal representation, counsel will be appointed to you by the Family Court upon verification of your financial need. A Financial Declaration may be obtained from the Anderson County Clerk of Court’s office and should be submitted to the Court ten (10) days after these proceedings are served on you. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that: (1) the guardian ad litem (GAL)

who is appointed by the court in this action to represent the best interests of the children will provide the family court with a written report that includes an evaluation and assessment of the issues brought before the court along with recommendations; (2) the GAL’s written report will be available for review twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the hearing; (3) you may review the report at the GAL Program county office. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, KATHRYN LOVE HARDEN, S.C. BAR NO.: 103217, PO BOX 827, ANDERSON, SC 29622-0827, (864) 260-4100, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF, Dated: February 24, 2021, Anderson, South Carolina 3p-03-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Florence Brown, also known as Florence Graham Brown, late of Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Florence Brown having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Joel Brown, Co- Executor Gerald Brown, Co-Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust Street, P.O. Box 381

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Roberta Stark Rometsch, , late of West Pikeland Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Roberta Stark Rometsch having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to :Karen Sheehan, Executrix, C/O Pappano & Breslin, 3305 Edgemont Avenue, Brookhaven, PA 19015 or to her Attorney: Dana M. Breslin Esq., Pappano & Breslin, 3305 Edgemont Avenue, Brookhaven, PA 19015

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF WINCENTY CWIETNIEWICZ, DECEASED. Late of New London 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 VINCENT J. CWIETNIEWICZ, EXECUTOR, c/o Kristen R. Matthews, Esq., 17 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382, Or to his Attorney: KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS, MacELREE HARVEY, LTD., 17 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382

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NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT

Articles of Incorporation for a Non-Profit Corporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of creating a Non-Profit Corporation which has been incorporated under the provisions of the Non-Profit Corporation Law of 1988. The name of the non-profit corporation is: More Than Trail, Inc., 3309 Ellington Ln, Phoenixville, PA 19460, filed by Carl Malliard, 3309 Ellington Ln, Phoenixville, PA 19460

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ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Robert Henry Johns aka Bob Johns, Johns, Robert Henry aka Johns, Bob late of Phoenixville, PA , Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Robert Johns having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Karalene Conner, 100 Russell Rd., Phoenixville, PA 19460, Executrix. Or her Attorney: Charles A. Rick, Esq., Rick Stock Law, 933 N. Charlotte St., Suite 3B, Pottstown, PA 19464 3p-17-3t

The Lower Oxford Township Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of

and support facilities for those senior citizens interested in a continuum of care that includes needing minor assistance (Independent Living), significant daily assistance (Licensed Personal Care/Assisted Living) and memory support (licensed Alzheimer Care). The proposed facility will be a one-story single structure containing 145 individual units (“apartments”) and support facilities when fully constructed. The living units will range in size between 350 sf and 700 sf with the average size of 400 sf. The proposed facility will be served by public water provided by the Chester Water Authority and be connected to the public sewerage system owned by the Oxford Area Sewer Authority. There is an existing sewage force main located in Route 10 along the frontage of the property which the project will connect to. The proposed structure is within the C-1 zoning district (Neighborhood Commercial). The zoning provides for the proposed use. The parcel associated with the proposed facility contains approximately 12.2 acres within Lower Oxford Township. Construction of the proposed facility and connection to the public sewerage system is expected to begin in late 2021 and be completed within eighteen months. The subject property is located with frontage along the west side of Route 10 just north of the Borough of Oxford. The sewage facilities planning module for the project, code number 1-15937438-3J, describes the technical and administrative details associated with the proposed sewage facilities. In summary, the sewage facilities include a gravity sewage collection system within the parcel, a pump station to be located on the parcel and a sewage discharge force main to be connected to an existing force main within the Route 10 existing legal right-of-way. The existing sewer force main terminates in an existing manhole on an existing 10” gravity sewer main at approximately the intersection of Cemetery Road and Route 10. The sewage will then flow by gravity through the existing collection system in the Borough of Oxford to the Sixth Street pump station which discharges through a force main to a gravity sewer main. From there, the sewage continues to flow through a series of existing gravity sewer mains within the collection system to the Oxford Area Sewer Authority Waste Water Treatment Facility for treatment using a “mechanical” treatment process and reclamation using land application.

The proposed on-site sewage collection and conveyance infrastructure will be constructed by Providence Place of Oxford Associates and thereafter will be owned, operated and maintained by Providence Place of Oxford Associates. All off-site sewage infrastructure is owned, operated and maintained by the Oxford Area Sewer Authority. The projected volume of sanitary sewage (domestic strength waste) from the structure to be connected is approximately 14,500 gallons per day based on measured usage at other Providence Place facilities. This volume equates to 36.25 EDUs based on 400 gallons per day per EDU as required by the DEP and 65.9 EDUs using 220 gallons per day per EDU as required by the Oxford Area Sewer Authority. The project is located within the Chester-Sassafras/Lower Susquehanna and Big Elk Creek/Muddy Run – East Branch Octoraro watersheds. Each of the preceding watersheds are designated TSF, MF (Trout Stocking and Migratory Fish) water uses and the Big Elk Creek is designated HQTSF-MF (High Quality, Trout Stocking, Migratory Fish). Potential conflicts were identified through a submission to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, however, a letter from this agency indicated that no specific action is required at this time. This public notification is required in that the project requires resolution of one or more conflicts between the proposed alternative and the consistency requirements described in the rules and regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection which are contained in Title 25, Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Code, Section 21(a)(5)(i),(ii) and (iii). The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory search results indicated that further review was required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A letter from this agency has been issued stating the potential conflict has been satisfactorily addressed.

