LOCAL OFFICIALS REFLECT ON 2020, OFFER HOPE FOR 2021
As 2020 comes to a close, people of Chester County remain unshaken as a community.
“What has not changed is that we are blessed to live, work and promote Chester County,” said Susan Hamley, executive director of the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau. “Chester County Commissioners and partners in the tourism and hospitality industry are an amazing group of dedicated people; all are working tirelessly to lift up each other and also those in need. We strive to emerge stronger together and even more appreciative for all that we do have — gratitude will endure long after 2020.”
The pandemic shutdown began in Pennsylvania with school closures and business closure orders on March 13.
Stores such as Walmart and Home Depot were deemed essential businesses from the beginning and were never ordered to close.
Local restaurants have not been so lucky. Gov. Tom Wolf recently ordered the suspension of all indoor dining services until at least Jan. 4.
Local restaurant owners last week called the move “devastating.”
“I hope the pain and suffering we have all seen and experienced this year moves out of our lives to reveal the compassion and unity we had before the pandemic,” said Coatesville City Manager James
Logan. “I hope our residents can get back to work and provide for their families. I hope our youth and adults continue to fight for change where systems and laws fail to
protect us.
“I hope our nation can put aside the pettiness and agree to disagree respectfully. I hope we can repair the damage done this year that has separated us yet has revealed our most vulnerable side of inequality.
“While I’ve never been one to reflect on the past in great detail, I do believe reflection has a place to help us improve, heal, correct, grow and become better than our old selves.
“Looking ahead, 2021 will bring new opportunities. We have to learn to move as one and not splinter into silos to achieve individual goals. I am very optimistic about the positive direction the city is going and I’m proud to work with my council members and other stakeholders who support that direction.”
“I have most been inspired by the capacity of many in our community to care for each other an innovate,” said Rev. Kyle Boyer, president of the West Chester NAACP and pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. “Everything from the selfless healthcare workers, to the food bank volunteers, to the mask-makers, to the students who have stepped up despite the worst of virtual learning arrangements. So many people have been selfless during this time to help protect their community.”
“From a conservation perspective, my hope for the New Year is that those who found nature for the first time, those who renewed their interest and desire for nature, and those who dove deep into their existing passion for our natural environment remember how they felt — even when the world around them was filled with turmoil and uncertainty — when they found comfort in a walk on a trail,” said Ellen Ferretti, director of the Brandywine Conservancy, “or the vision of a beautiful landscape unfolding before them, or the calming sound of water flow as they sat by a stream, or just sitting for a moment on a park bench to hear the birds sing and the wind in the trees.” – Ellen Ferretti
Nature is key
“From a conservation perspective, my hope for the New Year is that those who found nature for the first time, those who renewed their interest and desire for nature, and those who dove deep into their existing passion for our natural environment remember how they felt — even when the world around them was filled with turmoil and uncertainty — when they found comfort in a walk on a trail,” said Ellen Ferretti, director of the Brandywine Conservancy, “or the vision of a beautiful landscape unfolding before them, or the calming sound of water flow as they sat by a stream, or just sitting for a moment on a park bench to hear the birds sing and the wind in the trees.”
Ferretti said she hoped as people remember this they also know they too can support the Brandywine
Conservancy “to protect this very essential, vitally fundamental and ever beautiful world on which we live.”
The volunteers
Chuck Freese, the emergency management coordinator in Southern Chester County, a position appointed by the governor, said he hopes that the vaccines on the horizon are safe and well received.
“We will continue the fight for the residents and facilities in my municipalities until we can come together again with hugs and handshakes,” Freese said.
As for what has inspired Freese the most in 2020, he said: “The volunteers. I saw folks at the Downingtown schools trying to hold together the food line as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias passed
“When I think about what inspired me this year I think of the words of Fred Rogers, to ‘remember the helpers.’ The essential workers, healthcare and emergency workers, grocery store employees and everyone who stepped up to help our community are the reason the hope that we will see the other side of the public health crisis, and they continue to inspire me each and every day.” – Josh Maxwell
over us, wading through ankle deep water with battering winds because it was important and there were folks who need those meals. Time and again I saw hope in the actions of volunteers who are resolved to get us through this, and from whom I drew strength at times for my own missions.”
Lessons learned
For some, this year brought opportunity in the workplace.
“In 2020 I was extremely inspired by my new job in New Gar den Township,” s a id Ramsey Reine r, who became the munici - pal it y ’ s first female township manager.
She said the New Garden Board of Supervisors has been amazing and supportive.
“Along with them and the most wonderful groups of staff, volunteers and committee members, I feel as though we have been able to accomplish so much and it’s just the beginning,” she said.
“The best lesson that I learned in 2020 was to stop and listen,” Reiner said. “Being forced to slow down and spend quality time with my family, I am extremely aware of how quickly time goes. If my boys ask me to stop and see something that is important to them — regardless of how many times it was related to TikTok or Playstation — I have learned that these moments won’t last forever and I want them to know how important their ideas are to me. This has trickled over into other aspects of my life and I am learning that it’s important to stop what I’m doing and listen to others.”
