Chester County Press 11-11-2020 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

Volume 154, No. 44

INSIDE

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Shooting in Oxford Borough

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer At approximately 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, the Oxford Police Department reported a disturbance between two males in the 700 block of Broad Street.

Upland receives A-Mazeing gift...1B

$1.00

The incident ended with one of the men being shot in the neck. The 28-year-old male victim is receiving treatment at Christiana Hospital. His injuries do not appear to be life threatening and he is expected to be released.

The homeowner, who is alleged to have shot the

victim, was detained for questioning and released.

The scene is secured and no further danger exists in the community. This was not a home invasion. And no police officers were involved in the dispute.

According to Police Chief Sam Iacono, a disturbance

Oxford receives one bid for former borough hall

occurred in the driveway between a male residing in the home and a male who came to the home. Although, they are early in the investigation, it is thought that the dispute involves the shooting victim’s ex-girlfriend.

The disturbance between the two males escalated

and the homeowner came out and asked the male to leave. When he would not leave the homeowner allegedly shot him in the neck.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

Kennett Square Borough unveils preliminary budget for 2021

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Author plans signings...2A

the borough and surrounding townships. This year’s request for funding will increase from $8,500 to $11,000, or an increase of 50 cents per capita.

“The majority of our costs are payroll so we will have to cut hours and services,” Bresler explained.

In spite of the pandemic’s restrictions, the library staffcontinues to do their best to serve the community. They continue to do an in-person Story Time, but hold that in the Oxford Memorial Park.

Bresler thanked theborough for allowing them to do that.

Kennett Square Borough officials unveiled the preliminary budget for 2021 earlier this month.

Borough manager Joseph Scalise said at the Nov. 2 council meeting that the projected general fund budget for 2021 currently totals $4,946,641. Work on the spending will continue until it is finalized and adopted by borough council before the end of the year.

There will be no tax increase to balance the proposed budget. Additionally, the sewer and parking fees are expected to remain the same for next year, Scalise said.

Kennett Square Borough’s finances have certainly been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. However, the impact hasn’t been as bad as borough officials once feared. For that reason, the borough has still been able to accomplish some of its financial goals during 2020.

Scalise noted that as early as April of this year, the borough’s various departments were making decisions to scale back projects, cut costs when possible, and delay a few planned capital projects in an effort to reduce expenses during 2020. So while revenues are down during this year, so are Kennett Square’s projected expenditures.

Scalise said that the borough has been able to retire about $1.6 million in debt this year. The borough was also able to save money by refinancing some of the outstanding debt that remains.

The borough received a $500,000 grant for Birch Street storm-water improvements, but the work was delayed because of uncertainty resulting from COVID19. This freed up about $200,000 from the 2020 budget, and the borough used it wisely to pay off a loan on a fire truck and a loan that paid for the LED streetlight.

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book

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Oxford Borough has received one bid for the former borough building. Officials now have 60 days to accept or decline the bid.

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Volunteers trees...4A

help

plant

INDEX Opinion.......................5A Obituaries..............2B-3B Classifieds.................4B

Oxford Borough Council received one lone bid— from local business owner Jeffrey Hamm— on the former borough hall.

Hamm, who owns Wholly Grounds Coffeehouse at 47 S. 3rd St., put in a bid of $200,000 on the building, which once served as a train station.

Borough council now has 60 days to accept or reject the bid.

At the council meeting on Nov. 2, Oxford Public

Library director Carey Bresler briefed council on their recent work with Chester County Voter Services.

“We were a drop-off location and we received ballots from many locations outside of Oxford,” Bresler said. “At one point, we had a line around the library for four hours. It was nice to see people exercising their right to vote, and nice to be able to help Voter Services.”

Bresler informed council that the library’s state funding will be cut this year, so they are asking for an increase in funding from

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Houlahan, Comitta, Lawrence, Sappey and Williams win elections

© 2007 The Chester County Press

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer After navigating through a campaign season that was impacted by a global pandemic and overshadowed by a contentious national election that saw a Pennsylvania native emerge as the next President of the United States, several key seats were determined in Chester County that will send one elected official back to Washington, D.C.

and two incumbents back to Harrisburg.

For the past several months, pollsters and prognosticators forecasted that Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral college votes would ultimately decide the 2020 presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. After a tortuous three days of political back biting and protests for and against counting Continued on Page 2A

Christina Sappey

Township to submit grant request for planned Five Points roundabout

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 at their Nov. 4 meeting to permit the township to apply for a PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund grant in the amount of $2,193,550.

If the grant is received – the township will know by next spring -- it will be used to fund the construction of an oval-shaped roundabout at the Five Points intersection, where South Union Street, Kaolin Road, Hillendale Road, and Old

Kennett Road merge.

If news of the township applying for a grant to cover a portion of the cost of a planned roundabout at the intersection sounds familiar, it’s because this is the fifth time the township has submitted an application for grant funding. The township previously submitted loan applications in July 2018, November 2018, July 2019 and November 2019, and each time, the grant was not awarded.

However, the township’s newest application for funding will reveal a new twist: An offer to contribute more

money to the project.

In order to apply for the multimodal grant, applicants are required to provide at least a 30 percent match of the total project costs. The township’s new application will reflect an increase to 35 percent, so if it is awarded the fund, it will be responsible for $767,742 of the $2.19 million price tag.

“We know that we have applied for several different grants and have not been successful, so we tried to figure out what can we do to make our application a little more competitive,”

township manager Eden Ratliff said. “The guidance we have received from [the Delta Development Group] is to increase our contribution, in order to demonstrate that the township has a larger financial stake in the project and not just a minimal contribution.

“Its really difficult to measure confidence level with such a competitive application, but I am optimistic, and I think it’s worth the application,” he said. “Many municipalities throughout the commonwealth are going to apply for the same amount of

money, and it’s a limited pool.”

Ratliff said that if the grant is approved, that it will require several months of back-and-forth design concepts between the township and PennDOT, which will place the start of construction of the roundabout in 2022.

In other township business, the board approved a motion for the township to submit an application for the PECO Green Region Grant for 2020 in the amount of $10,000. If received, the grant would Continued on Page 4A

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Chester County Press

Local News Borough Hall...

Continued from Page 1A

She also informed council that they received a grant for Odyssey of the Mind, which enables children to work together as teams.

They will be accepting applications from children for that program until Nov. 18.

“We are still trying to figure out how to open more fully,” Bresler explained.

“We are getting books in people’s hands and moving forward. We are a full-service library and patrons can use the computer, but now we have to limit them to an hour. They can use all of our resources.”

Council President Peggy Ann Russell said, “The library is crucial. It is a valuable community center.

Even during this difficult time, or especially during this time, the library is a safe place for children and all patrons. Many children only have computer access through the library, and it may also be their only place to access books.”

Council also met Roseann McGrath from McGrath Consulting who will be assisting the search committee who will begin the process of finding a new Borough Manager.

McGrath explained she has worked in the human resource profession for over 30 years. She said she will be happy to work with council and that they would advertise and cast a wide net to locate the most suitable candidate.

Council approved her as a consultant to the search committee.

Borough Engineer David Bright met with council to discuss the ongoing MS4, (Stormwater Mitigation) program and how they are dealing with DEP’s comments to the plan that was submitted by Oxford in 2017. Council member Kathryn Cloyd discussed the benefits of working with local municipalities on this issue.

Bright informed council

that Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is actively addressing some of the comments from the 2017 plan that was sent to DEP. Public Works Director John Schaible explained that he will be meeting with engineer Mark Stabolepszy, and he felt he would have more information from that meeting which might also tie in with the previous discussion on MS4.

