Chester County Press 11-15-2023 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 157, No. 46

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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Unfunded mandates and tough decisions: Budget time in the Borough of Oxford

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Oxford Borough officials will be grappling with a perfect storm of financial challenges that includes rising costs, lingering impacts from the pandemic, and unfunded mandates from the state and federal government in the weeks and months ahead.

Throw in some tough

INSIDE

decisions about the services the borough offers and you have a well-attended Oxford Borough Council meeting that took place in early November.

If people weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop after the pandemic, perhaps they should have been. You can’t blame everything on the pandemic, but some of the repercussions from the pandemic are certainly still being felt.

Businesses came and went during the pandemic, which meant households were impacted. Supply-chain problems pushed the costs of everything skyward. First responders died while trying to provide life-giving service to their communities.

All this is to paint the picture of a municipality, like any municipality in the country, and the tough decisions that must now be made. The dust has set-

tled and now it is time for municipalities to analyze their financial situations so they can be prepared for emergencies or unavoidable expenses like the unfunded mandates coming from the Department of Environmental Protection.

At the Nov. 6 council meeting, borough officials informed the public of their Draft Strategic Management Plan (STMP) recommendations.

Election results 2023 Seeks to develop collaborations with neighboring municipalities

Muller elected to Kennett Township board Avon Grove student gets perfect score on the SAT...4A

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Democrat Pat Muller, a longtime member of several Kennett Township commissions, was elected as the township’s newest supervisor on Nov. 7 after defeating Republican Steven Lucas by a vote of 1,787 to 1,179, in an election that earned her more than 60 percent of

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In Chester County, more registered Democratic voters cast their ballots by mail or visited one of the 230 polling places on Election Day than their Republican counterparts—and that higher level of participation resulted in big wins

for Democrats in various state, county, and municipal races.

Incumbent Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell were reelected by wide margins on November 7, securing

borough’s website.

But all that notification to residents doesn’t make tough decisions any easier.

A large group of people were present at the Nov. 6 meeting, and it is hoped that they continue to attend meetings to work together to solve the budget problems facing this small community.

Council recently sent a notice of the recommendations to Oxford Borough Continued on Page 2A

FROM OUR LENS Oxford approaching sunset

about the people of Kennett Township is that they are looking for an honest, truthful and positive relationship with their elected representatives, and that’s what I promised in my campaign,” she said. “With my background in commercial banking, I promised to use a sharper pencil on expenses. I am ready to do those Continued on Page 3A

Democrats maintain majority, sweep county row offices a Democratic majority on the three-person board for another four years.

With four people vying for the three open seats, Maxwell earned more than 87,000 votes while Moskowitz tallied nearly 87,000—comfortably ahead

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

With daylight savings time now in full effect, the quickly setting sun emerges from behind the upper spire of the Oxford Presbyterian Church during the afternoon of Nov. 8.

of the 68,000 votes that won Eric Roe a spot on the board.

Roe, a former state representative for Pennsylvania’s 158th House District, will replace Michelle Kichline,

the incumbent Republican County Commissioner, who decided not to seek another term on the board.

Chester County will have Continued on Page 3A

Will join Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell on board in 2024

Roe elected as County Commissioner

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The political career of Eric Roe – who was once considered a rising star in the Chester County Republican Party and served as a state representative – is about to begin a brand new chapter in a brand new job.

In an election held on Nov. 7, the 36-year-old West Bradford Township resident and married father of four gathered 23.02 percent of the total voting for the three-member board – defeating his Republican opponent David C. Summer by a narrow margin of less than four percentage points.

He will serve as the lone Republican Commissioner and will join Democrats Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell, who were reelected after earning 27.75 and 28.33 percent of the votes, respectively.

Roe will replace current Commissioner and fellow Republican Michelle

Kichline as the minority representative on the board.

Earlier in the year, Kichline announced that she will be stepping away from her post at the end of the year.

He will be sworn into his new post in January.

“I am so grateful for the trust bestowed upon me by the voters of this great

county,” Roe said in a press release issued on Nov. 8.

“I will honor that trust by fighting for fiscal responsibility, safer communities, and access to hospitals and healthcare in Chester County. I have big shoes to fill, though. Commissioner Michelle Kichline is not Continued on Page 2A

Kennett Square Borough officials discuss Holiday Light Parade, other special events

By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer

© 2007 The Chester County Press

the vote.

While her election served as another imprint in what amounted to a Blue Wave of Democratic victories throughout the county, Muller said that it sent out an even clearer message throughout the township -one that touches on issues that mirrored much of her campaign platform.

“What this election says

These recommendations were discussed, and will continue to be discussed along with the proposed borough budget for 2024 on Monday, Nov. 20, Monday, Dec., 4 and Monday, Dec. 18. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at the Borough Hall at 1 Octoraro Alley.

Those meetings have been advertised and posted on a notice sent to all borough residents. There is also information posted on the

Kennett Square Borough officials looked ahead to community events this holiday season, the New Year, and beyond during the most recent council meeting.

Council approved the Special Event application for the Holiday Light Parade, which was moved from the traditional Friday-after-

Thanksgiving to Saturday.

This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 25.

This year’s parade route will start at South Broad and West Cypress, head north along the 100 block of South Broad and travel west along State Street to Center Street. The parade will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and the parking garage will host free parting from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., compliments

of Longwood Gardens and Kennett Collaborative.

The Midnight in the Square Mushroom Drop was up for discussion, after the request to move the location from downtown to the Borough Hall campus was submitted to the Public Works Committee. Public Works did not provide a recommendation on whether to move the event, and Borough Council agreed to

keep the event downtown this year with reconsideration next year.

Police Chief William Holdsworth provided details on the request, explaining that the entire Kennett Police force has to work multiple holiday events throughout the year and miss time with their own families. Moving the event to the Borough Hall campus would cut the security need

in half, allowing officers to take turns staffing the event each year. Multiple community members voiced their wishes to keep the event downtown, as is tradition, and the owner of Grain Craft Bar & Kitchen spoke to the economic value of having the event downtown, seeing as much as a 25-percent increase in sales that night.

Chief Holdsworth explained Continued on Page 3A

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Chester County Press

Local News Roe...

Continued from Page 1A

just my mentor – she’s also my friend. I’m glad I could learn from her leadership over the past nine years.”

A former administrative analyst to Kichline, Roe rose in the ranks of the county’s Republican Party and at the age of 29, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he quickly proved himself to be a progressive legislator and aisle-crosser in Harrisburg. During his two-year term, he voted for $60 million in grants to make Pennsylvania schools safer; co-sponsored antiviolence legislation that toughened firearms laws; voted to give more than $11 billion to public schools in the state; helped reform the state’s employee pension system; and appeared at more than one dozen town halls whose topics included property/school taxes, school violence and the elimination of gerry-

Oxford...

Continued from Page 1A

residents, informing the public where they can review a draft of the recommendations.

Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen sat in the hot seat as she was grilled about the STMP Plan.

In the spring of 2023, the borough applied for and received a $52,000 grant through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP).

STMP supports the costs to complete an independent financial and operational review of the municipality.

It was a proactive effort by borough staff and borough council. The borough officials could see the writing on the wall. The assessment was needed to help ensure the sustainability of borough services.

Oxford Borough’s draft Strategic Management Plan (STMP) outlines shortand long-term financial, operational and economic development strategies that the municipality can consider implementing to strengthen financial capacity and improve services.

The most important takeaway from the baseline assessment showed that failure to enact these recommendations could lead to a tax increase as soon as 2024 or 2025.

mandering in Pennsylvania.

Working with Democrat Steve Samuelson, Roe sponsored House Bill 722 to establish an independent citizens commission to redistrict Congressional as well as State House and Senate districts.

After campaigning for a second term in 2018, Roe was one of several Republican lawmakers who ran into the first Blue Wave of a political change in Chester County that flipped several elections in favor of the Democrats.

