The Yellow Dot and Emergency Contact Information (ECI) programs help first responders get contact and medical data for citizens involved in emergency situations.

As national Emergency Medical Services Week winds down, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) wants to encourage residents to sign up for two free initiatives aimed at saving lives in emergencies – the Yellow Dot and Emergency Contact Information (ECI) programs.

“Emergency responders need as much information as possible as quickly as possible when victims are in a crash or emergency situation,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said in a news release. “These programs provide vital information on victims when they can’t speak for themselves.”

Participants in the Yellow Dot program fill out the program form with their emergency contact, medical contact, and medical information, insert it in the program’s folder and then place it in their vehicle’s glove compartment. Participants then place a yellow dot sticker on their vehicle’s rear window. This sticker alerts emergency responders to check a vehicle’s glove compartment for the folder, helping emergency responders provide specific care to participants after a crash.

The ECI program offers Pennsylvania driver’s license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Customers can update the information as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view their information in the system. In emergencies, law enforcement can use participants’ ID to find their emergency contact information.

While the Yellow Dot program is used only in vehicle crashes, the ECI program is usable in other emergencies. Since Gov. Tom Corbett announced the programs in November 2012, nearly 100,000 Yellow Dot kits have been distributed and 12,400 people have registered for the ECI program.

To learn more about the Yellow Dot program or to sign up for a program folder, visit www.YellowDot.pa.gov. To sign up for the ECI program, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on the program icon.

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Tuesday’s Primary election largely set up this November’s election slate — although in a handful of municipal races, incumbent supervisor candidates were knocked off their party’s ballot.

Turnout for the election was very light: just 10.45% of voters registered as Republican or Democrat turned out to the polls, according to figures released by Chester County Voter Services. Democratic turnout was particularly dismal, with just 9.79% of registered Democrats turning out, Tuesday.

In terms of the county-wide judicial and row-office races, both parties managed to hold serve and held off some aggressive write-in campaigns.

In the high-profile race for Court of Common Pleas, Republicans Jeff Sommer (34.51%) and Pat Carmody (42.99%) won the GOP nod, but Democrat Julia Malloy-Good garnered some 15.28% of the Republican vote. In the same race on the Democratic side, Democrats Malloy-Good (44.99%) and Tony Verwey (29.48%) won their party nomination, but Carmody posted strong numbers (17.24%) finishing third. In judicial and school board races, candidates can file for both party nominations.

The row office races were more cut and dried: Republicans Norm MacQueen (Controller), Ann Duke (Treasurer), Robin Marcello (Clerk of Courts) and Gordon Eck (Coroner) all got more than 99% of the vote in their primaries. Democrats Nina Haslip (Treasurer), Carmen Boyd (Controller), Tisha Brown (Clerk of Courts) and Howard Jones (Coroner) all got at least 98% of their respective party vote. The two slates will face off in November.

A hotly contested District Justice Race — in District 15-2-03 — will likely carry over to November as a race to watch. Incumbent William Kraut won the GOP nod, but was unable to hold off Chris Pielli for the Democratic nod, as both outdistanced third place finisher P.J. Redmond. Combining the two votes in the cross-filed race, Kraut got just 31 votes more than Pielli.

Elsewhere, there were only a handful of contested races, although a number of school board primaries will set up November election races.

In The Kennett Consolidated School District, Region A (Kennett Square) Republican incumbent Doug Stirling won easily in his primary, with no Democrat on the ballot. In Region B (New Garden), Kendra LaCosta held off incumbent Joe Meola for both the Democratic and Republican nominations, all but assuring her victory in November. In Region C (Kennett Township/East Marlborough), incumbent Heather Schaen won both party nominations as well.

In municipal races, there were a handful of contested races.

In Kennett Township, Republican Jim Przwitowski won 310 votes and the GOP nomination for supervisor, while Democrat Richard Leff garnered 385 votes to win his party’s nomination. The two will square off in November.

In Kennett Square, Republicans Danilo Maffei and Geoffrey Bosley won two of four nominations for Borough Council. Some 86 additional votes were cast. No Democrat appeared on the ballot, but 120 write-in votes were cast. Republican Matt Fetick won nomination for another term as mayor. No Democrat was on the ballot.

In New Garden, Republican Richard Ayotte won his party nomination for supervisor (with 46-write-in votes cast toward a second slot), while Democrats Richard Zimny and Mike Donovan won the GOP nod.

