COVID-19 Update, May 14: GOP legislators call on Wolf to move Chesco to Yellow

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa As the death toll climbs in the state and in Chester County, three local Republican state legislators called on Gov. Tom Wolf to move the county to “Yellow” status, Thursday. While Chester County does meet some of metrics laid out by Wolf’s plan to reopen the state — in particular medical capacity — it still fails in a few key areas: testing...

Bennett announces run for 160th District

Amber Bennett Amber Bennett of Upper Chichester announced Monday that she will seek the Republican nomination for State Representative in the 160th District, seeking to replace retiring State Rep. Steve Barrar. The 160th is split between the southern tier of Chester County, including Kennett, Kennett Square, Pennsbury, Pocopson, as well as Delaware County, with Chadds Ford, Concord, Bethel and...

The numbers don’t lie: Donald Trump killed the GOP in SE Pennsylvania

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In reviewing the final results of the 2019 elections in Chester County — and by the way, whomever decided to change up the format to make them almost impossible to work with on the Web, please find another line of work – I feel a little bit like one of the structural engineers on the Titanic seeing how my own preeelction projections played out. Clearly, my...

Chester County Democrats enjoy local Tsunami

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County’s  Democrats made strong gains in legislative races Tuesday, winning a clear majority of State House seats and picking up a pair of state Senate seats — not to mention electing a Democrat to represent the entire county in 2019 as well as electing another Democrat to serve the southern part of the county almost immediately. While the “Blue...

Comey’s bombshells, redistricting gutted and the GOP’s internal fighting

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Gosh, another boring two weeks where nothing happened in politics. Well, except for former FBI Director James Comey apparently referring to President Donald Trump as a “Mob Boss,” Speaker of the U.S. House Paul Ryan announcing that he won’t be running for reelection to the House, the head of the Republican Congressional Campaign ripping into a local Republican...

Letter: Faults GOP officials for failing to call out racist groups

To The Editor, The silence has been deafening. We are now at the events of Charlottesville + 1 month.  I am represented by 4 Republicans – Representative Barrar and Senator Killion at the state level, and Congressman Smucker and Senator Toomey at the federal level. I get regular e-mail newsletters from all. Only one, Senator Toomey, has spoken out about Charlottesville.  It took him 11 days...

Kennett Supervisors praise Barrar on bridge project

By Eliza Mohler, Correspondent, The Kennett Times Kennett Township Supervisor Whitney Hoffman cuts the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Burnt Mill Road bridge, last Friday, as Township Manager Lisa Moore, right, looks on. Photo courtesy Kennett Township. KENNETT – Wednesday night’s brief meeting of the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors was a mix of old and new business, including...

Despite Chesco Reps revolt, budget talks stall

GOP House members leave for holiday, no clear path ahead By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times T’was the day before the day before Christmas, When all through the (State) House, Various angry politicians were heard to espouse: “Ghost voting,” “vote to reconsider” “insurgent” and “Twitter fight” As legislators sought to finally get a state budget right… Local State Reps (clockwise...

Op/Ed: Fighting for veterans and first responders

State Rep. argues for support of education needs for both groups By Rep. Steve Barrar, State Representative (R-160) State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160) I spend a lot of my time learning about the needs of the Commonwealth’s emergency responders, veterans and their families. By always remaining informed, I can best represent these groups as the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee...

Op/Ed: Recognizing Loyality Day in Pennsylvania

By Rep. Steve Barrar, State Representative, 160th District State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160) It was a great honor for me to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Because of that experience, I understand the sacrifice and reward that comes with taking the ultimate risk to safeguard our communities and our country. The experience also gave me a deep pride in my country, and each year,...