May 14, 2009 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Open space should be open to the paying public

The Kennett Township Land Trust did the right thing with regard to the Stateline Woods Preserve. As reported, the land trust began three years ago to prevent a 21-home development from being built on the 82-acre property off Merrybell Lane.

Land trusts, townships, conservation groups and other parties often look for ways to prevent developments or preserve nature. Their motives may differ. Some are looking to keep water clean or to provide a habitat for wildlife. Others want the opportunity to walk in the green while others don’t want property owners to make changes to “their” view.

The latter want to look at trees, not other homes. They have the attitude: “I’ve got mine, here. You go somewhere else.”

And not all of the groups take into consideration those who are footing the bill.

Often all that’s bought are easements or development rights. The landowner keeps his or her property, but gets paid not to develop the land – or a portion of it – in exchange for money.

That’s good for the landowner who wants to keep a farm, yet also wants the cash value of selling it. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too.

And that would be fine as long as whoever buys those development rights is using private funds. The inequity comes in when public money – money from taxes – is used to secure the easement or rights.

In this case, there would be no problem as long as the public – the taxpayers – have access to the property they are paying to preserve. But it is wrong to use tax dollars to buy these things allowing a landowner to continue to use the land as private property while preventing the public from being able to use that land, too. The public is forced to pay for something it’s not allowed to use, and that’s simply wrong.

Equally wrong is for a landowner to say he’ll sell his property to a McMansion builder unless someone pays him not to, while still allowing him to keep the property his own private domain. That’s not too far from a form of extortion.

With tax money involved in the purchase of the Halstead property, the Kennett Township Land Trust was right to keep the site open and available to the public. Other land trusts should follow that lead.

About CFLive Staff

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Blogging Along the Brandywine: A series of disjointed ramblings

Along the Ford

My favorite annual benefit event takes place next Friday evening, May 22 – The Brandywine River Museum Antiques Show Preview Reception.

Every year when I ask my mother to come as my guest, she invariably answers, “SalIy, I’m trying to down-size. I don’t need any more antiques.”

I explain that the museum board does not expect her to drive up in a U- Haul (what would the valets do?) and drive back to the Main Line with another tall case clock.

It’s an evening for fun.

And with five different food and open bar areas – it’s every dieter’s worst nightmare and every gourmand’s dream.

Once, when I was in Italy on a study tour, we visited ancient Pompeii. As our guide took us through the ruins of a wealthy merchant’s home, he described the eating orgies of the time. Walking into an adjoining room he pointed out a line of troughs along the walls, designed to…well…purge yourself of your feast so you could feast some more! Most of us are a tad more civilized now.

At last year’s party, after a successful year on the South Beach Diet, I was quietly congratulating myself on making good food choices and drinking moderately (bad carbs.)

I felt incredibly confident as I strolled through rooms of exquisite antiques hoping I would not succumb to their seductive charms.

And then I saw the sign: Charles Edwin Puckett- Antique Maps and Prints, Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts. My head started to spin. It certainly was not the gin and tonics or for lack of food.

I strolled over feigning disinterest.

Looking down, I saw a box of illuminated manuscripts of Gregorian chant- that stuff of my college studies. In a moment, despite my high heels and long black evening skirt, I was sitting on the floor in front of the files wishing I had a long hallway of empty walls. I was lost in the 13th century hearing the monks, who had touched this very parchment, intoning their weirdly primitive open harmonies in the cold, grey, gothic cathedrals and monasteries.

After drinking in dozens of antiquities, I crawled over to another file full of beautifully matted historic documents in the dark brown inks and elegantly feather-quilled script of another era.

My inevitable capitulation (followed by subsequent purchase of said document) came when I saw a page from the1769 account book of William and Samuel Vernon of Newport, Rhode Island. The brothers were involved in the export of New England Rum, and were part of what would eventually be known as The Triangle Trade.

You see, while the South was ultimately blamed for their “peculiar institution”, it was the New Englanders, with their large wooden ships who sailed to Africa with barrels of New England Rum. Leaving off the rum and taking on the now enslaved Africans, they sailed for the West Indies to leave off their cargo for auction. Finally, taking on their final cargo of sugar cane, they would sail back to Boston with the raw ingredients for their New England Rum, thus completing the triangle.

I’m looking forward to next Friday. And if you walk by Edwin Puckett’s and see someone sitting on the floor- it might be me!

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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Kathryn Ann Morley of West Grove

Obituaries

Kathryn Ann Morley, 83, died on May 12 at Jenner‘s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove. She was surrounded by loving caregivers and family at the end of her life. Kathryn lived in Charlottesville Va. for many years prior to moving to Jenner’s Pond in May of 2004.

She was born to the late Dr. Stanley and Margaret Black on May 11, 1926 in Norwalk Ohio. Kathryn graduated from Norwalk High School and married her high school sweetheart, Alfred C. (Pete) Morley on August 28, 1948. They were married for 54 years. She devoted her life to caring for her husband and children. Kathryn had a lovely smile and warmth throughout her life. She was a gourmet cook and traveled the world with her husband. There was a special place in her heart for animals and children.

Kathryn was predeceased by her husband; her sisters Marilyn Morley, Evelyn Cross and Martha Berger; as well as her brothers Dr. Robert Black and Edward Black. Kathryn is survived by her children and their families – Cynthia (and Robert) Krahn of Newark Del.; William Morley of New Bedford Mass.; grandsons James, David and Adam; and great granddaughter Jillian. Other family members include; sister Ruth Lohbauer and brother in law Russell Morley of Norwalk Ohio as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, May 18 at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 Firelands Blvd., Norwalk, Ohio. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to: The Benevolent Care Fund of Jenner’s Pond, 2000 Greenbriar Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to www.griecofuneralhomes.com.