The sewage facilities planning module and related documents may be viewed at the Lower Oxford Township Office, 220 Township Road, Oxford, PA 19363, Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm by appointment (610-932-8150) or through a link on the Lower Oxford Township web site at www.loweroxfordtownship. com. Comments regarding the project sewage facilities planning module must be in writing and sent or delivered to Ms. Deborah Kinney, Secretary, Lower Oxford Township, 220 Township Road, Oxford, PA 19363 within 30 calendar days immediately following publication of this notice. 3p-17-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

The East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of a Resolution for Plan Revision for New Land Development in conjunction with submission of a sewage facilities planning module pursuant to the provisions of the “Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act” (Act of 1965, P.L.

and

United Way of Chester County pursues goal of assisting all mobile home owners to file for property tax reassessment appeals

United Way of Chester County is continuing its important Mobile Home Tax Reassessment initiative and has an ambitious goal of completing 500 successful appeals this year, an increase of 50 percent over the 333 completed last year at the start of the pandemic. Partnering with Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, LCH Health and Community Services (previously known as La Comunidad Hispana) and local food pantries, the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment program offers assistance to mobile home owners in Chester County to file property tax reassessment appeals.

Unlike your standard home, a mobile home depreciates like a car rather than appreciating like a house.

So with its value dropping approximately three percent per year, it very quickly gets over assessed. To address this issue and at the encouragement of Randy Blough, a volunteer at the Honey Brook Food Pantry, United Way of Chester County created the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project.

UWCC and its program partners complete and file the appeal, including

To date, this program will save its clients $4.9 million over the next 10 years payment of the book valuation (appraisal) and county filing fees, and representatives from Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania attend the appeal hearing for the client. The client does not have to face the appeal board; this program does that for them. And the entire project to date has been funded through the generosity of donors including Brumbaugh Wealth Management, Di & Dallas Krapf, Delphi Wealth Management, G.A. Vietri Inc. and Chester County.

“Our firm has always had a heart to support our community,” said Kimberly J. Brumbaugh, founder & CEO of Brumbaugh Wealth Management. “Learning about our neighbors’ tax situation in paying higher taxes than they should for a home that consistently depreciates year after year doesn’t seem fair. We appreciate the United Way of Chester County’s diligence in wanting to help residence ‘correct’ and reduce this expense that is truly a burden for them.”

“This initiative has saved hundreds of thousands in taxes and penalties that should have never been owed to begin with, if not

for a flaw in the state tax code that requires that mobile homes be taxed like a house,” said Christopher Saello, President and CEO of United Way of Chester County. “Even further, estimates suggest that approximately 40 percent of all mobile and manufactured homes are in land lease communities, which devalues their worth even further.”

United Way of Chester County worked with Chester County officials to simplify the lengthy process for mobile home owners, and has been educating and advocating to local and state government officials to help assist in fixing the problem at the state level.

In just two years, the United Way Mobile Home Tax Reassessment program has made great impact. It:

• Assisted in 510 successful appeals;

• Lowered these 510 mobile home assessments by 70% from $18 million to their actual assessed value of $5 million;

• Saved each mobile home owner an average of $966 on their annual taxes; and

• Collectively saved these mobile home owners $4.9 million over the next 10

years that they should have never owed to begin with if not for a flaw in state tax code.

This innovative program is believed to be the only one of its kind in the United States, and United Way Worldwide’ s Innovation team recently did a case study on the project that was shared with over 1,100 United Ways nationally. The program also received a runner up award for Housing Development Innovation by the Social Innovations Journal.

Although progress has been made, there is still work to do. There are 3,600 mobile homes in Chester County and only 19 percent have been reassessed in the past 5 years. Despite the pandemic, United Way of Chester County has set an aggressive goal of accomplishing 500 reassessments this year.

What is the process to apply?

To be considered for the 2021 reassessments, visit www. UnitedForMobileHomes. com and fill out the 2021 reassessment form. Once the form is complete:

• United Way of Chester County will contact the cli-

ent to schedule an intake appointment with a representative from Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The deadline to fill out this form is July 10, 2021 as the Chester County Reassessment filing window is May 1 to August 1.

• A paralegal will complete the forms and will contact the client for their signature.

• A volunteer from United Way of Chester County will take photos of the home for documentation. All forms will be submitted between May 1 to August 1, 2021 to the County Reassessment Office.

Clients will be notified of the results of their reassessment appeals in October 2021.

United Way of Chester County and its partners will do all the work and pay the fees on behalf of the homeowners in the program. To learn more about the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment project, view a video about it, participate in the project or make a donation to support it, visit www. UnitedForMobileHomes. com or call 610-429-9400.

To learn more about the United Way of Chester County, visit www. ChesterCountyStronger.org.