May 7, 2009 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Mowday talks about the Johnston gang at CFBA luncheon

Most times, talks at Chadds Ford Business Association lunches revolve around business. Not so during the May 7 lunch at the Pennsbury Township Building.

Author, historian and former newspaper editor Bruce Mowday gave members of the Chadds Ford Business Association a brief glimpse into the activities, the investigation into and the downfall of the notorious Johnston gang in Chester County.

Mowday recently wrote a book on the Johnston’s “Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing serial murderers to justice.” The book is published by Barricade Books.

Johnston family members and associates terrorized southern Chester County for years in the 1970s and they murdered at least 10 people from 1977 to 1978.

“They killed six people, at least. Bruce Johnston Sr. was convicted of six murders. I think he did 10,” Mowday said. “And some people think he did more.”

As a reporter, Mowday covered the trials of gang members and was in the field while investigators were digging up bodies of the gang’s victims. Some of those victims were family members themselves.

“I was also locked up with Bruce Johnston Sr. for two hours one night,” Mowday said.

He explained that he was locked up while interviewing the elder Johnston, not for any other reason.

While the book goes into the gang’s background and activities, Mowday said the focus is really about the investigators and how they brought gang members to justice.

He said it was a rare investigation in that all levels of government came together without squabbling over jurisdiction. Local and county police agencies, state police agencies from three different states and the FBI all cooperated.

“They were the right people [for this investigation,]” according to Mowday.

Johnston Sr. began his criminal life in the 1950s and wasn’t necessarily cautious about what he said or to whom.

Mowday told one story of how the patriarch, while in jail, told a prison guard what a great criminal he was.

According to Mowday, Johnston was bragging about all the crimes he had gotten away with and that he and his gang had an almost foolproof method. At the time, the state police in Avondale had only two cars and if the gang saw both cars in the parking lot at the barracks, they knew that southern county was wide open for whatever the Johnston’s wanted to do.

“Why you would tell a prison guard that, I’m not sure because [the guard] told the state police and from that day forward you never saw both cars on station,” Mowday said.

The gang went from being petty thieves to becoming more violent. They robbed and beat a couple in Delaware County just after the couple returned home, according to Mowday. The victims were so traumatized they never returned to their home.

The movie “At Close Range” with Sean Penn and Christopher Walken is based on the Johnston gang.

Mowday said when the producers came to Chester County with the script, county officials wanted nothing to do with the production since the script called for making some of the family members sympathetic characters.

Mowday will be at the Chris Sanderson Museum Saturday, May 23 at noon.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Blogging Along the Brandywine: A series of disjointed ramblings

Along the Ford

Once upon a time in the 1940s, in the tiny village of Chadds Ford, there was a little boy named Arthur Cleveland, III – but everyone just called him “Casey.”

Casey and his family were friends with all the people who lived in the village, like the young artist Andy Wyeth and the old historian Chris Sanderson who taught everyone about the Battle of the Brandywine.

Casey’s parents, lived on a farm in an old house that had been owned by the Quaker, Gideon Gilpin in the 1770s. In fact, Andy Wyeth had painted a picture of the massive sycamore in front of Casey’s house and another picture of Casey’s father standing in a bedroom of the old house.

Casey’s father had a bazaar sense of humor. He even bought a surplus WW II tank and would roll down the old Baltimore Pike to save people whose cars were stuck in the mud, flood or snow.

For Casey, there were high hills to climb, streamlets to jump across and trees to dream under.

But one day in 1947 when Casey was 11 years old, the Prince of the kingdom on the Susquehanna wrote his parents a letter telling them their farm was being condemned for a Brandywine Battlefield State Park. This was a new word for Casey, but he soon learned it meant his family would have to leave the old farm where he lived.

Casey’s parents wrote the Prince telling them something everyone in Chadds Ford knew in those days of yore…that the Battle of the Brandywine didn’t really happen on their farm, but further north all around the Birmingham Friends Meeting House, and north of Street Road in the land called Radley Run and that there were many hundreds of open acres of real battlefield they should save instead.

But the Prince replied, “We do not want to save the battlefield – we want a park on a state highway!”

