Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, has been elected Chairman of the Board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Greater Philadelphia region’s federally-designated metropolitan planning organization.
Maxwell, 40, was elected as DVRPC Board Chair to serve for fiscal year 2025, and in this role, will oversee an 18-member board that represents the nine-county Greater Philadelphia region. In addition to defining the duties of the Office of the DVRPC Executive Director and DVRPC committees, the Board establishes regional transportation policies, and determines transportation priorities and the allocation of transportation funds to meet those priorities.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Commissioner Maxwell, and I look forward to his leadership as we work together to realize our vision for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable region,” said DVRPC Executive Director Ariella Maron. “As DVRPC Board Chair, Commissioner Maxwell will continue to foster cross-county and bi-state collaboration to address the myriad transportation, environmental, and economic challenges facing us and move our region forward.”
“It’s my firm commitment to ensure that Southeast PA, Pennsylvania’s economic driver, receives its fair share of transportation funding,” said Maxwell. “Equally important is our responsibility to spend this funding in the most efficient way possible.
“I am honored to be elected as DVRPC Chair for the coming year and look forward to working with staff and fellow board members to advance transportation projects and attract Federal funds for public transportation projects that are crucial to our region,” he added.
Tim Philps, Executive Director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) said, “The Board of Directors of TMACC are excited that Commissioner Maxwell has been elected Chair of DVRPC. He brings to this role a broad perspective of public policy knowledge, especially in health and human services. As we address the multimodal needs of residents, nonprofit service organizations and employers, we are able to have deeper conversations about the needs of people to improve the quality of life.
“Josh has been a staunch supporter of access to public transportation and trails, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and well-informed land-use planning, while recognizing the need for highway improvement to support regional economic growth,” added Phelps. “His leadership and vision as a TMACC board member have been invaluable to us, and we look forward to his continued impact in our region as chair of DVRPC,” he said.
The DVRPC was formed in 1965 to provide comprehensive, coordinated planning for the orderly growth and development of, initially, southeastern Pennsylvania and, later, southern New Jersey. The region includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties in New Jersey. An interstate, intercounty and intercity agency, DVRPC is an advisory agency focusing on regional policy and capital funding issues for transportation, economic development, and environment and land use.
The nonprofit trying to persuade local governments to sue “Big Oil” producers for damages allegedly caused by climate change has been making steady advances to Chester and Delaware counties, according to an email provided to Broad + Liberty.
The revelation comes just two months after the Bucks County Board of Commissioners announced it would sue major oil producers like BP, Chevron, Exxon, and others, arguing that the companies knew for decades that their products would cause climate change yet took no action. Several days after the announcement, the only Republican on the three-person board, Gene DiGirolamo, withdrew his support for the suit.
Indeed, it appears as if the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) was eager to use its success with Bucks County as a springboard.
Bucks County became the first local government in the commonwealth to take up the kind of suit that first began to sprout up about a decade ago. For example, in 2016, San Francisco and some other California municipalities sued longtime oil producers. Bucks County is being represented by the law firm DiCello Levitt on a contingency basis, meaning the county does not pay the lawyers unless the lawyers win the case.
In an email sent March 18, 2024, a senior political associate for CCI emailed Delaware County Councilmember Christine Reuther, and cc’d Bucks Commissioner Bob Harvie, both Democrats.
“My name is David Zeballos and I’m with the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI), a nonprofit that helps elected officials and their communities hold oil and gas corporations accountable for the massive costs of climate change. I’ve met with a number of folks who have told me about the southeast PA regional call that you are now leading! That includes Council Member Elaine Schaefer, Commissioner Bob Harvie, Commissioner Josh Maxwell, and Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, who all expressed support about the work CCI does,” Zeballos wrote.
“Do you have any availability for a 30 min Zoom meeting to talk about our work in Pennsylvania and areas for collaboration?” Zeballos wrote later in the email.
The Center for Climate Integrity is a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit that says its mission is to “educate communities and elected officials about the role of polluters in causing climate change and the need to hold polluters accountable for their actions.”
A spokesperson for Chester County said no action is imminent, but noted that could change.
“Chester County is not considering a similar lawsuit at this time,” spokesperson Michelle Bjork said. “However, we will continue to monitor any developments in Bucks County’s case and will reevaluate as needed.”
“Chester County’s commitment to protecting the environment and our residents is demonstrated by our efforts to preserve more than 30 percent of the County as permanently protected open space and we will continue to explore all avenues to safeguard our community,” Bjork said.