As to working with other townships, solicitor Stacey Fuller stated that since the borough is currently working on comments from DEP regarding the 2017 plan she wasn’t sure if the borough would be able to enter into a revised plan. MS4 will be discussed further at the next Council meeting.

During the first public comment period, Randy Teel asked council if there was an update on the separation agreement with former Borough Manager Brian Hoover. Russell replied that there is no update at this time. Fuller added that, regarding questions from the public on the specifics of Hoover’s agreement with the Borough, there is a non-disclosure section in the agreement.

Schaible reported that current improvements to the street in front of the fire company, and the tree removal at Market and Third Streets has improved the traffic flow during emergencies and that people are no longer blocking emergency vehicles entering onto Market Street.

Hydrant flushing has been completed and leaf collection in the borough is ongoing. Residents should place leaves on curbs for pickup.

A new security system has been installed at the water plant which will be visible by camera at multiple locations.

In other business, council supported a motion to approve John Thompson’s resignation from the Oxford Borough Planning Commission. Russell said she accepted his resigna-

tion with great regret and thanked him for his years of service on borough council and on the planning commission.

Council approved additional weekly compensation for Arlene Harris while she serves as the interim borough manager.

A motion was approved by council to authorize the Right-of-Way Grant to Verizon in order to maintain and repair new lines installed in the new garage.

DigiTEK Computer Service was approved for a yearly maintenance agreement at the amount of $3,500.

Council also approved a Financial Security Agreement for the Former Ruth S. Coldiron Land Development Plan.

Mayor Phil Harris commented on efforts to shop for insurance for uniformed employees. Harris said the window on health insurance was closed now, but wanted to make sure council made this a priority in the New Year.

“I’m confident that we can save a lot of money for the borough on insurance for the uniformed employees and we need to do this in a timely manner,” he said.

During the second portion of public comment, Teel wanted borough residents to know that if they were paying their sewer bills by dropping them in the “local” mail slot at the post office, they should know that mail actually goes to Philadelphia and then comes back to Oxford.

Residents might find that their sewer bills will be late. Russell said she would notify the Sewer Authority to announce this fact at their next meeting.

Harris notified council that he is in contact with Oxford Area School District superintendent David Woods regarding school during the pandemic.

Harris also said that he has received complaints about ATVs being driven on a private alley and the information was forwarded

Elections...

Continued from Page 1A

the mail-in votes, Biden received 49.8 percent of the 6.8 million votes cast in the commonwealth, while Trump gathered 49.1 percent.

County helps form blue wall in eastern Pa. Chester County joined with neighboring Delaware, Philadelphia, Montgomery and several other counties to form a blue wall in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania that all tilted in favor of Biden. In an election that saw 81 percent of the county’s registered voters cast their ballot – 161,935 at in-person voting locations and 149,521 by mail-in ballots – Biden defeated Trump by a vote of 179,065 to 126,844 in Chester County, a difference of nearly 16 percentage points.

It was the second defeat in Chester County for Trump in four years. While Trump won the 2016 Presidential election, he lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the county by a margin of 52.6 percent to 43.3 percent.

In local results, Democrat Chrissy Houlahan will be heading back to Washington, D.C. for another two-year term as Pennsylvania’s representative in the 6th District, after defeating Republican challenger John Emmons by a vote of 221,302 to 174,095 (56 percent to 44 percent).

In the 158th Legislative District, current State to the police department.

The mayor continues to work with the Oxford Arts Alliance on a mural in the borough and he will be continuing to meet with the Crucial Conversation Group to discuss diversity issues.

He also said the police department is beginning to

John Lawrence

Chrissy Houlahan

Carolyn Comitta

Craig Williams

Rep. Christina Sappey won reelection to the Pa. House of Representatives by defeating former State Rep. Eric Roe by the slim margin of 19,064 (50.6 percent) to 18,579 (49.4 percent).

In the 160th Legislative District, Republican Craig Williams, a former Marine Corps colonel, federal prosecutor and first-time candidate, will soon occupy the seat left vacant by longtime State Rep. Stephen Barrar. Williams narrowly defeated attorney and environmentalist Anton Andrew, 20,051 (50.8 percent) to 19,455 (49.2 percent). For Andrew, who defeated opponent Catherine Spahr in the Democratic Primary in June, it was his second attempt to win the seat. In 2018, he lost to Barrar by a slim margin of 15,880 votes to 15,052.

Capitol for his sixth term as state representative.

He earned 59 percent of the vote (20,009 votes) to defeat Democrat Richard Ruggieri, who gathered 40.9 percent of the tally (13,854 votes). In the 19th Legislative District, which includes a portion of Chester County, Democrat Carolyn Comitta, currently the state representative for the 156th Legislative District, earned 57 percent of the vote in defeating Republican Kevin Runey, 87,550 to 64,829.

The voting data provided in this article is based on information supplied by several online polling data resources. In most cases, the calculations are based on 100 percent of all votes counted, while in some, the results are based on percentages of total votes counted at or more than 95 percent.

Lawrence, Comitta return to Harrisburg

To contact Staff Writer In the 13th District, Richard L. Gaw, email Republican John Lawrence rg a w @ c h e s t e rc o u n t y. will go back to the State com. work on their annual toy drive.

Russell informed council that she had previously set up a meeting with one business owner to discuss his distress over the separation agreement with former Borough Manager Brian Hoover, but when she went to the meeting there were

actually four business owners. She informed council she took notes and would be forwarding them to all council members. She felt it was important for them to know she had not set up a meeting with multiple business persons and welcomed any questions they might have.

Chester County author Bruce Mowday plans book signings A live arts event at The General Warren on Nov. 19 with artist Adrian Martinez highlights Chester County author Bruce Mowday’s upcoming holiday book signings and talks.

“The restrictions necessitated by COVID-19 has caused most of my events in 2020 to be canceled," Mowday said. "I'm pleased

that four live appearances – all socially distanced – have been scheduled for the holiday season. So many members of the public are looking for safe ways to interact with each other during the holiday season. I’m pleased that I can participate in four such events.”

The General Warren,

located at 9 Old Lancaster Road in Malvern, is hosting Mowday and artist Adrian Martinez for a holiday event on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those attending will be able to talk with Martinez and Mowday and enjoy refreshments in the restaurant’s fine bar and restaurant. Books and

paintings will be offered for sale.

“For years my signed books have made popular holiday gifts,” Mowday said. “For those who can’t attend one my events, they can contact me at mowday@ mowday.com to arrange the purchase of a copy. All of my books are listed on www.mowday.com.”

Two of Mowday’s latest books are the true-crime “Stealing Wyeth” and “Emotional Gettysburg,” a unique look at Gettysburg with artist Karl J. Kuerner.

Mowday, a former awardwinning journalist, has authored more than 20 books. “Stealing Wyeth” tells the story of the theft of 15 paintings, including seven by famed artist Andrew Wyeth and six more by his son renowned artist Jamie Wyeth, from the Andrew Wyeth estate. The paintings were transported out-of-state and hidden in the ground and in the back of old cars to avoid being discovered. Kuerner, the only painter taught

by Andrew and Carolyn Wyeth, painted original works for the Gettysburg book and Mowday sup-

Emotional Gettysburg

plied the essays. “This is a unique book on Gettysburg,” Mowday said. “The historical and emotional aspects of Gettysburg are tied to Gettysburg today.”

Mowday will appear at East Brandywine’s holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Bondsville Mill Park, 1647 Bondsville Road, Downingtown, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, Mowday will give a talk on his three Gettysburg books before the Ocean County New Jersey Civil War Round Table at 7 p.m.

The venue is being finalized. On Thursday, Dec.

