Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 156, No. 41
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
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Decision follows 2,000-signature petition opposing new design
Kennett schools to keep traditional ‘K’ logo By Chris Barber Contributing Writer Kennett Consolidated School District Superintendent Dusty Blakey announced at the school board meeting on Oct. 10 that the district will retain its traditional block “K” logo that has been its symbol for at least a half century. “The community voice was heard,” Blakey said. “We will use the [block K for both athletics] and aca-
demically, with no more different iterations.” The controversy over the possibility of a new logo first surfaced when former school board member and football coach volunteer Nick Perigo said at the board’s Sept. 12 meeting the district appeared to be using a new logo on T-shirts, publicity items and documents without public announcement or board approval, which upset him. Shortly afterward, his statements received wide-
spread support from the community in the form of a petition objecting to the new design -- a simple “K” within a circle. The petition received more than 2,000 signatures. Perigo appeared again this week during the public input session at the end of the meeting, which was held at the Mary D. Lang School library before 30 in attendance. “Thank you for hearing us,” he said. “It’s apparent that [the community]
INSIDE
Fire & EMS costs projected to rise 30 percent and police costs by 24 percent
Newark Life Magazine
Tax increase proposed for Kennett Township in 2023 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors spent a large chunk of their Oct. 5 meeting combing through its first look at the township’s proposed 2023 budget, one that includes a projected half mil tax increase that Fulbright award goes to will raise $405,000 in revenue and help cover the UHS teacher...1B cost increases to the township’s police, fire and EMS services and compensate for inflation and large capital projects. Introduced by Director of Finance and Human Resources Amy Heinrich, the 65-page budget report proposes a real estate tax
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increase of $123 for the average household, one that would raise the average yearly rate to $740 in 2023. Heinrich spelled out the township’s proposed 24 percent hike in its police department in 2023, which is on point to increase its operating budget to $2.46 million next year. The department’s budget accounts for a nine percent salary increase for officers to offset a new five percent contribution to pension, healthcare; reductions in vacation allotment; and reductions in payouts for unused vacation. In addition, the new budget will reflect a 12 to 16 percent
embraces the [block] logo and the school district.” He added some of his thoughts on what had transpired in the past month and what he believes the board should hear, first by praising the district for welcoming a new and forward-looking administration, many of them with roots outside of Kennett Square. He encouraged them to attend events in Kennett Square as a manner of knowing the community. Perigo told the board that
he and many others viewed the debut of the new logo as an act of micromanaging without listening to the public, and questioned whether in the process of creating a new logo the branding committee had spent time considering the cost of a change. “It’s imperative that we get to ask questions,” he said. “I don’t think enough questions were asked. What was the plan and cost for changing letterhead, the Continued on page 2A
Courtesy art
The Kennett Consolidated School District’s traditional block “K” logo will remain, as announced at the school district’s board meeting on Oct. 10.
FROM OUR LENS Fall Ball
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Paul Novak (left) and Jeff Lucas (right) of West Chester enjoyed a quick visit to the putting green after 18 holes at the Loch Nairn Golf Club in Avondale last Friday afternoon. In June 2021, New Garden Township approved the purchase of the 105-acre, 18-hole golf course, which will cease golfing operations at the end of the 2022 season and convert the grounds to open space and walking trails.
Continued on page 2A
Fun night at Octoraro Tavern to benefit the Oxford Library By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer The perfect night out includes fun, good food at the Octoaro Tavern, local authors and provides a donation to the Oxford Library. What more could you ask for from one night of fun? The occasion is the third Oxford Noir At A Bar event, with proceeds benefiting the Oxford Library. The event will be held at
the Octoraro Tavern on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The ticket price is $25 and includes everything you need for a special date night or a night out with friends and family. A buffet meal at this event includes boneless wings, baked Ziti, Mini Rueben Sandwiches, Beef Empanadas, Vegetable Antipasto Skewers, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and more. Coming dressed to impress is an option, but
not required. A cash bar will be available. And if all of that doesn’t entice you, how about a group of local authors reading from their macabre, Noir-themed short stories. “I can assure that it will get messy,” said Master of Ceremonies Gary Zenker, who will be one of one dozen authors who will be reading their stories of suspense, crime and murder. “We hope to see a lot of innocent bystanders at the event.”
Zenker is the creator of Noir At A Bar, which also holds readings in West Chester. He also runs two local writers groups, the Main Line Writers Group in Wayne and the Wilmington-Chadds Ford Writers Group in Wilmington. The groups focus on helping writers improve their craft, publish their work, and establish strong relationships with other writers. Zenker said, “The Noir events are a way to connect
authors and their stories to the audience. Jay Kennedy is Treasurer of the Oxford Library Board of Trustees and came to a Noir reading in West Chester. He thought that it would be great to do a similar event in association with his library. A few months later, we made our first Oxford event a reality.” Obviously, the previous events were very well received and attracted a capacity crowd each time. Continued on page 3A
Volunteers needed in the Borough of Oxford By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Volunteers are now needed for a variety of positions in the Borough of Oxford. If you have ever wondered how government works, or what you can do, volunteering may be for you. The need is constantly changing as borough council forms new committees. Perhaps you are thinking of running for an elected position on Borough Council or are interested in a particular committee. Volunteering will help you
decide what you want to pursue in the future. Both Mayor Phil Harris and council member Bob Ketcham spoke about the need for volunteers in the borough. Specifically, council is always looking for volunteers that reflect the diverse community. At Oxford Borough Council’s Oct. 3 meeting, it was announced that the borough is creating a Water Resource Protection Fee Committee, which will be made up of council members, residents, the Oxford Area School District and other interested entities.
This committee is being formed due to recent DEP mandates regarding storm water management under the MS4 program, and the costs associated with the program. As council President Kathryn Cloyd said, “This is of concern to anyone who has an impervious surface on their properties, and everyone has them.” Council member Ketcham added, “We need a borough resident to fill a position on the Oxford Sewer Authority.” Anyone concerned about their water and sewer bill costs
might be interested in filling this position. The borough is also seeking to fill a vacancy on the Oxford Planning Commission. The term will run until 2023. According to Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen, the planning commission can seat up to seven, so volunteers could still be needed there. Again, serving on the Planning Commission provides an education while serving the community. During elections, poll workers are also needed and new volunteers are always being sought to
replace those volunteers that step down. If you want to learn more about the voting process you can always volunteer as a poll worker. The basic responsibility of a poll worker is to check in voters on election day and help to maintain a safe, secure and efficient voting system at voting precincts. Every polling place should be staffed by a minimum of five poll workers. The time commitment is minimal. There are two elections each year and training is required to be a poll worker. Although, Continued on page 3A