Chester County Press 10-27-2021 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 155, No. 43

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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INSIDE

ELECTION 2021 Race between Whitney Hoffman and Geoff Gamble to be decided on Nov. 2 League of Women Voters of Chester County NonPartisan Voters’ Guide...

Pages 5B to 10B

In campaign for Kennett Township supervisor, “Trust” tops the ballot

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Commonly defined, “Trust” is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.

In its application, however, the word is slippery and elusive and delicate, and in political campaigns it is Unionville improves to 8-1 often a catch-all verb tossed on season...1B liberally into the syntax of platforms and frequently an old chestnut tacked on to words like “Dignity” and “Character.”

In the waning days of

two campaigns that will determine who will accompany Richard Leff and Scudder Stevens on the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors in January 2022, “Trust” is being tossed around so much that it may as well be on the ballot on Nov. 2.

One candidate – Democrat and incumbent Whitney Hoffman – used the word a few times in her victim impact statement to the Hon. David F. Bortner on Oct. 4, at a public hearing at a Chester County courtroom that ended with

former township manager Lisa Moore being sentenced to a minimum of three years behind bars stemming from her admission that she had embezzled over $3.2 of township funds over an extended period of time while in her position.

“This betrayal by Moore plunged the township government into a crisis of trust and uncertainty,” Hoffman told Bortner.

“Since the day the embezzlement was first discovered, we, as public officials, have all felt betrayed, angry and devastated,” she said later

in her statement. “Nearly three years later, we still do. Regaining the public’s confidence will take decades, if it ever happens.

Once betrayed, trust returns slowly.”

During the course of her campaign, Hoffman has, by her count, knocked on over 900 doors in the township.

At many of them – as well as in her mailing literature – she has claimed that while she and her fellow supervisors erred in the blind faith they had in Moore to conduct township business, she has also pointed

to her record of championing policies and procedures designed to shore up the many loopholes in the township’s accounting system since Moore’s wrongdoings, chiefly as an indicator that she can be a trusted public official for the next six years on the three-person board.

On the other side of the race for supervisor, Republican Geoff Gamble has been using the word “Trust” in an entirely different context, illuminating that under Hoffman’s tenure, Continued on page 3A

A look at the Oxford School Board races

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer

57th annual Delaware Antiques Show...1B

INDEX Opinion.......................5A Obituaries..............6A-7A Classifieds..................2B

Voters have choices in every race in the Oxford Area School District. There is a seat being contested in each of the three school board regions, as well as an at-large position for a school board director.

During the primary elections, candidates for school board can cross-file on both the Republican and Democrat tickets. This year, voters tended to follow party lines, resulting in two candidates on the ballot for each opening.

Running for the position

of school director at large are Republican candidate Jennifer Kehs and Democrat Sherri Matis-Mitchell.

Kehs, originally from the Pittsburgh area, has lived in Upper Oxford Township for the past 19 years, and has five children attending school in the Oxford Area School District, including the district’s Early College Academy. Her children’s success has been a motivation for her run for a seat on the school board.

“I think it’s been a really good experience for my kids,” she said. “I want to be involved in what they are going to be learning, and

ensuring they have these programs like the Early College Academy.”

Although this is her first time running for office, Kehs has been very involved in the community, particularly with youth.

She has been a Girl Scout Leader and is Junior and Youth Program Leader at Russellville Grange.

“My heart is in this for the kids, not for any political reason,” Kehs said. “I’m running on behalf of these young people who don’t have a voice.”

Kehs is a Penn State graduate with a degree in chemistry who works as a

clinical researcher. She has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceuticals industry, plus a strong background in both science, business and organization. Kehs points to research that indicates masks as used at schools are ineffective as soon as they become wet, which can happen in just 15 minutes. She also noted that when masks are worn children are missing important facial cues.

“For me, I feel it’s perpetuating anxiety for these kids,” Kehs said. “I’m going to try to work to free students from that mandate.”

Kehs primary concern is quality education for

students, with a focus on programs and curriculum.

“I think what we should be presenting in our schools is excellence in education,” she said. “At the end of the day we should all be focused on education.”

Kehs does not support Critical Race Theory, which has not been implemented in the district, but is a subject of discussion across the state and the nation.

“I’m advocating for much of what the Oxford Area schools already are doing.

I really like what they have in place as far as programs,” Kehs said.

Continued on page 2A

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Loftus seeks second term as supervisor

Candidates vying for Four campaign for two seats four seats on Oxford on New Garden board Borough Council

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Troy Wildrick

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Ted Gallivan

Courtesy photo

Mike Loftus and Dinamarie Vanover

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer © 2007 The Chester County Press

To take a broad overview of New Garden Township in the final days of a campaign that will decide the new makeup of the township’s Board of Supervisors

for the next six years is to recognize a municipality on the cusp of enormous transformation.

After several years of legal entanglement, the township sold its crumbling wastewater infrastructure to Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater,

Inc. for $29.5 million, the profits of which will be allocated in the future to pay for township projects.

Along Newark Road, the township has given the green light to the aesthetic redevelopment of the Continued on page 4B

In Oxford Borough, three incumbents are seeking re-election to Borough Council: Robert Ketcham, Ron Hershey and Amanda Birdwell. With four seats up for the Nov. 2 election, some newcomers have stepped in to run for a seat, including Amanda Woolston and Mary-Laura Buchner Hulse, who are running on the Democratic ticket, and Michael McMurrough and Bill Fitzpatrick on the Republican side.

Ketcham, a longtime resident of Oxford, is in his second term on council.

He is chair of the Borough Codes Committee, a member of the Environment and Sidewalk Committee, and a member of the Comprehensive Planning Task Force.

The Comprehensive Plan and establishing a capital budget plan are imperative in Ketcham’s view to ensure the future of a thriving Oxford.

“I’m running again because there are really good people on council now and I’m looking forward

to working with them further,” he said. “Things have improved dramatically and the budget is much easier to read. The capital budget is a key part in going forward. We have a new borough manager and I am very excited about that.”

Ketcham added, “I’d like to go further with finance reporting and I’d like to see a recognizable fund in parking that shows us paying off the loan for the parking garage and that it was a good investment.”

Ketcham is focused on continuing work on the borough’s infrastructure, including waterlines, storm sewers, and streets.

“We need a long-term plan to finance those projects,” he said. “I am very optimistic with the way things are moving in the borough.”

Hershey, a registered Democrat, won the primary as a write-in on the Republican side. Hershey has served 16 years on borough council, including six years as council president.

Hershey said he brings a lot of experience to the position.

“I have been a part of many Continued on page 4A

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Local News Oxford school board race...

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Matis-Mitchell is a research data scientist who received her Ph.D in Molecular Immunology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She has a keen interest in public health and studied virology with one of the members of the team that created the Salk polio vaccine. She worked on applying Artificial Intelligence methodology as part of the Human Genome project and in the pharmaceutical R&D and has taught at a graduate level.

Now mostly retired, Matis-Mitchell now has time to participate in local politics.

“It’s important to recognize everybody’s views, not just my own,” she said.

“What’s important is what people are saying and to try to be unbiased and listen and come to some sort of common ground that benefits most people. I want to try to represent everybody and listen to what everybody says, and use my experience to provide what’s best for the students in the school district.”

Matis-Mitchell sees test scores as one of the main issues for the district.

“I think that there is a gap between where we are and where we should be,” she said. “We have smart kids.

We need to give those kids a good foundation so they can go out and make good contributions to the rest of the world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be white collar.”

Matis-Mitchell favors a

strong foundation studies in math, science and English.

“I’d like to see our test scores go up. That’s a really good metric that we have. I would really like to see improvement made in STEM certainly,” she added.

Responding to families is also important to Matis-Mitchell.

“I think that we could do a better job of listening to input from parents. I think any time a parent speaks we need to listen, but also follow through,” she said.

She also prioritizes school safety and finances. “People are concerned about their taxes being raised. That’s a valid concern,” she said.

“People are not only concerned about their taxes being raised but also on the safety of their children and of the staff. Those are valid concerns.”

The issue of whether staff and students should be wearing masks falls under this category.

“I realize the vaccine issue is polarizing, but it just makes good sense to provide a safe learning environment,” Matis-Mitchell said. “We need to strike a balance between keeping kids and staff safe while allowing responsible freedom to make an informed choice and to understand the impact and consequences of that choice in our community. Knowledge is not only power, it empowers informed decision making.”

In Region 1, made up of of Upper Oxford, Lower Oxford East, and Oxford Borough East, incumbent Eric Owens won the Democratic nomination

while the Republican primary winner was Kristen Dean, who is currently serving on the school board as an at-large board member.

Owens is completing his first term on the school board. He is a professor and department chairperson in the Department of Counselor Education at West Chester University and also works part-time as a mental health therapist/licensed professional counselor. Owens was a high school counselor in Pittsburgh before moving to the Oxford area.

“I teach mental health and school counseling at West Chester within the College of Education and Social Work,” he explained.

“I’ve worked with the PA Department of Education over the last decade on a number of different projects, as well as the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. I have also worked and consulted with school counselors, teachers, and administrators throughout the region and the state on issues related to mental health, school counseling, school funding, and trauma informed education.”

Owens added, “I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time on the board, and I think I’ve been able to bring my expertise in education and in mental health to the stakeholders in the Oxford Area School District. I’m particularly proud of helping to lead the district through the COVID19 crisis, but also I’m proud of being able to work with administrators and local leaders to bring additional mental health services to our district.”

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Unattended Veterans Service set for Oct. 28 The community is invited to join the Chester County Coroner’s Office at the Unattended Veterans Service at Washington Crossing National Cemetery at 830 Highland Road in Newtown, Pa. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28. The Coroner’s Office will be interring nine unclaimed veterans who were residents of Chester County with full military honors.

The veterans include: Marcellus Brown, U.S. Navy (Petty Officer First Class), (Post-World War II Era), from Tredyffrin Township William P. Deignan, U.S. Navy (Seaman), (Post-Vietnam Era), from Valley Township Jeffrey A. Fenstermacher, U.S. Army (Private), (PostVietnam Era), from Parkesburg Borough Oliver C. Ford, U.S. Marine Corp. (Unknown Rank), (Vietnam Era), from Coatesville City Gregory D. Jones, U.S. If re-elected, Owens lists his priorities as working with school leaders and teachers to explore how students can best recover what they may have lost during the pandemic; to continue to explore how students can access mental health and emotional health resources that are difficult to find in our area; find ways to lessen the tax burden on district taxpayers; and determine how to better support teachers.

Asked about the major issues facing the board, Owens began with the impact COVID-19 has had on education.

“Our teachers have done an amazing job, but no amount of work was going

Photo courtesy Christina VandePol

The 2019 Unattended Veterans Service at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, organized by the Chester County Coroner’s Office.

Navy (Seaman Recruit), (Persian Gulf War Era), from Coatesville City Joseph H. Jones, U.S. Army (Private First Class), (Korean War Era), from West Chester Borough John W. Marsh, U.S. Air Force (Airman), (Vietnam Era), from Honey Brook Township Joan M. Marsh, Veteran Spouse, wife of John W. Marsh (above), from Honey Brook Township Hollis Ross, U.S. Naval Reserve (Seaman

Apprentice), (Vietnam Era), from Caln Township During the ceremony, the veterans’ names will be read and the Pennsylvania Military Honors team will present the flag on the behalf of the veterans. A rifle salute and live Taps will be provided. After the ceremony, the veterans will each be placed in their own niche in the columbarium which will be engraved with “Proudly Served.”

to prevent our kids from falling behind. Our teachers have done the best they can, but we have much to do to catch up from last year,” he said.

He added, “I serve on the board because I genuinely and sincerely care about our kids, our community, and about public education.

School board members are volunteers. I do this because I care deeply, really deeply, about public education, and about our kids and our community.”

Dean and her husband Michael have lived in Oxford Borough for 14 years. She is currently serving her fourth year on the school board in an at-large position, but now she is

running for a position as a Region 1 representative.

“I felt that, since I am very involved with the kids and families in my immediate neighborhood, it was a better fit for me to represent those constituents,” she explained. “I’m not sure how much it will affect how I represent, but it will affect where I place my time and attention while campaigning. Eric Owens and I have discussed having to run against each other and we know it’s less than ideal, but we both agree the upside is that a good school board member will represent Region 1.”

Dean graduated from Grove City College in 2000 with a degree in business management. She has been a job coach for a young lady with autism for 15 years.

“I have taken the last year and a half off in order to develop and run a free learning pod for some of the children in the Oxford Area School District,” she said. “These seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 16, have done amazingly well and it’s been one of the joys of my life to help them.”

Dean is involved in the

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Chester County Press

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Moore stole $1,500 every single day for a period of six years, right under the nose of Hoffman, Leff and Stevens, because of their failure to put proper accounting safeguards in place that could have prevented Moore’s theft.

“My opponent characterizes this as a ‘betrayal of trust,’ and that Moore ‘fooled everyone,’” Gamble said in a recent recorded campaign video. “But ‘everyone’ was not elected to watch over Moore – only my opponent and her fellow supervisors were.

“The township manager, by the way, is the only employee who reports directly to them. People see what they want to see.”

As the often prickly, back-and-forth and tit-fortat sparring match between these two opponents comes down to its final week, its narrative is reduced to a simple question for Kennett Township residents to decide: Do you want to vote for a supervisor who has dedicated the bulk of her time on the board over the past 18 months to repairing a township broken by the discord of trust, or do you want to vote for a candidate who wants to be the lone Republican on the board, helping to usher the township into a new era of responsible governance?

Gamble on the offensive Over the course of Gamble’s campaign, he has been knocking on doors as well, and the response he has heard from many residents about the former township manager’s embezzlement has varied from confusion to fury, he said.

“The issue that I have seen over and over again has been the absolute anger on the theft of the $3.2 million, not only directed at Lisa Moore, but those who were asleep at the switch,” Gamble said. “Not one person – not a supervisor, not the auditors, not an employee – did a thing. How can it be that this went on every single day for six years, and nobody saw it?

“Most people I have spoken with who are supporting me think that these three (Leff, Stevens and Hoffman) should have resigned when all of this came out, and if they didn’t

resign, they should have the moral integrity not to run again.”

Gamble – who served as the township’s auditor in 2003-04 – scoffed at the township’s work over the last year to rectify its accounting and fiduciary measures – all of which have become a key selling point in Hoffman’s campaign for reelection.

“The horse was already out of the barn,” he said.

“It’s too late, if not too little.

When I was auditor, I made a recommendation at the time that the township have co-signers for checks over $2,000. It was ignored. In Whitney’s latest letter, she talks about the fact that the township manager’s allegiance and loyalty is to the township and its residents. “[Eden Ratliff, the current Kennett Township manager] is not elected to anything. He is the only employee of the supervisors. The supervisors are responsible for their loyalty to the township. I see again this lionizing of the township manager, and that’s the same pattern that we saw when Moore was the manager.”

While Gamble’s key criticisms of Hoffman have been laser focused on what he calls “the sad truth” of the township not putting accounting safeguards into place that could have prevented Moore’s embezzlement, he has declared that he’s in step with his opponent on several issues, and a look at each candidate’s platform proves it.

Both are in favor of creating a more transparent form of government that includes a comprehensive system of accounting and fiduciary responsibility; both want to conserve additional open space, provide additional safeguards to safety and security; and both are backing large community-based initiatives like the construction of the new Kennett Library and Resource Center and the expansion of the Kennett Greenway.

The similarities generally end there. Taking on the role of challenger, Gamble has attempted to put his opponent on the ropes over the last several months, pummeling Hoffman with attacks about recent township decisions. He has criticized the township for having no comprehensive plan in place that spells out its ideas for the development of open space and trails, and for falling short of its goal to convert 30

percent of the township into protected land.

Gamble has also taken Hoffman – and the township – to task for what he is claiming is its failure to make long-term plans for the Spar Hill Farm that it purchased in 2018, which he believes has left the property stagnant of vision and inaccessible to the public.

In addition, he has criticized the township for what he feels is its irresponsible use of funding in its plans to construct the 1.5-mile-long Chandler Mill Road trail on the Kennett Greenway.

Gamble has also blasted the township for its overspending for its police force; the “burgeoning bureaucracy” of the township’s continuing to hire more staff; and Hoffman for supporting the selection of the Longwood Fire Company as the township’s singlesource provider of fire and ambulance services, which he has said is a disservice to the Kennett Fire Company and will end up reducing fire and ambulance coverage in the township by 25 percent.

“When I say nothing is getting done in the township, it’s not just political hyperbole,” Gamble said.

“It’s a fact.”

Hoffman answers back In a recent letter sent to township constituents, Hoffman fired back at her opponent on several key issues, calling his accusations “bad information and twisted logic.” She wrote that the township’s decision to move to a one-source fire and ambulance provider was a “data-driven decision” that reorganizes and improves EMS, fire and safety services; reduces response time by up to six minutes; and saves the Regional Fire and EMS Commission over $250,000 and the township residents more than $25,000.

She also wrote that the township is very close to achieving its goal of converting 30 percent of its entire acreage to preserved open space, and that the future of the Spar Hill Farm property is still being discussed, and supports the township’s plan to seek the public’s input for the future use of the property.

“I hear a lot of criticism from Geoff but I don’t hear that he has any better ideas,” Hoffman said.

“What’s he going to do differently? I want to know if he has a plan, because so far

Courtesy photo

Whitney Hoffman

the only plan I know is that he is only going to serve one term.

“Throwing pot shots is easy, but actually doing the job and having a plan and a sense of what needs to be done is something different. By saying that he only wants to serve one term, is he planning on being a placeholder, or does he really want to do something?”

If elected, Gamble said that his major priority for the township will be to get the money that Moore stole back into its bank account.

He would also like to see the township develop an open space strategic plan, which may include updating a plan that was introduced in 2015, and subsequently rejected; continue to review township accounting standards; evaluate current staffing; and explore the idea of consolidating police service to the township.

While the majority of the accomplishments Hoffman has made during her tenure have been done in partnership with Leff, Stevens and township staff, she has spearheaded a regional study to improve the township’s digital infrastructure, at no additional cost to township residents.

She has also upgraded the township website to make it mobile phone friendly and streamed all township meetings.

Hoffman said that Gamble’s criticism of her “soft” skills as a supervisor has been unwarranted.

“I worry sometimes that Geoff portrays me as the little girl who is here running for office, who likes to work on the Holiday Village and make masks during COVID-19,” she said. “I think some of his comments have been patronizing and misogynistic in some ways,

Courtesy photo

Geoffrey Gamble

but ultimately, making those things happen are the kind of things that help build a better community.

“It’s helping people who have a need when they have a need. That’s the good part of the job. People may accuse me of being too parental, but it’s trying to look to the future and make plans.”

While Gamble has not sat on the township’s board, he feels his skills and experience – which include being a former president of the Kennett Consolidated School Board and “understanding the mechanics” of Kennett Township – are applicable to the job, which he has said will consist of a single term in office.

“I am as qualified to run for a job for the first time as anyone can be,” said Gamble, whose résumé also includes receiving a Bronze Star in Vietnam, an attorney for DuPont, serving as president of the Delaware Bar Association and an honorary papal ambassador under Pope Francis. “I don’t need any more medals. I don’t need any more recognition.

I am at a stage in life where I want to pay it forward, that’s all.”

Regaining trust Hoffman recalled the day in the spring of 2019 when the Chester County District Attorney’s Office told her, Leff and Stevens about their early findings regarding Moore’s embezzlement of township funds.

“They told us that this was the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “I asked them what the chances were that they were wrong, and when they said less than one percent, it became very clear as to what we needed to do.”

Largely because of the nec-

essary investment of time and money – all of which have been achieved on Hoffman’s watch -- Kennett Township has committed itself to a more transparent form of accounting and fiduciary responsibility, but while it may have administratively turned the corner from the nightmare of an investigation that ultimately sentenced its former manager to at least three years in prison, the township – and Hoffman – still live in the shadow of recent memory.

Nearly the entirety of Hoffman being reelected rests on a township’s ability to trust its government again.

“I have spent 55 years trying to build a sterling reputation and being honest and straightforward with people, and to have that called into question by things that I did not do and have people actively lying to me is not fun,” she said.