Stealing Wyeth

17, Mowday will give a talk on “Stealing Wyeth” at Timothy’s. 929 South High Street, West Chester, for the Rotary Club at 6 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News Chester County Commissioners announce $10 million COVID-19 Public School Grant Program Chester County Intermediate Unit to administer grants for all public school districts The Chester County Board of Commissioners recently announced a major grant program that will provide financial support to public schools in Chester County, all impacted by COVID-19. The Chester County COVID-19 Public School Grant Program provides $10 million to 12 school districts to help their schools comply with COVID-19-related public health measures.

Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline approved a resolution authorizing the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to administer the $10 million fund, which will be available immediately to 12 of the public school districts in Chester County.

Moskowitz said, "Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our schools have been particularly hard-hit.

The uncertainties of the virus have led to intensive planning, preparation – and revised planning – by school administrators and school board members, who have had to make tough decisions in trying to balance the desire for in-school learning with the need to ensure the health of students, teachers and staff.”

The $10 million Chester County COVID-19 Public School Grant Program is funded from CARES Act funding acquired by Chester County govern-

ment. Each of the 12 school districts have been apportioned money by the County, based on Title 1 allocations. Funding for the school districts ranges from over $330,000 to $2.4 million.

CCIU Executive Director, Dr. George F. Fiore, thanked the Commissioners for their willingness to support students, families and staff, and noted that this funding will positively impact our community.

“The CARES Act financial support provided directly to Chester County districts allows our schools and administrators to adapt as we continue to navigate the ever-changing demands and responsibilities created by the COVID-19 virus and remain vigilant in our efforts to keep our students, teachers and staff members safe," Fiore said.

“The agreement between Chester County and the CCIU notes that all requests for reimbursements by the public schools must be for CARES-eligible expenditures including the purchase of cleaning and sanitizing products, personal protective equipment, relevant training and professional development for staff, and changes made to facilities to ensure effective social distancing.

Maxwell said, "Our schools are recognized as some of the best in the commonwealth and the nation, and one of the reasons for this is the leadership of the

schools; leaders who care.

But this pandemic has brought with it a level of uncertainty and economic challenge that never could have been imagined. All of the school districts are trying to meet those challenges head on, and at great expense.

“The County’s grant program will help with the burden of those costs, allowing our schools to focus on what more they need to support teachers, students and their families during this crazy time.”

The grant program for schools will also cover the purchase of student laptops and tablets, internet connection for qualifying students, establishing virtual learning centers, and mental health services and supports, including trauma-informed approaches.

“The additional district funding will help to offset many of the educational and safety expenses caused by the pandemic. As we work together to bring our staff and students back into our classrooms, we are grateful for the generous support of our Chester County Commissioners and their commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our school community,” said Dr. Emilie M. Lonardi, Downingtown Area School District Superintendent.

Kichline said, “We all long for a return to traditional school experiences for our communities, but until we find a way to

East Marlborough supervisors discuss strategic plan

By Monica Thompson Fragale Contributing Writer East Marlborough supervisors discussed the merits of having a strategic plan for the township.

Township Manager Neil Lovekin will report back to the board with recommendations after researching other municipalities’ strategic plans, among other things.

Supervisor Kathryn Monahan presented the idea at Monday’s virtual meeting as a way to identify the township’s priorities.

“Strategic planning will provide clarity and focus so that the Board of Supervisors can be proactive … and give everyone a sense of direction,” she said, adding that it could also help the various township departments, boards, and commissions. “It’s a process of defining goals

for the immediate future and specific actions by which those goals will be achieved.”

The goal would be to make sure if East Marlborough develops a strategic plan, that it is a “continuing plan and not one that we spend a lot of money on and put it on a shelf,” supervisors’ chairman Robert McKinstry said.

Lovekin said he could see the benefits of a strategic plan if it’s updated and followed.

Township residents in attendance voiced their support for a plan. Beth Chance said a strategic plan would provide the township with more of a team effort in meeting its goals.

Shelley Mincer called a strategic plan an “agenda” that would give East Marlborough “something to work toward and for.”

“It’s important to identify what the community’s goals

are and what the board of supervisors believes to be a good direction … and to have all decisions being based off that infrastructure,” said resident Gretchen Parisi.

Public Works Director Jeff Simpson and Police Chief Robert Clarke both said a strategic plan would provide a clear road ahead.

“Those kind of things where the planning and forethought that goes into the future makes sense for the taxpayers,” Simpson said.

“We want to guide this ship the way you want it to go,” Clarke said. “We need to know what to plan for in the future. It’s like a road map.”

Chester County COVID-19 School Grant Program - funding allocations Local Education Agency

Maximum Allocated Amount

AVON GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT CHESTER COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT DOWNINGTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT GREAT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT KENNETT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT OWEN J ROBERTS SCHOOL DISTRICT OXFORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOENIXVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT TREDYFFRIN-EASTTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT UNIONVILLE-CHADDS FORD SCHOOL DISTRICT WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

$333,985.56 $1,258,063.89 $2,443,003.67 $449,950.25 $436,678.12 $865,087.65 $882,476.24 $353,910.83 $1,104,411.07 $510,552.68 $343,514.18 $150,447.51 $867,918.36

TOTAL

$10,000,000.00

The Chester County Commissioners are allocating $10 million in CARES funds to support public schools in Chester County impacted by COVID-19. Pictured with a check for $10 million presented to the Chester County Intermediate Unit are (from left to right): Dr. Emilie Lonardi, District Superintendent, Downingtown Area School District; Dr. George Fiore, Executive Director, Chester County Intermediate Unit; Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Michelle Kichline.

beat the pandemic, ‘traditional’ really isn’t possible.

School leaders, staff and teachers are making monumental efforts to teach children, and we thank them for all that they are doing. The $10 million COVID-19 School Grant program will give them resources to continue those efforts.”

Staff at the CCIU will be reaching out to the school districts receiving a portion of the $10 million school grant funding, to present program guidelines, funding agreements and reimbursement procedures.

When asked about how the funding provided will help the Oxford Area

School District, superintendent David Woods said, “The Oxford Area School District is well pleased that the Chester County Commissioners have prioritized the safe return of our most precious resource, students, in allocating $1.1 million dollars to our district for use in preparing our schools for the return of staff and the safe education of our students.

“The capital allocated through the CARES funding is essential for the daily cleaning, equipment, transportation and every item that goes into everyday learning for children. The vision of the Commissioners in this

endeavor speaks volumes to the stakeholders of our district as to the importance of the education of the youth in our County.”

Chester County’s COVID-19 School Grant program is part of a major $28 million COVID-19 funding program approved by the Chester County Commissioners. Earlier this week the County announced $15 million in subsidies and grants for childcare support, and last week the County announced a $3.5 million Restore Chester County: Nonprofit Innovation & Resiliency Fund made available to Chester County nonprofits.

More

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We know that the well-being of seniors is top of mind these days and there are concerns about providing care in a safe setting. We want you to know that we are focused on today’s challenges, while looking to the future in order to continue to help individuals and families who are seeking a better plan for the care and safety of loved ones.

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A S S I S T E D

L I V I N G

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Chester County Press

Local News Roundabout...

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be used toward the installation of riparian vegetation and native plants along the Chandler Mill Trail, which makes up a portion of the western end of the Kennett Greenway.

While design and detailed cost estimates for the trail project are currently in progress, the cost of this installation will include approximately $16,000 in soil and $28,000 in plant-

Budget...

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Retiring that debt reduces the strain on the 2021 budget.

The borough manager outlined some of the highlights of the 2021 budget. Scalise said that there is an expectation that the coronavirus pandemic will continue to impact the borough’s finances for 2021.

Scalise said that the 2021 budget includes a 2.5-percent raise for uniformed police officers, which is a contracted pay increase. The

ings to ensure the trail contributes to the ecological habitat and sustainability of the Greenway.

