January 12, 2018 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Roadwork for Jan.13 through Jan. 19

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 Jan. 13 through Jan. 19. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

• Utility installation will cause daytime lane closures on Naamans Creek Road, between Marian Drive and Ebright Road, in Bethel Township through Jan. 16.

• Motorists should expect daytime lane restrictions on Pyle Road, between Route 202 and Concord Crossing, In Concord Township weekdays through Feb. 23 for utility installation.

• Station Road, between Concord Road and Conchester Highway, in Concord Township, is closed through Oct. 20, for road construction. Detours are posted.

• Periodic lane restrictions continue through Oct. 20, on Conchester Highway, between Route 1and Foulk Road, in Concord Township.

• Utility installation will cause lane closures on West Chester Pike, between Glen Avenue and Falcon Lane, in West Goshen Township, through Jan.15.

• Utility installation will cause lane closures on Wawaset Road, between Grace Way and Spring House Way in East Marlborough Township, through Jan. 16.

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

About CFLive Staff

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

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Skeletal remains identified

Along the Ford

The Chester County Coroner’s Office has positively identified the skeletal remains found in Caln Township in March 2017 as those of Barbara Keenan of Marcus Hook. The results of a forensic DNA analysis performed by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification were received on Jan. 8 and provided the basis for this definitive identification.

Chester County Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol said, “This DNA identification finally allows closure for Ms. Keenan’s family, which has been notified of these findings. Although forensic DNA testing is complex and takes time, it leaves no doubt as to identity. With current DNA identification techniques using [short tandem repeats] and mitochondrial DNA analysis, scientists can determine identity with extreme precision even in difficult situations like this.”

A presumptive identification of the remains as those of Keenan, 52, was made by Caln Police and the Chester County Coroner’s Office on March 25, 2017. Information released at that time by Caln Police noted that Keenan had last been seen in Caln when she was discharged from Brandywine Hospital on July 9, 2016.

Prior to DNA testing, a forensic anthropological examination was performed by Dr. Dennis C. Dirkmaat of the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory at Mercyhurst University in Erie. The examination did not reveal any suspicious findings. The Chester County Coroner’s Office stated that in the absence of further information the cause and manner of death remain undetermined.

About CFLive Staff

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CFHS gets Scarborough painting

Along the Ford

_1JF4742-Mike-&-Jenny — Mike Connolly, the executive director of the Chadds Ford Historical Society, accepts Twin Bridges, a painting by Paul Scarborough, from Jenny Fenton and The Friends of Twin Bridges.

The Chadds Ford Historical Society is now the proud owner of “Twin Bridges,” a painting by the late Paul Scarborough. It was a gift from several members of the Friends of Twin Bridges.

Seven members of the group — Jenny and Wendell Fenton, Ford and Brian Draper, Bob and Lynn Luft and David Harrington — bought the painting from Barbara Moore Fine Art in December and held a brief ceremony at CFHS on Jan. 11.

“This is great,” said Historical Society Executive Director Mike Connolly. “It reaffirms the value people place on historic resources…The painting echoes Chadds Ford’s artistic tradition coupled with its history.”

Barbara Moore, Scarborough’s longtime friend and companion, said she appreciates the society accepting the painting.

“The painting reflects local history. It would make Paul happy to see it’s there.”

The painting came about because Jenny Fenton asked Scarborough to do the painting after area residents learned years ago that PennDOT plans to replace the bridge.

She said before the ceremony that the Historical Society “seems like the perfect place” for the painting. “It’s in the vicinity of where the bridge is, and the society can take care of it.”

Fenton also thanked Jon Snook, of the Brandywine Conservancy, for his help in working with designers to come up with a pleasing replacement span. There’s no final decision on how the new bridge will look or when work will start.

A final report was expected in 2012, but there have been numerous delays. In October, PennDOT’s Steven Fellin said the report should be ready soon.

The current bridge is more than 80 years old, is 482 feet long and 23 feet wide. It’s called Twin Bridges because at one time there were two in-line covered bridges connected by an open span.

Until 2008, the bridge was considered unsightly but safe. Its status was later reclassified as structurally poor because of what is termed spalling, meaning the concrete is flaking off. There is also exposed rebar.

Some of The Friends of Twin Bridges, from left, are Bob Luft, Wendell Fenton, Ford Draper, Jenny Fenton Lynn Luft and David Harrington.

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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The Human Resource: Harassment prevention training

Business

If you have watched or heard any of the attest news highlights in recent weeks, the topic of sexual harassment is popping up all over the country and across industries. Increased education and awareness of the behaviors and conduct that lead to violations of employee’s rights in the workplace have and will continue to lead to an increase in complaints and litigation. Ignorance in this arena is not bliss, and your failure as a manager, supervisor or business owner in what your obligations are to protect your workforce will not excuse you in court.

You must take proactive steps to educate your leadership on the laws and regulations they must adhere to and follow to protect your employment practices. Employers need to take steps to prohibit, prevent, and protect employees from all forms of harassment. Let us also not forget the critical training needed to ensure no one in the organization is retaliated against for raising their concerns to management.

When you think about harassment, do not limit yourself to sexual quid pro quo harassment. Instead recognize there can be workplace bullying that could fall into the category of harassment, sexual harassment by peers, vendors, customers, etc., and there is the recognized topic of a hostile work environment that reveals itself as harassment based on a protected characteristic.

Building a culture and workplace environment that is harassment free should be not only a goal of the business, but a strategy to attract and retain the best employees. Regular and periodic training is important to support the goals of your harassment prevention programs, and appropriate open-door policies and two-way communication empower the success of these initiatives.

Take this topic seriously regardless of how small or large your business is. The financial risk and exposure to the community and the customers and clients you serve can be destroyed overnight if you fail to manage your employment practices effectively.

** The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of Chadds Ford Live. We welcome opposing viewpoints. Readers may comment in the comments section or they may submit a Letter to the Editor to editor@chaddsfordlive.com

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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