“I can’t go back and rewind what happened and fix the past. The only thing I knew I could do – and that was from the moment we knew this situation was happening – was to try to make the situation better, and leaving the township better than I found it when I was elected for the first time.”

To learn more about Whitney Hoffman’s campaign, visit whitneyhoffmansupervisor on Facebook, or https:// whitney4supervisor.nationbuilder.com.

To learn more about Geoffrey Gamble’s campaign, visit www.

Gamble4kennettsupervisor. com.

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

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Local News Oxford Borough Council seats...

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infrastructure improvements in the borough within the business district and residential community. Much of what was identified in the first Revitalization Plan has been completed. The experience of going through those improvements is a valuable piece I bring to council,” he said.

Hershey currently serves on the Codes, Finance, and Outreach and Inclusion Committee. He is also a business owner in the borough, and he knows first-hand the importance of a vibrant business district.

“I know the history of the community and I bring continuity,” Hershey explained.

“We have a new borough manager coming on board and I’m excited to work with her. I’m concerned we stay on track, and that projects we started will be finished. I’m concerned with the budget, taxes and transparency. The community and businesses need to know what council is doing. I want to continue to build the business district, have a safe community, and make sure we are fiscally responsible.”

Birdwell is serving her second term on council. She is the chair of the Borough Council Finance Committee as well as the Outreach and Inclusion Committee.

A mother and registered nurse, she also participates on the Environment and Personnel Committee.

Birdwell said, “During my time on council, I’ve seen a positive movement.

I want to make sure council has someone to continue to support them. We have done a lot of outreach to the community and we need to continue to do that.”

She also wants to focus on engaging the younger community and bringing in a more diverse, ethnic population and persons from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

“We have a very diverse population. We need to embrace our diversity and the ethnic cultures that make up this community.

We need to listen to everyone in our community. The best way to do that is to reflect that diversity at our council table,” she said.

Mary-Laura BuchnerHulse has been a borough resident since 2009 and is a mother of two. This is her first attempt at running for political office.

She is an active volunteer in the Oxford Educational Foundation, Oxford Silo, Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) and the Oxford Arts Alliance. She wants to unite Oxford with open lines of communication, to meet the needs of residents and businesses. She wants to strengthen the town’s growth financially and structurally while preserving Oxford’s historic charm and beauty.

“I’d like to make sure everyone knows what is happening in the borough,” Buchner-Hulse said. “I just feel like a younger mindset would be good going forward. I’d like to see council using social media more and I want to get a younger demographic involved. I will seek advice and input.”

Transparency is important

to her as well. “Everyone should know what is going on,” she said. “I want to build relationships with people, and unite us.”

Woolston has lived in Oxford for two decades.

She is a young mother of two. Her job as a master social worker provides her with a unique perspective.

She has taught social work, sociology and psychology for several colleges. She is politically independent but is currently registered with, and endorsed by, the Democratic Party. She has worked with people from all walks of life throughout a variety of county services including aging, elementary and higher education, mental health and addiction, poverty and housing.

“I think there is a gap between what residents want, and what government thinks they want,” she said.

“I’d like to bridge that gap.

I have felt many times that our priorities are not being addressed by council.”

Woolston teaches advance policy at West Chester University. She takes students to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. and teaches them how to communicate with elected officials. She has helped draft bills for the Pennsylvania Legislature, served as an expert witness for the children and youth community, and worked with Children and Youth Services.

Fitzpatrick is a local educator and coach. He has lived in Oxford since 2018.

He is running for office because he wants Oxford to be a strong, safe, and vibrant community. He feels his experience will

help him accomplish that.

He will focus on fairness, increased transparency, economic growth and quality of life. Fitzpatrick used to do parking enforcement for the Borough and loved seeing the local restaurants busy. His vision is to have a busy, vibrant downtown with people waiting in line to go to shops and restaurants.

“I’d like to create an environment that would bring more small businesses to town and increase our tax base,” he said.

Fitzpatrick has experience in government.

“I worked as a lobbyist for police. I would like working with the state government to help build our community,” he said. “I’m an organized person and a good listener. I think those skills are needed on council.

I am enthusiastic about creating a diverse and vibrant community for businesses and residents and building a strong community.”

McMurrough was approached by local business owners who wanted him to run for borough council. McMurrough has extensive business experience, having been a regional sales manager for the last twenty years.

“It is important to have a strong town with a vibrant business district. That creates opportunity for our population to find employment or for our community to find the goods and services they need locally,” he said.

McMurrough is also focused on encouraging new businesses to come to Oxford.

“I’d like to create a cli-

mate here where businesses can thrive and grow. That is beneficial to the entire community,” he said. “I believe my knowledge of business would be an asset to the council. I’m a hard worker and a good listener. That is important when you are

representing a community.”

McMurrough is also focused on helping to maintain a safe community. He said, “I think if we focus on the community as a whole, we can help it grow and serve the diverse population that lives here.”

A message in the spooky season

Courtesy photo

Theresa Pia, a resident at the Villages at Penn Ridge in West Grove, shared this picture of the Halloween display at her home.

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Chester County Press

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Opinion

Editorial

Commentary

After the floods, solutions

Avon Grove community cannot allow divisive national political agendas to become the driving force on the school board

The scenario at the Oct. 19 Avondale Borough Council meeting carried with it the complexity of a problem for which there is no surefire method of solving.

At the end of the discussion, however – between the salient facts of reality and hardship, possible answers began to emerge.

Before the Avondale council members, Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) Executive Director Leah Reynolds spoke in heartbreaking detail about the impact that recent floods – Hurricane Ida being the latest – have had on the Avondale Apartments complex at 200 1st Street in the borough. Currently, a little more than seven weeks removed from the hurricane’s swift damage to southern Chester County on Sept. 1, 86 residents of the apartment complex are still displaced from the flood damage done to its first floor from the overflowing of the nearby White Clay Creek. Of those, one-third required the temporary relief of a hotel and are now living in nine rooms at a local hotel, the cost of which is a staggering $4,500 per week – paid for by KACS through private donations.

It’s not the first time KACS has helped those who live in the Avondale Apartments; in 2020, heavy rains on Aug. 7 of that year pummeled the complex, forcing 45 residents to occupy 14 hotel rooms – again paid for by KACS. All told, KACS has spent over $61,000 for hotel rooms for families displaced by these two floods.

The work of KACS – responding to the emergency housing and food needs of the southern Chester County community – is done in partnership with other local agencies like The Garage Community and Youth Center, the United Way of Southern Chester County, the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network, Casa Guanajuato, the Mighty Writers, the county’s Department of Community Development and many more organizations.

During these last two extreme weather events, each agency has stepped up its already enormous efforts to provide food, shelter, clothing, communication and hope to families who have found themselves suddenly and without fault of their own adrift in uncertainty and despair. And yet, when the next hurricane or damaging storm arrives, it is nearly certain that the limited resources of these organizations will be called upon again to do the chief labor of restoring everything again to order. Volunteers will arrive on the scene to serve pizza and play with toddlers; funding from community members will pour in and go toward hotel rooms, food and clothing.

During her presentation, Reynolds called upon the council to send one of its own to serve on a newly formed volunteer community group whose mission will be to determine how to best prepare for and cope with future flooding and resident displacement. While it is expected that these volunteers will move small mountains with big ideas, we believe it falls upon our local municipalities to shoulder the largest responsibility to help those in distress.

We call upon representatives from every municipality to expand these ideas that will come across the entire southern Chester County region, particularly those whose downtowns lay in flood zones. We encourage them to tap into the resources of federal support. We implore them to work with local businesses, and engage cities and towns in other parts of the United States in conversations, and to enlist the assistance of environmental groups to commission studies of flood plains and peak flows along waterways like the White Cay Creek in Avondale and the Brandywine River near Chadds Ford.

Short of long-range prognostication, we are left only to speculate when the next great storm of this decade will arrive in our region, and yet with proper planning and the involvement of many, we can help mitigate the rising floodwaters and save lives and livelihoods.

We simply have to. We cannot witness such devastation again.

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Letter to the Editor: Our community cannot allow conspiracy theories and divisive national political agendas to become the driving force on the Avon Grove school board.

The propaganda being spread by some local school board candidates has one purpose: to divide our community.

However, we believe we are more united than divided.

Avon Grove is a community full of caring neighbors and friends of all ages who share not only a common love for this beautiful area, but a common desire for children to grow and flourish in supportive, high-quality schools.

Contrary to the political message of our challengers, we believe that all community members, not just parents, should have a voice in our schools.

Over the past few years, the Avon Grove community has achieved amazing accomplishments!

Our new high school is nearly complete, coming in on time and significantly under budget.

We are about to begin the long-awaited and much needed renovation of the old high school allowing for its conversion to 6th to 8th grade middle school.

Our district continues to ini-

tiate programs that prioritize student learning such as the implementation of full-day kindergarten and providing Chromebooks to every K-12 student.

Sadly, our opponents fought construction of the new high school; candidates Weber and Dumont (seeking reelection) consistently voted against annual operating budgets. As your school board representatives, we will support initiatives that prioritize our students and our local community.

A vote for us is a voice in support of students and teachers. It is a measure to keep extreme political agendas off

of our school board and out of our schools. And, a vote for us will serve to protect the quality and reputation of the Avon Grove schools as well as grow our property values.

We are dedicated to working collaboratively and tirelessly to serve the students and entire Avon Grove community. On November 2, we respectfully ask for your help in preserving Avon Grove pride and our united community by voting for us.

Ruchira Singh and Bruce Belcher in Region 1 (SB4AG.org) Christina Manolescu in Region 2 (TM4AG.org)

Dear Avon Grove: The truth still matters Letter to the Editor: I’m a Republican, a 20-year resident of this community, a member of the Avon Grove School Board since 2015, the only board member with a child in the Avon Grove School District and a staunch believer in public education.

In the upcoming school board election on November 2, I support incumbent board member and former board president Bill Wood in Region 3, Region 2 candidate Christina Manolescu and Region 1 candidates Ruchira Singh and Bruce Belcher.

I support these candidates because they share my commitment to public education. They also happen to be Democrats.

That doesn’t matter to me. I know we won’t agree on every issue. That’s okay because healthy debate delivers good outcomes and compromise. I also know writing this letter will certainly alienate people I’ve known for years and that makes me sad but I can’t look my kids in the eye if I sit silently and allow the truth to be compromised. Lying is never acceptable. It can’t be. I wouldn’t be honoring my oath as a school board member that binds me to “discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.” That fidelity in my eyes is a faithfulness to the truth and the integrity of public education.

In 2019, I knocked on your doors, hundreds of them, to carry a message of facts in response to the lies and misinformation about taxes and school district finances designed to divide the community. You responded loud and clear. As much as it appeared that the 2019 election was about building a new high school, at its core, it was about whether you believed in the credibility of the school board, valued public education and agreed with the path this school district has been on for more than six years now.

And 75 percent of you voted for candidates that supported these things.

In 2021, I’m asking you again for your voice to be heard and

to reject the continuing assault on the truth happening in the Avon Grove School District. I don’t know where that assault is coming from nor will I speculate on the motive for it. I will let those conclusions to you. In 2019, it was taxes and finances that were the weapons of choice. In 2021, they are masks, the stress and uncertainty of COVID-19 and a long list of national social issues injected into our community for the sole purpose of division. These issues are inflamed further by a small group of aggressive messengers telling you what to be afraid of and who to blame for it. This is wrong. It’s gone too far. When do we reach our limit with the negativity? My fellow community members, we were better than this in 2019 and I believe we are still better than this today.

What does it say about people who occupy currently or aspire to positions of leadership in the community that knowingly and repeatedly work to divide the very community in which they live? I know that is not the behavior of leaders and it makes me angry. I find myself wanting to write a letter filled with anger in reply. But doing that adds to the problem. The responses get more personal and more negative. We get angrier. The cycle continues.

Where does it stop?

This situation reached a new low when Region 3 candidate and sitting board member Bill Wood was the target of a professionally produced character assassination video published all over social media calling him unspeakable names and attacking his character. I’ve gotten to know Bill personally in the five-plus years he’s been on the school board. He’s a good and decent man who has tirelessly put the best interests of the children of the Avon Grove School District ahead of everything else. I’d like to remind everyone that when sports and co-curricular activities were stopped in the fall of 2020 because of the pandemic, it was Bill Wood, president of the Avon Grove school district at that time, who worked with other board presidents in

Chester County to create a unified plan with the Ches-Mont league to restart fall sports.

How much did our kids need that?

The person running against Bill Wood has the word “character” on his campaign signs.

What does it say about his character that his campaign supported publishing this video? Ask yourself this. In the moment when the best interests of your kids are at stake who do you want advocating for your child – Bill Wood with a demonstrated track record of supporting public education or his opponent who has brought local school board elections to a new low while posting proudly on social media that he’s placed the Avon Grove School District on a national watch list of an ultra-conservative, right wing social group? Is this what you want for your kids and our community? I know I don’t.

In closing, it occurred to me that we have many new neighbors who have arrived in Avon Grove since the 2019 election.

It’s likely many have come because of the ongoing investment in the district including the building of the new high school. It’s important to remember the long, hard road that’s been traveled to arrive at the current, positive state of this school district.

Over the last six-plus years, the strategy and vision of this administration combined with the support from a core of school board members that view public education as an investment in the future not an expense to be slashed, delivered the following substantial outcomes for our community and our kids: District educational and financial performance that makes Avon Grove one of only three districts in Chester County delivering educational outcomes above the county average while spending below the county average (Source: AFR Date & Achievement Data); In fact, Avon Grove has the lowest per pupil and administrative spending in all of Chester County; Full-day Kindergarten in direct response to the commu-

nity asking for this expanded offering ; Every student with access to and use of a district issued Chromebook. Where would we have been in 2020-21 without this already in place?

An investment in resources to improve communication and community engagement; A senior citizen volunteer program that brings the wisdom and knowledge of our seniors’ life experiences to mentor and engage with our kids in the schools. In return, seniors get an offset to their school taxes – a true partnership with the community. The last year before the pandemic, this program had its highest participation level ever!

A long-term strategic plan for sports and co-curricular activities that restored 9th grade sports eliminated by an earlier school board, added new sports, created new clubs and extra-curricular activities and delivered a refreshed Avon Grove brand and logo; A facilities project that addressed our growing enrollment and created a strong foundation enabling the delivery of 21st century learning for a generation to come; A new high school opening in August 2022 that is millions of dollars under budget; A teaching and support staff that universally delivered on the health and well-being of our children over the last two school years in every way imaginable including my son.

Thank you!

These things didn’t happen by accident. They would not have happened at all without board members and much of the public who valued public education and put the best interest of kids above their politics. That approach must continue to keep the arrow of this school district moving up and forward. The truth mattered in 2019. It still matters in 2021. It always matters. Please remember that when voting on November 2.

Jeff Billig Avon Grove

School board elections should be non-partisan and local Letter to the Editor: With all of the school board yard signs up now, I was curious about the “We the Parents” sign and logos.

It led me to their Facebook page, and I have to say I’m both blown away and very confused. I have lived in this school district for over 30 years and am proud to be the parent of two Avon Grove graduates. There have been many disagreements among community members over the

years about the best way to provide a quality affordable education for our children, but I have never seen the vitriol and ugliness that seems to pervade all discussions now.

I’m quite saddened by this, and upset over what looks like outside groups and money coming in to influence this election.

School board elections are supposed to be non-partisan—that’s why candidates are allowed to file as both Republican and Democrat,

as long as they meet filing requirements. I have supported many candidates for Avon Grove school board over the years without even knowing their political affiliation. In addition, school board elections should be local.

How do I know there are people outside this community influencing (interfering?) in our election? The Philadelphia Inquirer just ran a story on a man from Bucks County who has funded opponents in local races across the

state to a tune of $500,000— including Avon Grove School District races. According to the story, the “professionally produced” ad against Bill Wood was funded by a PAC that accepted money from this man (Paul Martino).

What disturbs me about this is not just the fact that we really don’t need somebody from two counties away trying to influence our local election, but the folks who are continuing to post this video ad don’t disclose that fact.

Nor does the “We the Parents Avon Grove” Facebook page that prominently displays this video disclose where their funding comes from. In fact, the link to their webpage is broken. I found the same video on Next Door, again with the same vitriol and lack of transparency.

I do think that people in our school district should do their own research on who to vote for – but they should use primary sources for their information (this is what we

teach our students to do). That means going to each candidate’s webpage or Facebook page.

Also check out the candidates for the judicial elections as well – they are very important, especially the higher courts.

And then, for your own sanity, get off social media. Spend time with your family, not on your computer or your phone.

Peggy Bell Cole Avon Grove

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Chester County Press

Obituaries MAC SCOTT DUNCAN Mac Scott Duncan, a newborn, went home in the arms of the Lord Jesus on Oct. 19.

Born in Ephrata, Pa., he was the son of Scott Kelton and Andrea Lynne Nicholson Duncan.

He is survived by his parents; one sister, Ella Nichole Duncan; two brothers, George John Duncan and Kelton Decker Duncan (his twin); paternal grandparents, George Decker and Nancy Scott Duncan of Oxford; and maternal grandparents, John Boyd and Evelyn Louise Nicholson of Starkville, MS. Funeral services were held on Oct. 23 at the Christian Life Center in New London Township.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lighthouse Youth Center, 245 Commerce St., Oxford, Pa. 19363.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome. 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.

DOMINICK DIFILIPPO Dominick DiFilippo, a resident of West Grove, passed away on Oct. 18.

He was 87.

He was born in West Grove on April 21, 1934 to Joseph and Mary DiFilippo, and was the youngest of their four children.

Dominick was a 1952 graduate of Avon Grove High School.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Norma Richardson DiFilippo; his six children, Andy (Kathy), Dianne Thrasher, Gino (Bev), Marlene Osborne (Dave), Teresa Brimmeier (Albert) and Rico (Lynn); 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary; his brothers, Anthony and Joseph; his sister, Catherine McCreary; and his son-in-law, Albert Brimmeier.

Dominick spent many of his earlier years enjoying his love of baseball as the manager to the Rams and taking the 1970 Avon Grove All-Stars to the Pennsylvania state championship.

He was well known for his talent and knowledge regarding the operation of heavy equipment while working for Green Valley Excavating and owning his own business. Dominick created a renowned Lake Shangri La, known today as Somerset Lake, in Landenberg. His accomplishment even made the cover of a heavy equipment magazine, which labeled his success a “one man machine.”

Dominick spent all of his life caring for his family, his homestead and his garden. He always made sure that nothing was left undone and no one went without, especially animals, stray or wild. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to spend time in Potter County.

Dominick was one of a kind – he will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Avondale Hometown Heroes Wall Fund, 110 Pomeroy Avenue, P.O. Box 247, Avondale, Pa. 19311 or to a humane society of your choosing.

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

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

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News Delaware County Community College will hold a fall open house on Oct. 28 Delaware County Community College will hold a Fall Open House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28 in the lobby of the College’s STEM Center at the Marple Campus, 901 South Media Line Road in Media.

During the Fall Open House, prospective students and their parents will be able to do the following: • Meet faculty members and Admissions staff • Explore nearly 80 programs of study • Learn how to earn College

credits while in high school through the High School Dual Enrollment program • Find out about the College’s transfer partnerships with many area four-year universities and colleges • Hear about the College’s

athletics and other student activities • Learn about financial aid opportunities and • Enjoy a guided tour of the campus To register for Fall Open House, visit dccc.edu/openhouse or call 610-723-4000.

Obituaries

EILEEN PENNOCK

LAWRENCE B. BEARD

DANIEL T. O’BRIEN

Eileen Pennock, 59, of Coatesville passed away on Oct. 14 at her residence.

Born on October 4, 1962 in Upper Darby, Pa., she is the daughter of Clara (DiSantis) Marella and the late Charles Marella.

Eileen graduated from Enfield High School, Enfield, Conn. in the class of 1980. She worked in sales for the hearing aid industry.

In her free time, she loved watching shows and movies, crocheting, listening to Aerosmith, and being surrounded by her dogs. She had an open-door policy and was there for anyone who needed it. Most of all, she loved cooking and being with her family.

