November 25, 2020 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Welsh, McKinney charged with theft

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Tuesday filed charges against former Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh and former deputy Harry McKinney with misuse of funds. The two were released without bail pending a preliminary hearing on Dec. 18 in the county courthouse.

According to a statement Shapiro released to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Bunny Welsh used her position of power for her and her partner Harry McKinney’s own personal gain instead of serving her community as she was elected to do.”

McKinney and Welsh, who are live-in lovers, were arraigned on theft charges and diversion of services. Charges against Welsh, 76, allege the former sheriff allowed employees to collect comp time for volunteering their time during fundraising events for the Sheriff Department’s K-9 unit. McKinney faces the same charge and also for using K-9 Unit money for his personal use.

“Welsh and McKinney allegedly used public employees to perform work for private charity events both on and off-duty at the expense of Chester County, and McKinney then used those fundraised dollars to cover his own personal expenses,” Shapiro said.

Welsh’s attorney, Geoffrey Richard Johnson, has not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter. However, Robert Donatoni representing McKinney, said, “It’s unfortunate that good people get caught up in situations like this. The charges are misdemeanors, not to minimize this, but it could be worse.”

Chester County Controller Margaret Reif had been making inquiries into the alleged misuse of funds for two years. Last year, Reif filed a suit against Welsh for overtime payments to McKinney.

As reported in July of 2019, Reif said McKinney was paid $67,335 in overtime from January 2016 through December 2018, even though he was supposedly exempt from receiving overtime pay. Reif said McKinney was listed as an entry-level employee for payroll purposes, which would qualify him for overtime, but he also had administrative duties as head of the K-9 unit, which disqualifies him for overtime pay. In all, Reif’s audit expressed concern over how $200,000 was collected and used.

In response to that 2019 report, Welsh said, “For the second time in less than a year, the controller is making unfounded accusations, relying on numbers and information that she didn’t bother to verify. There was no abuse of overtime by anyone, and at the appropriate time, we will respond to each of her baseless allegations.” She added that Reif was politically motivated.

Welsh served as sheriff for 20 years. She and McKinney began living together in 2003, according to reports.

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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New Indian restaurant in Concord

Home and Leisure

_1JF6784 — Sudha Joshi honors her grandfather with her restaurants, Rasa Indian Restaurant in Painters Crossing, and her new one, Mod India, in Concord.

It’s traditional, it’s fusion, and it’s modern. It’s Mod India, a new Indian restaurant in Concord Township located behind Hooters and Firewaters — on the side of the Clarion Hotel where GG’s Italian Restaurant was located — 1110 Baltimore Pike, near Routes 1 and 202. And it’s the second restaurant for Chadds Ford’s Sudha Joshi, who also owns Rasa Indian Restaurant in Painters Crossing.

After operating Rasa for almost three years, Joshi had another idea. While Rasa serves traditional Indian cuisine, she wanted to try some fusion, mixing the traditional with the untraditional, preparing nontraditional foods, such as eggplant, but in the same manner as more traditional food, such as cauliflower. She calls that “tangy eggplant.” But, at Mod India, fusion is also “traditional food cooked in a modern way,” she said.

Indeed, the Mod in Mod India refers to the modern way of cooking and presenting food.

Another variation deals with a dish such as chicken tikka masala, a traditional Indian dish. At Mod India, you can order the tikka masala but also request a different protein.

“You don’t have to have only the chicken. You can have chicken, but you can have lamb, goat, or shrimp,” she said. A person may also order vegetables that way, Joshi added.

The presentation can also differ. In India, she explained, people often eat their food off of banana leaves instead of plates. At Mod India, some of the dishes are served on a banana leaf on a plate. Desserts, too, are served differently. How about ice cream served on wedges of orange peel? Even the décor has a comfortable fusion feel. It’s a basic black and white interior but with a bold splash of red.

But the obvious question is why she would open a new restaurant in the middle of a pandemic. Rasa had been doing well, she said until the governor’s order to close in-person dining in the spring.

