May 9, 2017

Mary Morrissey of West Grove

Mary Morrissey, 91, of West Grove, died in Micco, Fla., on Monday, May 8. She was the wife of George R. Morrissiey, who died in 1988, and with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.

She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret Cumberland Maynes.

Mary was a caregiver, last working for Home Instead in West Chester.

She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square.

Mary enjoyed crocheting, traveling, playing Bingo, slots and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by one son, George L. Morrissiey and his wife Jane of West Grove; one daughter, Mary Moran of Jennersville; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 15, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. Her Funeral service will follow at 110. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, in Kennett Square.

In memory of Mary and her late granddaughter, Kathleen Moran, a contribution may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Association, 2004 Sproul Road, Suite 208, Broomall, PA 19008

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

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Mary Morrissey of West Grove Read More »

Board honing school budget

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

Property owners in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District will know in six weeks what they’ll be paying in school property taxes for the next school year. But before that happens, school board directors must settle on a proposed final budget. That will happen next week, on May 15.

During the board’s May 8 work session, directors reviewed three possible proposed final budgets. The discussions also included consideration of more debt totaling $12.5 million, and what the payments on that new debt would be over a 15-year or 20-year period.

That possible added debt — $7.5 million this year and another loan of $5 million five years later — would be to cover the district’s long-range capital plan, according to district Business Manager Bob Cochran, should the district decide to borrow.

Cochran added that whichever route the board takes, 15 or 20 years, the debt service would still be within the acceptable 10 percent of the total budget.

Also under consideration are changes to student participation and parking fees, as well as increasing transportation funding. Cochran said increasing the debt to $700,000 per year, based on a 20-year repayment plan, adding $50,000 for transportation and cutting participation and parking fees by 20 percent, would lead to an average tax increase of 3.13 percent.

A second budget scenario considered has a weighted average tax increase of 2.16 percent, and a third scenario shows an average increase between the two counties in the district at 0.56 percent.

At the conclusion of the budget discussion, board President Vic Dupuis asked for a show of hands to get a feel for any consensus among directors. That showing indicated seven directors favoring a vote next week of a proposed final budget with a tax increase of 2.16 percent.

However, that is still subject to change next week and next month.

“This doesn’t preclude continued discussions,” Dupuis said, “and does not preclude making a motion to amend next week or even in June at either of the two meetings.”

This year’s millage rates have been 27.69 mills for Chester County property owners and 23.56 mills for Chadds Ford Township property owners. Chadds Ford Township is the only Delaware County municipality in the school district. Those rates represented an average tax increase of 2.66 percent.

The board will vote on a final budget on June 19.

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.

Board honing school budget Read More »

Letter: Donze is best

Opinion

A local race for magisterial district judge presents a challenge for the uninformed or misinformed. Since November’s election, many voters have openly pledged to “get more involved,” to look for the best candidate, and to better educate themselves. Through a review of candidate websites, supporter websites, people who know the candidates, words out of the candidates own mouths, opinions of other judges, meeting most of them, and open records requests, here’s the truth.

Jane Donze has the best set of qualifications, education and appropriate experience to meet the unbiased candidate requirements of the state’s Rules of Conduct for MDJs. She has the most years of experience — 25-plus — as a licensed practicing attorney, has a local law practice in the district for more than 19 years, and the highest published ethics rating. She never held a political or governmental position, has no history of shady personal or professional lawsuits, is involved in our communities by serving in non-profit organizations, minority/juvenile organizations. She’s is an active business community member and comes from a family of a highly respected superior Court Judge. None of the other four candidates have demonstrated these same accomplishments, accolades, and local meaningful community involvement. Two candidates are not even attorneys.

All five candidates will be on both the Democratic and Republican Primary ballots. So when deciding which one will best serve your family and our seven communities as our judge, read your mailers on Jane Donze. It’s the truth. The primary is May 16. This time there is a very clear best choice, No. 4 on your ballot. Why should we settle for anything less?