Eileen is survived by her children, Hadley, Ashley, and Brian, along with Michael and Sofia and her sister Patrice Mastromatteo. She is preceded in death by her brother, Charles “Chuck” Marella, and her great love, Roger Marrs. Eileen was also like a second mother to many of her children’s friends.

Services were held on Oct. 23 at Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

If anyone would like to send flowers, Barber’s florist of Kennett Square can be contacted at (610) 444-5380.

Please visit Eileen’s online memorial by going to www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Lawrence B. Beard passed away peacefully at his Nottingham home on Oct. 16. He was 87.

He was born and raised on a farm in Cochranville, Pa. to the late Ralph Lawrence Barlow and Nellie Mae Beard.

Lawrence was a decorated U.S. Army war veteran who served as sergeant in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

He was a dedicated and hard-working employee at General Motors for 30 years until his retirement in 1992.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Verna D. Beard; daughter, Lauren D. Beard; granddaughter, Tara R. Myer Loeve; and great-grandson, Viggo Armand Loeve. Lawrence also leaves behind six siblings, Lillian Frank, Nancy Cook, Joanne Martin, Eugene Beard, Harold Beard, and Kary Beard.

Services are private.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Daniel T. O’Brien passed away on Oct. 16 at the Chester County Hospital. He was 59.

He was the loving husband for over 36 years of Joyce (Owen) O’Brien.

Born on March 21, 1962 in Escondido, California, he was the son of the late James Eugene and Marlene Joan (Ross) O’Brien.

Daniel was a graduate of Kennett High School in the class of 1980. He earned a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and a master’s degree in special education from Immaculata University. He devoted his life to being an educator, first working for Deveraux School and later for the Oxford Area School District at Hopewell Elementary.

In his free time, he enjoyed playing guitar at school and in church as well as with family members.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Christine O’Brien Murphy (and her husband Chris), his son, Sean O’Brien, and his siblings, Michael O’Brien, Chris O’Brien, Erin Beaver, and Terry O’Brien.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Greg O’Brien.

All services will be private.

The family respectfully requests no flowers; please consider a donation to Oxford Lighthouse Youth Center, PO Box 38, Oxford, Pa. 19363 or by visiting www.oxfordlighthouse.org. Please visit Mr. O’Brien’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

HARRY R. SCHOFIELD Harry R (Randy) Schofield, of Kennett Square, passed away at the Kendal-Crosslands Community on Oct. 16. He was 92.

Born and raised in northeast Philadelphia, Randy is survived by his children, Christopher and Carolyn Schofield, his daughterin-law Cindy, grandsons Anthony and Robert, granddaughters Emily and Vanessa, and five great-grandchildren. He was the beloved husband of the late Virginia (Ginny) Schofield, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage at the time of her passing in April 2020.

Randy graduated from Penn Charter High School and Hobart College, where he starred in basketball. After college, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Iowa.

Randy spent the majority of his working career at DuPont, where he was an international credit manager.

Randy was very involved in his community as a

member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club, Sigma Chi fraternity, and spent many years of active involvement in After The Bell, an after-school program for students of Kennett Middle School. Randy enjoyed golfing, playing cards, the companionship of countless friends, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and was an avid follower of Philadelphia sports teams. Randy also enjoyed a lifetime of traveling the world with his wife Ginny, family, and friends.

Randy’s memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 in the William Penn Room of the Crosslands Community Center, 1660 E. Street Road in Kennett Square. Crosslands requests that all attendees be vaccinated. Contributions in memory of Randy can be made to Kendal-Crosslands Communities, Zearfoss Fund for Crosslands Staff Support, PO Box 100, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348.

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

GARY L. CLANTON

AMY MICHELE DAVIS

Gary Lester Clanton, 73, of West Grove, passed away at home on Oct. 22.

Born in West Chester, Pa. on Feb. 14, 1948, he was the son of Ray Hansen Clanton and Janis Lester Clanton.

He attended Upland Country Day School and Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. Gary graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1967.

Gary owned and operated G. and A. Clanton, Inc. and Clanton Concrete, LLC. His passion was operating his machinery and equipment.

He enjoyed driving his boat and jet skis on the Bohemia River in Maryland and Key West, Florida. He loved taking his classic cars to car shows and spending time with his friends. Gary was always willing and able to help out anyone in need.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Griest Clanton; his children, Anthony Clanton (and wife Jacqueline) of Landenberg, Allison Clanton of West Grove, and Ashley Clanton of Cerrillos, N.M.; three grandchildren, Travis, Cassidy and Brantley Clanton of Landenberg; his brother, Lance Clanton (and wife Linda) of Ashland, Ky.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Hansen Clanton and Janis Lester Clanton, and his son, Gary Alan Clanton, all of West Grove.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group, Inc., PO Box 258, Exton, Pa. 19341.

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

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

Amy Michele Davis, age 27, of Kennett Square, passed away on Oct. 20 at the Christiana Hospital.

Born on May 4, 1994 in West Chester, she was the daughter of Thomas P. and Patricia J. (Kohl) Davis of Kennett Square.

Amy graduated from Kennett High School in the class of 2012.

Following high school, she trained to become an equine massage therapist and started a business called Trilogy Equine Massage. She later trained and became a licensed massage therapist, specializing in Myofascial Release Therapy, allowing her to help both horses and people.

Amy loved taking care of her horses and was an accomplished rider, but her main hope was always to help people, and she realized that goal when she began working with Hands on Therapy and Delaware Myofascial Release.

In her long desire and hope of helping people, her final step was to become an organ donor.

She is survived by her parents; her two grandmothers, Alice Davis and Dorothy Kohl; many extended family members, as well as her beloved horses, Party Boy and Corey (AKA Cordially Yours) and her greatly loved canine Maikoh.

Amy is predeceased by her grandfathers, Thomas A. Davis and John M. Kohl.

Friends will be received on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State St., Kennett Square, Pa. 19348.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 212 Meredith St., Kennett Square, Pa. 19348. The interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Amy’s name to the Transplant Foundation Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19123, or online at https://www.donors1.org.

Please visit Amy’s online memorial by going to www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

HELP WANTED Position: Mushroom Harvester

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Optional housing will be provided (if available) at a cost to the worker Applicants interested in applying for this job may contact their nearest American Job Center.

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Contact: Celene Zavala Luna Human Resource Assistant 649 W South St, Kennett Square, PA 19348 Direct: 610-444-4800 Ext. 5208 Mobile: 302-250-6393 Email: CZavalaLuna@southmill.com

8A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News Chester County Color 5K returns and raises tens of thousands to combat opioid and heroin crisis Hundreds of race participants and supporters of all ages joined the Chester County Commissioners and representatives from the District Attorney’s Office in Everhart Park in West Chester on Saturday morning, Oct. 9, to run, walk and cheer on participants in the Chester County Color 5K. The annual event, initiated by Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline in 2016, raises funds to combat the opioid and heroin crisis in Chester County. Over four years, the Color 5K raised $160,000 for the County’s Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) program that is addressing many aspects of substance use disorder.

It is anticipated that a further $30,000 will be raised because of Saturday’s fifth Color 5K event.

The COPE program provides 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week emergency room support for overdose survivors and their families at all hospitals in Chester County.

The program also provides overdose prevention

information and outreach to first responders, hospital staff, family members and friends. Importantly, COPE provides expedite admission into detox and a review of all treatment options for overdose survivors who agree to treatment.

In her comments before the start of the Color 5K, Kichline said, “Since it began, the COPE team has successfully engaged with 97 percent of overdose survivors in our emergency rooms – individuals ranging in age from 14 to 76 – and through those engagements, over 380 people who experienced an overdose have been personally helped with treatment.

“The pandemic may have moved the spotlight away from the opioid and heroin crisis, but it certainly has not gone away. In fact, over the months of June, July and August, we have had more people referred to COPE team members since the start of the program.”

Many organizations that support drug & alcohol information and recovery services in Chester County

Oxford school board race...

money. I do think we are on the right track as a district, but there is always room for improvement.”

In Region 2, composed of West Nottingham, Lower Oxford West and Oxford Borough West, William Kloss is on the Republican ticket, while Amy Jones is the Democratic nominee.

Jones is a graphic designer who graduated from Oxford. After attending Kutztown University, she and her husband, who is also an Oxford graduate, decided to stay in the Oxford area to raise their family. They have two sons, ages 6 and 9, who are students in the district. This is her first time seeking public office.

“I saw there was a need,” she said. “I am interested in education. I believe in public education strongly as it contributes to equality. When you have a good public education, I think you can do a lot with your life.”

Jones sees her experience in Oxford schools as a student and as a mother as her strongest qualifications for the school board.

“That knowledge of going through the school district, that’s really helpful, and now that I have two children and they’re in the school district as well, I have a pretty good idea of what it’s like to be a student both then and now.

I know the things that I would like for my kids to have. I think I could help build toward opportunities for my children and all our children—my perspective would be valuable.

I’m strongly invested in our school district and I want all of our children to succeed.”

Kloss served three years on the Octorara Area School Board until April 2020 when he moved from that district. He is now bringing his experience to his new district as a potential school board member.

“I was just starting to

Continued from Page 2A

community and has been a weekly volunteer at the Lighthouse Youth Center for the past 8 years. She has enjoyed her time on the school board. “I appreciate our board and I think each member genuinely aims to do what is best for the community, even if we don’t always agree on how to flesh that out,” she said. “I feel that I am able to make positive contributions, particularly from a financial standpoint. My analytical mind is able to understand the financial aspects of the position and I enjoy thinking through various scenarios to ensure we are being wise as we create our budget each year.”

When asked about issues facing the school board, Dean responded that a particularly important issue for the board involves parent and student confidence.

“An increase in confidence will lead to a decrease in students switching to charter schools, which will result in decreased costs for the district,” she said.

“There are many facets to this issue. Some of these include legislative reform, continuously evaluating and improving the curricular options for students, improving communication with stakeholders, and making sure students are thriving academically, socially and emotionally.”

Dean would like to continue to improve communication between the board and stakeholders, including financial issues.

“I want to continually evaluate our budget to ensure we are spending in the wisest manner possible,” she said. “Something else that is very important to me is being a good steward of our resources. The people in our district work hard and we, as the board, must be wise as we spend this

Courtesy photos A Chester County Color 5K tradition includes signThe Chester County Color 5K returned to West Chester ing a banner to remember and honor loved ones who this year, raising an estimated $30,000 to fight the opi- lost their lives, or who are still battling the disease of oid and heroin epidemic in Chester County. addiction.

Chester County Color 5K participants record their successful run with post-race selfies.

set up displays in Everhart Park and offered information and advice. A supply of the medication Naloxone was also available to those requesting it.

Color blasters heralded the start of the Chester County Color 5K and color stations along the route doused participants with brightly colored cornstarch.

“Events like the Color 5K are bittersweet,” added Commissioner Kichline.

“We are all here to have fun and to raise awareness and money, but at the same

time, we reflect on the senselessness of beautiful lives lost to addiction, and the tremendous struggles of those who continue to battle substance use disorder.”

get a rhythm and understanding of the needs of a board member,” Kloss said. “I feel like there’s a lot of the things I learned in Octorara that I can apply in Oxford.”`Kloss is employed in marketing for Wawa and has an MBA from Delaware Valley College. He comes from a family involved in education and is very involved in his church, having served as a deacon at Penningtonville Presbyterian, and also served on the Atglen Borough Zoning Hearing Board.

The Klosses have been as a foster family for over four years, and have adopted three of their children from the program. “We have an understanding of children with special needs and those affected by trauma,” he said.

Five of Kloss’ six children are attending Oxford schools this school year, with a child in every building except the middle school.

On the issue of taxes, Kloss wants to address today’s needs while the district prepares for the future and future funding requirements.

Having school board experience, Kloss understands that it will take time as a new member to learn all the issues. “I want to make sure we’re aligned on correct priorities,” he said.

“I want to know how I can work with this board and administration coming out of Covid to align with those needs and address them.”

As a board member in Octorara, Kloss was very involved with Career and Technical Education, as well as the OABest event.

He also was involved with the board’s search committee that found the current superintendent, as well as several principals and other administrators.

In Region 3, which covers Elk and East Nottingham Townships, incumbent

Jenifer Warren is the Democratic nominee and will be challenged Michael Blessington, the Republican nominee. Blessington is an insurance agent specializing in Medicare policies.

The Blessingtons have been married 29 years and have two daughters adopted from China in 1997 and 2000. Both girls are graduates of the Oxford Area School District. Their success at Oxford is one of Blessington’s motivations for running for a position on the school board, where he hopes to maintain the high quality education offered by the school district. “I think the school district is excellent. Oxford is doing great,” he said.

Blessington was elected to the position of township auditor for East Nottingham in 2019 and has been a republican committeeman for over 10 years.

“I got involved because I felt local politics is where everything comes from,” he said. “I got involved years ago because I got tired of looking at the weak leadership and hoping I could make a change.

Now, Blessington hopes to serve the community through the school board.

“I think I’m fair minded.

I think I’m a reasonable person to deal with. I think I could help make some great decisions here in the future,” he said.

As someone who has been hospitalized due to COVID19, Blessington remains opposed to masking requirements for students, and believes the decision to mask or not should be left to parents.

“A year of social distance and masking didn’t stop me from getting it,” he said.

“Kids are not immune to it, but kids are stronger and they are not likely to end up in the hospital when they have it.”

Blessington is emphasizing a need for the students to return to normal as soon

as possible. “I want them to be able to do their sports, I want them to be socialized,” he said.

Blessington sees a need for a school climate that supports education. “I’d like to get rid of some of the political correctness. Some of it is very good. We have to be polite to each other, we have to be nice to each other, we need to understand, we have to open up conversation. We can’t be 100 percent adversarial.

That’s what I want to bring into high school education.

I want the kids to feel free to speak their minds.”

He also supports a strong foundation for education. “I want the education to be fair and balanced, I want them learning our history.

It’s a great history,” he said.

“I think it’s an excellent school. They did a great job for my kids. I don’t want to see it change. I don’t want it going backwards.”Warren is running for a second term on the school board where she is currently in the position of vice president.

She has work experience in libraries and supporting her husband’s engineering company as his office manager. She has lived in the Oxford area for the past 17 years and has two children who have attended the district schools.

“I’m a firm believer in public schools. They make the community stronger whether you have children in the district or not,” Warren said. “I have a good working relationship with all the current board members. I do feel like I’m making a difference, and that’s one of the reasons I ran—to make a difference in my community.”

One of Warren’s accomplishments while on the board that she is most proud of is the new superintendent evaluation system. Warren chaired the committee for revising the system.“We have redone the superintendent evaluation, the rubric,

the evaluation tool and also the time line for the process. That was a suggestion I made to the board president about a year ago.

Enough board members were frustrated with the tool we were using,” she said.

“That’s something I’m most proud of.”

Warren sees the budget as one of the most challenging issues for the district. In recent years, the district fund balance was used to avoid raising taxes.

“We have reached a point where that is not sustainable,” Warren said. “There are contracts that need to be honored and mandates that come down… we have to follow through on those, and charter school payments we have to make.”Warren recognizes that for some children charter schools may be the best choice, but others may not realize the quality and programs the Oxford Area School District has to offer. Related to finances, Warren would like to see fewer district students opting for charter schools. “I want to work to make sure people who live in the district understand what our education product is,” she said. “We need to see what can we do as a district to market ourselves and our product to those families.”

On the issue of masking, Warren believes the goal is keeping the children in school for in-person education and masks help achieve that. “To me, masking at this point is the best way to keep kids in school uninterrupted getting the best education,” she said.

Concerning CRT, Warren pointed out that the district superintendent has stated that it is not taught in the district and there is no intention to do so.

“Because it is complex graduate level theory, I do not think it is appropriate,” Warren said. “A K to 12 curriculum is not a place to put graduate level theory.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

9A

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10A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

B

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Longhorns remain undefeated in Ches-Mont American

Unionville runs over Oxford, 49-22

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer For those Oxford High School fans attending Senior Night last Friday evening, it was a pageantry of sorts, as each graduating member of the school’s varsity football team was introduced and given an honorary walk with his parents and relatives along the maroon-colored track in front of an appreciative crowd.

At halftime, graduating seniors from the school’s cheerleading squad and school band were given equal recognition, but for those who came to watch the home team on the football field, the cheering stopped there.

The Unionville Longhorns used a balanced attack that saw five different players score touchdowns in a 49-22 victory over the Hornets, including two touchdowns each by Brendan Bennink and Joseph King.

Unionville scored its first touchdown of the night on an 80-yard drive led by quarterback Matt McCloskey that saw him gain 26 yards on two carries to get the ball near midfield.

Three consecutive carries

by Bennink moved the ball to the 4-yard line, which was followed by a 4-yard untouched TD run with 2:10 left in the quarter that staked the Longhorns to a 7-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, King stutter-stepped his way for a 10-yard run that moved the ball to the Oxford 25-yard line, and with 9:55 left in the first half, he followed his blockers on the next play for a 25-yard touchdown run that jumped the Unionville lead to 14-0.

Meanwhile, the scoring combination of Oxford quarterback Dustin Long and running back Dom Pantalone began to get on track deep in the second quarter. A 5-yard run by Long moved the chains to the 25-yard line, which was followed by two rushes by Pantalone that got the ball to the 38. With 5:35 left in the first half, however, the Unionville defense chased Long to the sidelines that led to a rushed pass and an interception by Matt D’Amico that gave the ball to the Longhorns on their own 40-yard line. After an Oxford penalty and runs

by King and McCloskey, McCloskey found receiver Luke Schriver in the end zone for a leaping TD catch with 3:44 left in the first half that extended Unionville’s lead to 21-0.

On its next possession, Oxford mounted its most impressive touchdown drive of the game that began on a 26-yard pass from Long to Luke Piskun that moved the ball to midfield. A follow-up toss from Long to

receiver Dak Jones gained 37 yards and got Oxford to the Unionville 17-yard line, which was followed by carries by Long and Pantalone that put the ball on the 3-yard line. With 18 seconds left in the half, a reverse handoff by Long to Jones gave Oxford its first score of the game, which was then followed by a two-point conversion on a 7-yard run by Long.

Heading into the second half with a 21-8 lead, the Longhorns added to their scoring on a 1-yard TD plunge by Bennink with 7:08 left. It was again time for the double threat of Long and Pantalone to answer back, and with 3:40 remaining in the third quarter and the ball near midfield, Pantalone burst through defenders for a 48-yard sprint that gave the Hornets the ball on the Longhorn 1-yard line. After Long was sacked for a short loss on fourth-and-three, he sprinted to the home side of the field, launched himself high above defenders and plunged into the end zone with just under two minutes left in the quarter that chopped Unionville’s lead in half, and after a two-point conversion was good on a pass from Long to Zach Miller, Oxford saw themselves down by less than two touchdowns, 28-16.

The home team’s momentum was to be short-lived, however. On Unionville’s

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Unionville quarterback Matt McCloskey (11) engineered his team to a convincing 49-22 victory over Oxford on Oct. 22. The win extended the Longhorns’ winning streak in the Ches-Mont American Division.

first snap on their 38-yard line, King bolted for a 62-yard touchdown with 1:44 remaining in the third, giving the Longhorns a commanding 35-16 lead.

Early in the last quarter, Unionville cushioned their lead entirely on the legs and arm of McCloskey, who rushed 15 yards to get the ball to the Oxford 36-yard line, tossed a pass to Brendan D’Amico that pushed the ball to the 23, rushed for another 8 yards and scored on a QB keeper with 10:29 left in the game that gave Unionville a commanding 42-16 lead.

After a pretty 22-yard touchdown pass from Long to Jones with 8:16 left made the score 42-22, Unionville tacked on its final score on a 19-yard TD pass from McCloskey to Brendan

Oxford quarterback Dustin Long’s spectacular, leaping touchdown in the third quarter helped move the Hornets to within two touchdowns of Unionville.

D’Amico with 4:44 left in the game.

With the win, Unionville remained undefeated and atop the Ches-Mont American Division at 6-0 (8-1 overall), and will host visiting Great Valley in a conference game on Oct. 29.

Now 3-3 in the Ches-Mont American and 5-5 overall, Oxford will travel to Henderson for a conference game on Oct. 29.