Eternally optimistic
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left it’s mark on all of us, you can’t deny that. I, like eve r yone , just can’t wait for it to be over,” s a id Downingtown Mayor Phil Dague. “Hopefully we’ve learned from all of this and should it ever happen again we will be much better prepared. Whatever 2021 brings, it has to be better than 2020. I am eternally optimistic.
“Through all of this, Downingtown has kept it going. Downingtown finds a way. That’s the beauty of a community. We are not strangers to each other, we are an extension of family. If one of us is suffering, we all suffer, and we can’t let that happen.
“I, myself, am looking forward to being in a CROWD somewhere and hearing an umpire shout: ‘play ball!.’”
Brighter days ahead
“I am looking forward to a better, brighter future for our country, our state and for Chest er C ou nt y as we finally begin to get the COVID pandemic under control,” said Dick Bingham, chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee. “But to make this happen as quickly as possible, we all must do our part now.
“I am hopeful we all individually and our country as a whole will at last embrace social justice for everyone.”
What inspired Bingham the most in 2020 were the Good Samaritans — everyday people — of Chester County.
“I was inspired by the frontline workers — health care workers, first responders, police, firefighters, teachers, grocery store personnel and postal workers — who continued to provide essential services in the face of a raging pandemic,” Bingham said.
Historical year
“I gained inspiration from my own staff who worked tirelessly submitting grant applications to the county, the Comm o n - wealth and federal government to help sma ll bus i - nesses get the c api t a l they needed to retain their employees and keep operating,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council.
As for the best lesson learned in 2020, Smith said:, “Where there is a will, there is a way. We all learned to manage our businesses differently in order to keep operating in the new normal. No doubt, 2020 will go down in the history books.”
Ethic of love
“This past year we have seen a country divided by both politics and a pandemic,” said Gordon Eck, chairman of the Republican Committee of Chester County. “It is my hope and prayer that this coming year will be marked by a restored unity grounded in our shared identity as people made in the image of God.
“I was inspired by the creativity and perseverance of many hard-working Americans who refused to give up in the face of a pandemic and authoritative actions that often compounded the crisis.
As for what surprised him most in 2020, Eck said, “I was particularly surprised with how easily people were willing to unnecessarily part with their freedoms in return for the prospect of temporary safety.”
Note of grace
“Being a history enthusiast, I resolve and hope others use the lessons and experiences from 2020 and put them good use — become stronger, more thoughtful, and resolute to improve the world in 2021 and beyond,” said Chief Gerald R. Simpson of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department. “When you didn’t expect it, and albeit infrequent, seeing small acts of kindness and graciousness towards humanity.”
As for what surprised the police chief the most in 2020, Simpson said: “Seeing society on the edge, afraid, feeling helpless and worried in a way I have never witnessed. I have seen these behaviors on a much smaller scale throughout my career, but not an entire nation or better yet the world.”
As for the best lesson the chief learned in 2020, his answer was rooted in simplicity — “to find pleasure in the small things — to be less dependent and more self-sufficient. To offer grace to those who are in need.
“As we leave this year and enter 2021, I choose to have an optimistic attitude, to know that we have a common thread woven between us no matter our station in life and to believe that there’s not a challenge we cannot overcome together.”
High hopes
“What I have been reminded of time and time again this year is the resi l iency of Penns y l v a - n i a ns ,” said U.S. Con - gresswoman Chrissy
Houlahan (D-PA). “They continue to inspire me and my work in Congress. I’m very lucky to represent the people of my community, and It’s my privilege to fight for them.”
Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick said he hopes everyone can contain the pandemic and stop seeing the loss of life and business.
“Seeing the com - mun i t y come tog e t h e r during this crisis,” Fetick said. “Everyone doing their part to either be responsible to mitigate the spread of the virus or by supporting local businesses and our first responders. The community really rallied together.”
The Kennett Square mayor said he was surprised by the severity of the pandemic and how long it has lasted.
“I thought it would be quickly stopped in it’s tracks,” he said.
As for a quintessential lesson learned this year, Fetick said: “Life can change in the blink of an eye. 2020 was poised to be a great year on many fronts and it so quickly became a life changing crisis. I need to be more thankful for what is right in front of me and not take anything for granted. Life can change quickly.”
“COVID has shaken our commun i t y in 2020,” s a id Chester C ount y Commissioner Josh Maxwell. “And while there is a lot of government work that continues during the crisis, my most fervent hope for the New Year is that there is a smooth roll out and rapid delivery of a COVID vaccine to the residents of Chester County.
“I resolve to do everything in my power as an elected official to support that process.
“When I think about what inspired me this year I think of the words of Fred Rogers, to ‘ remember the helpers.’ The essential workers, healthcare and emergency workers, grocery store employees and everyone who stepped up to help our community are the reason the hope that we will see the other side of the public health crisis, and they continue to inspire me each and every day.”