Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 149, No. 39
INSIDE
60 Cents
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Painting by Oxford officials Kennett Square artist optimistic about is seen on a world stage revitalization plan Neilson Carlin’s image of the Holy Family may inspire millions around the world
Sharing memories of the one-room schoolhouse...........1B
Photo by Steven Hoffman
Oxford Borough officials are working on an update of the 2003 revitalization plan to develop strategies for the next five to ten years.
Oxford girls soccer team loses 1-0 to Great Valley.....................4B
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
It’s Unionville Fair time this weekend.............6B
Photo by John Chambless
Kennett Square artist Neilson Carlin with a sketch of his portrait of the Holy Family that was seen at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
By John Chambless Staff Writer On Monday morning, a day after a large portion of the world saw his painting of the Holy Family on stage with Pope Francis
Penn Township Health and Wellness Picnic gets rave reviews...11B
INDEX Calendar of Events......2B
in Philadelphia, Neilson Carlin was back in his nondescript studio space in Kennett Square, coming to terms what had just happened. “I knew, in the abstract, that it was the World
Meeting of Families, that there were a million-plus people, but it’s another thing to be there, looking at my artwork on stage,” he said. “It’s settling in that everyone is watching Continued on Page 3A
Continued on Page 4A
District Attorney won’t charge parent who left gun in car at Patton Middle School By John Chambless Staff Writer The parent who left a
Opinion........................9A gun in his unlocked car Obituaries...................8A at Patton Middle School
on Sept. 3 will not face criminal charges, accordPolice Blotter..............6B ing to a report from Chester County District Attorney’s office. Classified....................8B
The report, issued on Sept. 24, follows an investigation into the incident, which sparked concern among parents of students at Patton Middle School and Unionville High School, which is nearby. According to the report, the parent – who is
unidentified because he has not been charged with a crime – has a daughter at Patton Middle School. “The parent is 46 years old. He has no prior criminal history,” the report reads. “The parent and his wife have six children, including two children with special needs. The
State stormwater laws being enforced, but remain undefined By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Continued on Page 2A
parent is a sales representative and also owns businesses that deal with cash. As a result, he sometimes carries cash and valuable merchandise in his vehicle. For the purpose of selfprotection, he obtained a compact Taurus 9mm firearm and was granted
a concealed carry permit by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. He has never fired the weapon.” On Sept. 3, the report explains, the parent’s wife was scheduled to pick up their child at Patton Middle School for a dentist appointment. Continued on Page 3A
From chaos comes change By Uncle Irvin
The newest stormwater requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, administered state-wide by the Environmental Protection Program [EPA] and enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection’s [DEP] Municipal Separate Storm Sewer [MS4] Program, are expected to Photo by Richard L. Gaw become more clearly defined Mark Harman of The Arro Group addressed the New Garden Board of Supervisors about stormwater regulain the next few years.
© 2007 The Chester County Press
At a special public meeting on Sept. 22, Oxford Borough officials got their first look at the complete draft of a revitalization plan, and the reaction to the plan was overwhelmingly positive. Borough manager Betsy Brantner said that the new revitalization plan will be an asset to officials as they plan for the borough’s future. The last time that Oxford updated its revitalization plan was 2003. “I believe the plan is a step in the right direction to move the revitalization of the business district forward,” said Oxford Mayor Geoff Henry. “It is my hope that the plan, or parts of
the plan, will be implemented over the next five years instead of sitting on the shelf.” Jerome Rodio, the owner of J & K Slightly Touched and a member of the committee that assisted with the revitalization plan said, “I think the county did a fantastic job. They outlined the strengths and weaknesses that we have.” The presentation was led by Justin Smiley, AICP, an urban planner with the Chester County Planning Commission, and Jaime Larzelere, a community planner with the Chester County Planning Commission, both of whom worked with borough officials on the preparation of the revitalization plan.
tions on Sept. 28.
The recent meltdown of the leadership of the Kennett Library, and the concomitant hostile relationship between the library and Kennett Square Borough Council, seems to have abated. In its place, changes have been made by both sides, setting the platform for constructive dialogue and ultimately the adoption of a plan for the library being crafted by community leaders and the formation of a public task force. Oxford, a much smaller and less affluent neighbor, has recently opened a new library addition, increasing its size and scope. Unlike Kennett, Oxford’s Continued on Page 2A