October 29, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Letter to the Editor: ‘Bewildered’ by Hellrung

We were saddened and, quite frankly bewildered, by [Jeff] Hellrung’s attack against us and his endorsement of our opponents. The comments expressed are diametrically opposed to comments he has made to us personally. We guess it really is true that politics makes strange bedfellows.

Hellrung’s letter is ironic for two reasons.

First, when we ran four years ago, Hellrung’s good friend and colleague on the school board, Keith Knauss, had written a similar attack against the two of us and also sang the praises of the slate endorsed by the Chadds Ford Republican Party. Parents and others who cared about the quality of education rallied to our defense. They were only too aware that Knauss, along with Hellrung, were the leaders of an organization known as the Citizens for Efficient Education, the organization that single-handedly defeated two referendums to renovate Unionville High School.

Apparently history is repeating itself. The only difference is that with Keith, we always knew where we stood. With Jeff, he chose to wait until a few days before the election to take off his mask and reveal his true motivation: to ensure that the UCF School Board will once again have a strong conservative majority.

The other irony is the statement that Hellrung made. He knows well that our “Education … Not Politics” theme is related to the fact that we are running with Bev Brookes on a bi-partisan team for school board. We are three proud parents and a grandparent, Democrats and Republicans running together to serve the best interest of our schools. We have not solicited any political party donations nor will we be beholden to any political party when we cast votes that impact the future of our schools. It is a fact that the opposition slate was recruited by Mary Kot, the chair of the Republican Party of Chadds Ford, and anyone who does not believe that she is the “man behind the curtain” for their campaign simply has their head in the sand.

One final comment. We ask all letter writers to stop the bullying attacks on Bev Brookes with their statements that she has tried to hide the fact that her daughter is a teacher in the district. She has always been upfront about that fact, as reporters and any voters she has met will tell you. And like our board president, who was elected when his daughter was also a teacher, this will in no way compromise her effectiveness on the board. She is a passionate, committed, and quite frankly amazing woman, and we are honored to be running with her for School Board.

Kathleen Meehan Do
Gregg Lindner
UCF School Board Directors
Region C – Pennsbury/Chadds Ford

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Letter to the Editor: Whose ‘passion’?

Opinion

In reading Alan Horowitz’s “Op/ed” of Oct. 27, he seems to dismiss any importance of being involved in and caring about our community until one wishes to be elected. Attending his very first Board of Supervisors meeting this spring after living in Chadds Ford Township for more 12 years, and then being there only after (or perhaps because of) signing up wanting to run for a supervisor’s position, is every bit amazing. Thus, how could I possibly regard his statement of being “passionate about our special town,” as ringing a bit hollow?

It would seem “passion” surrounding our country’s democracy and representative form of government, not only at the local level, but at the county, state and national level as well, is similarly of limited importance, until now. Voting records indicate he couldn’t find the time for such, and thus missed voting in about 15 of 22 elections since being a resident here.

However, it appears he now has a “passion” for you, the other citizens, to vote since he’s running.

May I suggest that someone who actually shows a passion for our special township by volunteering personal time serving us over the years, as well as learning details to understand the major issues we will face, and is committed to our continued professional financial management, should be the one who deserves your “passion” to vote? Yes, that “passionate someone” is Noelle Barbone as supervisor Nov. 3^.

Bruce Prabel
Chadds Ford Township

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2016 budget closer to fruition in Pocopson

Local News

The Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors made minimal changes to a draft of the 2016 budget at its second and final budget workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Pocopson Township Supervisors Georgia Brutscher (from left) and Barney Leonard listen as Peggy Lennon, the township's treasurer, explains numbers in the draft budget for 2016. — Pocopson Township Supervisors Georgia Brutscher (from left) and Barney Leonard listen as Peggy Lennon, the township’s treasurer, explains numbers in the draft budget for 2016.

