I hope everyone has been staying warm. These past few days have been brutal, and I am not looking forward to a weekend of freezing temperatures and a Super Bowl with no Eagles! Ugh!
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But I am looking forward to the beginning of budget season with optimism. On Tuesday we heard from Governor Shapiro as he presented his ideas to continue moving PA forward. From education funding and support for our seniors, to additional investments in public safety (police and fire) to more support for childcare providers and working families, the Governor continues to focus on issues impacting everyday Pennsylvanians.
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He also spoke extensively about ways to make life more affordable by supporting reliable infrastructure and protecting consumers through efforts to cap energy costs in response to the increasing frequency of price spikes, and by strengthening the programs that help families manage monthly utility bills.
I was definitely disappointed to not hear anything specific about health care and how we address the thousands of people who are losing health insurance -- this will need to be addressed as we will all feel the negative impacts. I am also concerned about public transit, as the ideas for new revenue include taxing skill games and the legalization of recreational marijuana still seem to be a heavy lift. But answering these questions to set a path for merging the priorities of the Governor and the legislature is what will be happening over the next few weeks as we hold many hours of budget hearings with state departments and meet with stakeholder groups. The June 30th budget deadline looms, and my hope is we can get this done without the impasse we experienced last year.
Speaking of June 30th, we continue to plan for events coming up over the next few months. We kicked off our "event season" for 2026 with our first Student Financial Literacy Program this past Monday. We had a great turnout, and we thank the representatives from PHEAA and Penn State Brandywine for providing some great information for students headed to college. They left behind many pieces of literature so if you were unable to attend, stop by our office and pick them up or give us a call and we are glad to mail them out to you!
To end this on the happiest of notes...the Phillies equipment trucks headed to Florida on Tuesday with 2,400 baseballs, 1,200 bats, 140 helmets, 300 batting gloves, and thousands of clothing items like shirts, jackets, socks, and belts. Spring is coming!
Stay warm!
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Harrisburg Update
- Gov. Shapiro takes legal action to protect history
- Principal of the Year Dr. David Wiedlich visits the Capitol
- Girl Scout Day
In the District
- Student Financial Literacy Seminar
- Get ready to stock trout!
- Update on state game land swap
My Events
- Unclaimed Property Week
FYI
- "I Do" in Delco
- DCVMA is hiring
- PA House of Representatives scholarship
- Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs webinars
- Nominations open for statewide mental health & justice award
Community Events
- Bridging the Gap: A Discussion on Healthcare Equity (2/28)
- Friends of Newtown Public Library Spring Book Sale (3/13-15)
- Delco Sustainability Conference (3/13)
- "Once Upon a Run" Festival & 5K (4/19)
- Newtown Square Fire Co. upcoming events (4/26, 5/9, 7/4)
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Gov. Shapiro takes legal action to protect history
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You may have seen on the local news that in late January, under direction from the current presidential administration, the National Park Service dismantled exhibits about slavery at the President’s House site in Philly’s Independence National Historical Park.
In response, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, backed by Governor Shapiro, filed a lawsuit against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron, and their respective agencies.
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As of the time I’m writing this, the latest development is that Judge Cynthia Rufe issued an order Monday preventing further removals or changes to the President’s House; she also instructed the city to file a new injunction request to clarify what it is seeking, and gave the U.S. attorney’s office another week to respond.
I commend our city of the first class and Governor Shapiro for being on the right side of history. You can’t change history just because it doesn’t fit your narrative. It is messy and inconvenient but can’t be changed. We need to learn from history so as not to repeat it.
In a video posted last week, Mayor Parker said: “This history is a critical part of our nation’s origins, and it deserves to be seen and heard, not just by the people of Philadelphia, but by every person who comes to Philadelphia from around our nation and the world to see and learn from, especially as we celebrate our Semiquincentennial 250th birthday, I want the world to know you cannot erase our history.”
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Principal of the Year Dr. David Wiedlich visits the Capitol
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I was honored to host Radnor Middle School’s principal and PA’s 2026 Principal of the Year, Dr. David Weidlich, and his family at the Capitol on Monday! Dr. Wiedlich was chosen from an impressive pool of candidates by the Pennsylvania Principal’s Association for his dedication to the RMS community and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. He's not just focused on achievement in the classroom, but also ensuring students have the soft skills needed for lifelong success!
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An educator for 23.5 years and an administrator for nearly 12 years, Dr. Wiedlich joined the Radnor Township Middle School as principal in 2019. Dr. Wiedlich began his teaching career in The School District of Philadelphia at John Welsh Elementary School (K-8). In 2003, he transitioned to the Downingtown Area School District, where he served as an English and Social Studies teacher.
In 2014, Dr. Wiedlich assumed the role of assistant principal at Lionville Middle School, also in the Downingtown Area School District, before being tapped to fill the role of principal at Radnor Middle School.
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Principal Wiedlich’s wife, Kellie, is also Radnor proud working in the counseling department at Radnor High School. Radnor is so lucky to have you, Dr. Wiedlich! Congratulations on this honor!
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I had the pleasure of retaking my Girl Scout oath this week with Troop PA while they were up in the Capitol advocating for the work of the Girl Scouts! I recently got to reflect on my time as a Girl Scout while talking to a college student doing research on the correlation between being involved in the Girl Scout organization and women serving in government. I think the Girl Scout Law (copied to the right) is a good outline of what can make an effective legislator!
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I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong,
and responsible for what I say and do,
and to respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place,
and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
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I am excited to see how these young ladies bring their experience
as a Girl Scout to their future endeavors!