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

Winterthur’s 57th annual Delaware Antiques Show takes place Nov. 5 to 7 The show will feature 60 exceptional dealers who will display and sell their wares at the Chase Center on the Riverfront A spectacular showcase of antiques, art, and design, the Delaware Antiques Show returns live November 5 to 7 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.

The in-person show features more than 60 of the country’s most distinguished dealers in American antiques, furniture, paintings, rugs, porcelain, silver, jewelry, and other decorative arts.

Highlights include a lecture about Jacqueline Kennedy’s collaboration with Henry Francis du Pont for her restoration of the White House and the spectacular Preview Party on Nov. 4.

The show welcomes all, from the newest collector to the most knowledgeable connoisseur. Jon us for a full schedule of exciting features: Elaine Rice Bachman will present the keynote lecture at 10 a.m. on

Nov. 5, about Jacqueline Kennedy’s restoration of the White House, one of most influential design projects in American history. To create a White House that reflected American history and art, Kennedy worked closely with Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur’s founder, who served as chairman of the distinguished Fine Arts committee. Bachman is curator of “Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House,” an exhibition on view at Winterthur starting in May 2022, and co-author of the book Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration. A book signing will follow the lecture.

A Young Scholars lectures, sponsored by The Decorative Arts Trust, is included with admission on Saturday at 2 p.m. Jena Gilbert-Merrill will discuss ‘The possibilities of

a box’: Louise Brigham’s Box Furniture. Rachael Kane will present “Threads of Change: Assessing a Potential Meiji-Era Silkwork Painting.” Both are Lois F. McNeil Fellows in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in American Material Culture.

Tickets are valid for each day of the in-person show. New this year, tickets include admission to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library on show days.

Preview the show with friends, cocktails, hors d’ouevres, and exclusive early shopping at the Opening Night Party on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets to the Opening Night Party are sold separately.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, please e-mail das@ winterthur.org, visit winterthur.org/das, or call 800.448.3883.

The in-person show features more than 60 of the country’s most distinguished dealers in American antiques, furniture, paintings, rugs, porcelain, silver, jewelry, and other decorative arts.

Courtesy photos

A spectacular showcase of antiques, art, and design, the Delaware Antiques Show returns November 5 to 7.

The Delaware Antiques Show benefits educational programming at Winterthur. n Wilmington. The event is presented by Wilmington Trust, part of the M&T Bank family.

The 57th Annual Delaware Antiques Show Opening Night Party Thursday, November 4,

5 to 9 p.m.

Celebrate the opening of the show with cocktails and exclusive early shopping.

Sponsor: $250 per person Patron: $175 per person Young Collector: $125 per person Show Hours Friday, November 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, November 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General Admission $25 per person, $20 Winterthur Members Children under 12 free Tickets valid for all three days of the show and for admission to Winterthur on show days.

Highlights include a lecture about Jacqueline Kennedy’s collaboration with Henry Francis du Pont for her restoration of the White House and the spectacular Preview Party on Nov. 4.

2B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Chester County Press

Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Application for Individual Permit to Discharge Industrial Stormwater. Pursuant to Section 307 of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, International Paper Company (IP) hereby notifies the community of Atglen, PA of its intention to submit a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Application for Individual Permit to Discharge Industrial Stormwater (Application) to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). IP proposes to modify the existing facility located at 4581 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, Chester County, PA (Facility) for potential future operations. IP is publishing this notice of intent to apply for an NPDES Individual Permit to Discharge Industrial Stormwater in accordance with PADEP’s application requirements.

Copies of the Application will be available for public review at PADEP’s Southeast Regional Office located at 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401.

An appointment to review the documents may be scheduled by contacting the Records Management Section of PADEP at 484-250-5910 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Interested persons may submit written comments, suggestions, or objections to the PADEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401 or via email at RAEPNPDES_ SERO@pa.gov. within 30 days from the date this Application was submitted to PADEP and published for public comment. A comment submittal should include the name, address, telephone number of the person(s) submitting the comments, and the reference number of the Application.

10p-13-4t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of SUSANNA E. VINCIGUERRA, dec’d. a.k.a Christina Louise Wakeling, , Late of Chester County, PA , 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 : Kyle A. Burch, Esquire, Administrator, 22 State Road Media, PA 19063-1442 10p-20-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Charles L. Hannum late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Charles L. Hannum having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make

payment without delay to: Lawrence Reese, Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust Street, P.O. Box 381, Oxford, PA 19363, Phone: 610-932-3838 10p-20-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF EVELYN A. KOLB ROBERTSON a/k/a EVELYN K. ROBERTSON, DECEASED. Late of West Nottingham Township, Chester ounty, 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 STEVEN A. ROBERTSON, EXECUTOR, 5110 Pheasant Ridge Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030, Or to his Attorney: ANITA M. D’AMICO, D’AMICO LAW, P.C., 65 S. Third St., Oxford, PA 19363 10P-27-3T

FICTITIOUS NAME REGISTRATION

An application for registration of the fictitious name Good Word Proofreading, with its principal place of business at 812 Chandler Dr., Landenberg, PA 19350, has been filed in the Department of State at Harrisburg, PA, File Date :Friday, September 3, 2021, pursuant to the Fictitious Names Act, Act 1982-295.

The name of the person who is a party to the registration is Anne C. S. Hershey 10p-27-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE The Supervisors of Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania have prepared the proposed budget for 2022. This budget will be available for public review beginning on Oct. 27, 2021 at the Penn Township Municipal Building. The proposed budget will be adopted on December 1, 2021 at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390.

Caitlin A. Ianni Township Secretary 10p-27-1p

ESTATE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Janice M. Andress, Executrix for the Estate of Frances A. McCummings, whose last address was Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Any person having a claim to this Estate is asked to make same c/o R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire, P.O. Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363.

10p-27-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Oxford Borough Council, Chester County, Pennsylvania, at a public meeting scheduled on Monday, November 15, 2021, commencing at 7:00 p.m., to be held at the Borough Building, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, Pennsylvania, will conduct a public hearing to consider and possibly enact an ordinance

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amending Chapter 27, Zoning, of the existing Code of the Borough of Oxford, a caption and summary of which follows. The ordinance can be examined at the Chester County Law Library, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, and the Borough Building at the above address during regular business hours. Copies of the ordinance may be obtained at a charge not greater than the cost thereof. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING CHAPTER 27, ZONING, PART 19, ZONING HEARING BOARD, §27-1904, HEARING PROCEDURES, AND PART 20, ADMINISTRATION, §27- 2009, CONDITIONAL USE PROCEDURES AND GENERAL STANDARDS, OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD. SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 19, Zoning Hearing Board, §27-1904, Hearing Procedures, Subsection 1(A), regarding the manner in which notice of a hearing shall be provided to the applicant, the Zoning Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Secretary of the Planning Commission; to any property owner within 500 feet of any lot line of the subject property and to any person who has made timely request for the same, or their legal counsel if such counsel shall have filed an appearance with the Board. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 20, Administration, §27-2009, Conditional Use Procedures and General Standards, Subsection 2(B), to remove the requirement for the Borough to notify all adjacent lot owners of a Conditional Use hearing by certified mail. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 20, Administration, §27-2009, Conditional Use Procedures and General Standards, Subsection 3(D), regarding the manner in which notice of a hearing shall be provided to the applicant, the Zoning Officer, the Borough Secretary, the Secretary of the Planning Commission; to any property owner within 500 feet of any lot line of the subject property and to any person who has made timely request for the same, or their legal counsel if such counsel shall have filed an appearance with the Board. SECTION 4. Provides for the severability of unconstitutional or invalid provisions of the ordinance.

SECTION 5. Repeals ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with any provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 6. Provides that the amendment shall be effective as by law provided. If you are a person with a disability wishing to attend the aforementioned meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to observe or participate in the proceedings, please contact the Borough Secretary at 610932-2500 to discuss how your needs may best be accommodated. OXFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL GAWTHROP GREENWOOD, PC Stacey L. Fuller, Solicitor 10p-27-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE: The London Grove Township Zoning Hearing Board will conduct a public hearing on, Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA for the following purpose: 112 Cardinal CourtTo hear the appeal of Jennifer Radka and Jean Campbell for a variance rear yard setback and building coverage being outside the building envelope.

Section 27-603 2. E (2) (6) (Area and Bulk Regulations) of the RR District Zoning Ordinance notes for singlefamily detached dwellings, the following requirements shall apply: Building coverage (max) 20%.This property is in the Rural Residential (RR) District.

William Grandizio, Chairman Zoning Hearing Board 10p-27-2t

NON PROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Kennett Area Trails Alliance dba Kennett Trails Alliance filed its Articles of Incorporation on October 1, 2021 under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation law of 1988. The purpose for which it is organized is for the planning, design, development, implementation and promotion of public pedestrian and bicycle trails in the Kennett area.

10p-27-1t

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 18th, 2021 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 20th, 2021.

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. 21-11-127 Writ of Execution No. 2016-02814 DEBT $22,888.00 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate in Lincoln University, Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described in accordance with survey made September 9, 1959,

by S. Pusey Morrison, Surveyor, as follows: BEGINNING at an iron pin on the Northerly side of Third Avenue thence along the northerly side of Third Avenue, North 85 degrees West 100 feet to an iron pin in line of land of Williams, thence along land of Williams North 32 degrees 17 minutes West 100 feet to land about to be conveyed to William Dorsey and Daphne A. Dorsey, his wife; thence along land, about to be conveyed to William Dorsey and Daphne A. Dorsey, his wife, North 57 degrees 7 minutes East 80.6 feet to a point in the West side of Broadway, thence along the West side of Broadway South 32 degrees 53 minutes East 174.6 feet to the place of beginning.

CONTAINING 11,362 square feet, more or less.

BEING the same premises which Delores Ralph, Executor of the Estate of Mary Dorsey, a/k/a Mary L. Dorsey, a/k/a Mary Louise Swan Dorsey, by deed dated September 30, 2018 and recorded November 13, 2018 in Chester County Record Book 9842 Page 2206, granted and conveyed unto Delores Ann Ralph, Cassandra R. Peek, Brittany S. Peek and Brett S. Peek, in fee.

Tax Parcel: 56-10A-3 PL AINTIFF: Oxford Area Sewer Authority VS DEFENDANT: Delores Ann Ralph SALE ADDRESS: 125 Third Avenue, Lincoln University, PA 19352 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: LAMB McERLANE PC 610-430-8000

All THAT CERTAIN tract of ground with mushroom houses erected thereon, situate in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, according to a survey made by George E. Regester, Jr. & Sons, Inc., dated May 12, 1976, as taken from their Plan C-451 and being Parcel “B” on said plan as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a spike set for the original northwesterly corner of lands of Mae Cornette, and a Northeasterly corner of lands of Ar-Ge- Nel, Inc., said spike being set in the title line of Public Road T-333 known as “Star Road” said road leading in an Easterly direction to Route 41 and a Westerly direction to Avondale; thence leaving said point of beginning and by said title line in said road, South 84 degrees 55 minutes 00 seconds East 149.87 feet to a P.K. nailset for a corner of this and a corner of Parcel “A” said plan owned by Mae Corset for a corner of this and an a corner of Parcel “A” said plan owned

by Mae Cornette; thence leaving said title line in said road and by Parcel “A” on said plan owned by Cornette, South 03 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds East 282.84 feet to an iron pin set for a corner of this and a corner of said Parcel “A” thence still by said Parcel “A” owned by Cornette, South 84 degrees 55 minutes 00 seconds East 150.00 to an iron pin set for a corner of this and said Parcel “A” and said point being set in line fo lands of Joseph Cornette; thence by lands of Joseph Cornett the following 3 courses and distances, to wit: (1) South 06 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds West 237.00 feet to an iron pin; (2) South 84 degrees 55 minutes 00 seconds East 172.57 feet to an iron pin; (3) North 06 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds East 59.00 feet to an iron pin marking a corner of this and a corner of David E. Cornette; thence by lands of said David E. Cornett, South 84 degrees 55 mintues 00 seconds East 190.32 feet to an iron pin set for a corner of this and said David Cornette and said pin being set in line of lands of Phillip G. Donohoe; thence by lands of said Phillip G. Donohoe, South 06 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds West 1025.00 feet to an iron pin set for a corner of this and a corner of lands of John Rosans, and set in line of lands of Philip A. Lafferty being on or near the north bank of White Clay Creek; thence by said line of said Creek and by land of said Lafferty the following 2 courses and distances, to wit: (1) North 79 degrees 34 minutes 50 seconds West 403.66 feet to an iron pin; (2) South 75 degrees 43 minutes 05 seconds West 271.26 feet to a point set for a corner of this and lands of first mentioned Ar-Ge-Nel, Inc.: thence by lands of said Ar-Ge- Nel, Inc., North 04 degrees 55 minutes East 1535.00 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

Containing 17.995 acres of land be the same more or less. BEING UPI # 60.5-2.3

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-27-3t

BEING the same premises which Davidson & Pizzine, a Pennsylvania Partnership, by Indenture dated September 29, 2009, and recorded December 12, 2010, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, aforesaid, as Document No. 10994576, Book 7864, Page 1405, granted and conveyed unto James E. Davidson, LLC, in fee.

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

PREMISES 112 STARR ROAD, AVONDALE, PA 19311

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 18th, 2021 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 20th, 2021.

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. 21-11-141 Writ of Execution No. 2021-03870 DEBT $870,831.82 PREMISES 110 STARR ROAD, AVONDALE, PA 19311

ALL THAT CERTAIN tract or parcel of ground situate in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described in accordance with a Plan of Property owned by Mae Cornette prepare by George E. Regester, Jr. and Sons, Inc., Registered Land Surveyors, dated 5/12/1976 and recorded as Plan No. 461 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Chester County as follows: BEGINNING at an old spike set on the title line in the bed of Starr Road (T133), said road leading in an Easterly direction to Route 41 and in a Westerly direction to Avondale said spike marking a Northeast, corner of this about to be described tract and a Northwest corner of land of Joseph Cornette as shown on said Plan; thence from said point of beginning and leaving the bed of Starr Road along lands of Joseph Cornette South 06 degrees 32 minutes 18 seconds West, crossing over and old iron pin found, 280.00 feet to an iron pin, a corner of Parcel “B” as shown on said Plan; thence along Parcel “B” the 2 following courses and distances;

(1) North 84 degrees 55 minutes West 150.00 feet to an iron pin; and (2) North 03 degrees 10 minutes 00 seconds West crossing over 2 iron pins, 282.84 feet to a P.K. nail set on the title line of Starr Road; thence along the title line in the bed of Starr Road South 84 degrees 55 minutes 00 seconds East 197.69 feet to an old spike found, the point and place of beginning.

BEING Parcel “A” as shown on said Plan.

BEING UPI 60-5-2 BEING the same premises which Davidson & Pizzine, a Pennsylvania Partnership, by Indenture dated September 29, 2009, and recorded December 12, 2010, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, aforesaid, as Document No. 10994577, Book 7864, Page 1408, granted and conveyed unto James E. Davidson, LLC, in fee.

PREMISES 124 STARR ROAD, AVONDALE, PA 19311 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot of ground situate in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded according to a survey made by Arthur Crowell, Registered Surveyor, in May 1946 and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING in the middle of a dirt road from Newark Road to New Garden Station, the Northeast corner of tract recently conveyed to Allen Taylor; thence along middle of road North 89 degrees 08 minutes East 311 feet; thence leaving road passing through maple tree South 1 degree 4 minutes West 909.5 feet to a corner of trace about to be conveyed to Isreale Santilli; thence by line of same North 88 degrees 45 mintues West 14 feet to line of Allen Taylor; thence by this line North 1 degree 15 minutes East 898 feet to the point of beginning.

CONTAINING six and four-eighth hundredths (6.48) acres more or less.

BEING UPI # 60-5-3.1 BEING the same premises which James E. Davidson and Ronald L. Pizzini, by Indenture dated September 29, 2009, and recorded December 12, 2010, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, aforesaid, as Document No. 10994578, Book 7864, Page 1410, granted and conveyed unto James E. Davidson, LLC, in fee.

PLAINTIFF: First Citizens Community Bank, Successor by Merger to MidCoast Community Bank VS DEFENDANT: James Davidson, LLC SALE ADDRESS: 110 Starr Road, 112 Starr Road, 124 Starr Road, Avondale, PA 19311 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BARLEY SNYDER 717-299-5201 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-27-3t

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 18th, 2021 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 20th, 2021.

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. 21-11-142 Writ of Execution No. 2021-03869

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3B

Chester County Press

Legals

DEBT $469,904.14 ALL OF THE FOLLOWING three tracts of land SITUATE partly in Upper Oxford Township and partly in Penn Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described as follows: TRACT NO. 1 BEGINNING at a point in the middle line of the public road leading from Jennersville to Edenton and in the Southeasterly line of a 415 feet wide strip or piece of ground of Philadelphia Electric Company; extending thence along the middle line of said public road and by ground now or late of Geo.T. Allen South 50 degrees 37 minutes East, 344.70 feet to a flint stone in line of ground now or late of L.P. Miller; thence leaving said road any by ground now or late of L.P. Miller South 19 degrees 29 minutes 30 seconds West, 2,511.37 feet to a limestone, in line of ground now or late of Dr. C.F. Quimby a corner common to ground herein described and ground now or late of L.P. Miller; thence by ground now or late of Dr. C.F. Quimby the 3 following courses and distance: (1) North 62 degrees 27 minutes 40 seconds West, 527.26 feet to an iron pin (2) North 58 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds West, 610.53 feet to an iron pin and (3) South 50 degrees 14 minutes West, 84.15 feet to an iron pin a corner of ground now or late of M.T. Clark; thence by ground now or late of M.T. Clark the 3 following courses and distance: (1) North 83 degrees 46 minutes West, 165 feet crossing Elk Creek to an iron pipe; (2) South 23 degrees 55 minutes West, 242.10 feet to a point and (3) South 43 degrees 32 minutes 40 seconds West , 425.70 feet to an iron pipe in line of ground now or late of C.P. Lindsey; thence by ground now or late of C.P. Lindsey the 2 following courses and distances: (1) North 04 degrees 57 minutes West; 570.50 feet to a flint stone and (2) North 20 degrees 21 minutes 20 seconds East , 1,051.17 feet to an iron pin a corner of ground of Leonard N. Holston; thence by ground now or late of Leonard N. Holston, North 20 degrees 02 minutes East, 328.91 feet to a point in the said Southeasterly line of a 415 feet wide strip of ground of Philadelphia Electric Company and thence through ground of Philadelphia Electric Power Company parallel with Philadelphia Electric Company’s tower lines the 2 following courses and distances: (1) North 61 degrees 18 minutes East, 627.22 feet to a point and (2) North 41 degrees 42 minutes East, 1,476.57 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

TRACT NO. 2 BEGINNING at a point in the Northwesterly line of a 415 feet wide strip or

piece of ground of Philadelphia Electric Power Company and in line of ground now or late of Leonard H. Holston, said point being 629.20 feet measured on a course North 20 degrees 02 minutes East from a point in the Northwesterly corner of Parcel No. 1 above described also tin the Southeasterly line of aforesaid 415 feet wide strip or piece of ground; extending thence by ground now or late of said Leonard H. Holston North 20 degrees 02 minutes East. 374.70 feet crossing Elk Creek to an iron pin a corner to ground now or late of Leonard H. Holston and R. Leroy Scott; thence by ground now or late of R. Leroy Scott, North 55 degrees 03 minutes East, 558.54 feet to a point in said Northwesterly line of a one hundred fifteen feet wide strip of piece of ground of Philadelphia Electric Power Company, and thence through ground of Philadelphia Electric Power Company parallel with and 207.5 feet distance measured Northwesterly from and at right angles to the established center line of Philadelphia Electric Power Company’s power lines the two (2) following courses and distances (1) South 61 degrees 42 minutes West, 624.69 feet to a point and (2) South 61 degrees 18 minute West, 155.72 feet re-crossing said Elk Creek to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

TRACT NO. 3 BEGINNING at a point in the middle line of the aforesaid public road leading from Jennersville to Edenton and in the Northwesterly line of a 415 feet wide strip of piece of ground of Philadelphia Electric Company extending thence through ground of Philadelphia Electric Company parallel with and 207.5 feet distance measured Northwestwardly from and at right angles to the established center line of Philadelphia Electric Company’s tower lines South 81 degrees 42 minutes West, 469.65 feet to a point in line of ground now or late of R. Leroy Scott; thence by said ground now or late of R. Leroy Scott North 10 degrees 18 minutes East, 497.40 feet to an iron pin in the middle line of said public road leading from Jennersville to Edenton and thence along the middle line of last mentioned road South 50 degrees 37 minutes East, 420.20 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

EXCEPTING AND RESERVING therefrom and thereout a tract of land containing 1.794 acres more or less which Clarence W. Gray and Wilheimina E. Gray, his wife, convey to the Philadelphia Electric Company by Deed dated February 4, 1964, recorded in Chester County Deed Book P-35, page 918.