In the November election, he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat Christina Sappey by eight percentage points, and in a rematch with Sappey to regain his seat in the House in 2020, Roe lost the election by a narrow 485 votes.

As stated in his campaign literature, Roe looks to address several weighty issues in his new role as a commissioner. They include holding the line on tax increases; promoting

fairness and market stability by ensuring that taxes remain fair and equitable; encouraging municipalities and conservation agencies to conserve open space and steering development to existing boroughs and not rural areas; raising awareness for the livelihoods of those in the county’s agricultural industry; ensuring that the county’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Services receives adequate funding and staffing; ensuring that county’s elections are administered efficiently and accurately; and supporting the maintenance and redevelopment of county-owned bridges.

As a carry-over from his time as a state representative, Roe also pledges to support the creation of a citizen-led redistricting commission at the county level to create legislative district maps for Chester County that would then be submitted for consideration to the Legislative Reapportionment

Council member Bill Fitzpatrick said, “We are pulling the weight for the other municipalities. When we have First Fridays in the borough, it is the borough that has been paying for the extra police coverage.”

In other words, the borough and continued financial health of the borough, and the businesses, and agencies such as the Oxford Library, Oxford Area Recreation Authority, and Oxford Historic Association are now vulnerable to borough budget restraints.

The draft plan recommendations were unpopular at the meeting. They include the following: • Implementation of a storm-sewer fee to pay for unfunded federal and state regulatory requirements of the MS4 program, and that fee is now being challenged in a court case; • Implementation of an Ambulance/EMS fee to offset the cost to provide ambulatory services in the borough and that fee comes at a time when the Jennersville Regional Hospital was shut down without warning; • Hiring additional parttime staff to improve codes enforcement and administrative services; • Increased focus on economic development and pursuit of a competitive and fair tax structure; • Investment into capital assets (roads and other

physical infrastructure, facilities, vehicles and equipment needed to provide services); and • Changes to or restructuring of police services.

Input is necessary from all those impacted by these recommendations, which means everyone in the borough and the surrounding townships. All of these tough decisions should not, and cannot, be made without the input of many, hence the multiple meetings set up to involve everyone who could be impacted.

During the council meeting, both the Oxford Area Recreation Authority and the Oxford Library requested more money from the borough. The funds for the park and the library are needed—and many council members supported the additional funding. The problem is finding that funding and ensuring it will continue to be a revenue stream that the organizations can depend on.

The funding request submitted by the Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) was to increase funding from $1.00 per capita (currently totaling $5,845) to $1.50 per capita in 2024 (totaling $8,767.50) and then increasing the per capita contribution by $0.25 through 2028. By 2028, the level of funding would be $2.50 per capita, or a total

Courtesy photo

Former Pa. State Representative Eric Roe won election to the Chester County Commissioners and will join incumbents Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell on the three-person board.

Commission, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

“I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of my wife, children, extended family, volunteers, and

supporters,” Roe added in his statement. “I knocked on thousands of doors this year, which was time spent away from my family. I got to meet thousands of voters at their doorsteps, but it came at the cost of time spent with my wife and four

children. I’m so grateful for their patience with me. I’m glad it was worth it, and I thank God for this opportunity to serve my neighbors.”

of $14,612. This request was ultimately tabled.

Borough Solicitor Stacey Fuller reviewed the agreement with OARA after the meeting and had the following response: “The Cooperation Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between Elk and East Nottingham Townships and the borough created the Oxford Area Recreation Authority. Lower Oxford Township joined in July 2003 and West Nottingham Township joined in 2011.

“Under the terms of the 2003 Agreement, each municipality is to contribute to an upkeep, maintenance and insurance fund the amount of $1.00 per capita annually

by February 1 of each year.

“The municipalities are prohibited from reducing that amount of contribution but may increase the rate by each municipality individually, as it so chooses, on its own volition or at the request of the Authority.

It may also be increased by the Authority, with the unanimous approval of all of the member municipalities, every 5 years beginning in 2009.

“At the Council meeting on Monday, Council discussed the request of OARA for a 50-cent increase in 2024 and an additional 25-cent increase each of the following years through 2028. I advised that if the agreement were to be amended to increase the contribution by the member municipalities, it

would require an amendment to the Cooperation Agreement as, pursuant to Section 5.3 of the agreement, such an increase requires unanimous approval of all of the member municipalities.

“However, if OARA is not seeking such an increase from all of the municipalities then, as Mr. Reynolds advised and I agree, the borough could elect to pay an increased amount to OARA beyond the amount required by the Agreement and that such decision does not require an amendment to the Agreement nor the consent and approval of the townships.”

Regarding these funding requests for the park and the library, council member Amanda Birdwell said, “The increase requested from the Oxford Library and OARA was not on the budget for this year.

It doesn’t mean it isn’t important. We don’t have the money.”

Concerns were voiced by many, including by Mayor Phil Harris, who grilled Garcia-Allen and council regarding the STMP program.

Garcia-Allen emphasized that, “These are draft recommendations” only and are not proposals that council is set to vote on.

Council member Peggy Ann Russell urged the mayor and everyone to attend upcoming budget meetings.

Many good ideas and recommendations came from

those in attendance.

In an interview after the meeting, Garcia-Allen said, “Council and I saw the warning signs coming and this is why the analysis was done. We need to make strategic decisions so we can fund the library and OARA and all the other organizations we support.

“We want to fund more and hopefully, through this analysis, we can provide for the future. The analysis will give council the tools they need to make budget decisions.”

After a lengthy and often contentious discussion, it was clear that not everyone was on the same page.

Key findings of the baseline assessment include (but are not limited to) the following: • Oxford’s small tax base has put pressure on the operating budget and real estate tax millage rate, which is the third-highest in Chester County. The community is characterized by relatively low income levels, high poverty rates, and low homeownership rates; • Workforce expenses have been increasing at a faster rate than revenues and are by far the biggest General Fund expense driver; • Despite growth in expenses exceeding that of revenues, the borough has historically maintained operating surpluses.

However, these surpluses are the result of utilizing non-recurring pandemic recovery funding, deferring maintenance, and minimizing discretionary spending; • Growing deficits are projected into the future, prior to accounting for deferred capital improvement needs and other unfunded mandates; • The borough has significant deferred capital maintenance needs that will be a burden on future budgets; and Strengthening the borough’s fiscal position and addressing other key challenges will require a combination of revenue enhancements, strategic investments, and expense reductions. The borough has been fortunate to secure numerous grants which has offset, or funded, some of the needs.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20, when the 2024 budget will again be discussed.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Local News Muller...

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things, and that message resonated with others.”

Muller, who will be formally sworn in as supervisor in early January and begin a six-year term alongside current board members Richard Leff and Geoffrey Gamble, is the first Democrat elected to the board since the embezzlement scandal of former township manager Lisa Moore, who was convicted in 2021 of stealing more than $3.2 million of the township’s money over a more than 8-year period.

To a good portion of township residents, the Moore scandal is a permanent wound for a municipality that is still reeling from the worst period in its history.

In its wake, the township has fulfilled its promise of creating financial accountability by incorporating various accounting policies, but to Muller, tightening the system of checks and balances is only one victory.

The other, she said, will be to become more transparent and use the services of its government to inform – and recognize -- all Kennett Township residents, from those who live in the comforts of extreme wealth to those who are living paycheck to paycheck.

“I think that we need to

Election...

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a new District Attorney in 2024. Christopher de Barrena‐Sarobe, a Democrat, defeated Ryan L. Hyde by more than 20,000 votes county-wide. Deb Ryan, the Incumbent District Attorney, was elected as a Chester County Court of Common Pleas judge.

Like Ryan, Chester County sheriff Fredda Maddox was successful in her bid to become a Chester County Court of Common Pleas judge. In the contest to elect a new sheriff, Kevin Dykes, currently the chief deputy sheriff, defeated Republican Roy Kofroth.

