April 20, 2016 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Speed limit to drop on Creek Road

Local News, Local News Birmingham, Local News Chadds Ford, Local News Kennett, Local News Pennsbury, Local News Pocopson

Don’t be surprised to see the speed limit on South Creek Road drop by 5 mph.

Pennsbury Township Manager Kathy Howley told the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, April 20, that she had been contacted by PennDOT, saying speed would be reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph from Route 1 in Chadds Ford Township, through Pennsbury and down to the Delaware state line.

She said the reason is because of the anticipated work on the Twin Bridges between Chadds Ford and Pennsbury. However, she still doesn’t know when the change will go into effect. Howley said she’d be getting a letter from PennDOT with details.

“It can’t start until we get the [speed limit] signs,” she said.

In other business, Howley reported that the Brandywine Conservancy is working on an easement to preserve as permanent open space the acreage Pennsbury bought from Toll Bros.

That land is 23 acres in three parcels. One parcel lies on each side of the township building, and a smaller piece is at Hickory Hill Road.

The supervisors voted to go ahead with the easement process, with no more than $7,200 to be used for the documentation of the easement and another $8,000 for the endowment.

Pennsbury bought the 23 acres for $4.8 million at the end of 2014, ending years of controversy regarding the property that centered on the land’s use as a planned village development.

Howley reminded people that the township’s annual yard sale is this Saturday, April, 23, in the township park, and she added that there will be dumpsters in the maintenance area the following week, April 28, 29, and 30, for large-item disposal. She added, however, that it would not be for electronics.

Also on April 30, Pennsbury will have a shredding event in the parking lot at the township building.

Supervisor Aaron McIntyre said the board would begin discussing a pipeline ordinance during its May meeting. He did not go into any specifics.

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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Academic Acknowledgement

School & Education

• The following area students from the Technical College High School were selected as “Students of the Quarter” for the 3rd marking period for demonstrating leadership, attitude, skills and knowledge: Maireli Murillo-Romero, animal science; Juan Duran Gonzalez, criminal justice-police science; Kassandra Nava Renteria , early childhood care and education; and Andrew Crane, electronics and robotics.

• The following Unionville district students received awards for the Chester County Science Research Competition in a recent ceremony: Shikha Bhattacharjee, honorable mention in botany; Yash Rotkar, honorable mention in physics; Evan Wang, second place in chemistry; Addison Liu, second place in mathematics; Viraj Joshi, first place in medicine and health, and Will Knipe, first place in computer science. At the Delaware Valley Science Fair on Thursday, March 31, three Charles F. Patton students advanced and received additional recognition: Viraj Joshi took second place in medicine and health, Addison Liu took third place in mathematics, and Will Knipe earned honorable mention in computer science.

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Tulips top Longwood’s highlights this week

Arts & Entertainment

Tulips are triumphing at Longwood Gardens this week. Photo by William Hill

After hours of painstakingly planting a plethora of bulbs in the fall, the staff at Longwood Gardens can enjoy the delayed gratification as the tulips have reached peak bloom – a profusion of color expected to continue for the next week.

The Flower Garden Walk display in the fall is dominated by beige. — The fall Flower Garden Walk display is dominated by rows of beige bulbs.

For visitors, the gratification is instant along the 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk, which boasts 100,000 tulips and other seasonal blooms in a rainbow of colors. The Idea Garden is awash in innovative plant combinations that are always an anticipated sight, according to a Longwood press release.

As the trees begin to leaf out, guests also won’t want to miss Longwood’s grand tree houses, the whimsical Topiary Garden, and historic Peirce’s Woods. Daily visitor programs, including gardening demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and talks enhance the experience.

Tulips in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors dominate the Flower Garden Walk.

On Mother’s Day weekend, Longwood will be open for extended hours, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the spectacular outdoor floral displays, visitors can enjoy live music in the Conservatory on both Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are still available at our fine dining restaurant 1906, which will feature a special prix-fixe menu as well as à la carte options. Make reservations at opentable.com, the release said.

Longwood Gardens is located on Route 1 near Kennett Square. Admission is $20 for adults; $17 for seniors (age 62+); $10 for students (ages 5 to 18) or with valid student ID) and free ages 4 and under. Group rates are also available. For more information, go to www.longwoodgardens.org.