And so Casey and his family had to leave the house and the old farm.
The Prince’s men rebuilt the Benjamin Ring house that had burned down in 1931 and called it Washington’s Headquarters. They renamed Casey’s home Lafayette’s Quarters because one tiny newspaper article written in 1825, almost 50 years after the battle, mistakenly said Lafayette had stayed there.

Soon, people came to the new park on the highway and after many years, two generations had grown up thinking that the largest land battle of the American Revolution had happened at the park …on the old farm …where Casey used to live.

Then some of the old farmers who owned the land where the battle took place sold their big farms, so people could build new houses on land where men had died for our freedom.

But now, the people in the kingdom on the Susquehanna have said they don’t have enough money to take care of their park …on the old farm …where Casey used to live.

Well boys and girls, I don’t have an ending for this story because there are many possible endings that only you can write. And like all fairy tales it needs heroes, so we can help save the park …on the old farm …where Casey used to live.

About Sally Denk Hoey

Sally Denk Hoey, is a Gemini - one part music and one part history. She holds a masters degree cum laude from the School of Music at West Chester University. She taught 14 years in both public and private school. Her CD "Bard of the Brandywine" was critically received during her almost 30 years as a folk singer. She currently cantors masses at St Agnes Church in West Chester where she also performs with the select Motet Choir. A recognized historian, Sally serves as a judge-captain for the south-east Pennsylvania regionals of the National History Day Competition. She has served as president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates as well as the Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford where she now curates the violin collection. Sally re-enacted with the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment for 19 years where she interpreted the role of a campfollower at encampments in Valley Forge, Williamsburg, Va., Monmouth, N.J. and Lexington and Concord, Mass. Sally is married to her college classmate, Thomas Hoey, otherwise known as "Mr. Sousa.”

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Chadds Ford Elementary School gets sign approval

Local News

CFES sign thumbs up — Chadds Ford Elementary School gets sign approval

There was little doubt going into the hearing that the Unionville-Chards Ford Education Foundation would get the requested zoning variance for a special sign at Chadds Ford Elementary School.

Little doubt since Pennsbury Township supervisors were already in favor of the variance being granted and the planning commission had no objection to the application.

So, having eight people testify was almost overkill. But, the foundation was taking no chances. And the efforts were rewarded.

Pennsbury Township Zoning Hearing Board members granted the variance allowing the school to put back a sign saying the school was a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in the No Child Left Behind program. The Department of Education announced the award last September.

Among the speakers at the May 5 hearing were school district Superintendent Sharon Parker, CFES Principal Mark Ransford and former Pennsbury Township Supervisor MaryAnna Ralph.

All those who spoke said the award was a great honor for the school, and for the district as a whole, but Chadds Ford resident Heidi Brown addressed a more practical side to acknowledging the honor with a sign.

“We’re fortunate that our schools have a reputation for providing a great education. Our school district is the primary reason why we enjoy high property values, higher than most any other community in Pennsylvania. … By denying the use of a congratulatory sign for a school, I say what message does that send. The number one reason why people move to this area is the schools. And the Blue Ribbon Award is an extremely high honor given to so few schools. … I see [having the sign] as an opportunity to send a message saying our taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.”

Ransford supported Brown’s statement with a story about an individual in Russia who’s coming to the area for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Ransford said the individual phoned him to say he saw on the Internet a story about the school winning the award and, because of that, will be moving into the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Kathy Do, of the education foundation, spoke first, telling the board members, “When we heard that one of our schools had won this prestigious award, we, the foundation, decided we wanted to recognize the achievement in a tangible way.”

That way was with a 4-foot by 8-foot sign on the school’s front lawn next to the school’s regular sign near Route 1.

The sign was erected this winter – paid for by the education foundation – but was removed when school officials learned the sign violated the township zoning code.

Chadds ford Elementary School is in an area zoned residential and township zoning laws allow only one sign for the school. That was the restriction that was waived with the temporary variance.

Do said during the zoning hearing that the sign would go back up and remain for one year.

