Remembering war to end all wars
A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them. LAUREL: 100 years. Today the county holds a series of events to commemorate the nation’s entry into World War I. It’s a reminder of the United States’ key role in the world. The county will be planting poppies – emblematic of the flowers from Flanders Field – from one end of the county to the other.
DART: Sadly, the first World War was not what then-President Woodrow Wilson envisioned. The “war to end all wars”? Not exactly. Today the world remains a very dangerous place.
LAUREL: To Lancaster state Rep. Mike Sturla. He’s putting some teeth into that proposal floated by Gov. Tom Wolf to charge towns that basically a free ride by relying on state police as opposed to setting up their own police department. Sturla’s plan would actually place a steeper initial fee on towns, and eventually grow to $110 per person over a 10-year period. It would raise an estimated $2 billlion by 2028.
DART: To the argument from some residents of municipalities that don’t have their own police force that they are already paying for this service through their state taxes. Yeah, but so is everyone else, and lots of other towns also foot the bill for their own police. For the residents of Middletown, Chadds Ford, Chester Heights, Concord, Edgmont, Rose Valley and Thornbury, it’s time to pay up.
DART: To that Pa. House Republican budget plan. These guys are trying to take a page out of the Trump budget. Draconian comes to mind. They are still refusing to enact any type of new tax, such as a new levy on the Marcellus Shale industry, and instead of looking to cut their way out of a $3 billion deficit.
LAUREL: Speaking of Marcellus Shale, that report this week from the Team Pennsylvania Foundation suggests that building the Mariner East 2 pipeline could have an impact in the range of $2 to $3 billion. That’s a hefty economic impact and again underlines how big an economic shot in the arm this project has the potential to be. DART: What is does not do is allay the concerns of residents who still have serious safety concerns about the pipeline plan. Rose Tree Media District recently held a safe school summit to develop an emergency plan connected to the pipeline. The proposed path would take it within several hundred feet of Glenwood Elementary School off Pennell Road in Middletown. The security concerns raised by residents are not going to go away anytime soon.
DART: To racking up five DUI charges. That is the unfortunate situation an Upper Darby man finds himself in. Here’s a tip: Next time call an Uber.
LAUREL: To all those who showed up this week to take part in a community project to clean up Sun Village Park in Chester. The best solutions are always those that start right there in the neighborhood. Kudos to Jerry Puryear and Bonita Taylor for this most worth effort. LAUREL: To Nahjee Grant. The local author is making the rounds of some Delaware County schools pushing the message of being a “cool smart young man.” Grant is speaking from his own experience, when trying to be “cool” starting costing him in school. It’s a lesson young people would be wise to consider.
DART: To another priest running afoul of the law. The longtime rector of Villa St. Joseph in Darby Borough, the archdiocese’s retirement home for priests, stands accused of pilfering more than half a million dollars in money that should have gone to the archdiocese. It was from insurance policies and gifts in the names of deceased priests. Nice. And what did he use the money for? According to the feds, about what you’d expect. Fancy dinners, nights out at the Philly Pops, and - of course - a healthy dose of gambling at Harrah’s Casino. LAUREL: To Dr. Jerry Parker. The boss of Delaware County Community College is retiring at the end of the school year. But not before he takes along one more little bauble with him. He was recently enshrined in the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Hall of Fame for his work in expanding the community college into Chester County.
LAUREL: To the kids at Springfield High School. Every year for the past 15 years, they have honored the memory of beloved high school teacher Steve Stefani with a dance marathon. Last weekend they again danced the night away – and raised more than $250,000 for pediatric cancer research. That brings the total over the past 15 years to more than $1.8 million. No doubt Steve Stefani is smiling.
DART: To the ongoing lack of a legislative solution to Pennsylvania’s casino host city tax. Ever since the court struck down the deal as being unfair to smaller, boutique style casinos, cities and counties have been waiting for the state Legislature to fix the situation. They’re still waiting.
LAUREL: To Harrah’s in Chester. Kudos to the local casino for stepping up big time and continuing to make their ‘host’ payments to both the city of Chester and Delaware County. We’re not talking small change here. The city gets $10 million, while the county’s coffers get a $4.3 million boost.
LAUREL: To a new home for Delaware County Senior Victim Services, and its new boss Chelsey Price. They provide a crucial county service for the elderly, who are often the targets of scammers, fraud and even physical abuse. They don’t drive home how valuable their work is to Patrick Spinosa. The business man was on hand for the opening and told of how he was stabbed 27 times during a robbery at his auto tag business during a robbery in Southwest Philadelphia.
LAUREL: To the kids on the Haverford High Hi-Q team. Not satisfied with snagging the Delco Hi-Q crown, these whiz kids went on to capture the national title. Well done, kids.
LAUREL: To the return of baseball. And what appears to be a much-improved Phillies team. Here’s hoping Pete Mackanin’s team can continue their winning ways. They were back at Citizens Bank Park yesterday for the home opener.
DART: To Mother Nature. Nasty, raw drizzle and temperatures in the low 50s in not our idea of Opening Day Weather. But then again, they had snow in Colorado.
DART: To the Flyers. Another year out of the playoffs. How much longer is GM Ron Hextall going to give this group of players? Or head coach Dave Hakstol for that matter?