Chesco leaders to rappel for a good cause

WEST CHESTER Mayor Carolyn Comitta and three other local notables are set to join Philadelphia Mayor Nutter in rappelling down the 31-story One Logan Square building on Thursday to raise money for a leadership program for students.

"It's pretty much a terrifying thing to do," Comitta said. "I've been advised, and I'm repeating this, don't look down."

Comitta and the other three members of Team West Chester - Jordan Norley, president of the borough council; Mark Yoder, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce; and Allison Snavely-Villano, director of Fig Magazine West Chester - are working to raise $8,000 for students in need in the West Chester Area School District to attend the Philadelphia Outward Bound School.

The school seeks to help children and adults develop as leaders through expeditions in backpacking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. The Outward Bound organization has a national network of schools that encourage service to others, character development, and physical fitness.

Comitta took an Outward Bound mountaineering course in 1979.

"I did things I never thought I would have been able to do," she said. "What I learned serves me to this day."

Team West Chester, Nutter and five other people are scheduled to rappel on Thursday. About 120 other fund-raiser participants are set to rappel Friday.

- Michaelle Bond