Concord Township Council will hold a special hearing to consider enacting a proposed Property Maintenance Code Ordinance on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The code provisions include all properties, residential, and nonresidential.
The proposal includes “a variety of requirements for the exterior property areas as well as the interior and exterior elements of the structure.” It also addresses lighting, ventilation, and occupancy limits, as well as fire safety and electrical requirements.
If enacted, the Property Maintenance code would be enforced by the township department of Property Safety. Code enforcement personnel have the power to enter the property of it’s believed there is a violation of the code. “If entry is refused, the code official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.”
A copy of the proposed 62-page ordinance may be found here.
As the long, dark COVID-filled months stretch before us, and as schools scramble to respond to the latest curveballs thrown by the pandemic, the government must fully address the threats our school districts face moving forward. An unprecedented educational catastrophe is looming and will jeopardize our children’s future success, and thus the success of our country if no countermeasures are taken.
I think I speak for all Pennsylvanians when I say the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff is paramount. And our schools have been working hard to innovate new ways to protect their children and staff while still providing the best education possible. Of course, with positive COVID cases continuing to mount and people being encouraged to stay home as much as they can, many schools are beginning to rely more and more on remote learning – which has been riddled with challenges, especially for rural schools in cash-strapped counties. Many teachers and administrators in these counties have found it particularly difficult to meet the needs of all of their students via technology alone without the resources they so desperately need.
When fewer people are working or able to pay their bills, this means fewer tax dollars are flowing into school coffers. While it is correct that Harrisburg was able to maintain level state funding for school districts in November with the help of the federal CARES Act, the local share of funding used to support schools has been pummeled by the recession. And when you take into account an additional $350 million from school districts’ budgets to pay for increased enrollment at cyber charter schools, the cost of additional safety precautions to protect students during in-school instruction, and the need to support students stranded at home with inadequate computers, WIFI, software, or other technology required to learn remotely, we have an extraordinary educational crisis on our hands.
Many schools, especially poorer rural ones, were underfunded to begin with, even before the pandemic hit. Now they have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 since the local revenues of wealthier districts have been sustained and their students are already well-equipped with technology for remote learning. This will only serve to intensify existing educational disparities in the years to come.
If children must stay home to protect public health, then Washington must take immediate action to get school districts the resources they need so children can learn at home effectively. If children are able to continue learning in person, or as part of a hybrid system, schools face increased costs to make sure that happens safely. As it stands right now, countless children in small towns across the state are being robbed of their right to learn and develop the abilities they will need to achieve their dreams, despite their teachers going above and beyond to help them.
As for Harrisburg lawmakers, when they begin deliberating the next state budget in early 2021, they need to find a permanent solution to fairly fund our schools, in both the post-COVID short-term and beyond. Pennsylvania has faced a longstanding, multi-billion-dollar school funding shortfall for years. It’s now time for them to find a long-term funding solution that fairly invests in all of our students and presents them with equal opportunities.
As an education professional with nearly 40 years of experience, I have never seen any set of circumstances impact public education in the way COVID-19 has. We now find ourselves at a crossroads where both sides of the aisle will either rally together to save our children’s education or do nothing and utterly fail them. Our children have already suffered nearly six months of half-baked learning due to insufficient resources. If nothing changes, they will have lost a full year – a year they will never get back.
Dr. Edward Albert,
Executive Director of Pennsylvania
Association of Rural and Small Schools
Chester County Health Department issued a set of quarantine guidelines that are in effect today, Dec. 14. Currently, individuals who are in close contact with individuals with COVID-19 or have traveled and not received a negative test result must quarantine.
The use and adherence to quarantine requirements continues to be a strong public health measure to mitigate COVID-19, the department said in a press release. Quarantines break the transmission cycle by limiting exposure to other individuals. Therefore, the Chester County Health Department recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the most protective quarantine period for everyone.
The Chester County Health Department has re-established quarantine guidelines.
The Chester County Health Department recognizes the following quarantine periods as acceptable alternatives when adherence to the 14-day-period is truly not possible. The alternatives only apply to individuals in quarantine. Individuals who are a confirmed and probable case of COVID-19 are still required to follow the 10-day isolation requirement.
The following alternative quarantine periods do not apply to individuals who work at, or live in, healthcare or congregate settings to include hospitals, healthcare practices/offices, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, clinics of all sizes, shelters, group homes, EMS, etc. Employers and organizations, including daycare/childcare centers, public/non-public schools, and colleges/universities must determine if they will support alternative quarantine periods for their employees, those doing business with them, or receiving services from them.
Employers and organizations selecting to use alternative quarantine periods — as outlined below — must continue symptom monitoring for the full 14 days and must continue strict adherence to all existing local and state mandates and guidance (e.g., masking, physical distancing). Employers and organizations are recommended to consult their solicitor or legal counsel regarding any policies, procedures or protocols for requirements that may need to be in place regarding proof of negative test result and date of test when using alternative quarantine periods. Additionally, employers and organizations should update their employee and visitor screening protocol if using the alternative quarantine protocols.