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WCU to host free event on racial healing

School & Education

As social media captures the reality of race relations today, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has forged a coalition of more than 70 organizations dedicated to supporting community-based healing projects and policy changes designed to dismantle racial hierarchies and structures of inequality.

Gail C. Christopher, D.N., senior advisor and vice president of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will engage in a dialogue about the foundation’s hands-on work to instill “Racial Healing as a Public Health Imperative” on Wednesday, April 27, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m., at West Chester University’s Sykes Student Union Theater. The event is free and open to the public, according to a university press release.

A nationally recognized leader in health policy, Christopher is charged with leading the Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative. Throughout the U.S., TRHT is actively engaged in coordinating national and local commissions dedicated to organizing public forums designed to explore real ways to eliminate racial hierarchies and establish systems that provide opportunities that are equitable.

At the foundation, Christopher serves on the president’s cabinet. Since joining the foundation in 2007, she has served as vice president for program strategy with responsibility for multiple areas of programming, including racial equity; food, health and well-being; community engagement and leadership; as well as place-based programming in New Orleans and Mexico. She has particular expertise and experience in national issues related to social determinants of health, health inequities and public policy.

Christopher has earned numerous awards throughout her career, including the “Change Agent Award” from the Schott Foundation for Public Education (2011). Most recently, she was the recipient of the Terrance Keenan award for Grantmakers in Health (2015). Christopher is also chair of the board of the Trust for America’s Health.

The dialogue is sponsored by the university’s College of Health Sciences.

About Press Release

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For now, library name to remain in limbo

Local News, Local News Kennett, Local News Pennsbury, Local News Pocopson

libC_0270 — Ivy Noelle Weir, the library's program coordinator, works at the front desk, below a sign advertising the Wi-Fi program, a pilot initiative that will be continued.

For the Kennett Public Library, the name game will continue a bit longer.

The board had planned to vote on a new moniker for the facility at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 19. However, presentations focused on the process the board used to determine the best name have been so well-received that two more sessions are scheduled.

Ivy Noelle Weir, the library's program coordinator, works at the front desk, below a sign advertising the Wi-Fi program. — Ivy Noelle Weir, the library’s program coordinator, works at the front desk, below a sign advertising the Wi-Fi program.

In February, the Kennett Public Library Board of Trustees hired Carl Francis, chief strategist for Envisian, a Malvern-based advisory firm, to assist the library in developing a strategic plan. Ultimately, the goal is to build a new facility for the library, which has outgrown its space in the 200 block of East State Street.

But first, the board had to revisit some decisions by past boards that threatened to make fundraising for a new library more challenging. One of those was a seemingly abrupt change a year ago from the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library to the Kennett Public Library, a decision that incurred considerable wrath.

So rather than finalizing the expected winner of the selection process, the board agreed unanimously on Tuesday to delay a decision until its May 17 meeting. And even then, the name won’t be official until after the Home and Garden Tour on June 4 since those materials already display the Kennett Public Library title, explained Jeff Yetter, the board’s vice-president.

The board also unanimously passed an “affirmation” of support that will enable Francis to move forward with a branding plan that includes changing the name to the Kennett Library and integrating Bayard Taylor into the brand through a variety of ways, from being part of the library’s location – the Kennett Library at Bayard Taylor Commons – to adding Taylor’s image to design and educational elements.

The two additional public sessions to explain the library’s branding plan will be held on Tuesday, May 3, at 3 and 6 p.m. at the Kennett Township Building.

In other business, the board heard from from Ivy Noelle Weir, the library’s program coordinator, and Dan Pennacchia, the library’s communications officer, about the results of a pilot program sponsored by T-Mobile. The program provided mobile Wi-Fi hot spots for library members to borrow and use for free .

The pilot program, which was expanded to six weeks, proved popular and positive, said Weir. Once patrons checked out the device, they had free Internet access anywhere for tasks ranging from schoolwork to job hunting to social networking. Weir noted that 36 percent of the users were primarily Spanish-speaking, a growing population the library is working to reach.

“It was incredibly successful,” said Weir, noting that the program appeared to have more demand than availability.

Weir said 58 people checked out the devices, many of them more than once, and 73 percent of them responded to a survey asking them about the program. “This is a truly fantastic and revolutionary program for KPL. I do hope it becomes a permanent offering,” one user wrote.

