Pat Muller, a long-time participant in Kennett Township government, became the township’s newest supervisor on Jan. 2 at a swearing-in ceremony at the Kennett Township Building. She joins supervisors Geoffrey Gamble and Dr. Richard Leff on the three-person board for a six-year term, and is replacing Scudder Stevens, who left the board at the end of December after serving two terms.

As she began her comments, Muller shared a recent story of meeting a young woman who is a newcomer to the election process, and when Muller informed her that she had been elected to the Board of Supervisors, the young woman inquired if the election would be followed by a “coronation.”

“What resonated with me was her use of the word ‘coronation,’” Muller said. “It implies a loftiness and a separation from the community that is anything but small ‘d’ for “democratic.” When I thought about it, I realized that the beauty of local elections -- and our local elections in particular -- is that they may be the purest form of democracy we have.

“Local elections are not gerrymandered. They are clearly within the boundaries of the municipality. There is, for the most part, no or very little outside money, and most of the contributions come from the community and from family members, and those who run and are successful typically are involved in township or community affairs prior to their running. 

“At the very least, they are informed about many of the issues that are of concern to the community. Kennett Township is fortunate -- blessed, if you will – to be a community that values public input, volunteerism and civic engagement, all with the purpose of creating a better and stronger community for all of our residents.”

While she is new to the Board of Supervisors, Muller is no stranger to the workings of the township. For nearly the last ten years, she has served on the township’s Planning Commission, the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Land Conservancy Advisory Committee. When she began as a consultant charged with helping to steer the township’s economic development in 2016, she and then leadership traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby with legislators on behalf of the mushroom industry. The experience, she said, reinforced the role that the township plays in the economy of the Commonwealth and the country as a whole. 

“As I have further gotten to know how the township operates, I have come to realize that what makes our community truly special is our collective willingness to engage, serve and advocate for our township residents and those in need beyond our immediate borders,” Muller said. “We strive to improve our infrastructure, to preserve and improve our environment and to tell our history.

“I have been sworn in as a public servant, and nothing more, and I am happy to be just that. I love Kennett Township and I will continue to work to help define solutions to problems and your concerns, improve the quality of our living and working conditions and act as a steward of our environment.”

Delivering a portion of her speech in Spanish in an effort to reach out with the Hispanic population in the municipality, Muller encouraged all residents to become active members of the township.

“Be informed,” she said. “Volunteer with community organizations. Attend public meetings. Listen, then express your views respectfully, because ultimately, we are all neighbors looking to find solutions. An informed and engaged community is the best protector of our democracy and our community.”

In other township business, the supervisors adopted the township’s Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Services Agreement with the Longwood Fire Company for 2024, which appoints the company as the township’s primary fire, rescue and emergency medical protection service provider to township residents.

The board also witnessed the swearing-in of James Hoffman as the township’s newest auditor, and approved the following township committee appointments: 

• James Nelson to the Building Code Appeals Board 
• Greg Gurev, Joseph Poppieti and Matt Sabo to the Environmental Advisory Committee, with Sabo serving as chair for 2024
• Judy Merhar to the Historical Commission
• Elizbeth Curtis Swain to the Zoning Hearing Board 
• John Haedrich and Karen Marshall to the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway and
• Patti Miller to the Library Board

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].