Pattye Benson

Community Matters

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In My World . . . Honesty & Integrity Matter

November 4, 2009
Comments
Yesterday was Election Day in Tredyffrin Township and today has been a difficult day for me. The outcome was not what I expected, nor was it what I wanted for this community.  I lost the election as well as did my other 2 running mates, Sean Moir and Eamon Brazunas.  In my world of looking for the ‘best’ in people, I fear that the residents of our community lost more than just having these three people serve as Supervisors.  Together with Sean and Eamon, I truly believed that we represented the right reason for serving the community.  Idealistic and committed to the community, we share a passion and enthusiasm with background of community service that was unmatched in our opponents.  The three of us always took the higher road in this campaign, believing all the while that the ‘good guys’ would finish first.  Not so this time.  Our combined 30 years of experience, education and committment was no match. 

We were not prepared to counter the lies and misleading attacks of our opponents.  Just not interested in further dividing the community with the same type of negative campaigning, all in the name of ‘politics’.  We knew the people that came to the polls to cast their vote for us . . . those people believed in us and we would not let them down.  They believed that we could make this a better place . .  one where everyone worked together; a place where your word meant something.  Today I can look in the mirror and take comfort in knowing that I am may not have been elected, but I know I am a better person than some of my opponents. 

Do I regret the time and energies spent on this campaign?  Absolutely.  Do I regret trying to make a difference in our community?  Never.  The eternal optimist, I find the ‘rose-colored’ glasses are a bit smudged, and a little cynicism has crept in to my thoughts today.  I am hopeful that with some time and distance to be able to get back some of my spirit that I lost while on this journey. 
To my many friends and neighbors, and people that I met a long the way, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  I am only sorry that I will not have the opportunity to be your Supervisor and help to make a difference in Tredyffrin Township.

Letter to the Editor 10-8-09

October 13, 2009
Comments
Paoli Sings the Blues . . . a perfect day!
Far from ‘singing the blues’, Paoli was alive and energized for the first ever Paoli Blues Fest this past Saturday. Co-chairing with Marie Thibault, this exciting community event far surpassed our wildest dreams. The day started with threatening dark skies and a weather report to match. The stage crew, tent rental company employees and the fest volunteers worked as the light rain began to fall. As if on cue at noon, as the musicians warmed up, the clouds parted, the sun began to shine, the temperature soared and memories were created.
Working with our fellow Paoli Business & Professional Association members and volunteers over the past year, this event was an opportunity to showcase our hometown spirit and the big heart of the community. With an $8,000 grant from the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau to get us started, we are grateful to the many individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors including Malvern Federal Bank, The Big Easy, Paoli Hardware, Matthews Paoli Ford, Main Line Today, Harvest Financial, Mainlineneighbors.com, to name a few, who believed in us, our vision and the community.
People arrived by car, by train and on foot to enjoy the special blues bands at the five stages set-up along Lancaster Avenue. Fifteen different bands performed all afternoon at Malvern Federal Bank, Paoli Hardware Center, Paoli Design Center, 1776 Center and the main stage at Paoli Village Shops. It’s hard to have an exact count on how many attended; we know the number was high and in the thousands; streets, sidewalks and parking lots were full and overflowing. With the economic difficulties facing our local business community, the 1st Annual Paoli Blues Fest created an opportunity to introduce our local businesses and give the public a reason to come back to Paoli.
We thank the music committee, the tireless volunteers, the sponsors and most of all we thank the public for spending a magical, special afternoon in Paoli for the first ever Paoli Blues Fest. The memories of this day will last long after the music stopped and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

Pattye Benson
Co-Chair, Paoli Blues Fest
Director, Paoli Business & Professional Association

Paoli Sings the Blues – BluesFest Saturday October 3rd

September 26, 2009
Comments
I am co-chairing the upcoming Paoli Sings the Blues with Marie Thibault, president of Paoli Business & Professional Association. The Bluesfest will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, Noon – 6 PM, rain or shine! The festival will feature 15 different live blues bands performing on 5 stages spread throughout Paoli. The main stage will be bluesfestart1located at Paoli Village Shops and there will be fun for all the ages — in addition to music, there will be 60 food and local business vendors, activities for children including miniature golf, stiltwalker and magicians. Exotic and antique cars will be on display as well as Harley Davidson motorcycles.

This special free community event was made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers and generous sponsorship by local businesses and organizations. A starting point for fundraising to support the Bluesfest was created with a grant from Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau. On behalf of the Paoli Business Assocation, I wrote the successful grant and was thrilled that CCCVB supported us and provided the $8,000 grant will gave us the needed ‘seed money’. Their grant also validated our community event and provided added incentive for the local businesses to help.

5th Annual Historic House Tour a Success!

September 26, 2009
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As President the Trust and chair of the Annual Historic House Tour, I would like to thank the special homeowners who allowed us to feature their beautiful homes on this year’s 5th Annual Historic House Tour. It is wonderful to live in a community that has people who cherish their historic properties and then allow others the opportunity to enjoy them!

The annual house tour provides an opportunity for our historic community to showcase their neighborhood architectural heritage and demonstrate how historic homes can be a perfect fit for our modern lives. Old houses tell wonderful stories, and this year’s featured homes did not disappoint. Under the vibrant blue sky and perfect summer-like temperatures, these generous homeowners opened their doors to Tredyffrin’s past to over 150 guests. As one of the Trust’s most anticipated annual events, we are extremely grateful to our historic homeowners who by sharing their extraordinary homes allow us to better understand Tredyffrin Township’s significant and unique history. I would like to thank also the many community volunteers and Trust Board members who volunteered their time and talents to help make this another successful Trust event.