The sign is double sided so motorists driving north or south on Route 1can read the sign.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Supervisors opt for temporary sign leniency

Local News

Chadds Ford Township supervisors resolved Monday night to temporarily ease up on sign restrictions in the business districts along Route 1 and Route 202. The change is on a trial basis and runs through the end of this year.

“We don’t know how this will work out,” said Supervisors’ Chairman George Thorpe. “It’s on a trial basis.”

The resolution, which passed 3-0, follows a request from members of the Chadds Ford Business Association. It cites the current economic downturn and that “numerous retail establishments in Chadds Ford Township have suffered a significant drop in business” as reasons for the temporary relaxation of sign ordinance restrictions.

That relaxation offers “relief to the time limits, design criteria and permitting process for temporary signs.”

Applicants are still required to file for a regular Temporary Sign Permit with a cover letter requesting a special permit and pay a fee twice the regular temporary sign permit fee.

Once granted, the special permit allows the applicant to use the temporary sign for the remainder of the year instead of the usual 30-day limit. However, the signs may only be used during regular hours of operation and must be removed at closing time.

The resolution also establishes a special sign committee comprised of Thorpe, Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen and Township Manager Joe Barakat. The committee will act on requests within 14 calendar days after the application is received.

In another sign related matter, Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Deborah Love D’Elia said the township has withdrawn actions against the Cattie Shack Market and Deli.

The market opened in January at the site of the former Wawa on Route 1 at Station Way Road. There were many citations against the owner for putting up temporary signs to let motorists know that the shop was open for morning coffee.

“We’re trying to be cooperative with businesses,” Thorpe said.

Other business

Supervisors also resolved to authorize the Chadds Ford Sewer Authority to conduct a special study into the feasibility of converting the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant into a pumping station. Instead of treating waste at Ridings, the plant there would send sewage for processing to the Turners’ Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant.

According to the resolution, the Ridings plant operates at less than optimal performance levels and efforts to improve performance have not yielded desired results.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has encouraged the Sewer Authority to find better ways to meet proper standards of discharge levels.

• Supervisors appointed William Mock to the Planning Commission, replacing Brakat who stepped down after becoming township manager.

• Jon Trigg, a member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee was appointed committee chairman, also replacing Barakat in that position.

Barakat remains on the committee as emergency preparedness coordinator.

About Rich Schwartzman

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No local races for Chadds Ford Democrats in this month’s primary

Local News

There are no major local seats up for grabs on this month’s primary ballot for the Democratic Party in Chadds Ford Township. No party members are looking to run for supervisor and there are no school district seats open in the region.

So, it was a small group of Delaware County Democrats who met at a private residence in Chadds Ford Sunday, May 3. And only a handful of 14 or so were from the township.

They heard from two people seeking countywide seats, Nancy Rhoads Koons who is running for the Court of Common Pleas and from Keith Collins, running for County Council.

Koons is facing Linda Cartisano, a Republican member of council who is cross-filed to run for the judgeship. The seat on the court they are seeking is a new one, and one that was created for Cartisano, Koons said.

“I’m hoping to be the first Democrat ever elected to the bench,” Koons said. “It’s been 159 years and there’s never been a Democrat elected to that bench and it’s about time.”

As a judicial candidate, Koons said, she can’t share her views on certain issues. She said all she can do is share her ideas and background.

She said the Delco Courthouse could be run more efficiently by implementing a case management system. There are more sheriffs’ sales in Delaware County than in other counties in the state because other counties give property owners more time to catch up if they’re in arrears on mortgage payments or taxes.

As a result, she said, “People lose their homes and the county loses transfer taxes.”

But, she added, “The court is run by a machine for the machine. … People are not being treated equally.”

Koons said U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is doing more to help people keep their homes than the county is doing.

Sestak, she said, has helped people find attorneys who can request a delay in sheriff’s sales, but the court can also request those delays, but hasn’t.

When people go to the courthouse and asked for an extension, they’re told, ‘No,’” Koons said. “The effects are devastating. People lose their homes and investors lose money.”

According to Koons, Delaware County sheriff’s sales have increased 150 percent.

Collins took a similar track when he referred to the county government as “a monolithic … basically an oligarchal (sic) structure based on privilege and cronyism.”

