Mike Finnegan, the Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) school board member and board treasurer, announced at the March 10 meeting that the anticipated tax increase for the 2025-26 school year has increased since his report in February.
“Buckle your seatbelts. It’s going to be a tough year,” Finnegan said at the meeting.
The preliminary budget figures presented last month called for a real estate tax increase of 2.81 percent, which amounts to a $172 hike for the average property owner who last year paid $6,168.
In the intervening month, Finnegan said, the incoming information has changed the school district’s projections. The tax increase is now expected to be 3.52 percent or 3.95 percent, depending on the hiring of two more special education teachers.
Based on calculations, a 3.52 percent tax hike would amount to a $217 increase and a 3.9 percent tax increase would mean a $244 increase for the owner of the average assessed property in the district. Tax bills would increase, on average, to $6,385 or $6,412, depending on the exact amount of the tax increase that is approved in the final budget for the next fiscal year.
Finnegan, a longtime school board member, has a lot of experience work-
ing with district officials to revise the budget. During most years, district officials are able to identify cost savings or revenue increases that will reduce the anticipated tax increase. This year, however, is different.
“In all my tenure [on the board], I don’t see how we can reduce it,” he said.
He explained that there are two major factors raising the budget costs that the district must accommodate. The first is Genesis Healthcare, which has
buildings in Kennett Square Borough, and is appealing its property appraisal downward. Finnegan believes the appeal will be approved, and that will reduce the taxes paid to the school district on the properties.
Second, East Marlborough Township, which is divided geographically between the Unionville and Kennett Consolidated school districts, is about to impose a one-percent earnedincome tax which will reduce Kennett’s share to
Township, residents resume zoning discussions
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Just as it has at several recent New Garden Township public meetings, the issue of the township’s zoning plans consumed a large chunk of its Board of Supervisors meeting on March 17.
In a one-hour presentation before about 50 residents, township Manager Christopher Himes turned over every stone of the township’s extensive process to redraw its zoning map, a presentation that was
followed up by a second hour of public input.
“We are providing this [presentation] to address a lot of the points that have been brought up and also to show where we are at in the process and what this all means,” Himes told the audience. “We’re hoping to use tonight not so much to alleviate residents’ concerns but to address their input.”
As he has reiterated at previous public meetings, Himes pointed to a key reason for the township to update its zoning map: to follow the recom-
mendation of the township’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan to pursue zoning map and ordinance changes to support land use outcomes and fulfill future needs for residential and economic development.
Upgrading the township’s zoning, Himes said, will also impact the township’s strategic goals: to increase its tax base to support local services; increase finding levels to pay for infrastructure and public safety; diversify revenues to limit increases in property
Veterans, officials loudly oppose planned VA cuts
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
eliminate veterans’ services that include health care, shortand long-term housing options, life insurance, pen-
and other services at the Veterans Administration.
Oxford
be received from its current 50 percent of that to about .5 percent.
According to figures unveiled at the February meeting, the proposed 2025-26 budget for KCSD totals $107.2 million, compared to $104.2 million for the current year. In other business, Kennett High School has added the Octorara Homeland Security and Protective Services Program to its curriculum starting next year.
sions, education stipends and public health research.
Wielding signs and banners at the courthouse entrance, the protestors encouraged drivers along High Street to honk their horns in support as a series of speakers shared their stories at the podium, each of them vowing to accelerate their opposition in the coming weeks and months.
Whether etched on signs or by their voices, those in attendance at the rally centered their focus chiefly on President Donald Trump
and Elon Musk, the appointed head of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), for their sweeping effort to downsize the federal government including the VA, an agency that provides health services for more than nine million veterans, manages a $35 billion-plus annual budget and oversees nearly 200 medical centers and hospitals, including the Coatesville VA Medical Center.
In a memo recently circulated by the VA’s Chief
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Borough officials discuss regional policing, immigration enforcement concerns, and a housing survey
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Oxford Borough officials recently discussed letters of intent received from neighboring municipalities regarding their interest in securing police protection from the Oxford Borough Police Department.
The borough has received letters from Upper Oxford, Penn and East Nottingham townships. These letters are the necessary next step to move forward with a feasibility study regarding the regionalization of the Oxford Police Department. The study is funded with a grant from Pennsylvania’s DCED.
If regionalization does occur, the police department would remain based in Oxford Borough.
Oxford Police Sgt. Chris Coverly spoke talked about Lower Oxford Township, and the decision by officials there to not even consider the impact of a regionalized police department.
“We would love to see
Lower Oxford reconsider,” Coverly said. “If they want an opportunity to provide service to their community we are available. It is confusing if a police issue, medical event, robbery or auto accident happens now at the Oxford Commons.”
“Currently, those incidents don’t get dispatched to us. They are dispatched to the
State Police at the Avondale Barracks. We are only called if the State Police request our assistance. We can literally be sitting on Route 10 or in the Redner’s parking lot and we would not be dispatched unless the State Police request us to secure the scene until the State Police arrive.”
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Nearly 200 veterans, elected officials and concerned citizens attended a rally on March 14 at the Old Courthouse in West Chester to protest planned cuts to jobs
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taxes; attract new families and stimulate housing inventory and diversity of housing; and reimagine its commercial land use to spur economic growth and attract jobs.
Slow to adopt, slow to upgrade
Himes said that another reason for the township to upgrade its zoning map is because it has been very slow to do so for many years. In 1968, he said, Act 247 created the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code (MPC) that established the procedure for a locality to adopt a zoning ordinance, but New Garden did not adopt its first zoning ordinance until 1987.
“When you think about that timeline, what happened in that time frame that could have changed and altered outcomes that you see today?” Himes said. “If you have a vision but are not actively reconditioning your zoning, you are never going to get to that ultimate outcome.”
Himes also brought up a topic of concern expressed by residents at recent public meetings: by-right use of property. Currently, 70 by-right uses are listed across 10 zoning districts within the township. The problem is that many of them are vastly outdated and have remained in effect in the township since the adoption of its zoning
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ordinance in 1987. Further, many current by-right uses are vague and subject to interpretation, but the township’s proposed re-zoning will be able to better define uses in a future business district.
The March 17 conversation about zoning in New Garden is nothing new. Collectively, 18 zoning task force and staff meetings have been held to date, as have three public outreach events with one more scheduled for May, as well as Planning Commission meetings. Most recently, the township held a Draft Zoning Map & Districts open house on Feb. 26 that elicited input about the municipality’s longterm zoning and planning concepts and its work with Michael Baker International –a leader in engineering, planning and consulting services. Working with township officials, the company is redefining the concepts and proposed changes to the township’s ten zoning districts: innovation; mixed use corridor; village gateway; village center; residential flex, medium density and low density; airport; enterprise; and parks and open space.
The township’s multitiered process to redraw its zoning map is now in Phase 3 and will continue through the summer. A final zoning ordinance is expected to be finalized by late fall.
Public comment
During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents expressed
Coverly continued, “We have been tracking it. If someone finds a wallet, or if criminal activity occurs, which happens several times a week, someone will come to our station and we have to turn them away. We are an accredited police department and have a lot of training. Many of our officers live in surrounding townships with their families and they would like to see a police presence there too. They would like to be confident in knowing that if their family needs help, they could get help quickly.”
The housing needs survey was also discussed.
Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen told council that the borough needs their residents to fill out the survey. This survey is part of the research being done by the borough’s Housing Committee. The purpose of this survey is to help the Committee further understand the housing needs of the Oxford region (Borough of Oxford, East Nottingham, West Nottingham, Elk, Upper Oxford and Lower Oxford Townships) and learn about specific community needs. Responses will help to
their concerns for the township’s rezoning plans, largely for their potential to dramatically alter its “livability” factor.