Alternative quarantine periods:
·Quarantine can end after day 10 without testing if an individual remains asymptomatic through the end of day10.
·Quarantine can end after day seven if a diagnostic specimen (e.g., RT-PCR, antigen) tests negative and is collected on day five or thereafter, and the person remains asymptomatic until the test result is received.
Quarantine begins after the date of last exposure (day zero) to a person with COVID-19. At no time can quarantine be discontinued before the end of day seven even if a negative COVID-19 test result is received prior to the end of day seven.
George Burnett Lewis, 97. died peacefully at Crosslands Retirement Community, on Dec. 9.
George Burnett Lewis
George was born in Flushing, New York on Feb. 19, to Dorothy Rickett and Morel Peck Lewis. His education included the Buckley School, St. Andrews School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 1947, George married Eleanor Letts from Providence and Narragansett, Rhode Island and raised three children, George Burnett Lewis, Jr, Madeline Lewis, and Houghton Lewis. Married for 73 years, George and “Ellie” often reflected that their happiest years were spent living on their farm in Kennett Square, enjoying their children and menagerie of horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and goats.
While attending UNC, George participated in the Naval R.O.T.C. In 1944, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy and released as a lieutenant, junior grade in 1946. His two-year active duty included the provisioning and commissioning of the minesweeper AM 239 in the invasion of Okinawa; and at the end of the war, the securing of Northern Honshu as part of the Northern Pacific Fleet. After the war, he became the captain of the AM 342 which swept mines to permit U.S., Japanese, and many others to work more safely. His final job was to take several minesweepers to the Philippines to be upgraded and turned over to the Chinese. He retired from the Navy in 1946; and then completed his degree at the University of North Carolina Business School.
George worked for the DuPont Company for 39 years in the Textile Fibers department across a number of programs and products. He managed Advertising and Promotion, Export Marketing, and Product Management for Nomex, Typar, and Tyvek. For three years after DuPont, George managed Burnett Enterprises selling off-grade product.
Throughout his life, George spent a significant amount of time contributing to the community. Working at three different Episcopal parishes for more than 60 years, he participated in vestry duties, search committees, outreach efforts, financial matters, and 16 years of acolyte (“the God squad”) training. He also was an active member with St. Andrews School Alumnae; Special Gifts chairman at the Red Cross; and helped start Big Brothers in Wilmington. George was particularly grateful for his membership, active service, and involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous over many years in both Wilmington, and Kennett Square.
George repeatedly expressed appreciation for a rich, long, and wonderful life with family and friends. George will be deeply missed; and forever cherished for his joy of living, robust sense of humor, expansive warmth, and an all-inclusive, kind heart.
George is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be announced in the future.
To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com
Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.
Evelynjeane Brandt Sutton, 70, a resident of West Chester, died at home surrounded by her family on Dec. 9. Evelynjeane was raised in Upper Chichester and was a 1968 graduate of Chichester High School.
Evelynjeane Brandt Sutton
She was employed with AstraZeneca for 40 years before her retirement and then went on to work part-time at Kirklands for more than five years. She was an active member of the Brandywine Baptist Church who enjoyed being of service to others. She loved the cooking and sharing of her delicious food with others, telling corny jokes, and spreading joy. She surrounded herself with her beloved pets and took delight in helping all animals. She was kind to everyone and was adept at seeing the good in every person she met. Most of all, she loved to spend time surrounded by her loving family.
She is preceded in death by her father, the late Melvin Arthur Brandt. Survivors: Mother: Ruth (Drummund) Brandt; Husband: Daniel Richmond Sutton; Children: Daniel Matthew Sutton and Erin Sutton Cameron; Siblings: Wayne Brandt, Dale Brandt (Kimberly), Robyn Green (Robert), Cheryl Hamre, and Kimberly Holden (Peter). Visitation: Private Graveside Service: Monday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at Lawn Croft Cemetery, 1000 W. Ridge Road, Linwood BURIAL: Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood. In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to the Delaware Humane Society at delawarehumane.org or mailed to the Brandywine Baptist Church at P.O. Box 162, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. Condolences: www.nolanfidale.com
The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.
Boozil
Boozil
Boozil is a shy, little fellow who is a lap cat in the making. Once he knows he can trust, his personality warms up and he shows his true potential as a companion cat. Boozil loves attention and responds positively to gentle love and affection. He will thrive as the only cat in a quiet home. You can adopt Boozil for a fee you name through Sunday, Dec. 20.
Dartrix
Dartrix
Dartrix is a big, strong boy, with a big personality. This handsome boy loves tennis balls and will carry them around in his mouth all the time. He walks well on a leash and enjoys going for walks and sniffing his surroundings. He loves treats and back rubs. Rolling around in a sunny yard is another delight. Dartrix would do best as the only fur kid in a home with older children. You can adopt this handsome boy for a fee you name through Sunday, Dec. 20.
For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 484-302-0865.
The proposal includes “a variety of requirements for the exterior property areas as well as the interior and exterior elements of the structure.” It also addresses lighting, ventilation, and occupancy limits, as well as fire safety and electrical requirements.