PECO designed the program to assist local communities in their efforts to sustain or upgrade their natural habitats through improvements to existing meadows, woodlands and open spaces and the installation of passive recreation projects like trails, boardwalks and kiosks.

By a 2-1 vote, the board also approved the appointbudget includes a 3.5-percent raise for non-uniformed employees.

The 2021 budget also includes funding to fill a vacancy in the police department that the borough delayed filling. Additionally, there is funding for the police department to add a lieutenant position.

For 2021, the projected water fund budget totals $1.87 million, while the sewer fund budget totals $2.25 million. The total of all funds is projected to be $10.05 million in 2021.

ment of Tom Janton to a five-year term on the township’s Trails & Sidewalks Committee.

The board also reviewed two aspects of the township’s preliminary 2021 budget – its Open Space Fund and planned engineering projects – with Ratliff and Amy Heinrich, director of finance and human resources. The general public is invited to the township’s next online budget meeting on Nov. 12 beginning at 7 p.m., and

will be accessible through the township’s website.

The entire 2021 budget is expected to receive final approval at the board’s Dec. 16 meeting.

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

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Kennett Township is applying for a PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund grant, which if received, will be used to pay for the construction of a roundabout at the Five Points intersection in Kennett Square.

Volunteers help to plant trees for healthy streams Volunteers recently enjoyed spending a beautiful, socially distanced afternoon outside in the country while enjoying the sights of a bald eagle soaring overhead as they helped Stroud Water Research Center to restore approximately 2.4 acres along a tributary of Doe Run Creek in Unionville. More than 50 volunteers planted nine different species of trees which will restore the stream banks, create habitat corridors, and help treat run-off from a nearby busy road.

Planting forested buffers is one of the best management practices used by the Stroud Center’s watershed restoration to help farmers and landowners better protect their streams. In addition to the protection the buffer will provide the stream, the Stroud Center

will be using this planting to study the growth rates and survivability of trees in two different types of tubes. Trials like this help the Stroud Center’s scientists and restoration group to continue to improve success rate of plantings.

“Planting trees is one of the many ways we help to protect our streams and rivers,” said Dave Arscott, Ph.D., executive director of the Stroud Center. “It was wonderful to see so many families and members of the local community joining together to help us with this effort.”

Funding for this project was provided by Colonial Pipeline and TreeVitalize.

Refreshments were provided to volunteers by Herr Foods. To learn more about upcoming volunteer opporCourtesy photo tunities, research projects, Among other volunteers, employees from Voya and Stroud Center events, Financial enjoyed a day connecting with their colvisit www.stroudcenter.org. leagues while helping out on the project.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Opinion

Editorial

Opinion

Protecting the imperfect masterpiece

The Electoral College: Eyes on 2040

Beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 4 and ending at about 11:30 this past Saturday morning, most of America – indeed, a portion of the world’s population – saw nearly four consecutive days of their lives portioned down to a tick of numbers that streamed on I-phones, computer screens, televisions, radios, newspaper websites and social media.

As the nation waited for the results of the 2020 presidential election, its behaviors took on varying degrees of anxiety, fervency, rage and anticipation.

As America became a division of impassioned sentiment, deep inside the vacuum of our ballot counting locations -- mostly in battleground states where the election had not yet been decided -- armies of unpaid volunteers quietly and without fanfare continued the work of counting all of the votes.

In nearby Philadelphia, police officers and National Guard service members patrolled the areas surrounding the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Police arrested two armed men who had driven from Virginia with a plot to attack the facility.

The votes continued to be counted.

Over the course of four days, organizers from a group called Freedom Works For America shared Philadelphia streets with other groups called Refuse Facism and the Movement Alliance Project.

The votes continued to be counted.

In Arizona and Georgia, protesters claiming voter fraud stormed ballot-counting centers, threatening the volunteers with phone calls, and suggesting that every individual at every polling station was part of a conspiracy to rig the Presidential election.

In Michigan, a conspiracy theory alleged that poll workers were transporting additional ballots to counting centers hours after polls closed.

For four consecutive days and nights, thousands of volunteers who knew they were not being paid for their services, who knew that the responsibility they were hired to perform was under attack and whose families all worried for their safety, quietly continued to count the votes until all of them were counted.

In 2002, the Sixth Circuit Court held that the Bush administration had violated the First Amendment freedoms of speech and the press by conducting hundreds of secret hearings to deport immigrants suspected of ties to terrorism. In his ruling, longserving federal judge Damon Keith wrote, “When government begins closing doors, it selectively controls information rightfully belonging to the people. Selective information is misinformation.

Democracies die behind closed doors.”

At its most basic construct, Democracy is a precious alignment of freedoms and protections, but in practice and application, it is an imperfect and vulnerable masterpiece. For the past 244 years, it has been carved into, whittled down, spat on, disrespected and disputed in the name of those who attempt to defy it. Often, the saving of our democracy has not called upon our nation’s most prominent leaders, but upon our most unheralded, and over the last week, it required the work of volunteers to keep that door from slamming shut.

Chester County Press Randall S. Lieberman Publisher Steve Hoffman..................................Managing Editor Richard L. Gaw..................................Associate Editor Brenda Butt.........................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley...........................................Art Director Alan E. Turn...............................Advertising Director Teri Turns................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren......................Advertising Executive Amy Lieberman.............Marketing/Public Relations The Chester County Press (USPS 416-500) is published every Wednesday by: AD PRO, Inc. 144 South Jennersville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346 Telephone: (610) 869-5553 • FAX (610) 869-9628 E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., no weekend hours Annual Subscription Rate: $40.00 | Senior Citizen Rate - $30.00

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The award winning Chester County Press

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Brace yourselves, folks.

There is another presidential election coming up in 2024.

That campaign will start in, oh, about 15 minutes— if it hasn’t started already.

But instead of worrying about how the battleground states are shaping up in 2024—the time for that will come soon enough—let’s cast our eyes on the presidential election in 2040.

Twenty years is a long time in politics. Many of the men and women who are serving in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives now will be at or near retirement age in 2040.

That’s why Congress should act now to change how we elect the President of the United States—and the first year that the new system should be in place is 2040.

The electoral college system needs to be abolished.

You’ll never get elected officials from the two parties to agree to a change that hurts their own cause. Suggest a transition from the electoral college system to a direct popular vote now, in time for the 2024 Presidential election, and Republicans will balk. That’s because, right now, the candidates that they have been putting forward have been getting shellacked in the popular vote.

No one knows if that will be the case in 2040.

There is an undeniable logic to the idea of allowing Americans to select the president based on a direct popular vote: One person equals one vote. A vote in Delaware is as important as a vote in California.

No more battleground states. No more red states and blue states.

The electoral college is a relic from another time in our nation’s history. And it’s failing us.

In 2000 and 2016, the candidate won the presidency

even though he lost the popular vote. Proponents of the electoral college will argue that these instances are rare, and that 90 percent of the time the candidate who won the electoral college also won the popular vote.

But a change to a direct popular vote would ensure that the candidate that the largest number of Americans supported would win the election.

The electoral college system is good for hundreds of political operatives and a few hundred thousand political junkies who love the drama of 50 different presidential races.

But the electoral college fails in the mission of ensuring that candidates have to appeal to a broad number of people. Right now, there are dozens of states that one party or the other counts as theirs, and Republicans and Democrats spend all their time, effort, and energy focusing on a small number

of battleground states.

A group of about 15 states have already signed on to a National Popular Interstate Compact that ensures that those states agree to award their electoral votes to the candidate that receives the most votes nationally—but the Compact only becomes effective when enough states sign on to ensure that the winner of the popular vote will become president.

Rather than waiting for all 50 states to sign on to the National Popular Interstate Compact, it would be better for Congress to act.