After the house tour, I received many emails and calls, but think the following excerpt from a guest’s email probably best sums up the house tour for her and other visitors —

“. . . The Historic House Tour was superb, a beautiful day for touring with friends, and each house unique in its history and presentation. From small cozy rooms to a vast master suite, from springhouse to media room to “his and hers” pub space, all of it was fascinating. The grounds of each house were manicured and lovely and it was nice to find chums along the way. . .”

A sense of history and preservation of our historic resources is just one of the many reasons that Tredyffrin Township is a special place to live. Continuing to protect and honor our historic and architectural heritage will remain important to me should I be elected to the Board of Supervisors.

Memorial Day . . . A day of remembrance

May 24, 2009
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Memorial Day . . .a day of remembrance. Words, symbols, heated rhetoric and clever argument all pale when measured against the brilliance of the white of marble and the emerald carpet of living grass. Dignity, honor, respect and a day of remembrance is all that they ask now of us. Especially, remembrance. From their dark and silent graves, these men and women give honor to our Nation. With fields and fields of flags upon their graves, we bear quiet witness to the precious, eternal value of the sacrifice of these Americans. Whether in combat, or fifty years later surrounded by only the memories of comrades long since passed, the men and women resting forever under those flags once marched proudly under that banner. They have earned nothing less than the unqualified respect of a grateful Nation, and her grateful people.

“…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, …and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
– Abraham Lincoln

Memorial Day… a day of remembrance. Honor the Day. Honor Them!

Low Turnout Afflicts Primary Day

May 24, 2009
Comments
This was my first primary election in Tredyffrin Township as a candidate. Knowing that all candidates for the Board of Supervisors were endorsed and that the election was uncontested, I guess I was still surprised. On Tuesday, May 19, I arrived early at my polling location (W2) at Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli with the memory of November 2008 Election Day still fresh in my mind. That autumn day the voter line stretched through the parking lot, on to the sidewalk and down the street. The wait to vote was nearly 1-1/2 hours but the festive, party-like atmosphere made the wait even more exciting!

With memories of the last Election Day swirling in my mind, I enthusiastically looked forward to 2009 Primary Day (and my first as a candidate). After morning and lunch-hour rushes that looked more like a trickle, I remained the eternal optimist. Until the polls closed at 8 PM, I visited the township’s 17 voting locations and met many volunteers and voters. The day provided a wonderful opportunity to see many old friends, and to meet new ones.

The polls closed and the votes were counted. The voter turnout was low . . . a history-making low for Tredyffrin Township. We had 12-15% of our registered Tredyffrin Township voters participating in this year’s primary. In the days since the primary, I have reflected that the election was probably overshadowed by the attention-grabbing presidential campaign of last year; many voters were still feeling the ‘burn out’ from the politicking of 2008.

Thank you to the voters who voted in the primary. Remember, for local government to be effective we all need to participate in the process. I am looking forward to an exciting Election Day 2009 – Tuesday, November 3 when our vote can make a difference!

May 19 – Primary Day is Approaching!

May 10, 2009
Comments

Many voters consider “off year” elections to be less important than presidential-year elections. That’s just not true.

As elections get closer to home (congressional to state to local), the voting districts get smaller. This means that there are fewer people casting a ballot, meaning the candidates have fewer votes to compete for. This makes each vote weigh even more. Not only that, but decisions made at the local or state level often lead to more immediate change in your community…the further up you get, the slower improvements or changes to policy can come. But this also means that damage can be done more quickly.

So whether you are a student, a young professional, a homeowner, a retiree, or a a single parent, it’s important to vote in each and every election. Take the time to know your candidates and vote for that person who best represents your view for the future of our community. As residents of this wonderful community, we depend on our local elected officials to represent the voters – show your support with your vote. All 6 candidates (3 Democrats and 3 Republicans) in the race for Tredyffrin’s Board of Supervisors are endorsed candidates and will appear on the November 3 ballot. In this year’s election there are 2 At-Large seats and the seat in the middle available. For the first time in a very long time there are no incumbents for the 2009 election in the Board of Supervisor race for Tredyffrin Township.

Community Service Beyond the Individual

May 5, 2009
1 Comment
A question that we need to ask ourselves is whether we are striving hard enough to put aside self-interest and are looking to find a stronger collective social conscience. Dedication to community is a progressive ideal and my fundamental belief is in the importance of giving back and serving the community. Remembering JFK’s famous quote, “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

America is fortunate to be one of the world’s birthplaces of the concept of community service. Early pilgrims had to serve each other to keep from dying in early times. When the early colonists realized they had a choice between tyranny or freedom they banded together in every community to keep their communities safe from the tyranny of British military oppression. Men, woman, and children with deep conviction and high integrity rose to face the difficulty of the times with heroic character.

Today’s society has problems as well as any other time in our history. Daily we see dramatic scenes of the very people who should be the lighthouses of community service, acting inappropriately. We may witness certain elements of society riddled with corruption, poor character, and far more concern for themselves than any community they serve.

Community service in its ideal form is a way of doing something positive for the community. When everything in the community seems to be breaking, families falling apart at the seams, economic leaders telling us to prepare for a loss of economic will, I get upset and I ask myself have we really arrived at a true and lasting definition of what community service really means. Community service and giving back is what I know and it is what I contribute to Tredyffrin Township. Community service is a positive way of making the community a better place for everyone. Regardless of the outcome of the November election, I remain committed to serving our community and giving back.

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