Live in West Chester? Want to? Follow along.
I don’t know if I’ve ever frequented an establishment based solely on the color of the owner’s skin but I do know a community is better served when it is served a variety of cultures, experiences and viewpoints. Special thanks to Heather Bee of the Odd Bee for letting me share her list of West Chester black-owned businesses so we can keep that diversity strong.
Last month the West Chester Area Council of Governments launched its West Chester Area Clean Energy Future campaign. The campaign is made up of four community engagement modules designed to walk constituents through lessening, then greening their energy consumption. Think of this as the first step toward shrinking the town’s energy use – one resident at a time.
Before we leave 2020 to be officially dissected in the history books, I wanted to follow up on one last thing – the Borough real estate tax increase. To meet 2021 fiscal responsibilities Borough Council enacted a six percent tax increase on all taxable property in the Borough – but exactly how much is a six percent increase going to cost? Here’s how to find out.
As the world sweats the restaurant business, West Chester is looking at five new establishments on the horizon. One is already here, another is coming soon and two to three more could be open by spring. So, loosen up those pants and get ready to try someplace new (and of course, continue to support all your old favorites.)
Have you seen the teepee in Everhart park? Well, here’s the backstory on the mysterious eight-foot structure that appeared during the height of the pandemic when schools were shuttered and the playground equipment was wrapped with caution tape. Six months after its completion it continues surprise and delight kids across the Borough (and beyond).
Up on the side of the building at 119 East Market Street lines are drawn. Large angular shapes are now visible. Vote is sketched loud and proud. Soon color will be added. Downtown West Chester’s first mural, in who knows how long, is coming together.
To help protect restaurants during the colder months and boost confidence in dining indoors, Pennsylvania recently launched its Open & Certified campaign. As of this writing, there are 39 West Chester restaurants participating including 18 in the Borough. See who is in and what it means to be certified.
Lanternfly tape is popping all over the Borough, and while, all those dead little bodies might make you feel good, is it doing more harm than good? A West Chester horticultural manager lobbies for an outright ban. Plus, follow these two best practices, if you are going to use it.
As we’ve known for a while now, the Borough of West Chester is in a bit of a financial crisis. Last month the Borough Department heads met to make their initial 2021 budget presentations to the Borough’s Finance and Revenue committee and the general takeaway is, if nothing changes, the Borough is expecting a nearly $1.7-million-dollar deficit to its general fund next year. There are generally two ways to deal with a deficit: cut projects or raise taxes.
In honor of National Black Business Month and the return of school, we are featuring a profile of West Chester’s own Tonya Walls and Little Faces Childcare Center. Tonya introduced the Borough to Little Faces 10 years ago when she noticed that families on the west end were lacking in childcare services.