No one can claim to know what the political landscape will be in 2040. That’s why the path to get to the direct popular vote involves setting the effective date far enough in the future that it’s palatable to everyone. Polls have shown that Americans support the idea of a national popular vote. If Congress acts, Americans can finally have each person’s vote count equally.

Lions clean up highway

Courtesy photo

The Avon Grove Lions conducted a highway cleanup between West Grove and Route 41. Pictured are (left to right) Lions Chuck Connor, Robin Rios, Dave Priebe, Brian Coe and Dave Graham.

Benninghoff bill protecting survivors of rape and sexual assault and their families becomes law Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 1984, legislation authored by Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) that stands up for rape victims and their families by removing the requirement of having a surrogate parent lined up in order to terminate the rights of a perpetrator of rape or sexual assault that resulted in

the birth of a child.

The bill passed the Pennsylvania General Assembly unanimously and was supported by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

On the bill being signed into law, Benninghoff made the following statement: “This bill takes a longoverdue stand for victims and their families by removing

the need to have a surrogate parent lined up before the parental rights of a rape or sexual assault perpetrator can be terminated.

“Neither survivors of rape and sexual assault nor their families should be revictimized by outdated laws that favor perpetrators of these terrible acts, and I am proud to have taken the lead on closing this particularly

ridiculous legal loophole for the benefit of survivors and their children.

“I thank Gov. Wolf for signing this important bill into law, my colleagues in the General Assembly for their unanimous support of this legislation, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape for its advocacy throughout the legislative process.”

State senator-elect John Kane releases statement about election win John Kane will become the first Democrat to represent Senate District 9 in nearly 150 years. Kane has maintained a decisive lead following the Nov. 3 election.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that once all of the votes are counted in this election, we will likely increase our current lead,” Kane said. “However, we do want to ensure that each voter who cast a ballot in this election gets to have their vote counted and their voice heard.”

“I am honored to have won the awesome respon-

sibility of representing the residents of the 9th Senate District in Harrisburg,” said Kane. “I want to thank my family for being my inspiration to run for office, the Labor movement for their unwavering support, our outstanding field staff, countless Zoomers who took democracy into their own hands, volunteers who did the work in their own community, and the voters who placed their faith in our message.”

Kane said, “This campaign was always about working people and the need to have a voice at

the table. I’m proud to be the champion of working families and I will never stop fighting on their behalf. Now, it’s time to do the real work. We need quality, affordable healthcare for all. We must invest in our public schools and the future of our children.

And it’s our responsibility as elected officials to get to work on this global pandemic.”

“I want to thank Sen. Tom Killion for his years of public service and for a spirited campaign of ideas,” said Kane.

“Our campaign was

incredibly focused on providing an alternative to the status quo with real leadership experience,” said Steve Warhola, Kane's campaign manager. “This win would not have been possible without the best field program in the state—filled with interns, volunteers, and members of the Labor community— who did the work to get out the vote. In the midst of all that has been 2020, we never lost sight of the ultimate goal and worked really hard at it. This win is a credit to every person involved.”

6A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

B

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Upland receives A-Maze-ing gift from Pia Foundation Dr. Carol Pepper, the assistant head of schools at the Upland Country Day School, sat quietly in her office with an anxious student. Feeling overwhelmed with her day, the student needed a break.

Dr. Pepper handed the student a tabletop labyrinth and stylus. As the student started the maze, she quickly began to settle and relax. Dr. Pepper thought, “We need a walking labyrinth here.” And, with that, she began to plan.

“I wanted to engage my geometry class in the process to create something that would benefit all of our students,” she said.

Dr. Pepper put her ninthgrade students into groups.

Together, they prototyped labyrinths -- complex networks of concentric circles.

To assist the students in the layout and design process, Carol Pepper enlisted Liam Gallagher, the director of Upland’s IDEA Center.

“It was the perfect IDEA Center experience in that it engaged our students with a meaningful and impactful community project,” said Gallagher. “It allows our students to explore mindfulness in a tangible way as well as reinforcing in our 9th graders that their ideas can make positive and lasting change.”

Pepper then went to Head of School, Dr. Dan Hickey, to see who might fund building a project like this. Recently, the Michael and Nancy Pia Foundation gifted the services of Bernadette Smith,

a mindfulness instructor, to Upland’s students and faculty. Hickey felt this might be a natural extension of their already-generous support of the school. He called Nancy Pia that day.

“As soon as she heard the plan, she said the universe aligned and brought us together. For quite a while, Nancy thought about building a mindfulness labyrinth in Kennett Square. This project was the perfect opportunity,” Hickey said.

Pia and her daughter Amy, who graduated from Upland alongside her twin brother Michael in 1999, came to Upland to hear students present their proposals. Each team’s presentation included layout, location, materials, and cost. The Pias walked away that day with five prototypes in hand.

Ultimately, the foundation merged each plan’s best elements and began construction on Upland’s campus in late August.

They chose a 32-foot, five-circuit version that would keep even Upland’s youngest students engaged. The Pias also generously donated additional landscaping and benches to enhance the space. The labyrinth is the most recent upgrade to Upland’s expansive campus and outdoor learning facilities. In the spring of 2018, Laurie Brown, mother of John Peter “JP” Handley-Greaves, built a massive treehouse complete with an outdoor classroom in memory of

Courtesy photos

The labyrinth is the most recent upgrade to Upland’s expansive campus and outdoor learning facilities.

her son. She wanted to give Upland something to enhance its educational experience for students.

The gift also honors her son, who enjoyed his outdoor learning experiences at Upland so deeply.

The additions of the labyrinth, JP’s treehouse, tents, decks, and other outdoor enhancements helped Upland open in-person this year. Taking full advantage of its 23-acre campus, students from the BeeSchool Preschool through ninth grade can be on campus five days a week.

“The creative use of our outdoor spaces helps make it possible for our students and faculty to be on campus,” said Hickey. “Many

of the changes we’ve made, some in response to COVID-19, will be perma-

nent. The ideas from our faculty, coupled with the generosity of our donors,

will have a positive impact on our community for years to come.”

Taking full advantage of its 23-acre campus, students from the BeeSchool Preschool through ninth grade can be on campus five days a week.

About the Michael and Nancy Pia Foundation

The additions of the labyrinth, JP’s treehouse, tents, decks, and other outdoor enhancements helped Upland open in-person this year.

Michael and Nancy Pia are life-long residents of Chester County, a community they both treasure. They have four children, Kristin Hayman, Lisa Reed, Amy Clark, and Michael W. Pia, and six grandchildren.

Michael has worked his entire career in the family’s mushroom farming business, South Mill Champs, which has grown to be the third-largest mushroom producer in North America. Nancy is an educator, having taught in both local and inner-city schools, an artist, and published writer.

In 2002, the Pias established the Michael and Nancy Pia Foundation in order to formalize their charitable giving. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children, and supports organizations and programs focused in those areas.

Nancy’s background in education is the catalyst for numerous education-based initiatives, most notably the Montessori School at the Kennett Square YMCA. In 2018, Nancy began bringing mindfulness programs into local schools, impacting more than 1,500 students, teachers and staff within the first 12 months.

In 2018, Michael and Nancy established the Michael & Nancy Pia Foundation Fund through the Chester County Community Foundation to expand their reach.

The Fund is focused on three specific areas relating to children and families: homelessness, poverty and hunger; health and mental well-being; and education.

2B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Chester County Press

Obituaries CARLOS B. TRIMBLE Carlos B. Trimble, age 90, passed away peacefully on Oct. 28 at Kendal-Crosslands in Kennett Square.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Craig Trimble, with whom he shared 69 years of loving marriage.

Born 1930 in West Grove, Carlos was the son of the late J. Arthur Trimble and the late Blanche May Trimble.

