By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com T he Trainer Borough community is mourning the death of Councilman Gerald P. Steppke who died last Thursday at Taylor Hospice, within minutes of the 7 P.M. start of the regular monthly Council meeting. He was 65. “It seems fitting that Jerry should pass away the same night that Borough Council [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com The Aston Township community is gearing up to welcome more than 100 athletes, coaches and thousands of curing fans to the 2012 Unites States National Curling Championships starting Saturday through next Saturday (Feb. 11-18) at Ice Works skating complex on Dutton’s Mill Road. The sport, which has become increasingly popular over the [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M arcus Hook Mayor James “Jay” Schiliro can check one thing off his bucket list of things he hopes to accomplish during his lifetime. Last week, the second-term Republican mayor was the guest of U.S. Congressman Pat Meehan (R-7) at the annual State of the Union address delivered by President Barack Obama [...]
By LeslieKrowchenko Special to the Spirit Upland Borough Council voted 8-1 recently to adopt an ordinance regulating sanitary sewer lateral connections. The action was a response to requirements imposed by Delcora. A study completed by the county authority indicated excessive flow into sanitary sewer systems typically results from infiltration and inflow (I&I) into main pipelines [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Southwest Delaware County Municipal Authority (SWDCMA) Board of Directors Chairman Nelson Shaffer, during last week’s meeting of the Aston Township Board of Commissioners, said to date, $700,000 of more than $2 million in delinquent sewer bills has been collected. “We have been aggressively, but fairly, trying to bring everyone into compliance,” said [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com W ith the exception of Chester City, reorganization meetings of local government leaders in the surrounding area remained relatively routine, except in Brookhaven Borough. The city’s power shifted from Republican to Democrat and the majority swing in Brookhaven was seismic from Democrat to Republican. Brookhaven’s changes affected the positions of Council president, [...]
By KevinKaneshiki kkaneshiki@chesterspirit.com T o honor the late union leader who institutionalized Chester’s celebration of Kwanzaa six years ago, the annual holiday event hosted by International Laborer’s Union Local 413 was renamed the James Nicholas Harper, Jr. Memorial Kwanzaa Celebration. Held last Thursday (the fourth day of the seven-day holiday) at the Union Hall, 222 [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com T he new Aston Township website will be fully operational by the middle of January. Third Ward Commissioner Mark Osborn, at a recent meeting of the board, said the site is 90 percent complete and is in the testing phase. He said the site will be fully administered in the township building, [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A blue cloudless sky provided a perfect backdrop for the dedication of the new town clock in Brookhaven that took place two weeks before Christmas at Memorial Island. Following a blessing offered by Our Lady of Charity Pastor Rev. Brian Izzo, opening remarks were presented by Council President John Wilwert, Jr. who [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com C hester City Council and commissioners in Aston and Lower Chichester townships gave residents early Christmas gifts last week by adopting no tax increase budgets. For the 17th consecutive year, taxes will remain steady in the City of Chester. Council, in a 4-0 vote, adopted a 2012 final operating budget totaling $43.32 [...]
At a joint meeting of the Chichester, Glen Mills and Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary clubs this month, a Philadelphia police officer who represented Rotarians in Thailand earlier this year spoke about his trip and a donation was presented to replace a game board for a military installation in Florida. Police Lt. D.F. Pace, winner of a [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Trainer Council, last week, accepted the resignation of Council Vice President Richard Cropper, who quit to devote attention to his newly-elected union position at Boeing. Cropper said he was no longer able to dedicate the time needed for [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com The lack of communication by Sunoco and ConocoPhillips officials is causing frustration among federal, state and local officials, and union representatives who all have joined forces to try finding a buyer for the refineries. At a Monday press conference at the Marcus Hook Community Center to update the public following rounds of [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Brookhaven Council last week adopted the borough’s 2012 general operating budget totaling $4.5 million, reflecting a zero tax increase for residents. The proposed millage will remain at 4.35 mills; the same as 2011. A homeowner with a property assessed at $150,000 will pay $652.50 in borough real estate tax in 2012. The trash fee will remain at $149, including a $34 fee [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com D istrict Judge David Griffin, last week, presided over swearing-in ceremonies for new Chichester School Board members Frank Sill and Mary Ellen Connolly. Board member John Murdock was appointed by a 5-0 vote in November to fill the unexpired term of Alan Henderson, who resigned for personal reasons. Murdock was administered the [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com B rookhaven Council and Mayor Mike Hess, last week, recognized outgoing Council members Janice Sawicki and Vawn Donaway, who collectively served the borough for 66 years. Sawicki lost the seat she held for 35 years in [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M embers of the Aston Township Lions Club gathered with family, friends and township officials just before Thanksgiving to dedicate a long-awaited headquarters for their organization. The three-acre lot on Gamble Lane, where the 40×60 foot building is located, was leased to the Lions by the township for a nominal sum. Construction [...]
