October 27, 2017

Roadwork for Oct. 28 through Nov. 3

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 Oct. 28 through Nov. 3. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

• Curb installation on Bethel Road, between Smithbridge Road and Featherbed Lane, in Concord Township, will cause lane restrictions through Nov. 17.

• Median and curb replacement will cause daytime lane restrictions on Route 202 South at Pyle Road in Concord Township through Nov. 17.

• Reconstruction on Conchester Highway will continue causing periodic lane restrictions through Nov. 4.

• Lane closures are scheduled next week on Newark Road and Route 41 for milling, paving and shoulder grading operations as part of a project to improve travel and safety at this intersection in New Garden Township. The work schedule is:

Sunday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
Sunday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 3, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning, between Penn Green Road and New Garden Road; and
Sunday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 3, from 6: p.m. to 6 p.m. between Starr Road and New Garden Road for milling and paving.

• Bridge rehabilitation continues on Route 1 North and South between Route 41 and Newark in New Garden Township. Motorists should expect 24-hour lane closures through Nov. 17.

• There will be lane restrictions on Kaolin Road, between Ewart Road and red Clay Circle Bridge in New Garden Township from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 3

• Curb and sidewalk installation will cause lane closures on West Baltimore Pike between Penns Manor Road and Mill Street in Kennett Township from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the end of the year.

• Curb and sidewalk installation will cause lane closures on West Cypress Street Between Scarlett Road and Mill Street in Kennett Township from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the end of the year.

• Curb and sidewalk installation will also cause lane closures on Rosedale Road between Walnut Street and MacFarlan Road through the end of the year.

• Barrier installation continues to cause indefinite 24-hour lane closures on Brandywine Creek Road, between Green Valley and Powell roads in Newlin Township.

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Letter: Vote to support open space

Opinion

Chester County’s unspoiled scenic landscapes are priceless. But as you drive around Chester County these days, you can’t miss the bulldozers, flattened brown earth and construction equipment in fields that were previously open and green or full of thriving crops. The dwindling open scenic landscapes we all enjoy are under threat as pressure from developers steadily increases due to projected population growth. Between 2010 and 2040, population is expected to increase 29.8% in Chester County, with some townships expected to grow more than 40%. But development to support this population growth is not a foregone conclusion.

Newlin, East Bradford, East Brandywine, West Brandywine, Kennett, London Grove and other townships have already passed an earned income tax referendum to protect open space, some have yet to do so. This November 7^th, West Bradford Township’s ballot will contain a referendum to secure funding for open space preservation via a one quarter of one percent annual earned income tax.

Additional housing development, while increasing a township’s tax base, actually costs residents more than what the additional tax base brings in due to increased infrastructure (sewer, roads, schools, etc.) and community services costs. These costs are permanent, so while the developer profits and leaves, residents permanently shoulder the additional costs of the new housing. A general rule of thumb is that for every $1 of additional taxes brought in via a new household, residents pay $1.08 to support that household each year. Voting to prevent development via open space preservation actually keeps taxes lower.

Chester County residents often choose to live here for the quality of life. Development negatively impacts quality of life by increasing traffic (2-3 vehicles per new household), noise and air pollution. The environmental degradation and loss of natural resources that accompany development also diminish property values as well as erode the rural character unique to Chester County.

Voting in favor of open space provides a township with financial resources to work with landowners to find the most economical way to preserve open space for the benefit of the community. It also allows a township to be eligible to receive significant additional open space funding from both County and State sources. Funds raised are used to secure easements that are tied to the land in perpetuity, not to the current landowners. By putting scenic properties under permanent easement, residents continue to enjoy the scenic beauty and ecological advantages such as clean water and biodiversity the land provides.

It is important to note that earned income taxes that support the preservation of open space do not apply to residents on fixed incomes including social security; nor does it apply to inheritance, insurance proceeds, unemployment, interest earnings, capital gains, insurance proceeds, gifts, bequests, third party sick pay or active military duty pay.

You can find more information about the open space referendum at westbradford.org or by contacting Justin Yaich, Township Manager at jyaich@westbradford.org.

