July 31, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

State orders Concord to produce records

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has ruled in favor of a Concord Township resident who was denied certain documents requested in an official Right-to-Know filing.

Under the Right-to-Know Law, resident Kevin O’Neill asked for all records, notes of meetings, phone calls or correspondence among an attorney, Concord Township officials and employees.

The request was in response to attorney J. Michael Sheridan’s filing of briefs on behalf of township Supervisors Dominic Pileggi and Kevin O’Donoghue with the state Supreme Court. Township solicitor Hugh Donaghue had engaged Sheridan to write the briefs at the request of supervisors.

(The court was hearing an appeal of two lower court decisions that denied a petition by Concord First to have a question put on the November 2014 ballot. The question would have asked residents if they wanted Concord to reclassify as a township of the first class. As reported here, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Concord First, reversing the lower court decisions, and remanded the case to Delaware County’s Court of Common Pleas.)

O’Neill’s request to the township, according to the Open Records office, was partially denied because the township claimed it did not possess records held by Donaghue. O’Neill then appealed to the OOR, which determined those records should be released.

According to the determination: “The Township has not demonstrated that it provided all responsive records. While certain records have been provided, neither the Township nor Solicitor Donaghue allege that all responsive records have been provided to [O’Neill]. Although the Township argued, in its response, that it does not possess records held by Solicitor Donaghue, the RTK[Law] requires access to records within an agency’s ‘possession, custody or control…Here, there can be no dispute that the Township’s records in Solicitor Donaghue’s possession are within the Township’s control.”

The determination of the OOR, issued on July 9, said the township is required to provide the records within 30 days or appeal the determination to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

The full determination can be found here.

Neither O’Neill nor Donaghue were available for further comment.

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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Letter to the Editor: Pileggi, O’Donoghue and Donaghue must go

Opinion

Concord Supervisors Dominic Pileggi and Kevin O’Donoghue, and solicitor Hugh Donaghue must resign.

The record seems to show that these three misused Concord Township funds, misrepresented themselves to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and acted in what appears to me to be violations of conflict of interest statutes. They took these actions because they were and are desperate to stop to voters from having the opportunity to decide to change our township’s classification to First Class. A year ago, almost 1,000 Concord residents signed a petition to have that chance, but the three have fought it with every means at their disposal.

Fortunately for Concord, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected all of their arguments and reversed lower court rulings that these three officers sought. The ballot question will now go before the voters this November, although the high court stated it should have happened last year if not for Concord officials’ opposition.

But in their failed effort to gain a favorable ruling in the state’s highest court, these Concord officials crossed the line. Without formal Board of Supervisors approval, and acting as private individuals and not in their capacity as township officials, the three conspired to use township funds to hire a lawyer. They instructed the lawyer to file a legal brief and other documents with the state Supreme Court in the name of the Government Study Commission and its commissioners, whose election wasn’t even certified yet, and without their advance knowledge or approval. They took this extreme and potentially unlawful action solely in an attempt to advance their own arguments in the case before the Supreme Court.

As township officers, whether as private citizens or in their official capacity, these three had no business arguing against our township’s voters, even to save their positions. But to do so as they did – deploying township funds to secretly hire a lawyer to deceive the court – is deplorable. Officials with any honor would resign now to save our township the embarrassment of having to remove them. I doubt they will.

Daniel Levin
Concord Township

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Roadwork for week of Aug. 2

Along the Ford

PennDOT has announced the following road projects, which are weather-dependent and could affect residents in the greater Chadds Ford area during the week of Aug. 2 through Aug. 9. The department recommends that motorists allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

Brush-cutting is scheduled to continue on Route 202 in both directions in Birmingham, Thornbury, Westtown, and West Goshen townships between Boot Road and the Delaware County line. Intermittent lane closures will be needed from Monday, Aug. 3, through Thursday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also on Route 202, lane closures in Concord and Chadds Ford townships will continue for roadwork between Applied Card Way and Route 1 in connection with the Wegmans shopping center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 1.

The Wegmans project will also necessitate lane closures on Route 1 in Concord Township in both directions between Brinton Lake Road and Route 202 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., also through Oct. 1.

Concord Township announced that the intersection of Concord and Mattson Roads is now a four-way stop intersection. Stop signs on Concord Road were recently installed. Motorists are advised to use caution.