Requests for comment to Delaware and Bucks counties were not returned. A request for comment to CCI was also not returned.
Delaware County already has something of an established relationship with CCI. County Council Chair Monica Taylor (D) is listed as a member of CCI’s “leaders network” and recently participated in the press roll out of a major CCI study.
In November, Taylor rattled her rhetorical sword about the need to punish oil producers in a Politicoarticle.
“I agree that it’s not fair for this burden of addressing climate change to fall only on our residents,” Taylor said. “Polluters should and must pay.”
Yet the politics of oil are very different between Bucks and Delaware counties. In Delaware, thousands of people are employed in the industry at places like the Marcus Hook LNG terminal.
Counties do receive annual payouts from Pennsylvania’s “Act 13” of 2012, commonly known as the “impact fee” imposed on “unconventional” gas wells and distributed to counties and municipalities to help them maintain the environment, or to offset the wear on infrastructure from oil and gas drilling.
For example, for the five years from 2019 to 2023, Bucks County received $2.76 million from the impact fee, even though there are no active wells in the county. Delaware County took in $2.45 million over the same period, according to a state website devoted to Act 13 revenues and disbursements.
The impact fee delivered $179 million across all governments in the commonwealth in 2023.
In Western Pennsylvania, CCI gave a presentation in April on “climate accountability” to an environmental subcommittee of the Allegheny County Council. At the time, a council member said it would be premature to assume the county would sue oil producers.
Some of the initial lawsuits against Big Oil have already failed. In 2019, a New York judge ruled in Exxon’s favor, but as is often the case, the message of the ruling was nuanced, with Justice Barry Ostrager of the New York State Supreme Court writing, “this is a securities fraud case, not a climate change case.”
Other cases remain in progress, and, “[t]he number of climate-related cases against Exxon continues to grow,” the Wall Street Journal recently reported.
“In February, the city of Chicago sued Exxon and other major oil companies alleging they deceived Chicagoans about climate change. In March, Bucks County, Penn., filed a similar suit. The Center for Climate Integrity, an environmental group the Rockefeller charities helped create, swayed officials in both places to bring the suits.”
IRS filings show CCI is predominantly funded by the Rockefeller Family Fund, the philanthropic endeavor established by the legendary New York family whose business pursuits in the earliest parts of the 20th century produced Standard Oil, the petroleum monopoly whose most prominent corporate successor is Exxon.
The Journal also reported that the Rockefeller Family Fund “influenced President Biden’s decision in January to pause approval of new liquefied natural gas exports,” — a decision that touched off bipartisan condemnations in Pennsylvania, the nation’s largest LNG exporter.
“While the immediate impacts on Pennsylvania remain to be seen, we have concerns about the long-term impacts that this pause will have on the thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry,” Democratic U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman said in a joint statement. “If this decision puts Pennsylvania energy jobs at risk, we will push the Biden Administration to reverse this decision.”
Numerous other politicians, including many Republicans, and associations also heavily criticized the Biden LNG “pause” — something that could easily become an issue in the presidential election this year if circumstances continue to make Pennsylvania a crucial battleground state.
The email cited in this story was obtained via the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law by the nonprofit organization Government Accountability and Oversight. A database search of nonprofit tax filings did not reveal any significant grant donations to GAO in order to be able to characterize its funding.
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the hiring of five new deputies and the promotion of a Deputy to Corporal
The office welcomed Deputy Nicholas Fernandez (recipient of the Police Academy’s Physical Conditioning Award), Deputy Angel Chimal Rodrigues (recipient of the Police Academy’s Academic Achievement Award) and Deputy Ernesto Pinda, who have completed their training at the Delaware County Community College’s Police Academy and have demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication to law enforcement. Also, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Deputy Brett Popiny, who joins us from Telford Borough Police Department with over a decade of experience in law enforcement and Kiri Burgos, who has been with the agency for two years, being promoted from Security Operator to Deputy.
Kelly McGonigal, who has been with us for four years, has been promoted from Deputy to Corporal. Their promotions reflect their dedication and contributions to the mission and vision of the Sheriff’s Office.
Since the new administration took office, we have hired 20 new staff members. Furthermore, the office has implemented an aggressive recruitment and retention plan to continue attracting the best deputies in the county, as well as expanding our digital presence to recruit via social media, ensuring we continue to reach a broader and more diverse pool of candidates.