ALSO EXCEPTING THEREOUT AND THEREFROM premises described in the following conveyances in Record Book 263 page 159, 287 page 230,

1684 page 105, 2180 page 396, 2510 page 406 and 5232 page 1256.

June 26, 2007, in Deed Book Volume 7195 at Page 1922.

BEING UPI No. 58-1-12

Tax Parcel No. 73-4-29.6

BEING the same premises which Brothers Mushroom Farm, a Pennsylvania General Partnership, by Indenture dated August 1, 2008, and recorded August 13, 2008, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, aforesaid, as Document No. 10867861, Book 7497, Page 11961, granted and conveyed unto James E. Davidson & Sons, LLC, in fee.

PLAINTIFF: CSMC 2018-SP3 Trust VS DEFENDANT: Charles J. Slanina, Cynthia B. Slanina & the United States of America

PLAINTIFF: First Citizens Community Bank, Successor by Merger to MidCoast Community Bank VS DEFENDANT: James E. Davidson & Sons, LLC SALE ADDRESS: 731 Ewing Road, Cochranville, PA 19330 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BARLEY SNYDER, 717-299-5201 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-27-3t

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 18th, 2021 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 20th, 2021.

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. 21-11-148 Writ of Execution No. 2020-09123 DEBT $1,003,815.41 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or parcel of land situated in the London Britain Township, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being more fully described in Deed dated June 19, 2007 and recorded in the Office of the Chester County Recorder of Deeds on

SALE ADDRESS: 125 Ayrshire Drive, Landenberg, PA 19350 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: HLADIK, ONORATO & FEDERMAN, LLP 215855-9521 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-27-3t

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 18th, 2021 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 20th, 2021.

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. 21-11-149 Writ of Execution No. 2018-12666 DEBT $142,373.82 ALL THAT CERTAIN, MESSAGE. LOT OR PIECE OF LAND SITUATE ON, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST NOTTINGHAM, COUNTY OF CHESTER, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED, AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: All those certain tracts of improved ground with buildings erected thereon situate easterly of Sylmar Road in West Nottingham Township, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to a survey by Concord Land Planners & Surveyors, Inc., Oxford, Pa., and being remaining lands of Robert G. Patrick combined with Parcel B as shown on Plan Number 0457 dated April 26, 2005, last revised October 31,

Classified

2005, and described as follows: Beginning at a point in the centerline of Sylmar Road marking the southwesterly corner of this and a northwesterly corner of Parcel C as shown on said plan, of which this was a part; thence leaving said point of beginning and by said centerline the following two courses and distances: North 05 degrees, 37 minutes, 34 seconds West, 44.09 feet to a P.K. nail found; thence North 05 degrees, 30 minutes, 40 seconds West, 17.31 feet to a point marking the northwesterly corner of this and a southwesterly corner of remaining lands of Gary D. and Freida Moore; thence by said remaining lands of Moore the following two courses and distances: North 84 degrees, 22 minutes, 29 seconds East, 100.45 feet to an iron pin found marking a corner of this and a southeasterly corner of said remaining land of Moore; thence North 05 degrees, 39 minutes, 43 seconds West, 59.00 feet to a point marking a corner of this and a southeasterly corner of Parcel A as shown on said plan; thence by said Parcel A North 84 degrees, 36 minutes, 57 seconds East, 29.18 feet to a point marking the northeasterly corner of this, a southeasterly corner of said Parcel A, and in line of lands of Tammi Jo Lepold and John C. DeRosa; thence by said lands of Tammi Jo Lepold and John C. DeRosa South 05 degrees, 52 minutes, 15 seconds East, 129.19 feet to an iron pin found marking the southeasterly corner of this, a southwesterly corner of said lands of Tammi Jo Lepold and John C. DeRosa, a northwesterly corner of lands of Terry A. and Susan L. Lepold, and a northeasterly corner of lands of Larry M. and Garry M. Brady; thence partly by said lands of Brady and partly by the aforementioned Parcel C South 86 degrees, 58 minutes, 25 seconds West, 130.30 feet to the point and place of beginning. Containing 10,094 Square Feet.

BEING UPI NUMBER 68-06-0135 BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CON-

VEYED TO ROBERT G. PATRICK AND BETH ANN PATRICK, HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO ACQUIRED TITLE AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY, BY VIRTUE OF A DEED FROM ROBERT G. PATRICK, A MARRIED INDIVIDUAL, DATED MAY 10, 2007, RECORDED MAY 29, 2007, AT DOCUMENT ID 10757741, AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7171, PAGE 522, OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF DEEDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. PLAINTIFF: PNC Bank, National Association VS DEFENDANT: Robert G. Patrick & Beth Ann Patrick SALE ADDRESS: 22 Sylmar Road, Nottingham, PA 19362 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC 614-220-5611 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-27-3t

Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Self Storage Sale Please take notice US Storage Centers - Exton located at 371 Gordon Dr., Exton PA 19341 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility.

This sale will occur as an online auction via www.storagetreasures.com on 11/17/2021 at 10:00AM. Clara Brooks unit #B047; Lucy Direnigio unit #D027. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

Certain terms and conditions apply.

4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

ELECTION 2021

New Garden board seats...

Continued from Page 1A

Toughkenamon Village.

The township is now immersed in a plan to convert the 137-acre Saint Anthony’s in the Hills property – which it now owns – into a sprawling complex of activity and natural preservation.

The township is about to undergo plans for the 105acre property it purchased earlier this year known as the Loch Nairn Golf Club, and it continues to attempt to meet the developers of a mixed-use residential and business plan known as White Clay Point halfway, all in the name of smart growth.

Within the huge panorama of this projected progress, the relatively rural design of New Garden Township lay delicate and potentially vulnerable, and the township’s supervisors – Steve Allaband, Kristie Brodowski, David Unger, Pat Little and Mike Loftus – have been charged with the responsibility of being visionaries, gatekeepers and bean counters.

As Loftus campaigns for what could be his second term, he knows that the fabric of the board beginning in 2022 will

be slightly different; his colleague Little will not be running again, leaving both one vacancy on the board and the task of securing his own for the next six years.

Loftus has been joined on the campaign trail by fellow Republican Dinamarie Vanover, while on the Democratic side, Avondale neighbors Troy Wildrick and Ted Gallivan are running on a platform of stewardship and sustainability.

To compare the big picture platforms of each candidate is to essentially compare fruits of the same texture and color.

On their campaign trail, Wildrick, a data systems manager, and Gallivan, a former auditor and now a chief financial officer in an accounting firm, list increasing trail systems, preserving historic properties, protecting natural lands and improving the township’s emergency systems of operation at the top of their key priorities.

Meanwhile, Loftus and Vanover want to maintain safe communities, preserve open space, spend township money responsibly and protect the township as a place for “happy kids and families.”

“In the next six years, I

think the best explanation of where I would like to see the township go is where we’ve come, especially in the last six years,” Loftus said. “I think we have a board that works very well together. We have two big pieces of property, but I would like to see more open space preserved.

“I would like to keep the government (of New Garden Township) small and continue to do what we have been doing. We’ve made huge strides. It’s safeguarding New Garden.

It’s investing in projects that are going to remain sustainable. It’s taking a long look at what we want to see.”

Applied experience to the board Gallivan and Wildrick said that they are using their professional experience as leverage for suiting them for the jobs they are campaigning for.

“Having to manage data centers, particularly with a tight budget, you have to get the most value out of every dollar,” Wildrick said. “When you are maintaining equipment, you can’t just go out and get the full spectrum of services. You usually have to choose based on what’s

going to give you the most bang for the buck.

“It’s the same type of mentality [with being a supervisor]. You have to take a complex problem, analyze it and decide the best way to solve it. You have to be smart with resources, because they’re not unlimited, whether it’s a turbine generator or a township’s finances.”

“A big part of what we do is provide internal controls around financial statements, so I think I can add that expertise to the board, especially given that there is no financial expert on the board,” Gallivan said.

“I would like to dig in more to better understand what our auditors are doing before they present their audit to the board.

“The devil is always in the details, and I always enjoy looking at the details.”

On the opposing side, Vanover said that she will bring not only her professional experience in managing marketing budgets to the board, but the budgeting work she does in her own household.

“We are a working family with three children and a lot of expenses, and all of that impacts the everyday families of New Garden Township,” she said. “We want people who will still be able to afford to live here. I want to make sure that we maintain that focus, but not to the detriment of the community.

“You have to have all of the right controls in place, understand what we have in the budget, how we use these dollars, and whether they are being used effectively. We need to ask, ‘What do we want to bring into these new areas? Is it supporting the betterment of the community, and is it going to bring the right people into the township?’”

White Clay Point

VOTE SUPERVISORS FOR

STEWARDSHIP + SUSTAINABILITY

NOVEMBER 2, 2021 wildrickgallivanforsupervisor@gmail.com

610-274-8399 PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF NEW GARDEN

Added up, the township’s acquisition of the Loch Nairn property and Saint Anthony’s in the Hills amounts to a 242-acre gift for current and future township residents, and Loftus, Vanover, Wildrick and Gallivan all agree that these properties will require proper stewardship from the township board.

Wedged between these two purchases, however, is perhaps the biggest question mark facing New Garden Township’s future, and potentially its largest albatross: the development of White Clay Point, a planned mixed-use community along both sides of Route 41 that is currently being designed by JP Morgan.

If constructed, the complex will include more than 350 residential units, a 222,000-square foot town center dedicated to commercial development, three mixed-use buildings that will be used for retail offices and apartments, a 65,000 square-foot retail food store, a potential 55,000 square-foot indoor training facility and a possible outdoor multi-

purpose athletic field.

For those who serve on the New Garden board in the next six years – and for township residents whom they are elected to serve -managing the progression of this planned development could come down to whether the township will be able to retain some of its semi-rural character, or become a concrete jungle of congestion and commerce, driving long-term residents away and wrecking every reason they had for living there.

For Loftus, it will be a question of whether the important questions will be answered.

“When JP Morgan starts to come in and say they want to put this in, what does that do to the township, to the police department, to the fire department and fire service and to the projected increased traffic on Route 41?” he said. “As supervisors, we must begin to ask those questions, and a lot of it will depend on constant conversation. We must continue to look for the opportunities that are there and work where we can.

“Some of them will be small wins, and some of them will be bigger.”

Wildrick said that while he is concerned about the potential financial impact White Clay Point will have on the local community, it will bring new vitality to the area, he said.

“It’s a good area in the sense that you are coming from Delaware, so if you’re going to put anything into our community, it’s probably not a bad location because it’s before the heart of New Garden Township.”

Gallivan called the planned development a “gateway” to New Garden Township, but with reservations.

“My biggest fear will be the projected traffic, and the additional drivers [that will stem from increased residences],” Gallivan said. “That stretch of road is pretty dangerous already, and it leads to the turn onto Sunny Dell Road that heads to the Kennett Middle School. It has to be designed in way that traffic flow improves from where it is now, and hopefully we would get the developer to pay for that.”

Fallout from wastewater system sale?

Angry residents

would increase by $11.97 (17.3 percent), from $69.35 to $81.32, and the average monthly bill for a residential wastewater customer would increase $18.44 (33.2 percent) from $55.51 to $73.95.

By a vote of 3-0, the Public Utility Commission recently voted to suspend Aqua’s proposed water and wastewater rate increases for a period of seven months, in order to first investigate the utility company’s annual revenue and rate increase requests, but still, the threat of a rate hike is real for those tied into the system.

Gallivan suggested a resolution in the form of financial support to those users.

“If Aqua is successful in raising rates, I think that there should be some way for sewer users to be able to receive a credit to apply against these upcoming bills,” he said.

Loftus continues to support the township's decision to sell its wastewater system.

“The township did their due diligence before they negotiated the sale,” he said. “I had a conversation with a local businessman, who told me, ‘You never sell an asset.’ [The township’s wastewater system] was an albatross. It wasn’t an asset. It got to be a liability. And there were so many broken lines, that it would have cost the township millions to bring that up to code. Had we not sold it, rate increase would have been higher than what Aqua is projecting.

“It would have been a steep climb, had it not been sold.”

While each of the four candidates is in general agreement that the proper stewardship of the township’s major issues will depend upon fiscal responsibility, Vanover said that a positive future for New Garden Township will be most impacted by an intangible: the engagement of its residents.

“I want people to feel comfortable to share their opinions, if I happen to be elected as a supervisor,” she said. “I think we have an opportunity to make more connections with those in the community -- to get more people involved. We want them to share in the passion that we have for this township.

When I sit at that table, I am putting myself in their shoes.

“I came from MBNA, where the slogan is ‘Think of yourself as a customer first.’ That’s my mindset – to always think more about the people involved, not just the families but the retired people as well.”

To learn more about Ted Gallivan and Troy Wildrick, visit WildrickGallivanfor Supervisor on Facebook.

To learn more about Mike Loftus and Dinamarie Vanover, visit vanoverloftusnewgarden townshipsupervisor on Facebook.

As New Garden Township heads into 2022 with what will be a slightly different board, the stickiest wicket on its agenda has also been one of its most profitable. While the approval of the township’s sale of its wastewater system to Aqua on Dec. 20, 2020 has led to a financial windfall that has – and will – pay for several future initiatives – those residents now under Aqua’s thumb will likely see their average rates soar. Under the proposals, the average monthly bill for a residenTo contact Staff Writer tial water customer using Richard L. Gaw, email 4,000 gallons per month rgaw@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Chester County

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CHESTER COUNTY LWVCC, P.O. Box 62, Exton, PA 19341 Telephone (610) 644-5960 www.lwvccpa.org

Non-Partisan Voters’ Guide PA State and County Political Candidates and 4 Judicial Retention Questions General Election 2021 Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Polls shall remain open continuously between the hours of: 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M.

*If you plan to vote in person, due to the Coronavirus pandemic please check with Chester County Voter Services to confirm your polling place will be open on November 2nd

Election Day Problems? Call one of these hotlines: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español) (1-888-839-8682)

1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance) (1-888-274-8683)

1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic) (1-844-925-5287)

Chester County Voter Services https://www.chesco.org/156/Voter-Services 610-344-6410 The League of Women Voters of Chester County is a nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to serve the local community by promoting informed active citizen participation in government and by acting on selected governmental issues. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.

State Judicial Races Pennsylvania Justice of the Supreme Court

Candidates (choose 1):

Description of office: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the nation. The Supreme Court’s administrative powers and jurisdictional responsibilities are vested with the seven-member court by the Pennsylvania State Constitution and a collection of statutes known as the Judicial Code. The justice with the longest continuous service on the Supreme Court automatically becomes chief justice. Administratively, the courts within the Unified Judicial System are largely responsible for organizing their own staff and dockets; however, the Supreme Court has several committees and boards responsible for writing and enforcing rules for judges, attorneys, and litigants to ensure an efficient and fair judicial review. Annually, the seven justices receive over 3,000 requests for appellate review.

Term: 10 years Salary: $215,037

Party: Dem Biographical Info: County: Philadelphia Occupation: Judge - Court of Common Pleas Education: West Catholic High School and went on to graduate Howard University in Washington DC & received my Law Degree in 2002 from Rutgers University School of Law in NJ. Qualifications: Major Trials Judge presiding over 1000’s of trials, authoring 100’s of opinions. I handle all human trafficking cases & many of the most serious criminal cases & Grand Jury matters. Certified Child Advocate & as former Exec Dir of the Senate Govt Cmte advised on the constitutionality of legislation campaign website: http://www.judgelane.com Facebook: http://@LaneforSuperiorCourt Twitter: http://@JudgeTimikaLane Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: As a sitting Judge, I ensure everyone in my courtroom is treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, creed, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. As a member of the Access to Justice Committee, we address this issue by looking at possible barriers and how to remove those barriers to ensure everyone has equal access. As co-chair of the Local Criminal Rules Committee we recommend the qualifications for court appointed attorneys to make sure that indigent people have capable legal representation. We ensure that the local criminal rules are fair and applied equally to all who all who come before our courts.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: The Superior Court is an error correcting court & often the last line of defense for the parties involved in a case. When reviewing an appeal It is vital the appellate judge have strong courtroom experience on both sides of the bench to best determine the if the proceedings in the lower court were fair, all parties were heard and the law has been applied fairly regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or economic status. I will ensure equity and fairness in all cases before me, just as I do for all who appear in my current courtroom. Off the bench, I believe judges should be visible in the community.

We are public servants and it is our duty to make sure the public understands how the court system functions.

Candidates (choose 1):

Maria McLaughlin Party: Dem Biographical Info: County: Philadelphia Occupation: Superior Court Judge Education: Penn State 1988. Delaware Law School at Widener University 1992 Qualifications: Current Judge on our PA Superior Court; Served 6 years as Judge, Court of Common Pleas; Chief and ADA, Phila District Attorneys Office; Rated Highly Recommended for the Supreme Court by the PBA campaign website: http://judgemclaughlin.com Facebook: http://@Maria4PASC Twitter: http://@McLaughlin4PASC Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: Along with being our highest appellate court, The Supreme Court overseas our statewide court system and legal community. As such we have the opportunity to set rules, educate the legal community and create special court programs dealing with human services issues like substance abuse & mental health challenges, veteran’s issues & initiatives focused on autism. All geared toward providing fair treatment and equal access for people with unique circumstances.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: As a lawyer & a judge I have always worked to ensure everyone who comes into a courtroom has an opportunity to be heard and the law applied without bias. This is the cornerstone of our legal system. As a Justice I will not waiver from that driving principle. My work on the bench and in my life will always reflect my dedication to fairness and equality.

Kevin Brobson Party: Rep Biographical Info: County: Dauphin Occupation: President Judge, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Education: Widener Commonwealth Law School, summa cum laude (2nd in class), Managing Editor Law Review; Lycoming College (B.A., Accounting/Economics), magna cum laude Qualifications: President Judge of the Pa. Commonwealth Court; over 11 years as statewide appellate court judge (elected 2009, retained 2019); Pa. Judicial Conduct Board, 2015-19 (Chair); 14 years’ private practice; former federal judicial clerk; “Highly Recommended” by Pa. Bar Association campaign website: http://www.brobsonforpa.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Kevin-Brobson-for-PA-112608997531221 Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: I would work cooperatively with the governor and the legislature to increase funding for legal aid programs. While in private practice, I created a program in Dauphin County to expand pro bono opportunities for lawyers to provide services to nonprofit organizations. I would encourage county bar associations to think creatively about expanding pro bono service to small and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits. I want to ensure our courts have access to interpreters for parties with limited English proficiency. I would build upon the excellent work of Philadelphia Legal Assistance with respect to the representation of low-wage workers and the unemployed by engaging law schools and other legal aid associations throughout the state.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and impartial arbiter of the law. I treat everyone who enters my courtroom, or has a matter before me, with equal respect and dignity. I strive to appreciate the perspectives and points of view of all parties. It is important to me that every litigant, represented and unrepresented, be given every opportunity, within the rules and the law, to present their case. Moreover, as a former Chair of the Pa. Judicial Conduct Board, I am keenly aware of how important it is to Pennsylvanians that our judges observe the highest ethical standards on and off the bench. I hold myself to this high standard. All Pennsylvanians deserve to have faith in a fair and impartial judiciary.

