Boundary Issue
Dear Editor,
At a recent Chester County Commission meeting, the owner of Mifflin Store came before the Commission asking that the boundary for beer sales in Chester County be reduced. Currently, in Chester County the minimum distance within which beer can be sold is 2,000 feet from a church, school or public gathering place. The Mifflin Store owner requested the boundary be reduced to 500 feet. As a Christian and citizen of Chester County, I have an extreme moral obligation to this change.
While some have said our county needs to change with the times, I believe our county is FINE the way it is. One of the primary draws to Chester County is the excellent school system. Our children should be able to go to school, attend daycare or play in the park without beer sales taking place next door. We should be free to worship without beer sales taking place next door.
If we are not willing to be reverent and respectful of our schools, daycare, parks and churches, where do we draw the line? Having beer more readily available will only increase temptation, increase crime and increase the number of impaired drivers on the road. The most common reason given for supporting this change is an increase in tax revenue. Let’s not forget with increased crime comes the need for more police protection. Would the increase in beer sales tax revenue be enough to cover the cost of the added police protection, or would it end up being a financial burden on the citizens of Chester County?
Do the citizens of Chester County realize this change would not just be for the Mifflin Store? It would lower the boundaries of all locations allowed to sell beer in Chester County. If you were thinking, “This will not affect me,” you were mistaken. Do you want your child’s school or your church to be that close to beer sales?
I understand the economic reasons for the request, but I hate to see Chester County sell our souls for a few pieces of silver. 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Sincerely,
Rachel Ellington
Member of Mifflin Baptist Church and Chester County Resident
Praise for Hee Haw
Dear Editor,
We wish to commend the Chester County Chamber of Commerce for their part in making Chester County an exciting place to live with two recent events – the Barbeque Festival and most recently, the production of Hee Haw. The creativity of Mark Barber, President; Blake Hopper, Executive Director; and Renee Phelps, Director of Hee Haw have encouraged local talent in ways that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Blake Hopper and Jimmy Melton, two local celebrities, have reached a professional level of banjo playing that makes Chester County look good as did another famous hometown singer celebrity, Eddy Arnold.
Mike McCutchen and Jerry Lowe have touched hearts and lives with their humor and their passion for music and community service. The unusual story-telling skill of Dr. Brian McCarver, the crowd-pleasing performance by Little Johnnie Williams and all the performers, assisted by the scene-changing crew, made for a memorable production that brought many guests and friends to our county. The Good-Time Band continued their 10-year tradition of providing live music that tied everything together.
Our Chester County can be thankful that more than 50 generous people gave of their time and efforts to create a delightful evening of entertainment.
Sincerely,
Milton and Laurel Sewell