Added Sheriff Kevin Dykes, “In spite of the challenges we face both locally and nationally with law enforcement hiring, I am extremely proud of our agency’s commitment to staffing the best deputies in Chester County. I am delighted to welcome our new deputies and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in ensuring public safety throughout the county.”
The Republican Committee of Chester County (RCCC) convened on Tuesday for its biennial reorganization meeting, where the election of officers took place. Raffi Terzian, M.D., the current RCCC Chairman, ran unopposed and was reelected, continuing his leadership along with a strong and committed slate of officers.
The newly elected officers are as follows:
· Executive Vice-Chair: Ted Murphy
· Vice-Chair: Paula Tropiano
· Treasurer: Barbara Spall
· Financial Secretary: Beverly Pancott
· Secretary: Lin-Marie Salvato
· Assistant Secretary: Jonathan McGrath
Dr. Terzian expressed his gratitude and said he was honored to continue serving with such a highly qualified team. He thanked the committee for placing confidence in him and his team to continue leading the RCCC and Chester County Republican Party forward.
Dr. Terzian also emphasized the significance of unity within the party.
“We must stand together, united in our focus and purpose as Republicans, to ensure the success of our entire slate of candidates this fall.”
This reorganization marks a significant step in the ongoing rebuilding efforts of the RCCC. Under Dr. Terzian’s leadership, the committee has been focused on revitalizing its structure, enhancing community engagement, and strengthening grassroots efforts. The team is committed to sustaining this progress, working tirelessly to rebuild and enhance the RCCC’s impact throughout Chester County.
After serving nine years as Chester County commissioner, Michelle H. Kichline joined Lamb McErlane PC as an of counsel attorney.
Kichline will focus her practice on municipal and government law, as well as litigation. During her time as commissioner, Kichline served as the Chair of the board and the chair of the county Election Board.
She developed regional planning expertise while serving on the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and garnered experience in transportation related issues as a board member on the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVF) and Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC).
Her service as a board member on both the Delaware River Port Authority and on the Regional Advisory Committee III for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) give her valuable insight into multi-state governmental operations.
Her work as a board member of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) has broadened her knowledge of all aspects of county government. Her time as both chair of the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors and the chair of its Zoning Hearing Board makes her one of the few attorneys in the region with local, county and state government experience as an elected official.
“I know Michelle had multiple suitors, and am thrilled she chose to join us,” said Joel L. Frank, Lamb McErlane’s chairman and managing partner. “There are not many attorneys who possess the diversification and sophistication of experience that Michelle does. Those attributes certainly will serve our clients well.”
Kichline’s leadership in the business and transportation communities has been recognized by multiple organizations. Kichline received the Leadership Award for Elected Service from the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Association; the Senator Robert J. Thompson Public Service Award from the Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Helena Devereux Women in Leadership award from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce.
“I am eager to continue my career with Lamb McErlane, one of the most well-regarded law firms in the region. I am looking forward to bringing my unique perspective and knowledge to assist the firm and its clients, as well as continuing my community and regional involvement,” remarked Kichline. Kichline attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate studies and earned her JD from Beasley School of Law at Temple University.
Lamb McErlane PC is a full service regional law firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Newtown Square, Oxford, Exton and Mount Laurel, N.J. The firm has 48 attorneys and it offers an environment focused on personal attention and results. Bringing the sophistication and experience equated with large, metropolitan firms, Lamb McErlane’s offers a highly efficient, goal oriented and focused approach.
Danelo Cavalcante, whose two-week escape from Chester County Prison had county residents on high alert, faces more charges related to his time on the lam.
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced several new charges against Cavalcante, a Chester County Prison inmate who escaped from prison on August 31. The charges, filed by the Pennsylvania State Police, regard Cavalcante’s activities during the two weeks he was on the run from authorities. The Office of the Attorney General will prosecute the case.
Investigators allege that Cavalcante stole items to help him change his appearance, a getaway vehicle, and a rifle with ammunition. Members of the state and local police, county detectives, the U.S. Border Patrol, and other law enforcement officers sought Cavalcante day and night until he was captured on Sept. 12. A Border Patrol K-9 named Yoda clamped down on the fugitive as law enforcement closed in.
Cavalcante, 34, was serving a life sentence in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend and awaiting transfer to a state prison when he escaped from Chester County Prison. He had also faced murder charges in his native Brazil, officials said.
According to the new charges, he burglarized two homes in Pennsbury and South Coventry townships, stealing the firearm, clothing, and a shaving razor. He is charged with stealing a Ford transit van from a dairy in Pocopson Township.