Frank and Irene Vaul had a wonderful time at the Brookhaven senior’s luncheon. Brookhaven seniors celebrate with holiday luncheon Hundreds of Brookhaven seniors enjoyed a delicious luncheon Sunday afternoon at the Borough Municipal Building. Hosted by Mayor Mike Hess and the Recreation Committee, seniors feasted on chicken, green beans, baked ziti, meatballs and sausage, tossed [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com U pland Borough Council approved a 2012 preliminary operating budget totaling $2.681 million, reflecting a zero tax increase for residents. Millage is set at two mills; the same as 2011. A homeowner with a residence assessed at $75,000 will pay $150 in borough tax next year. The trash service fee will also [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M ore than 400 Aston residents attended the township’s first-ever Winter Festival last Friday night at the Community Center. In previous years, a tree lighting ceremony was held, but this year, organizers decided to take a new and expanded approach. “This is totally beyond our expectations,” said Committee Co-chairwoman Kit Spayd. “We [...]
Local Scouts collect canned goods Boy Scout Troop 225, along with Cub Scout Pack 225 from St. Joseph Church in Aston, collected more than 3,450 canned goods for the Sisters of Charity in Chester. Scout Pack 77 and Troop 292 of Mount Hope United Methodist Church also collected another 3,500 canned goods for [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com J im and Kate Pierson and their five-year-old daughter, Brittany, waited patiently on the corner of 5th and Market sts. on Saturday night for the annual Marcus Hook Holiday Parade to begin. It has been a yearly tradition for the family since little Brittany was two years-old and, “was able to enjoy [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com F or the second consecutive month, Aston Township’s new leaf collection system came under fire. In an effort to save an estimated $40,000 annually, commissioners decided to forego using the leaf collection vacuum machine and instead require residents to place leaves in biodegradable bags at curbside. “This is a safety issue,” said [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M arcus Hook Borough officials are trying their best to keep taxes down, but with the potential closing of the ConocoPhillips and Sunoco oil refineries looming large, borough residents could be facing a 1.5 mill increase in their 2012 real estate taxes. Even though Borough Manager Bruce Dorbian reiterated several times during [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A ston commissioners last week unanimously approved a 2012 preliminary operating budget totaling $10.85 million. If adopted, millage will be set at 4.18 mills, reflecting an increase of .18 mills over the 2011 budget. A homeowner with a property assessed at $175,000 will pay $731.50 in real estate taxes in 2012; an [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com B rookhaven Council Vice President Janice Sawicki, during last week’s Council meeting, presented the first reading of the borough’s 2012 preliminary general operating budget that totals $4.49 million, reflecting a zero tax increase for residents. The proposed millage would remain at 4.35 mills, meaning a homeowner with property assessed at $150,000 will [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Saturday’s annual Brookhaven Holiday Parade was billed as the biggest and best ever! Hundreds of residents lined borough streets to see more than 50 participating groups, which included marching bands, cartoon characters, sports mascots, antique cars, veterans, karate and dance clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, drum corps, church organizations, five Mummers groups, [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Dressed in red, white and blue, elementary students attending The Christian Academy (TCA) in Brookhaven recently honored their grandparents with a variety of singing and dancing recently at the school’s annual Grandparent’s Day. This year, the event took on a patriotic theme with songs such as Yankee Doodle Boy, This Land is [...]
Six local congregations of diverse denominations will unite Sunday, Nov. 20th at 7 P.M. at Aston Presbyterian Church (APC), 2401 Concord Rd., for a community Thanksgiving service to worship and give thanks to God in prayer and song. “All members of the community are welcome, no matter what denomination,” said Rev. Jane Ritterson, pastor of [...]
Parkside, Brookhaven lag in support for facility they use, too By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Aston Public Library Board of Trustees President Robert Hoyt, accompanied by several members of the board, attended a recent meeting of the Aston Board of Commissioners to request additional funds to help offset state budget cuts. Hoyt said the library has lost [...]
By BriannaLopez Special to the Spirit F or the past few months the political war in the small town of Colwyn waged heavily but, as of press time, it appeared Democrats had captured all four Borough Council seats. Even until the night before Election Day, residents received papers and flyers anonymously delivered in an effort [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com D emocrats have been the majority on Brookhaven Council since 1992, but Tuesday’s election gave the leadership, and the majority, to Republicans. Incumbent Republican Daniel McCray and Republican newcomers Donna Fooks and Susan Rendler-Truesdale defeated longtime Democratic Councilwoman Janice Sawicki and Democrats Michael Ruggieri and James LaPera. McCray, a lifelong borough resident, [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com W orkers from the ConocoPhillips and Sunoco oil refineries were joined last Saturday by family, neighbors, friends, a host of politicians, and their brothers and sisters from the Teamsters, AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers of America and others on a march and rally hoping to persuade a buyer to step up, purchase the facilities [...]