“People chose to live in this township because of its rural nature,” one resident said. “[Rezoning] brings in transient people, more policing and more traffic, but it doesn’t seem to benefit the residents of the township.”
Former township supervisor Barclay Hoopes expressed his concern for what he called “the maintenance of the quality of life.”
He called for infrastructure improvements along the township’s roads, particularly on Gap-Newport Pike.
“Until we address that, I don’t see how we are going to improve our roads that we are expecting to have [to accommodate planned growth] that we can’t handle now,” he said. “We know the problems but no one addresses the real problem, and that is infrastructure, and when we get that right, the rest will come.”
Township resident Peter Mrozinski expressed his concern for how the planned redrawing of the township zooming map will impact the Limestone Road-Route 7 corridor, particularly at the Route 41 exchange. He said that the zoning plans for Limestone Road do not meet the vision of the township’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
“If you put any kind of traffic in there, like a gas station or a convenience store, you’re going to have people making left-hand turns, and it’s going to be a night-
describe current housing supply, demand, and affordability in the region and begin to identify what types of housing may be needed now and in the future. The Housing Needs Assessment will identify potential targeted improvement strategies or actions. Responses will remain anonymous, and results will be presented in aggregate form only.
The survey has 12 key questions and a demographic section. It should take less than 15 minutes to respond. There will be an opportunity after the key questions to answer more specific questions that will provide additional input to
mare,” he said. “I oppose zoning the Limestone Road corridor the same as Route 41.It’s a very different situation. You’re going to have to look at the value of businesses that are going to go there.”
Throughout his presentation and during public comment, Himes continued to state the township’s intention to “redraw” its future and incentivize its potential growth areas.
“One common question I have received has been ‘If we zone this, what does this means in terms of an outcome?’” Himes said.
the planning team.
The survey is available on the borough’s website. For help or more information, contact the borough office at 610-932-2500.
Recent action in Chester County by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was also discussed at the Oxford Borough Council meeting.
Council member Robert Ketcham said, “I recently attended the meeting of the Oxford Library Board and a representative of the Chester County Library was there to discuss the process in place if either ICE or any other agency or person asked to see private records of those frequenting the library.”
Sarah Beyer-Doty, the interim library director said, “Joe Sherwood, a representative from the Chester County Library, attended our board meeting as he
“We want to make sure that we are addressing that because you want to understand what the potential is here and [determine] that potential in line with what we’re trying to do as a township - and in line with our Comprehensive Plan.”
To learn more about New Garden Township’s zoning update, visit www. newgarden.org/443/ Zoning-Ordinance-MapUpdate.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
does with all libraries in Chester County. He stressed the process that libraries already have in place when anyone asks for private records, such as books borrowed, or internet searches. He reminded the board that information could not be given out without a court order from the requesting entity.”
Beyer-Doty did confirm that no one, specifically ICE, had not come in requesting that information from Oxford Library.
Council member Peggy Russell did remind council that ICE had removed a person who was at a Kennett Square area business with a warrant.
“They didn’t just take the person with the warrant, they also took two other persons with him,” she said.
Garcia-Allen was asked what information the borough gives out about
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This is a three-year program that prepares cadets for careers in law enforcement, corrections, pre-hospital emergency medical care, emergency management, military service and firefighting, according to its publicly distributed description. The Octorara School District already has the program, and the Kennett School District officials signed on to an agreement to join at the March board meeting. The program is held at the Chester County Public Training Campus in Modena and offers two half-day-a-week classes per school year for students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades. Students may arrive there in school-provided transportation or their own cars. The students wear uniforms. They may choose to attend from morning sessions from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or afternoon sessions from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45p.m.
Kennett pays the students’ tuition of $10,758 per school year.
The courses of study are divided roughly into three years of individual subjects. They are: Year one - Law; Year two – EMS; Year three –Firefighting.
Kennett will provide the students’ English, social studies and math courses.
“The intent is to train qualified, competent and professional emergency first responders,” the curriculum summary states. Graduates of the program will receive their high school diploma from their home school district.
individuals.
“We don’t hand out any private information on individuals,” she replied. “We do have an ordinance that asks for names of people living at rental properties, but that is all.”
Oxford Borough Council also approved the following items:
•Resolution #1396 - 2025 declaring the month of May “No Mow May” in the borough. Interested parties should register by May 1. Only those who are interested in participating need to register.
•Rio Supply Inc. pay application No. 2 in the amount of $154,439.89 for the grant-funded water meter replacement project.
•The water meter replacement project – replacing an additional 454 water meters at a total cost of $166,146.52, plus an additional $19 per wire run where needed.
•Special Event permit application by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce for the October Movies in the Park event at Oxford Memorial Park on October 11, 2025.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
New Garden Township Manager Christopher Himes gave a presentation at the township’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting on March 17 that provided further insight and data regarding the township’s plans for re-zoning.
of Staff, Christopher Syrek, top-level officials at the agency were given an objective to cut enough employees to return to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000, a process that would involve letting go tens of thousands of employees after the VA expanded during the Biden administration, as well as to cover veterans impacted by burn pits under the 2022 PACT Act. The memo also calls for agency officials to work with DOGE to “move out aggressively, while taking a pragmatic and disciplined approach” to the Trump administration’s goals. Less than two months into Trump’s second term, there have already been two rounds of layoffs at the VA that has left more than 2,000 staffers without jobs.
John Walsh of Drexel Hill said that he attended the rally in support of U.S. veterans, whom he said, “have given us our freedom,” and include several friends of Walsh’s who were killed in the line of duty as combat veterans in the Vietnam War.
“Trump and Musk have fired hundreds if not thousands of [VA employees] already,” he said. “They are ruining the Department of Veterans Affairs along with many other departments in the U.S. My ultimate fear is that we are going to lose our democracy, because that’s where it seems to be headed right now. He’s destroying every semblance of the American government.”
Alan Olson, a resident of Garnet Valley, slammed the Trump administration for its lack of compassion for veterans. Olson said that he returned to the U.S. in 1971 after serving as a pilot in Vietnam, and in 2001, he was diagnosed with nonHodgkins Lymphoma and re-diagnosed in 2009 that required him to receive a stem cell transplant that was supported by the VA.
“That’s an example of what the VA does, and we absolutely need it,” Olson said. “Without the VA, it will be a disaster for tens of thousands of people. We
need the medical attention in order to get through life.”
‘We earned those benefits with our blood, sweat and tears’
Addressing the rally from a podium, U.S. Marine veteran Christopher Kowerdovich of the Pa. Democratic Veterans Committee said that for many veterans, transitioning back to civilian life is filled with challenges “that most people do not see,” that includes finding a stable job and receiving necessary healthcare.
“Many of us end up finding work in the very system that is there to serve us – the VA, and in other services and programs that helps our veterans succeed, but when 80,000 jobs are taken away, these are not just numbers on a page,” he said. “These are veterans like me, like my brothers and sisters in the armed forces who are suddenly without assistance to help their families and themselves. When veterans lose their jobs, the consequences ripple through all our communities. Unemployment leads to financial instabilities and stress and for some, it leads to a downward spiral that ends up leading to homelessness, or God forbid, worse.
“We don’t need empty words,” Kowerdovich added. “We need action, to have our leaders stand up for us and fight for our jobs and ensure that the system we fought for will not abandon us. We earned those benefits with our blood, sweat and tears.”
Dan Williams, a state representative of the 74th District, spoke directly to the veterans in the audience.
