Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1918: President Wilson will come to Hog Island in Tinicum today as the guest of the United State Shipping Board to see the first launching at the Hog Island shipyard. Mrs. Wilson will be the sponsor for the Quistconck, named by her poetically from the Indian name for Hog Island. Ninety thousand patriots are expected to be on hand, the greatest gathering that has ever attended a launching.
75 Years Ago – 1943: Two Chester motorists, fined two A Coupons each for violations of the pleasure driving ban in New Jersey, today charged OPA agents in that state with discrimination against Pennsylvania drivers. The men were Robert W. Bothwell, formerly of 100 Tilghman Street, a Sun Shipyard worker, and Jerome Candrilli, 729 Engle St. 50 Years Ago – 1968: Gov. Raymond P. Shafer vetoed today a bill to appropriate $11,000 to the state Historical and Museum Commission for repair and restoration work at the Caleb Pusey House in Upland, on condition that matching funds are to be contributed by local historical or similar organizations. The home, at 15 Race St., is the only original house still standing with documented connections to William Penn. 25 Years Ago – 1993: Three Delco school districts have been cautioned by the state Department of Education about their declining financial fortunes. Garnet Valley, William Penn and Chester Upland received letters in May from the department’s Office of Management Assistance. PDE looks at the district’s fund balances, the ratio of their assets to liabilities and the liquidity of their assets. All three districts had fund balances below the 2 percent PDE considers desirable. A fund balance is money carried from one budget year to the next. “We try to not tax to the point where we have a large fund balance,” said Garnet Valley board President Gregory G. Adey.
10 Years Ago – 2008: From the Chester County police blotter: Two vocational students who allegedly set fire to a portable toilet may have their criminal records wiped clean if they complete an alternative-sentencing program. The incident unfolded when police found the Port-a-Potty engulfed in flames and both suspects leaving the Coatesville Area School District campus. When questioned, the two students implicated each another but denied any individual culpability for the offense. Damage to the portable toilet was about $500.