SPIRITstaff report newsdesk@chesterspirit.com The Penn-Delco School Board, in a 7-0 vote, appointed Aston resident James Porter, II to a seat on the board. Porter is filling the unexpired term of Brian Walker, who resigned last month. Porter, a Republican, is a candidate for school board in the Nov. 8th election. Porter, who was… For the [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Brookhaven voters on Nov. 8th will choose three people from among six candidates to serve on Borough Council for a four-year term. Incumbent Democrat Janice Sawicki, former Councilman Michael Ruggieri and newcomer James LaPera, Jr. are running against Republican incumbent Daniel McCray, and newcomers Donna Fooks and Susan Rendler-Truesdale. Sawicki, 60, a [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Blackthorn Lane residents Kathy and Jeff Resnick are known for the elaborate Christmas display they have been creating for the past several years. But the surprise and historically record-setting snowfall that hit the area on Saturday gave the Resnick family the opportunity to take their creativity to a whole new level. Heads [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A decision by the Aston Board of Commissioners to forego using the township’s leaf collection vacuum machine and instead require residents to place leaves in biodegradable bags has angered some residents, especially senior citizens. At last week’s commissioners meeting, senior citizen John Ford said it was much easier to put leaves at [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com F or his courage, professionalism and leadership, Aston Police Sergeant Jeffrey Brown, during last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, was awarded the police department’s Medal of Valor, it’s highest honor. Police Chief Dan Ruggieri, who presented the medal, said Brown’s “courage and devotion to duty was extraordinary.” On July 4th, the Central [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com S unny skies provided a perfect backdrop for Sunday’s official dedication of the 9/11 Memorial at the Rocco Gaspari, Sr. Park in Lower Chichester Township. Surrounded by a hand built stone wall and flags representing the United States, firefighters and police, the centerpiece of the memorial, a four-foot, 800 pound beam, which [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com D ressed in poodle skirts and pony tails, members and volunteers of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Delaware County celebrated its 39th year of providing volunteer services last week with a 50’s theme luncheon at the Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington. In addition to lunch, the afternoon’s activities included a [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com T rainer Borough Councilman Greg Miley, at the conclusion of last week’s Council meeting, read a statement on behalf of his employer to quell a rumor that has been circulating for several weeks. “There is no basis to the rumors or innuendos that the Congoleum Corporation is shutting down its operations in [...]
M eghan Kok, a 16 year-old member of Aston Presbyterian Church (APC), along with the pastor, Rev. Jane Ritterson, and members of Compassion Corps leave Nov. 5th for a two-week special mission to Uganda. “I first heard of Compassion Corps when Jan Bean and Beth McMillen came to our church for a special mission luncheon. [...]
Hundreds enjoy annual Kids Fun Fair More than 500 people attended the eighth annual Kids Fun Fair sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-9) at Sun Valley High School in Aston last Saturday. “This fair is a fun way for the senator to provide his constituents state-related information,” said Michelle Lewis, event organizer. The fair featured [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com P enn-Delco School District Director of Facilities Tom Calvecchio died Friday evening at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Calvecchio, 53, was born in Philadelphia, raised in Lansdowne and was a 1976 graduate of Lansdowne-Aldan High School. Calvecchio moved to Aston Township in 1999 and has been employed by the Penn-Delco School [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A dministrators, teachers, students and parishioners gathered last week to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of St. Joseph School in Aston. Following mass, the congregation made its way to the school next door where St. Joseph pastor, Rev. Robert Vogan, presided over the school’s rededication. “May this school continue to [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com More than 3,000 residents attended Aston Township’s 10th annual Community Day last Saturday on the grounds of the Community Center. Sponsored by the Aston Business Association, the day’s events included a parade, business expo, book sale, and countless activities for children including several moon bounces, big slide, face painting and a bike [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A bi-partisan political effort is underway to save at least 1,000 direct jobs and potentially hundreds of others that would be affected in four southeastern Delaware County communities if the Sunoco Marcus Hook and ConocoPhillips refineries close unless a buyer is found. Last week’s news that both facilities would be shuttered has [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com R ain did not dampen the spirits of the more than 1,200 Brookhaven residents who attended the 25th anniversary of Family Day on Saturday. From great food to games, demonstrations, music and informational booths, it appeared that everyone there had a good time. “(I take) this opportunity to thank all of our [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M elissa Ann Lash, 31, of Aston Township, has been charged with six counts of theft, six counts of receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. According to police, Lash, a cleaning [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com U pper Chichester Commissioners President James Stewart attended last week’s Lower Chichester commissioners meeting and apologized for the publication of a survey that made disparaging remarks about Lower Chichester Township. Commissioned by Upper Chichester Township, the survey was designed to gather information relating to economic revitalization, and included questions relating to demographics, [...]
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