With four residents in attendance, two of them the expected, incoming supervisors – Alice Balsama and Elaine DiMonte – the board allocated up to $950,000 for the completion of the Barnard House. The historic building, once a stop on the Underground Railroad, is being renovated for use as the township municipal building and the home of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center, a repurposing that has sparked dissent.

Peggy Lennon, the township’s treasurer, explained that the draft budget included a $750,000 loan, which appeared in the 2015 budget but was not used, as well as a $200,000 transfer from the general fund into the general reserve.

The transfer would serve as insurance for overruns or unexpected expenses – funds that might not be needed, Lennon said. According to township records, about $800,000 has been spent on the project so far.

“The ability to have that flexibility is valuable,” noted Supervisors’ Chairman Barney Leonard.

The supervisors also agreed to add $15,000 to the township’s reserve fund. And they concurred that paying down at least two years of the township’s open space loan when its pre-payment penalty expires in October 2016 offered dual benefits. It would not only save the township money by reducing interest payments, but it would also enable the township to stop collecting the open-space tax sooner.

At the suggestion of Supervisor Ricki Stumpo, the board agreed to add an $8,000 generator to the 2016 budget. “We need to get our emergency management plan active,” Stumpo said, adding that Pocopson lags behind neighboring townships in disaster readiness. For example, she said the township should be able to offer services to residents rather than shutting down during a prolonged power outage.

The board also discussed a request from resident Scott Kirkland, the township’s liaison to the West Chester Public Library. At the Oct. 26 supervisors’ meeting, Kirkland had suggested that the township double its contribution this year to the West Chester library, using the $8,000 budgeted for the Kennett Public Library, which has gone unused.

Tensions between the township and the Kennett Public Library have been strained since May 2013 when the library’s board rejected the township’s two nominees for a seat on the library’s board. Pocopson, which had contributed equal funds to both libraries since both serve its residents, stopped contributing to the Kennett library, a stalemate that has continued.

Since then, the Kennett Public Library has made changes to improve communication with the eight area municipalities it serves, including amending its bylaws to enable each municipality to appoint at least one representative. However, Pocopson’s supervisors have thus far rebuffed requests to appoint a representative or join a task force, suggesting that the incoming supervisors can revisit the issue in January.

In the meantime, the board voiced support for doubling its contribution to the West Chester Public Library since the unused $8,000 had already been earmarked for library use. The supervisors said that they planned to vote on the request at the next meeting and would make it clear that the increase represented a one-time occurrence.

Lennon said the proposed budget should be available for public inspection after the next supervisors’ meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Following the required 20-day period for review, it could be voted on at the Dec. 14 supervisors’ meeting, she said.

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Francis McGeoch of West Grove

Obituaries

Francis McGeoch, 68, of West Grove, and formerly of Havertown and Glen Mills, died Oct. 24, at the Coatesville VA Medical Center.

Born in Darby, Delaware County, in 1947, Francis was the son of the late John and Helen (nee Warg) McGeoch.

He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He then worked as a steamfitter for 45 years with Local 420 in Philadelphia. He was a gifted artist working with wood either refinishing furniture or remodeling his home. After he retried he was active in the Local 420 retirees serving as vice president. He enjoyed golfing, traveling and was always engaged in current political debate, He was a Civil War buff and read vivaciously about it. He loved being with his children and grandchildren.

Francis was the beloved husband of Joanette McGeoch (nee Caracci); loving father of Jeanie Mudgett (Tim) of West Grove, Jessie McGeoch (fiancé Albert Tamburro) of Havertown, Jill Colombaro of Wilmington, and Joanne McGeoch (Stephen Needs) of Aston; dear “Franpop” of seven grandchildren; dear brother of James McGeoch (Judy) of Havertown; and beloved brother-in-law of Richard Volpe (Maryann) of Media and Bob Caracci of Ocean City, N.J.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29th, immediately followed by his funeral service 11 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA, 610-431-9000. Int. Private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005.