“You went, because you were committed to the truth, and some of you went, even though you were lied to,” he said. “Because you went, we’re here. There is a collective of people standing here and saying to you, ‘We will not just honor you with our words. We will honor you with our efforts as we stand and fight with you.
“That is why this group is standing up and saying, ‘No more.’ You are declared to
be the most trusted and the most tested, but in reality, lip service will no longer serve you. You fought for us, and now we intend to fight for you.”
Deb Ciamacca, a former teacher and U.S. Marine captain, said that veterans “deserve the best our country can offer,” and excoriated Musk and DOGE for seeking to eliminate essential jobs and services.
“When Elon Musk stands there with his chain saw and gleefully proclaims his happiness at destroying the federal government, I take it personally, and so should you,” said Ciamacca, who also directed her ire toward Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick.
“This is the same Dave McCormick who went to West Point and bragged about its motto during his campaign commercials: Duty, Honor, Country. Where is your honor to these veterans, Senator? Where is your reverence for their sacrifice toward our country?”
Rep. Kristine Howard of the167th District, who praised her daughter for her service in the U.S. Marine Corps, warned that the closing of the VA Hospital in Coatesville would have a devastating effect on the lives of the 19,000 veterans from Delaware and Pennsylvania.
‘Welcome to the revolution’
State Rep. Paul Friel, a Democrat representing the
26th District in Chester County, said that his father –a Vietnam Marine veteran – relies on the VA Hospital in Coatesville for crucial medical services.
“Our budget in my view is a statement of our values, and when we cut budgets to the VA or to Medicaid or Medicare, we are saying that we don’t value our veterans and the folks who need our help, and that is unacceptable to me,” he said. “Not only are these cuts arbitrary and being done without proper planning, but they are also going to hurt real people, and that’s not who we are as a community.”
Friel, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said that the uncertainty of the state’s budget is exacerbated by not knowing whether the committed funds from the federal government will eventually find their way
to Pennsylvania. The solution, he said, will be one of across-the-board cooperation bipartisanship who can pass legislation.
“As legislators, we have to say that if the federal government falls down, what can we do to pick up our most vulnerable citizens?” he said. “What can we put in place in Pennsylvania for those vulnerable citizens to help them? It’s not just our veterans. It’s our disabled who rely on Medicaid. It’s our children who rely on food at schools. We have to put support systems in place and partner with some of our private and charitable organizations.”
State Rep. Chris Pielli of the 156th District, who is a veteran of the U.S. Army Airborne and a member of the Pennsylvania House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said that
planned VA cuts are “unacceptable” and “dangerous.”
“We’re not suckers and losers,” Pielli said. “We are true Americans. This is not a business. This is not a profit-margin scenario. This is about people, true American patriots who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and who now need our help.
“I say to you, ‘Welcome to the revolution,” a refreshing revolution for the hardworking people of America, not millionaires and billionaires, a revolution for the for fairness, decency and equality, a revolution for Main Street and not Wall Street, a revolution for the continuation of the free and the unconquerable United States of America, not for Russian dictators.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Chester County CEOs share ideas, vision and role of leadership
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Before a nearly soldout Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University on March 14, the CEOs of four prominent Chester County-based companies engaged in an hour-long discussion about the pivotal issues shaping Southeastern Pennsylvania’s economy and future.
Held before some of the county’s leading business owners, elected officials, policy makers, educators and community stakeholders, “Executive Insights: A Panel of Visionary CEOs” invited Chris Gheysens, Chairman and CEO of Wawa; Salim Ramji, CEO of Vanguard; Leo Parsons, President and CEO of CTDI; and Madeline Bell, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to share insight regarding economic growth, sustainability, corporate
responsibility, education and transportation.
The event, moderated by 6ABC Action News anchor Tamala Edwards, was presented by the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry (CCCBI), the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) and West Chester University. Introductory remarks were made by incoming WCU President Dr. Laurie Bernotsky.
Chief ‘reassurance’ officers
Edwards began the discussion by asking the panelists to comment on the current economy of the U.S., which is experiencing a tsunami of fluctuation and potential volatility, due chiefly to the legislation, tariffs and immigration policies being initiated by the Trump administration. Ramji advised investors to
remain vigilant to the ups and downs of the market.
“There is a tendency to overreact to the market, whether markets are up or whether the markets are down,” he said. “I think to the extent that people have a medium- to longterm horizon, our best investment advice is not to overreact and to stay the course. That’s what we’re telling our clients, along with making sure that their portfolios are balanced and have the right amount of stocks and bonds. It’s not about reacting to what happened last month or this week or next week, but to take a long-term view.”
Parsons and Bell said that the U.S. economy is still hindered by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, an event that continues to force the CEOs to navigate their respective agencies and businesses through the up-and-down economic pendulum, while at the same time reinvent the mission of their agencies.
“In the last five years, we have dealt with so much, in terms of companies all dealing with the pandemic and the urgency it placed on all of our businesses, while continuing to provide service to our customers,” Parsons said. “What we found as leaders of the team was to remind ourselves about our disciplines and focus on how to get through its challenge, and that has served us very well.”
“The pandemic was challenging for all of us on the front line,” Bell said of her role at CHOP during COVID-19. “As a leader, I call myself a Chief Reassurance Officer. My goal [during the pandemic] was to reassure everyone that I was there for them, and that I was consistent in supporting them in any way I could. What does that look like? It’s about being
Photos by Richard L. Gaw
Don and Joan Foy display their sentiment.
State Reps. Paul Friel and Chris Pielli were among the speakers at the rally.
Vietnam veteran Joe Morrissey of Parkesburg.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
More than 500 Chester County business and civic leaders attended “Executive Insights: A Panel of Visionary CEOs” at West Chester University on March 14.
Public hearing details need to provide working Pennsylvanians with tax credit
On March 12, the State House Finance Committee heard testimony at the Kennett Library from area organizations and advocates about how an additional state-level tax credit would allow Pennsylvanians to better manage their personal finances and plan for their family’s financial and educational future.
State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, hosted the public hearing and is the prime sponsor of the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit proposal (H.B. 820).
“The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) would be a smart investment in our hardworking Pennsylvanians and their families,” explained Sappey.
“Pennsylvania’s low wage-earning families are finding a middle-class life out of reach, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and having to make tough choices like choosing between going to work or paying for childcare, or skipping a doctor’s visit because of a car repair bill, for example.
“This struggle has far-reaching economic implications not only for our workforce, but for our business owners. State-level earned income tax credits promote work, additional education, and keep workers at work. It’s a smart investment also because for every dollar spent on a state earned income tax credit, $4 in revenue is generated. I can’t think of a better way to generate revenue and keep folks who want to work at work.”
State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, chairman of the Pennsylvania
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more visible, listening more, having more town hall meetings, and making sure that people are hearing from me.”
Gheysen, who oversees more than 1,100 locations and 47,000 employees at Wawa, including more than 12,000 in Pennsylvania, said that “leaders internally provide stability, whether times are good or whether times are bad.”
“Within the Philadelphia region, our Wawa stores see about a million customers a day, so they have a pretty good pulse of what’s going on with consumer behavior,” he told the audience.
“This uncertainty over the last 12 to 18 months has led to consumers becoming worried about inflation –they have inflation fatigue -and that affects their confidence and their spending.
“What we’re seeing in our food and retail is that people are shrinking what they’re getting. They used to get a ‘large’ and now they are getting a ‘small.’ They used to get three items and now they get two. They might have come in three times a week and now they’re coming in twice, and that’s behavior that is really a result of what is happening all around us.”