Donna Murray, the library’s director, said she plans to continue using the program; however, it will cost patrons $1 a day. That fee won’t cover the library’s cost of $29.40 for each of 10 units per month unless the devices all circulate 100 percent of the time, Murray said. She said the library didn’t want to charge more for fear of making it unaffordable for some patrons.

Trustee Chris Britt suggested getting business sponsors for the program and asked whether a company could have its logo affixed to the devices. Weir said that T-Mobile would permit that arrangement.

Murray reported that the library has experienced a 70 percent increase in usage compared to the same period in 2014; circulation rose 3 percent and e-books jumped 52 percent. Murray explained that she used 2014 for comparison because the renovations in 2015 necessitated closing the library for a number of days.

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Parking, finances dominate borough meeting

Local News, Local News Kennett

A relatively brief agenda for Kennett Square Borough Council on Monday, April 18, portended a short meeting, but it was not to be.

Councilman Wayne Braffman makes a point during Monday night's Borough Council meeting. — Councilman Wayne Braffman makes a point during Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.

The majority of the meeting was devoted to a proposal for 416-418 West State Street. Architect Dennis Melton explained that his client, Chris Sotiropoulos, wants to demolish the existing duplex and construct a new building to accommodate three businesses. The problem is complying with the required number of parking spaces.

Sotiropoulos has commitments for three businesses in the building: a dentist, an attorney, and a dental lab. Sotiropoulos, knowing that the borough is interested in generating more business, stated, “I was trying to come up with something better for the community.”

Council President Danilo Maffei expressed his belief that “it’s our job to build more business, not duplexes.” Borough Council agreed that they liked the project, but that they also needed to be consistent with parking space regulations. Maffei suggested that Sotiropoulos and Melton generate more creative ideas to satisfy the parking requirements and return with a revised plan.

Architect Dennis Melton requests relief from parking restrictions for his client, — Architect Dennis Melton (left) requests relief from parking requirements for his client, Chris Sotiropoulos.

In other business, Borough Manager Joseph Scalise presented a five-year projection for the borough’s Capital Improvement Program. After hearing the presentation and looking at Scalise’s graph, Councilman Wayne Braffman said, “We’re actually doing pretty well,” and Councilman Jamie Mallon noted, “Investment is the infrastructure of our borough.” Councilman Ethan Cramer added: “We always need to keep paying attention to debt removal and take a measured approach.”

Scalise had more good news to share: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay 75 percent of the $32,000 the borough spent on the big snowstorm this past winter. And, in more positive news about saving money, he announced the borough has joined a national purchasing authority for large ticket items. Scalise also stated that Borough Council is looking to refinance its bonds and looking for reimbursement on lost parking revenue.

Resident John Thomas urges Borough Council to find out why West Whiteland Township closed its dog park.

Mayor Matt Fetick shared a recent example of the benefits of a partnership approved earlier this month between the borough and Kennett Township police departments. Kennett Township Police pulled over a truck they suspected was over the weight limit and escorted the truck driver to a weighing station that was in operation in the borough.

The truck was more than 16,000 pounds overweight and fined $4,435. The fine was cut 50 percent for immediate payment. Once the state and court fees were subtracted, the borough and the township each received $554. That amount represented less than 30 minutes’ work for borough police, Fetick said.

The council heard a request from the Kennett Area Restaurant and Merchants Association (KARMA) for a special event. KARMA member Lynn Sinclair said the association would like to sponsor a flea market every Saturday (weather permitting), from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Weinstein’s parking lot.

Normally, event applications are only presented to Borough Council when they require road closings, but since the borough owns the property, Scalise thought KARMA should approach the council. The event was approved with the contingency that the borough manager would assess the event each month and approve or not approve for the following month.

During the public comment portion at the beginning of the evening, resident John Thomas stated that West Whiteland Township has closed its dog park, and suggested that since the borough is considering two new dog parks, it look into what the problems were.

The borough will hold a spring cleanup, Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, visit http://www.kennettsq.org/government/borough-directory.

About Lora B. Englehart

Lora has a passion for art, gardening, yoga, music and dancing. She continues to research the life of locally born abolitionist and 1998 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Ann Shadd Cary. She is a dedicated community volunteer, working with the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, DE branch (programs chair), Chadds Ford Historical Society (former board member) and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Lora lives in Birmingham Township with her husband Bill and son Brad. Daughter Erika lives in Pittsburgh with husband Bob and baby Wilhelmina. She is a former French, Spanish and ESL teacher, bilingual life insurance underwriter and public relations coordinator for Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.

