The Board of Directors of S.A.V.E. (Safety, Agriculture, Villages & Environment, Inc.) announced today its long-time

Executive Director, Dee

Durham, will step down from

her position at S.A.V.E. at the end of April. Ms. Durham has served as Executive Director since October 2002. Her passion, expertise, and hard work have been instrumental 

in S.A.V.E.'s many accomplishments of the past decade. Ms. Durham led S.A.V.E. through the development of a two-lane alternative for Route 41 that culminated in PennDOT's decision to eliminate the proposed construction of Route 41 as a 4-lane expressway with high-speed bypasses. Additionally, she was instrumental in the successful placement of Chandler Mill Bridge in Kennett Township on the National Register of Historic Places and influencing policy changes at PennDOT regarding historic bridges and "smart transportation." Recently she obtained grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to host educational workshops on gas pipeline planning and safety and provide outreach to Chester County municipalities to promote pipeline safety and environmental protection.

"Leading S.A.V.E. has been a tremendously rewarding experience and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish not only here in Chester County, but our work had positive impacts on a statewide level," Ms. Durham said. She is leaving S.A.V.E. to pursue new challenges in the conservation and non-profit arenas including a Masters in Environmental Law, but "hopes to remain active in the southern Chester County community, continuing to work on issues relating to conservation and historic resources." "Dee will be greatly missed at S.A.V.E." said Lou Kaplan, the Chair of S.A.V.E.'s Board during Ms. Durham's tenure. "We accomplished much together and this was due in no small part to Dee's tenacity, knowledge of smart transportation principles, and the relationships she developed with elected officials, PennDOT and other agency representatives."

Former Vice Chair of S.A.V.E.'s Board of Directors, Julia Gardner, has agreed to serve as Acting Director during the transition period. Ms. Gardner has been a resident of London Grove Township since 2004 where she serves as a member of the Parks and Recreation Board.

S.A.V.E. seeks to improve Rt. 41 and other area roadways to make them safe and sustainable 2-lane roads that enhance the Southern Chester County landscape. S.A.V.E. addresses other smart transportation issues including the protection of historic bridges that provide traffic calming and character. Learn more at www.savepa.org.