During this period of economic uncertainty,
Proposal could benefit nearly 1 million Pennsylvania families
House Finance Committee, expressed his support for the proposal.
“Our series of hearings on this proposal have shown the benefit this would provide,” he said. “This state-level earned income tax credit would not only help hardworking Pennsylvanians, but it would also drive our economy forward by encouraging workers to stay in the commonwealth. That helps employers, businesses, and our workforce.
“This concept has proven successful in other states; it’s time for us to invest in working Pennsylvanians and their families.”
The WPTC would provide eligible Pennsylvania taxpayers with a refundable credit equal to 30 percent of the amount they received in their federal Earned Income Tax Credit to help with the costs of childcare, food, transportation and other household expenses.
The proposed statelevel credit would likely benefit nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians and range from nearly $200 to over $2,000 depending on family size and income limits, in addition to the credit they already receive at the fed-
Gheysens said that it will be crucial for Wawa to “lean into what people need, not just functionally but even emotionally,” he said. “You want them to feel welcome. You want them to feel a sense of calm and comfort.”
Workforce development and retention
The panelists also addressed how their companies are continuing to seek opportunities for growth and how they are helping to recruit and keep talent. At CHOP, Bell said its growth scale is driven by its goal to provide convenient accessibility to families throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania region, weighed against the constant challenge to provide qualified nurses and pediatric specialists.
Gheysen said that the largest factor for growth at Wawa is to develop an internal investment of “culture,” and not grow merely on the basis of scale.
“When we talk about putting in hundreds more stores, we question if we are we going to outpace our ability to scale and water down our brand,” he said, “and that’s always how we think about scale – on the basis of our brand position, our brand promise and our ability to provide consumer service.”
The CEOs also addressed
eral level. If Pennsylvania had the WPTC in 2023, the average eligible family would have received a tax credit of approximately $650 from the Commonwealth in 2024.
Laura Manion, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry testified that reducing the tax burden for low- and middle-income families would make Pennsylvania more competitive.
“We’ve seen how changes to the cost of living have tightened disposable income,” she said. “House Bill 820 offers targeted assistance to workers and families who need it the most. This is sound fiscal policy that would allow workers to retain more of their earned income and reduce economic barriers to attracting workers to our employers in Chester County.”
Leah Reynolds, CEO of Kennett Area Community Service, commended Sappey for authoring H.B. 820, calling it a practical, evidence-based solution.
“This would have a real and lasting impact on families right here in Chester
a question from Edwards about how their companies are strengthening employee retention and commitment.
“What we find is that we have to invest in them and get them invested in who we are as a business, and if we do a great job with that, they become engaged in what we are doing,” Parsons said. “We need to make sure our young and more mature talent is seeing the purpose and the opportunity in the work they are doing.”
The selection and retention of a talented workforce, Ramji said, requires providing constant reminders, reaffirmations and complicity to employees, melded with instilling “a strong sense of culture and a strong sense of purpose.”
“It can’t feel like a job, whether you are pumping gas at a Wawa in New Jersey or if you are an investment officer at Wawa,” said Gheysen, who pointed to the company’s stock plans offered to every employee as an incentive. “It’s got to be about something bigger and having to do with making an impact.”
Conflict management, emotional intelligence and financial literacy
Each of the CEOs were asked what changes they would make in contemporary education in connection
“The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit would be a smart investment in our hardworking Pennsylvanians and their families.”
County and across the state of Pennsylvania by putting resources back in the hands of lower-income working families,” she said. “A state-level earned income tax credit would pay for itself and reduce spending on social support systems. The WPTC would be a crucial step to ensuring economic stability for hardworking Pennsylvanians.”
Amanda Blevins, director of Community Impact Initiatives with Chester County United Way, testified to the direct impact the tax credit would have on financial stability for local Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed households. “The Chester County United Way is committed to building
~ State Rep. Christina Sappey
financially resilient families. ALICE households in our communities are just one emergency expense away from financial disaster. For so many of the calls that we receive for help, the amount they would receive in a WPTC would stabilize their situation and help them achieve stability.”
Marci Lesko, CEO of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley attested to the positive ripple effect of earned income tax credits.
“The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is dedicated to improving community conditions,” he said. “Education is one of the most effective antipoverty solutions and our understanding of that comes through our investments
in our nationally recognized Community Schools Model and Early Learning programs.
“Many families may use their refunds to positively support their children’s development and access educational materials and opportunities for their families. Rigorous research shows that federal and state EITCs lead to better economic, social and health outcomes for families in our communities and benefit Pennsylvania as a commonwealth.”
There are 31 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico that currently offer a state tax credit based on the federal earned income tax credit.
with future employees and their role in the economic growth and societal impact of their respective agencies. Bell encouraged colleges and universities to expose students to conflict management education.
“When I look at our young nurses and physicians, they are on the front lines with people who are bringing their child to CHOP at the most stressful times a parent can imagine, and people are not at their best,” she said. “We are seeing an increase in workplace violence in hospitals toward physicians and nurses in hospitals. Many of our young staff do not have
conflict management skills and we have tried to teach that on the job, but it is challenging. It sounds like a soft skill, but I think it’s a really necessary skill.”
Gheysen called for schools to help young people develop their “emotional intelligence.”
“You are moving across functions and disciplines in teams to get things done, so understanding self-awareness and how to interact with people is crucial,” he said. “Having emotional intelligence is almost as important - if not more important - than having technical skills.”
While acknowledging
that there is a significant lack of financial literacy in contemporary society, Ramji said that Vanguard is developing classes in high schools that have already educated more than 1 million students that have introduced them to credit c ard management and investing.
“Beyond it providing a really good stable base for people when they start employment, it gets people to see things like finance as something much more accessible,” he said.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Courtesy photos
State Rep. Christina Sappey hosted the public hearing and is the prime sponsor of the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit proposal (H.B. 820).
On March 12 at the Kennett Library, the State House Finance Committee heard testimony from area organizations and advocates about how an additional state-level tax credit would allow Pennsylvanians to better manage their personal finances and plan for their family’s financial and educational future.
Courtesy photo
The panel of CEOs included Salim Ramji of Vanguard; Leo Parsons of CTDI; Chris Gheysens of Wawa; and Madeline Bell of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The discussion was moderated by 6ABC Action News anchor Tamala Edwards.
The standards of our decorum
“I believe bipartisanship is a crucial part of civility in Congress.”
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), on her website
On March 4, about halfway through President Trump’s lengthy speech to Congress, House Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, stood up in the chamber, waved his walking stick at the president and openly disputed Trump’s claim that Trump’s victory last November represented a mandate.
“You have no mandate!” Green shouted.
“You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!”
Green soon went into a combustible rage and, unrelented by a call from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to sit down, kept on shouting, which prompted Johnson to order Green removed from the chamber.
It was a disgraceful performance, but Green’s actions at such legislative gatherings where Democrats and Republicans share the same space have become commonplace, the equivalent of just another day
at an office where ridicule and division has reduced the Capitol Building to a veritable cage match of insults, threats, heckling, accusations and near fistfights.
Witness MAGA hatwearing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who lobbed four years of public insults at President Joe Biden’s State of the Union addresses; President Trump for referring to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas” at his most recent address or, at the same gathering, when Democrats held up ping pong paddles filled with inscriptions of disrespect.
These separate acts of defiance have demonstrated absolutely no regard for the sanctity of the forum and reduced our nation’s highest leadership to the level of Tik-Tok self-promoters. After long deliberation and less than 48 hours after Green’s childish meltdown, House Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat who represents the citizens of Chester and Berks counties, joined nine other Democrats in voting to censure their colleague in a vote that adopted the
resolution by a vote of 224198-2. After the vote, most Democrats — including the party’s representatives from Pennsylvania, save one — joined in solidarity on the House floor and sang “We Shall Overcome.”
