Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1921:

One hundred representatives of boroughs and townships along Chester Pike were present at a banquet of the Keystone Automobile Club last night at the Chester Club. They unanimously favored reconstruction of Chester Pike to its full width with a modern concrete road, and changing the trolley tracks to the center of the roadway, the state to breathe expenses of the improvement.

75 Years Ago – 1946:

Employees of Delaware County’s two oil refinery companies – Sun and Sinclair – are to receive more than $500,000in bonuses and cost-of-living wage increases between now and Christmas. Sun Oil Co. has announced a voluntary bonus of one week’s base pay to all employees. Sinclair Refinery employees are to receive a flat “cost-of-living” increase of $31.20 per month, retroactive to Oct. 1.

50 Years Ago – 1971:

All or parts of five Delaware County municipalities will be represented by state senators from Chester or Philadelphia counties under a plan approved by the Legislative Reappointment Commission. All are now represented by Delaware county senators. Approximately 20,000 eastern Delaware County residents will be transferred to a basically Philadelphia district, while the 11,000 residents of Newtown will be represented by a Chester County state senator.

25 Years Ago – 1996:

Chester Police Commissioner Wendell Butler Jr. hailed the delivery of three police cars donated to the city by the state as “a pre-Christmas gift.” Their arrival was heralded in holiday party-like atmosphere Friday as city and state representatives -- joined by the Chester High School Marching Band -- proudly held up the keys to the three donated police vehicles. “We need good officers on the force and in cars to do that work,” Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker said as he handed the keys to Mayor Aaron Wilson Jr.

10 Years Ago – 2011:

Former and current employees, volunteer fire company personnel, township officials, family members and friends celebrated Middletown zoning officer/Fire Marshal John T. “Jack” McKeown’s 35 years of dedicated service to the township and wished him well on his impending retirement. Along with accolades and a number of gifts presented at a dinner in the township building, McKeown received a proclamation from state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9 of Chester, commending him.