Victoria’s Secret-ish…

Embracing fabulous YOU   By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times   Did you happen to read about the group of “regular” women who tried on Victoria’s Secret bathing suits and then replicated a photoshoot? If that is not the epitome of bravery, I don’t know what is. The article does contain some profanity and is meant for an older audience. Parents, monitor accordingly. Click...

Op/Ed: A tale of two high schools

Growing gap between urban, suburban schools is unconscionable By Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman, State Senator, 19th District Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” It’s almost like Charles Dickens was describing public education in Pennsylvania. Today, the disparity between the academic services, technology and basic resources available to students in inner...

Op/Ed: 2015 offer many opportunities for Chester County

By Terence Farrell, Chair, Chester County Board of Commissioners  Terence Farrell The citizens of Chester County have a myriad of opportunities as we begin 2015 and close out a successful 2014. As the newly elected chair of the Chester County Commissioners, I’m looking forward to making sure we meet the goals we’ve set in our strategic plan that will enhance our already excellent quality of...

Don’t expect much political change in 2015

Although new approaches seem badly needed, expect the ‘same old, same old’ this year By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times New year, same old politics. As 2015 dawns, even with new majorities in state and federal legislatures, as well as a brand new governor and a new county commissioner, things are arguably more the same than different. In terms of the federal government, it’s not just...

New Years’ resolutions — for others

A few ‘helpful’ suggestions for a better 2015 By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times With another year slipping away – and 2014 seems to have gone by in a blur — it is time to take a bit of time to make those New Year’s resolutions. Now, obviously, I could make mine, but they’d take up more than just one column to complete and they’d be boring like needing to play golf more often...

Op/Ed: Volunteerism is the greatest gift

By Kathleen Meehan Do, Executive Director, After-The-Bell The holidays are almost here. The shopping days are dwindling down while, for many of us, the stress is ramping up. We want so much to “get in the spirit” of the season. But that spirit can be elusive. We know we’re not going to find it in the shopping malls, and it’s a good bet we won’t find it online either. The search for...

The Land Conservancy looks back at 2014

Editor’s Note: We run this submission from The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County as a public service, but grant that it expresses opinions — which is why we’re running as a column, not as a straight news story or release. As always, we welcome comment and opinions. 2014 is rapidly coming to a close and the members, board, staff, interns and volunteers of The Land Conservancy...

Op/Ed: Chester County benefits from China partnership

By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner and Michael Grigalonis, COO of Chester County Economic Development Council Recently, political and business leaders from Chester County visited China seeking to improve business and investment relationships. From left, David Liu, General Manager of CTDI’s China Operations, Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell, Mike Grigalonis, Chief Operating...

Could attacks on Pileggi doom Pa. GOP?

If Republicans move right, will they lose moderates — and control? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Is state Sen. Dominic Pileggi in danger of becoming a former Senate Majority leader? If you ask a couple of his fellow Republican senators, who have both issued scathing letters condemning the senator, yes. But Pileggi, who represents a large swath of southern Chester County, seems ready to seek...

Risk, reward in running Ross in the 158th

Let’s just say the race got a lot more complicated By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So Cuyler Walker is out, and it appears that Chris Ross is in. Let us set aside the circumstances for moment, as complicated and messy as they are, and look at the situation in the 158th District from a purely political standpoint. Obviously, assuming that Ross is the choice Sunday night — and every single...