Within mere minutes of her vote, Houlahan was verbally eviscerated by hundreds of posts to her social media, who referred to her as a “spineless Democrat,” a “sell out,” and a traitor who chose not to side with her fellow Democrats but with the enemy, in this case, Donald Trump. The entries were like a one-way stream of diatribe that with each passing post slowly became a raging river of anger that is still flowing.
Feeling the need to explain her vote, Houlahan gave an interview to the Philadelphia Inquirer where she said that it was her “duty” to vote for the censure against Green for “breach of proper conduct.”
“And it’s frustrating because Al Green’s statement was true,” Houlahan told the Inquirer. “It wasn’t provocative or offensive. It
was the truth. But I think each one of us had to make decisions about how we were going to comport ourselves and what was appropriate, and I know each colleague on both sides made those choices, and each one of us knows there are consequences to those choices.
“I voted to table that because I think we have much, much better things to do with our time than to continue to do this titfor-tat nonsense with one another,” Houlahan added. “I believe we need to recognize that we have rules in the House of Representatives, and we have standards of decorum that we all presumably agree to, and we all need to agree to those standards so we can get the work for the people done and so we cannot be a banana republic.”
* * * *
To those who dragged Houlahan through a molten quagmire for voting to censure Green, their words do not move toward resolution and compromise but further deepen the dark muddy of divisiveness. Indeed, their words are reminiscent of
Opinion
those spewed by the social media bloviators on the other side of the political spectrum, whom they have come to absolutely detest. What has been entirely lost in Houlahan’s decision is that it was not only the wise vote, but one that was made not for the Democratic party or even for our country but purely to acknowledge the once time-honored obligations of decency and civility. Should anyone falsely believe the nearly unutterable lie that Houlahan threw her colleague Green under the bus as a scapegoat for her convictions, think again.
“After the vote, I pulled Speaker [Johnson] to the side and had a very‚ very strong conversation with him where I explained I voted in favor, but I am not OK with arbitrary and capricious applications of the same rule,” Houlahan told the Inquirer. “There was no censure or sanction of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (D., Ga.). He said, ‘Well, she just wore a hat.’ She also yelled at the President of the United States [Biden in 2024], and I don’t believe it’s OK that she did not have the same
treatment.
“And I think it’s absolute hypocrisy that people after the vote were standing there yelling at Mr. Green when their own colleagues have done very, very similar things, not wearing masks when it was mandated, wearing MAGA hats when there are literally no hats allowed on the floor. We had to make a special exception for wearing hijabs. It’s insane. … We need to behave like grown-ups and stop the madness.”
Then, on March 10, Houlahan introduced a resolution seeking to censure Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) alleging the Republican made “racist and derogatory” comments about Green’s protest, saying that Green shook his “pimp cane” at Trump. To those who have and continue to unleash their venom against Chrissy Houlahan for her vote, may they someday – it may take a miracle for some – choose to honor those who still believe in the vastly devalued currency known as dignity and respect.
A Pa. cyber charter school believed in me
By Aaron T. Redis
Last spring, I read a lot of articles calling for cuts to public cyber charter school funding here in Pennsylvania. It’s hard to believe these schools continue to be targeted for cuts at a time when more people are moving away from traditional public schools and toward these public cybers.
Simply put, I left my traditional public school, and my public cyber and its teachers saved my life. They put me on a path toward serving others in my community.
The reasons I left my traditional public school were simple: I wanted to be challenged in my academics, and I was bullied
relentlessly.
My friend had left school for a public cyber and found the fit was much better. That inspired me to look more closely at cybers. She chose a school that met her specific needs, and I went on to choose a different school – Reach Cyber Charter School –that met mine. Reach gave me the power to choose courses, like learning Chinese, that I never could’ve studied in my old public school. In my old school, our choices were limited. At Reach, the only limits I had were the ones I set for myself. This new power to challenge myself academically really ignited my love of learning.
I’m still in touch with
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many of my teachers and advisors. They were great mentors to me. Bridget, the school’s social worker, and my teacher, Jennifer, helped me fall in love with education again. In my old school, I was told for years that I wasn’t a good writer. My Reach teacher liked my writing. She noted I have a different style and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and write.
The bullying at my old school became increasingly violent. I was repeatedly pushed into lockers and even cornered in the restroom. I didn’t feel safe in my own school and neighborhood. No child should have to experience that. Bullying made my grades suffer. There were many sleepless nights and tears.
I was part of my school’s first graduating class in 2019, graduating in only 2.5 years. Before delivering the valedictorian address, I couldn’t help but reflect on how fortunate I was to find a school that made me work really hard. It was such a great journey.
After receiving my college degree, I now work full-time as a crisis clinician, providing help to those in my community who need it. I listened to my teachers who told me to keep writing, and I’m planning to write a book. At the same time, I’m applying to Master’s programs.
There isn’t any personal regret for what happened to me at my old public school. It helped shaped who I am today, but Reach restored my faith in public education by establishing a safe learning environment where the biggest challenges I faced were my
academics – not violence. I hope our state lawmakers stand up and support public cyber schools and their students. I thank God Pennsylvania created a
public cyber option for me and tens of thousands of other students who needed a different educational experience that met our unique
Women
the Bench in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania public cyber school saved my life.
Aaron T. Redis writes from the Scranton area.
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on
Official
grand opening to be held on April 13
The Bookhouse Hotel II: Embracing the love of literature at Faunbrook
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
In a world full of digital media and a never-ending cycle of online content to consume, a return to cozy and warm classics we once knew can be a welcome retreat.
Stephanie Olenik knows the value of such an experience through her time as owner and operator of The Bookhouse Hotel in Kennett Square and the new Bookhouse Hotel at Faunbrook in West Chester.
Olenik’s combination of literature and hospitality was simultaneously an act of serendipity and a product of long-term goals and effort.
“I’ve owned Airbnbs along the way, but a hotel was always on my vision board,” she said. “That’s
what I always wanted to do.”
Before she embarked on a ten-year career in real estate, Olenik worked in the service industry which she credits for giving her a passion for hospitality. The last and possibly most crucial piece that fell perfectly into place for her latest business ventures is her love of reading, which began when she was in the first grade.
“We would have a time where you would get cozy, and the teacher set up this coziest corner ever, and you would go read and that’s when it started,” Olenik said. “That’s my favorite memory.”
In 2023, when Olenik learned that a bookstore in Kennett Square was closing and all 5,000 books were being left behind, Olenik convinced
her husband, Matt and business partners Stephen Tallon and Bill Rookstool to invest in the property and begin The Bookhouse Hotel. The four-room hotel became an immediate hit with writers, readers and just about anyone else looking for a unique hotel experience.
The Kennett location’s success allowed Olenik and the team to expand into West Chester and turn the Faunbrook into the next Bookhouse Hotel, which opened this past January.
The Bookhouse at Faunbrook, a historical building dating back to the 1860s, was originally owned by the Darlington family and was renowned for the Fourth of July parties hosted there. The home eventually became a bed and breakfast before Olenik acquired it last year.
The hotel has seven rooms - three more than the Kennett Square location – and each room takes inspiration from literature and history: the Darlington suite, named after the original owners; Daisy’s Room, named after Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby; Jane’s room, honoring Jane Austen; Alice’s Suite, for Alice’s Adventures in
Burnett’s Studio, inspired by The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett; Rose’s Room, inspired by Dickens’ Oliver Twist and The Dreamer’s Quarters, named after Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Each room features an impressive collection of books surrounding each bed, the number of which Olenik cannot be certain of yet though she estimates that it is likely well into the thousands.