Residents were outraged after learning that another prisoner used the same method of crab-walking up two walls to a roof to escape the prison in May. Under the leadership of acting Warden Howard Holland, the prison is stepping up security measures and will be enclosing the exercise areas to prevent further escapes.
And, although some of the Chester County Republican candidates seized upon the escape to question their Democratic counterparts’ competence, that failed to secure election wins in November.
“The defendant used all means necessary to escape from prison and stay hidden from authorities. These offenses aided his efforts and elevated his threat to the public,” said Henry. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of law enforcement, Cavalcante is in custody and will be prosecuted for all of his crimes. My office is committed to keeping Pennsylvanians safe and holding those accountable who jeopardize the public’s well-being.”
On Monday, officials charged Cavalcante with 20 offenses, including felony counts of burglary, criminal trespassing, theft, and possession of a firearm. He is expected to be arraigned on the new charges on Friday.
“The new charges against Cavalcante speak to the lengths he went to in his unsuccessful efforts to elude law enforcement,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Pennsylvania State Police Deputy Commissioner of Operations. “We appreciate the Office of Attorney General’s work in prosecuting the case and remain thankful to the residents of Chester County for their support during the search and to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their assistance.”
District Attorney Deb Ryan ssaid, “The defendant caused a nightmare for the residents in this county, and he must be held accountable for his actions. Hundreds of law enforcement officers worked around the clock to ensure his capture and they were successful because of their hard work and dedication. The greatest outcome here was that no one was injured, and the police did an outstanding job keeping us safe. My office got justice for the Brandao family after Deborah’s murder and the Attorney General’s Office will get justice for the other residents he victimized.
All charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, officials said. Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Phillips is prosecuting this case.
Cavalcante is being held at State Corrections Institute Phoenix in Skippack.
Chester County marked the start of Operation Green Light this week with a ceremony honoring the county’s 24,000-plus veterans, held in front of the County’s Historic Courthouse.
Operation Green Light recognizes the sacrifices of veterans nationwide, shining a green light to show that veterans and their families are seen and appreciated. Chester County joins counties across the U.S., and from November 6-12 the Historic Courthouse will be illuminated in green.
The Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs and Coatesville VA Medical Center encouraged residents and businesses in the county to add their support for Operation Green Light by replacing a porch light or lamp with a green light bulb. Through a donation by Walmart, thousands of free green light bulbs were available to help with the support.
Speakers at the County’s Operation Green Light event included Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell; Jim Oram, Chair of the Chester County Veterans Advisory Council; Devin Hill, Chester County Veterans’ Service Officer; Jennifer Harkins, Director of the Coatesville VA Medical Center; Andrew Lippert, Decorated Veteran and Congressional Aide for Rep. Chrissy Houlahan; and Dawn Young, Market Manager for Walmart.
For more information on the programs and services offered to veterans and their families by the Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs.
Delaware County Council recently appointed Dr. Albert Chu as the county’s Chief Medical Examiner.
The mission of the medical examiner is to conduct expert medicolegal investigations into deaths that occur under statutorily prescribed circumstances. The findings of these investigations are then independently shared with members of the public and relevant agencies to improve public safety and health. Chu will lead the Medical Examiner’s Office and its departments, including administration, autopsy, evidence, forensic investigation, and morgue operations.
Dr. Chu completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He then completed an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and a Forensic Pathology fellowship at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland. Before becoming Chief Medical Examiner, he served as an Assistant Medical Examiner at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston, Texas, and as deputy chief medical examiner for the City of Philadelphia.
“The ultimate goal is to create a Medical Examiner’s office that optimally serves our stakeholders – including family members, funeral homes, organ procurement organizations, law enforcement, attorneys, courts, hospitals, educational institutions, and public health agencies – using employing best practices and utilizing up-to-date technology, “said Chu.
Steps to fulfill this goal include addressing staffing issues, training new and current employees, and developing policies and procedures that will allow the Medical Examiner’s Office to standardize and optimize best work practices. Future plans include designing and constructing a new, state-of-the-art facility to replace the county’s aging building. Relocation into this facility will allow the office to apply for National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accreditation.
“Accreditation by NAME would be tangible recognition that we are successfully providing the highest quality of medicolegal death investigation for the county,” said Chu.
On November 7, 2023, Chester County voters will elect five judges to serve on the Court of Common Pleas, the county’s trial court that hear criminal prosecutions and civil cases — that include contract disputes, personal injury claims, divorce, custody, and local government appeals.