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Student Financial Literacy Seminar
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Thank you to everyone who joined us Monday night for our Student Financial Literacy Program. We are grateful to Fran McKeown from PHEAA and Amy Miller-Spavlik from Penn State Brandywine for sharing your experience and expertise to make it easier for our students to attain higher education! Thanks to Kate for planning such a great program.
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Get ready to stock trout!
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The PA Fish & Boat Commission has released its 2026 adult trout stocking schedule on FishandBoat.com! The schedule is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers, and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location.
The statewide Opening Day of Trout Season will be held on Saturday, April 4. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day will take place on Saturday, March 28.
To prepare for the start of the season, trout stocking operations are set to begin during the week of February 16. Anglers should note that fishing is not permitted on lakes and streams designated as Stocked Trout Waters from February 16 to 8 a.m. on the opening day of trout season (April 4), with the exception of the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day (March 28), unless waters are included in the Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing program.
For Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available online, through county treasurer offices, or at a retail license issuing agent location.
Click here for even more details on trout fishing season, including licensing info.
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Update on state game land swap
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In what’s called a “land swap,” the Pennsylvania Game Commission has decided to establish Delaware County’s first state game lands on the part of the Sleighton Farms property that’s in Edgmont (not Middletown).
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As I noted in my last e-newsletter, this has been a fast development for us on the ground in Edgmont. The land swap was negotiated by the equity owner of the Sleighton property, the Commission, and a developer in Limerick Twp.
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A barn on the abandoned Sleighton
School Village section
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There are currently 55 acres of state game land in Limerick, and the swap would grant those acres to the Limerick developer in exchange for the land at Sleighton.
The PA State Game Commission is an independent agency responsible for managing the state game lands, and they say they based their decision on development in the area of the Limerick game land because it’s in the state game land program’s best interests.
Local municipalities nor the state legislature have the power to approve or deny real estate transactions made by the Game Commission, as they are a self-governing body funded by fees on hunting licenses, federal excise tax funds from the sale of sporting arms and ammunition, and State Game Lands timber, mineral, and oil/gas revenues.
The Game Commission’s approval of the swap (the vote was 6-3) means it can now move forward with due diligence to complete the real estate transaction, fully evaluate remediation needs of the property, and determine how the land will be utilized as game lands. I have been told this process could take up to a year. When it is complete, the 176 acres of the Sleighton Property will be preserved from development, open to the community, and home of the first game lands in Delco.
There is still a lot more work to do. Edgmont Township officials and I are working with the Game Commission to schedule a community meeting as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for details. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, and we'll get them answered.
If you want to see the presentation about the details of the swap, you can view the presentation to the Game Commission. It starts at about the 24:00 mark in this video.
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The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association (DCVMA) is in search of a part-time Program Manager. The Program Manager oversees DCVMA's day-to-day operations, coordinates committees and volunteers, and ensures timely execution of events, educational programs, and facility management. This hybrid role (remote and onsite at Veterans Meeting Hall) reports to the Board and works with an Administrative Assistant.
Compensation: $25,000 annually, paid monthly
Contact: Nicole de Botton Robinson - (610) 576-0216
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Committee & Program Coordination: Work with Board Committee leads to meet deadlines and goals; Monitor progress and provide operational guidance; Coordinate logistics for DCVMA events and programs; Conduct post-event reviews and follow-up
- Volunteer Management: Schedule and oversee volunteers for operations, programs, and events; Provide training, guidance, and clear communication
- Marketing & Communications: Oversee Marketing Committee; Manage public communications, social media, and promotional materials; Update DCVMA website with event and facility information; Support media outreach and campaigns
- Education Committee: Support committee operations and community engagement; Assist with school participation paperwork and testimonials; Ensure timely submission of EITC applications and grant requests
- Veterans Hall Operations: Manage facility operations and rental development; Ensure compliance with facility policies; Review monthly QuickBooks reports with the Treasurer
- Reporting: Provide monthly updates to the DCVMA Board
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Pride Safety with the Governor's Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs
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The PA Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, is offering a three-part learning series to organization leaders, security personnel, and members of the LGBTQI+ community. Participants will learn best practices to enhance security and situational awareness while attending or participating in community gatherings and events.
Pride Safety Session 1: Friday, February 27 9am-12pm (RSVP here)
Pride Safety Session 2: Friday, March 27 9am-12pm (RSVP here)
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Your contact information is secure and will not be shared with anyone outside of this meeting. This event is held on Microsoft Teams and will not be livestreamed or recorded.
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Nominations open for statewide mental health & justice award
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The PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency is accepting nominations for the annual Honorable John A. Zottola Mental Health and Justice Award through February 13, 2025.
In 2022, PCCD created the award in memory of Judge Zottola's dedication and commitment to serving justice-involved special populations. The award is to be bestowed annually upon someone who, in service to the courts, their community and special criminal justice populations, exhibits the same leadership, dedication and passion.
Click here for more info & to submit a nomination.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Spring is around the corner — and so is one of Newtown’s favorite community traditions!
The Friends of the Newtown Public Library will hold their Spring Book Sale March 13–15 in the Community Room at the Newtown Public Library. Browse thousands of donated items, including books for all ages and interests, plus DVDs, CDs, and vinyl records. Proceeds help support programs and services at our beloved library. Sale Hours are as follows:
- Friday, March 13
• First Look Early Admission: 8:00–10:00 AM ($10 fee)
• Open to the public: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday, March 15: 1:00–4:00 PM — $6 a bag
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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