Lindner is interim replacement for Wandersee

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on August 27, 2009

The
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board voted 5-3 Wednesday night to
appoint Chadds Ford Township resident Gregg Lindner as an interim replacement
for Ed Wandersee. Lindner will
serve through the end of this year, but will run in a November election for the
remaining two years of Wandersee’s term.

Lindner’s
opponent in November will be fellow Chadds Ford resident Frank Murphy, the man
he beat out for the interim appointment.

Wandersee
stepped down after 10 years on the board because he moved out of the district.

Nine
residents offered comments before the decision, with five speaking for Lindner
and four for Murphy.

Paul
Koch, of Chadds Ford, read an e-mail from Wandersee supporting the appointment
of Murphy, while Valerie Hoxter, also of Chadds Ford, said Murphy most closely
represented Region C – that includes Chadds Ford and Pennsbury townships – and
what Wandersee stood for.

LeLe
Galer, of Pocopson Township, said Lindner has proven his dedication to the
community while Murphy is too new to the area.

A
woman from Pennsbury noted Lindner’s attendance at every board meeting, adding
that he is sincere in helping the board improve communication with district
residents.

Heidi
Brown, also from Chadds Ford, decried the political polarization that was
taking place, and said it doesn’t matter whether someone is a Republican or
Democrat. She said Lindner would hit the ground running.

Four
board members spoke before the vote, but only Timotha Trigg, also of Chadds
Ford, endorsed either of the two candidates. She voted for Murphy saying his
views on education most closely matched the direction the school board is
going.

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.