What makes us Americans? Is it freedom? Opportunity? Second chances and stories of redemption? Underdogs overcoming the odds? Apple pie? All the above, in my opinion. Only in America can we rise from the pits of the darkest struggles to beyond our wildest dreams.
I know this firsthand, because it’s my own story; a story I have never hidden from the voters. It’s always been out there in the open.
Currently, I’m being attacked in political ads and mailers for my lowest, most self-destructive point in my life nearly 30 years ago when I struggled with drug addiction – a struggle that is all too familiar to families across our community.
From my initial conviction for selling LSD to a police officer to support my addiction, to my incarceration, a drug relapse that led to my second incarceration, and the second chance that allowed me to pursue a brighter future and obtain a postgraduate degree, leading to a career in public service and volunteerism within my community. Because of my successes, I received a pardon from the governor and my record was expunged.
Anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with the crisis of addiction knows that everyone deserves a second chance. A second chance that sends a message of hope to people currently struggling and reassures those on the path to recovery that there is life beyond their past mistakes.
The mailers and ads my opponent has run imply that second chances are meaningless and impossible to achieve. This very notion is simply un-American. And untrue. America is built on second chances and hope for a better future. Right now, families in Pennsylvania are being ravaged by addiction and the opioid crisis. Let’s not destroy all they may have left — hope that their loved one will get a second chance and a better future. Because to do otherwise, like Craig Williams, is simply un-American.
Cathy Spahr
Democratic Party Candidate
for state representative in
the 160th Legislative District
It’s coming down to nitty-gritty time for possible tax hikes in Westtown Township. Residents will be asked on next month’s ballot whether they want increases in property and earned income taxes for open space preservation. The push is spearheaded by the township’s desire to preserve Crebilly Farm.
The township held the second of two tax informational meetings on Oct. 24. Monday’s meeting was a little different than a similar meeting held last month. It was a chance for residents to make comments and questions.
The session began with township Manager John Altshul giving a brief presentation on a question that will be on the ballot on Nov. 8.
The question on the ballot will be: “Do you favor the imposition of an increase in the earned income tax at a rate not to exceed eight one hundredths (8/100th) of one percent (0.08%) and an increase in the real property tax at a rate not to exceed 0.42 mils ($0.42 per $1,000 assessed valuation) by the Township of Westtown to be used to purchase interest in real property for purposes of securing open space benefits and for transactional fees incidental to acquisitions of open space property; retire indebtedness incurred in acquiring open space; and the expenditure of funds for any purpose relating to the acquisition, planning for acquisition, preservation, improvement and maintenance of open space or for an open space benefits?”
Altshul went on to say that Westtown’s current earned income tax is 1 percent but would go to 1.08 percent if the referendum passes. The current township property tax of 3.5 mils would go to 3.92 mils. The extra tax revenue would amount to an additional $681,000 per year for the township. Of that, about $545,000 would be needed to secure $7.5 million in open space bonds (i.e. new debt) to fund the acquisition, while the remainder (about $136,000) would be used to maintain the property, he said in his presentation.
Crebilly Farm is 320-plus acres situated between Route 926 to the south, Route 202 to the east, W. Pleasant Grove Road to the north, and S. New Street to the west. Twice, supervisors denied conditional use approval to Toll Bros. who wanted to build 317 new homes on the site.
Westtown was able to enter into an agreement of sale with the Robinson family, the owners of the farm. The township wants to buy the 206 easternmost acres for $100,000 per acre. The remaining acreage along the western side has four parcels that would remain residential but eased so that those parcels could not be subdivided. Natural Lands would oversee the open space portion. It has already written grant applications and the township has received $2 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
A couple of the residents said the township taxes were already too high, especially compared to neighboring townships, and asked what would happen if the referendum passed but the township was still unable to obtain the property. Other residents in favor of the acquisition and tax had the same concern.
The response was that the money would be used for other open space needs, either buying other properties or for maintaining open space already under the township’s control.
For the Township to become the legal owner of the property, the Township will need to secure approximately 75 percent of the purchase price from various sources, such as county, state, and federal grant programs by March 31, 2023. The remaining 25 percent would be paid for with local Westtown tax dollars.
However, if the referendum does not pass, the deal with the Robinsons would not go through and the family, supervisors have said previously, has other developers interested in the property.
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.
A preliminary hearing for a Chadds Ford man has been continued a second time. Richard Falcone, of Webb Road, was charged with making terroristic threats and reckless endangerment after he shot into an occupied structure in the 400 block of Webb Road in the early morning hours on Sept. 10. An initial hearing was scheduled for Sept. 20, but that was continued to Oct. 25. It’s been continued again to Nov. 15.