Utility installation will result in overnight lane restrictions on East Market Street between Matlack and High streets through Friday, Aug. 7, and on South High Street between Miner and Union streets in West Chester Borough through Friday, Aug. 14. Crews will be working weekdays from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Brush-cutting will necessitate lane restrictions between Route 82 and Stargazer Road in Newlin and West Bradford townships. The work is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, and Friday, Aug. 7.

Burnt Mill Road in Kennett Township is closed and detoured indefinitely between Norway and Spring Mill roads while crews prepare for repairs to a bridge that collapsed on April 24.

The road-widening project continues on Route 100 in Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships. Lane closures will be in effect between Sunrise Drive and Route 113 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 7.

Traffic pattern shifts are scheduled on Route 202 in both directions in East Whiteland Township between the Route 401 and Route 30 interchanges through August 2016 for the road-widening project.

In addition, Route 202 in both directions will be reduced from three lanes to two between the Route 29 and Chesterbrook Boulevard interchanges in Tredyffrin Township on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and Thursday, Aug. 6, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and on Friday, Aug. 7, from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. for the installation of signs and noise wall panels, and bridge abutment painting.

The northbound Route 202 off-ramp to Route 401 will be closed for excavation and concrete paving from 7 p.m. Friday, August 7, through 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10. During the ramp closure, northbound motorists heading for Route 401 will be directed to exit at the Route 30/Frazer off-ramp, and then turn right onto Route 30 east and left at Route 401.

If you want to report potholes and other roadway maintenance concerns on state roads, call 610-566-0972 in Delaware County or 484-340-3200 in Chester County, or visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “submit feedback.”

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SCCCC members refreshed by fountain update

Business

longIMG_4694 — Longwood Gardens' version of Boston's 'Big Dig' will result in a spectacular, updated display that pays homage to founder Pierre du Pont's vision while keeping pace with technology, officials say.

Members of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce (SCCCC) received welcome insight on Thursday into Longwood Gardens’ 2 ½-year, $90 million undertaking, “New Heights: The Fountain Revitalization Project.”

Longwood Gardens' representatives Patricia Evans (left) and Nick D'Dazzio confer before addressing the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. — Longwood Gardens’ representatives Patricia Evans (left) and Nick D’Dazzio confer before addressing the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce.

Longwood representatives made a presentation at the chamber’s popular Network at Noon event, held at the Hartefeld National Golf Club. The event is designed to help area businesspeople forge lasting relationships in the community.

Noting the appropriateness of discussing Longwood’s refreshing water display on a sweltering day, Patricia Evans, Longwood’s communications manager, offered illustrations to show why the signature fountain’s 83-year-old infrastructure needed refurbishing. About 2,000 pieces of deteriorating limestone are being restored at a masonry company in Conshohocken, she said.

Evans also showed examples of how the project’s final results will improve on Pierre S. du Pont’s design while maintaining its integrity. Changes in technology since 1931 will enable the gardens to increase the number of water jets from 380 to 1,700. The new jets will not only shoot the display higher but with new designs, such as basket-weave and oscillating patterns; 30 will even culminate with flames.

Members of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce mingle during Network at Noon at the Hartefeld National Golf Club.

Crews began working in October, and the reopening is scheduled for spring 2017. Evans said 90 percent of the work would occur underground in an effort to ensure that the tunnels that will house the equipment will be more accessible for maintenance.

Since the fountain is off-limits during the reconstruction, suspending the popular summer fountain and fireworks shows, Evans said Longwood worked hard to fill that void. She encouraged the audience to visit “Nightscape,” a multi-media nighttime show. “We are calling it indescribably different,” she said.

“Nightscape,” the work of Klip Collective, a Philadelphia videography firm, features original music and projections at nine locations in the gardens. Three locations are inside the conservatory; the others involve outside sites, such as the topiary garden and large lake. Nightscape runs Wednesdays through Saturdays with a start time – currently 9 p.m. – based on darkness.

SCCCC President Cheryl B. Kuhn thanked Longwood Gardens for the presentation and reminded the audience that the 20^th SCCCC Scholarship Golf Tournament & Dinner will be held Monday, Aug. 10, at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club. The event benefits the SCCCC scholarship fund, which awards three scholarships annually to high school students from the Avon Grove, Kennett, and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts.

