February 18, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Board mulls budgets, bonds and school days

A budget for the 2015-2016 Unionville-Chadds Ford school year is one step closer to being reality. School board directors approved the preliminary budget during their Feb. 17 meeting.

Current numbers show anticipated spending to be $80.9 million and total revenue estimated at $88.6 million. That revenue figure includes a fund balance of $8.68 million.

Taxes will increase, according to the plan. Property taxes in Chester County are planned to be 27.52 mills. Taxes will be 23.34 mills in Delaware County. (A mill is a tax of $1 for every dollar of assessed property value.)

The proposed tax rates exceed the Act I limit of a 1.9 percent increase, but a referendum is unlikely. The district is applying for allowable exceptions of more than $1.4 million for special education spending and for the state pension fund.

All of the numbers might be different by the time the board votes for the final budget.

“[The budget] will change drastically before we approve it in June,” said Director Keith Knauss, who chairs the board’s Finance Committee.

A hearing on the final budget is scheduled for May 4. May 5 and 6 are also set aside for the hearing if the extra days are needed.

In addition to passing the preliminary budget, the board also approved a bond resolution that would issue new bonds to help pay off older series of bonds. The district will issue news bonds totaling $19.8 million.

It’s estimated that more than a $1 million will be saved this year because of better interest rates, according to a consultant.

There was also a brief discussion regarding the length of the school year. U-CF has a 182-day academic year. According to Superintendent John C. Sanville, the Calendar Committee wanted the board to consider lowering that to the 180 days mandated by state law.

However, Sanville said most of the school districts in the region also have academic years of 182 days or more, some with 185 days.

Having the extra days was a benefit to the district last year when 11 days were lost to winter storms. The district was able to “forgive” two days and still meet the 180-day requirement without the need to keep school open until later in June, Sanville said.

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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Photo of the Week: A Chilling Experience

Photo of the Week

Chilly-on-the-Rocks_1jf1187_HDR — A Chilling Experience

While the Phillies begin spring training in 70-degree weather in ClearwAter, Fla., the greater Chadds Ford area is experiencing frigid temperatures, as the waterfall at Newlin Grist Mill Park shows.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Adopt-a-Pet: Trooper

Home and Leisure

Trooper is a five-year-old neutered orange male tabby who was found as a stray, and entered the Chester County SPCA shelter on Jan. 28. He tested positive for FIV so he needs to be either an only cat or with another cat who is FIV+. When volunteers come to play with, Trooper likes to climb out of his cage into their arms. He politely insists that they hold him. Trooper is a dominant cat that would prefer to be chairman of the board in a new home. He would do best in a home free of small children and dogs.

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Police log Feb. 19: Extortion, DUI, theft

Police

• State police from Troop K, Media barracks, are investigating a case of extortion against a Concord Township man. A report said the victim had been engaging in “explicit activities” via social media with a Web cam, without realizing the suspect was recording the activity. The suspect, identity unknown, then reportedly extorted money in exchange for not releasing the video. Some of the footage was released, however, police said. Authorities believe the suspect is from the Philippines and has done this type of thing before. Police are reminding people to not engage in any online exchange with people they don’t know.

• Alejandro Lopez-Romero, 39, of Kennett Square, was taken into custody on DUI charges following a two-vehicle accident on McFarlan Road near Rosedale Road in Kennett Township 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 9. According to state police, Lopez-Romero was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer when he crossed the double yellow line and struck Jeep that had pulled to the side of the road to avoid impact. Police said two 40-ounce bottles of beer were found “in the immediate vicinity” of Lopez-Romero’s vehicle. Witnesses said the bottles were removed from the Trailblazer before police arrived, the report said.

• State police from Troop J, Avondale barracks, are investigating the theft of copper wire from a vacant house in Kennett Township. A report said unknown suspects forcibly entered the house and removed copper from the baseboard heaters. The incident happened in the 500 block of North Walnut Road, but no time frame was given. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tpr. Revels at 610-268-2022.

• A 33-year-old Kennett Square man was cited for careless driving on Feb. 7 at 3:36 p.m. in East Marlborough Township, state police said. Adam C. Bruhn pulled out of a parking space at the Giant supermarket in the 800 block of East Baltimore Pike, and his 2013 Ford F150 sideswiped another vehicle, police said, adding that Bruhn failed to stop and was also cited for leaving the scene of an accident.

