March 19, 2019

School board spends on school buildings

Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors Monday night voted to spend some money on repairs and upgrades at several of the district school buildings.

The board voted to spend $42,000 for cast stone capping at Pocopson Elementary School, $17,600 for carpeting at Chadds Ford Elementary School, $7,000 for carpeting at Unionville Elementary and another $21,000 to sand and refinish the gym floor at Charles F. Patton Middle School.

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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Op/ed: A village for a richer community

Opinion

As a lifelong Chadds Ford resident now raising my family with my husband here, I agree wholeheartedly that it is time to grow the village. I have been following all the commentary regarding the village, and I wish for the entire picture to be in view – past, present, and future. Not only am I a lifetime resident, but I’m also involved on the development side as well. I believe this offers a perspective that may not have been included in this online forum previously.

Having lived in Chadds Ford for 42 years, my memories as a young girl are those of community and vitality. That has changed over the years as many have noted. Currently, the Anderson family has been tremendous in their efforts over the last two years at the Barn Shoppes and the popular Chadds Cafe. I believe the future of our special village and its revitalization is about enhancing what currently exists here as well as helping sustain it -— to complement what exists — giving energy toward progress and longevity.

I have been involved with preservation and renovation of many of the buildings here in the village throughout the last 15 years – including the original Chadds Ford Inn building, the Baldwin building, and the Arment house on the corner. I know first-hand how difficult an undertaking it is to restore and maintain these historic structures. I am proud to be part of their legacy today.

I have also followed the extensive study and planning regarding the village over the last 15 years. A monumental shift toward village change occurred in 2015 when the Walkable Chadds Ford Village Plan was adopted by our supervisors who also committed to providing the necessary funding for the design, engineering, and construction of the Walkable Chadds Ford project.

The master study document from which the Walkable Chadds Ford efforts arose is the May 2015 Chadds Ford Village Master Plan prepared by the Brandywine Conservancy for Chadds Ford Township. This Master Plan specifically notes the “very real threat to the Village of Chadds Ford is that it will lose its vitality if nothing is done…” and “while the rest of the region capitalizes on the cachet of ‘Chadds Ford’ and the ‘Brandywine Valley,’ the village that began it all could slowly wither and die if the situation is not improved.” This study also specified that the village went from the “Battlefield to the school” in terms of definition for the scope.

Chadds Ford Live also published several articles in 2015 regarding the essence of planning at the time and the village efforts. The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art’s senior planner (and one of the lead organizers for Walkable Chadds Ford), stated the efforts are “not about trails,” rather “building a stronger business climate.” It was stressed that Walkable Chadds Ford was “about the economic health of Chadds Ford Village” and added that the planning “is part memory of the past and part hope for the future.”

The Chadds Ford Village Master Plan and the subsequent Walkable Chadds Ford initiative culminated in the creation of the newly adopted Village District Ordinance last July. Which brings us to today’s situation — an ordinance without a map to define its boundaries. The supervisors and the Planning Commission should be applauded for their collective support of the V-Village Ordinance. However, there simply is no room within the currently contemplated V-1 map to implement many of the ideas detailed by the new ordinance, nor create a true walkable village concept as discussed over the years.

I am not weighing in to change opinions; rather, I hope to enhance understanding through the background and overview of connectivity conversations and study to date. The fact remains, a plan is being submitted by-right under the current zoning for six new homes on the property directly adjacent to the Barn Shoppes. Once these houses are built, the opportunity for future village expansion will be lost, and important aspects of Walkable Chadds Ford, including pedestrian walkways, community parking, and a true village center will be at risk.

As a Chadds Ford Live column recently mentioned: “unless there is growth, there is stagnation.” Don’t we deserve the chance to see what a revitalized expanded village could be? Unfortunately, time is of the essence. Where do we go from here and when if we are to have that chance? I fear we risk losing great opportunities for our beloved Chadds Ford, which would be beneficial far into the future.

If you support a village concept, we are kindred spirits. If not, we should be respectful of each other’s opinions. There is room for both on this subject. In all events, it seems clear from this discussion thread, we share a mutual love for Chadds Ford. I also think face-to-face conversations are more effective than shorthand comments online. If we haven’t met before, I’d be happy to meet you and chat anytime. Feel free to reach out.

Jackie Hochman
Chadds Ford Township
Jackie Hochman is a representative of the company, Peaceful Valley LLC

About CFLive Staff

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

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Bournelyf helps celebrate World Down Syndrome Day

Along the Ford

Bournelyf Special Camp in West Chester is rarely in the spotlight. On its quiet yet lively campus on South New Street in West Chester, the non-profit unassumingly lives out its life-affirming mission to support those in our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

And yet this week, Bournelyf will quite literally be in the lights thanks to PECO and its Crown Lights program. Now through Thursday, the lights at the top of the PECO building at 23^rdand Market Streets in downtown Philadelphia will broadcast a special message to the region from Bournelyf – a message of celebration in honor of World Down Syndrome Day.

Bournelyf camper Joey DeBenny at the camp’s annual Hand-to-Hand 5K and 2 Mile Walk. This year’s fundraiser will be held May 4 at Rustin High School.

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated worldwide on March 21. The 21^stday of the third month was chosen as World Down Syndrome Day to signify the trisomy of the 21^stchromosome which causes Down syndrome. And Camp Bournelyf is thrilled to help celebrate 3/21 in lights.

“We’re grateful to PECO for helping promote World Down Syndrome Day,” said Anne Catlin, executive director for Bournelyf Special Camp. “And we hope it helps shine a light on the importance of celebrating, embracing and supporting all those in our community with special needs.”

It is just that message that Camp Bournelyf has been putting into practice since 1980. The organization hosts a summer camp throughout July and August for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Monthly activities and excursions are also held throughout the year for its campers.

While registration for its summer camp is now open, and camp fees help offset Bournelyf’s budget, the non-profit does rely upon the support of the community to continue to successfully strengthen its services.

This past month, Camp Bournelyf was the beneficiary of a $7500 grant from the Connelly Foundation to support the camp’s mission, and plans are now underway for Bournely’s 9^thannual Hand-to-Hand Benefit 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk.

The Hand-to-Hand Benefit is one of Bournelyf’s largest fundraisers of the year, raising some $60,000 since the inaugural run. This year’s event will be held at Rustin High School at 9:00 A.M. on May 4.

Given the May 4 date, which has been promoted in popular culture in recent years as Star Wars Day, Bournelyf’s 5K has chosen as its theme this year, “May the Fourth Be with You.” Don’t be alarmed if you see some Wookiees or Jedi knights running around Rustin’s campus come May 4. They’re just supporting a great cause, with or without a lightsaber in hand.

Those supporting this year’s Hand-to-Hand 5K and 2 Mile Walk include Videon Dodge, M&T/Wilmington Trust, Stephano Slack, LLC, Spina and Adams Collision Services, Wegmans, Baccellieri Family Dentistry, and many supportive families.

All funds raised will help ensure that more campers get to experience Bournelyf Special Camp.

To support Bournelyf and register for the walk, visit www.bscwc.org.