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Frederick Franklin “Boomp” Kramer III of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Frederick Franklin “Boomp” Kramer III, 95, of Kennett Square, died Friday, July 24, at the Chester County Hospital. He was the husband of Marian Williams Kramer, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Frederick F. Kramer, Jr. and Jennie June Cordeaux. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1941 and was the first and youngest pilot to solo in his flight class. He served his country during WWII as an aircraft specialist for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co. He worked in his family’s business, Kramer Music House, in Allentown before becoming the manager of Apple Hill Ski Area in Orefield.

He and Marian moved to Kennett Square in 2004 and became active members of St. Michael Lutheran Church. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Frederick F. Kramer, IV and his wife Patricia of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three daughters, Kimberly Snyder and her husband W. Cordes of Allentown, Kerry Collins and her husband William of Leesburg, Va. and Megan Minella and her husband Louis of Kennett Square; 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 109 E. Doe Run Road (& Route 82) in Unionville. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 178, Unionville, PA 19375.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

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Colleen P. Morrone to receive ATHENA Leadership Award

Business

Renowned local female leader, Colleen P. Morrone, to be honored at the 2015 ATHENA Leadership Award® Luncheon. Community and business leaders can access the knowledge and experience of renowned county leader Colleen P. Morrone by attending the 2015 Athena Leadership Luncheon at the Llanerch Country Club, 950 West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Noon – 1:30 pm.

Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Councilwoman Morrone currently holds the title of CEO of Goodwill, Delaware and Delaware County, which employs over 600 workers and assists individuals with vocational training and job placement.

Sponsored by Citadel, The ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented to a woman who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting Delaware County women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Citadel will be the presenting sponsor of The ATHENA Leadership Award® in Delaware County.

It is fitting that Citadel is the sponsor of this award. During Citadel’s 77 year history, Citadel has empowered thousands of women to acquire loans to start their own businesses, and establish themselves as community leaders.

Last year, over 150 leaders from the Greater Philadelphia area attended the Athena Leadership Luncheon, honoring Nicole deBotton Robinson. Now, in its 28th year, this celebration of county-wide female professional success is on track to reach its largest audience to date.

As women continue to navigate their multi-tasking roles, from family and community to the workplace, Colleen Morrone has shown outstanding leadership in all areas. Since moving to Delaware County 15 years ago, she has been tireless, generous and dedicated in many roles including wife, mother, mentor, elected leader, volunteer and CEO of a major non-profit that is dedicated to workforce development. Attendees and supporters will have an opportunity to congratulate Ms. Morrone, who will be discussing Leadership from her personal perspective.

The ATHENA Leadership Award® exists to positively highlight female leadership, inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. Bring your organization and join the Chamber community in providing an environment where women’s accomplishments and contributions are valued.

For more information about The ATHENA Leadership Award®, and local ticketing information, call 610-565-3677 or visit www.delcochamber.org.

About Press Release

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Allstate honors three area insurance agents

Business

Allstate Corporation has honored three of its insurance agents in the Chadds Ford area.

Agents Edward Ennis, Brian Miller and Joseph Lafferty have each earned the designation of Allstate Premier Agency for 2015, an Allstate press release said.

The Allstate Premier Agency designation is bestowed upon 48 percent of Allstate’s nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. This designation is being presented to these three agents for their outstanding performance and commitment to putting customers at the center of their agencies’ work, has “demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience while achieving outstanding business results,” the release said.

The agency of Edward Ennis is located at 292 Wilmington-West Chester Pike, Suite 202, in Chadds Ford; he can be reached at 610-459-9798. Brian Miller’s agency is located at 100 Ridge Road, Suite 2, in Chadds Ford, where the telephone number is 610-459-5666, and Joseph Lafferty is located at 1620 Baltimore Pike, No. 589, Chadds Ford, where he can be reached at 610-388-1501.

Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life’s uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass, and Answer Financial brand names.

About Press Release

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Valentine E. Walls of Cochranville

Obituaries

Valentine E. Walls, 63, a 30-year resident of Cochranville, died Thursday, July 30, at his residence. He was the husband of Deborah Saverioni, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage.

Born in Chester, he was the son of the late Cecil and Amelila Gobber Walls.

He was a self-employed carpenter for many years.

He was a member of the NRA and was active in the Atglen Gun Club.

Val enjoyed his cabin in Snow Shoe, hunting, fishing, ATV trails and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Clayton Saverioni-Walls of Cochranville, and two sisters, Debbie Schaefer of Forked River, N.J. and Emily Harris of Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, c contribution may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675

His service and burial will be private.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.grieoccares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square.