The novels aren’t just for decoration or to curate the vibe of the Bookhouse Hotel, but meant to be read, cherished and appreciated during and long after a guest’s stay. Olenik shared that she feels imagination is the greatest benefit in unplugging from other media and picking up a book.
“It’s about getting lost in a book, and when it’s a good book, that’s the best,” Olenik said.
It would seem others in the community would agree with Olenik. Boxes of books often appear outside the Faunbrook, donations from locals hoping to fill the shelves with more beloved stories. The Bookhouse also has a quarterly book club, currently hosting over 100 members. Members of the book club receive the selected book, gifts, discounted stays, Zoom meetings with authors
and access to the annual Book Ball, a themed celebration now taking place at the Faunbrook. The hotel will host its official grand opening party on April 13.
While the love of reading is evident through the space and activities of The Bookhouse Hotel, the new Faunbrook location is embracing love itself by becoming a wedding destination, with the first wedding planned for this spring. Olenik shared that the couple got engaged at the Kennett Square location and made it full circle to host their wedding at the Faunbrook.
“I think there are details
at Faunbrook that a regular hotel doesn’t have, like our secret bookcase door and all of the books in the rooms and the different themed rooms,” she said. “I just think it’s a different experience, and a magical one.” The Bookhouse Hotel at Faunbrook is located at 699 W Rosedale Ave, West Chester, Pa. 19382. To learn more or make a reservation, visit www.thebookhouseatfaunbrook.com or call 610-257-7008.
To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email gburton@chestercounty.com.
The hotel’s seven rooms
Wonderland;
Courtesy photos
The Bookhouse at Faunbrook.
The front lobby of the hotel is decorated with photographs that portray its historical significance.
The hotel is the perfect location for an intimate wedding.
The
The Bookhouse at Faunbrook was originally owned by the Darlington family.
ALLAN RICHARD SHOEMAKER, JR.
Allan Richard Shoemaker, Jr., 59, of Quarryville, Pa., passed away on March 13, 2025 at Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of Leesa Wyatt Shoemaker, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage.
Born in Kirkwood, Pa., he was the son of Mary Neff Shoemaker and the late Allan Richard Shoemaker, Sr.
Allan was employed with Shoemaker Trucking and Evacuating in Kirkwood.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Oxford.
He enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycle rides and bowling.
He is survived by his wife; his mother; one son, Allan Michael Shoemaker; six siblings, Bill Shoemaker, Jim Shoemaker, Andy Shoemaker, Laura Shoemaker, Aaron Shoemaker and Joe Shoemaker; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at Christ Community Fellowship Church at 356 Chatham Road in West Grove, where friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Interment will be in Christ Community Fellowship Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10
RICHARD CLENDENING, IV
Richard Clendening, IV, age 78, of Villas, N.J., passed away on February 27, 2025.
He is survived by his children, Richard Clendening V, and Jaime Wright and their spouses, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Sheila, his sister, Mary Atkins and parents Richard Clendening III and Helen Clendening.
Richard was an avid fisherman. He loved spending time on the water fishing, surfing, kayaking and swimming with friends. He had a green thumb and would always share his garden’s harvest with friends and neighbors.
He served in the Army’s 285th Engineer Detachment in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.
Richard stayed busy during his retirement and made many friends that he adopted into his extended family.
Services are private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Disabled American Veterans DAV Chapter 44 1010 Bayshore Rd, Del Haven, N.J. 08251.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
JOSEPH R. BAUER, JR.
Joseph R. Bauer, Jr., of Oxford, passed away peacefully into the arms of his savior Jesus Christ on February 27, 2025. He was 85 and passed away at Lancaster General Hospital. He was the husband of the late Juanita L. Cave Bauer. Born in Aldan, Pa., he was the son of the late Joseph R. Sr. and Virginia Barrington Bauer.
Joseph was born and raised in Aldan, Pa. and graduated from Upper Darby High School, class of 1957.
He was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church and enjoyed serving as a Liturgist and Elder.
Joseph was employed as a computer programmer analyst for many years and after retirement he worked part-time as a parts driver with Federated Auto in Quarryville.
He served on the board of the Upper Oxford Planning Commission, East Nottingham Township Planning Commission and the Open Space Committee and the Oxford Area Recreation Authority. Joseph also volunteered for over 20 years with the Brandywine River Museum’s annual train display at Christmastime.
He was active with the Boy Scouts and was a high school band parent and he loved trains, gardening, reading and working in the yard.
He is survived by four children, Suzanne J. Herr (Larry) of Oxford, Joseph R. Bauer, III (Lisa) of Oxford, Jeffrey M.Bauer of Peach Bottom and Jason S. Bauer of Seattle, Wash., a sister, Jill P. Heinold (Lynn) of Naples, Fla., a brother, Wayne D. Bauer (Joyce) of Drexel Hill, and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sister, Nancy B. Butler
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Waterway Church, 550 Waterway Road in Oxford. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and the service will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a fellowship reception.
Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
LOIS JEAN LANTZ
Lois J. Lantz, a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at her home in Lancaster on March 12, 2025. She was born in Oxford, the daughter of the late Robert L.and Beatrice (Reeves) Wolfe.
A 1950 graduate of Solanco High School, Lois went on to work in various roles throughout her life, most notably in the housekeeping department at the Holiday Inn of Lancaster and Conestoga View, where she was known for her dedication and warm personality.
Lois had a heart as big as her kitchen, where she poured her love into every meal she made, especially during the holidays. Cooking was more than just a skill for her; it was an expression of love. Her desserts were legendary, and anyone fortunate enough to taste her creations knew they were made with joy and care. Her cherry pie could rival even Martha Stewart’s! Outside the kitchen, Lois found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was an avid reader, often getting lost in the thrilling pages of a James Patterson novel. She loved watching “The Young and the Restless,” “The Voice,” and a good cop show. Her sense of humor was infectious, and she never missed a chance to share a joke or enjoy a Kevin Hart comedy. As spring arrived, Lois delighted in choosing flowers for her garden, always eager to bring new colors and life into her home.
A woman of strong faith, Lois was a dedicated member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she served as the corresponding secretary for the missionaries. She was part of the Knit Wits knitting group, and played an integral role in the Kitchen Crew. She gave her time and energy to her church family, always with a warm smile and a giving heart.
More than anything, Lois was a devoted mother, a loving sister, and a cherished friend. Her kindness, laughter, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughters, Lynn Schnupp of Lancaster and Arden Lantz of Delaware, her brother, Robert Wolfe (wife Judy) of Truce, her nieces Stacey Missouri (husband Brandon), Nicole Beaden (husband Claude) of Florida, and Sharron Purnell Mayer (husband Andrew) of Philadelphia, her great-nephew Jordan Wolfe of Willow Street, as well as many great-nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved sister, Yvonne Wolfe.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 21 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 701 North Lime Street, Lancaster. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the service.
Interment will take place at 11 a.m. on March 22 at Oxford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lois’ honor may be made to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa. 17604 or Momma C’s Kitchen, 701 North Lime Street, Lancaster, Pa. 17602.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome. com) in Oxford.
JAMES D. ELLIOTT III
James D. Elliott III, of Kennett Square, passed away while at his residence on March 10, 2025. He was 52.
James, who was commonly known as JBob, was born in Logan, Ohio. He was the son of James D. Elliott, Jr., and the late Barbara Huddy Elliott and his stepmother, Francine Abbett Elliott.