Carlos proudly served his country as a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Carlos was passionate about restoration and talented at breathing new life into old cars. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Carlos was deeply invested in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed every minute he spent with them and loved being a part of watching them grow.

Carlos was patient, determined, intelligent and loving. All will truly miss the warmth and kindness he brought to their lives.

In addition to his wife, Ruth, Carlos is survived by his daughter, Susie Gouge (John) of West Grove; his sons, Nicholas (Sharon) Trimble of Newark, Del. and Mark C. Trimble of Wilmington, Del.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sons, Thomas C. Trimble, Rodney L. Trimble and Timothy D. Trimble; as well as his brother, James A. Trimble.

A graveside service was held for Carlos on Nov. 4 at New London Presbyterian Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

JOSE MANUEL SANCHEZ, JR. ALFRED THOMAS POWELL Jose Manuel Sanchez, Jr., 52, of West Grove, passed away on Oct. 29 at home.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Jose Manuel Sanchez, Sr. of Puerto Rico and Geraldine McCollum Lipat of Nottingham.

Jose loved the Philadelphia Eagles and was looking forward to having his first grandchild.

He is survived by his parents, two sons, Jesse Laird of Mt. Union and Austin Sanchez of Oxford. He is also survived by one granddaughter on the way, Khloe Ann-Grace; two brothers, Kenneth M. Sanchez of Oxford and Daniel M. Sanchez of Ephrata; two nieces, Brittney Sanchez and Alexis Sanchez; two nephews, Alec Sanchez and Daniel Sanchez, Jr.; and one great-nephew, Boston Fusco.

Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. to offset funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JOSEPH LAFAYETTE PUGH Joseph “Joe” Lafayette Pugh passed away on Nov. 1 at his home in Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. He was 91.

He was born to Emmett and Bessie Yates Pugh on Sept. 20, 1929 in Konnarock, VA along with his twin sister, Mary, who arrived first. Their grandmother always said, “He kicked her out!”

Joe lived in Konnarock with his parents and seven siblings until moving to Pennsylvania as a teenager. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife, Helen Fritz. While waiting for her to finish her schooling, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two years in Germany followed by five years in the Army Reserves.

Joe and Helen, who he always called by her childhood nickname “Huddie,” married on Oct. 28, 1950. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Oct. 28, just four days before his death.

He is survived by his wife; one sister, Mary; numerous loving nieces and nephews; and goddaughter, Lisa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his six siblings, Luna, Arlene, Cecil, Paul, Gladys and Robert.

A graveside service with full military honors was held on Nov. 5 at Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, Joe requested donations to Union Presbyterian Church, 5637 Street Road, Kirkwood, PA 17536.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Alleluia For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

Psalm 18:39 The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space.

We are offering a special discount of 25% off each and every help wanted/ classified advertisement to any business that advertises on the PRESS church page.

For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

Compliments of

Lions Club of Oxford

HERR FOODS, INC. NOTTHINGHAM, PA

932-9330 ENCOURAGES YOU TO ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE

P.O. Box 270 Oxford, PA 19363 Meets First and Third Thursday at 6:30p.m.

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Landenberg Church United Methodist All Are Welcome 205 Penn Green Rd. In Historic Downtown Landenberg Landenberg, PA 19350

610-274-8384 Services Every Sunday • 9:00 am

Alfred Thomas Powell passed away on Nov. 5 at his residence in the Unionville area while surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was 78.

He was the loving and devoted husband of 53 years to Christina Filomena (Fazio) Powell. Born on May 4, 1942 in West Chester, he was the son of the late Alfred Hunter Powell and Dorothy (Hironimus-Powell) Bolin.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three daughters, Tina Carroll (and husband Harry Luff) of Downingtown, Stephanie Swarbrick (and husband Paul) of Downingtown, and Julia Powell (and husband Patrick Doody) of Garnet Valley; and the grandchildren, Larry Carroll, Mena Carroll, Colin Swarbrick, Sydney Swarbrick, Ellie Doody, and Nate Doody.

In his youth, Tom was an avid athlete and one of his proudest accomplishments was playing in the 1953 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. His athletic excellence continued at Unionville High School where he was a multi-sport athlete before graduating in the class of 1960. He continued his education at Goldey-Beacom College before serving his country in the U.S. Army.

After being honorably discharged, he returned to Kennett Square where he worked in the mushroom industry until his retirement.

In 1967 Tom met and married the love of his life Christina and they settled in the Unionville area. While raising their three daughters, he shared his love of sports by coaching them in URA basketball and umpiring their URA softball games. This love was even more apparent when attending all of his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.

In addition to sports, Tom had many hobbies that included collecting baseball cards, cooking, playing cards, golfing, darts, dancing, hunting, and photography.

In his happiest moments he could be found spending summers in Rehoboth Beach with the family, traveling the United States and Caribbean with Christina, going to the movies, volunteering at Jennersville Hospital and observing nature in any form. Most of all, he will be remembered for his infectious laugh, amazing sense of humor and being the most kind and gentle man to everyone he met.

Friends will be received on Thursday, Nov. 12 at St. Malachi Roman Catholic Church, 76 St. Malachi Road in Cochranville, Pa. where guests will be received at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial mass at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Willow Tree Hospice of Kennett Square or the Helen Graham Cancer Center in Newark, Del. His interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3B

Chester County Press

Local News DR. CHARLES E. MACKENZIE Dr. Charles E. (Charlie) MacKenzie, age 85, died on Nov. 1 in Oxford.

The son of the late Carolyn A. and James B. MacKenzie, Charlie was born in Philadelphia on Feb. 11, 1935.

He was a graduate of J. P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Duke University, and Hahnemann Medical University. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Charlie completed his medical training at Akron General Hospital in Akron, Ohio, and York Hospital in York, Pa. He entered into partnership with Warren Surgeons in 1970, where he practiced for 27 years.

Following retirement, he was employed as medical director of the Transitional Care Center at Warren General Hospital, then as executive director of the Community Foundation of Warren County until his retirement in 2015.

Charlie served the Warren community in many capacities. He was active in the First United Methodist Church, The Warren Lions Club, United Fund, Warren Public Library, Hospice of Warren County and the board of Warren General Hospital.

He served as president of the Warren County Medical Society and was a recipient of the WCCBI Community Service Award in 2001.

He was married to Catharine MacKenzie (nee Riggs) of Oxford and is survived by three children, Susan MacKenzie (Craig Bertolett) of Vienna, Va., Sharon MacKenzie of Simsbury, Conn., and James MacKenzie (Kathleen MacKenzie) of Oxford; two grandchildren, Elisabeth MacKenzie Bertolett (Francis Main) of Christchurch, New Zealand; and Michael Charles Crimmins of Seattle, Wash.

He was predeceased by his brother James A. MacKenzie and survived by James’s wife Susan MacKenzie and their children Carol MacKenzie and James MacKenzie (Kacy Byers MacKenzie).

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at First United Methodist Church in Warren.

Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Community Foundation of Warren County, Warren Public Library, Hospice of Warren County and Willow Tree Hospice of Chester County.

Arrangements are being handled by Ruffenach Funeral Services (www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com) of Oxford.

WILLIAM C. GAMBLE William C. Gamble passed away of heart disease on Oct. 30. He was 91.

Born in 1929 in North Carolina, he graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1947 and married Anne Marie, his high school sweetheart, in 1951.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was assigned to the chemical warfare division.

Gamble spent his entire career in the banking industry. He joined the National Bank and Trust Company of Kennett Square in 1957 as a teller and worked his way up to the rank of vice president. In 1971, he became president of the Dime Savings Bank of Chester County (which became the Bank of Chester County) and stayed there until he retired.