Collins said that Delaware County has been a one-party county since the mid 1970s and is the only county in the state without any minority political representation on its council.

He said that while Philadelphia – where he grew up – is considered a Democratic Party stronghold, “There was never the type of intimidation or lack of access to services in Philadelphia for Republicans as it is in Delaware County for Democrats.”

About Rich Schwartzman

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Eichinger: ‘There’s too much anger’ in Pennsbury

Local News

A newcomer to Pennsbury Township politics is the second candidate seeking the Republican Party nomination for supervisor.

Steve Eichinger, a 32-year-old self employed consultant in communications and high technology will be running against Aaron McIntyre in the May 19 primary.

Eichinger said he has no prior township involvement, adding, “I want to fix things. There’s too much anger. I want to help the township.”

A staunch advocate for open space preservation, Eichinger said he has no allegiance to any political faction and only started going to meetings because of his work and family ties with the Mendenhall family.

He said he’s frustrated and upset over the way things have been going in the township, over the bitterness and lack of effective communication.

Township leaders need to open up to build more trust, he said. He stressed that he wasn’t implying that sitting supervisors Wendell Fenton and Charles “Scotty” Scottoline aren’t being honest, but that things such as litigation in the township aren’t really being discussed “and that leads to mistrust,” he said. “The solicitor doesn’t really answer any questions, maybe he can’t.”

Eichinger, a 14-year resident of Pennsbury, added that he’d like to see less anger from the public who ask questions at supervisors’ meetings.

“People are afraid to go to township meetings,” he said, explaining that they’re afraid of not getting real answers and are “uncomfortable in not knowing who to believe.”

He also said people think both factions within the township are unwilling to discuss issues beyond their differences.

Eichinger said he thinks he can help heal the rift in the township by bringing energy and attention to communication with residents.

On issues, Eichinger said he’s a firm believer in open space preservation.

“It’s great to preserve the rich farmland we have… I want to help prevent development, but I respect and understand a landowner’s need to sell.”

He said townships should look for grants and corporate sponsorships to help preserve those lands and understands the township can’t stop development, and that they shouldn’t be stopped.

He wants to work with landowners, to learn what they need to keep their lands.
In turn, he said, townships should also work with developers.

“We can say, ‘This is what we’d like to see,’” he said. “’We can fight or work together.’ It shouldn’t end in litigation, wars and anger.”

When offered the opportunity for a formal statement, Eichinger said: “It’s about finding a way to make things better, to work with residents. The factions are driving out everyone else.”

There have been a series of lawsuits involving the township, various residents, Supervisors’ Chairman Fenton and Pennsbury Village Associates, the developer of the multi-use Pennsbury Village project.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Yin and yang of anonymity

Opinion

This editorial is different from most. There is no editorial “we” that is the convention of newspapers. This editorial is first person singular. I am writing this, me Rich Schwartzman. (As if most readers so far need to be told.)

There are some truly decent people in Chadds Ford, Birmingham and Pennsbury townships. But, there are also some mean-spirited cowards.

I’ve had internal and external e-mails about allowing anonymous comments on stories posted here on ChaddsFordLive, all because of the story about Aaron McIntyre running for the Republican Party nomination for supervisor in Pennsbury.

For those who’ve not been following, Mr. McIntyre is one of two candidates seeking that nomination. His challenger in the May 19 primary is Steve Eichinger. The story has been the most read of any so far in the one month ChaddsFordLive has existed, and the one getting the most comments.

Being Pennsbury Township, there are rancor and bitterness with some people wanting to level ad hominem attacks while hiding behind the cloak of anonymity.

In the hard copy newspaper world, letters to the editor must always include the name, municipality and a contact phone number for the writer before publishing the letter. The name and municipality are published. Yet, there is also a recent trend of “Sound off” pieces where papers use only a first name with the municipality.

While I want those more formal letters to the editor, done as they are in the printed publications, Internet publications – including ChaddsFordLive – allow comments directly submitted by readers without an editor filtering the content before the comments show on the screen. And names are not required.

There are pros and cons to allowing anonymous comments.