Pennsylvania Judge of the Superior Court Description of office: The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. This court, established in 1895, reviews most of the civil and criminal cases that are appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas in the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. The Superior Court consists of 15 judges. The president judge is elected to a five-year term by his/her colleagues. A large number of appeals flow to the Superior Court from the trial courts. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh. The court often is the final arbiter of legal disputes. Although the Supreme Court may grant a petition for review of a Superior Court decision, most petitions are denied, and the ruling of the Superior Court stands.

Term: 10 years Salary: $202,898

Timika Lane

Megan Sullivan Party: Rep Biographical Info: County: Chester Occupation: Attorney Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law, Juris Doctorate (cum laude); Saint Joseph’s University (B.A.) Qualifications: 20 years criminal & civil law experience. Deputy Attorney General in PA Attorney General’s Office & Supervisory District Attorney, protected victims including the most vulnerable members of our society as a child abuse prosecutor. Asst. General Counsel at West Chester University and civil litigator. campaign website: http://www.megsullivanforjudge.com Facebook: http://@megforjudge Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: I believe equal access to justice is essential to maintaining trust in our courts and our justice system’s legitimacy. I am committed to providing all individuals in my courtroom with equal access to justice by ensuring their voice is heard, their rights are protected, & that they are never subject to discrimination.

I support efforts to enhance equal access to justice through legal aid programs that provide individuals with access to qualified attorneys. Providing interpreters for those individuals for whom English is a second language is also important. It is also important to give Individuals with disabilities full access to the courtroom. Everyone that comes before a judge should fully understand their constitutional rights.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: I have a deep respect for our Constitution and our system of justice. I have spent a large part of my 20-year career as an attorney helping others to navigate both the criminal and civil judicial system. I respect the system but understand why some fear it. Individuals who serve in the role of a judge must recognize that they are the arbiter of the rules and the process. This is a great power that requires objectivity, an innate sense of fairness, and humility. I possess these traits and am committed to delivering to all citizens a justice system that shows respect and fairness, as well as knowledgeable decision-making that takes into account the parties’ perspectives and applies the law objectively.

Pennsylvania Judge of the Commonwealth Court Description of office: The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. This court, established in 1968, is unlike any other state court in the nation. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies.

Litigation typically focuses on subjects such as banking, insurance, utility regulation, and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices, and workers compensation. The Commonwealth Court also acts as a court of original jurisdiction, or a trial court, when lawsuits are filed by or against the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Court is made up of nine judges. The president judge is elected to a five-year term by his/her colleagues. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh.

Term: 10 years Salary: $202,898

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Candidates (choose 2):

Lori A. Dumas Party: Dem Biographical Info: County: Philadelphia Occupation: Judge Education: North Carolina Central School of Law; Duke University; Executive Certificates from Cornell University, (D&I); University of Pennsylvania, Fels Institute of Government Qualifications: Trial Court Judge since 2002; Jury and Non-jury experience; Presided in Family, Criminal and Civil Divisions; Former Corporate Executive, Non-Profit Leader; Adjunct Professor; National Leader in trauma informed courts; Led the creation of victim centered juvenile human trafficking court in Phila. campaign website: http://www.judgedumas2021.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Judgedumas2021/ Twitter: http://Twitter.com/JudgeDumas Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: As a judge, I must ensure that every person that comes before the Court has the opportunity to be heard. I must rule according to the law without losing sight of the ultimate goal of dispensing justice. I must remove any obstacle which prevents equal access to justice by any means necessary. As a citizen, I can involve myself with organizations and in activities which seek to educate people about the Court, its processes and procedures and to equip them with the knowledge and power to to be able to use the legal system as an advocate for themselves and their interests.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: Judges set the tone in their courtrooms. They must model fairness, civility, patience and impartiality and demand it from those in their presence. In my courtroom, every voice will be heard and my decisions will be rooted in the law and cloaked in compassion and the urgency to do what is right. I must conduct a daily heart check to ensure that I am not bringing any biases with me that may interfere with my ability to render impartial decisions. I must call out injustice when it occurs...every time. In the community, I can educate others about their rights and the status of the law. I should regularly attend implicit bias trainings and require my staff to do the same, to ensure that fairness is not just a mantra but embedded in my core.

David Lee Spurgeon Party: Dem Biographical Info: County: Allegheny Occupation: Judge - Court of Common Pleas Education: McKeesport Area Senior High Duquesne University - B.A. Duquesne University School of Law - Juris Doctor Qualifications: “Highly Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association; Endorsed by the PA Dem; Serving as a Judge since 2016; Appointed by the Governor and unanimously confirmed by the PA Senate; Adjunct Law Professor; National Judicial Fellow; Domestic Violence National Expert; former prosecutor family violence campaign website: http://www.judgespurgeon4commonwealth.com Facebook: http://@judgespurgeon4commonwealthcourt Twitter: http://@davidspurgeon4J Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: As a judge, I use my position to promote systems change that ensure that all people have more accessibility to the courts. As a Judicial Fellow, I am using those resources to study the statistics over the year of the pandemic to understand whether the use of advanced technology communications increased participation in the court process. Often times, people with limited resources face additional obstacles inherent with our established court processes. Further, we can ensure that everyone in our community has equal access to the court regardless of how you look, who you love, the language you speak and your socio-economic status. Off the bench, judges should participate in the community as a stakeholder to promote the above matters.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: Judges must continue to be active members of the community. In order to understand how the court is perceived, one must be accessible and engage in intentional dialogue to understand all the people that we serve. Judges must continue to be trained in explicit and implicit bias as it relates to all aspect of the existing court system, and be open to discussing and participating in the changes identified to make the courts more equitable and fair. I recently participated in a national panel to address the racial disparities that exist in the child welfare system. On the bench, we must continue to serve as a servant leader and hold ourselves as well as our colleagues accountable for inequities.

Stacy Marie Wallace Party: Rep Biographical Info: County: McKean Occupation: Attorney Education: B.A. Communications, University of Pittsburgh (‘01) J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (‘04) Qualifications: Nearly 17 years’ experience Owner: Stacy Wallace Law LLC Specially Appointed Family Law Master & SORNA Counsel Adjunct Professor, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Clerkships: McKean Co. Court of Common Pleas, PA Superior Court Certified Mediator-Conflict Resolution McKean Co. Bar Assn., President campaign website: http://stacyforpa.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StacyforPA/ Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: Throughout my career, my purpose has been to always seek justice. I was first inspired to enter the legal field by a pamphlet for Northwestern Legal Services, a legal aid organization of which I now serve on the board of directors. I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that our state’s most vulnerable individuals, including at-risk children and those with disabilities, have equal access to justice, and have done much of this work pro bono. If elected, I will continue to advocate for and engage with underserved communities.

On the bench, I will be a steadfast defender of equal justice under the law in all matters and safeguard the rights of all citizens regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or financial status.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: The makeup of the Commonwealth Court should be a true reflection of Pennsylvania and the broad perspectives and values of our residents. I will use my grassroots upbringing from McKean County, diverse experience, and values to guide informed and thoughtful opinions that produce equitable outcomes. Off the bench, I will continue to engage our citizens, lead by example in promoting inclusiveness of all people, and raise awareness of our judiciary’s role. Equitable courts start with having equitable judges who value equality, fairness and a desire to serve others. As just one example of how I’ve done that in my personal life, I co-founded “Blessing Boxes of Bradford” which serves as small sidewalk food pantries throughout my community.

Drew Crompton Party: Rep Biographical Info: County: Cumberland Occupation: Judge Education: Phil-mont Christian Academy; Dickinson College; Widener School of Law Qualifications: Currently a sitting Judge on the Commonwealth Court. I have authored over 100 opinions. They are balanced, well-reasoned and thoughtful. I am recommended by the PA Bar. I also serve on the Supreme Court Appellate Rules Committee. I have extensive Constitutional, statutory and regulatory experience. campaign website: http://JudgeCrompton.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/judgecrompton Questions: Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?

A: As a sitting Judge I have done all in my power to treat every person that comes before me with respect and fairness. Judges must ensure those with modest means have equal access to justice. We are all created equal but as judges we must insist that all are treated equally or justice is being unfairly denied.

Filing fees and other court costs must be waived for those who cannot afford them. Also, quality lawyers must be available to low income individuals free of cost for civil and criminal matters. Further as judges we must ensure that no one perceives that race or wealth or political connections are weighed when a decision is rendered. High ethical standards are vital to instill confidence in the Judiciary.

Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?

A: Litigants must be convinced that the Judge’s personal philosophy does not impede justice. I have also defended the powers of each branch of government since citizens want to be assured that the legislative, executive and judicial branches are not overstepping their constitutional boundaries. Further I try to be a judge that has common sense and treats every person with common decency. Judges must also remain connected to their communities and not be overly isolated. People have more confidence in the Judiciary when they know Judges care about our the same things in our Commonwealth as they do. Judges must have a heightened sense of their words and actions in the courtroom. Both must be beyond reproach.

Judicial Retention JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION ELECTION 1 Description: Shall John T. Bender be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

Official Judicial Retention According to www.pacourts.us, retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office.

The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges. The names of the candidates are listed at the end of the ballot, apart from other offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.

PA Bar Association ratings and information for incumbent judges are available at www.pavotesmart. com/current-judicial-ratings/.

Yes - For the Measure No - Against the Measure

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION ELECTION 2 Description: Shall Mary Jane Bowes be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

Official Judicial Retention According to www.pacourts.us, retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office.

The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges. The names of the candidates are listed at the end of the ballot, apart from other offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.

PA Bar Association ratings and information for incumbent judges are available at www.pavotesmart. com/current-judicial-ratings/.

Yes - For the Measure No - Against the Measure

JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION ELECTION 1 Description: Shall Anne Covey be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

Official Judicial Retention According to www.pacourts.us, retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office.

The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges. The names of the candidates are listed at the end of the ballot, apart from other offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.

PA Bar Association ratings and information for incumbent judges are available at www.pavotesmart. com/current-judicial-ratings/.

Yes - For the Measure No - Against the Measure

JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION ELECTION 2 Description: Shall Renee Cohn Jubelirer be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

Official Judicial Retention According to www.pacourts.us, retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office.

The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges. The names of the candidates are listed at the end of the ballot, apart from other offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.

PA Bar Association ratings and information for incumbent judges are available at www.pavotesmart. com/current-judicial-ratings/.

Yes - For the Measure No - Against the Measure

Chester County Court of Common Pleas Judge Description of office: The Chester County Court of Common Pleas is a mid-level general jurisdiction trial court located in West Chester, Pa. This court, which was established in 1722, reviews all major criminal and civil cases, appeals from the minor courts including traffic matters and matters involving children and families. The Court of Common Pleas consists of 11 full time judges, who serve 10-year terms, and 2 senior judges. The President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas is elected to a 5-year term by his or her colleagues. The Court supervises Adult Probation, Juvenile Probation, Domestic Relations, Bail Agency, Court Reporters and the Law Library. The Court oversees and provides administrative services to the 17 magisterial district court offices that comprise the Magisterial District Court system in Chester County.

Salary: $186,665

Candidates (choose 2):

Louis A. Mincarelli Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 521 East Lancaster Ave. Downingtown PA 19335 Web Site: http://www.LouMincarelli.com Email: info@LouMincarelli.com Education: BA: English Literature Ursinus College 1999; JD: Temple University School of Law 2003 Qualifications: Former Victim Advocate; Former Prosecutor; Private Practice for over 10 years; husband; father of two (2) children Facebook: @Lou Mincarelli for Judge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: There is definitely a need for programs to deal with substance addiction and mental health issues.

As a prosecutor, my first assignment was to run the Philadelphia Community Court Program which was designed to help combat the growing substance addiction and mental health issues plaguing our society.

We experienced much success in getting desperately needed treatment for those who are most vulnerable while still protecting our community. The program enjoyed a great success rate as the recidivism rate was lower among those who entered the program for these non-violent crimes than those who did not.

The program was also designed to center around treatment rather than incarceration. If elected Judge

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, I would use my vast experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney to find ways to keep those who find themselves in the court system out of prison if the situation and facts of their case warrant it. Programs such as ARD, Drug Treatment Court, and Veteran’s Court are options to allow all parties to collaborate to find an approach to benefit the accused, the victims and the community.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: Plea bargaining is one tool that is at the disposal of the prosecutors to alleviate the need for victims to have to come to court to testify about their traumatic experiences—often continuing the cycle of victimization. As a prosecutor, I often took this into consideration when negotiating with defense attorneys in determining the fair and just outcome to a case. Now, as a defense attorney with over a decade of experience representing people from all walks of life, the option of a plea bargain is something that can potentially benefit my clients as it alleviates the uncertainty of taking a case to trial. All situations are different and the path chosen must be made by the accused in a knowing, informed and voluntary manner.

If I am fortunate to have the people of Chester County elect me judge, I would use this experience while presiding over my cases. Bail is never supposed to be punitive. It is designed to assure the accused appears for court and to protect the community. All cases should be individually reviewed taking into account the seriousness of the accusations; the record or lack of criminal record of the accused; and their ties to the community. I have years of experience, on both sides of the courtroom, that I would utilize to make fair and just decisions on matters such as bail and sentencing.

PJ Redmond Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: Box 2212 West Chester PA 19380 Campaign Phone: (610) 209-6192 Web Site: http://www.VotePJRedmond.com Email: PJRedmondforJudge@gmail.com Education: Juris Doctor at Villanova Law School; BA English, Villanova Univ; Salesianum Qualifications: I am only one of the four judicial candidates who has spent an entire working life in the very West Chester Courtrooms where I hope to serve. I have represented people in Court and other dispute arenas in litigation for 20-plus years in private practice doing exactly the whole spectrum of cases the Court does (Criminal cases, civil suits, Family law disputes, business cases, and estates.)

Nobody else has. West Chester is my hometown. I am tuned in to Chester County uniquely among the candidates. That’s a benefit to the citizens of the County, who get not only a seasoned lawyer, but a locally focused hometown one as Judge. I left private practice for the Public Defender’s Office, and have represented indigent Chester County criminal defendants for 12 years now. It has been a blessing to bring grey-haired life experience to help everybody get a fair shot in Court. The experience helps me see people who are simply detoured by addiction, or trauma in their lives, and see too those driven by a more serious trouble for whom harsher measures might be required. Everybody in any case, (on any side) deserves a fair chance to be heard in Court. I listen. The most important behavior for this job is judicial temperament. I am known as patient and empathetic, firmly competent and respectful of differing and opposing points of view. I have so acted all my life. Ask any police officer or prosecutor or lawyer in town, including anybody in the race. They’ll tell you I have the temperament for this job- one where there is no place for anger or bullying. People who come to Court deserve a neutral, patient, fair, experienced and savvy person as the Judge. I am that person. Please ask around about me, and vote for me November 2 as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

Facebook: PJRedmondforJudge Instagram: PJRedmondforJudge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: Judicial Candidates may not publicly assert positions on topics which could come before the Court, and to answer the specific question of my “support” or preference of programs aimed toward the goal of “keeping people out of the prison system” would violate the rule. You wouldn’t want a Judge who has announced deciding a court case a certain predictable way in advance. That’s not fair- to somebody in that case. But over more than thirty years of actual daily experience in the criminal courtrooms in West Chester has taught me that there are ways to encourage a person to change their own unwanted or unhealthy behavior. When destructive behaviors are changed, everybody in the community benefits. This approach isn’t a judicial plan. Just common sense. Most crimes today are driven by addiction, (alcohol abuse or drug use), mental health issues (including PTSD) or both. Addiction causes people to be unproductive, to avoid responsibility, and to commit crime. All those behaviors drag down the community.

With support, some people realize that they could be living a better life if they didn’t take drugs, and can be encouraged to change that behavior. Chester County has a number of “problem solving Courts” which focus on unhealthy behaviors that result in non-violent crimes. They are aimed at reminding a person with a first offense or minor criminal case that life can be better for everybody. They encourage change by offering a result in return for openness to change and avoidance of destructive behavior. We have had ‘Drug Court’ for 20 years in Chester County. I have worked in it from the beginning. It’s a 2 year time of close oversight (including testing) where the Court’s Probation Office does long-term encouragement of stability, honesty and productivity. Completion requires a job, stable housing, no drinking or drug use, and meaningful therapeutic participation. There are other such special court arrangements.

Everybody knows about ARD, where a first time non-violent person can earn a dismissal over a period of suervision and treatment and community service. There’s Mental Health court too; this recognizes that if we treat the defendant as a patient with an illness and encourage treatment compliance in connection with a criminal case, it improves the patients’ lives, their families’ lives and the wider community too.

Sometimes it’s an educational component, sometimes it’s a treatment component, sometimes it’s a reduction in the punishment—but the accused only gets a benefit if they show they are working toward avoiding the behavior which get them in trouble. An example is first time retail theft. Sometimes simply learning of the huge money loss theft causes, or that it causes higher prices change the thinking of a person accused of stealing. That’s helpful to us all, because if we can raise the chance that the current arrest will be the LAST arrest, everybody benefits. Perhaps our least utilized alternative is Veterans’ Court, where those who suffered in service to our country are encouraged to turn their lives from the despair and shame which accompanies an arrest to become again the people of Honor they were when they wore the uniform. These specialty Courts don’t work for all cases. Or everybody, but they do create opportunities that benefit the individual and the community. Some people have shown by violence or a lengthy criminal history that sterner procedures are necessary. A resolution aimed more at punishment and removing the person from the community they victimized needs to be considered once a person proves themselves violent or unwilling to change. The community must have some relief from the chaos the bad behavior by those unwilling people causes us all, if a more compassionate approach does not work.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: Judges can use experience and judgment to conduct themselves in every sector of their lives to encourage respect for the people in Court, the institution of the Court ‘system’, and model behaviors displaying a concern for equity and fairness across the community. Specifics follow. Bail: A Judge should use the rules and procedures already in place and apply them to each case individually. Successfully applied, the result will be similarity across comparable cases independent of the area of the county where the accused might live, or age, or other characteristic. Pennsylvania has specific Criminal Rules telling a Judge how to set bail. An internet search for ‘Pa Criminal Rule 523’ and the rules around them will list the rules. Judges, and not any other agency or Office, should determine what bail is appropriate for a person accused of a crime. Sometimes, this will require posting of money. Most times, it will not.

The purpose of bail is only to arrange a set of conditions which will ensure the defendant will appear at subsequent Court proceedings, and ‘shall not be greater than is necessary to reasonably ensure the defendant’s appearance.’ Bail is not to be a punishment. The Rules are specifically set out to suggest that everybody is entitled to bail unless after a conviction for murder punishable by life imprisonment or death. The highest goal of justice is served by a Judge who knows and follows the rules. Everyone in America has a presumption of innocence, and that must be acknowledged when setting bail. Plea Bargaining: Pennsylvania has specific Criminal Rules applicable to plea agreements. Pa Criminal Rule 590.

Fairness and impartiality dictate that the Judge not participate in ( or have knowledge of ) discussions between lawyers for the Commonwealth and the defendant relating to terms of a plea agreement. Fairness and impartiality are maximized by a Judge obeying those rules. The obligations to the community, to all persons in Court, and to the job of a Judge requires obedience. Judges can’t act outside that lane.