In his younger years, he was a athlete and electrician. He loved music, the Green Bay Packers and spending time with his friends.
Later in his life, he spent his years with his best
JANE ANN PISCOGLIO
Jane Ann Piscoglio, of Oxford, passed away at home with family at her side on March 12, 2025. She was 87.
She was the wife of Joseph Piscoglio, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. Born in Downingtown, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Jennie DiPietro Poluch.
She was a graduate of Downingtown High School, Class of 1956, and was an active member of the reunion committee for many years.
Jane and husband Joseph owned and managed Sante’s Card and Candy Corner in Coatesville.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford. Jane enjoyed cooking for her family and many friends. She also enjoyed crocheting many blankets for all occasions for her friends and family.
She is survived by her husband Joseph Piscoglio and her four children, Tina (Barry), Jeanine (Tony), Joseph Jr. (Sharon) and Santa (Michael), 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and her brother, John Poluch of Glenmoore.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony Poluch.
A Catholic Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on March 20 at Sacred Heart Church, 203 Church Road in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org or Penn Medicine Hospice Friends Fund at giving.apps.upenn.edu.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
friend and stepmother, Francine Elliott, his father, nieces and nephews.
JBob’s comical personality and appreciation for life affected everyone he met, and he will be missed by all.
In addition to his father and stepmother, he is survived by two sisters, Jama Elliott of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Lora Elliott of Lionville, Pa., one niece Cristal Richman and one nephew, Lucas McMahon.
His service and burial will be private.
To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.
VINCENT A. GIORDANO, JR.
Vincent A. Giordano, Jr. passed away at home with his wife, son, and dog (Dok) by his side on October 18, 2024.
He was the loving husband of Kathleen (Patton) Giordano for 53 years. He is survived by his son, Nicholas R. Giordano and Nick’s fiancée Jamie Sellers.
Vince was born in Philadelphia in 1952 and moved to KIrkwood, Pa. in 1978. He was the son of Vincent A. Giordano, Sr. and Livia M. (Zappitelli) Giordano.
Vince is also survived by brother-in-law, Cliff Patton, two sisters-in-law, Arleen Patton and Barbara Drumm, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Livia M. Giordano.
Vince graduated from Northeast Catholic High School and attended Drexel University. He was employed by Philadelphia Electric Company/ Exelon/Constellation, where he retired at the age of 65. He served in the Naval Air Reserves and was honorably discharged after six years of service.
Vince, aka Vinny, was a faithful fan of all Philadelphia sports teams. He enjoyed being the “fix-it guy.” He could repair just about anything and totally enjoyed doing it. He loved animals, photography, boating, and playing sports. He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by many. Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made In Vince’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
ESTATE NOTICE
Daniel P Huston, Deceased, late of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Walter J. Subers, Executor, C/O Attorney: Jeff P. Bryman, Esq., Law Offices of Pyle & Bryman, 225 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Chadds Ford PA 19317
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ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF PATRICIA J. MELLON, DECEASED, Late of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Maureen Mellon, 1682 Mt. Everest Lane Toms River, NJ 08753
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PUBLIC BID NOTICE
NOTICE TO BIDDERS FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP SEALED BIDS will be received by Franklin Township, Chester County at the Franklin Township Municipal Building, 20 Municipal Lane,
DROP
Landenberg, PA 19350, until 10:00 AM prevailing time on Thursday, April 10, 2025, for the 2025 TOWNSHIP ROADSIDE MOWING AND BRUSH REMOVAL SERVICES. Bids will be publicly opened and read by Township Staff beginning at 10:15 AM. The Board of Supervisors will award the contract at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. Bid documents can be obtained at the Franklin Township Municipal Building or via Franklin Township’s website www.franklintownship.us/Bids
Bids shall be submitted on the forms furnished by the Township. The successful contractor will need to submit a Performance Surety and insurance bond, as described in the bid documents. The amount of the Performance Bond shall be 100% of the total project cost. The Township reserves the right to waive any non-material defects or irregularities in the bid, to reject any or all bids or portions thereof, or to award the contract which is deemed to be in the best interest of the Township. Bids received after the submission deadline will not be opened and will be considered void and unacceptable. Franklin Township is not responsible for lateness of mail, courier service, etc. If you are a person with a disability and require an auxiliary aid, service or other
accommodation to participate in this bid proceeding, or have any questions, please contact the Township office at info@ franklintownship.us or 610-2555212 to discuss how your needs may be best accommodated.
Jeffrey P. Eastburn Franklin Township Operations Manager
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ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Mary L. Francis Late of West Grove, 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 Wanda FrancisBlackwell, 52 Periwinkle Lane, Newark, DE 19711, Executrix, Or Attorney: James J. Gallagher, II, Esquire, Morris James LLP, P.O. Box 2306, Wilmington, DE 19899-2306
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BID
ADVERTISEMENT
The Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) invites the submission of sealed bids for improvements to the KCSD District Office located at 300 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. The improvements consist of: Minor interior renovations and finishes improvements throughout the existing one story +/5,500 square foot (SF) office building. +/- 2,000 SF one-story addition to the building. Exterior improvements including site clearing, grading, building pad prep and storm water management. Limit of Disturbance (LOD): +/-24,000 SF.
The improvements include General, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Construction trades. Bid Documents will be available in electronic PDF format on USB drive at the KCSD District Office (300 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348). Bid documents may be procured in person during regular business hours. Contact the District Office for hours of operation. A fee of $25 will be charged for each USB drive. Addenda will be issued via email.
Schedule summary: Bid Documents Available: March 17, 2025, Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: April 1, 2025, Bids Due: April 25, 2025, Issue Letters of Intent to Award: May 13, 2025, Construction: May 28, 2025April 24, 2026 3p-12-3t
ADVERTISEMENT FOR GRANT OF LETTERS
Estate of, CLIFFORD H. GRAY, Jr. Late of Upper Oxford 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 Stephen J. Gray, Executor, C/O Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363
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ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of JEFFERY BRYAN BAKER a.k.a. JEFFERY B. BAKER, Deceased, Late of Atglen, Chester County, PA Notice is hereby given that, in the estate of the decedent set forth above, the Register of Wills has granted letters, of administration to the persons named. All persons having claims against said estate are requested to make known the same to them or their attorneys and all persons indebted to said decedent are requested to make payment without delay to the executors or administrators named below. Kenneth C. Baker, Executor, or Attorney: Katelyn M. Haldeman, Esq. c/o Legacy Law, PLLC 147 W. Airport Road Lititz, PA 17543 3p-12-3t
ADVERTISEMENT FOR GRANT OF LETTERS
ESTATE OF JOSEPH C. MELRATH, LATE OF Oxford Borough, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to, Susan Melrath, Executor, C/O Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363 3p-12-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF Philip W. High, LATE OF Penn 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 Phyllis
J.High, Executrix, 7 Elliot Dr. , West Grove, PA 19390 3p-12-3t
INCORPORATION
NOTICE
AfterGlow Med Spa, P.C. has been incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 29 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation law of 1988 as a Professional Corporation, as amended. Lamb McErlane PC, 24 E. Market St., P.O. Box 565, West Chester, PA 19381 3p-19-1t
PUBLIC NOTICE
POCOPSON TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD
NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Pocopson Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Pocopson Township Municipal Building, 664 South Wawaset Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19382, on April 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: IN RE: Application of Nicole Henwood seeking variances (1)from the prohibition against fences within a “right-of-way” under Zoning Ordinance Section 250-94.E.(1)(a); (2) from the prohibition against fences within the base flood elevation or areas over which water in any watercourse, ditch or swale flows under Ordinance Section 250-94.E(1)(c); (3) from requirement that animal barns must be set back 150 feet from a street right-of-way under Ordinance Section 250-94.C(2); and (4) from the four precent maximum building coverage limit under Ordinance section 250-22.C (10); all to permit the addition of a barn and fencing on property located at 9 Lian Drive, West Chester, PA, in the Township’s RA Residential/ Agricultural zoning district (UPI#63-2-8.3). If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings; or if you wish to participate remotely, please contact Susan Simone at 610-793-2151 to discuss how Pocopson Township may best accommodate your needs. Edward M. Foley, Solicitor Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 3-19-2t
ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF Charles E. Peoples, LATE OF Oxford Borough, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above
Estate have been granted to Cythina Snyder, Executrix, 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 Nancy Zook C/O George Donze, Esquire, Donze and Donze, 696 Unionville Rd., Suite 6, Kennett Square, PA 19348 3p-19-3t
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McDonnell elected chair of management committee at Gawthrop Greenwood
Gawthrop Greenwood, PC, a regional law firm with offices in West Chester and Berwyn, as well as Greater Wilmington, Del., has elected litigator and shareholder
Stephen R. McDonnell as chair of the firm’s management committee.
