A Pennsbury Township resident was shot while struggling with three home invaders at his Hillendale Road house shortly after 6 p.m. on Sept. 24. The 63-year-old victim, attorney Fred Barakat, was transported to Crozer Chester Medical Center with injuries that are described as moderate, non-life threatening.
Police said one of the attackers is a white man, 30-40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall with short blond hair. The other two men wore masks. The suspects’ vehicle is described as a white or cream colored Mitsubishi Diamanté. Police also said they do not believe this to be a random act. No further details were made available. ChaddsFordLive.com will update this report as more information is released.
Barakat is a bankruptcy attorney with offices in Chadds Ford and Wilmington.
****Update****
According to a source close to the victim, Barakat underwent surgery for a bullet wound to the leg on Wednesday, Sept. 26. He is also being interviewed by police for further information. Police said on Sept. 27 they would would release more information as it became available.
A weekend of serious Olympic-level equestrian events — including dressage, cross-country and show jumping — ended with a clash of jousting sticks as Sir Tyrant of Kent did battle with Sir John of Blow Horn.
The pair demonstrated skills by tilting at a quintain (a target on a post,) then plucking rings from the hands of their squires, tilted at each other in full armor and then finished their mock combat with a sword fight.
Both men admit it’s great fun for them to joust, but it takes a lot of skill. It’s not simple horseback riding, said John Moss, Blow Horn’s alter ego.
Moss has been riding for 50 years and can’t remember not riding. But guiding a horse is made more difficult by the visor, shield and lance.
“There are two things people don’t realize,” Moss said. “One is you can’t see, and the other is you can’t guide your horse with the reins.”
He said rider and horse have to be trained so the rider guides the horse with his legs.
Moss has been jousting for six years and said he does it for love.
“I love to feel the lances smash apart,” he said.
So does Tyrant, aka James Arroyo, 20, of Lancaster.
“It’s fun,” said a bruised Arroyo after being unseated when the lances clashed and splintered after striking the armor chest plate during his demonstration with Moss. “Everything about it is fun.”
Arroyo has been riding for 15 years and is a member of the renaissance troop Roundtable Productions.
He even loves the more painful aspects of jousting.
“I just got hit really hard and I love it. You get a hit and it’s an adrenaline rush and you get to ride at the same time,” Arroyo said. “This year I broke my nose.
And what would a joust be without a queen and her ladies in waiting?
Cindy Buchanan and her daughters Audrey and Maggie, of West Marlborough, filled that bill.
Buchanan is a life-long rider who filled in at the last minute.
“I’ve never done this before in my life,” she said. “It was fun. You’ve got to embarrass yourself once in a while.”
The events were held at the Plantation Field, the former King ranch, off of Route 82 in West Marlborough.
...and something just for the kids.The three-day event at Plantation field included show jumping...
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.
Acknowledging that the 2012 presidential election is the more pressing issue, Chadds Ford Township Supervisor Deborah Love has already kicked off her 2013 re-election bid. Love, a two-term Republican supervisor whom the party has not yet endorsed, began her campaign with a fund-raiser at Brandywine Prime on Sept. 24.
When asked why she wants a third term, Love said, “I enjoy this. I think I do a relatively good job because I get positive feedback from residents, and I like giving back to the community.”
Chadds Ford Township Supervisor Deborah Love launches her 2013 vcampaign for re-election.
She couldn’t think of anything specific as her best accomplishment during her first two terms, but two residents active in township government — solicitor Hugh Donaghue and Planning Commission Chairman Craig Huffman — spoke positively of her record.
Donaghue said be was supporting Love because “the township has been moving in the right direction and we want to keep it moving in that direction.”
Huffman echoed Donaghue saying, “Deb’s been a terrific supervisor. She’s done wonderful things for Chadds Ford and I want to see that continue.”
Noticeably absent from the event, however, were Republican Party leader Mary Kot and other members of the executive committee or other old guard Republicans.
Love said she is not aware of any challenge from within the Republican Party, but is not unaccustomed to contested races.
She challenged incumbent Harvey Kliman for the Republican Party nomination in the spring primary of 2001 and faced Democratic Party challenger Rhona Klein for supervisor in the 2007 general election when she won her second term in office.
“I’m preparing for anything that could possibly happen,” Love said. “It goes in cycles. It seems that there’s competition when I run.”