The margin of victory in this race was also approximately 20,000 votes.

Similarly, in the other county row office races, the margin of victory for the Democratic candidates was between 12 and 14 points.

Michele Vaughn fend-

Kennett Square...

Continued from Page 1A

that staffing from other police departments has been considered, but most departments in the area are also dealing with shortages of available police officers.

The Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert Series will continue next summer on the top of the parking garage.

Last year, 17 concerts were approved but only four or five actually took place.

They will follow the same protocols as last year: No more than 17 concerts, most on Saturday evenings, and no noise after 9 p.m. No complaints were logged about the concerts. The Clover Market events were approved for the Borough Hall campus on June 2 and Oct. 20. The Kennett Arts Festival was approved for Sept. 20 to 22. This year’s Arts Festival was rained out. The Mushroom Festival will be held on Sept. 6 to 8 in 2024, with no changes to the location or street closures.

A short-term loan was approved to help finance the

speak more clearly to people, and I think that message came across in my campaign,” she said. “I was clear about what I think is important and how we need to go forward.”

Muller began her campaign earlier this year by speaking with an often overlooked and under-served demographic in a township generally considered to be among the wealthiest in southern Chester County: Those who are on a fixed income. This demographic – like all others – will be wedged into a financial picture that projects that the township’s operating expenses will be $1.2 million higher in 2024 than this year due to increases in the township’s membership to the Fire & EMS Commission, which will see a 41 percent increase in 2024; a $260,000 one-time cost for the construction of the Magnolia Crossing project; and $143,000 that will be needed to hire two additional staff and appointing a part-time staffer to full-time status in the Public Works Department.

“Emotionally and financially, they are fragile, and when they see inflation take its toll and all of a sudden the cable bill is now $250 and they’re cutting back on services and eating differently, it’s as if they are

waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Muller said.

While there are no easy answers in leveling off potential future tax increases on township residents – particularly those who are in the working middle class -- Muller sees a possible solution that may ease the burden: developing collaborations with neighboring municipalities.

“We have to strive to find them, in order to begin to move the dial,” she said. “We’ve been successful through our membership with the Fire & EMS Commission, and who would’ve thought several years ago that we would have that multi-municipal collaboration? We need to keep finding those cooperative agreements where we can all benefit from economies of scale.

“I also believe that we can move forward with other municipalities through better messaging. I think that we have to make better arguments for doing things that make sense and show these municipalities the proof of why they make sense.”

ed off the challenge from Republican Terri Clark to win another term as the county’s register of wills.

Debbie Bookman sought and won another term as prothonotary, defeating the Republican nominee, Michael Taylor.

In the Recorder of Deeds race, incumbent Diane O’

Dwyer defeated Republican challenger Brian Yanoviak.

In addition to Ryan and Maddox, voters elected Sarah Black, Nicole Forzato, and Thomas McCabe to be judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

Information on election results can be found at www.chesco.org/elections.

Encourage more affordable housing According to a recent market report generated by a national mortgage firm,

Kennett Square Borough voters approve library tax referendum On Election Day, Kennett Square Borough residents voted to approve the following referendum that establishes dedicated funding within the borough’s annual budget for the library: “Do you favor increasing the Borough of Kennett Square’s real estate tax by .2000 mills, the revenue from such tax to be used exclusively to fund the operation of the Kennett Library within the borough?

The referendum was favored by 629 voters, or more than 54 percent, while the number of people who voted against it was 522, or 45 percent. build-out of the new police station at Borough Hall. The loan was needed while the borough awaits grant fundings that will cover about 60 percent of the new construction costs. The grants will be released over the course of three years, which will allow the borough to pay off the 15-year loan term early and without penalty.

The new police station will help meet accreditation criteria required by the state of Pennsylvania, which will allow the Kennett Police Department to be eligible for more grants in the future. The old police station will be sold, with the profit going back into the construction of the new station.

Jdog Junk Removal won a bid for the removal of furniture from the Borough Hall building, under the agreement that a portion of the work is completed as a “litmus test” for the rest of the building. The bid, which was originally submitted at $95,000 for completion, will be re-evaluated after the second floor is completed.

The work involves breaking down and removing cubi-

cles and office furniture that is otherwise not salvageable. The Borough Council worked with area nonprofits to donate the useable furniture, and the leftover will be removed to better help lease the office space.

Borough Council confirmed that the $40,000 reserved in the 2024 annual budget for the Kennett Library and Resource Center will be removed. The citizens of Kennett Square Borough approved a library tax on this year’s election ballot, which will collect around $24 annually from each resident. The tax is not an uncommon practice and many townships and borough have a library tax. The tax will help fund programs in the library that are free to residents, such as the adult literacy and English as a Second Language programs.

Kennett Square Borough Council’s next meeting will include the official vote on the 2024 budget, which does include a proposed increase in taxes. Information on that budget can be found on the Kennett Square Borough website at https://www.kennettsq.org.

housing prices continue to skyrocket in Kennett Township, rising from a media average of $495,000 in October 2022 to $567,500 in October of this year -- an increase of $72,500. In an effort to create more affordable home opportunities in the township, Muller advocates continuing to create Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) zones in areas that surround Kennett Borough. TND is characterized by a range of housing types, a network of well-connected streets and blocks, humane public spaces and amenities such as stores, schools, and places of worship within walking distance of residences.

Even before she was a member of the Planning Commission, Muller worked with architectural town planner Tom Comitta to create a prototype TND ordinance for the township.

“One of the things we wrote into the proposed code – some of which was adopted in the township’s current TND code – was to allow for affordable housing through density,” Muller said. “My thought was to make the ordinance clear and concise and save the developer money so that you could lower the cost to the developer, and hopefully, the developer would pass that savings along.

“The concerns of affordable housing are no longer just a concern confined to a city. It is now an ‘everyplace’ concern, especially in Chester County. We have to find creative ways of encouraging developers to invest in affordable housing and also invest in our

Courtesy photo

Pat Muller was elected as the newest member of the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors. She will begin a six-year term in January.

communities.”

‘What is it we are trying to achieve?’

most people – including the supervisors – have not seen, and I have seen both shortcomings and opportunity,” she said. “I have always viewed myself as a creative voice and a bit of a fixer, and I think what has been missing [on the board] has been a vision that asks, ‘What will the finished product look like?

What is it we are trying to achieve?’

“These are questions that are now being asked, and we’re asking them because we have the opportunity to decide who we want to be and what we want Kennett Township to look like. It presents a great opportunity going forward.”

Muller sees her role on the Board of Supervisors as a new voice of vision for the township.

As she prepares to take her seat on the three-person township board in January, perhaps Muller’s best bargaining chip on her resume coming into the next six years on the board will be her extensive background in the business of Kennett Township, which has included membership in the Planning Commission, the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Land Conservancy Advisory Committee.

To contact Staff Writer “I have gotten to see a Richard L. Gaw, email version of the township that rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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Chester County Press

Local News Avon Grove student gets perfect score on the SAT When Avon Grove High School student Aaditya Joshi opened his results from the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) that he took in October, he learned that he achieved something most students can only dream of—a perfect score of 1600 on the SAT. “I was really excited, and it showed that all of the hard work that I had put in over the years had paid off,” the high school junior said.

The SAT is offered several times throughout the year and high school students often take the exam several times in an effort to reach the best possible score to include on their college

applications. For Joshi, a perfect score marked the completion of that goal.

“I’m really happy that I don’t have to take the SAT again,” he said with a laugh.

This was the third time Joshi took the exam and the achievement did not come easily. With two tests under his belt, Joshi knew he had to focus on reading and writing. He had already achieved a perfect score of 800 in the math portion on a previous test and went into this exam feeling confident.