In addition to his decades of on-the-job experience, he took courses at Bucknell and Rutgers universities.

Gamble held leadership roles in several local professional and service organizations. He was a member of the executive committee of the Chester County Bankers Association and served as president of the Board of Governors at Jennersville Hospital and vice president of the Southeastern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Avon Grove Lions Club and the Kennett Square Jaycees.

Gamble and his wife were longtime members of the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club. They were both avid golfers, and they moved to Pawleys Island, S.C., after he retired.

He returned to West Chester in June 2020 due to failing health.

Gamble shared 49 years of marriage with his wife until her death. His daughter, Dawn, also predeceased him.

Survivors are his daughter Denise (husband Jack) Mizrahi; grandsons Jared Mizrahi, of Lancaster, and Jordan Mizrahi, of West Chester; and his niece, Sandy Greene, of Landenberg.

Services 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.

chestercounty.com ONLINE ALL THE TIME NEWS • SCHOOLS ENTERTAINMENT • BUSINESS SPORTS • HOME & GARDEN

SHIRLEY GRACE TRAUTMAN Shirley Grace Trautman passed away peacefully at her home in Lincoln University on Nov. 5. She was 76.

Born in 1944 in Mountain City, Tenn., Shirley was the daughter of the late George T. Forrester and Frances M. Forrester.

Shirley was known for her quiet and kind personality. She put everyone else first. She loved to cook for her family and made every holiday special. Her deep love for “her boys” was known by all and family was her focus. Shirley loved a nice warm fire in the wood stove and enjoyed sitting outside watching birds, nature and beautiful flowers bloom in the sunshine. She enjoyed shopping, the holiday seasons, and was always looking forward to the first snowfall. She worked very hard her entire life and had a long career at Lau Electronics, Inc. and then retired from Genesis HealthCare in Kennett Square.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Thomas E. Trautman, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage; her sons, Richard (Lisa), Daniel (Kathy), and Michael; as well as her brother, Lee Forrester; and her 4 grandchildren, Daniel Jr, Nicholas, Grace and Ryan.

Shirley was predeceased by her father, George, her mother, Frances and 3 brothers, Wallace, Willard and Jerry.

A private memorial service will be held due to COVID19 restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer. org.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Obituary submissions The Chester County Press publishes obituaries free of charge for funeral homes with active advertising accounts only. Others with a connection to southern Chester County are charged a modest fee. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received with a Monday 5pm deadline. They are also posted on www. chestercounty.com. Photos should be sent as .jpeg attachments to the obituary text. To submit an obituary to the Chester County Press or for a rate quote, email the information to editor@chestercounty.com.

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4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Chester County Press

Legals

SUMMONS BY CITATION

DATE: SEP 2 1, 2020, Case No. CU20-120 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: R & J EQUINE KINETICS, INC. a.k.a.

RJ EQUINE KINETICS, INC. JENNIFER CO BURN, R ACHEL MITCHELL and DOES 1 TO 25.

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: ALTURAS RANCHES, LLC NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo .ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org) , the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp) , or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the

court will dismiss the case. Alturas Ranches vs. R & J Equine Kinetics The name and address of the court is: MODOC SUPERIOR COURT, 205 SOUTH EAST STREET ALTURAS, CA 96101 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiffs attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: TOM GIFFORD, Esq., Law Office of Tom Gifford 113 W. North Street, Alturas, CA 96101 (530) 233-3100, RONDA GYSIN, Clerk, Tamitha Martin, Deputy 10p-28-4t

NOTICE

The Supervisors of Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania have prepared the proposed budget for 2020.

This budget will be available for public review beginning on Nov. 5, 2020 at the Penn Township Municipal Building.

The proposed budget will be adopted on December 2, 2020 at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Caitlin A. Ianni, Township Secretary 11p-11-1t

NOTICE

It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors of Penn Township, Chester County, PA, to continue the appointment of Ronald R. Woodworth, Certified Public Accountant to audit the books per Resolution 2000-01 for the year of 2020. BY THE ORDER of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors 260 Lewis Road West Grove, PA. Caitlin A. Ianni, Secretary 11p-11-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Supervisors of Penn Township, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 5:30 pm to consider adoption and possibly adopt immediately thereafter during their regular meeting, an amendment to Article 1500 Supplemental Use Standards; Section 1501 Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses; Subsection 1501.A.3.e.1 of the Penn Township Zoning Ordinance of 2019.

The proposed amendment is as follows: Section 1. In Article 1500 Supple-

mental Use Standards; Section 1501 Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses; Subsection 1501.A.3.e.1 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 1501. A.3.e.1 Meet the minimum yard standards for the principal use in the applicable district, except swimming pools to be located on residential lots adjoining an identified and recorded common open space within residential development. The minimum yard standards for swimming pools located on lots adjoining such open space shall be fifteen (15) feet from any common open space. The setback shall be measured from the outside edge of any surrounding apron.

Section 2. Effect on Other Provisions and Repealer. This Ordinance shall supersede all prior Ordinances and Resolutions as to the specific subject matter contained herein. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

Section 3. Severability. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared by any Court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect the constitutionality, legality or validity of this Ordinance as a whole, nor the constitutionality, legality or validity of any other section or provision of this Ordinance other than the one sol declared to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid.

Section 4. Effective Date. The provisions of this Ordinance shall become effective five (5) days after its enactment.

All communications relative to this hearing are to be addressed to Penn Township Municipal Office at the above address. Contact Penn Township at 610-869-9620 if special services or facilities for the handicapped are required. R Samuel McMichael, Esquire, Solicitor for Penn Township 11p-11-2t

INCORPORATION NOTICE

FC Mgmt Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, has applied for registration in Pennsylvania under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Associations Code. The address of its principal office under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation is Corporation Trust Ctr., 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801 and the address of its proposed registered office in this Commonwealth is 565 E. Swedesford Rd., Ste. 214, Wayne, PA 19087.

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INCORPORATION NOTICE

Malvern Child Services, Inc. has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988.

Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 11p-11-1t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE of Ethel Wilhelmina Clay Estate of Ethel Wilhelmina Clay, late,

of Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, PA, deceased. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned; 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 Kirstan ClayWeinfeld, Administrator, 1100 N Dupont Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807.

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ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Mary Elizabeth Joyce, Late of West Grove, Upper Oxford Twp., 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 Robert James Joyce-12 Marie Lane West Grove, PA. 19390, Executor.

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INCORPORATION NOTICE

Peculiar antiques and oddities 631 Millers Hill Kennett square Pennsylvania 19348, has filed for Incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. Persons party to this filing are: Albert Sbandi, 631 Millers Hill Kennett square Pennsylvania 19348.

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NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the London Grove Township Board of Supervisors will conduct a special meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss single source fire and BLS Services for the Township, and any other business that comes before them.

The meeting will be held in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA. The public is invited to attend. Kenneth Battin ,Township Manager.

11p-11-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (tip heights 72’) on the utility pole near 1755 Mill Rd, Malvern, PA (20201949). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

11p-11-1t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Lauretta Serricca, Notice is hereby given that, in the estate of the decedent set forth below, the Register of Wills has granted letters, testamentary or of administration to the person named. All persons having claims against said estate to make known the same to them and all persons indebted to the said decedent are requested to make payment without delay to the Executor named below. Lauretta Serricca, dec’d late of North Coventry, Pennsylvania. Executor: John Serrica, 1309 Powder Mill Hollow Road, Boyertown, PA 19512

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC MEETING FOR NPDES STORMWATER DISCHARGE TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS PLAN New Garden Township is hereby giving notice of the 30-day public comment period for its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Total Maximum Daily Load Plan (TMDL). The Plan proposes best management practices to satisfy the TMDL requirements for the following impaired waterways: Christina River Basin.