About CFLive Staff

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Around Town Feb. 19

Along the Ford

• The Kennett Area Senior Center hosts a presentation on “Nutrition and My Vision” on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Learn what role nutrition plays in maintaining good vision how to keep your eyes functioning well. For more information, call the center at 610-444-4819.

• On Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m., Amanda C. Burdan, associate curator at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, will discuss Jamie Wyeth’s early works, from paintings such as Portrait of Shorty to his time in New York, including his work at Andy Warhol’s famous Factory. The event is included with museum admission and free for members.

• The Chadds Ford Gallery opens a new exhibit Friday, Feb. 27, featuring the works of Steven White. White is a self-taught artist who paints primarily traditional landscapes in oil or transparent watercolor. His work has been chosen for inclusion in several artist magazines and events, including “Qualities of Light” by North Light Books. He was a finalist in the Artist’s Magazine annual competition, and won a Silver Medal at The Adirondack’s National Exhibition of American Watercolors. The exhibit runs through March 15.

• Upland Country Day School is hosting an exhibition game for the Delaware Sled Snipers on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Upland’s John M. Cleveland Rink. The Sled Snipers are the first sled hockey team in the area. Sled hockey allows players with physical disabilities to play hockey. Admission is free and open to the public. After the exhibition game, the public is invited to try out the sleds on the rink.

• The Kennett Symphony of Chester County, under the direction of Music Director Michael Hall, will present Music, Stories in Sound, at its annual Children’s Concerts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, at the International Cultural Center on the campus of Lincoln University and again on Sunday, March 8, also at 2 p.m., at Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, Phillips Memorial Building, on the campus of West Chester University. This year’s concert is an interactive concert where the audience will create a story based on the music they are hearing. Before each performance, join Music Director Michael Hall for a pre-concert conducting class to see what it is like to conduct. All tickets are $5 per person and seating is reserved. For complete information visit www.kennettsymphony.org or call the Kennett Symphony at 610 444 6363.

• The Patton Theater Co. of Charles F. Patton Middle School presents “Annie, Jr.” on March 5, 6 and 7. Show times for March 5 and 6 are 7 p.m., 2 and 7 p.m. on March 7. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com and at cfpms.ucfsd.org. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. On Feb. 28, from 1-3 p.m. there will be a free Community Preview Day.

• Radley Run Country Club is hosting an art show to benefit Safe Harbor and the Chester County Art Association on Friday, March 6, from 6-10 p.m. There will be a reception with music, hors
d’oeuvres, cash bar and fantastic art. Visit the gallery again on Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to experience a quieter viewing environment. Simply give Radley Run a call at 610-793-1660 to make your reservation. A press release said 30 percent of artwork sales and 100 percent of the silent auction sales benefit Safe Harbor and the Chester County Art Association. The Silent Auction will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

• The Penn State Chester County Master Gardeners is offering a workshop on herbs on Saturday, March 8, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the East Bradford Township building. In the workshop you will design your garden, learn how to grow and harvest your plants. To get you started right away, you will sow seeds of several common culinary herbs that can easily be grown in your garden or a container. The cost is $10. Registration is advised. To register, send an email with your name to: exa108@psu.edu with the subject line Herbs Spring Workshop.

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James W. Wetzel

Obituaries

James W. Wetzel, 63, died Feb. 15, after a sever fall in his home.

He was born in Madison, Wis. on April 28,1951 and was the son of Roland H. Wetzel & Muriel (Auler) Wetzel. His family moved to Wilmington when he was an infant, and later moved to Landenberg. He graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1969. He attended Penn State University, graduating in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree.

He married Rosa Baron in 1972, and they had 3 children, Adrian, Riki, and Janel. He worked as a restaurant manager for several years. Then he worked as a laboratory technition at the DuPont Stine – Haskell Laboratory where he was employed until his retirement.

He was an active member of the Avondale Presbyterian church and was a trustee at the time of his death. His favorite activities were boating, fishing, hiking and traveling. He hiked a considerable part of the Appalachian Trail.

He is survived by his children; Adrian, Riki (wife Desiree) Janel (husband Robert Louis Hanlon) father & mother Roland and Muriel Wetzel brother Peter J. Wetzel.

A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, 200 Rose Hill Road in West Grove, followed by a private burial.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Avondale Presbyterian Church, 420 Pennsylvania Avenue (Route 41) in Avondale.

In lieu of flowers, donation in memory of Jim may be sent to the Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311

Online condolences maybe made by visiting www.griecocares.com

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Senate Transportation Committee approves Pileggi bill

Along the Ford

The state Senate Transportation Committee yesterday approved legislation introduced by Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, to encourage private development at mass transit hubs.