“It’s completely different than a regular test at school, but I was relaxed during the entire exam,” Joshi said.

It comes as no surprise

Children receive free eye screenings

Courtesy photo

The Avon Grove Lions recently held a Kids Sight eye screening at the Penn Township Fall Festival.

The Lions screened over 60 children at the event.

In spite of the rain, everyone had a great time.

Pictured, from left to right, are a parent and a child who received a screening and Lion members, Dr. Eric Miller, Barry Marteny and Dave Priebe.

that Joshi maintained a calm demeanor while taking the test. He balances cabinet roles in four clubs at the high school, Chess Club, Math Club, UNICEF and Model UN, while also sustaining a high level of academic performance. The junior is already thinking about what he would like to study after high school.

“I’d like to study math or physics,” Joshi said. “I’m really interested in those fields.”

With a remarkable SAT score and an impressive resume of both academic and extracurricular accomplishCourtesy photo ments, Joshi will undoubtably Avon Grove High School junior Aaditya Joshi received a perfect score of 1600 on excel in any path he chooses. the SAT.

Penn Township adopts its 2024 budget

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry allow building closer than Contributing Writer the ordinance allowed—10 feet from the property line.

The Penn Township Originally, it was thought Board of Supervisors that the structure, which adopted its 2024 budget Penn Township superviat their Nov. 1 meeting. sor Victor Mantegna stated The spending plan totals had been built without a $2,028,800. The biggest permit, was just three feet categories for expenses from the property line but are general government at surveys revealed the dis$696,000 and public safety tance is actually 7 feet. at $624,000. No increase An earlier request was in the local tax rate of 0.53 denied when the distance mills is required to fund was thought to be three the budget. feet, and the structure was The board voted to not removed, although a pad support a zoning hear- remains. ing request for 121 Corby Toward the close of the Road. The request is to meeting, the board briefly

noted receiving a request from Aqua to test township land to determine its suitability for drip irrigation. The property is part of an open space parcel received from the Estates at Londonbrook development as part of that subdivision’s land development plan.

Aqua purchased the sewage disposal system from the township several years ago. The land in question might be used for additional effluent disposal.

The parcel is constrained by wetlands, and one portion of it serves as the site of the township’s salt shed.

Mantegna, who chairs the Penn Township Board of Supervisors, indicated that the request to test the land was made to the township’s director of operations, who denied the request on the grounds that such a request would have to go to the board of supervisors. The supervisors indicated that they will take no action unless a formal request comes before them.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the township’s Planning Commission meeting for this month is rescheduled to Nov. 29.

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

Editorial

Enjoying the sunshine We’ve turned the clocks back. There are five or so weeks until the hours of daylight we get to enjoy here in Pennsylvania start to move in the right direction again. Make no mistake: We like the sunshine here at the Chester County Press.

That’s especially true when it comes to the state’s Sunshine Act, which outlines some specific requirements for borough councils, township boards, school boards, and other governing bodies when they conduct meetings and make public records available.

The Commonwealth Court recently handed down its opinion in Coleman v. Parkland School District. The court squarely rejected a school board’s interpretation of the law that would have allowed any issue to be added to an agenda and acted upon during a meeting.

The Commonwealth Court found that the Parkland School District violated the Sunshine Act when it amended its agenda in October 2021 to include the consideration of a collective bargaining agreement without providing advance public notice. The Coleman v. Parkland School District case involved the last-minute addition and approval of a controversial multi-year, multimillion-dollar contract. In rejecting the school district’s argument, the court recognized that allowing any issues to be added at the eleventh hour would render the agenda requirements meaningless, defeating the legislative intent that forms the foundation of the agenda provisions.

The Sunshine Act requires a notice of at least 24 hours of all issues to be discussed or acted upon to be provided on meeting agendas and prohibits agencies from deliberating or acting on non-agenda items. The law does allow for action on non-agenda emergency issues and it also permits minor and non-contractual issues that arise within 24 hours or during a meeting to be added to an agenda and acted on during a meeting.

It’s easier than ever for elected officials and government staff to conduct business and make decisions without scrutiny from the public. That’s what makes adherence to the Sunshine Act so important.

Organizations like the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association advocate for legislation that improves public access laws in the commonwealth, and of course we support this effort.

It’s also important for elected officials and government staff to take seriously the duty to inform the public about how taxpayer money is being spent.

Everyone should strive to not just meet the Sunshine Act requirements, but to exceed them.

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Opinion Don’t believe the hype about the Kennett Greenway Letter to the Editor: The very first sentence of the article titled, “Chandler Mill Greenway Project receives groundbreaking” that appeared in the Nov. 1 edition of the Chester County Press recycles the crazy spin and flat-out falsehoods that Kennett Township has repeatedly relied upon to distract from the debacle that the Kennett Greenway has become. The first sentence reads, “The Kennett Greenway is about to add another valuable link to its 14-mile-long vision of creating a multi-purpose trail loop throughout Kennett Borough, Kennett Township, New Garden Township and northern Delaware.”

In fact, the two sections being constructed total less than about 1,700 feet and are separated by almost a mile. And there is no “other” link being added

to. After almost eight years of work, only the “Parrish Trail” section has been built, and it becomes overgrown and rutted after barely half a mile.

The article’s falsehoods continue: “The trail will create new ... bikeable connections...” The 6-8-foot-wide sections constructed here cannot accommodate cyclists, despite claims by designers who should know better; and Falcon’s Lair residents would have to walk 700 feet along the shoulder of Chandler Mill Road before accessing the 1,000-foot northern section.

So how many households will have reasonably direct access to the 1,700-foot $2.7 million pedestrian side path? Six! At a recent meeting, township officials dismissed residents’ concerns that $1.4 million to construct 1,700 feet of a 6- to

8-foot side path seems high. So we did the math, and found that this works out to more than $100 per square foot. And these costs do not include $1.3 million spent on design fees.

What would it take for the 1,700 feet being constructed here to become part of a multi-use network? Kennett Township has repeatedly refused to propose a specific plan or timeline or cost, so we outlined a 2.3-mile trail from a railroad crossing at Pennock Park down to the Chandler Mill Preserve. The problem?

This would take at least another decade to design and build, could easily cost $10 million, will depend on improvements to allow cyclists to use Chandler Mill Road that Kennett has so far refused to consider, and will require that township supervisors seize private land. This is not a

“14-mile-long vision.” It is pure fantasy.

We agree wholeheartedly with Representative Sappey about the value of trails. We have been diligently documenting the dearth of paths in Chester County that meet accessibility standards and are rolling out training to help people with disabilities enjoy the many paths and trails we already have. We have also presented ideas at state and national conferences about ways that natural trails can be beautiful and accessible and affordable and completed in months not decades.

It’s time to stop wasting time, money, and headlines on a Greenway that is pure fantasy, and focus instead on bike-friendly roadways and accessible natural trails we can build right now at a fraction of the cost.

Peter Doehring Chadds Ford

Financial Focus

Don’t leave your IRA to the IRS If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax bill?

Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met.

However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions.

The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023.

Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations.

To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions: • Using permanent life insurance. A properly structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an

inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.

• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your tax-deferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds. Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA. The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves.

And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better.

This article was written

by Edward Jones for use

by Joe Oliver, Financial

Joe Oliver

Advisor for Edward Jones, Member SIPC. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Joe Oliver is a lifelong Oxfordian, husband, father, and financial advisor with Edward Joes Investments. Joe services business owners and individual investors by helping them accomplish their financial goals. For a complimentary financial consultation, connect with Joe at Joe.Oliver@ Edwardjones.com.

Joe Oliver, AAMS Financial Advisor 2250 Baltimore Pike Oxford, PA 19363 484-702-9311 www.edwardjones.com/ joe-oliver

Chester County’s Operation Green Light Program honors veterans Chester County marked the start of Operation Green Light with a ceremony honoring the county’s more than 24,000 veterans, held in front of the county’s Historic Courthouse.