Meg Kramer

Chairperson West Bradford Township Land Preservation and Sustainability Committee

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Letter: Donze has the right temperament

Opinion

Judicial temperament describes a judge’s general attitude toward the law, litigants and other judges. According to the American Bar Association, judicial temperament means that a judge exhibits “compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, sensitivity, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias and commitment to equal justice.”

Passing judgment is based on truth, facts, evidence and the law, while giving all an equal and respectful chance to present, and keeping an open mind all the while.

Jane Donze’s potential for appropriate judicial temperament is best displayed by her years as a successful mediator and arbitrator. She has the highest ethical rating from a national peer review, the behavioral background of a family member who was a highly respected Superior Court judge, has both defense and prosecution experience, and has served her community for years in meaningful social service efforts across all demographics, with dignity and respect.

Judicial temperament, character, whatever one chooses to call it, Donze has demonstrated it well by her actions and her honesty. She has listened to all voices while avoiding being influenced by the rhetoric. She has demonstrated non-partisanship while only presenting the truth throughout her campaign. She has respected people’s honesty yet been honest with her own views.

My family members are not lawyers, just regular residents of Pocopson since 1965. For our judge, we don’t want a silent partner. We want a smart, ethical leader who seeks to apply the law and the rulings to the truths of a case while knowing how to see through the bluster.

We ask you to join us in voting for Jane Donze on Nov. 7.

The McNemar Family
Pocopson Township

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The Human Resource: Teach employees to share

Business

Perhaps you remember the old-fashioned and antiquated business approach to employee engagement formerly known as the “suggestion box.” This was the method used by many organizations to allow employees to share ideas and thoughts about what to do differently in the workplace. Instead of finding a way to directly engage the workforce, a box would be stationed in the workplace for employees to drop in their thoughts.

This old method has a plethora of flaws, the first and most important is a lack of direct engagement with the employees. A second flaw is a failure in management to communicate and train the employees on how to develop their ideas into a business case that can be reviewed for a decision based on the needs of the business.

Employees often feel that their ideas enter a black hole, and perhaps they can relate to the image here where the suggestion box is also the shred box. This is not a productive engagement tool and, from the management side, you may wonder if you will ever receive a good idea.

Change all of that by teaching the workforce how to make the most of their ideas, and if you master this you will add a competitive advantage to your business through the power of your workforce.

First, educate the workforce on how leadership makes decisions, and what factors are considered when evaluating process improvements or business recommendations. Next, develop a set of criteria that force the employee to own their recommendation, and to include facts and data necessary to effectively analyze the proposed change(s).

Creating a form that the employee must sign, and that includes a statement of the business problem, the suggested solution, the financial information, logistics, resource needs, operational benefits, consequences, and whatever else you need to make an informed decision. I recommend the employee sign the form so that they both own the idea, and can be recognized for the idea. I also recommend the form require an alternative solution to the problem they have identified.

An effective strategy for this approach to process improvements and organic ideas is to allow the individual to present a selected idea to the management team, which teaches additional skills to the employee and allows for the management team to not only hear the idea but observe the passion behind the idea. Finally, all properly submitted ideas should receive a formal response from management indicating the suggestion was received, reviewed, and next steps.

Not only will your program encourage more engagement and ideas, working together with those who look for ways to improve your business with you is an excellent way to foster even more thought leadership and process improvements for your business. Go from just a suggestion box to a growing, living process of creativity and innovation.

About Warren Cook

Warren is the President and co-founder of SymbianceHR and provides strategic oversight for service delivery, business operations, and technical guidance on consulting engagements. He is a human resources subject matter expert with over 25 years of experience as a strategic human resources business partner, project manager, and people leader across private and public sectors organizations. Warren is responsible for the strategic planning of all client consulting engagements from initial needs assessment and compliance review through delivery of customized strategic solutions that meet the client’s business goals. He has a proven track record of providing executive coaching and guidance to business leaders and human resource professionals at all levels including the C-Suite of Fortune 100 companies. Warren is also the Chief Talent Officer and cofounder of SymbianceHiRe, a Symbiance company dedicated to providing direct placement talent acquisition services and temporary and contract staffing solutions to the business community. Warren holds a B.S. in Human Resource Management, an MBA in Project Management, and a M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Warren is the author of “Applicant Interview Preparation – Practical Coaching for Today.”

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