Some people are simply shy, feeling hesitant or intimidated of revealing themselves in public, even with the written word. They’re hesitant to lend their names in public to a position, especially one that may be unpopular. Or maybe they honestly fear reprisal from a group – such as a board of supervisors – for speaking out. The latter reason is quite prevalent. We’ve heard it often enough.

So, an anonymous means of commenting will work to help bring out items that should be discussed in the open.

The negative side is that a mean-spirited person can take pot shots at people while hiding behind that cloak of anonymity.

Such is the yin and the yang of the situation.

On balance, I am for keeping the anonymous comment available. I can edit those comments if need be, and I can delete them, too. And I do get an e-mail notification whenever a comment is posted, and I can act as needed as soon as I read that e-mail. I will not allow libelous, or profanity laced comments to stand.

That said, those of us in the public eye, sitting politicians, people running for office and even editors are always targets. We just have to accept that there is a different standard for us, and we have to accept that people will sometimes be less than polite.

However, those who like to smear, or attempt to smear others, just show their true color when they attack anonymously.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Pocopson students tour Brandywine River Museum

School & Education

Pocopson Elementary School fourth-graders became the latest group of students to get their cultural horizons expanded at the Brandywine River Museum. Three fourth-grade classes toured the museum on a rain-soaked Tuesday morning.

“It’s essential to get students here,” said Mary Cronin, the museum’s supervisor of education.

Cronin explained that getting people interested in art at a young age goes a long way to have them interested later in life.

“What you’re comfortable with as a fourth-grader, you’re comfortable with as an adult,” she said.

The museum runs school tours almost every day and there are tours designed for groups from pre-K through college.

Anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 students visit the museum annually, Cronin said.

The Pocopson students toured the museum galleries in class groups, with each group being led by a guide who encouraged the students to talk about what they were seeing and speculate on what the artist was trying to convey.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Doris M. Roten of Avondale

Obituaries

Doris M. Roten, 76 of Avondale died at her residence on Sunday, May 3. She was the wife of Roy Lee Roten, who died in 2006, and with whom she shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Creston, NC, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Jaquita Sludder Roten.

She was homemaker.

Doris enjoyed her cats and being with her family and neighbors.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda S. Bledsoe of Kennett Square, two brothers, James Osborne and Carl Osborne, both of Creston, NC, two sisters, Frances Mullis of Creston, NC and Shirley Pruitt of Buffalo Meadows, NC, one granddaughter, Robin Bledsoe, and two great-grandchildren, Sadie and Dani Rivera.

She was predeceased by one grandson, Christopher Bledsoe, and one great-grandson Daniel Rivera Bledsoe.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 9, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square, (610-444-4116.) Service and burial will be private.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecofuneralhomes.com.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Margaret V. Leach of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Margaret V. Leach, 98, of Kennett Square, died Friday, May 1, at Linden Hall, Kennett Square. She was the wife of Charles E. Leach who passed away in 2000 and with whom she shared 63 years of marriage.

Born in Chester Springs, she was the daughter of the late John H. and Mabel Smith Voorhees.

She attended Kennett High School and a Prep school in Connecticut before graduating from Goucher College in Baltimore, Md.

Mrs. Leach was the head Librarian at the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library in Kennett Square for 15 years, retiring in 1975.

She was very active in the Kennett community. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square, where she served as an elder. She was also a member of the New Century Club, The American Red Cross, a member of the Union Hill Cemetery committee and local garden and book clubs.

She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, gardening, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. She wrote a history of Kennett Square and was very active in Kennett Square’s development.

She is survived by one daughter, Linda Aloisio of Kennett Square, two grandchildren, Jonathan Aloisio and Laura Olazagasti, one great-granddaughter and three great-grandsons.

The family would like to thank the staff at Linden Hall for the special care given to their Mother/Grandmother.

She was predeceased by one brother, John S. Voorhees.

Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 7, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square (phone 610-444-4116). You may visit with her family and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Wednesday evening, May 6, 2009, and again on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square.

In memory of Mrs. Leach, a contribution may be made to the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, P.O. Box 730, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecofuneralhomes.com.