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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018
Letter to the Editor
Lawrence is a reformer working for us Letter to the Editor:
A 17-year-old girl was killed in a house fire on the morning of Oct. 26, and neighbors are raising money for the family.
Community reaches out after a fatal fire Gofundme account is gathering donations
By John Chambless Staff Writer A neighbor has stepped up to help an Oxford area family that was struck by tragedy last week. A house fire reported on the morning of Oct. 26 claimed the life of a 17-yearold girl and has left her family homeless. The family is now staying with Chris and Barbara Phelan, who also live on the property. “The mother who survived the fire is now with her boyfriend and his family who also reside on the property,” neighbor Jennie Leary wrote to The Chester County Press on Oct. 28. “We have started a gofundme to raise money for whatever they may need -- funeral costs, a new apartment, clothing, household items, etc.” In the gofundme posting,
Leary wrote, “The local fire department and paramedics arrived in just minutes, but it was too late. Friends and family stood by in horror and disbelief, learning that the family’s daughter did not make it out of the house. The Red Cross donated vouchers for food and clothing, but we cannot imagine all the things still needed, as all belongings were lost.” The $5,000 goal of the campaign was well underway as of Monday morning, with several donors offering words of sympathy and comfort to the family. Donations can be made at: www.gofundme.com/ help-for-oxford-familytragic-fire To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.
Election Day is next Tuesday. I am writing to tell you about John Lawrence, a person I have known for years. John’s opponents are smearing him with complete misstatements, and I want to set the record straight. John is serious about education and property tax reform. He strongly supported this year’s state budget, which commits more state funding to public education than ever before. He also voted for school safety and security grants that will go to Avon Grove, Oxford, and Octorara, to ensure our kids are safe at school. John has supported several property tax relief
proposals, and his bill to redirect all tax revenue from casino table games directly towards property tax relief passed the House unanimously. John is keeping the promises made to our teachers. As a retired public school teacher, I feel this is very important. Just this year, John voted to put almost as much money into PSERS (the teacher’s pension system) as Gov. Rendell put in total during all of the eight years he was Governor. John is serious about protecting victims of domestic violence. He wrote a new law, signed by Gov. Wolf, to make sure that a victim of domestic violence would not have to pay alimony to her convicted abuser
while going through a divorce. Imagine a judge ordering you to pay a man who pled guilty to abusing you. John knew that had to change, and he brought together Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate to do it. John is serious about fiscal responsibility. He put legislation on the Governor’s desk that would reform how the state issues debt, saving taxpayers millions. He is serious about government reform, refusing to take legislative perks and a state pension. He has held dozens of town hall meetings, and posts all of the expenses in his office online for the sake of transparency and accountability. This is the John
Lawrence I know – someone who knows how to work across the aisle to solve problems. John stands up for us, regular, everyday citizens who live here in Southern Chester County. This election has been over the top. John’s opponents have attacked him for everything under the sun, distorting his record, trying to paint John as greedy and someone who doesn’t care about us. I wanted to write this letter to tell the real story of the person I know. I encourage you to get out and vote for State Rep. John Lawrence on Nov. 6. Susan Hancock Upper Oxford Township
A voice of support for Eric Roe Letter to the Editor: As the Nov. 6 election approaches, I want to put in a good word for State Rep. Eric Roe. In an otherwise polarized and partisan election cycle, Eric Roe has proven that he’s willing to put people above politics. That’s why he’ll have my vote. His leadership against unfair gerrymandering is probably the best example of his integrity. In a world where politicians seem so self-serving, Eric proposed a bill to
take legislators out of the redistricting process and use a citizen commission to draw district boundary lines instead. He also declined the lavish pension and per diems offered to State Reps. I care about the education of our youth since they are the future of our country. I read about the historic funding Rep. Roe provided for our schools, and I’m impressed that he did it without raising taxes. He also fought against raising the sales tax, the personal income tax,
and taxes on everyday household items. I was pleased to hear that Rep. Roe was a co-sponsor on a domestic violence bill that would protect women and children by requiring abusive partners to give up their guns to lawenforcement authorities within 24 hours of being convicted of domestic abuse, instead of the previous 60 days they were given. The law passed. Women are safer for it. Finally, Rep. Roe helped pass the
“Stoneleigh Law,” to protect our beautiful and historic open spaces from being seized by eminent domain to be built upon. We have enough development where I live, and I for one want to protect our beautiful hills and farms. Keep local politics local; don’t let the noise at the national level distract you. Eric Roe deserves your vote on Nov. 6 and he’ll certainly have mine. Kathy Pratt West Goshen Township
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th
Proven leadership, Real results... Delivered the highest state education funding in history to our public schools, $11.86 billion Increased school safety grants by $60 million Preserved the New Bolton Center’s $30 million in annual state funding Passed legislation to disarm domestic abusers and protect victims p Held the line on personal income and sales taxes & held government spending below the rate of innation
Re-Elect ERIC ROE as State Representative Paid for by Friends of Eric Roe