🗳️ Democracy loves elections
+ walking around Chadds Ford + book club? + more
Quick Note: We started a Chadds Ford Walking Club. We had nearly a dozen neighbors meet up for the first walk. We hope you can join us. All the deets here! 👇🏻
This is what playing politics looks like 🫠
Did you hear we have a new auditor in Chadds Ford? The township auditor is an elected position. Our previous auditor moved out of the township and consequently resigned. It was all above board; no funny business. 👍🏻
In accordance with the state code, our three supervisors appointed a new auditor to replace the former until the *next* election.
Why *next* you ask? Let me tell you a little story about how partisan politics loves does not love democracy, that system of government that, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc. according to law.” (bold emphasis mine)
First, you need to know three things about Chadds Ford Township and Pennsylvania’s municipal code.
Chadds Ford Township is a “second-class township” per Pennsylvania law (based on population information).
When the auditor resigns, the position is not considered “vacant” until the board of supervisors accepts the resignation. The BOS has up to 45 days to accept the resignation.1
The board of supervisors appoints a new auditor to fill the vacancy until the next election that is at least 60 days after the role becomes “vacant.”2
Are you with me?
In other words, the Board of Supervisors has a 45-day window after they find out the existing auditor will vacate the position to “accept” the resignation. The longer they wait, the more they push back the “60 days until the next election” window.
Now, let’s walk through the timeline for the transition to the new auditor.
Early August 2025: Ben Simons notifies the township that he is moving and resigning.
August 13 (83 days before next election day): Board of Supervisors agenda notes that the BOS will accept Simons’ resignation. At the meeting, the township manager begins to address this item, and the BOS says, “No, we’re not doing that today,” with no explanation. Weird.
August 21 (76 days before the next election day): Finance Committee meets—resignation letter from Ben Simons on the agenda. Committee moves to accept. Some weird shuffling and looks. They don’t “accept” it. (I’m not a lawyer, but it probably wouldn’t have mattered? The code says it must be accepted by a majority of the BOS at a public meeting.)
September 10 (55 days before the next election): Board of Supervisors accepts Simons’ letter of resignation at the public meeting.
November 4, 2025: Election Day
As I watched that August 13 Board of Supervisors meeting on Zoom, skipping over such a simple agenda item seemed so odd to me. Now it makes sense. By delaying the resignation acceptance, they pushed past the 60-day window and avoided giving the public a voice in voting for an auditor in the upcoming November election.
Do I think it has a material impact on our township operations? Probably not, but it’s intentionally anti-democratic. That’s disappointing.
Do I think the person they chose is unqualified? I don’t know him. His professional experience seems relevant. I have no reason to assume he’s unfit for the job. I hope he’s great!
Do I think it was a partisan move to maintain power? Yep.
Do I think this would happen somewhere else under Democratic leadership? Most likely.
Do I aspire for our township to operate above partisan politics? Also yes. (Wishful thinking, maybe, but a girl can dream.)
Let me be clear. This is not a commentary on Ben Simons at all. I know him personally. He has coached my children in sports. His children are friendly with my children. We had a lovely conversation about the position on the finance committee he held until his resignation. Our interactions have been only positive.
I don’t know the new auditor, Peter Ferentinos, so I have no reason to assume ill intention. His professional background aligns with the job requirements. This is not a commentary on him either.
We can critique a system without indicting every person who participates in it.
Democracy loves elections. Unfortunately, political parties do not. Sigh…
✏️ On that note, let’s bring civic education back to school, because elections love informed citizens. Reading and math are important, but school is about way more than just reading and math.
If some of our friends in Washington are any indication, we could really use a refresh on our civics and history curriculum. Let’s start with Civics 101: There are three branches of government. They provide critical checks and balances on each other. 🫶🏻
🥳 Put on your party pants
We’ve got four local fall events coming up this weekend and into next week, so mark your calendar.
Concord Community Day (Sept 13) | Beginning at 4 pm, an afternoon of family fun, music, and food at the Township Park on Smithbridge Road will conclude with fireworks at dusk.
Historic Chadds Ford Days (Sept 13-14) | Journey back to the 18th century this September 13th and 14th as the Chadds Ford Historical Society hosts its annual event to commemorate and reenact the September 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine. All the details here.
Rachel Kohl Library Fundraising Dinner (Sept 16) | Details here!
Newlin Grist Mill Fall Festival (Sept 20) | All sorts of activities from demonstrations of historic skills and trades, hayrides, hands-on activities for kids, beer, wine, food, and more! Check out more information here.
📚 Hear from big-name authors!
The Rachel Kohl Library is starting a series of virtual author talk programs. Patrons can submit questions before the conversation and hear a discussion with a well-known author via a virtual presentation. There are several very popular authors who will be taking part in the series. Check out their Programs calendar for more information.
Speaking of books
Would you be interested in a Chadds Ford Book Club? I’ve had a few readers ask about a book club, book recommendations, and other book-related ideas. Answer the survey below if you’re interested!
👣 Who said Chadds Ford isn’t walkable?
Not anymore (or at least in 16 months). 🥰 I think it will be worth the wait! Construction started a few weeks ago on Walkable Chadds Ford, and I am pumped. The plan “will create a safe, scenic pedestrian route through the heart of Chadds Ford Village,” as described by the township.