The plans are available for public examination as noted below. The public is invited to review these documents and provide written comments to the individual listed below: New Garden Township, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA 19350, Phone: (610) 268-2915, Comments to: Ramsey Reiner, Manager.

Visit times are Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. or visit the Township website at www.newgarden. org. The minimum 30-day public comment period will begin November 11, 2020 and end December 11, 2020.

A public meeting for the Plan will be held on November 16, 2020 during the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting. The Board of Supervisors meeting will be held virtually, beginning at 7:30 PM. Please reference www. newgarden.org to attend the virtual meeting.

NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP, Kati Parlier,Township Secretary & Grant Coordinator, New Garden Township, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA 19350, 610-268-2915 ext. 123, www. newgarden.org.

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Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public sale in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, November 19th, 2020 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, December 21st, 2020.

Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 20-11-348 Writ of Execution No. 2020-01854 DEBT $40,143.95 ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land of improved ground with buildings erected thereon situate on the north side of

Shadyside Road (T-309) northeast of its intersection with Forge Road in East Nottingham Township, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania according to a survey by Concord Land Planners and Surveyors, Oxford, PA being Plan Number 8861 dated August 21, 1988 and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of Shadyside Road (T-309) marking the southwest corner of this and the southeast corner of land of Alvin R. Johnson; thence leaving said centerline of Shadyside Road and along said land of Alvin R. Johnson (1) North 15 degrees 43 minutes 45 seconds West crossing over a 1 inch diameter iron pin found 8.34 feet from center line of Shadyside Road, a total distance of 281.55 feet to a 3/4 inch diameter by 12 inch tall iron pin found marking the northwest corner of this, the northeast corner of said land of Alvin R. Johnson and set in the line of land of J. Albert Featherman; thence along said land of Featherman (2) North 46 degrees 36 minutes 21 seconds East 108.31 feet to an iron pin set marking the northeast corner of this and the northwest corner of land of Joseph D. and Ruth A. Furches; thence along said land of Furches (3) South 16 degrees 41 minutes 00 seconds East crossing over a 1 inch diameter iron pin found 15.32 feet from aforementioned center line of Shadyside Road, a total distance of 331.69 feet to a point in said center line of Shadyside Road marking the southeast corner of this and the southwest corner of said land of Furches; thence along said center line of Shadyside Road (4) South 74 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds West 101.45 feet to the point and place of beginning.

CONTAINING 30,327 square feet BEING Chester County Tax Parcel 69-5-30 BEING the same premises which Yvonne R. Johnson by Deed dated December 29, 1988 and recorded in Chester County, in Record Book 1405 page 263 conveyed unto Becky J. Andriole, her heirs and assigns.

PLAINTIFF: McCormick 112, LLC VS DEFENDANT: Emma J. Stewart A/K/A E. Jean Stewart Blount SALE ADDRESS: 1020 a/k/a 1702 Shadyside Road, East Nottingham Township (Oxford), PA 19363 PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: BRIAN J. SCHAFFER 610-994-1137 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 10p-28-3t

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Chester County Press

Local News Girl Scout Troop 4589 helps out Family Promise Cadette Girl Scout Troop 4589, made up of eighthgraders from Patton Middle School, spent their free time during a recent fall weekend pulling weeds, planting fall shrubs, and cleaning up the property surrounding the Family Promise Resource Center.

Renna Van Oot, the executive director of Family Promise, not only appreciated the assistance but took the time to explain to the girls the prevalence and seriousness of homelessness in our local community.

Van Oot said, “It makes a difference to come to the office every day and have the place look well-tended, with cheerful plantings. I hope the Girl Scouts understand that it may seem like a day of weeding to them, but their efforts make an

Pictured with Family Promise executive director Renna Van Oot are Girl Scouts Amelia Miller, Mika White, Tinley Sutch, Cassidy Albert, Sophie Kelly, Anushka Akki, Piper Coon, Katherine Lewis and Julia Baird.

impact on everyone coming to the center. I hope they all will carry a little bit of the information I shared about the issue of homelessness with them in their awareness.”

This Girl Scout troop, led

by Debbie Lewis and Karen Miller, will be searching for additional community

service projects for their individual Silver and Gold Awards over the next year.

Lewis remarked, “I’m really proud of the girls for working hard together despite the rain to clean out the overgrown flower beds and add some autumn beauty for the volunteers and clients of Family Promise.”

Courtesy photos

Girl Scouts from Troop 4589 from Patton Middle School volunteered by weeding the property surrounding the Family Promise Resource Center. The playground in the back was built by Margaret “Maggie” Schubert, a Girl Scout and Kennett graduate, for her Girl Scout Gold Award community service project.

Kennett High School recognizes ten National Merit Commended Students Dr. Jeremy Hritz, Kennett High School principal, recently announce that seniors David Diokno, Chase Harris, Emma Henderson, Sydney Lillard, Gavin Maxwell, Ryan Myers, Emma Schmidt, Swithin Shortlidge, Haylie Silbernagel, and Leah

Wardwell have been named National Merit Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A letter of commendation from the high school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has been presented by Dr. Hritz

to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2021 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards,

Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT).

“Those being named

Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools

play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.

We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Pennsylvania Library Association names Comitta as the Elected Official of the Year Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Library Association earlier this month honored State Rep. Carolyn Comitta with the Elected Official of the Year Award. Comitta represents the 156th Legislative District in Chester County.

Comitta has been an advocate of libraries, whether as an elementary school teacher advocating for her school library, an avid user of her local public library in West Chester, or a voice in support of funding for all public libraries in Pennsylvania.

She started her political career in West Chester. As a Borough Council member, she supported the increase of funding for the West Chester Public Library. When she became a two-term Mayor of West Chester, she backed many library projects, was especially active in the local summer reading programs, and always made room in her schedule for a library event.

When she moved to the state-wide political arena, she maintained her commitment to libraries. She still participates in the local Legislative Breakfast

and often speaks on how to increase state and local library funding and how libraries should connect with elected officials.

And, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Comitta was permitted one question at the Education Department hearings. Her question was directed at increasing library funding in Pennsylvania and she added her own emphasis by saying: “Libraries are an investment in our children and adults, as well as workforce development. They provide enhanced opportunities for each person, regardless of economic class, race, or gender.

Libraries need, at the very least, continued funding now more than ever. I will continue to raise my voice on behalf of public libraries in Pennsylvania.”

A committee comprised of association members reviewed the nominations for the award before selecting winners in a series of categories. Previous winners include Rep. Stan Saylor in 2019, State Sen. Guy Reschenthaler in 2018, and Easttown Township Supervisor Christopher Polites in 2017.

Kimberley Hravnik, chair of the Pennsylvania Library Association Legislative Committee, said, “Representative Carolyn Comitta has been an enthusiastic library supporter, speaking passionately on

behalf of the value of public libraries and the role they play in the everyday life of Pennsylvania’s residents throughout her political career. The libraries of Chester County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are fortunate to have a staunch ally in Representative Comitta.”

Christi Buker, PaLA executive director, “The Pennsylvania Library Association and its members rely on the support of elected officials. Without state and local funding support and awareness our libraries could not support their communities effectively. We are grateful for the support of Representative Comitta and spotlighting the work of libraries in their communities.”

Founded in 1901, the Courtesy photo Pennsylvania Library The Pennsylvania Library Association honored State Rep.Carolyn Comitta with the Association is the state’s Elected Official of the Year Award. Comitta represents the 156th Legislative District oldest professional library in Chester County. organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups. PaLA represents more than 1,300 personal, institutional, and commercial members affiliated with public, academic, special and school libraries throughout the commonwealth. The association represents the profession in Harrisburg with the state legislature and provides opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and continuing education for librarians.

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

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