Operation Green Light recognizes the sacrifices of veterans nationwide, shining a green light to show that veterans and their families are seen and appreciated. Chester County joins

counties across the U.S. by illuminating, in green, a building to honor veterans.

The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs and Coatesville VA Medical Center encouraged residents and businesses in the county to add their support for Operation Green Light by replacing a porch light or lamp with a green light bulb. Through a donation by Walmart, thousands

of free green light bulbs were available to help with the support.

Speakers at the county’s Operation Green Light event included Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell, Jim Oram, chair of the Chester County Veterans Advisory Council, Devin Hill, Chester County Veterans’ Service Officer, Jennifer Harkins, direc-

tor of the Coatesville VA Medical Center, Andrew Lippert, a decorated veteran and Congressional aide for Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, and Dawn Young, market manager for Walmart.

For more information on the programs and services offered to veterans and their families by the Courtesy photo Chester County Department Veterans, family and friends attended Chester County’s of Veterans Affairs, visit Operation Green Light program on the steps of the Historic Courthouse. www.chesco.org/veterans.

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Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

B

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

You are not alone: Chainyana Jewelry brings the world closer together

By Caroline Roosevelt Contributing Writer The beautiful irony of COVID-19 was that during all the isolation, humanity found the capacity to connect on a much more meaningful level. We couldn’t meet up at the coffee shop, but we could connect via Zoom, via social media, and through the shared vulnerability that occurs with helplessness during a challenging time.

While the helplessness one feels with the diagnosis of a chronic health condition now has become more universal, more understood and even embraced, so many with myriad physical or mental health conditions felt them exacerbated during this time of isolation. Yet, many used that time of isolation to connect with one another and use the collective fear of the unknown and a diagnosis in order to galvanize a sense of hope.

West Chester-based artist Kate Craven was

diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in 2022, and in the summer of 2023, she created Chainyana, which is best described as a jewelry map of those working with their own health issues and advocating for a sense of community during what can be a very isolating experience.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Katie and delve into the creation of Chainyana.

Caroline Roosevelt: So what does “Chainyana” mean?

Katie Craven: “Yana” is an acronym for “you are not alone,” which is a common expression used in mental health communities. “Chain” represents a chain of people who are not alone. A lot of times people feel like they’re the only person going through something or feel isolated when they’re going through a struggle. The mission behind Chainyana is that I make bead bracelets in specific colors, each of which

represents the struggle that the owner is going through, such as mental health or cancer. The owner selects that color and I create a bracelet that not only contains the colors of their struggle but the geographic coordinates of that person who purchased a bracelet before they did. It allows the owner to “carry” others through their struggle.

Then the next person who purchases a bracelet will contain the coordinates of the previous owner.

That’s such a beautiful visual and establishes a connection with the other person. Do people connect beyond the bracelet coordinates? Do they ever say, “I want to reach out to the person supporting me?”

I haven’t had that yet.

As the company grows and the chain gets longer that is something I’ve been thinking about. Everyone is connected by zip code. I don’t do physical addresses.

That’s not safe. I get that.

Yes, for safety reasons.

But I was thinking at some point having the list by cit-

Created in 2023 by West Chester artist Katie Craven, Chainyana Jewelry creates bead bracelets whose colors represent the owner’s struggle and contains the coordinates of another individual living with the same struggle who has also purchased a bracelet from Chainyana.

ies on my website, to allow owners to look and see the people who are around them.

Who have you shipped to? Have you received international orders?

I have had someone in Northern Ireland. The shipping there was crazy!

But in the U.S., it’s cool because I have a map that I post on my social media and I fill it in with the states we’ve connected with. I have Washington, Oregon, North Dakota and Virginia. The idea came to me as I was going through counseling for OCD. I posted in a couple of the groups I’m in on Facebook and that’s how I got to those other states.

I read on your website that it took almost two decades for you to get diagnosed. I feel like that’s a common case with women and any sort of mental health diagnoses.

OCD is one of the most misunderstood mental health diagnoses. There’s a lot of misinformation and a lot of counselors don’t understand it unless they’re specialized. So, one told me I didn’t have it and then I went to another counselor and they said, “Yes, you do!”

Does Chainyana run entirely out of your house or do you sell anywhere?

Right now, I operate out of my house, but I’ve thought about appearing at

craft shows next year. I really created the concept out of people wanting to feel connected, and I want to reach as many people as I can. For now, I have my website, my Facebook and my Instagram pages.

Can we purchase your jewelry on your website?

Yes! I also offer local pick up or drop off.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or physical health issue, consider getting connected through Chainyana. You can purchase pieces at www. chainyanajewelry.com or check out its social media pages - IG: @chainyana.

FB: Chainyana Jewelry.

Chester County Commissioners tour site of future Haven Behavioral Hospital Chester County residents will soon have access to improved behavioral health care, and officials recently got to tour the site of the future hospital that will offer around-the-clock care.

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell, along with county administrators, recently toured the site of Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester, an inpatient hospital and outpatient center that, when opened, will provide behavioral health care for county residents around the clock.

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester CEO Jeff Hunt gave the Commissioners a preview of the facility, located opposite the Chester County Hospital, on Marshall Street in West Chester. The new facility will offer full behavioral health services for adults through a 72-bed hospital that will provide 24/7 inpatient care and a walk-in clinic that will be open for direct assessment and care.

Moskowitz said, “The closure of Brandywine Hospital included the closure of the county’s only dedicated behavioral health center, so we knew that we needed to move

quickly to find another way to provide crucial health services for those with mental health needs.

“We appreciate the willingness by Haven Behavioral Healthcare to add this new location to their network, and we thank partners like Chester County Hospital, and the building owners Turks Head Health Services and John Ciccarone in working with Haven to make this happen.”

Staff from Chester County’s Department of Human Services helped to facilitate Haven Behavioral Healthcare’s presence in Chester County, and the County Commissioners awarded a $2 million-plus grant to support the $20 million overall renovation of the facility.

“We are certainly grateful for the funding that was granted by the Commissioners, but we also value the time and guidance provided by the County’s Human Services team as we secured and developed this new facility,” said Hunt.

Haven Behavioral Healthcare manages a network of seven licensed inpatient behavioral health hospitals and several outpatient facilities across the nation. When the new

facility opens in West Chester, the organization will operate three in-patient hospitals in Pennsylvania, as well as the West Chester outpatient clinic for adults, and an outpatient care center for people of all ages in Berks County.

Maxwell said, “Haven Behavioral Healthcare is a national organization respected for the quality of care they provide, and the commitment to the communities in which they serve.

“CEO Jeff Hunt knows our community and is working hard to not only provide compassionate care for those who need the inpatient and outpatient services, but also to become established as a good employer in Chester County.”

Chester County’s $2 million investment in the Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester adds to the significant amount of funding allocated by the County Commissioners to address the mental health needs of residents.

More than $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are helping Chester County establish a new comprehensive mental health system, creating a behavioral health contact center and mobile crisis

Courtesy photo

The Chester County Commissioners and county administrators recently toured the site of Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester, an inpatient and outpatient center that will provide behavioral healthcare around the clock. Pictured left to right are County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, County administrator Bobby Kagel, County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, county deputy administrator Erik Walschburger, and Jeff Hunt, CEO of Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester.

resolution teams.

“The behavioral health contact center will give residents 24/7 access to mental health services via phone, text, or chat, and the mobile crisis resolution teams will work closely with law enforcement, first responders, schools and other organizations to support people in crisis, by meeting them where they are, and get-

ting them care they need,” said Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “Services like these will help to decrease the number of times that law enforcement has to respond to a mental health crisis, or when people who are experiencing a mental health crisis appear in our emergency rooms.