The project intends to connect certain historical and business portions of Chadds Ford to make it easier to enjoy the center of town, support local businesses, increase the interconnection of Harvey Run Trail with township organizations, and more. Check out the township’s website for more information. It’s been a labor of love, a confluence of hard-earned grant money, and many years in the making. Woo hoo!
Can we incorporate Painter’s Folly into Walkable Chadds Ford?
Painter’s Folly, that gorgeous old home that’s also home to so much Chadds Ford history, is part of the historic district that Walkable Chadds Ford will tie together. It’s been sitting relatively idle for years, and everyone agrees it deserves some love and attention.
The township has explored some preservation opportunities as well as the potential to sell it through a public auction. A group of preservation advocates and experts from around the region sees opportunities to explore a few more preservation options not yet considered before coming to a final decision about the future of Painter’s Folly.
The preservation advocates and experts created a petition on Change.org to garner support for their efforts and encourage continued coordination between the township and the advocacy group. Check it out for yourself and consider signing it if it resonates with you.
If Painter’s Folly is preserved as a historical space open to the public, regardless of its ownership, it resides in a perfect location to contribute to the Walkable Chadds Ford district, which will hopefully draw more robust use and appreciation of the historical significance of Chadds Ford, as well as garner economic support for the local businesses in and around the area.
👣 Hike of the Week 🥾
Send in your recs and photos! (details below)
The Laurels Preserve
This hike was new to me and recommended by a reader! I checked it out with a friend and loved it. Definitely a great spot to get outdoors in all sorts of weather (we walked in intermittent rain).
📍Laurels Preserve (Google Maps)
👣 Well-maintained gravel paths with some (though limited) elevation changes.
💚 The Brandywine Conservancy manages this large preserve, which was the largest conservation project in Pennsylvania at the time the easements were donated. Many of the paths are through woodland areas but have well-managed paths, so they are suitable for a variety of weather conditions (shade in the summer, not too wet when it rains, etc). I haven’t been in the winter yet, but I anticipate that it would be walkable much of the year.
The Preserve is also not far from Hood’s BBQ and Farmer and Co., so you could even grab coffee or lunch with your buddies after the hike.
Note: Use of the Laurels Preserve is limited to Brandywine Conservancy members. See their website for more details.
Details to send in your recommendations and photos!
I’d love to get your recommendations and see photos of your hikes around the Brandywine Valley (or anything within about 60 minutes or so of Chadds Ford). If you’re willing to share your ideas and/or photos, reply to this newsletter to email them to me (jen@honestlymodern.com). If you send along photos, I’ll assume you’re ok with me sharing them in this newsletter unless you say otherwise. Thank you!!
Want to see all the hikes I’ve shared? Check out the curated and growing list of Chadds Ford hikes that have been featured as the Hike of the Week. FYI: It’s behind a paywall.
Looking ahead
Here are a few other events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance. Double-check dates and times in case they’ve changed since I shared.
Weekend Plans
Brandywine Polo Club Fundraiser Event | Fri. Sept 12 at 4 pm at 232 Polo Rd, Toughkenamon, PA (benefits UCFSD Crew Club)
Concord Community Day & Fireworks | Sat. Sept 13 from 4 pm - dusk at Concord Township Park (note the new date!)
Chadds Ford Days | Sat. and Sun. Sept 13 - 14 at Chadds Ford Historical Society (artisans, food vendors, reenactors, demonstrators, and more)
Shred Event | Sat. Sept 13 from 9 am - 12 pm at WSFS Glem Mills Banking Office
Mark Your Calendars
A few more exciting and important events to put on your calendar now so you don’t miss this!
Bike the Brandywine | Sat. Sept 20 starts at Chadds Ford Historical Society
Fall Festival | Sat. Sept 20 from 10 am - 4 pm at Newlin Grist Mill
Girls in Aviation Day! | Sat. Sept 20 from 11 am - 3 pm at American Helicopter Museum
Kennett Arts Festival | Sat. and Sun. Sept 20-21 at 600 South Broad Street, Kennett Square
Sound Bath (meditation/relaxation) | Fri. Sept 26 from 5:30 - 7 pm at The Yoga Space
Brandywine Roadside Clean-Up & Ranger Hike | Sat. Sept 27 from 9:30 - 12:30 pm at Penns Wood Winery (check site for more specific details)
Fluid Motion: Yoga & Art | Fri. Oct 3 from 5 - 7 pm at The Yoga Space
Senior Citizen Expo | Thurs. Oct 9 (save the date, hosted by Concord Township)
The Great Pumpkin Carve | Thurs - Sat. Oct 16 - 18 at Chadds Ford Historical Society
Check out full event calendars for some of our best event hosts in the community.
Other events to add?
In the comments, feel free to share any other events happening in and around Chadds Ford that you think our neighbors will enjoy!
As noted in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Auditors Guide.
Me again! Lack of civics instruction in the schools is a pet peeve of mine. I have written to Sharon McMahon (GoverNerd) asking her for ideas about getting civic education back into schools, but other than thanking me for the suggestion, I have not heard anything. Even 15-30 minutes a week could teach kids the basics of civics. But there is a faction out there that likes the uneducated, so it is probably a fruitless quest.