“I was home doing some fusion cooking and thought that, in this area, people love Indian food, so why shouldn’t I try a fusion restaurant,” Joshi said.

She learned that the Concord location was available, saw it, and fell in love with the space. “I knew I could do more fusion here. So, I said, OK, let’s try it.”

Yet, it was still a tough decision to make. Joshi said the restaurant business is a tough one, even during normal times. The pandemic and governor’s orders made it more challenging.

“But I had a dream to open the restaurant because of a promise to my grandfather…I was always very attached to him.”

She said her love of cooking goes back to her paternal grandfather. He was a successful restauranteur in India, but he wanted to focus on his two young sons and their education after his wife died. He sold the restaurant but continued working there as an employee.

He would tell her that story as he taught her to cook, she said.

“He always had tears when he would tell me that story. He was very emotional. I promised him that when I had some money, I would open a restaurant for him. I’m sure somewhere he is looking and that gives me strength.”

Mod India is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 11:30 to 3 on the weekends. Dinner hours are 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They currently do not have a liquor license.

A sample menu and other information may be found on the website.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Holiday charity lives even in pandemic

Along the Ford

Adopt-a-Child_1JF0268 — (File photo) Dave Kelleher, in his David Dodge showroom in Chadds Ford , surrounded by toys and bicycles going to needy children as part of the Adopt a Child Program administered through City Team Ministries of Chester. No toys in the showroom this year, though. Kelleher suggestions donating through PayPal.

It’s been 13 years that Dave Kelleher — the owner of David Dodge — has been coordinating the Adopt A Child Program administered through City Team Ministries in Chester. It’s a little different this year, though, because of COVID-19.

While in previous years, people could bring a gift to Kelleher’s car dealership on Route 202 in Chadds Ford, now he’s asking people to donate to the charity via PayPal or some other online means. Bicycles, dolls, and other gifts might not be piling up in the showroom this year, but the giving is continuing.

One of the major differences between Adopt A Child and other charities is that donors know for whom they are buying.

“That’s really the beauty of this,” Kelleher said.

And that will hold up even this year when donors aren’t buying the gifts directly.

“When we get that $50, $100, or more in cash or gift cards, we’re going to contact the donors and tell them who they are helping. When you’re having coffee and enjoying Christmas morning with your family, you’ll know exactly who you are helping,” he said.

To make matters more interesting, Kelleher said he’s going to match every donation that comes in so that twice as many kids can get Christmas presents.

“Our goal is to ‘adopt’ 150 children, but I’ll double that so that 300 can enjoy the holiday,” he said. “I’ll match all the donations.”

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 9. Visit the David Dodge website.

Kelleher has long been known for his generosity in the community. He’s donated to local nonprofits, provided transportation services for events, and he’s also helped out WMGK personality John DeBella with his annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drop.

Just before the interview, he said, he was on the air with DeBella, and paying for corn and potatoes so that families in need can have a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

Kelleher said he’s been blessed. He grew up in a middle-class family that didn’t always have a lot, but they always made do, and he was instilled with the idea of helping others and giving. Referring to his career in the auto industry as “accidental,” he admits to being successful. He thinks helping others has helped him.

“The more I give, the better I do.”

About Rich Schwartzman

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Police Log Nov. 25: Scam, DUIs possession

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

A Garnet Valley man was the intended victim of an identity scam. Police said a credit card company contacted him to let him know that the Small Business Administration had completed a credit card inquiry on him, and paperwork was started on a $10,000 loan. The victim froze all his accounts, and the loan failed to go through.

Avondale Barracks

John Koutras, 30, of Rockville, Md., was arrested in Kennett Township on drug charges, a police report said. Police arrested him on Oct. 15 following a traffic stop on E. Baltimore Pike at Lenape Road. Police gave no reason for the stop in the report but said they determined Koutras to be in possession while speaking with him.

