Back in the 1970s, New Garden Township was the only township in southern Chester County that had no zoning ordinances. The sleepy township was run by the mushroom industry and led by a trio of yawning supervisors, Bob Taylor, Chip Smedley and mushroom grower Dino Ruggieri. Taylor was a GOP operative who served as Chester County's sealer of weights and measures, a politically appointed job.

This township was really asleep and devoid of progress.

Fifty years later, New Garden may be the best-run municipality in southern Chester County. The highlights of this miracle are the only regional police force in southern Chester County, a viable open space program, and a wide base of commercial development. The present five-man board of supervisors, led by Steve Allaband, has developed a winning streak of progressive endeavors, and a head of steam, pushing New Garden to its place among the best-governed townships.

(This is an occasional column written by Uncle Irvin. The column is the opinion of Uncle Irvin, and is not a news story.)