A partner at Gawthrop Greenwood who joined the firm in 2007, McDonnell has represented Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized companies and small businesses in contract disputes, construction claims, employment issues and insurance matters. His extensive trial experience includes more than 50 trials to verdict in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Focusing his law practice
on helping corporations and individuals avoid and resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation and/ or litigation, McDonnell has been selected to serve as an arbitrator by his peers and appointed as an arbitrator by the Chester County and Philadelphia Courts of Common Pleas.
“My experience has given me a solid understanding of our clients’ needs and our firm’s role in the region’s business and public sector landscape,” said McDonnell. “I look forward to drawing on that experience, as well as input from our exceptional team of attorneys and staff, to help shape Gawthrop Greenwood’s strategy moving forward.”
McDonnell recently completed a 5-year term serving
on the Board of Directors of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry (CCCBI). He has also previously served on Gawthrop Greenwood’s management committee and is past chair of the firm’s litigation department.
McDonnell is a member of the Chester County Bar Association, and a past member of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations and Counsel for Litigation Management.
He has also served on the United Way community impact team and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce’s member retention committee.
McDonnell will fulfill his term with management committee members P. Kristen
Bennett, an attorney and shareholder specializing in trusts and estates in the firm’s Greater Wilmington office, as well as Patrick M. McKenna, an attorney and shareholder who practices in municipal law, real estate and land development in the firm’s West Chester office.
McDonnell succeeds Stacey L. Fuller, who oversaw a merger that made Gawthrop Greenwood one of the largest community association law firms in Pennsylvania.
“At Gawthrop, we often say that our firm is big enough to have an impact, but small enough to keep our communities and clients as our focus,” said Fuller.
“Under Steve’s leadership, we will continue to uphold those values while adapting
and expanding services to meet the diverse needs of our clients.”
Prior to joining Gawthrop Greenwood, McDonnell was a partner with the Philadelphia law firm Delany & O’Brien. He
Cecil College launches skilled trades degree program
Embarking on a college journey to earn a degree in the skilled trades is not just about gaining knowledge—it’s about advancing a passion and expanding career opportunities.
Cecil College is introducing its unique Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Skilled Trades. Tailored for indi-
viduals seeking career advancement in transportation or construction, this program stands out for its comprehensive education. It equips students with specialized skills and knowledge, offering opportunities to delve into specific sub-concentrations within each category.
Cecil College offers a
streamlined credential assessment process for those who have already earned credentials in related areas. This allows students to build on their existing qualifications and accelerate their path toward earning an AAS degree, enhancing their professional development and expanding their career
opportunities. A degree in the skilled trades is often essential for those aiming to advance in their careers. It provides a solid foundation in both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, which is crucial for addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in our region and state. This comprehen-
sive program is designed to prepare students for a successful career in skilled trades, equipping them with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen concentration.
According to the Maryland Department of Labor, job growth in critical areas like First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is projected to increase by 8.1 percent through 2030 and by 14.4 percent in Construction Managers. With this degree, students can take advantage of these expanding opportunities. For more information about Cecil College, visit www.cecil.edu.
Courtesy photo
Attorney Stephen R. McDonnell has been selected as chair of the firm’s management committee.
a degree in finance from Drexel University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from Widener University School of Law in 1994 where he served as an articles
Hoops, laughs, and community fun
The Harlem Wizards will bring high-energy basketball show to Unionville High School on March 22
The Harlem Wizards are bringing their electrifying brand of basketball to Unionville High School on Saturday, March 22, at 6 p.m., promising an unforgettable evening of high-flying dunks, dazzling ball-handling, and plenty of laughs.
This one-night-only event is hosted by the UnionvilleChadds Ford Education Foundation (UCFEF) and will feature the Wizards taking on the UCF All-Stars, a team of local teachers and community leaders.
More than just a game, the Harlem Wizards experience
blends top-tier basketball skills with comedy and audience participation, making it a fun-filled event for all ages. Spectators can cheer on familiar faces from the community as they take on the Wizards in a lighthearted, action-packed matchup.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Wizards back for a night of fun and friendly competition,” said Vanessa Thompson, UCFEF Board President. “It’s a great opportunity for families to come together, enjoy an incredible show, and support important educational initiatives in our schools.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the UCFEF, which has awarded over $380,000 in education grants to support innovative programs across all six UnionvilleChadds Ford schools. Funds raised will help continue that mission, bringing new learning opportunities to students.
Tickets are available for purchase online, and advance ticketing is strongly encouraged. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/ UCFEFHarlemWizards.
West Chester University
will
inaugurate Bernotsky as its 16th president on March 28
Photo courtesy of Melissa Kelly Dr. Laurie Bernotsky will be inaugurated as West Chester University’s 16th president and, historically, its second woman president during a formal investiture ceremony on Friday, March 28, at 11 a.m. in Emilie K. Asplundh
Concert Hall, 700 South High Street, West Chester.
A first-generation college graduate from rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Bernotsky currently leads the largest R2 institution (high research activity) in Pennsylvania’s State System of
Higher Education. Dr. Bernotsky’s inaugural address will outline a vision for the future of WCU, building on its strength as a regional flagship of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The ceremony will highlight a
weeklong series of events organized to celebrate all those who work to fuel the success of WCU students. Prior to the March 28 inauguration, a weeklong series of events will celebrate WCU’s community of learners, educators, and friends.
Westley named Student of the Month
Elise Westley has been named the Avon Grove Lions Club Student of the Month for March from Avon Grove High School. She is the daughter of Latoya Clark and Andrew Westley of West Grove. Elise is involved in numerous school activities. She is the captain of the tennis team, Secretary of the Spanish Club, treasurer of Model UN, and a communications officer of the Sewing Club. She is also a member of the Class of 2025 Steering Committee, Yearbook Club, and is a JV
and varsity tennis player.
Elise is an active member of the community. She is a volunteer at the Avon Grove Library and a volunteer for PATTA. Elise has also earned Distinguished Honors throughout high school. She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study politics and philosophy with a goal of attending law school and becoming a public defender. The teachers who have influenced Elise the most are Mrs. Polin, Mrs. Miers and Mrs. Daly.
Courtesy photo
The Harlem Wizards are bringing their electrifying brand of basketball to Unionville High School on Saturday, March 22.
Courtesy photo
The Avon Grove Lions Club recently honored Elise Westley as Student of the Month.