Such a critical position demands, not only a keen knowledge of the law, but also judicial temperament — a trait that includes objectivity, fairness, open-mindedness and ability to render decisions without bias or prejudice. Having had the privilege of practicing law alongside Andy Rongaus for the past four years, I can attest without equivocation that he possesses such knowledge and attributes that qualify him to serve as judge.
Andy has over twenty years’ experience as a state prosecutor and government attorney in the criminal and civil practice areas. He served as Deputy Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania State Police and Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in Narcotics and Drug Law Enforcement. Andy has also served our community as a volunteer firefighter for over thirty years.
Since joining our law firm as a partner, Andy has employed his skills as an outstanding trial attorney, representing police officers in federal civil rights lawsuits and labor disputes. Outside the courtroom, he has also shown tremendous proficiency in advising public officials on governmental policies designed to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare.
Andy’s record of achievement as both a government and private attorney demonstrates his unquestionable commitment to law and order and the pursuit of justice. For these reasons, I have no doubt that he will bring honor to the bench and implore all County voters to cast their ballot for him on November 7th.
The lack of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical volunteers statewide -including the Delaware Valley – is a crisis.
Since the 1970s, volunteer firefighters’ ranks in Pennsylvania have dropped from 360,000 to fewer than 37,000, state Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) said previously.
“When you have higher call volume and fewer people responding, the demands get greater,” Farry said.
On Thursday, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline took a step to address that crisis by approving an ordinance enacting a tax rebate for volunteer members of Chester County-based fire companies and not-for-profit emergency medical services agencies.
The Active Volunteer Real Estate Tax Rebate Ordinance provides a financial incentive, in the form of a rebate, on Chester County real estate tax for first responder volunteers.
Volunteers can be an emergency responders, an administrative member of a fire company or EMS agency, or both.
“Generations of families in Chester County have made it their mission to serve their family, friends, neighbors, and community as volunteer firefighters and EMTs. It is a responsibility that requires extensive training and time, with a dedication like no other,” said Moskowitz. “This rebate is one way we can show how valued these volunteers are and add value for future generations of volunteer first responders.”
Chester County’s Active Volunteer Real Estate Tax Rebate program is based on a point system earned through emergency response calls, training, meeting attendance, public education activities, leadership roles, and other activities such as fundraising events. Attaining the maximum =points available will result in a 100 percent rebate on the county property tax, with lower point levels resulting in a lesser percentage tax rebate.
Volunteers must be residents of Chester County who volunteer with an eligible agency.
Maxwell said, “This real estate tax rebate is one of the commonwealth’s most comprehensive tax incentive programs and is the only such program in southeastern Pennsylvania. Our first responder volunteers are there for us every hour of every day, saving lives, and are very deserving of this. They give back to our communities in such an important way, and the least we can do is give back to them in the form of a rebate.”
Kichline added, “Chester County is the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania, so our population growth increases the need for first responder services – at a time when volunteerism is waning. We must find ways to keep our volunteers and attract new ones. By signing this ordinance today, Chester County is taking an important step to retain the expertise of the volunteer first responders that we have now and to incentivize those who are seriously thinking of becoming volunteers.”
The number of volunteer firefighters across America is rapidly declining, officials said. The volunteer incentive passed by the Chester County commissioners should help address volunteer recruitment and retention.
“I commend the commissioners for enacting this tax credit for the Volunteer First Responders in Chester County,” said Gerald R. DiNunzio Jr., president of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association.
Phoenixville Fire Chief Eamon Brazunas told DVJournal the state legislature passed a law permitting the tax rebates in 2020, and some towns and counties have enacted it.
“The volunteer situation is a severe crisis, to say the least,” said Brazunas. “Anything that can be done to provide a new tool in the toolbox is great.”
He said he hopes the tax rebate will encourage volunteers to sign up and help fire companies retain their existing volunteers.
“It’s not automatic,” said Brazunas. “You have to work for it. And that’s a good thing.”
He said the free service of volunteer firefighters and EMS members is “a major savings” for municipalities. Otherwise, they would have to pay workers salaries and benefits, driving up costs and taxes.
“It’s a win-win for the community,” said Brazunas.
The ordinance signed by the commissioners is effective immediately, with volunteers being eligible for a real estate tax rebate applicable to the 2024 tax year for service provided between January 1 through December 31, 2023. County staff will contact all eligible volunteer fire and EMS agencies to share the criteria and application process for the real estate tax rebate program.