Southern Chester County Regional Police

• James J.A. Donnelly, 21, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and related traffic offenses following a traffic stop for erratic driving, police said. The incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1:45 a.m., in the 9100 block of Gap Newport Pike, in New Garden Township. Upon making contact with Donnelly, police said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication. According to the report, field sobriety tests confirmed impairment, and he was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. Police also said they found a THC vape pen in the vehicle. Donnelly agreed to a chemical test of his breath, resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.121 percent.

•Police said Kathryn E. Hoogerwerff, 37, of Avondale, was arrested and charged with DUI, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and related traffic offenses following a multi-vehicle accident with entrapment. The incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 9:40 p.m., in the area of Gap Newport Pike and Penn Green Road, in New Garden Township. Upon contacting Hoogerwerff, police said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests confirmed impairment. Police took her into custody for suspicion of DUI. Hoogerwerff agreed to a chemical test of her breath, resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.287 percent.

About CFLive Staff

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

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Around Town Nov. 25

Along the Ford

_1JF6782-Wreath — If the wreath is up at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, it must be holiday time. Happy Thanksgiving.

• The annual Christmas in Miniature tradition is back despite the pandemic. The event started more than 30 years ago when Barbara Moore was the director of the Chadds Ford Gallery. It’s now in its fourth year at Moore’s Barbara Moore Fine Art Gallery. Same location, different name. Christmas in Miniature allows people to buy professional-quality art from more than 30 artists at reduced prices for smaller pieces. It begins Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 1-7:30 p.m. at the gallery in the Barn Shops, 1609 Baltimore Pike. Purchases may also be made online at www.barbaramoorefineart.com. It runs through Dec. 31.

• Jim Leader of Leader Sunoco issued a brief statement saying the annual Christmas Eve open house at the station is canceled for this year because of the pandemic. However, there will be a small dedication for the late Janet Smith. Leader said they planted a Japanese Red Maple at the station in her memory. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5.

• The Delaware Center for Horticulture is hosting a virtual wreath making class on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and again on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 7-8 p.m. Learn to create a festive wreath or centerpiece from an unusual collection of fresh, locally-sourced greens and an assortment of dried seeds, seedpods, and bows. Simply purchase materials from the DCH Market (Details on the registration page), and pick up supplies on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from noon to 6 p.m. at DCH. Then, join expert flower arrangers and wreath makers on our live Zoom session as they provide a demonstration, answer any questions, and provide guidance. Zoom link will be provided the morning of the event. The cost is $19 per household. To register, visit https://thedch.org/events/

It’s Love in the Park on the Opera Philadelphia Channel beginning Friday, Dec. 11. (Courtesy photo.)

• The Opera Philadelphia Chorus stars in “Love in the Park,” a five-episode series of performances on the Opera Philadelphia Channel, beginning Friday, Dec. 11. During the performances, 16 singers under the direction of Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden and accompanied by pianist Grant Loehnig perform beloved opera arias and choruses alongside popular musical theater selections. All five episodes of LOVE in the Park will premiere on Dec. 11 and will be available for seven-day rentals for $15 or unlimited on-demand viewing for Season Pass holders through May 31, 2021. Visit operaphila.tv for details.

• Join Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor and CCHC for a discussion on the Black Lives Matter movement and the roots of historical activism. From a Twitter hashtag to a decentralized, international movement, #BlackLivesMatter galvanized America into a conversation regarding race and justice. Please join this conversation to measure how the activism of #BlackLivesMatter relates to historic outliers who moved from the margins to the center. The discussion is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 7, from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is a pay as you wish event. CCHC is accepting donations as low as $1. Go here to reserve a space.

• The second of six virtual “Concerts on Demand” from the Delaware County Symphony is available for your viewing pleasure on the symphony’s YouTube Channel and/or Facebook Page. This two-part program features strings in a string chamber orchestra comprised of ten players (three first violins, three second violins, two violas, and two cellos) and a piano quartet (piano, violin, viola, and cello).

About CFLive Staff

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

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