Kot, in a telephone interview the day after the fund-raiser, said Love’s event was “premature.”
“We have not endorsed her. We’re interviewing people, so we’re disappointed she’s moved forward.”
Kot added that the party is focused on this year’s presidential race and will deal with the supervisor’s race later.
Love decided to have a fund-raiser this early because, she said, she wanted to start adding to her war chest now.
“From past elections I learned that you need money to run with or without an opponent, whether it’s April or November.”
Love is currently working on a project with U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan’s office to get some addresses changed in the township.
There are residents and businesses in Chadds Ford that have West Chester postal codes. Love said she’s trying to get those addresses changed to Chadds Ford where they belong.
“A number of residents have had trouble getting services, either for their children or because they’re seniors, because they have to defend that they’re actually a Delaware County resident, not a Chester County resident. That’s my current thing and, if I’m successful I think that’s great for a portion of our community.”
Love holds two positions with Crozer Hospital. She’s the administrative director of nursing and the director of marketing. She has two master’s degrees, one in nursing and one in business.
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.
The statistics are considered to be staggering: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will suffer some form of child sexual abuse before the age of 18. Those figures set the stage for an evening of awareness and discussion as Steve LePore, founder and Executive Director of 1in6, Inc., shares his personal story and focuses on the lasting effect of child sexual abuse on men. The discussion will also include why children remain silent, prevention tips, warning signs, and local resources. The event is Thursday, Oct. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Unionville High School. You must register to attend this event by going to www.csa-awareness.eventbrite.com. Adults only, please.
• The annual Harvest Market at the Brandywine River Museum begins Sept. 29 and 30 in the museum courtyard. Visitors can browse the wares of regional artisans, including beautiful quilted items from members of the Brandywine Quilters, and a variety of fine crafts made by members of The Chester County Guild of Craftsmen, plus other unique handcrafted objects. Other dates through the fall are Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4.
• The Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit The Way We Worked, opens to the public on Sept. 29 during a special fundraiser event at the Auburn Heights Invitational Historic Automobile Display at the Marshal Steam Museum in Yorklyn. The exhibit, which is made possible by the Delaware Humanities Forum, will remain on view at the museum through Nov. 24. The exhibit is adapted from an original exhibition developed by the National Archives and Records Administration that explores how work has become a central element in American culture. It traces the many changes that have affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years, including the growth of manufacturing and increasing use of technology. The exhibition draws from the Archives’ rich collections, including historical photographs, archival accounts of workers, film, audio and interactives, to tell the compelling story of how work impacts our individual lives and the historical and cultural fabric of our communities.
• Lice Lifters of Chadds Ford will be hosting an Alex’s Lemonade Stand on Sunday, Sept. 30. Lice Lifters is at 1410 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford Township.
• The second annual B2B Table Top Expo and Networking Event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 3, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Red Clay Room, 423 Dalmation Street in Kennett Square. This event is free for attendees. There will be free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
• Darlington Arts Center in Concord Township presents a public exhibition of oil paintings by award-winning Lancaster artist Kerry Sacco. Inspired by the play of light and shadows in landscapes both locally and in her travels, Kerry explores the many facets of color, texture, and form in her paintings. The free opening reception is Sunday, Sept. 30 from 2-4pm, and will provide an opportunity for visitors to meet the artist, view her new work and discuss her inspiration while enjoying complimentary wine and snacks. The show will be open to the public through Oct. 30. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information visit www.darlingtonarts.org or call 610-358-3632.
• The Business Network International of Garnet Valley will be hosting a special Visitors Day Networking meeting at the Concordville Inn Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 11:15 a.m. This special meeting is geared toward helping local business people gain insight on how BNI works, a press release said. How to build a successful referral based business through a structured word-of-mouth marketing program will be the focus of this meeting. For information about getting involved, or to get directions to this event please visit the “Calendar of Events” section of www.BNIDVR.Com” or call Linda Holobovich at 610-350-8063.
• The Chadds Ford Business Association’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Chaddsford Winery. See the sights and smells of the 2012 harvest at the winery, tour the cellars with founding partner Lee Miller, and taste some exciting local wines paired with foods from Brandywine Catering. Cost is $25 per person; $40 per couple. RSVP by email to rsvp@chaddsford.org
• Concord Township will conduct a recycling day on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8-10 a.m. There will be paper shredding as well as recycling for all types of electronics including computers, monitors, printers, air-conditioners, computer accessories and household appliances. The event will be held at the township garage, 675 Smithbridge Road.