“This, combined with the new Haven Behavioral

Hospital services and the many other behavioral health programs, trainings and services provided throughout the county will be transformational in supporting the overall wellness of those who live in Chester County.”

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester is expected to open inpatient and outpatient facilities by the first quarter of 2024.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Chester County Press

Obituaries H. WAYNE DISHMAN Herbert Wayne Dishman passed away while surrounded by his family at his home in Oxford on Nov. 8, 2023. He was 67.

He was the husband of Leah J. Dishman, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage. Born in Jefferson, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Guy Dishman and Tina Eldreth Dishman of King of Prussia.

Herbert graduated from Avon Grove School District.

He was very proud to have served the country in the U.S. Navy during the end of the Vietnam conflict from 1974 to 1978. He was stationed in Alaska, Guam, Philippines, and California. Throughout his life, when able, he gladly donated to several veteran organizations.

He was also very proud of his son and daughter-in-law, who served the country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was the maintenance supervisor at Avon Grove School District for most of his career, retiring in 2014.

He loved God and regularly attended services at New Beginning Baptist Church.

He enjoyed fishing on just about any body of water that had fish. He adored his family and lived for family dinners and get-togethers.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by one son, Dennis Dishman (Samantha) of Oxford, four sisters, Sandy Tyson (Bob) of Kennett Square, Sharon Agron (Juan) of Avondale, Becky Trachtman (Dave) of King of Prussia, and Vickie Snyder (Bob) of Kennett Square, and one brother, Randy Dishman of Kennett Square.

Also surviving are four grandchildren, Brandon, Serenity, Aiden, and Mason, and one great- granddaughter, Ashley Dishman.

In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his brother, Larry Dishman.

You are invited to visit with Herbert’s family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at New Beginning Baptist Church, 301 Black Barren Road, Peach Bottom, Pa. 17563. His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m.

Interment will be in Little Britain Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to his Family Support Fund, https:// www.tmcfunding.com/funds/h-wayne-dishman/8766.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square (484-734-8100).

To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Alleluia

ANDREW DAVID SUMNER Andrew David Sumner, age 68, of Kennett Square, passed away on Nov. 8, 2023 at his residence. Dave was the husband of Cheryl Salmons Sumner, with whom he shared 21 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster, Pa., he was the son of the late Guy T. Sumner and the late Doris R. Sumner.

Dave served his country in the U.S. Army.

He was an automotive salesman at D’Ambrosio Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Kennett Square for many years. He retired in 2015.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, going to the beach, and being with his family and friends. He was a big lover of dogs and will be missed by his dogs, Coco and Shelby.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, David Eric Sumner, and his wife Brandy of Oxford; one daughter, Alexandra Jones of Landenberg; one brother, Eric G. Sumner of St. Louis, MO; and two sisters, Cynthia Kerns of Martinsburg, W. Va. and Andrea Bove of Oxford.

He is also survived by two grandchildren, and his stepchildren, Hope O’Brien of Pottstown, Pa.; Daniel O’Brien, III of Avondale; Brandi O’Brien of Oxford; and Nicole Farmer of Coatesville.

A service was held on Nov. 14 at the Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Ks. 66675.

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

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

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

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3B

Chester County Press

Obituaries BETTY REED PIERSON Betty Reed Pierson, age 82, passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2023 at her home in Landenberg. She was the widow of the late James Robert (Bob) Pierson, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage.

Betty was born on Dec. 25, 1940, the daughter of the late Elwood M. and Ruth W. Reed of Chadds Ford. She also had four sisters and one brother, all of whom she adored. Of her five siblings, Betty is survived by one sister, Shirley R. Day in Mason, MI. After graduating from Unionville High School in 1959, Betty began her longtime career in the fine furniture retail industry as a secretary and bookkeeper for Charles K. Jerrehian, Inc. Interior Designs in West Chester.

She was an extremely devoted employee, working there for 36 years, only leaving due to the closure of the business. At the age of 55, Betty wanted to continue working, but closer to home. That was not to be. Another fine furniture store owner learned that Betty was available for employment. After several attempts to say “no,” she gave in and began the lengthy commute to J.M. Walton Interiors & Furniture in Frazer, Pa. to work as the office manager and bookkeeper for another 10-plus years. She only left, again, when the business closed. Betty also donated her time to keeping the books for her church for several years and for her husband’s business for decades.

In 1965, Betty and Bob were married at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square.

They were faithful members of this church for the remainder of their lives. Later in life, their loving church family looked forward to seeing them as weekly greeters for many years.

In her pastime, Betty cherished her time playing Bridge every week with her Bridge group. No matter how many birthdays passed, she still referred to them as “the girls.”

She also thoroughly enjoyed spending a week with the group members at the beach every summer for many years.

After retirement, Betty mostly enjoyed spending time at home with Bob, their Yorkies, and rescued cats, watching the Eagles and their favorite TV shows. In her last years, Betty especially enjoyed the company of her furry guardian, Peg, the cat. Peg slept on her pillow with Betty every night.

Betty is survived by her children, Mark D. Pierson (Lenna) of Landenberg and Lesa R. Simpson (Kirk) of Oxford; her grandchildren, who lovingly called her Mommom, Heather Murphy (Sean) and M. David Pierson II (Monica), all of Oxford; her greatgrandchildren, who always brought a huge smile to her face, Malcolm and Marcus Pierson and Hope Murphy. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family gives their heartfelt gratitude to Betty’s Hospice team, who surrounded her with the best, most caring people for her last month and a half.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with the memorial service starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square, 211 S. Broad St. in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square (PCKS), Church Office, 213 S Broad St, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348. Checks can be made payable to PCKS with ‘In Memory of Betty Pierson’ in the memo section.

To view Betty’s online tribute and share a memory with her family, please visit www.

CremationSocietyofPhiladelphia.com.

LUCAS ROBERT TALLEY Lucas Robert Talley, 24, of Kennett Square, gained his angel wings on October 24, 2023, with his family by his side. Luke fought a courageous battle but was unable to overcome injuries he sustained in an auto accident.

Luke is the son of Dawn Winward Talley and John “Jack” Talley Jr. He is survived by his sister Emily Talley Hood and her husband Bryan Hood of Kennett Square and brother Jonathan Talley of Chadds Ford. He was Uncle Lukie to Kennedy and Carter Hood. He is also survived by his grandfather, Edward Harvey of Chadds Ford. He was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Bonne Winward of Chadds Ford and grandfather Robert “Butch” Winward of Avondale and paternal grandfather John Talley Sr. of Chadds Ford.

Luke graduated from Unionville High School, class of 2018, and went on to earn his business degree from Penn State University, graduating with Honors in 2022.

He was a proud member of Tau Phi Delta fraternity. He was an entrepreneur who would have been successful at any chosen career path, but he decided to become a plumber working side by side with his dad and be the successor to the family plumbing business.

Luke was a light on this earth that touched everyone he met. He was kind, funny, courageous, adventurous, compassionate, and oh, so smart. He had a smile that would brighten your day and a hug that would warm your heart. He made everyone around him feel happy, whether you met him for the first time or knew him your whole life. He was a loyal friend to so many who will miss him dearly. He was so loved!

Never one to sit around, Luke loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was currently teaching his young dog, Gunner, how to bird hunt. His greatest passion was motorcycles. He had barely learned to walk when he started riding. It was in his blood. He was very accomplished on a dirt bike, meeting new friends everywhere he rode whether it was at a local track or traveling to dual sport meets with his dad and brother. He was the wheelie king and could ride the road for miles on one wheel. Always looking for the next accomplishment, he began racing with his dad at several club tracks, achieving the distinction of expert rider at his young age.

Luke made his mark on this world. He touched everyone he met in some way and will always be remembered as that little guy with the greatest zest for life, the biggest heart and the brightest light.

You are invited to visit with Luke’s family and friends from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Willowdale Chapel, 675 Unionville Road in Kennett Square.