Sentencing: Sentencing is Pennsylvania is informed by specific Guidelines issued by the Pa Commission on Sentencing, and the responsibility of sound discretion of the Judge. It is also informed by presentations by the parties at the time of sentencing, and sometimes the defendant. A Judge does the best job by following the Sentencing Code, knowing and applying the applicable law, and considering all admissible information from the parties and victims. The Pennsylvania Sentencing Code is presently around 300 pages, and it is rounded out by legal opinions authored by Appeals Courts in the Commonwealth which are the controlling law. The best Judge will learn, consider and follow all of it to maximize stability and consistency over time and impartiality over the wide spectrum of behaviors and people being sentenced. Here, I have an edge which benefits the whole community. I am particularly (and probably most) conversant with the Sentencing Code and applicable law from 35 years of experience in criminal cases. The community ought to have the most experienced lawyer with the widest breadth of hands-on participation in this subject, and I invite voters to ask anybody around to learn all they wish to know about my experience. After that active investigation and asking around, I think they’ll decide that I’m the most temperamentally suited, knowledgeable, and experienced lawyer in this race. Please vote for me as one of the two Judges you elect November 2.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Alita A. Rovito Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: PO Box 3493, West Chester PA 19381 Campaign Phone: (484) 402-7650 Web Site: http://www.RovitoforJudge.com Email: Alita@RovitoforJudge.com Education: 1987 - DICKINSON SCHOOL OF LAW, J.D., Carlisle, PA; 1984 - PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, B.A. Philosophy, Schreyer Honors College, with distinction, State College, PA Qualifications: Rovito Law, LLC Sole Shareholder 18 South New Street, West Chester, PA 19380 1/2009-present Private Practice of Family Law, Arbitration and Mediation >> County of Chester 201 West Market Street Masters’ Unit, Fifth Floor West Chester, PA 19380 Family Court Master/Hearing Officer 4/1994-1/2009 >> Chester County District Attorney’s Office 17 N. Church Street, Courthouse Annex West Chester, PA 19380 Assistant District Attorney and Managing Attorney of the Child Abuse Unit 2/1988-4/1994 >> Cottman Transmissions, Inc Commerce Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034 In-house corporate counsel 9/1987-2/1988 Facebook: www.facebook.com/rovitoforjudge Twitter: twitter.com/rovitoforjudge Instagram: www.instagram.com/rovitoforjudge/ You Tube: https://rovitoforjudge.com/video/ Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: Chester County offers a variety of alternative treatment programs such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court. The programs offer intermediate punishment/home confinement alternatives that allow the individual to be at home and working while restricting their ability to otherwise leave the home; the programs also have strict treatment/counseling and reporting requirements. These programs are designed to look at the root cause of the criminal behavior and offer the defendants an opportunity to learn about themselves and make positive changes in their lives. I believe a judge has an obligation to look at the whole person and see what each individual may need in order for he/she to remain in the community. It is my personal opinion that alternative sentencing allows all the facts of a person’s life to be considered when crafting a sentence that is appropriate for the crime, the victim, the defendant and community.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: Treating each person, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic situation, as an individual and equally is the duty of every judge. It is that equity in the courtroom that promotes “justice for all”. The purpose of bail is to guarantee a defendant’s appearance in court and to keep the community safe but not as a punishment. Except for the most serious offenses and offenders, I believe that bail should be cashless or nominal. Plea bargains are agreements between the prosecutor (with the agreement and consent of the victim) and the defendant. The role of plea bargaining is to aid in the administration of justice by reducing the number of trials that need to be conducted while still addressing the wrong that may have occurred. A plea bargain also provides the defendant an opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser offense, which may increase their opportunities for employment, education, and advancement. The judge has a duty to review the terms of the agreement and has the ability to accept or reject the agreement ensuring that not only the needs of the defendant but of the victim and the community at large, are met with an eye towards restoring justice to all. Sentencing is where a judge can make the most difference and where the balance between the various forms of “justice” (for the victim, for the community and for the defendant) is addressed. Uniformity in sentencing is mandated by the legislature through the use of the Sentencing Guidelines. However, if the crime does not carry a mandatory minimum sentence (which ties a judge’s hands completely), there is room within the guidelines to acknowledge and recognize the specific circumstances of the crime, the defendant and the victim and make appropriate and considered deviations. Judges need to be mindful of when and how they may deviate, by either increased or decreased punishments, so that equity is provided to all who appear in court.

Anthony T. Verwey Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: P.O. Box 109, Downingtown, PA 19335 Campaign Phone: (484) 252-9297 Web Site: http://www.VoteVerwey.com Email: info@voteverwey.com Education: Juris Doctor, 1989 Widener University School of Law Wilmington, DE; Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice, 1986 The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Qualifications: I have been practicing law for over 31 years in diverse areas of law ranging from civil litigation, to attorney discipline, eminent domain, real estate taxation and government. I have also successfully argued cases before all three of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts, including a number of cases before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. I am honored to be a Chester County lawyer and one of the three candidates to be independently rated as “qualified” for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas by the Chester County Bar Association. I have also been named a Thomson Reuters “Super Lawyer,” Main Line Today “Top Lawyer,” Philadelphia Business Journal “Best of the Bar” and chosen as a Daily Local News Reader’s Choice “Best Lawyer.” I will bring a wealth of life experience to the bench as well. I was raised in poverty by my mother, a waitress, and my grandmother, a housekeeper. I understand struggle, hard work, and commitment. After high school, I enlisted in the military and after serving my country, I worked my way through college and law school. These experiences provide me with the temperament necessary to serve as a judge and an understanding of the importance of treating others with dignity and respect. I also have a record of community and public service. I started by serving my country and then continued serving my community in student government in college and law school. During law school I also worked in the Delaware Civil Clinic providing legal representation to those who could not otherwise afford it. As a practicing attorney, I served with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for 10 years investigating and prosecuting attorneys for misconduct. I spent 12 years raising money for Legal Aid and have served on board’s working to improve our community. I now seek to put my experience and commitment to service to work for the citizens of Chester County as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Vote-Verwey-For-Judge-106036231402246 Instagram: @VoteVerwey4Judge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: Veteran’s Court, Drug Court and Mental Health Court all provide valuable alternatives to incarceration.

Each recognizes that addiction and mental health issues are not personal failings or choices, but illness that may be treated. These courts provide a path for treatment, while allowing an individual to remain a part of their community.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: On the bench, I will ensure that all decisions on these issues are fair, well thought out and in accordance with the law. Off the bench, I would support rule changes that would address these issues.

Chester County Treasurer Description of office: Responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining financial records for the county. Organizes the regular collection of property taxes from county residents and special taxes from businesses. Responsible for issuing business permits, licenses and publishing unclaimed property lists.

Term of office: 4 years

Candidates (choose 1):

Patricia A. Maisano Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: PO Box 707 Mendenhall PA 19357 Web Site: http://reelectmaisanofortreasurer@maisano.us Email: patricia@maisano.us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.maisano.50/ Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Treasurer?

A: - no response Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Treasurer?

A: - no response –

Jennifer Nicolas Party: Rep Biographical Info: Campaign Phone: (610) 200-0214 Web Site: http://Votejennifernicolas.com Email: 2chescorow@gmail.com Education: BS in Business and Administration from Drexel University Qualifications: 20 years of experience in Accounting industry Facebook: Jenna Nicolas for Chester County Treasurer Instagram: Vote_jennifernicolas

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Treasurer?

A: Over 10 years as managing director of tax practice, over 20 years experience in accounting positions, from public accounting to audits of insurance policies, and continued study of tax law.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Treasurer?

A: Keep the office personnel cross trained, evaluate and save on tax increases, update internal office software with other departments in a cost effective manner.

Chester County Controller Description of office: The chief financial officer and chief auditor. Exercises general supervision and control over the County’s financial affairs. Authorized to examine the accounts and official acts of all officers or other persons who collect, receive, or disperse the County’s money. Term of office: 4 years

Candidates (choose 1):

Regina Mauro Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: PO Box 56, Devon, PA 19333 Campaign Phone: (484) 378-0478 Web Site: http://www.ChescoDeservesBetter.com/regina-1 Education: MBA – J Mack School of Business, Georgia State University (Top 20 Executive MBA program in the US); BA – Villanova University Qualifications: *Award-winning record of success increasing the profitability of multi-million-dollar budgets. *Highly successful development and oversight of complex Fortune 500 projects, domestically and abroad. *Extensive HR management experience with a record of low employee turnover.

Facebook: @ReginaMMauro Instagram: @reginamauro4chescocontroller Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Controller?

A: As the county’s fiscal watchdog, the Controller’s primary responsibility is the proficient oversight and skilled management of Chester County’s expense budget (over half billion dollars), and its Accounting, A/P, Audit and Payroll departments’ operations and staff. At times this responsibility also extends to the successful evaluation, launch and/or management of complex and costly projects (ie- Seamless transition to a new payroll system for 2,600+ employees). As the county’s fiscal watchdog, the Controller must also remain nonpartisan, vigilant and an outspoken voice for projects that stand to benefit Chester County residents and businesses, and against those that present a risk (ie- Selection of proper partner for $20M worth of Covid test kits). These responsibilities require not only relevant management experience in size and scope, but a proven communicator, an outside the box thinker, and a record of accomplishments in diverse and highly challenging environments. Professional Experience: *Co-developed and managed Regional Credit Reporting Center (Multi-million dollar operation. Fortune 500 - Philadelphia) *Sales Manager (Multi-million dollar budget. Largest US office of Fortune 500 - Atlanta) *Regional talent acquisition, training and development (Fortune 500 - Philadelphia, Mexico, Atlanta) *International expansion via strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions (Fortune 500 - Mexico, Chile, Argentina) *Merchandise selection and importation (As SBO - Australia, France, Italy, Spain) * Affiliates Operations training and transition lead (Largest owned and affiliate offices. Fortune 500 - Cincinnati, Tulsa) *New Product Development Manager (Fortune 500 HQ - Atlanta) *Search engine and credit risk algorithm development (Fortune 500 - Latin America) *Featured speaker on various platforms (podcasts, live TV, webinar, in-person town halls) *Featured in national television 30-sec commercial representing Fortune 500 Co (Telemundo – 9 mo. run) Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Controller?

A: *Spending and its impact on taxation: Chester County is reportedly ranked #1 in highest property taxes in Pennsylvania. These taxes fund the county’s debt service, parks and recreation, libraries and “general purposes”. Property taxes are the 2nd largest source of funds for the county’s governmental activities. In the past 4 years, yearly increases in property tax allocation to fund “general purposes” (currently 70% of the total) have significantly outpaced the growth of the county population it serves. For the 3 years pre-Covid, yearly increases in allocation to general purposes were also most disproportionately higher. Given that a review of the prior 11 years (2007-2017) did not reflect such a disproportionate relation between the two, it is imperative that a prompt review is conducted of areas and processes with direct or indirect impact on property tax rates (ie- a review of service providers for purchased services, contractual terms and obligations, and the process through which proper vetting and selection of providers is ensured. The goal is to ensure fiscally sound transactions with quality providers). *Human resources management and its impact on employee productivity, morale and costly turnover: An immediate survey must be conducted to determine areas of concern among current staff (work environment, job satisfaction, skills development, career advancement, etc), and optimal allocation of skills and resources by function and departmental needs, present and future. Trust and respect are also paramount and must define work relationships. Utilization of regular feedback mechanisms and dialogue must be encouraged, civility expected in conflict resolution. *Establish a close working relationship with other county managers: The Controller’s office cannot operate in a vacuum as there are multiple other areas that impact its success and performance. Collaborative working across departments ensures maximum success as it minimizes risks inherent in organizational silos.

Margaret Reif Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: 81 Devon Dr Exton PA 19341 Campaign Phone: (610) 721-3418 Web Site: http://MargaretReif.com Email: ReifForController@gmail.com Education: BS Economics and Finance Qualifications: Certified Public Pension Professional Facebook: Margaret Reif for Chester County Controller Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Controller?

A: As a small business owner with an education & track record in finance and economics, I utilized my experience as a Community Leader and passion for Chester County to serve as Controller of Chester County for the last four years. Since being in office and serving on the Retirement Board, I have also now received certification as a Public Pension Professional.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Controller?

A: While in office, I have spearheaded several County-wide, efficiency-driven, projects that I look forward to completing in my next term (including automating our Accounts Payable and Audit processes and outsourcing Payroll). Second, I am committed to expanding our reach with regard to auditing programs that have never before been reviewed to ensure our tax dollars are being spent wisely. My third goal includes working with the various departments involved in revamping our Procurement process to ensure a more modernized, transparent and efficient bidding process.

Chester County Clerk of Courts Description of office: Performs administrative duties in the criminal and civil justice systems and assists other officers of the court as well as judges and lawyers. Maintains court records, administers oaths to witnesses and jurors, and authenticates copies of the court’s orders and judgments with the court’s seal. Term of office: 4 years

Candidates (choose 1):

Carmela Z. Ciliberti Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 208 Ferguson Street, New London, PA 19352 Campaign Phone: (610) 298-1079 Web Site: http://www.chescodeservesbetter.com Email: contact@carmelaciliberti.com Education: Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Juris Doctor – JD; Lancaster Bible College Capital Seminary & Graduate School Bachelor’s Degree – BS: Biblical Studies Qualifications: -Attorney, Villanova law graduate admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar -Extensive Regulatory Compliance auditing and project management experience Facebook: @carmelacilibertiesq Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Clerk of Courts?

A: Carmela has decades long private sector experience and accomplishments in regulatory compliance.

She developed and implemented complex regulatory compliant Electronic Record Keeping systems which tracked more than 80,000 regulatory events annually. Carmela performed regulatory and quality audits domestically and abroad. These experiences along with her Juris Doctor degree and Pennsylvania Bar Admission position Carmela as the best candidate to serve Chester County.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Clerk of

Courts?

A: Carmela will ensure timely and accurate entry of the county’s 6,000 annual criminal court filings drawing from her decades long private sector experience. Further she will increase transparency & accountability through her knowledge of Quality Management Systems, Audit Procedures & Accounting Principles.

Yolanda Van de Krol Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: 1 Maude Circle Paoli, PA 19301 Web Site: http://www.VandekrolforClerkofCourts.com Education: B.A Hamilton College; M.A. University of Delaware Qualifications: Incumbent successfully doing the job for the past 4 years Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VandeKrolforClerkofCourts Instagram: VandekrolforClerkofCourts Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Clerk of Courts?

A: My main experience is being the incumbent and having done the job very effectively for the past 4 years. I also bring my business banking background and my skills as a leader who is organized, detail-oriented and process-driven to make government work for residents. The office cannot and does not provide legal advice. We process criminal legal paperwork and money. While that may sound dull to some – I love it! Being able to identify waste and inefficiency, and then implement improvements, excites me, and motivates me to come to work every day. I am successful as the Clerk of Courts because I treat this position as a full-time job. I show up, I listen to the team members who often have decades of experience, and I build relationships internally to collaborate in making positive change. While I have made great strides, there is still more to do.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Clerk of Courts?

A: The Clerk of Courts processes criminal legal paperwork and money based on complex state and local rules that are subject to continual change, so the primary challenge is staying on top of all these various services to ensure accuracy and efficiency. For example, not long after I was elected, I was struggling to find where new fees associated with changes in legislation were actually going. After many weeks of hunting through the books, I ultimately found the money—in the wrong place—which meant these funds were not benefitting the taxpayers of Chester County. Over $8 million comes through the Clerk of Courts office every year, and tracking that flow of money is a critical aspect of the job, especially when those fees change based on new legislation. Under my leadership, every one of the 28 team members reviews every process on a regular basis and documents exactly how each process is done so that I can manage the duties of the office efficiently. Doing so, we were able to uncover things being done inefficiently, incorrectly, or not at all. I also modernized the office to make these functions easier for everyone, internal and external. For example, I successfully implemented an electronic filing system. Lawyers can now file any time, from anywhere, and can also access all documents online, saving them a trip to the office. This technology not only saves time and money for lawyers and their clients, it also saves the taxpayers money. E-filing also increases access to justice. I am glad to have initiated these basic but critical procedures to solve the primary challenge of the office and to streamline management going forward. One of my proudest achievements was to successfully implement an electronic filing system.

Lawyers can now file any time, from anywhere, and can also access all documents online, saving them a trip to my office. This technology not only saves time and money for lawyers and their clients, it also saves YOU, the taxpayer, money.

Chester County Coroner Description of office: Investigates all sudden, violent, traumatic or unexpected deaths. Determines cause of death by conducting inquests; performing autopsies; conducting pathological and toxicological analyses. Assures the individual’s proper identify and provides notification to the legal next of kin. Term of office: 4 years

Candidates (choose 1):

Sophia Garcia-Jackson Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: P.O. Box 904 Exton PA 19341 Campaign Phone: (484) 985-0356 Web Site: http://sophiaforcoroner.com/ Email: info@sophiaforcoroner.com Education: Sophia obtained her Bachelor’s of Art degree from California State University, Chico with a major in Anthropology, a minor in Nutrition, and a certificate in Forensic Identification. She attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and received a Master’s of Science degree in Forensic Medicine.

Qualifications: Sophia has been Chief Deputy Coroner of the Coroner’s Office since March 2020, she was promoted from First Deputy Coroner at the start of the Pandemic. She has been with the Coroner’s Office for 2 ½ years. Prior to that she worked for 6 years as a Medicolegal Death Investigator at a Medical Examiners Office in Southern New Jersey. She is certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and is working on the next level of certification. She also has a certificate by the Pennsylvania’s Coroners Education Board.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiaforcoroner You Tube: https://youtu.be/US2qKG7rSso Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Coroner?

A: Sophia obtained her Bachelor’s of Art degree from California State University, Chico with a major in Anthropology, a minor in Nutrition, and a certificate in Forensic Identification. She attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and received a Master’s of Science degree in Forensic Medicine.

During undergrad she had an internship with the Human Identification Lab where she assisted the University Professors on identification of human remains in criminal cases. She processed animal skeletal remains for their comparative collection in the Zooarchaology Lab. She also assisted in the training of criminal investigators for continuing education courses. Sophia’s duties at the Chester Coroner’s Office include signing death certificates with cause and manner of death. Serving on various tasks forces: Child Fatality Review Board, Drug Overdose Task Force, Elder Abuse Task Force, Mass Fatalities Planning in conjunction with Chester County Department of Emergency Services. Managing the Coroner Office Budget. Managing all aspects of the Office: Administration, Death Investigation, Transportation. Being an oncall supervisor 24/7 providing back up for the on-call Coroner Investigator. Training new Investigators and Transporters. Back filling in the schedule to cover Investigator shifts by responding to scenes and investigating deaths, working all shifts including nights, weekends and Holidays.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Coroner?

A: Sophia’s top goals are working towards Chester County building a modern Forensic Facility to provide a better service to Chester County residents to both the deceased and their next of kin. Having only one location, instead of three, will save taxpayers money by cutting down transportation costs, avoid relying on nearby county facilities to handle examinations of unique cases and bring in revenue by having autopsy suite spaces available to rent. Sophia plans to grow the office by adding positions such as a salaried Forensic Pathologist to help save the county money instead of paying per exam. This Pathologist would be able to give their full attention to the office by providing a better turnaround time for final reports and be more readily available to the next of kin. She also plans to add an additional full time autopsy technician to prevent burnout and injuries, and saving the county money instead of relying on other counties to perform autopsies when the only autopsy technician is away from the office. Sophia plans to increase community awareness and transparency by providing more community outreach to include: Public Information Sessions, Education based presentations to High School and College Students, and information sessions to long-term care facilities, hospitals and hospice.

Frank Speidel Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 215 William Penn Blvd. West Chester, PA, 19382 Campaign Phone: (610) 235-7268 Web Site: http://dti0xq8055bjv.cloudfront.net/home.html Email: fspeidelmd@aol.com Education: BA, Kalamazoo College, Physics, Oakley Prize winner in Physics; MBA, Wharton School Finance, Information Systems; MD Temple University School of Medicine; Residency in Emergency Medicine Medical College of Pennsylvania Qualifications: Decades of clinical practice in emergency medicine. Four decades of Board Certification

by ABEM Facebook: Dr Frank Speidel For Chester County Coroner https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Frank-SpeidelFor-Chester-County-Coroner-106802248217134 Twitter: Francis Speidel@FrankXSpeidel You Tube: The Doctor Is In https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69cH1JuZxSeJE6GrVNmU6ZoYl2thnTY5 Questions: Q: What education, training or experience have you had that makes you fit for the position as the Coroner?

A: Years of clinical practice of emergency medicine has provided me awareness of the pathophysiology of disease, the complexity and nuance of disease and trauma. The specialty and practice of emergency

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

medicine encompasses toxicology, environmental injuries, trauma, medicine and behavioral illnesses in both adults and children. In addition, during my service on active duty with the United States Navy as a Flight Surgeon, I have received education and training in nuclear, biologic and chemical warfare as well as formal training in aviation mishap investigations and human factors analysis. Throughout my career I have provide leadership to my organizations at ever increasing levels of responsibility, from Department Head, Chief of Emergency Services, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Quality Officer, Privacy Officer, Compliance Officer and hospital CEO. My service to community and country has included EMS Medical Director for both Chester County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am a Gulf War Veteran and served proudly as Senior Medical Officer for the carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and Battle Force Red Sea. I have demonstrated I can perform, manage and succeed in critical, high stress, complex environments such as a pandemic.