• A pistol was stolen from an unlocked car in Chadds Ford Township. Police said the car was parked in a driveway on Bullock Road and the incident happened sometime between Sept. 18 and 21. In addition to the Ruger LCP .380 pistol, loose change was also stolen.
• A Glen Mills man was arrested for DUI in Concord Township on Sept. 22. Police identified the driver as Nicholas Nicolaides, saying he was stopped for traffic violations when he was observed showing signs of impairment.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will have 48 Driver Licensing Centers, normally closed on Mondays, open on Monday, Nov. 5, the day before election day, to better serve customers with last-minute Voter ID needs.
In recent months, PennDOT has worked closely with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union representing its Driver Licensing Center employees, to reach this agreement.
“I applaud the efforts of AFSCME to work with us on this important effort,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. “Our employees have been working tirelessly to be certain that any Pennsylvanian who needs an ID for voting purposes has it, and efforts like this show our commitment to getting the job done.”
Since the passage of the law in March, PennDOT has been working aggressively to make the voting ID process as customer-friendly as possible. Two major milestones include working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to facilitate a process for customers who do not have a birth certificate with a raised seal, and extending hours at five Driver License Centers in Philadelphia County.
PennDOT and its partners at the Pennsylvania Departments of State and Health are dedicated to delivering on Gov. Tom Corbett’s commitment that every eligible voter has an opportunity to obtain the photo identification needed to vote.
The addresses of the affected centers can be found online at www.dmv.state.pa.us or by calling 1-800-932-4600.
State Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, R-160, led the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in approving legislation that would establish state procurement goals for veteran-owned small businesses.
“This committee and the governor’s office have been working to ensure that Pennsylvania’s veterans receive the benefits they earned through their service to our nation,” said Barrar, majority chairman of the committee. “Small businesses are a major driver of our economy, and this legislation will have a positive impact on our job creation efforts and for our enterprising veterans.”
Senate Bill 623, authored by state Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks, establishes a statewide annual goal of at least 3 percent participation in state contracts with veteran-owned and service-disabled-veteran-owned small businesses. The bill defines a veteran-owned small business as an entity that is controlled by a majority of persons who are veterans, having 100 or fewer employees.
Under the legislation, the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, would be required to provide staff to assist veteran-owned small businesses, publicize procurement opportunities for them, compile a list of veteran-owned small businesses, ensure that they are solicited for each procurement, establish business assistance offices to encourage procurement from veteran-owned small businesses and prepare an annual report on the awarding of contracts to veteran-owned small businesses.
Barrar noted that the federal government has had a similar procurement program in place since 1999 for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, authored legislation similar to Tomlinson’s bill.
Veteran-owned small businesses were also recently added to Pennsylvania’s Small Diverse Business Program, under the Small Business Procurement Initiative. DGS is currently working with veterans’ organizations throughout the state to register them for the program. More information about the Small Diverse Business Program is available at 717-783-3119 or at www.DGS.state.pa.us.
Senate Bill 623 will now go to the full House for consideration.
During its meeting, the committee also approved House Bill 1020, authored by state Rep. Tony Payton Jr., D-179, which would authorize the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to counties in planning for the consolidation and regionalization of Pennsylvania’s 9-1-1 centers.
Meet Cyrus, a young adult Shepherd mix that has been at CCSPCA since May awaiting his forever home. CCSPCA staff and volunteers have worked diligently with Cyrus, as he came to the shelter much in need of training and housebreaking. Cyrus is now on his way to becoming a well-mannered pooch, but will need an active and experienced owner who will continue to work with him. Cyrus is a goofy and fun-loving dog who enjoys all people. Cyrus enjoys playing and socializing with other dogs but would prefer a home where the attention is all on him. He has a lot of love to give just not to cats. If you are able to provide Cyrus or any of our other animals here at the shelter a home, visit the Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen or call 610-692-6113. Cyrus’s registration number is 96808644. To meet some of our other adoptable animals, visit the shelter or log onto www.ccspca.org. Not quite ready to adopt? Consider becoming a CCSPCA foster parent! Additional information and applications are available online or at the shelter.
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.