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Donald C. Taylor, formerly of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Donald C. Taylor, 83, of Altoona, formerly of Kennett Square, died Sunday, April 17, at the Cambria Care Center, Ebensburg, Pa. He was the husband of Ann Wilson Taylor, who died in 2006, and with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.

Born in Unionville, he was the son of the late Elisha B. and Elizabeth Fredd Taylor.

He was a lab technician at the NVF Co. in Kennett Square, retiring after 40 years of service.

He was a member of the Hamorton United Methodist Church, where he loved to sing in the choir.

Don was an avid Phillies fan and loved to watch them on TV, he was also a big Penn State Football fan.

He is survived by one son, Thomas Taylor of Crouse, N.C. ; one daughter, Diane Robinson and her husband Dr. Jay Robinson of Altoona; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Don was predeceased by one son, Donald W. Taylor; three brothers, Thomas, John Henry and Francis Taylor and three sisters, Jeanette, Mary Elizabeth and Julia Taylor.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, and again from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, April 28, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 11. Burial will be in the Cochranville Methodist Church Cemetery in Cochranville.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the United Methodist Home for Children, 5120 Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

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

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Anthony E. Fiorenza Jr. of West Chester

Obituaries

Anthony E. Fiorenza Jr., 86, of West Chester, and formerly of Berwick, died April 17.

Born in Berwick, he was the son of the late Mary (Evina) and Anthony Fiorenza, Sr.

He was the beloved husband of the late Ann Marie (Carabba) Fiorenza; loving father of Anthony John (Laura) and David (Lisa); dear grandfather of Derek, Victoria, Darian and Gia; brother of John Fiorenza.

Anthony served honorably in the US Army as an assistant platoon sergeant.

He was a graduate of Bloomsburg University and earned his masters of education at Villanova University in 1962 and pursued post graduate studies at Temple University and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He was a principal in the Chichester School System, Greentree School in Germantown and Devereax in Chester County. Anthony was certified as an elementary school teacher, teacher for special needs, elementary school principal, and secondary school principal.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000 and to his funeral mass at 11 a.m. at SS Simon & Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct in West Chester. Int. St. Agnes Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fiorenza’s Food for Friends, P.O. Box 89, Downingtown, PA 19335.

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William “Bill” Clement of Concord Township

Obituaries

William “Bill” Clement, 82, died April 18, at Maris Grove in Concord Township. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Howard and Ann Clement (nee Finnegan). He was a 1952 graduate of West Catholic Boys High School and was employed for Philadelphia Electric Company until his retirement.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Regina Clement and his sister, Lenore. He is survived by his wife Winifred “Cookie” Clement (Robinson), his children William (Cheryl) of Drexel Hill, Rev. Richard, pastor of St. John Baptist de LaSalle of Shillington, PA, Christopher (Diane) of Havertown, Steven (Denise) of Springfield, Michael (Mary) of Broomall, Mark (Eileen) of Springfield, Ann (William) Charlton of Media, Daniel (Michele) of Springfield, Scott (Kristina) of Clifton Heights, and Regina (Charles) Hatton of Havertown, his stepchildren Sean (Karee) Robinson, Edward (Theresa) and Maureen Hudas, his 27 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, his sister Joan Fahy of West Chester, and his stepfather John Kegel of Maris Grove.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday, April 21, from 9-10:45 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Manoa and Shelbourne Roads in Havertown. His funeral mass is at 11 a.m. Interment will be private, upon cremation, at the discretion of the family.

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John Hooton Jr. of West Chester

Obituaries

John Hooton Jr., 89, of West Chester, formerly of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., died April 18. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., he was the son of the late Mabel and John Hooton Sr.

John was a graduate of Linden High School and attended Union County Jr. College. He served in the military during WWII. He was employed as an administrative supervisor for Exxon Research.

He was an avid golfer at Fairview Mews in Spring Lake Heights, N.J. and was heavily involved in the community there.

John is survived by his beloved wife Mary Anne Hooton (nee Meccia), his children John K. Hooton (Nancy) and Janet S. Fell (Roger), his grandchildren Jack, Beth (Tim), Alison, Jessica, Matthew and his great-grandchildren Dylan and Simon. He was predeceased by his sister Lois Mayne.

Services and interment will be private.

Contributions in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 would be appreciated.