KENNETT — The lieutenant governor paid a visit to Mendenhall Inn to deliver a keynote address before a full-house with local business and community leaders during the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s signature Annual Luncheon.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is the youngest person to serve as a lieutenant governor in America. He is the first African American to hold the office in Pennsylvania.
“Through his thoughtful remarks and direct responses to a host of questions, the Lt. Governor brought a level of awareness and realism to the room that was needed and appreciated. As we face incredibly challenging times in our country, leaders like Austin are necessary to serve our Commonwealth and its people,” said Cheryl Kuhn, president of the chamber.
“Our chamber of commerce is proud to host the longstanding signature Annual Luncheon,” she told the Daily Local News on Wednesday. “Through the years the business community across the Philadelphia region has been inspired by remarks from international leaders.”
Past speakers include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, Linda Conli, president of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia; Charles Plosser, Federal Reserve Bank president; and Paul Redman, chief executive officer of Longwood Gardens; among others.
“We are proud and honored to include Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis on this prestigious list,” she said.
During his remarks, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis touched on recent achievements and challenges impacting the Commonwealth. He also answered a moderated question-and-answer session featuring a diverse plethora of topics including the gas tax, permits, infrastructure, childcare, early education, affordable housing, small business growth, higher education, and freedom.
Although this past summer Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s $45.5 billion into law that included $1 billion for public schools; his administration’s proposed $100 million for vouchers didn’t make the cut. The state-funded voucher program would have allowed students to attend both private and charter schools, for a variety of reasons, including the pursuit of advanced opportunities.
It’s a notion that Davis continues to support.
“People in Pennsylvania have the freedom to chart their own course,” Davis said of the measure.
“Pennsylvania kids deserve a high-quality education, which includes art and music education, no matter what they look like or what zip code they live in,” Davis told the Daily Local News on Wednesday. “These subjects are not merely enrichment; they are essential for preparing our kids to be well-rounded citizens of our Commonwealth and the world.”
A father to newborn Harper, whom he shares with wife Blayre Holmes Davis, and a longstanding advocate for youth, Davis said the young people of Pennsylvania keep him motivated.
“Every time I engage with young Pennsylvanians, I see how thoughtful and passionate they are. As a new dad, I am excited to see what my daughter’s generation will do to make our Commonwealth a better place,” he said.
Both Davis and Shapiro are serving their first terms in office after winning elections for the respective roles of lieutenant governor and governor last November.
“Governor Shapiro and I have been focused like a laser on delivering real results for the people of Pennsylvania. Whether it’s getting I-95 reopened in record time, or delivering the biggest tax cut for Pennsylvania seniors in nearly two decades or cutting the time it takes for a small business to be certified by 33 percent, the Shapiro-Davis Administration is creating ladders of opportunity for every Pennsylvanian and making the Commonwealth a national leader in innovation, job creation and economic development,” Davis said.
On behalf of Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms and the regional mushroom industry here in Southern Chester County, Meghan Klotzbach gifted the lieutenant governor some fresh, locally grown mushrooms prior to his departure.
As during his remarks before the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Davis said that he and Gov. Shapiro truly believe that government can be a force for good “if we put aside our partisan differences and work together.”
He continued, “The people of Pennsylvania want us to take off our red and blue jerseys and put on our PA jerseys, and that’s what we’re trying to do every single day.”
‘Diverse and vibrant’ chamber
The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce represents a diverse and vibrant business community, said Cheryl Kuhn.
“There exists here a level of camaraderie and caring not seen elsewhere; we are here for each other whether for business purposes, professional support, or simply to build a relationship,” the chamber president said.
“Our business community is strong, focused, and committed to each other and our region,” she said.
Besides Pennsylvania, chamber members hail from across the Greater Philadelphia Region including the nearby states of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
#OxfordStrong
Together, members are uniting in their shared support for the community of Oxford.
“The four-alarm fire in beautiful downtown Oxford destroyed businesses and apartments and displaced nearly 100 people,” Kuhn said. “Through tireless efforts of the Union Fire Company, joined by fire companies from Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland, the Oxford police, Oxford Borough, Oxford Area Neighborhood Services, American Red Cross, SILO, Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, and others, the devastated families and individuals were quickly offered shelter, food, and provisions.”
Kuhn noted, “Most of all, they were embraced by many loving and caring people and organizations from across the county.”
Twenty-six families remain displaced, as of press time.
The overnight blaze in Oxford began around 11:30 p.m. September 13 burned through dozens of apartment units and several businesses. The fire was completely extinguished by September 15.
The massive fire destroyed several historic structures, including a theatre, on South Third Street, as previously reported. No one was killed.
“Two days following the fire, Aaron Karpas, executive director of Oxford Area Neighborhood Services and I talked about what the chamber could do to help,” Kuhn said. “Immediately following our conversation, we connected with multiple organizations asking them to step in and help over that first weekend: Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms notified the mushroom industry employers so they could connect with their employees to arrange transportation and other support, ONIX Group — the management firm of the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square-Longwood and Fairfield Inn & Suites stepped in to see that everyone received dinner on Friday; Wyncote Golf Club worked overtime to deliver dinner on Saturday, and the Jennersville YMCA began organizing clothing donations.”
And the goodwill in Chester County to help and uplift the people of Oxford is just beginning.
To continue to support the borough’s displaced families and individuals, the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce is holding its first ever $10,000 Golden Ticket drawing — selling just 300 tickets at $100 each — for one lucky winner, Kuhn said.
“We are proud to share that $5,000 will go directly to #OxfordStrong,” she said.
To purchase a golden ticket, visit www.scccc.com.