Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 156, No. 38
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
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William Fitzpatrick appointed to fill Oxford Borough Council vacancy By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Oxford Borough Council voted to appoint William Fitzpatrick to fill the vacancy that was created when Mary Higgins resigned from the position. Fitzpatrick will fill the remainder of the term which ends in January of 2024. Borough Council also
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held a public hearing about the bid renewal for Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI). Brian Dix, the OMI executive director, spoke briefly to the council and the public. “We have a few minor changes to make to the plan, and the most notable is the time frame,” Dix said. “That should be changed to read from 2023 to 2027. That will be changed before
it is distributed. We had some items on the budget that were not correct, which included a title in the budget and a figure which should be changed. Those items are being corrected as well.” He added, “Everything else is correct. As we noted we added one property on Market Street. The amount of the tax has not increased. This is the third renewal.”
Former Kennett School Board member questions new logo By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
Six standout athletes from OAHS to be honored...1B
A former Kennett Consolidated School District board member has expressed concern about what appears to be a new school logo. Nick Perigo, a graduate from the class of 1977 who also serves as a volunteer football coach for the team, said he was seeking “clarification and information” at the Sept. 12 board meeting about a “K” surrounded by a circle that he’s seen “out and about” in Kennett Square. He told the board members Speaker series to focus during the meeting’s public on building better Kennett input session that the new community...5B design has recently appeared
on T-shirts, certificates and public announcements representing the Kennett Consolidated School District, replacing the traditional block “K.” He added that unnamed folks connected with the school have told him it’s the “new logo” or possibly an additional academic one. Not having heard anything about it previously, Perigo said he checked the board minutes to ascertain the logo’s approval, but found none. He also said he called Alumni Association President Bob George – a member of the Class of 1964, who told Perigo he
Dix said that although the pandemic did pose problems for local businesses, it did keep people from traveling out of the area. “People tended to shop local and more people came to the downtown during the pandemic,” he said. “That was an unexpected plus. We did have to cancel some events, but we actually held 40-plus events during that time. We are continu-
ing to move forward with our theatre project. Our staff did turn over during the pandemic, but we currently have two paid staff members and numerous volunteers. We are excited about moving forward with the theatre and anxious to see how that brings people to our town.” Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. was started in 2001 and strives to foster economic
growth while preserving the town’s rich history and charm. Throughout the year, the organization plans numerous community events, including the monthly First Friday street fairs, the annual Car Show and Country Christmas celebrations. Current OMI board president John McGlothlin spoke highly of OMI saying, “It Continued on page 3A
FROM OUR LENS A legend, for the library
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The incomparable Patti LaBelle delivered a stunning 90-minute set on Sept. 13 before a near sold-out audience at Longwood Gardens. “An Evening with Patti LaBelle” served as a fundraiser to benefit the new Kennett Library & Resource Center, currently under construction and slated to open next spring. For a complete story and additional photos, see Page 1B.
Continued on page 2A
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ChristianaCare shares updates on plans for West Grove campus
© 2007 The Chester County Press
At community meeting hosted by Rep. John Lawrence and Herr Foods, ChristianaCare and Chester County business leaders discuss community health needs and the future of ChristianaCare’s newest campus Since June, when ChristianaCare announced the purchase of the former Jennersville Hospital from Tower Health, ChristianaCare leaders have been meeting regularly with community leaders and small groups to gain input into planning for what is now called the
ChristianaCare West Grove Campus. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, ChristianaCare shared new details about the planning process for the campus with Chester County business leaders at an event organized and led by Pennsylvania State Rep. John Lawrence and hosted
at the Herr’s Snack Factory visitor center auditorium. “As a nonprofit health system, we have a mission of service to our neighbors—and you are our neighbors. We are honored and so excited to be here to support your health needs in southern Chester County,” said Douglas P. Azar,
ChristianaCare senior vice president, strategic clinical integration. After a brief overview of ChristianaCare, Azar addressed the two biggest questions on everyone’s mind: What are you going to do with the West Grove Campus, and when will it open?
“Emergency services has quickly risen as the most significant need in this community,” Azar said. “It continues to come up time and again in our discussions with the community that the most urgent need is emergency care. That’s our first priority.” Continued on page 3A
$17,000 raised toward $50,000 goal
Nick Madrigale’s journey: Community rallies around heart transplant patient By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer If one’s complete assessment of an individual begins and ends with the content of a photograph, then the one taken of 31-year-old Atglen resident Nick Madrigale that accompanies this article tells the story of a man who has been given everything. There he is, gathered with his long-time partner Danielle Hayes and their four children – two daughters and two sons – on a trip to Disney World, and the glint in Madrigale’s eye can be indicative of another
sunny day at the happiest place in America, or the supreme sense of peace and enjoyment he is feeling, knowing that those he loves the most are beside him…everything he has ever wanted from life. Yet, there is one thing that Madrigale needs that is both invisible to the camera’s eye and yet absolutely vital to the sustainability of his life. It forms the continuing conversation he has had for many years with others and with himself that sounds often like a prayer and a whisper and a plea. Continued on page 4A
Courtesy photo
Nick Madrigale with his significant other Danielle Hayes and their four children.