As reported at the time, police were called to Webb Road a little after 2 a.m. on Sept. 10 because of shots fired. A standoff followed after Falcone went back inside, disregarding police instructions, the state police report said.
The police Special Emergency Response Team was summoned, vehicle traffic was restricted, residents were told to shelter in place, and negotiations began using texts and a public address system. Police took Falcone into custody after nearly five hours when he gave himself up. Police reported no injuries.
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.
Miriam T. Kendra, 82, of Garnet Valley, died Saturday, Oct. 22, at Crozer Chester Medical Center. Born to Patrick and Helen McGowan King in Chester, she resided the past 42 years in Garnet Valley.
Miriam T. Kendra
Miriam was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her home and family. Devoted to her faith, she was a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church. In her spare time, Miriam loved spending time with friends as well as shopping. She enjoyed her soap operas, and was an avid animal lover. She adopted dogs, cats, and a horse. Mostly, Miriam loved spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren and step grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Miriam is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Kendra Jr., who died in 2002, brother, Daniel King, and a sister, Rosemary King. She is survived by her son, Christopher (Debra) Kendra, daughter, Tracy (Raymond) Dooley, and grandchildren; Brigid, Christa, Aidan, Cain, Ryan, and Jacob. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at St. Cornelius Church, 160 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30. Interment, Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Linwood.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Brandywine Valley SPCA (bvspca.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.
The Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, event in Kennett Square this year celebrates roots and honors immigrants who lost their lives searching for a better future.
Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting Latin American art and culture, is once again hosting one of the region’s most exciting and vibrant Día de Los Muertos celebrations this weekend at 600 South Broad Street, Kennett Square. The event will feature an art exhibit with traditional altars, music and dance performances, and workshops. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 and continue from 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Day of the Dead in Kennett Square is this weekend.
“The theme for this year’s Día de Los Muertos event is the name of a song by Mexican artist Natalia Laforcade, Hasta la Raíz (“to the root),” says event coordinator and Casa Guanajuato secretary Gonzalo Cano. “The song describes everything that reminds us of our country of origin, but at the same time it’s a goodbye song to someone we love. The main altar, or ‘offering,’ is in memory of the immigrants who lost their lives searching for a better future.”
Members of Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square have been working for months to put together beautiful artwork and altars. One of the many moving elements of this traditional event is the community altar, or ofrenda. People are welcome to bring pictures of their loved ones who have passed away to leave on the altar. They can also light a candle in memory of loved ones and leave a message on a butterfly (provided at the entrance).
The art exhibit this year will include “Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary,” a sculpture by Casa Guanajuato member Martha Castillo. “Monarch butterflies represent the souls of deceased relatives who come to visit their families,” says Cano. “This work also raises awareness about the care of this species that is in danger of extinction.”
“The 53,” a sculpture of colorful skulls in memory of the 53 immigrants who died in a trailer truck in Texas, features skulls painted by The Garage in Avondale.
Raúl Toledo of Kennett Multimedia has created another sculpture for the event entitled Catrina Mensajera (“the messenger Catrina”). People will be invited to leave a message of love, a prayer, or some thought for loved ones who have passed away as part of this installation.
Sharing the history of this ancient cultural tradition is always an important part of Día de Los Muertos, and this year artist and designer Rosa Ruiz has created a pre-Hispanic altar with a Tzompantli (Aztec wall with colorful skulls) to represent the way the Aztecs made their altars.
KACS will also be creating an altar for the event with the names of relatives of volunteers and staff who have passed away. “This altar reminds us to be more empathic with other members of our community,” says Cano.
Performances for Día de Los Muertos this year will include Eva Morales singing traditional songs on Friday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the borough building at 600 South Broad Street. Morales will wear a special dress that clothing designer Julieta Zavala has created for the event.
On Saturday, there will be several performances outside at 600 South Broad Street: Coco characters will be performing at 6 p.m., followed by Casa Guanajuato’s own dance group, Danza Tenochtli, performing some traditional dances as well as a special dance for the occasion at 7 p.m., and live music with the band Grupo Kilated de Oro at 7:30.
Casa Guanajuato members are also leading five different fun and educational workshops for adults and children as part of Día de Los Muertos 2022. The workshops celebrate the legends, memories, and flavors of Hispanic culture and include workshops teaching participants how to make Venezuelan arepas, Mexican Día de los Muertos bread, and Guatemalan chuchitos, in addition to a workshop on creating papier-mâché masks and another on making a skull using a quilling technique.
Casa Guanajuato Kennett Square also hosts Kennett Square’s renowned Cinco de Mayo festival and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations as well as other events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CasaGuanajuatoKS
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.
I know this firsthand, because it’s my own story; a story I have never hidden from the voters. It’s always been out there in the open.