Luke’s Life Celebration will follow at 11 a.m. Contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Give2.CHOP.edu in Luke’s Memory to support the amazing work they do to help kids like Luke live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory (484-7348100) of Kennett Square.

To view Luke’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Obituary submissions BARBARA TILEY BLEVINS Barbara Tiley “Bunny” Blevins (nee Thomson nee Metz), of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 6 while at home with her family by her side. She was 80.

She was the wife of the late David A. Blevins and her first husband, George Y. Thomson, Jr. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Robert T. and Miriam Townsend Warburton Metz.

Bunny enjoyed old movies, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter whom she resided with, Kimberly L. Thomson Conner (Frank M.) of Oxford; one son, Robert S. Thomson of Ohio; two granddaughters, April R. Dawson and Andrea T. Dawson; and one brother, George W. Metz of Newtown Square, Pa. She was preceded in death by two sons, George Y. Thomson, III and Paul James Thomson.

A graveside service was held on Nov. 10 at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia, Pa. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

If you love them enough to sit through their favorite movies, then surely you’ll check to make sure they’re in the right car seat.

NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat

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 5 p.m. 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.

4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Chester County Press

Legals

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Phyllis Ruth Slabaugh, Late of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania , 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 Administrator: Kenneth Slabaugh, c/o Jeff P. Bryman, 225 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Chadds Ford PA 19317 Or Attorney: Jeff P. Bryman, Esq., Law Offices of Pyle & Bryman, 225 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Chadds Ford PA 19317

said decedent to make payment without delay to: Rosalie Calkins White, Executrix, C/O Law Office of Paul D. Nelson, 334 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 or Attorney: Paul D. Nelson, Esquire, 334 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 Phone 610-891-1270 11p-8-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF, Elaine C. Sheets, late of Oxford, PA, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named have 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 pay11p-8-3t ment without delay to: Brinton Executor, C/O Attorney: ESTATE NOTICE Sheets, Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, ESTATE OF EDNA H. SETTINE, Oxford, PA 19363 DECEASED. Late of West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to RHONDA M. FRAIM and GREGORY A. SETTINE, EXECUTORS, c/o Daniel R. Coleman, Esq., 300 W. State St., Ste. 300, Media, PA 19063, Or to their Attorney: DANIEL R. COLEMAN, ECKELL, SPARKS, LEVY, AUERBACH, MONTE, SLOANE, MATTHEWS & AUSLANDER, P.C., 300 W. State St., Ste. 300, Media, PA 19063

11p-8-3t

NOTICE

NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETING Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Penn Planning Commission is rescheduling their November 22, 2023 public meeting.

The Penn Planning Commission will hold their rescheduled November public meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Penn Township Municipal Building, Finnen Community Room, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA for the purpose of planning commission business. Please refer any questions or requests for special accommodation to Caitlin Ianni, Township Secre11p-8-3t tary at 610-869-9620.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BOROUGH OF OXFORD ZONING HEARING BOARD The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Oxford will meet on Tuesday November 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of Borough Hall, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, Pennsylvania to conduct a hearing and possibly make a decision on the Application of Elva Renteria.

The Applicant is requesting a variance from the minimum front yard setback from Old Street (required 20 feet; proposed 15 feet) and such other relief as may be necessary to construct a single family detached manufactured dwelling on a property the Applicant owns located at 109 N. Fifth Street, Oxford, PA 19363. The property subject of the Application is located in the R-2 Residential Zoning District.

If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation to attend or participate in the hearing, please contact the Borough at 610-932-2500.

11p-8-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Howard W. Calkins, late of West Chester, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named have 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

4-129.25 in the RS Residential Suburban Zoning District. The Applicant seeks conditional use approval pursuant to Section 1501(A)(2)(d) of the Penn Township Zoning Ordinance of 2019, which requires that all accessory uses in excess of 1,000 square feet procure conditional use approval. The Applicant proposes to construct a 1200 square foot detached garage and associated 800 square foot driveway extension on the 1.1 acre residential lot.

All persons wishing to participate in this hearing are invited to be present. Any person with a disability requiring a special accommodation to attend this hearing should notify the secretary at (610) 869-9620, as early as possible but not later than five (5) working days prior to the hearing. The Board of Supervisors will make every reasonable effort to provide reasonable accommodations.

Lamb McErlane, PC, Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, Solicitor for Penn Township 11p-15-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF BILLY C. CHANNELL, DECEASED. Late of New Garden Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to AMY L. HUNTER, EXECUTRIX, c/o Kristen R. Matthews, Esq., 257 W. Uwchlan Ave., Ste. 1, Downingtown, PA 19335, Or to 11p-15-1t her Attorney: KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS, NOTICE KRISTEN MATTHEWS LAW, The name of the nonprofit 257 W. Uwchlan Ave., Ste. 1, corporation is: MALVERN KING Downingtown, PA 19335 11p-15-3t STREET REVITALIZATION, INC. NOTICE The Articles of Incorporation NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION have been filed on the 3rd day of November, 2023, with an OF TAKING effective date of November 3, IN THE COURT OF COM2023. The purposes for which it MON PLEAS OF CHESTER was organized are: The Corpo- COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ration is incorporated under the IN RE: CONDEMNATION BY provisions of the Nonprofit Cor- THE COMMONWEALTH OF poration Law of 1988. SCOTT PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTE. YAW, ESQUIRE, WISLER MENT OF TRANSPORTATION, PEARLSTINE, LLP, MALVERN OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR OFFICE, 460 EAST KING STATE ROUTE 0202, SECROAD, MALVERN, PA 19355 TION CNM NO. 2023-08751RC TERM EMINENT DOMAIN 11p-15-1t PROCEEDING IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WESTTOWN IN REM NOTICE West Chester Hoops has been NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION incorporated under the pro- AND DEPOSIT OF ESTIMATED visions of the Pennsylvania JUST COMPENSATION Notice Nonprofit Corporation Law of is hereby given that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by 1988, as amended.

11p-15-1t the Secretary of Transportation, address is the CommonPENN TOWNSHIP whose wealth of Pennsylvania, DepartPUBLIC NOTICE ment of Transportation, Office PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby of Chief Counsel, Real Propgiven that the Board of Su- erty Division, Commonwealth pervisors for Penn Township, Keystone Building, Harrisburg, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania 17120, pursuant Chester County, Pennsylvania, to the provisions of Section will conduct a conditional use 2003(e) of the Administrative hearing on Wednesday, De- Code of 1929, P.L. 177, 71 P.S. cember 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 513(e), as amended, has filed on at the Penn Township Building November 9, 2023 a Declaration to consider the Application of of Taking to the above term Antonio Villalobos Nunez for and number, condemning the property he owns located at property shown on the plans of 5 Elliot Drive, West Grove, PA the parcels listed on the Sched19390, being tax parcel #58- ule of Property Condemned

which have been recorded in the Recorder’s Office of the above county at the places indicated on the said schedule.

The name(s) of the owner(s) of the property interest(s) condemned is (are) also shown on the aforesaid Schedule. The Secretary of Transportation, on behalf of himself/herself and the Governor has approved the within condemnation by signing on July 5, 2023 a plan entitled SR 0202 - SEC CNM, a copy of which plan was recorded in the Recorder’s Office of the aforesaid county on August 31, 2023, in Chester County DB 104 PG 1. The purpose of the condemnation is to acquire property for intersection improvement. Plans showing the property condemned from the parcels listed on the Schedule of Property Condemned have been recorded in the aforesaid Recorder’s Office at the places indicated on the Schedule, where they are available for inspection. The Property Interest thereby condemned is designated on the Declaration of Taking heretofore filed. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not required to post security, inasmuch as it has the power of taxation. Because the identity or the whereabouts of the condemee(s) listed below is (are) unknown or for other reasons he (they) cannot be served, this notice is hereby published in accordance with Section 305(b) of the Eminent Domain Code (26 Pa.C.S. §305(b)). RW-406 (12/18) Page 2 of 2 Claim No. Parcel No. Name Address 1500684000 2 Unknown Station 78+39 to 80+78; RT 202; West Chester, PA 19382 The power or right of the Secretary of Transportation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to appropriate the property condemned, the procedure followed by the Secretary of Transportation or the Declaration of Taking may be challenged by filing preliminary objections within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice.

