Oxford celebrates

Congratulations to Beiler-Campbell Realtors and Appraisers, Nick Sandoval, and the New London Counseling Center for recently being honored by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce for making a difference in the local community. Beiler-Campbell Realtors and Appraisers was selected as Business of the Year, while the New London Counseling Center took home the honor as the Organization of the Year. Sandoval was honored as the Citizen of the Year.

The Oxford Chamber also honored Richard Hannum, who is retiring after more than 25 years of service to the chamber and to the community. Running a business or an organization is hard work, and it’s good that the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce honors worthy recipients in this way each year. Those who go above and beyond deserve to be recognized.

Chester County innovates

The Chester County Commissioners recently announced that Innovate Chester County projects are now getting under way. 

The Innovate Chester County projects are the result of recommendations by county citizens. These Innovate Chester County first-phase projects will support children’s mental health services, veteran resource communication, affordable housing, and the county’s community transit service, Chesco Connect.   

More than 100 individuals were selected to be part of Innovate Chester County’s work groups, following a county-wide call to action for applications.  The applications asked for professional qualifications and personal interests, as well as submitted ideas that addressed the noted county government challenges.

Utilizing the talents of county residents to specifically find solutions to needs across the county is a smart move. Residents can follow the progress of Innovate Chester County at www.chesco.org/innovatechesco. 

Kennett Decides

The Borough of Kennett Square and Square Roots Collective are launching a new initiative to develop and fund community projects, and they are seeking ideas from the public to develop and fund these projects. Called Kennett Decides, the public-private partnership will be guided by a steering committee with Kennett residents and representatives from other Kennett organizations such as Kennett Collaborative and Casa Guanajuato. The goal is to enlist community input in how best to spend $100,000 in funds allocated for the project.

Kennett Square Borough and partner organizations will seek project ideas from the public, and anyone who lives or works in Kennett Square will have the opportunity to vote on which ideas to fund. Beginning May 1, the public can suggest ideas for a community project at www.kennettdecides.com. The deadline to submit ideas is July 18. All project suggestions will be reviewed, and applicable projects will be put on the ballot for a public vote in the fall. The fact that Kennett Square Borough stakeholders get to decide on projects is great.