Chester County Press 10-26-16 Edition

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Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 150, No. 43

INSIDE

West Chester & Chadds Ford Life Magazine

The race for the 158th District seat ‘I am looking ‘I want to see to change Pennsylvania flourish’ Eric Roe, the Republican candidate in the 158th Pennsylvania District race, wants the state to be the most familyfriendly, business-friendly state in the U.S. for the better’ Now in her fourth campaign to win the 158th District seat in the State House, Susan Rzucidlo wants to restore ethics and bi-partisanship in Harrisburg

Stroll through Oxford’s history in a new exhibit...1B

Courtesy photo

The future of energy is the topic at Chamber of Commerce luncheon...3B

60 Cents

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Susan Rzucidlo, a candidate for the 158th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer If Susan Rzucidlo, the Democratic candidate for the 158th District for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, were to add up the total number of homes

she has visited during her four campaigns over the past six years, the quantity -- easily in the tens of thousands -- would probably surprise even her. And yet, it’s the stories inside those homes, Rzucidlo Continued on Page 8A

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Eric Roe estimates that he has knocked on 9,000 doors since he entered the 158th Legislative District race, and he has listened to residents talk about the need for quality schools, property tax reforms, and for solutions to the growing state pension crisis. He has learned that the concerns of the district’s residents mirror his own, just as their values mirror his. Roe envisions a Pennsylvania with a stronger economy, lower taxes, and better schools, and he promises that he will make those goals the cornerstone of his work in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “I want to see Pennsylvania be the most family-friendly, businessfriendly state in the country, and that‘s achievable,” Roe said. Roe and Democrat Susan Rzucidlo are vying to win the State House seat that has been held by State Rep. Chris Ross for the last 20 years. The 158th Legislative District includes the townships of East Bradford,

Courtesy photo

Eric Roe and his wife, Alice, have a conversation with a young mother at a local park. Roe has been meeting with as many residents of the 158th District as he can leading up to the Nov. 8 election.

East Marlborough, London Britain, New Garden, Newlin, West Bradford, and West Marlborough, portions of West Goshen Township, and Avondale Borough. The big difference between the two candidates, Roe said, is that they have differing views on the size and scope of government. “I think government should be smaller,” Roe said, explaining that sound financial stewardship is at

the center of his plan for the state government. “We have to pass responsible budgets,” he explained. “We need lower taxes for families, seniors, and employers. When you lower taxes, it helps attract businesses to Pennsylvania.” Roe said that Rzucidlo would have supported the spending increases—and the tax hikes to support them—in Gov. Tom Wolf’s first two proposed Continued on Page 2A

Kennett Township cuts ribbon on new park Kennett Run Charities distributes $50,000...6A

INDEX Opinion........................7A Calendar of Events.....2B The Art Spot................2B Obituaries...................5B

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Classifieds..................6B

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer To the more than 100 local residents who attended the official opening of Barkingfield Park in Kennett Township this past Sunday, it was more than just showing up at a ribboncutting ceremony, or having an excuse to take the family dog out on a blustery autumn afternoon. It was to help christen a 45-acre patch of earth that will serve as an outdoor sanctuary for the residents of the area for generations to come, and that’s just what they did. In coordination with the township’s Barkingfield

Park Committee, Land Conservation Advisory Committee and the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, Kennett Township welcomed the public to its new passive park, with cinnamon doughnuts and apple cider, face painting, hay rides and tours of equipment from the Longwood and Kennett Square fire companies. The journey of how the township arrived at Sunday’s official opening is a story steeped in collaboration with business and conservation leaders. After purchasing the original 56-acre property from the DeLeeuw family, real estate developer Mike Pia,

Hannum boots game-winner

© 2007 The Chester County Press

Moments after he booted the extra point that helped Oxford to a 23-22 victory over Kennett last Friday night, Ryan Hannum called it the most important kick he’s ever made on the football field. For coverage of the exciting game, please see Page 12A.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Kennett Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Scudder Stevens welcomed more than 100 residents at the official opening of the township’s 45-acre Barkingfield Park on Oct. 23.

Jr., and his wife Stephanie stipulated that a conservation easement be placed on the entirety of the property. When Pia began talking with the township about converting the remaining 45 acres to a public access space, the agreement with the township would give them the rights to develop a “passive” park, which would be restricted to the construction of trails, community gardens, dog parks – but no playgrounds and sports fields. On Feb. 12, 2016, the township became the official owner of 45 acres that now make up the park, at a cost of $782,000. The four-phase plan for the park is currently being developed by Tom Comitta Associates, a West Chester-based landscape architectural firm. Phase 1, now underway, will include the creation of a vast system of mowed trails that navigates around the outer perimeter of the park; a 22-space parking lot and entrance (to begin as a

graveled lot), bordered by planted shade, orchard and buffer trees, and the installation of a rain garden. Phase 2, scheduled to begin in spring of 2017, will include the construction of two dog parks, crushed stone pathways, as well as water and electric installations. Phase 3, also scheduled to begin in 2017, will call for the installa-

tion of a butterfly garden, sunflower and wildflower fields, a managed meadow area, a nature study area, shade trees, crushed stone trails, as well as trail benches, and interpretive signage and mile markers. Phase 4, scheduled for 2018, will include the development of a children’s play area, a picnic pavilion, a Continued on Page 3A

Connors has one more year! By Uncle Irvin On Dec. 31, 2017, London Grove Township’s deal to run Inniscrone Golf Course with Heathland Hospitality expires. If Heathland doesn’t recommit and London Grove supervisors cannot find another manager, London Grove taxpayers will be responsible for the interest, principal, capital improvements, and accumulated losses easily approaching $1.5 million. Continued on Page 3A


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