January 27, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Pa senator co-sponsors med pot bill

State Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, said in a press release that he is co-sponsoring legislation to allow physicians to provide medical cannabis to patients in Pennsylvania.

McGarrigle said Senate Bill 3 has 25 co-sponsors with bipartisan support. Identical legislation passed the Senate by an overwhelming vote in the previous session.

Senate Bill 3 would allow patients who have a recommendation from their doctor to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a to-be-created State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing. The entire process would be regulated by licensing: medical cannabis growers, processors and dispensers. Smoking is prohibited.

“In a controlled manner, medical cannabis has been shown to provide relief to children with extreme seizure disorders, as well as patients suffering from other health conditions,” McGarrigle said in the press release. “Pennsylvania’s prohibition on the use of medical cannabis serves to deny the sick and vulnerable relief from pain and suffering that is impeding their health and seriously impacting their quality of life.”

McGarrigle joined the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, and other supporters at a Harrisburg news conference to announce the reintroduction of the legislation. Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia have similar laws.

The 26^th Senatorial District includes Easttown and Willistown townships in Chester County and more than a dozen municipalities in eastern Delaware County.

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Commissioner to co-chair economic alliance

Along the Ford

Chester County Commissioner Michelle H. Kichline will step into the role of co-chair of the VISTA 2025 Executive Alliance, serving as the public sector chair alongside private sector chair Tom Fillippo, the county announced on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Chester County Commissioner Michelle H. Kichline will chair the public sector of — Chester County Commissioner Michelle H. Kichline will co-chair the VISTA 2025 Executive Alliance.

Kichline was selected last month by the Chester County bench to join Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone on the board of commissioners. She filled the vacancy that was created when former County Commissioner Ryan Costello became a U.S. representative for the Sixth Congressional District. Costello previously served as public sector chair of the alliance.

Organized around five key sequential elements — Vision, Ideas, Solutions, Teams and Actions — VISTA 2025 is a Chester County public-private partnership effort focused on creating an economic development strategy that will guide economic growth over the next 10 years to promote a successful and sustainable county economy.

Commissioner Kichline’s experience is relevant to many of the issues that are the focus of VISTA 2025, the press release said. In addition to her role as county commissioner, she serves as a commissioner and chair of strategic planning for the Delaware River Port Authority, and is a board member of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County as well as the Paoli Transit Task Force.

In addition, Kichline is a lawyer with experience representing municipalities and school districts, and her former public office experience includes serving as chair of the Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board and the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors, during which time she spearheaded the formation of the Business Development Advisory Committee, the release said.

“I am excited about the VISTA 2025 focus on a balance of progress and preservation, and I am impressed with the quality of work that has been completed on the strategy so far,” Kichline said. “VISTA 2025 is an excellent platform that will guide our actions in support of Chester County’s economy for years to come, and I look forward to working with my fellow co-chair and the entire Executive Alliance team.”

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Police: Phony worker leads to $18,000 theft

Police

The creation of a fictitious worker facilitated the theft of more than $18,000 from a mushroom company, New Garden Township Police said.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, New Garden Police announced the arrest of Deseon Eggleston, 33, of Downingtown. Eggleston had worked from August until December as the payroll manager for Modern Mushroom, Inc., located in the 1300 block of Newark Road in New Garden Township, police said.

Police said they received information that during an internal audit, officials at Modern Mushroom discovered a series of thefts that spanned several months. Police said the investigation revealed that Eggleston had created a fictitious employee account, supplemented with supporting documents. Once the fake worker was created, Eggleston directed company assets in excess of $18,000 into the fraudulent personal bank account, which Eggleston could access, police said.

On Friday, Jan. 23, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Eggleston, who was taken into custody without incident during a routine traffic stop the following day. Eggleston was arraigned and released on $25,000 unsecured bail, police said.

According to court records, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Matthew Seavey on charges that include theft, access device fraud and identify theft.

Records also show that Eggleston was charged with theft and receiving stolen property in 2000 by Downingtown Police; he was placed into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for non-violent, first-time offenders.

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Area mushrooms, cheese win at Farm Show

Along the Ford

From cheese to mushrooms to sheep and swine, Chester County farmers and producers received high marks from Pennsylvania Farm Show judges last week, resulting in an impressive array of ribbons in almost every agricultural discipline.

Chester County cheese-makers swept all three “best of show” top spots in the show’s first-ever cheese competition. The Farm at Doe Run in West Marlborough Township took first place with its “Seven Sisters” cheese.

Two Chester Springs farms – Yellow Springs and Birchrun Hills Farm – won for their “Cloud Nine” (first place) and “Tomme Mole” (second place) respectively, in addition to several other ribbons in their various subcategories. Shellbark Hollow Farm in West Chester won second place for its goat’s milk cheese.

Chester County mushroom producers To-Jo Mushrooms in Avondale and Phillips Mushroom Farm in Kennett Square took first and third places in the overall mushroom exhibitor competition, continuing the county’s tradition of impressive competition results as the top mushroom-producing county in the nation.

“We are very proud of the farmers and producers who did such a great job of demonstrating the agricultural excellence Chester County is famous for,” said Chris Alonzo, board chair of the Chester County Ag Council and President of Pietro Mushrooms. “From our outstanding results in the cheese competition to our solid showing in mushrooms and livestock, the Farm Show allows us to showcase all the many ways agriculture is the top industry here in Chester County.”

Poultry, dairy and beef cattle, and sheep were additional county standouts in the final competition results. Chester County residents also earned ribbons for their baking skills, farm photography and singing talents.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, just completed its 99^th year of operation. Each year, it hosts nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits. For a list of all Chester Countyy winners, go to http://www.farmshow.state.pa.us/Results_Counties.aspx?Y=2015&County=15&CountyName=CHESTER.

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