Senate Bill 385 will modernize the Pennsylvania Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Act, originally enacted in December 2004.

“The goal of the original TRID law is admirable: encouraging private development at mass transit hubs,” Pileggi said in a press release. “Unfortunately, since the law’s enactment, only one TRID has been created. It has become clear that the law needs to be streamlined and strengthened and Senate Bill 385 makes the changes needed for TRIDs to become real engines for economic growth.”

SB 385 streamlines the TRID creation process, sets clear parameters for TRID funding and the use of those fund, and authorizes a new “tax capture” funding mechanism to provide funding. Any projects funded in a TRID will require a minimum one-third match from private dollars.

The legislation is supported by a wide range of organizations across Pennsylvania, including the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB), the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

“The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs has been a supporter of innovative TRID legislation since the original act was passed ten years ago,” said Ed Troxell, PSAB’s Director of Government Affairs. “We’re extremely pleased that Senator Pileggi’s amendments to the act will provide expanded options for the use of TRIDs in our boroughs throughout the Commonwealth.”

“One of the reasons that the TRID program hasn’t taken off is that there have been limited funding options,” said Elam Herr, assistant executive director for PSATS. “Senate Bill 385 helps rectify that issue and will make the program much more effective.”

“Upper Darby is the sixth largest municipality in the state, and a TRID would greatly enhance the opportunity for businesses to locate in the 69th Street Transportation Center,” said Upper Darby Mayor Thomas Micozzie.

By simplifying the TRID process and implementation, Senate Bill 385 will enhance the opportunity for private developers to invest in improving mass transit hubs in communities across Pennsylvania.

“I want to thank Senator John Rafferty, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, for advancing this bill so quickly in the legislative session,” said Pileggi.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

About Press Release

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Deans’ Lists students

School & Education

The following Chadds Ford area students earned recognition from the respective universities and colleges.

• Tallulah Clark-Turner was named to Susquehanna University’s Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester. The dean’s list recognizes students who achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or higher out of a possible 4.0 for the semester. Clark-Turner is a business administration major at Susquehanna.

• Alexandra Gallicchio, Eliza Gardner, Joelle Napoletano and David Ostrowski have been named to Wake Forest University Dean’s List for the fall semester, 2014. Students who achieve a 3.4 grade point average and no grade below a “C” were named to the list.

• Kevin Roux was named to the Marist College Dean’s List for the Fall 2014 Semester. Roux is a member of the Class of 2018 and is majoring in business administration.

• Jesse Saran was named to the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology. Saran is a second-year student in the computer science program.

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Boost Your Business: Using promotions

Business

When your auto repair company sends you a coupon for a discount on an oil change, or your local coffee shop rewards you with a free cup of coffee every 10th time you buy, you’re seeing a promotional program at work.

A promotion is a planned strategy for increasing sales over a short period. A promotion adds value to the product or service offered. It stimulates sales for reasons other than the product’s inherent benefits.

We call those reasons incentives. Sometimes the incentive is designed to specifically make a sale, as in “$2 off medium pizza with this coupon.” Other times the incentive is planned simply to expose the customer to the product — to break down preliminary barriers that are roadblocks to a future sale.

With a promotional program, you can persuade people to try your product, to experiment with new beliefs about your service; you can shift buying habits so that sporadic users find reasons to buy more.

Who uses promotions? There are business-to-business promotional programs, and there are consumer programs. Remember, people do business with people. So much of the same techniques apply to both.

Different businesses are drawn to different styles of promotion. The most frequent users of promotional programs are the retail services, like car care, hair care, and restaurants. Coupons are the most common promotion for these types of businesses; dry cleaners use coupons extensively, and so do grocery stores. It’s the ability to track results, as well as their proven effectiveness, that makes coupon offers so popular.

In the business-to-business world, suppliers frequently engage in promotions by offering sale prices. You are less likely to see coupons here, because the patterns of purchasing are a little different. The person making the decision to buy may not be the same person who is writing the check, so requiring the physical coupon to be used would be an unnecessary barrier to the desired sale.

Promotions work because people like something for nothing. They respond to two-for-one offers, and they love a good deal or free extra with their purchase. Special promotions help many businesses achieve their marketing objectives, such as combating seasonal cycles or stealing attention from the competition.

