October 29, 2023

Task force recognized for 30 years

Members of the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force took some time last week to look back at the group’s 30-year history. They met at Thornbury Farm for a chicken dinner, some talk, and some music.

Randell Spackman, owner of Thornbury Farm, and the president of the Chadds Ford Historical Society opened the evening by saying that despite the task force starting in 1993, the battlefield became a national landmark long before that, signifying the importance of that 1777 battle.

State Sen. John Kane addresses members of the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force.

“The Brandywine Battlefield land was one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1961. The importance of Brandywine goes back to 1961 when they were just starting the National Historic Landmark project.”

He went on to say that the bicentennial of 1976 brought more awareness of and interest in the battle. However, there was tremendous pressure for development during the 1990s.

“There was tremendous building pressure in Chester County, all the battlefield was threatened and that’s where a bunch of individuals saw the need to create a volunteer organization, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, to try to learn, interpret, protect, guide, and offer all these services to protect these resources,” Spackman said.

He noted that the task force’s actions have led to thousands of acres being preserved. It was determined in 1992 that the battlefield comprises 17 municipalities and 35,000 acres in two counties.

He said the task force’s goal now is to continue learning more about the Battle of Brandywine because there’s always something more to learn when it comes to history.

Also speaking were Chuck Laudner of the American Battlefield Trust and state Sen. John Kane, D-9.

Laudner said the role of the ABT is to acquire land to preserve key elements of American battlefields, “preserving that core battlefield, that hallowed ground. The reason also includes the fun stuff, inspiring Americans to learn about the wars that happened on this soil and the sacrifice that past generations of Americans made.”

ABT, he said, has 187 acres preserved within the Brandywine Battlefield area and more than 57,000 acres in 25 states. Laudner applauded the efforts made by the task force.

“More than ever, it is imperative that Americans take meaningful action to safeguard and steward battlefields. The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is a shining example of that stewardship,” Laudner said.

Kane changed the mood slightly when he spoke. While he did read a resolution passed in the state Senate hailing the task force, he began with speculation of how life might be had the colonists lost the War of Independence.

“We wouldn’t have the Philadelphia Eagles, and we wouldn’t have the Philadelphia Phillies. I worry that we’d be watching soccer and rugby.”

But he did get to read the resolution that praised both the task force and one of the integral individuals.

“This gathering is a testament to the vision, leadership, and the collective efforts of the task force and our local communities. The Pennsylvania Senate and I are proud to support the incredible 30 years of accomplishments with the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, as well as the other 20 years of dedication with our friend Jeannine Speirs.”

Speirs is a senior community planner with the Chester County Planning Commission who has been an integral part of growing the task force.

“You kept the inspiration alive,” Kane said to Speirs. We are forever grateful for your commitment to preserving our land, the battlefield, and the rich history that unites us.”

As for the Senate’s citation, Kane read that the task force was one of the organizations that adhere to “the highest standards of service, contributes in a meaningful way to a better and more productive society…and whereas, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is celebrating a momentous occasion of its 30^th anniversary and now, therefore, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania congratulates the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force upon its richly deserved recognition.”

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: Do elections still matter?

My multi-year pursuit of transparency and accountability for misconduct by public school officials in the Unionville-Chadds Ford District is a microcosm of something that is playing out across the country. This isn’t a left/right issue. Partisan politics are incredibly tedious. If you don’t realize by now that both major political parties (at every level) are hopelessly corrupt, you haven’t been paying attention. The real issue is that public officials – from the highest office to the most local – have forgotten their place.

On Nov. 7, people in this community will vote for a school board that is responsible for managing tens of millions of dollars, and for making serious decisions that affect children and families in this community. Yet, most people don’t even know who they are and won’t show up to vote. If you aren’t familiar with the incumbent members of the board who are running for re-election, you should look them up.

Based on their conduct over the last few years, the incumbent members of this school board (Republican and Democrat) have apparently decided that it’s their intentions that matter most — the law be damned. A vote for any incumbent school board director is an endorsement of that behavior.

The incumbent Republican candidate was hand-picked by this school board to replace a person whom Republican leaders promised would be a voice for conservative families who have no representation on the board. While I personally believe he is a good man, he sat silently by while every other member of the board approved the expenditure of tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars in an effort to conceal serious misconduct in the district. Should Republican voters elect him simply because he puts an R next to his name, even if he lacks the courage to be the lone voice defending parental rights and the rule of law?

Likewise, the three incumbent Democrats running for re-election are each very nice, capable women who clearly have an admirable heart for service. But if they can’t be trusted to follow the law when doing so would expose serious misconduct that occurred on their watch, should any parent in this district (Republican or Democrat) believe they will do the right thing when the going gets tough?

A very small number of voters will elect the next UCFSD school board, so theoretically every vote matters. If those of us who show up at the polls can’t hold even local public officials accountable, we shouldn’t be surprised when officials at the highest levels lie, cheat, and steal. The only way elections still matter is if people use their votes to send a clear message to our leaders. I’m concerned that Unionville-Chadds Ford voters are about to send the wrong message. I hope I’m wrong.