State police from the Avondale barracks will be conducting a free child safety-seat check-up on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Avondale Fire Company, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale, police said Tuesday.

The event is being held in conjunction with the “Click It or Ticket” campaign and is by appointment only. To reserve a spot, call Trooper Corey Monthei at 610-268-2102.

Troopers certified as child safety-seat technicians will assist parent with the installation of child safety seats and will also offer information on best practices and common misuse issues, police said.

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

Kennett Township Supervisor Scudder G. Stevens presents a summary of information he received from his numerous Right-to-Know requests from the township.

Kennett Township finances dominated Monday night’s supervisors’ meeting, ranging from the first-quarter financial report to a summary of a right-to-know request that has spawned controversy as well as changes in auditing procedures.

Supervisor Scudder G. Stevens, who won election in 2011 on a platform of improving the township’s transparency, filed a public-records request during his campaign that has been subject to ongoing challenges from the township. At Monday night’s meeting, Stevens fulfilled a promise made at the last supervisors’ meeting when he was asked by two residents to share what he learned from the voluminous materials he obtained.

Among his disclosures, which only “scratched the surface,” Stevens said he found a disturbing pattern of closed-door activities and unchecked power by township supervisors. For example, he said the supervisors improperly took cash payments for their personal and spouses’ health care that was never reimbursed.

Calling Supervisors’ Chairman Michael E. Elling “a harsh enemy,” Stevens said an acrimonious dispute between Elling and the Kennett Land Trust led to the trust’s move out of the township – and a name change to the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, an outcome that did not benefit residents. He said he also had questions about whether the purchase of the State Line Woods property was handled in the township’s best interest.

Several residents suggested that Stevens’ criticism spilled into the township’s commissions and committees and township employees, but Stevens’ said his remarks were directed at the supervisors,  “not to castigate volunteers and paid staff.” He said he had great respect for the work they do.

Stevens said he had received information that may lead to Ed Johnson, the mystery auditor who prepared the 2009 and 2010 township audit and allegedly disappeared.  Stevens said he would turn that information over to Police Chief Albert McCarthy.

Township Manager Lisa M. Moore presented the first-quarter financial report, which she said would get posted on the township’s web site.  Describing a “quite healthy” financial picture, she said overall general fund expenses were 34 percent higher than last year but 1 percent less than budgeted for the first quarter. She said some new accounting changes would facilitate accountability. Several residents credited the township’s Business Advisory Committee will assistance in that regard.

Bill Hewton, a former township supervisor, expressed disappointment that Elling, who did not attend Monday night’s meeting, and Supervisor Robert A. Hammaker, ignored the wishes of many residents and voted to approve the Longwood Gardens’ demolition permit for three historic cottages on U.S. 1 at a work session on May 7. He said work sessions were intended for discussion, not official voting.

Hammaker said the vote was needed because “we had a deadline,” but he declined to elaborate. “I think it was wrong,” said Hewton as several residents nodded in agreement. “I think it was wrong to do that at a workshop session.”

In other business, the supervisors approved three ordinances, all of which appear on the township’s web site.  Two involved sewage and the other dealt with registration for non-resident earned income tax.

On June 5, Moore and the supervisors will meet with the county commissioners regarding the future of the Chandler Mill Bridge, a historic, county-owned span has been awash in conflict for several years. The deteriorating structure was closed amid disagreement over whether it should be razed or rehabilitated.

Litigation over Stevens’ Right-to-Know request ended earlier this spring when the township, which had appealed the Open Records decision to county court,  signed off on an agreement authorizing Moore to begin redacting personal information, such as Social Security numbers, from the township’s QuickBooks software. It is not expected that the information on the township’s finances will be available before the end of August.

Two Kennett Square residents were arrested for suspected drunken-driving in separate traffic stops, police said.

Jose Martinez-Diaz, 28, was pulled over on May 5 at 10:05 p.m. in the 200 block of South Willow Street, and Jose Gomez-Martinez, 29, was detained in the 500 block of South Union Street on May 6 at 10:31 p.m., police said.

A pedestrian stop on May 5 at 2:45 a.m. in the 500 block of East State Street revealed that Brandon Lerew, 26, of Stewartstown, had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear from Dauphin County; Lerew was transported to Chester County Prison, police said.

