Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1918: James Burns of Linwood, while attempting to board a trolley car at Seventh and Fulton streets in Chester yesterday, fell and was injured. He was sent to the Chester Hospital. His condition is not reported serious.
75 Years Ago – 1943: Plans for the organization of a permanent commission to investigate the causes of racial unrest in Chester, and to make recommendations for dealing with dangerous racial situations, were under way following a meeting of city and county officials, representatives of welfare organizations, and prominent black and white citizens of the community. The meeting, which was called by Mayor Ralph F. Swarts, was held in the council chambers and was attended by about 30 persons.
50 Years Ago – 1968: Chester, at the invitation of Gov. Raymond P. Shafer, has applied for a share of federal riot-control funds awarded recently to Pennsylvania. It is one of ten cities and eight boroughs to apply for $189,000 in grants. Although the governor sent telegrams only to the state’s largest cities and boroughs that have experienced racial problems, applications have been submitted from all over the state. Mayor John H. Nacrelli said today Chester submitted its request early last week in recommendation made by Police Chief Joseph M. Bail.
25 Years Ago – 1993: Police Chief James B. Clark described Chester as a small city with big city problems at the 1993 Chester Summit Against Violence, where he rattled off some alarming statistics. He said more than
360 arrests were made this past school year in and around Chester High School, the site of the summit. Chester has 20 homicides this year and eight of the victims were under 21. “That’s a staggering number for a community of 43,000 people,” he said. 10 Years Ago – 2008: The Penn-Delco School Board recently adopted this year’s bus routes by a 5-3 vote despite opposition from some parents and school board members over the decision to cut a route from the Valley Green development area to Northley Middle School. Parents said the 1.3-mile route, which includes sections of Concord Road, would be hazardous to walking students. Lori Duncan and other parents challenged officials to walk the route. Board member Margaret DiVito, who voted for the plan, volunteered to do so.