* Maria L. Novak Dugan is president of Marketing Solutions & Business Development, a firm in West Chester, PA, offering creative marketing services and goal implementation for small & medium sized businesses. For more information, contact Maria at 610-405-0633 or MariaNovak001@yahoo.com or visit www.Maria-L-Novak.com

About Maria Novak Dugan

Maria L. Novak Dugan is president of Marketing Solutions & Business Development, a firm serving Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, offering creative marketing services and goal implementation for small businesses. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the Marketing & Sales Industry ... 13 of those as the sole sales representative for a Pennsylvania payroll company growing their client base by over 500%. Maria Novak Dugan is also the former Managing Director of the Delaware Chapter of eWomenNetwork. Creating, developing, and conducting this division of a national organization strengthened her knowledge of networking, event planning, fundraising, and small-business development. For more information, contact Maria at 610-405-0633 or Maria@Maria-L-Novak.com or visit www.Maria-L-Novak.com

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Relax and warm up with a fine art stroll

Arts & Entertainment

With the wintry chill setting in, you need to stay warm and fuel up your senses. There are a lot of wonderful local art shows in our area where you can relax in a warm gallery environment and charge up your senses. This is also a great time to sign up for art classes in any of our neighborhood venues: The Chester County Art Association, The Oxford Art Alliance, Studio Rilievo, youth classes at the Kennett and West Grove Garages and at Karen D’Allaird’s Willowdale Art Academy. Most of these wonderful art organizations have a terrific offering of classes that range from beginner to expert, youth to adult, and crafts to fine art. There is something for everyone and the prices are very reasonable and the artistic education is priceless.

Our fine museums are also showcasing terrific exhibits right now that are great for the whole family, or just for a few friends on a day out. The Brandywine River Museum of Art is highlighting the new Jamie Wyeth exhibit. The curator’s tour is February 25th at 2pm! As always the museum’s extraordinary permanent collection on display, as well as a fun cafeteria to look out on the wintry Brandywine without having to experience the chill. Thursday evening February 19th at 7:30 the museum will hold a concert with acclaimed classical guitarist James Dodson; the museum will open at 6pm, and you can enjoy music, drinks, appetizers and stunning art work for the whole evening.

The Delaware Museum for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA) has 5 current exhibitions to invigorate the senses. Always contemporary and always inventive, this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon – and it is free. March 1st they have a Jazz brunch from noon to 3 pm featuring some terrific jazz performers and an incredible menu. This event does have a fee, so you should register online.

The Delaware Museum of Art has an interesting lineup of exhibits from delightful dog photographs (opening March 6th) to illustrations of Oscar Wilde’s Salomé, featuring the works of Aubrey Beardsley and my favorite wood engraver of all time Barry Moser. A few years ago Barry spoke at the Brandywine River Art Museum, and it was one of the best art lectures that I have ever attended. I brought a bunch of high school youths from Unionville and they left awestruck and moved. The artist is brilliant, insightful, humble and inspiring – and the finest wood engraver of our time. I started collecting his books when he illustrated Alice in Wonderland back in 1982! I had never seen anything like it. Barry Moser is speaking on April 9th at 7pm at The Delaware Museum of Art. Come and bring your friends and some teens.

n the local gallery scene, The Art Trust show in the Meridian Bank in downtown West Chester is showing “Finders Keepers” which is an interesting group of found object collage artists that make you look at road-side trash as free art materials.

Mala Galleria in Kennett Square is featuring the watercolor works of Kristina Closs who specializes in illuminated portraits of birds. Just up the street at the Longwood Gallery, the work of many local artists in hung in a gallery style venue, with the work of Joan Hollander is highlighted this month. the best coffee and nicest place to hang out with a cup of soup or steaming mocha, Philter is always changing up their wall display to feature local artists like Katee Boyle, Allesandra Manzotti, Jim Graham and the wonderfully buyable and useable works from Arden & James. Around the corner you should stop by Charlie Metzger’s Pottery where you can buy his perfect handmade bowls and mugs, or sign up for his one-on-one classes, where even the klutziest of novices will learn how to throw a bowl. Like me!

Stay tuned next week for a big list of new shows in our area!

www.chestercountyarts.org

www.oxfordart.org

http://studiorilievo.com/

http://www.garageyouthcenter.org/kennett-square.html

http://www.garageyouthcenter.org/west-grove.html

http://www.willowdaleartacademy.com/willowdale-art-academy.html

http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/

http://www.thedcca.org/

http://www.delart.org/

www.thearttrust.com

www.malagalleria.com

http://philtercoffee.com/

About Lele Galer

Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.

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