Kennett Square police said they cited Eugene Boddy, 37, of Kennett Square, for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass following an incident on May 5 at 7 a.m. in the 300 block of Birch Street.

 Police said a 17-year-old male from West Grove was referred to juvenile authorities after a pedestrian stop on May 6 at  7:28 p.m. on the railroad tracks at Center Street and Las Rosas Drive. According to police, the teen was in possession of a controlled substance.

Two reported burglaries are under investigation, police said. One occurred between 12 a.m. and 6:33 p.m. on May 6 at a residence in the 200 block of South Walnut Street although nothing appeared to be missing, police said. The second occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 5:17 p.m. on May 8 in the 500 block of Kenview Avenue; $40 in change was reported missing, police said.

Kenneth Bermudez, 22, of Coatesville, was cited for disorderly conduct following a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Cypress Street on May 11 at 1:52 p.m., police said.

The annual Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade will honor the nation’s past and present military.

KENNETT SQUARE — It’s time for spectators to stake out their viewing spot for the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, starting at 10 a.m.

Organizers announced a slight change in the route on Monday for the more than 1,000 participants – ranging from marching bands and color guards, including Unionville and Kennett high schools, to historic re-enactors, WWII Grand Marshalls, bag pipers, and fife drum companies.

The parade will begin at the Kennett High School on South Street and march up South Broad Street and then turn left onto East State Street. Then the parade will turn right onto North Union Street and end in the Union Hill Cemetery with a ceremony for the war veterans.

Among the highlights of this year’s parade will be the Joseph A. Ferko Mummers String Band, Marine Color Guard, more than 100 veterans in antique military vehicles and convertibles, Dixie Demon Alumni Band, Penn Dixie Band, Christiana Clampetts, Lion Club Band, Ameri-Kids Choral, Camptown Shakers Civil War Band, Bayard Middle School Drumline, 1899 Carousel Street Organ, Antique Bikes, Uncle Sams, Shriner’s Mini Cycles, Antique Helicopter, 1940’s Andrew Sisters, Service Clubs, Churches, Floats, Upland Country Day School, Singing Summer Camp Choral, Scouts, KAU Little League, and a Chinese Folk Dance Troupe.

A bogus request for a pizza delivery on Thursday led to the armed robbery of a deliveryman, New Garden Township Police said.

Police said the 23-year-old victim pulled into the expected delivery location at approximately 10 p.m. -  in the 100 block of Old Limestone Road in Landenberg, just north of the Delaware state line. The victim said he noticed a vehicle pull into the driveway right after him, which he thought was odd, police said.

The victim said that he attempted to call the number listed on the delivery ticket when he noticed a 30ish white male, about six-foot-1 and 180 pounds approaching, police said.  The victim said he proceeded to retrieve the food order and looked up to see the man had pulled a black fleece-type shirt up over his face and a black baseball cap down to conceal his identity, police said.

 The man then displayed a small black revolver and demanded all the victim’s money, cellphone, and car keys, police said.  The suspect ordered the victim to turn around and begin to walk.  The victim told police he complied, but that once he had gone some distance, he began to run toward the road, where he flagged down a passerby to call 9-1-1.

Police said the suspect fled the area in an unknown direction, and the preliminary investigation revealed that the residents at the delivery location had not ordered pizza and were not involved in the crime. Police said the victim was understandably upset but physically unharmed in the incident.

The investigation is continuing, and police are requesting that with information contact the department at 610-268-3171 or its Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 610-268-2907, ext. 222.

Organizers hope the 2013 WALK Against Hate will help foster diversity and end prejudice.

Kennett Middle School students, relatives, and neighbors are inviting others to participate with them in the Third Annual WALK Against Hate on Sunday in Philadelphia from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in an effort to end the injustices of prejudice, the 5K-route will begin on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The registration fee for the WALK is $10 for adults and $5 for youths.  To register online, go to  http://bit.ly/12BmQOe, then click the “Join Our Team” link at the top of the page.  Participants should arrive at Kennett High School for a bus that leaves at noon and will return about 4:45 p.m.

Those who can’t participate in person can sponsor an individual walker or the whole Kennett team. Contributions of any size will be appreciated; donations can be made at http://bit.ly/YJOAkg.
Funds raised through the WALK Against Hate will help support the Anti-Defamation League’s mission and programming such as No Place For Hate. Kennett Middle School earned the No Place For Hate Designation last fall for club activities centered on diversity and anti-bullying.