FURTHERMORE, NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation, pursuant to Section 522 of the Eminent Domain Code (26 Pa.C.S. §522), will, at the end of the above-referenced thirty (30) day time period within which to file preliminary objections to the Declaration of Taking, present a petition to the Court of Common Pleas of the above county to deposit into court the just compensation estimated by the Commonwealth to be due all parties in interest for damages sustained as the result of the condemnation of the property herein involved. The petition to deposit estimated just compensation may not be presented to the court if the owner(s) of the property herein involved inform the District Right-of-Way Administrator of the District noted below of their existence and/or whereabouts prior to the expiration of the noted period. After estimated just compensation has been deposited into court, the said monies may be withdrawn by the persons entitled thereto only upon petition to the court. If no petition is presented

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within a period of six years of the date of payment into court, the court shall order the fund or any balance remaining to be paid to the Commonwealth without escheat.

Roger Joseph District Right-ofWay Administrator Engineering District 6-0 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 11p-15-1t

NOTICE OF INTENT

Pursuant to the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, the act of May 19, 1995, P.L. 4, No. 1995-2., notice is hereby given that 802 East Baltimore Pike, LLC is submitting to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection a Notice of Intent to Remediate for the site located at 802, 804, 806, 808, and 810 East Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The Notice of Intent to Remediate states that the site is currently vacant but was previously a gasoline service station facility. The site has been found to be contaminated with petroleum constituents related to the former gasoline service station. 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, Benzene, Chloromethane, Ethylbenzene, Tetrachloroethene, Trichloroethene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Naphthalene, Cadmium (total and dissolved), and Lead (total and dissolved) were identified in groundwater above standards at multiple locations on the site. Additional data is being collected to demonstrate compliance with Site-Specific Standards for groundwater. The proposed future use of the site will be a gasoline service station and commercial buildings.

11p-15-1t

BUDGET INSPECTION & ADOPTION

London Grove Township, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the 2024 Proposed Budget for London Grove Township is available for public inspection at the London Grove Township Building during normal business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm) or online at www.londongrove.org.

The London Grove Township Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of the final 2024 Budget at their public meeting on December 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA 19390.

Ken Battin, Township Manager 11p-15-1t

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Chester County Press

Local News The Giant Company donates turkeys to help families in need this Thanksgiving The Giant Company announced that it will donate a record number of 15,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to food banks and community partners in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia communities it serves.

“Since 1923, The Giant Company has been committed to helping its

communities eliminate hunger year-round, but it’s especially important this time of the year to ensure that everyone can enjoy a warm holiday meal with their loved ones,” said John Ruane, president, The Giant Company. “This year’s donations will deliver more than 125,000 servings of protein to families while

creating moments to connect around the table.”

Turkeys will be donated to nearly 40 local food banks and community partners across its footprint.

The Giant Company team members will once again volunteer at food banks packing hunger relief boxes and organizing and restocking shelves in advance of

the busy holiday season.

“We are extremely grateful for corporate partners like The Giant Company for all they do in support of our work to feed the hungry in Berks and Schuylkill counties,” said David Delozier, chief development officer, Helping Harvest. “Together with their generous gifts and

volunteer support we are able to make a difference for thousands of children, families, and seniors in our region.”

Customers are also invited to join efforts to combat local food insecurity this November. From Nov. 10 through Nov. 23, customers can also donate free turkey certificates at the register

in-store to a local food bank. In addition, customers can purchase reusable bags to benefit Feeding America.

For more information on the turkey redemption program, including how to donate your turkey certificate, visit Giantfoodstores.com/ pages/free-turkey-earn.

Pennsylvanians address rise in censorship, book bans Lawmakers, parents, students, teachers, librarians, and advocates recently gathered in Harrisburg to discuss the concerning rise in censorship and book bans across the Commonwealth.

State Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Mongomery/ Delaware) and State Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) promoted two legislative solutions.

Sen. Cappelletti has introduced Senate Bill 926, prohibiting book bans in Pennsylvania’s libraries. The bill will bar school libraries and classrooms from removing books for any political, racial, or ideological reasons. It will set the standard that in order to receive state money, a public library must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or develop a written statement that prohibits the library from banning books or other materials. The bill will also preempt municipalities from cutting funding to local libraries if they adopt this policy.

“The discourse on the rise of book bans also distracts us from what our mission

as a Commonwealth needs to be: we must build up our community resources, make knowledge more accessible, and provide the public with places to indulge their curiosities and challenge their perspectives,” said Sen. Cappelletti.

Rep. Friel has introduced House Bill 1506, the Freedom to Read Act, which seeks to provide a more uniform and efficient process for those appeals, placing the responsibility for those reviews with a regional committee of instructional experts.

This committee should include a cross section of qualified local teachers, librarians, principals, and administrators.

This will allow for greater effectiveness of review, decrease hyper-politization, and relieve the administrative burden on the local school districts.

“Books are the window that allow our students to see and explore the world.

They can teach us, they challenge us, they open our imaginations, but they are also safe places,” said Rep. Friel. “Sometimes, our kids, they’re out there, they’re by themselves. They think they’re alone, but it is in the

library where they discover they are not.”

The lawmakers were joined by Buzz Bissinger, who authored Friday Night Lights, which was recently banned in an Iowa school district after they used artificial intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT to audit their book collection.

The ban was since reversed but signals a dangerous future for censorship when AI gets involved.

“How can you ban a book without reading it?” said Bissinger, after explaining that the reversal of the book ban came after those in charge of the bans took the time to read the book that they had banned.

Not only is this a dangerous trend, but book bans are also very unpopular: when it comes to state lawmakers

removing certain books from schools, such bans have the support of just 5 percent of Democrats, 16 percent of Independents and 35 percent of Republicans. Fifty-two percent of Republicans oppose these efforts.

Parents, teachers, librarians, and students shared their concerns about the increasing censorship across the Commonwealth and the impacts that the trend is having on their communities.

Not only are they unhappy with how these discussions are being initiated, but they also shared concern that the books being targeted are those that represent marginalized voices and communities.

“If you examine the books that are being challenged and banned, overwhelmingly they are the stories

of historically marginalized communities. These books share the lives and stories of our LGBTQ neighbors, Black community members, Indigenous citizens and our own national history. When these stories are challenged and banned it is saying that these communities do not matter, or worse yet, that they are to be feared.

What does that say to students who most identify with the characters and stories in these books?” said Matthew Good, a former Pennsylvania public school librarian.

Kate Nazemi, a parent of two students in the Central Bucks School District, who supports the policies introduced by Sen. Cappelletti and Rep. Friel. Nazemi said, “We need legislation to protect research-based, standard

PSLA, PSBA school library policy. We must balance a parent’s interest in guiding their child with the school’s mandate to educate every student.

“Every family must retain the right for their kid to read high quality, age-appropriate literature freely and according to their interests in every school district in the commonwealth.”

Students joined to voice their discontent with recent book bans in their school district. Seniors from Central York School District spoke at the event.

“Every story is a story, and someone in your school needs them. To school administrators, board members, and educators everywhere, please listen to your students,” said Trianne Duncan.

A closer look at Protection from Abuse orders in Pennsylvania In 2022, the number filed statewide increased court order to help pro- from abuse by an intiof new Protection from by five percent from tect victims of domestic mate partner, family or Abuse (PFA) orders 2021. A PFA is a civil violence, providing relief household member.

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

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