Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘Herrin’s Heroes’ saluted at Melton Center
Mayoral candidate recognizes community members at fundraiser event
WEST CHESTER » Democratic candidate for mayor Dianne Herrin applauded seven community heroes at a fundraiser Saturday night at the Charles A. Melton Center.
Jim Salvas shot pictures at the event and nominated businesswoman Holly Brown.
“Bringing people together is what Dianne does best,” Salvas said. “Look at the range of people: young and old; men and women; black and white; Republican and Democratic.
“Dianne, you will be a mayor for everyone.”
Mary Moore nominated her father, Kenneth Moore.
“Dianne, this was the most inspiring uplifting event I have been to in so long. It really says everything about who you will be as mayor and the sense of community that you foster among people,” she said. “That’s what makes a place feel like home!
“Knowing that we care about each other and we are looking out for each other. That sense of purpose. It’s what makes West Chester so special.”
“We don’t need anyone famous at a fundraiser to celebrate the people who give of themselves and ask for nothing in return,” Herrin said.
Tommy Ciccarone Jr. is running on the Republican slate against Herrin.
Herrin said she is the only candidate endorsed by the Sierra Club.
She said would continue to promote a clean environment, with jobs that boost the economy. She said that solar power jobs are growing at a rate 12 times faster than the GDP.
“I’ll work to keep the downtown economically vibrant, which is important for everybody,” she said. “I’ll work to promote quality of life for everyone who lives here. “I’d like to unite our community.” Herrin said that promoting quality of life means different things to different people.
Some want good access to parking, while others seek a stronger working relationship with West Chester University. Others want to address noise and vandalism issues in the South End.
South Walnut Street resident Joe Norley was nominated by his daughter, 17-year-old West Chester East student, Savannah Norley.
The elder Norley has been heav-
ily involved in borough politics, including raising his son Jordan to become the current mayor.
Norley has served on the neighborhood task force, helped install historic street lights, lobbied to have land lords held responsible for tenant behavior and has served as president of his homeowner’s association.
“I’m a little bit of a lightning rod — a gadfly,” he said. “To be recognized is gratifying.”
Herrin nominated Wendy Wallace who has served as a physician for 30 years.
Wallace leads the Calvary Lutheran Church Youth Group during its annual community service week and is president of the board of directors for
the Care Center Foundation.
“She didn’t do this for herself, she does it for the children,” Herrin said. “They give these families the support they need and to get their feet back on the ground.”
Brown was nominated by Jim Salvas and Lane Randall.
Salvas noted that Brown was fundamental in the placement of the justice center in its current location and is a huge supporter of the business community.
Herrin said that Brown helped found Swinging Summer Thursdays and is a “key figure in the revitalization of the downtown.”
Mary Moore praised all the award winners.
“There are so many good people who give to others ... simply because they care,” she said.
Her father’s philosophy is to “wage peace.”
“He loves to go to bat against people, especially against bullies,” Moore said about her 88-year-old father.
Joyce Chester, West Chester Area School Board member and president and CEO of Chester County OIC, Career Corps, a partnership for youth employment, was nominated by Bob Bruckman.
“Joyce is an invaluable champion of those in need,” Herrin said.
Dr. Russell Rickert, former dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at West Chester University, was nominated by Mark Cole and Lane Randall.
Herrin said Rickert is “a real proponent of critical thinking for college students.”
Rickert loves to cook and feed his neighbors. For 33 years he was the head cook at the Senior Center for Thanksgiving.
Lisa Dorsey was nominated by Ken Winston, Mark Stevens and Kimberley Phillips.
She has been president of the board at the Melton Center since 2008.
She turned the program around and writes the checks and balances the books as a volunteer, Herrin said.
Tom McEvoy was nominated by Brown.
McEvoy helped keep the YMCA at the Lasko Center in town, and in turn preserved an important child care program. He is also heavily involved with the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
Fifth grader at Hillsdale Elementary School, Kenadee Carlson, helped organize fellow students, while performing a survey.
Carlson contacted Herrin and said she one day wants to become mayor.