Q: What are your top three goals to improve the operations of the office you are seeking as the Coroner?

A: COMPETENCY My opponent is not a physician. The Office is more than forensic files. In the time of a pandemic, you need more physician voices, not fewer. In the time of a pandemic, we need someone who has diagnosed and treated infectious diseases. No lecture can match being the Emergency Department Director for a level II Trauma Center for understanding trauma mechanisms. Emergency Medicine is the specialty that focuses on acute illness and injury across all ages. Nothing can match decades of treating the ill and injured to provide sure knowledge of the mechanisms and pathology that cause death. The above is simple technical competence. More important are decades of being there for family and loved ones on the worst day of their lives. Part of the Coroner’s function is being there when someone’s world falls apart, when all that truly counts is gone.

Chester County Magisterial District Judge Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-1-01 Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Candidates (choose 1):

Mark A. Bruno Party: Rep Biographical Info: Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response –

Marc J. Lieberman Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: 1356 Skelp Level Rd. Downingtown PA 19335 Campaign Phone: (610) 430-3701 Web Site: http://www.marclieberman.com Email: jf.marcliebermanforjudge@gmail.com Education: Henderson High School 1985 West Chester University BA in Psychology and Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies 1994 Widener University of Law J.D. 1997 Qualifications: 23 years of legal practice in defending individuals accused of a crime, Real Estate law, Landlord tenant law, Family law.

Facebook: Marc J Lieberman for MDJ Instagram: Marc J Lieberman for MDJ Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response –

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-1-02

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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apply the law fairly and impartially to all parties who come before me. Magisterial district judges are permitted to participate in activities that promote public understanding of and confidence in the administration of justice, including appearing before governmental bodies and officials in connection with matters concerning the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice, and engaging in civic outreach and education. If elected, I will seek to improve the law and the justice system by engaging in such activities. I have sought to do this both before my campaign – through, among other things, service as a volunteer child advocate, membership on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania pro bono honor roll, and service on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prisoner civil rights panel – and throughout my campaign, as a judge for the 2021 Pennsylvania High School Mock Trial Championship and through my Supreme Court education webinar, accessible at https://www. mwsformdj.com/in-the-news. If elected, I will continue and deepen my commitment to civic education in our community and seek to improve the justice system so that it efficiently and effectively serves all members of our community.

Thomas W. Tartaglio Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 868 Lancaster Ave. Devon, PA. 19333 Web Site: http://Https://judgetartaglio.com Email: Info@judgetartaglio.com Education: B.S. Criminal Justice, West Chester University; Magisterial Judge Certification, PA Supreme Court; M.S. Criminal Justice Admin-Organizational Leadership, Colorado State University Qualifications: 24 years in the Chester County Justice System; 12 years Judicial experience; Lived up to my oath to be fair & impartial Facebook: @judge_tartaglio Instagram: Judge_tartaglio Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: Chester County has a wide range of diversionary programs at the Court of Common Pleas level. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). This first-time, nonviolent program provides the most flexibility for defendants to take a level of responsibility and avoid trial. Drug Court, this intensive supervision program, touting a high record of success at reducing recidivism in addicts. Women’s Reentry Assessment & Programming Initiative (WRAP) integrates gender-responsive, risk/need assessment/supervision programs in collaboration with community case management to reduce recidivism, decrease technical violations and increase the health and well-being of justice-involved women and their family members.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: Bail: I delve deep during the arraignment process calculating financial means. Non-monetary bail conditions are just as constructive by keeping the defendant employed or with family creating stability.

Plea Bargaining: I use restorative justice measures when all parties wish to participate. Many of my bail orders incorporate treatment/counseling rather than incarceration. Sentencing: District Judges are very limited in sentencing range by statute and do not have the authority to deviate unless the laws specified a higher penalty for consecutive offenses.

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-1-03 Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Candidates (choose 1):

Gregory Hines Party: D/R Biographical Info: Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response –

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-1-04

Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Candidates (choose 1):

Candidates (choose 1):

Mackenzie W. Smith

Marian Vito

Party: Dem Biographical Info: Web Site: http://www.MWSforMDJ.com Email: contact@mwsformdj.com Education: Tulane University, BA 2005 in Italian and Linguistics (magna cum laude); Middlebury College, MA 2006 in Italian Studies; Temple University Beasley School of Law, JD 2009 (cum laude) Qualifications: I am the only candidate for District Judge 15-1-02 who possesses a law degree. I believe that judges at all levels of the judiciary should be legal experts, because knowledge of the law, the Constitution, and the rules of evidence and procedure are critical to the preservation of individual rights, due process, and democracy. In short, judges should be lawyers. Additionally, I am the only candidate who has practiced in both the criminal justice system (as a prosecutor at the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and as a defense and civil rights attorney, representing those accused of crimes) and the civil justice system (I have represented clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to a newborn baby born into the foster care system, in courts ranging from district court all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court). Finally, I am the only candidate who has represented parties on both sides of the law: the prosecution/plaintiffs and the defense. This experience makes me the candidate with the broadest, most impartial perspective.

Facebook: Facebook.com/mwsformdj Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: Diversionary programs such as Mental Health Court, Drug Court, and Veterans’ Court play a critical role in the criminal justice system and in the lives of those admitted into the programs. It is absolutely crucial that the people working in the system – police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, and of course judges – acknowledge and hold sacred the humanity and dignity of those accused of crimes. Oftentimes, individuals who are coming into the criminal justice system lack the support networks that we all need in order to thrive, and diversionary programs are one mechanism (among others) that we can put in place to avoid or at least minimize incarceration and provide some sort of support network. The Magisterial District Courts do not oversee these essential programs, but there is an opportunity for District Judges to fulfill their own role as part of a social support network.

First, District Judges must commit to administering preliminary and bail hearings impartially, providing a full and fair opportunity for the accused to be heard and/or advocated for (within the confines of Fifth Amendment considerations), and furthering their own education on trauma-informed systems. Second, District Judges can employ their own form of alternate sentencing in summary cases, such as disorderly conduct citations. Many of these cases provide an ideal opportunity for community service as an alternative to a monetary fine. Community service not only helps an (often young) individual with little or no criminal history avoid financial penalties, but also creates a connection between the individual and their community. A District Judge who is trauma-informed and committed to listening to all the facts and circumstances of a given case, no matter how “small,” can employ other alternatives to a traditional sentence on a case-by-case basis. Third, District Judges can and should seek to improve the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, as set forth in Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct 3.4, to ensure that diversionary programs are run effectively and efficiently.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: If I am elected as District Judge, I will take an oath to follow the law of Pennsylvania and the Constitution of the United States, including the factors set forth in the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure regarding bail and plea bargains. Magisterial District Judges are required by Pennsylvania law to interpret and apply the law without regard to whether the magisterial district judge approves or disapproves of the law in question, and to keep an open mind and carry out their adjudicative duties faithfully and impartially. If elected, I will follow the law and honor my commitment to rule impartially, permit every party a full and fair opportunity to be heard, and seek to continually improve my own education in all areas relevant to my judicial duties. I will always seek to keep an open mind, listen to all the facts, and

Party: D/R Biographical Info: Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response -

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-2-07

Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Candidates (choose 1):

Paige Simmons Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: 1214 KIMBERTON RD, # 107, CHESTER SPRINGS, PA 19425 Campaign Phone: (484) 301-2192 Web Site: http://www.simmonsforjudge.com/ Email: info@simmonsforjudge.com Education: Johns Hopkins University, MPA (expected graduation date May 2022); Case Western Reserve School of Law, JD; Adelphi University, BS in Business Management Qualifications: Licensed to practice law in PA, NY, and CA. Have been practicing law for over a decade.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simmonsforjudge Twitter: https://twitter.com/Simmons4MDJ Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: District Court 15-2-07 is not located in a higher crime area and most offenses are drug, alcohol, and mental health-related with some domestic violence. To that end, many offenders in this Court may be better served by having the opportunity to rehabilitate and treat the root of their issue as opposed to a punishment that is simply punitive in nature. The hope is that upon completing one of the below programs, the offender will have the tools to keep from reoffending. The top three programs I feel further this goal are: 1) Recovery Court which is a drug and alcohol treatment-based court program for offenders in need of long term, highly structured drug and alcohol treatment and supervision; 2) Mental Health Court provides treatment, support and stability to justice for offenders who struggle with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness; and 3) the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program which is a pre-trial diversion program for individuals with limited or no prior record who are deemed eligible by the District Attorney.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: All individuals carry some level of bias and even when we work to eliminate our biases, unconscious biases can still remain. These remaining biases can unconsciously influence a judge’s sentencing de-

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021

cisions. The key to creating a more fair and equitable court is to be aware of the potential for bias and to take steps to lessen their effects. To begin with, on the bench judges must be transparent in their decision making, consistent in their sentencing, and critical of plea bargains that on their face suggest bias. Being transparent means issuing decisions that are detailed and well-reasoned so that all that wish to, can review the decisions to ensure the judge is sentencing consistently across all similar defendants.

In addition, judges should ensure that defendants that agree to plea bargains are being offered similar terms by sending plea bargains that are inconsistent back to the District Attorney’s office for further review. With regard to cash bail, it is incumbent on judges to thoroughly review pre-sentence investigation reports which include a review of factors such as a Defendant’s prior record, prior probation/parole, and institutional history, family and marital history, health (physical, mental, emotional), education, employment, financial conditions, and victim information. Based on the investigation’s findings, and in accordance with Pennsylvania law, cash bail should only be imposed when a defendant poses a risk to the community and/or no other bail option can ensure that the defendant returns to court. Alternate cash bail options include release on recognizance, suspended bail (meaning bail is set but does not have to be paid so long as the defendant complies with the court’s orders and attends all hearings), and electronic monitoring.

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-4-02 Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Candidates (choose 1):

Ann M. Feldman

Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: P.O. Box 143, Downingtown, PA 19335 Campaign Phone: (725) 568-7799 Web Site: http://AnnFeldman4Judge.com Email: AnnFeldman4Judge@gmail.com Education: Paralegal, Boston Univ 2010 Qualifications: Certified by Pennsylvania Supreme Court; 2009 – Present, Elected to Downingtown Borough Council for three consecutive terms serving in quasi-judicial and legislative roles Facebook: AnnFeldman4Judge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: The top three alternative sentencing programs that I support are Mental Health Court, intermediate punishment (i.e., community service), and the re-entry program. The MDJ has an opportunity to intervene at a pivotal juncture in the life of a non-violent, low-level offender by providing alternate sentencing that will not only keep the individual out of prison but will also provide the needed support to change behavior for the long-term. Successful intervention will benefit the individual and the community.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: As MDJ can ensure fair hearings that are open to all and provide alternatives to cash bail when appropriate. Community service is a viable option for low-level, non-violent summary offenses. Additionally, in order to maintain a fair and equitable court, a judge must not participate in ex parte communications.

Candidates (choose 1):

Jeffrey J. Valocchi

Lauren Holt

Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 32 Downing Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335 Campaign Phone: (484) 614-2461 Web Site: http://www.reelectjudgevalocchi.com Email: reelectjudgevalocchi@gmail.com Education: University of Notre Dame – BA; Saint Louis University and University of Pennsylvania – JD; As a sitting judge I participate every year in a one week Continuing Judicial Education Course which has kept me updated on relevant developments affecting the Court.

Qualifications: As an attorney I have over 35 years of legal experience in general areas including civil, criminal, family and municipal related matters. For ten years I participated in Mental Health hearings on the Mental Health Masters Circuit which has provided valuable insight into the many cases that come through the Court. As a Judge I have conducted thousands of hearings in my twelve years on the bench.

My Court was chosen as the Pilot Court to oversee the process of implementing a Landlord Tenant assistance program. This program was created by the Friends Association and utilizes various fundraising sources to assist tenants in paying (and landlords receiving) past rent due and current rent.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReelectJudgeValocchi Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: There are no specific programs on which I lean in providing sentencing alternatives in lieu of prison.

My first approach is to fashion some type of educational process which addresses the particulars of the case offense, the conduct of the defendant and, most importantly some measure of satisfaction and justice for the victim. I tend to fashion some community service, research assignments and writing exercises which hopefully force the Defendant into a position of empathy in understanding how their conduct has impacted the victim. Where appropriate, I will impose anger management counseling and classes as well as drug and alcohol education. The bottom line is that the alternatives offered in lieu of prison must first have a good probability of enlightening, educating and changing the Defendant, while at the same time providing a real sense of satisfaction and justice for the victim.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: The primary issues regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing are consistency and transparency. Consistency does not mean “sameness”. Every case, defendant and victim offer specific factors which relate to that case and only that case. However, the process, protocols and rules should apply similarly to everyone. Transparency does not mean that details related to discussions and negotiations should be publicly aired but that the process is clear and known to all involved, including the public. As for the issue of bail, most newspaper articles and public discussions on the matter indicate that there is confusion between “bail” and “collateral”. In non-criminal summary cases and traffic citations, defendants often end up sitting in prison on an outstanding warrant and are often required to post “collateral” to be released prior to a hearing. That very rarely happens in this Court as we rarely require the posting of collateral except when a defendant has consistently been less than candid with the Court and clearly has the means to pay. As for bail, which applies to criminal cases only, the bottom line of cash bail is 1) the likelihood of a Defendant to appear for scheduled hearings; 2) the health, safety, and welfare of the alleged victims as well as the public; and 3) the health, safety, and welfare of the defendant. We do not use bail to punish a defendant before the case has been adjudicated. Regarding plea bargaining, the process serves a purpose in a more efficient use of everyone’s time and energy including Court personnel, law enforcement, the parties and, importantly, witnesses and others who would have to appear for hearings and trial. If the plea bargaining process is consistent and transparent it provides many advantages to all involved as well as the public. Regarding what a Judge does “on and off the bench” related to these issues, quite simply, I practice what I believe on the bench and preach what I practice off the bench.

Maria Varano McDowell Party: Rep Biographical Info: Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response –

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-4-01

Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: 64 Jolin Rd., Paoli, PA 19301 Campaign Phone: (717) 468-4962 Web Site: http://www.laurenholt4mdj.com Email: laurenholt4mdj@gmail.com Education: Graduate of the the University of Pittsburgh, BA Political Science/History; and The Penn State Dickinson School of Law Qualifications: I am a licensed attorney with over a 10 years of trial experience and an extensive background in criminal law. I previously served as an assistant public defender with the Chester County Public Defender’s Office and was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Penny L. Blackwell of the York County Court of Common Pleas.

Facebook: Lauren Holt for Magisterial District Judge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: The are several sentencing alternative programs available to criminal defendants in the Chester County court system such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court. They are aimed at treating, rehabilitating and keeping people out of our prison systems while under the supervision of the court.

While I am very familiar with these programs, having had several clients participate in these programs during my tenure as a Chester County Assistant Public Defender, I will not have the jurisdiction to sentence anyone to these programs as a Magisterial District Judge as they are typically only available to defendants facing misdemeanor and felony charges. At the MDJ level, the Judge can only issue a final disposition of a summary offense, which carries a maximum possible sentence of 90 days in jail and $300 fine, but rarely is jail time sought by the Commonwealth in those instances. While there are no specific sentencing alternative programs available to defendants at the MDJ level, the rules do allow for the court to offer alternative dispositions where appropriate. This most often happens for first time offenders caught underage drinking, for example. These alternative programs would allow for a defendant to avoid a conviction and maintain a clean criminal record after completing specific conditions such as community services, drug/alcohol treatment, job training or other educational training. While I will not have an opportunity to be involved with the sentencing alternative programs like Drug Court and Mental Health court while serving as an MDJ, I will likely be the first to address bail for those cases. Therefore, I will haven an opportunity to impose bail conditions such as directing that a defendant undergo a mental health and/or drug and alcohol evaluations and follow all recommendations for treatment. Therefore, by the time the defendant is before the Court of Common Pleas, and if it is determined that they qualify and are appropriate for one of these programs, it is possible that they will have already have taken the first steps necessary to complete the sentencing alternative programs.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: Appearing before a Magisterial District Judge is the first step in the criminal justice system for many, if not all, facing criminal charges. Therefore it is the first time that bail is addressed. With regards to cash bail, it should be the exception and not the norm in cases involving non-violent offenses. However, in determining bail for any offense, an MDJ should consider the information provided to the court by the defendant, the prosecutor and the county bail agency/pre-trial services department before making a determination. Not only should an MDJ use that information to determine whether or not to incarcerate a defendant pending trial, they should also use that opportunity to consider the imposition of specific bail conditions. For example, an MDJ can order that a defendant undergo a mental health and/or a drug and alcohol evaluation should they feel that that particular condition is appropriate and beneficial for all parties. With regards to plea bargaining, MDJs should not involve themselves in negotiations between the parties. The MDJ should only consider whether a plea agreement presented to the court should be accepted or rejected, if the terms themselves would be a miscarriage of justice. An MDJ is not running a fair and equitable court if all plea agreements are blindly accepted without consideration. Regarding sentencing, the MDJ should consider all of the information provided by the parties, the appropriate factors for consideration in sentencing and whether an alternative disposition would be more appropriate in the case before imposing any sentence. As an MDJ, I would give every case before me due consideration and allow all parties to have a chance to be heard in court. Off the bench, I will educate myself on all legal changes and rule updates, just as I do as a licensed attorney in complying with yearly continuing legal education requirements.

Chester County Magisterial District Judge 15-4-04 Description of office: Magisterial district judges (MDJs) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. They handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible for whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. They are responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.

Term of office: 6 years.

Salary: $93.338

Eugene Twardowski

Candidates (choose 1):

Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 2 Stuart Drive Malvern, PA 19355 Campaign Phone: (610) 908-4819 Web Site: http://TwardowskiLaw.com Email: emt@twardowskilaw.com Education: Kings College, Wilkes-Barre, Cum Laude, 1973; Temple University School of law, 1976 Qualifications: Trial Experience before district magistrates and county courts; Admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; My experience goes far beyond the Courtroom; 45 years of legal experience in both private and public sectors; Served as General Counsel to corporations; Represented numerous municipalities; Active in Community service; 13 years of service on Great Valley School Board with 3 years as Board President; Served as Minister of Eucharist and Lector at St. Patrick Parish, Malvern, PA; Vice Chairman and Secretary of Race 4 The House, a Section 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to raising funds for Ronald’s House in Philadelphia, PA. Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: (a) A Program of Restorative Justice: These are programs which involve all parties (victims, offenders, the community affected and the legislature to acknowledge the need to repair the harm done by the specific offence committed. This would involve restitution to the victim, counseling for both victim and offender, rehabilitation of offender by community service which would allow the offender to re-enter society. Incarceration should be the last resort. (b) A program which includes substance abuse prevention, work training, parent counseling and work release. (c) A program which is specifically designed for teenagers in offences such as theft, truancy, disorderly conduct and vandalism. The offender would be given an opportunity to explain why the offense was committed but the charges should be admitted.

Counseling and probation would be included.

Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: In addition to implementing the programs described in the first response as much as possible from the bench, I would address these matters with various School Boards to promote an awareness of the need for such programs. I would also lobby before the State Legislature. Education is the most valuable tool.

Bobby Brown Party: Dem Biographical Info: Address: PO Box 8066, West Grove, PA 19390 Web Site: http://VoteBobbyBrown.com Email: BobbyBrown4MDJ@gmail.com Facebook: Facebook.com/VoteBobbyBrown Instagram: Instagram.com/VoteBobbyBrown Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response –

Matthew Seavey Party: Rep Biographical Info: Address: 914 W. Cypress St. Kennett Square, PA 19348 Web Site: http://www.ElectMatthewSeavey.com Email: MSeavey34@gmail.com Facebook: ElectMatthewSeavey Twitter: @Seavey4Judge Questions: Q: What are the top three programs that you support for alternate sentencing aimed at keeping people out of the prison systems?

A: - no response Q: What can you do both on and off the bench to support a more fair and equitable court system regarding cash bail, plea bargaining, and sentencing.

A: - no response -