Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 18
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
$1.50
Incumbents running for seats on Oxford Borough Council Unity for the community is a theme for the candidates By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Running for seats on Oxford Borough Council in the primary on May 16 are two Republicans and two Democrats who currently serve on the seven-member council. William Fitzpatrick and Raul Juarez-Lara. Jr., who are both Republican candidates, and Kathryn Cloyd
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and Peggy Ann Russell, both Democrats, will be running together on a theme of “Unity for the Community.” They hope that they can be an example to all that, when elected, one sets aside politics and works for the good of the entire community. Fitzpatrick was unanimously approved to fill the vacancy left by Mary Higgins, whose term ends in January of 2024.
Juarez-Lara, Jr. is the first Hispanic, and youngest candidate, at 19, to ever serve on the Oxford Borough Council. Council unanimously approved a motion to appoint Juarez-Lara, Jr. to Borough Council to fill the seat left vacant when Mary-Laura Buchner-Hulse resigned. When asked why he is running, he said, “I am running to provide diversity on the council. I believe
In weather that is predicted to be partly cloudy and cool, the annual tradition known as the Kennett Run will take place for the 34th time on Saturday, May 6 at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square. In fact, the weather forecast for this year’s race served as a key talking point
at Kennett Run Charities’ luncheon for its sponsors on April 27 at Two Stones in Kennett Square, and for good reason. Last year’s event on May 7 was held during a torrential downpour that pelted runners and walkers with 40-mile-per-hour winds and three inches of rain as they slogged through the park, past neighborhoods and along State Street. Because
of the poor weather, several competitors among the 599 that had registered did not attend the event, which led to a 30-percent decrease in participation. Kennett Run Charities president Bob Merkle told the sponsors that registration for this year’s Kennett Run – one source of revenue -- is projected to be in the 750800 range, and anticipates that several last-minute reg-
FROM OUR LENS The leader of the band
The fish were biting at Trout Rodeo...1B
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an unexpired two-year term. She is currently completing her last year of a second four-year term. When asked why she decided to run again, Russell said, “There are a couple projects that are in the works that have been before Council and will be completed in the next two years. I would like to continue to support the many efforts involved.” Continued on page 2A
Thirty-fourth Kennett Run set for May 6
Kennett JazzFest draws top talent...3A
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it’s important to have a Hispanic point of view when making decisions for the Borough, especially when a big part of our community is Hispanic. My goals are to keep Oxford moving forward, to make positive changes and create growth. I also want to be a positive voice for my Hispanic community. I hope to accomplish these goals.” Russell is running to fill
This year’s race anticipates 800 competitors
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer 2023 Kennett Run Guide
Fitzpatrick said, “I am running for Borough Council because I want to support policies that will help Oxford grow responsibly. Oxford has a lot of potential because of our location, beautiful downtown, and diverse population. As a local teacher, I have a unique connection to the entire community, since I interact with students and their parents from all parts of the borough.”
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Philadelphia-based trumpeter and arranger John Vanore led his big band Abstract Truth through a powerful set at the second annual Kennett JazzFest on April 29. For a complete story and additional photos of this year’s festival, see Page 3A.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The weather for this year’s event is forecast to be partly cloudy and cool, far more temperate than the high winds and heavy rain that accompanied the 2022 Kennett Run.
istrations will come in by the end of this week. However, Merkle said that COVID-19 has had a strong impact on the event’s other source of revenue – sponsorships – leading to a 50 percent decrease in support over the past few years. Despite the drop, Kennett Run Charities was still able to raise $25,000 in 2022, which was given to 14 non-profit organizations. Those groups receiving awards were The Barn at Springbrook Farm, A Child’s Light, Camp Dreamcatcher, the Garage Community & Youth Centers, Good Neighbors, Inc., the Kennett Afterschool Association, the Kennett Area Senior Center, the Kennett Education Foundation, Meals on Wheels-Chester County, Mighty Writers, the Rotary Club of Kennett Square, the Unionville Community Fair, Walk in kNowledge (WIN) and Young Moms. “It’s been an interesting last four to five years with COVID-19 and the effects it has had on the Kennett Run and on running,” Merkle said. “The industry data shows that 42 percent of people who used to run before COVID-19 are not running yet. Our role in the community is to serve as a fundraiser for the non-
profits, and we need more revenue in order to do that. “You are critical to our success. We are now in the later stages of recovery now, and we look forward to having conversations with you over the next year in order to determine how we can help you and you can help us, so that we remain on an upward path, moving forward.” Kennett Run Charities Board member Ryan Borchik unveiled a new twist to the annual race this year that will introduce pull-ups to the PoweRun competition, in addition to the usual bench press event. Kennett Run Race Director John Ramagano – who has also served as the track and field coach for Kennett High School for the last 20 years -- extended thanks to the event’s long-time sponsors for “their time, their money and their efforts.” “Even though I have only been [associated with the Kennett Run] for a year and a half, I find that this community’s spirit and give-back that I now know has done for our community – our youth, for our hungry, and for education,” Ramagano said. “It's given me a better understanding about what this community is all about. Continued on page 2A
Pa. Primary on May 16 will set up school board and supervisor races Chester County residents will also vote on candidates vying for positions on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas The Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 16, as Pennsylvania voters select the candidates who will be nominated for the General Election. Chester County residents will be making decisions about various elected positions, including school board races, judicial positions, and supervisor races, and here’s a list of some of the candidates who have filed for the upcoming election:
School board races In Pennsylvania, school board candidates are allowed to cross-file and seek nominations on both the Republican and Democratic side.
Nick Taylor (D/R) Jacquelene Smiro (D/R) Kenneth Roark (D/R)
Avon Grove School District Region I (Vote for one) Dorothy Linn (D/R) Greg Morgan (D/R)
Oxford Area School District At-large (Vote for two) Jenifer Warren (D/R) Lou Robinson (D/R) Regina Hughes (D/R) Carol Colangelo (R)
Region II (Vote for two)
Region III (Vote for two) Bonnie Wolff (D/R) Herman Engel (D)
Mark Patterson (R)
Dee Wiker (D/R)
Region I (Vote for one) Tensile Dewees (D/R) Georgeanna Singley (D/R)
Kennett Consolidated School District Region A (Vote for two) Lenda Carillo (D) Christopher Lafferty (D/R) LaToya Myers (D)
Region II (Vote for one) Brian Washburn (D/R) Kaitlin Bell (D/R) Region III (Vote for one) Joseph Tighe (D/R) Sherri Matis-Mitchell (D)
Region B (Vote for two) Jay Snoke (D/R) David Kronenberg (D/R) Lynn Golden-Mirarchi (D) Dinamarie Vanover (R) Continued on page 2A